Abstract: The delay line degradation protection architecture as build-in ring oscillation apparatus includes a two gates logical circuit, a buffer, a clock input buffer and a delay lock loop circuit. The two gates logical circuit receives a clock enable signal, specific mode signal, and delayed clock output signal. The two gates logical circuit performs a logical operating on the clock enable signal, the specific mode signal and the delayed clock output signal for generating a mode selecting signal. The buffer generates a feedback signal according to the mode selecting signal and a control signal. The clock input buffer decides whether to transport the input clock signal to an output end of the clock input buffer or not according to the feedback signal. The delay lock loop circuit generates the delayed clock output signal. A frequency of the feedback signal is adjusted according to the control signal.

Abstract: The invention provides for intra-luminal stents, especially stent having controlled fracture connection, as well as, methods of making and using the same. In one embodiment, a stent for implantation into a vessel has a plurality of annular segments collectively forming tubular shape, characterized by at least first and second adjacent annular segments each defined by a plurality of struts and at least one joint interconnecting respective struts of the first and second segments on a non-permanent basis.

Abstract: A transaction handler receives, for forwarding to a sponsor account's issuer, a coupon authorization request message from a merchant's acquirer that identifies the sponsor account and a coupon for an item being purchased by a consumer in a transaction with the merchant. The issuer determines eligibility of the coupon for use by the consumer, and sends an authorization response message to the merchant via its acquirer and the transaction handler for the application of a corresponding discount for the item when the coupon is eligible. One or more coupon eligibilities for the purchase of the item by the consumer from the merchant can be derived from comparisons of the transaction to predetermined times, geographies, jurisdictions, sets of merchants, and/or the number of times that coupons have been used in other transactions. The transaction handler can further process the transaction for authorization the consumer's account to pay of the transaction.

Abstract: A multi-screen video playback system includes: a video playback device having a main display, a portable communication device having a screen, and a multi-screen display controlling server. The multi-screen display controlling server transmits a target video to the video playback device via a network so that the video playback device utilizes the main display to display the target video. While the main display displays the target video, if the multi-screen display controlling server received a selection message corresponding to a position of a partial region of the main display, the multi-screen display controlling server dynamically generates a scaled video corresponding to images displayed on the partial region and transmits the scaled video to the portable communication device via a network so that the portable communication device simultaneously displays the scaled video on the screen.

Abstract: The invention relates to a sustained release formulation for delivering one or more pharmaceutically active agents. The formulation comprises cross-linked high amylose starch and at least one pharmaceutically active agent, and optionally can be subdivided into smaller dosage forms where the smaller dosage forms have substantially the same sustained release properties as the formulation from which they were derived. The formulations can provide sustained release for up to at least 24 hours, and because of their divisability permits a recipient of the active agent or the person administering the active agent to titrate the dosage of the agent.

Abstract: Various exemplary embodiments relate to a method and related network node including one or more of the following: determining by the network device that an S9 session should be audited; determining that the S9 session is a suspect session; transmitting an S9 message to a partner device, wherein the S9 message includes an innocuous instruction; receiving, at the network device, a response message from the partner device; determining, based on the response message, whether the suspect session is orphaned; and if the suspect session is orphaned, removing an S9 session record associated with the suspect session.

Abstract: A filter status module for use with a container based filtration device includes a dispensing sensor and a user interface communicatively coupled to a processing unit. The processing unit counts a number of dispensing events, duration and/or angle of tilt signaled by the dispensing sensor and outputs a filter status on the user interface as a function of the number of dispensing events, duration and/or angle of tilt. The processing unit may further track an elapsed period of time from insertion of a new filter and output the filter status as a further function of the elapsed period of time.

Abstract: A method of imparting hair strand effects may include identifying each of a plurality of hair strands to which to apply a hair strand effect product independently and individually, the plurality of hair strands associated with an illustration of at least one type of hair strand effects and one of a plurality of hair styles, and applying the product to each of the plurality of hair strands independently and individually subsequent to identifying the plurality of hair strands. In the alternative or in combination, a hair instruction guide may be consulted, the guide having at least one strand size associated with one of the plurality of types of hair strand effects, and a strand of hair may be identified according to the at least one strand size. A system for creating a hair strand effect may include a hair strand effect product and such a hair instruction guide.

Abstract: A user accessing a media service desires to find out more information about the media service by formulating a query, by operation of an input device, where a region of interest of said media service is selected by the user. The query is submitted to other users who are defined by various tiers defined by different types of criteria. The users belonging to such tiers respond back to the query with new information, which is rendered on the media device being used by the user. Such responses are then rendered on the media device of the user. Optionally, a computer assistance mode is operated where keywords are extracted from said communications between users, and such keywords a used to obtain additional results from a resource such as a search engine.

Abstract: In a further embodiment, a method of controlling a base assembly can be provided. An actuation member can be pumped to deploy one or more wheels to lift a base assembly on said wheels. Further, a pin can be received in a holding portion on a semi-planar contoured surface in response to the pumping of the actuation member. The wheels can be held in a deployed position via the pin being held in the holding portion. Further pumping of the actuation member can separate the pin from the holding portion and retract the wheels from the deployed position.

Abstract: A luminescent material and a preparation method thereof are provided. The said luminescent material is represented by the following chemical formula: Ln2-xEuxSn2O7, wherein Ln is selected from one of Gd, Y and La, 0.1?x?1.5. The said luminescent material has good electrical performance, anti-electron bombardment and stable luminescent property. It is appropriate to be used in field emission light-emitting devices. The said preparation method has simple technique, no pollution, manageable process conditions, low preparation temperature and low equipment requirement, and is beneficial to industry production.

Abstract: An automatic three-phase unbalanced load compensation experimental device includes an automatic compensation device, a load simulation part, and detection, display and control parts. The automatic compensation device includes power capacitors and intelligent grouping compound switches. The detection, display and control part includes a plurality of current transformers, molded case circuit breakers, a three-phase digital display ammeter, a three-phase electric power monitoring instrument, a protocol conversion module, RS-485 buses, Ethernet cables and an upper computer. The load simulation part includes phase A, B and C loads which are in star connection and are same in component and circuit connection, an analog output module and a relay output module. A power monitoring instrument and digital ammeter are connected to the grid by circuit breaker and the plurality of current transformers. The automatic compensation device and load simulation part are connected to the grid in parallel.

Abstract: Described are embodiments for allowing the negotiation of a continuous presence layout. Specifically, in embodiments, an offer is generated by a client that includes attributes for displaying continuous presence video information. The attributes include, in some embodiments, one or more window identifiers, one or more bandwidth limit identifiers, one or more group numbers, and/or one or more ranks. The offer is sent to a server which transmits an answer to the offer. Once the attributes for the continuous presence layout has been negotiated, the server uses the attributes to format video content sent to the client.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a prism sheet and a display device comprising the prism sheet for improving performances of a backlight module in a liquid crystal display device. The prism sheet comprises a first substrate and a second substrate, wherein the first substrate comprises a first surface and a second surface opposite to the first surface, and the second surface comprises a plurality of first protrusions arranged in parallel along a first direction; the second substrate comprises a third surface and a fourth surface opposite to the third surface, the third surface comprises a plurality of second protrusions arranged in parallel along the first direction, and the fourth surface comprises a plurality of third protrusions arranged in parallel along a second direction; and the second surface and the third surface are joined by meshing of the first protrusions with the second protrusions.

Abstract: A modular fuel cell stack assembly comprising a plurality of fuel cell stacks, each of the stacks having a plurality of stack faces and a plurality of stack corners formed between the stack faces, wherein the plurality of stack faces include a cathode inlet face adapted to receive oxidant gas for use in a cathode side of the fuel cell stack, a cathode outlet face adapted to output cathode exhaust from the cathode side, an anode inlet face adapted to receive fuel for use in an anode side of the fuel cell stack and an anode outlet face adapted to output anode exhaust from the anode side, and wherein at least one of the cathode inlet face, cathode outlet face, anode inlet face and anode outlet face is an open face without a manifold, and a containment structure for housing the plurality of fuel cell stacks and for providing fuel and oxidant gas to said fuel cell stacks, the containment structure including at least one sealed chamber for sealingly enclosing and isolating at least one open face.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for reducing the number of pilot symbols within a MIMO-OFDM communication system, and for improving channel estimation within such a system. For each transmitting antenna in an OFDM transmitter, pilot symbols are encoded so as to be unique to the transmitting antenna. The encoded pilot symbols are then inserted into an OFDM frame to form a diamond lattice, the diamond lattices for the different transmitting antennae using the same frequencies but being offset from each other by a single symbol in the time domain. At the OFDM receiver, a channel response is estimated for a symbol central to each diamond of the diamond lattice using a two-dimensional interpolation. The estimated channel responses are smoothed in the frequency domain. The channel responses of remaining symbols are then estimated by interpolation in the frequency domain.

Abstract: An acoustic/vibrational energy absorption metamaterial includes at least one enclosed planar frame with an elastic membrane attached having one or more rigid plates are attached. The rigid plates have asymmetric shapes, with a substantially straight edge at the attachment to said elastic membrane, so that the rigid plate establishes a cell having a predetermined mass. Vibrational motions of the structure contain a number of resonant modes with tunable resonant frequencies.

Abstract: An impedance matching network for a radio frequency (RF) amplifier includes multiple stages connected to each other in a first to last order. A first stage produces an RF output signal, and a last stage receives an RF input signal. Each stage includes a first inductor connected to produce an output signal, a second inductor connected to receive an input signal from a next stage, a capacitor connected between the first and second inductors and a ground. In addition, each stage other than the first stage further includes a first switch to by-pass the first and second inductors, a second switch connected between the first and second inductors and the ground, and a controller for controlling, the first and second switches to select a particular power level of a set of power levels.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a touch panel is disclosed. The method includes providing a plurality of substrates, each having a size, providing a carrier including a plurality of grooves each having a size corresponding with the size of the substrates. The method also includes placing the plurality of substrates into the grooves, simultaneously forming a touch structure layer on each of the substrates, and separating substrates from the carrier.

Abstract: A technique for encoding digital video data comprises determining an estimated number of real bits associated with performing one or more entropy encoding operations on a coding unit of digital video data. Based on the estimated number of real bits, an estimated cost of compressing the coding unit using a compression technique is determined, and the compression technique is selected to compress the coding unit based at least in part on the estimated cost.