Abstract: A semiconductor wafer resting on a contact element has a spatially distributed force applied to its frontside and an equal and opposing force applied to its backside. The contact element comprises a solid immersion lens (SIL), and has an area less than the area of the wafer, but no less than the larger of the area of an optical collection area and an electrical probe assembly. The equal and opposing forces cause the wafer to conform to the shape of the contact element. Measurements, including electrical testing, optical probing and wafer characterization are performed on the wafer.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for stereoscopic image encoding and decoding are described. Left and right eye images are encoded following an entropy reduction operation being applied to one of the eye images when there is a difference between the left and right images of an image pair. Information about regions of negative parallax within the entropy reduced image of an image pair is encoded along with the images. Upon decoding a sharpening filter is applied to the image in an image pair which was subjected to the entropy reduction operation. In addition edge enhancement filtering is performed on the regions of the recovered entropy reduced image which are identified in the encoded image data as regions of negative parallax. Interleaving of left and right eye images at the input of the encoder combined with entropy reduction allows for efficient encoding, storage, and transmission of 3D images.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method for establishing media data exposure for a computer processing device, where media data received in the computer processing device. The computer processing device pairs itself with a plurality of portable computing devices using a Bluetooth connection when media data is received. A signal strength characteristic of the Bluetooth connection is established in the computer processing device for each of the paired plurality of portable computing devices. Each signal strength characteristic with the received media data is then established to determine which signal strength characteristic is the strongest when the media data was received in the computer processing device.

Abstract: Apparatus (100) adapted to provide an indication of an angular position of an input member (106) over multiple turns includes at least two rotatable members (104A-104D) configured, in use, to rotate in accordance with rotation of an input member (106), and at least one sensing device (114A) configured to measure and output an angular position of at least one of the rotatable members. The rotatable members are configured to rotate simultaneously but at different rates. The apparatus further includes a device (114) configured to use the angular position measurements from the at least one sensing device to produce an cation of an angular position of the input member over multiple turns.

Abstract: In embodiments of a high-speed I/O data system, a first computer chip includes a data transmission system, and a second computer chip includes a data reception system. A data channel communicates an NRZ data signal, and a clock channel communicates a forwarded clock signal, from the data transmission system to the data reception system. The data transmission system includes a first differential serializing transmitter to generate the NRZ data signal from pulsed data, and further includes a second differential serializing transmitter to generate a forwarded clock signal. A first multi-phase transmit clock generator generates transmit clock signals for the first and second differential serializing transmitters. The data reception system includes a data receiver and a de-serializer to receive and de-serialize the NRZ data signal, and includes a multi-phase receive clock generator to generate receive clock signals from the forwarded clock signal for the de-serializing data receiver.

Abstract: A method, computer program product, and system for performing a dynamic social content selection. According to an embodiment, a method may include determining, via one or more computing devices, a plurality of status indicators available to be associated with social content associated with a first user. The method may also include defining one or more rules for the plurality of status indicators based on, at least in part, a recipient characteristic. The method may further include selecting one of the plurality of status indicators to associate with the content for a second user based on the one or more rules. The method may further include providing the content and the selected one of the plurality of status indicators to the second user.

Abstract: Benzopyran and benzoxepin compounds of Formulas I and II, and including stereoisomers, geometric isomers, tautomers, solvates, metabolites and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, are useful for inhibiting lipid kinases including p110 alpha and other isoforms of PI3K, and for treating disorders such as cancer mediated by lipid kinases. Methods of using compounds of Formulas I and II for in vitro, in situ, and in vivo diagnosis, prevention or treatment of such disorders in mammalian cells, or associated pathological conditions, are disclosed.

Abstract: A self-adjusting regulator includes a power stage adjusting an output voltage and a control loop for controlling the power stage. The control loop includes a compensator adjusting a bandwidth in response to at least one compensator control signal, and an oscillator controlling a switching speed in response to at least one oscillator control signal. The self-adjusting regulator further includes a voltage sensing control circuit controlling the control loop. The voltage sensing control circuit generating the at least one compensator control signal and the at least one oscillator control signal based on a comparison of the output voltage and a reference voltage. In a low speed mode, the compensator outputs a first bandwidth, and the oscillator outputs a first switching speed. In a high speed mode, the compensator outputs a second bandwidth greater than the first bandwidth, and the oscillator outputs a second switching speed faster than the first switching speed.

Abstract: A tunable photonic crystal device comprising: alternating layers of a first material and a second material, the alternating layers comprising a responsive material, the responsive material being responsive to an external stimulus, the alternating layers having a periodic difference in refractive indices giving rise to a first reflected wavelength; wherein, in response to the external stimulus, a change in the responsive material results in a reflected wavelength of the device shifting from the first reflected wavelength to a second reflected wavelength.

Abstract: A pump chuck for connection with a valve stem of a tire valve is disclosed. The pump chuck comprises a body having a first bore, a second bore, a third bore and a passageway connecting the first bore and the third bore therethrough, a pivot clip pivotally mounted on the body and having a plurality of threads on one end and a depression on a bottom surface, a spring compressed between the pivot clip and the body, a rubber seal housed inside the first bore of the body, an end cap mounted on the top surface of the body above the first bore, and a connector housed inside the third bore of the body to connect a hose from a tire pump. The contact of the rubber seal against the valve stem affects an air tight seal.

Abstract: A camera configured to generate audio/video signals, the camera including a recording unit configured to record the audio/video signals on a recording medium, a meta data generation processor configured to generate automatically meta data identifying the content of the audio/video signals in response to the audio/video signals, a wireless communications processor configured to communicate the meta data separately from the recording medium, and a communications interface configured to communicate the automatically generated meta data to a personal data processing apparatus and to receive user generated meta data from the personal data processing apparatus.

Abstract: Described herein are compositions and methods for capturing carbonylic or phenolic toxicants, or converting these toxicants into less volatile compounds. The toxicants, which may be a component of cigarette smoke, may be captured by physical or chemical adsorption, absorption, or entrapment.

Abstract: A furniture piece includes at least one armored panel and at least one locking mechanism wherein the at least one locking mechanism permits the at least one armored panel to be secured to a location adjacent to and substantially blocking at least one entrance of a room. The furniture piece may further include a furniture mobility mechanism, such as a wheel, a caster, a roller, a bearing, a sphere, a hemisphere, a cylinder, a skid or a slide. The furniture mobility mechanism may be selectable between a first “storage” position and a second “mobility” position, the second “mobility” position configured to assist in repositioning the furniture piece to the location adjacent to and substantially blocking the at least one entrance of the room. The furniture piece may be a bookcase, a wardrobe, a cabinet, a storage container, a shelf system, a wall hanging, a chalkboard, a whiteboard, a poster board, a desk and a table, and the locking mechanism may include a hook at a ring.

Abstract: The automated analysis of a code developer's profile comprises gathering data relating to code repository updates by a developer, analyzing the gathered data to determine profile attributes of the developer to provide a behavior analysis of the developer and analyzing, using a microprocessor, the profile attributes of the developer with respect to role descriptions.

Abstract: A transportable weather radar having radar electronics functionally located above the elevational joint and a frame superstructure rotationally connected to the elevational joint onto which is mounted a parabolic radar antenna adapted for Doppler weather radar use. The radar has a rotational drive assembly mounted below and supporting the elevational joint and a harmonic drive unit positioned inside the elevational joint so that the antennae may be rotated without significant backlash during rotational changes. A hollow center in the rotational joint allows for the passing of electronics cable through the middle of the joint and down through rotating assemblies and to electronics in or adjacent to the radar pedestal.

Abstract: A series of imidazo[1,2-a]pyridine derivatives of formula (I), being potent modulators of human TNFa activity, are accordingly of benefit in the treatment and/or prevention of various human ailments, including autoimmune and inflammatory disorders; neurological and neurodegenerative disorders; pain and nociceptive disorders; cardiovascular disorders; metabolic disorders; ocular disorders; and oncological disorders.

Abstract: A method of making an appliance door includes inserting a door pan into a fixture having first and second forming molds, which are pressed together. An inner door liner is placed over the door pan and secured thereto to form a base door. A mold cavity is formed between the door pan and the inner door liner. An insulative material is injected into the mold cavity defined by the space between the door pan and the inner door liner. A removable decorative exterior skin is extended over the base door. A support frame and a plurality of utility lines are provided. An insulative material contacts the support frame. A base door is formed by an inner door liner secured to the insulative material and the support frame.