Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for using a PDSN in a wireless communication network that includes multiple IP addresses and multiple corresponding physical interfaces. Through the use of multiple IP addresses and interfaces, the throughput of the PDSN may be substantially increased. Additionally, the multiple IP addresses and interfaces may be used to provide redundancy in order to protect against software or hardware failures. According to the methods and systems of the invention, moreover, the risk of internal hard handoffs resulting from the use of a PDSN having multiple IP addresses and interfaces is eliminated or at least substantially reduced.

Abstract: There is provided a semiconductor package that includes a first semiconductor die mounted on a package substrate. The semiconductor package further includes a second semiconductor die mounted on the first semiconductor die and including a thermal sensing and reset protection circuit. The thermal sensing and reset protection circuit is configured to determine a temperature of the first semiconductor die and to provide a reset protection signal to the first semiconductor die when the temperature of the first semiconductor die is substantially equal to a preset temperature so as to protect the first semiconductor die from thermal runaway. The reset protection signal can cause the first semiconductor die to be in a sleep mode or a reset state.

Abstract: An active pixel sensor (APS) comprises a regular repeating pattern of geometrically similar pixel regions, active pixels of which have photodiodes formed therein. A remainder of the geometrically similar regions has electrical components shared amongst neighboring photodiodes, such as for collecting and amplifying signals from the photodiodes. A 4-way sharing arrangement is shown, with four active pixel regions aligned in a column and the shared electrical components in a pixel region, the pixel region being shaped and sized similarly to the active pixel regions, in an adjacent column.

Abstract: A pattern inspection apparatus includes a stage configured to mount thereon a target workpiece to be inspected where patterns are formed, at least one sensor configured to move relatively to the stage and capture optical images of the target workpiece to be inspected, a first comparing unit configured to compare first pixel data of an optical image captured by one of the at least one sensor with first reference data at a position corresponding to a position of the first pixel data, and a second comparing unit configured to compare second pixel data of an optical image captured by one of the at least one sensor at a position shifted by a sub-pixel unit from the position where the optical image of the first pixel data is captured, with second reference data at a position corresponding to the position of the second pixel data.

Abstract: A method for non-invasive detection of a disease, a status of illicit-drug use, or smoking status includes transferring a body fluid obtained from a patient to a sensor comprising a nano-scale surface structure to allow the body fluid to come in contact with the nano-scale surface structure, illuminating the body fluid and the nano-scale surface structure by a laser beam, scattering the laser beam by the body fluid and the nano-scale surface structure to produce a scattered light, and analyzing the scattered light using a spectral analyzer to diagnose a disease, the status of illicit-drug use, or smoking status in the patient.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are processes for dispersing a plurality of unaggregated particles, such as nanoparticles and microparticles, in a viscous medium. The dispersions can be used for making a variety of useful materials, such as carbon nanotube composites.

Abstract: There is provided a method for use by a speech encoder to encode an input speech signal.

Abstract: A CPP-GMR spin valve having a composite spacer layer comprised of at least one metal (M) layer and at least one semiconductor or semi-metal (S) layer is disclosed. The composite spacer may have a M/S, S/M, M/S/M, S/M/S, M/S/M/S/M, or a multilayer (M/S/M)n configuration where n is an integer ?1. The pinned layer preferably has an AP2/coupling/AP1 configuration wherein the AP2 portion is a FCC trilayer represented by CoZFe(100-Z)/FeYCo(100-Y)/CoZFe(100-Z) where y is 0 to 60 atomic %, and z is 75 to 100 atomic %. In one embodiment, M is Cu with a thickness from 0.5 to 50 Angstroms and S is ZnO with a thickness of 1 to 50 Angstroms. The S layer may be doped with one or more elements. The dR/R ratio of the spin valve is increased to 10% or greater while maintaining acceptable EM and RA performance.

Abstract: A stackable microelectronic package includes a first microelectronic die attached to and electrically connecting with a first substrate. A second microelectronic die is attached to the first die on one side, and to a second substrate on the other side. Electrical connections are made between the first die and the first substrate, between the second die and the second substrate, and between the first and second substrates, e.g., via wire bonding. The electrical connecting elements are advantageously encased in a molding compound. Exposed contacts on the first and/or second substrates, not covered by the molding compound, provide for electrical connections between the package, and another package stacked onto the package. The package may avoid coplanarity factors, can be manufactured using existing equipment, allows for intermediate testing, and can also offer a thinner package height.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a method for improving channel estimation in a communications network.

Abstract: A technique is disclosed for reducing an error in a controlled variable via model predictive control. A predicted error in the controlled variable is determined for a forward-looking control horizon based upon measured or computed variables. The integral of the predicted error is computed. If the error or the integral exceed a tolerance for a determined time period, the model predictive control algorithm is modified to drive the error or the integral to within a tolerance. The modifications to the control algorithm may include changes to coefficients for terms based upon the error and/or the integral of the error.

Abstract: An AGC circuit includes a low noise RF amplifying module with an adjustable gain, a frequency converter, an IF/Baseband amplifying module with an adjustable gain, an A/D converter, an AGC module and a gain distribution module. The AGC module is configured for detecting a level of a digital IF/Baseband signal outputted from the A/D converter, comparing the detected level with a reference level and generating a digital AGC signal and a digital gain distribution control signal based upon the comparison result. The gain distribution module is subject to control of the digital AGC signal and digital gain distribution control signal and configured for generating digital gain control signals to selectively adjust at least one of the gains of the low noise RF amplifying module and the IF/Baseband amplifying module in a digital manner to keep an IF/Baseband signal outputted from the IF/Baseband amplifying module at a desired level.

Abstract: Computer-implemented system and methods for authenticating the identity of a person, for example a customer (1) of an E-Commerce web site (15). The web site or other verification “client” (110) contacts a verification engine (10, 100) (“Authentex”), which may be implemented as a web server (604). The verification engine (10), in turn, has limited access to a plurality of independent, third-party secure databases (21, 112) which are maintained by Trusted Validators (3, 610, 620, etc), which are entities such as banks that have a pre-existing relationship with customer (FIG. 4), and due to that relationship, acquire and maintain “out-of-wallet” data (4) that may be useful to authenticate the identity of the customer. That confidential customer data—held by the third-party “Trusted Validators”—is not disclosed.

Abstract: In case new and old toners may be mixed, a developing bias is set as follows. The time is first clocked. The number of times toner is replenished from a hopper into a buffer for a clocked period is counted. If a replenishment amount per clock time is a threshold value or higher, considering that new and old toners are mixed, the setting of the developing bias is changed. An electric field intensity between a developing roller and a photoconductor is set to cause normally-charged toner to fly in an image area but not to fly in a background area. No image fogging is therefore generated in the background area. Thus, an image forming apparatus and method capable of preventing low-charged toner and oppositely-charged toner generated by mixing of new and old toners from adhering to the background area of an electrostatic latent image on the photoconductor, thereby avoiding generation of image fogging.

Abstract: An average write speed M is calculated by averaging write speeds for blocks of a tentative block size La, and write speed variation ? of the blocks with respect to the average write speed M is calculated (Step S12). A maximum speed Vmax is calculated by accelerating and then decelerating (or decelerating and then accelerating) a stage when moving the stage by the width of one of the blocks of the tentative block size La (Step S13). When the relationship “Vmax?M??” does not hold, the tentative block size La is increased (Step S15). When the relationship “Vmax?M??” holds, the tentative block size La is set as an optimal block size Lb (Step S16).

Abstract: An embodiment is a method and apparatus to provide a multi-function module. A circuit board has a form factor and a connector edge corresponding to a first interface standard. The connector edge includes first and second groups of pin-outs that are mapped to pin-out assignments compatible with the first interface standard and a second interface standard, respectively. A first interface is provided on the circuit board for a first set of devices connected to the first group of pin-outs to operate according to the first interface standard. A second interface is provided on the circuit board for a second set of devices connected to the second group of pin-outs to operate according to the second interface standard.

Abstract: A current data capture system has a set of configuration parameters operative for enabling the current data capture system to capture transaction data. A configuration host is operative for pulling the set of configuration parameters from the current data capture system, and for pushing a pulled set of configuration parameters to at least one additional data capture system to enable the at least one additional data capture system to capture the transaction data.

Abstract: A system and associated method is provided for sorting parts, which includes a conveyor system for receiving and circulating a plurality of randomly presented parts, a sorting buffer for accumulating selected parts from the plurality of randomly presented parts in an assigned buffer location, and a sequencing system for sequencing the accumulated selected parts.

Abstract: Simplified wireless device activation may be achieved using temporary and permanent numbers used to connect to a wireless service provider. In one implementation, an electronic book reader device includes a memory that contains a temporary number that may be used to connect to a wireless service provider. The temporary number may be replaced with a permanent number that is used to connect to the wireless service provider. This replacement may occur once the electronic book reader device connects with the wireless service provider for the first time. The permanent number may be used to connect to the wireless service provider after the initial connection with the wireless service provider has transpired.

Abstract: A resin composition comprises a polyphenylene sulfide resin and a nylon resin having a ?-parameter of 1.3 or more at 25° C., and has one glass transition temperature, and an image-forming apparatus comprises: a latent-image supporting member, and an intermediate transfer member that supports a toner image transferred thereon from the latent-image supporting member and transfers the supported toner image onto an image-receiving material, wherein the intermediate transfer member comprises a polyphenylene sulfide resin and a nylon resin having a ?-parameter of 1.3 or more at 25° C., and has one glass transition temperature.