Abstract: An arrangement includes (a) a housing situating an integrated circuit that includes first contacts and (b) a connector. The housing includes a window which exposes at least a portion of the first contacts. The connector includes second contacts disposed at a first end of the connector. The second contacts removably couple to the first contacts. A second end of the connector is coupled to an output device. The connector establishes an electrical connection for an exchange of multimedia data between the integrated circuit and the output device.

Abstract: A light guide and module for motor vehicles that directs light generally along a horizontal axis. The module includes an array of light sources, an array of reflectors and a light guide. The light guide defines a body having opposed upper and lower walls. Formed in the lower wall is at least one prismatic structure having a reflecting surface oriented to reflect light based the principle of total internal reflection and to redirect light toward the upper wall. Formed in the upper wall is at least one decoupling prism element. The decoupling prism elements corresponding in number to the prismatic structures and are located in the upper wall so as to receive redirected light from its corresponding prismatic structures. The decoupling prism element includes a second reflecting surface that reflects light redirected from the first reflecting surface.

Abstract: Systems and techniques to determine that a VoIP call is an inactive media call. One or more counters may be used to determine information indicative of an elapsed time since the last valid media packet sent/received. When the elapsed time exceeds a threshold time, the call is determined to be an inactive media call. The call may be designated as inactive, may be terminated, or other action may be taken based on the determination that the call is an inactive media call.

Abstract: A remote call center utilizes both cell phone and satellite communication networks to transmit data messages to a vehicle equipped with both a telematics module and a SDAR module. The telematics module and the SDAR module are both coupled to a vehicle data bus, and a software communication token containing a current budget is assigned to a selected module in response to a vehicle turn-off event. The module possessing the communication token determines the available signal strength on its respective communication network. If the available signal strength is adequate for reliable data communication with the call center, the module retains possession of the token and periodically wakes-up to check for incoming messages from the call center. If the available signal strength is inadequate, the module possessing the token passes the token to the other module, after which that module periodically wakes-up to check for incoming messages from the call center.

Abstract: A modular Cable Modem Termination System (CMTS) includes a packet shelf operating a Data Over Cable Service Interface Specifications (DOCSIS) Media Access Control (MAC) framer. One or more downstream Physical Interface (PHY) shelves receive DOCSIS data from the packet shelf over a packet switched network and modulate the DOCSIS data for sending on a downstream path of a cable plant. One or more upstream PHY shelves send DOCSIS data received from an upstream path of the cable plant over the packet switched network to the packet shelf. By separating the PHY components from the MAC and from the system software, the PHY components for a Hybrid Fiber Coax (HFC) plant may be replaced with different PHY components for other access technologies such as wireless, Digital Subscriber Lines (DSL), Ethernet-to-the-Home, Fiber-to-the-Home, or fiber Passive Optical Networks (PONs).

Abstract: The invention provides a memory card detection circuit of a computer. The memory card detection circuit comprises a plurality of query pins through which a memory card is coupled to the computer and a plurality of latch circuits respectively coupled to each of the query pins. The latch circuits generates query signals indicating whether ground bounce occurs in the voltage of the query pins due to a voltage difference between two ends of the query pins shortly after the memory card is coupled to the computer through the query pins. The query signals identify the type of the memory card without waiting until ground bounce is resolved.

Abstract: One embodiment in accordance with the invention is a method that includes detecting a failure in a ring network and transmitting a multicast message across the ring network that includes information regarding the failure. Additionally, a new ring master of the ring network is designated. Furthermore, a ring port coupled to the failure is blocked.

Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention is a method for computing a first gaze axis of an eye in a first coordinate system. A camera is focused on the eye and moved to maintain the focus on the eye as the eye moves in the first coordinate system. A first location of the camera in the first coordinate system is measured. A second location of the eye and a gaze direction of the eye within a second coordinate system are measured. A second gaze axis within the second coordinate system is computed from the second location and the gaze direction. The first gaze axis is computed from the second gaze axis and the first location using a first coordinate transformation.

Abstract: The dynamic response characteristics of an electro-hydraulic (EH) physical plant is represented by a model. The model includes a series of second order transfer functions, one for each operating point, of the EH physical plant. Command pressure, overshoot, rise time, damping coefficient, natural frequency and gain parameters are determined in developing each transfer function. The model can be used to advance the time in which the design and development of a control system for the EH physical plant can begin.

Abstract: A container crane includes a container including first and second side walls spaced apart and generally parallel, a bridge adapted to travel in a substantially longitudinal direction along the first and second side walls, a trolley adapted to travel in a substantially longitudinal direction along the bridge, a jib coupled to a bottom surface of the trolley, and a hoist mounted to the jib.

Abstract: Methods for forming a via and a conductive path are disclosed. The methods include forming a via within a wafer with cyclic etch/polymer phases, followed by an augmented etch phase. The resulting via may include a first portion having a substantially uniform cross-section and a second portion in the form of a hollow ball, extending laterally further within the wafer than the first portion. Back-grinding the wafer to the second portion of the via may create a vent. A conductive path may be formed by filling the via with a conductive material, such as solder. Flux gases may escape through the vent. The wafer surrounding the second portion of the via may be removed, exposing a conductive element in the shape of a ball, the shape of the second portion of the via. Semiconductor devices including the conductive paths of the present invention are also disclosed.

Abstract: A current sensing data read/verify process and sense amplifier is described that senses memory cells of a non-volatile memory array utilizing a current sensing process that places a current source to provide current to the bit line. The voltage level of the bit line is then set by the current provided by the current source and the current sunk from the bit line through the selected memory cell to the source line, which is dependent on the threshold voltage of its programmed or erased state. If the selected memory cell is erased, current flows through the memory cell to the source line and the bit line voltage falls. If the selected memory cell is programmed, little or no current flows through the cell, and the bit line voltage rises and is sensed by the sense amplifier.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for displaying a multiplexed property indicator on a network topology map. A coloration designation specification that specifies property-color designations is obtained. A network topology map that includes devices and links having properties that are specified in the coloration designation specification is displayed. A link or device in the map is wrapped with a multiplexed graphical sleeve that includes a color for each property in the coloration designation specification that the link or device has.

Abstract: An impedance matching logic generates code values that define pull-up and pull-down transistors to be enabled with output buffers. The output buffers store the code values using a two-stage latch configuration, such that updated code values are always stored within the output buffer, even if the output buffer is driving an output signal when the updated code values are received. The impedance matching logic uses previously determined code values to shorten the time required to calculate updated code values. The impedance matching logic may be operated in response to a clock signal having a frequency lower than the frequency of the output clock signal used to control the output buffers. The impedance matching logic may adjust the code values by certain percentages using a multiplication function, thereby allowing for design fine tuning (e.g., due to layout mismatch).

Abstract: The system for controlling and tracking medical items (830) includes a plurality of medical item storage cabinets (878). Each cabinet includes a plurality of doors (888-894). The doors control access to shelves (902, 904) and support modules (1210). Shelves and support modules include user interfaces (938, 1214). Authorized users desiring to take medical items from storage locations in cabinets for use in treating patients are enabled to provide inputs through a display terminal (880) adjacent to cabinets and/or interfaces to indicate the taking of medical items. Storage cabinets include visual indicators so that users may be guided to find a selected medical item for which information is input at an associated display terminal. Alternatively, authorized users gain access to the interior of the cabinet and indicate through appropriate inputs through interfaces on the shelves the types and quantities of items being taken.

Abstract: An image sensor and a method of forming an image sensor. The image sensor includes an array of pixel cells at a surface of a substrate. Each pixel cell has a photo-conversion device. At least one a micro-electro-mechanical system (MEMS) element including a photonic crystal structure is provided over at least one of the pixel cells. The MEMS-based photonic crystal element is supported by a support structure and configured to selectively permit electromagnetic wavelengths to reach the photo-conversion device upon application of a voltage. As such, the MEMS-based photonic crystal element of the invention can replace or compliment conventional filters, e.g., color filter arrays.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for improving the configuration, management, and distribution of quality of service information in a fibre channel fabric using zoning mechanisms. Configuration of Quality of Service (QoS) information is made easy by using zones as a classifier for flows. QoS information is included in zone objects, thereby using the existing zone distribution mechanism to distribute QoS information. Devices not part of any zones are placed automatically in the default zone with a default QoS priority level. QoS information for a particular packet is available as soon as the zoning information is obtained.

Abstract: A method of generating a customized image includes forming a first design including a first pattern having a first color and a second color. The method also includes receiving input from a user using a design modification element. The method further includes forming a second design including a second pattern including a third color and a fourth color. A change from the first design to the second design is proportional to the input received from the user using the design modification element.

Abstract: Embodiments for rotation sensing are provided. A device may include a magnet apparatus including a first and a second magnet. The magnet apparatus may be configured to be coupled to a dial apparatus of a meter. The device may include a first magnetic field sensor and a second magnetic field sensor configured to be coupled to a dial cover. The magnetic field sensors may generate signals based upon the sensed magnetic fields. In some embodiments, the device may include logic for counting rotations and/or logic for detecting abnormal conditions such as a missing dial hand, missing dial cover, magnetic tampering and/or malfunctioning magnetic field sensors.

Abstract: The present invention provides a mask inspection apparatus and method capable of eliminating distortion of each optical image, which is caused by distortions of mirrors and flexure of a mask, and performing a mask inspection with satisfactory accuracy. A stage with the mask held thereon is moved in X and Y directions and an optical image of each pattern written onto the mask is acquired while using the results of measurement by laser interferometers (Step S100). A positional displacement of the acquired optical image is corrected using polynomial equations in which pre-measured amounts of positional displacement of optical images have been fitted (Step S102). Each positional displacement that remains after the polynomial correction is corrected using a map descriptive of pre-measured amounts of positional displacements (S104). Each optical image subsequent to the map correction and a reference image are compared (Step S108).