Abstract: A computer-implemented method is provided for enhancing payment flexibility. The method includes receiving payment notification including a payment amount and a payment date for an identified customer and determining eligibility for flexible payment status implementing the computer processor, the determination based on the customer identity, the payment date, and a payment due date. The method further includes calculating a flex accrual using the computer processor if the customer is eligible for flexible payment status, the flex accrual based on the payment amount, the payment date, and the payment due date and communicating the flex accrual to the customer. The method additionally includes allowing the identified customer to utilize the flex accrual by making a late payment without penalty, wherein a number of days late and dollars paid are determined based on the flex accrual.

Abstract: A light-emitting device comprises a light source adapted to emit light of a first wavelength range; a reflective body comprising a reflective layer; a wavelength converting layer comprising a wavelength converting material adapted to absorb light of said first wavelength range and to emit light of a second wavelength range, said wavelength converting layer and said light source being arranged mutually spaced apart; and light-scattering elements adapted to scatter light of at least said first wavelength range; wherein at least part of said light-scattering elements are arranged in the path of light from said light source to said wavelength converting layer. The light-emitting device according to the invention provides improved uniformity in color and also improved brightness uniformity.

Abstract: An information carrier for holding user information includes access information for accessing the user information, the access information being stored in a pre-determined first region on the information carrier. The information carrier further includes at least one further region different from the first region, the further region comprising dummy information.

Abstract: A package enclosing at least one microelectronic element (60) such as a sensor die and having electrically conductive connection pads (31) for electric connection of the package to another device is manufactured by providing a sacrificial carrier; applying an electrically conductive pattern (30) to one side of the carrier; bending the carrier in order to create a shape of the carrier in which the carrier has an elevated portion and recessed portions; forming a body member (45) on the carrier at the side where the electrically conductive pattern (30) is present; removing the sacrificial carrier; and placing a microelectronic element (60) in a recess (47) which has been created in the body member (45) at the position where the elevated portion of the carrier has been, and connecting the microelectronic element (60) to the electrically conductive pattern (30). Furthermore, a hole (41) is arranged in the package for providing access to a sensitive surface of the microelectronic element (60).

Abstract: An x-ray system (100) comprises a gantry (102) on which an x-ray source (104) and an x-ray detector (106) are mounted. A control unit (110) comprises means (114) for effectuating a wiggling motion of the gantry, wherein an axis (116) connecting the x-ray source and the x-ray detector traces a surface (128) of a cone (118). The x-ray source and the x-ray detector have a fixed position with respect to the axis. The control unit comprises means (120) for acquiring a series of x-ray images during the wiggling motion of the gantry. An object recognition unit (122) detects an object (124) appearing in the series of x-ray images to obtain a tracked path. A depth estimation unit (126) uses the tracked path for estimating a depth parameter indicative of a position of the object in a direction substantially parallel to the axis (116).

Abstract: A security system assesses the response time to requests for information to determine whether the responding system is in physical proximity to the requesting system. Generally, physical proximity corresponds to temporal proximity. If the response time indicates a substantial or abnormal lag between request and response, the system assumes that the lag is caused by the request and response having to travel a substantial or abnormal physical distance, or caused by the request being processed to generate a response, rather than being answered by an existing response in the physical possession of a user. If a substantial or abnormal lag is detected, the system is configured to limit subsequent access to protected material by the current user, and/or to notify security personnel of the abnormal response lag.

Abstract: The invention relates to the automatic identification of light effects available for a home entertainment system with a light management system. According to an embodiment of the invention, a light management system (10) with automatic identification of light effects available for a home entertainment system (12), wherein the light management system (10) is adapted for—automatically composing a lighting scene from an abstract light experience description (14), which describes types of light effects at certain locations relative to the entertainment system, —automatically registering light effects controlled by the light management system (10) and being available for the home entertainment system (12), and—automatically integrating the registered light effects in the composition of the lighting scene.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a scanning probe (2) for capturing data from a plurality of points on the surface of an object by irradiating the object with a light stripe and detecting light reflected from the object surface, the scanning probe comprising (a) stripe generating means (14) for generating and emitting a light stripe (55); (b) a camera (16) comprising an imaging sensor having an array of pixels to detect the light stripe reflected from the object surface; (c) means for adjusting the intensity of the light stripe (55) during acquisition of the frame, in dependence upon the intensities detected by the camera (16). It also relates to a means to modify the stripe length, a scanner with separate compartment for the processing means, and an attachable dust cover for a scanner.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus (10) for generating countable pulses (30) from impinging X-ray (12, 14) in an imaging device (16), in particular in a computer tomograph, the apparatus (10) comprising a pre-amplifying element (18) adapted to convert a charge pulse (20) generated by an impinging photon (12, 14) into an electrical signal (22) and a shaping element (26) having a feedback loop (28) and adapted to convert the electrical signal (22) into an electrical pulse (30), wherein a delay circuit (38) is connected to the feedback loop (28) such that a time during which the feedback loop (28) collects charges of the electrical signal (22) is extended in order to improve an amplitude of the electrical pulse (30) at an output (56) of the shaping element (26). The invention also relates to a corresponding imaging device (16) and a corresponding method.

Abstract: The characteristic playback domain of an AV stream is to be reproduced simply and reliably without complicating the management. As marks representing characteristic points of an AV stream, a mark of the type indicating a point and a mark of the type indicating a section (duration) are provided. The mark of the type indicating a point designates a point with a time stamp corresponding to a preset playback timing of the AV stream. The mark of the type indicating a section specifies the domain based on the time stamp of the playback start point of the preset playback domain of the AV stream and on the duration as from the playback start point until the playback end point.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to the field of molecular biology and concerns a method for enhancing various economically important yield-related traits in plants. More specifically, the present invention concerns a method for enhancing various economically important yield-related traits in plants relative to control plants, by increasing expression in a plant of a nucleic acid sequence encoding a Yield-Enhancing Polypeptide (YEP). The YEP may be a Class I TCP or a CAH3 or a Clayata 1 (CLV1) polypeptide with a non-functional C-terminal domain. The present invention also concerns plants having increased expression of a nucleic acid sequence encoding a YEP, which plants have enhanced yield-related traits in plants relative to control plants. The invention also provides constructs useful in the methods of the invention.

Abstract: The system and method are for efficient detection and restoration of data storage array defects. The system may include a data storage subsystem, wherein the data storage subsystem includes a data storage array, read-write logic coupled to the data storage array, a parity generator for producing and storing check data during write operations to the data storage array and generating check data during read operations on the data storage array, and a parity checker for verifying the stored check data with generated check data and identifying defective data read-write elements during read operations on the data storage array. The subsystem may further include a Built-in Self Test (BIST) generator operating only on the identified defective data read-write elements for determining defective data storage elements in the defective data read-write elements, and a restoration mechanism for restoring the valid operation of data access elements containing the defective data storage elements in the data storage array.

Abstract: A pen which is able to modulate the trace of the pen in response to a sensory signal of the user, such as for example skin conductance or respiration. The sensory signals represent the mood of the user. By changing the trace of the pen, a change in mood of the user can be expressed.

Abstract: A microfluidic device includes chambers for performing chemical, biochemical, or physical processes and a flow path connecting the chambers. A magnetic particle is moved through the chambers which are separated by a valve-like structure that enables passing-through of the magnetic particle from one chamber to another. At least one delaying structure delays movement of the magnetic particle along the flow path.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a scanner (102, 104) and a scanning motion monitor (100). A motion modeler (116) uses data from the scanning motion monitor (100) and the scanner (102, 104) to generate a motion model which describes motion of a region of interest of an object. A treatment planner (112) uses image data from the scanner (102, 104) to establish a treatment plan for the object. A treatment device 114, which operates in conjunction with a treatment motion monitor (108), uses the motion model to compensate for motion of the object during application of the treatment.