Abstract: Methods for forming a MEMS display device are provided. In one embodiment, a transparent substrate comprising an array of MEMS devices (e.g., interferometric modulators) formed thereon is annealed following removal of a sacrificial silicon layer. The array is subsequently encapsulated with a backplate comprising a desiccant. MEMS devices disposed below the desiccant have an offset voltage substantially equal to zero.

Abstract: A method of operating a directed relief valve to ventilate a refrigerant by sensing the concentration of refrigerant leakage from the air conditioning system, and if the first concentration exceeds a threshold, by sensing a second concentration. If the first and second concentrations exceed a predetermined concentration, the system will send a leak message to the operator and/or ventilate the refrigerant to the surrounding atmosphere. The system continuously monitors the refrigerant leakage concentration when the vehicle engine is operative, but only periodically monitors the refrigerant leakage concentration when the vehicle engine is inoperative.

Abstract: Embodiments herein may store redundant copies of an operational parameter associated with an internal operation of a memory device. The redundant copies and associated parity bits may be stored in sets of writeable, non-volatile storage cells. A working area of the memory device may subsequently be populated with one or more redundant copies of the operational parameter, with a flag associated with the operational parameter, or with both. Other embodiments are described and claimed.

Abstract: An IO processor includes an embedded central processing unit (CPU), a switch connected to the embedded CPU, an external CPU bus controller connected to the switch for optionally connecting to an external CPU, a first memory controller connected to the switch for connecting to a first memory, and a second memory controller connected to the switch for optionally connecting to a second memory. The IO processor may be connected to the external CPU, to the second memory, or be capable of connecting to external CPUs of different ranks, depending on the situation, so as to meet the cost considerations and the actual application requirements.

Abstract: Distributed data, having been stored in a distributed storage system as a collection of distributed data elements, is recovered based on connection of multiple user nodes, each user node having stored selected distributed data elements as a corresponding portion of the distributed data during replication of the distributed data elements throughout the distributed storage system. Each distributed data element is identifiable by a corresponding unique object identifier (OID). Each user node includes a discovery resource for discovering reachable user nodes, a local cache configured for identifying at least the corresponding portion of the distributed data based on the respective OIDs, and an identification service module configured for resolving a data object to a corresponding OID, via the corresponding local cache, or based on sending a query to the reachable user nodes. Hence, user nodes can recover distributed data based on exchanging resolution information and OID information.

Abstract: Methods for erasing a memory device and memory systems are provided, such as those including a non-volatile memory device is erased by using an intermediate erase step prior to a normal erase step. The intermediate erase step is comprised of an erase pulse voltage, applied to the semiconductor well of the selected memory block of memory cells, while edge rows of memory cells are biased at a low positive voltage (e.g., 0.8-2V). An erase verify operation is then performed. If the selected memory block is not erased, a normal memory erase step is then performed in which the same erase pulse voltage is used but all of the rows are biased at ground potential as in a normal erase step. If the memory block is still fails the erase verify operation, the erase pulse voltage is increased and the process repeated.

Abstract: A system and a method are disclosed for detecting a multicast stream fault condition at a variety of points within a digital broadcast video distribution system. In addition, a method of seamless switchover from a primary to a redundant multicast stream is provided.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for time synchronization of operations in a control system. Synchronization networks and devices are provided for transferring synchronization information between controllers in a distributed or localized control system, which is employed in order to allow operation of such controllers to be synchronized with respect to time. Also disclosed are synchronization protocols and hardware apparatus employed in synchronizing control operations in a control system.

Abstract: A surface plasmon resonance (SPR) spectrometer sensor apparatus for measuring a property of an analyte substance that can be adsorbed on a surface by directing a beam of incident radiation on the apparatus at an incident angle relative thereto, receiving a beam of reflected radiation off the apparatus, and measuring dips in reflected radiation as a function of incident angle or wavelength, the dips being indicative of resonances in the apparatus. The SPR spectrometer comprises a conductive layer having a first side which receives incident radiation, and having a second side opposite to the first side; and a dielectric stack having first and second sides opposite to each other, the first side being in contact with the conductive layer, the second side for receiving an analyte sample to be disposed thereon.

Abstract: The present invention provides an intermediate transfer belt allowing formation of a high-quality toner image. The present invention relates to an intermediate transfer belt having at least one resin layer that is wound around at least a pair of supporting shafts, for receiving a toner image transferred from a photosensitive member, the resin layer comprising a carbon black dispersed in a base resin material, the carbon black having a number-average particle size of Feret's diameter of 5 to 300 nm and containing primary particles in an amount of 5% or more on a number basis.

Abstract: Method and Apparatus to Perform Reactive Jamming While Simultaneously Avoiding Friendly Pseudo-Random Frequency Hopping Communications is disclosed. The system provides an enhancement to surgical reactive jammers that combines near-real-time jamming capability with the additional feature of allowing tactical communications. The jammer includes a synchronization subsystem that synchronizes jammer lockout frequencies with those frequencies being hopped to by units that are members of a friendly communications network. The synchronization subsystem is coordinated with, and therefore tied to the time-synchronized cryptography of the friendly communications net. As a result, the jammer will be aware, on a real-time basis, which frequency the friendly communications network will next be hopping to. The jammer's awareness of these future frequencies will allow those frequencies to be “locked out” of the jammer's transmission band dynamically.

Abstract: Various improvements are provided for prior art policing methods, including token bucket methods and virtual time policing methods. Some preferred methods of the invention involve assigning a non-zero drop probability even when the packet would otherwise have been transmitted according to a prior art policing method. For example, a non-zero drop probability may be assigned even when there are sufficient tokens in a token bucket to allow transmission of the packet. A non-zero drop probability may be assigned, for example, when a token bucket level is at or below a predetermined threshold or according to a rate at which a token bucket is being emptied. Some implementations involve treating a token bucket as a virtual queue wherein the number of free elements in the virtual queue is proportional to the number of remaining tokens in the token bucket.

Abstract: A method and a system for handling fault messages in a network where a network device publishes fault messages related to the principal cause of the fault. The messages are received by a Network Management System (NMS) that identifies the source of the fault and sends a multicast message to other network devices managed by the NMS. The multicast message comprises information regarding the fault. In response to the multicast message, the other network devices determine whether to publish or drop related fault messages.

Abstract: A method and imaging apparatus is provided for scanning and decoding a target object. The imaging apparatus (10) comprises a scanning arrangement (12) comprising a sensor assembly (22) for capturing an image from a target object. The sensor assembly (22) includes a sensor array (27) located within the sensor assembly. A programmable microprocessor (13) is located within and coupled to the scanning arrangement (12) that operates an electronic shutter (29) for controlling the exposure time of pixels (33) located in the sensor array (27). The electronic shutter (29) includes first and second modes of exposure. An image test control system (31) associated with the scanning arrangement (12) for evaluating lighting conditions surrounding the imaging apparatus (10) and selecting an optimum mode for imaging based on the evaluation between the first mode of exposure and the second mode of exposure.

Abstract: A controller, such as a programmable logic controller, may manipulate a phase and/or polarization module to alter and/or control the phase and polarization of input beams. Utilizing active phase and polarization control can enable the combination of any arbitrary number of input beams into a single, combined beam. Utilizing active phase and polarization control can also enable the combination of input beams having arbitrary power levels.

Abstract: Output optical energy pulses including relatively high energy magnitudes at the beginning of each pulse are disclosed. As a result of the relatively high energy magnitudes which lead each pulse, the leading edge of each pulse includes a relatively large slope. This slope is preferably greater than or equal to 5. Additionally, the full-width half-max value of the output optical energy distributions are between 0.025 and 250 microseconds and, more preferably, are about 70 microseconds. A flashlamp is used to drive the laser system, and a current is used to drive the flashlamp. A flashlamp current generating circuit includes a solid core inductor which has an inductance of 50 microhenries and a capacitor which has a capacitance of 50 microfarads.

Abstract: A system and method for containing and restricting spread of infectious diseases within hospitals, clinics and other medical facilities by cataloguing and delimiting movement of patients, medical staff, employees, visitors, contractors and other personnel attending or on-site. The system also provides for tracking and cataloguing contaminated medical apparatus, medicine trolleys, food trolleys, medical gas stations, laundry baskets and other mobile or movable medical equipment or facility equipment to prevent spread of the infectious disease or viral entities. According to another aspect, the system includes a poling or supervisory network for auditing the presence or absence of patients, medical staff and other personnel; and medical apparatus, movable equipment or other facility equipment.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for detecting leading pulse edges of a signal includes a controller, hysteresis threshold comparators and qualification timers. The controller uses the outputs from the timers in order to determine whether or not a transition of the input signal constitutes a leading pulse edge of the input signal.