Abstract: The invention provides for lenses fabricated as planar thin film coatings with continuous structure. The lensing action is due to optical axis orientation modulation in the plane of the lens. The lenses of the current invention are fabricated using photoalignment of a liquid crystal polymer wherein the polarization pattern of radiation used for photoalignment is obtained by propagating the light through an optical system comprising a shape-variant nonlinear spatial light polarization modulators.

Abstract: An implantable blood pump includes a control unit storing patient specific settings. The control unit is configured to store patient specific settings. The patient specific settings can be used to determine a target operating speed for the blood pump and/or a target operating mode for the blood pump. The patient specific settings can include at least one of an operating mode for the pump, a set speed for the pump, a lower speed limit for the pump, a patient hematocrit value, a patient hematocrit date, a patient blood density, and a periodic log rate for event and periodic data.

Abstract: A method for outputting a combined power source alarm for an implantable blood pump includes determining a status for each of first and second power sources of the blood pump. A combined power source alarm based on the statuses of the first and second power sources is outputted. A method for generating an alarm based on fault detections in a mechanically assisted circulation system includes processing a series of fault detection indications to classify a fault as active or inactive. An alarm is generated if the fault is active for more than a predetermined amount of time.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and devices for an updatable blood pump are disclosed herein. The blood pump can be part of a mechanical circulatory support system that can include a system controller and the blood pump. The blood pump can include a rotary motor and a control unit that can communicate with the system controller. The system controller can initiate the update process and can provide the update to the blood pump. Upon initiation of the update process, the control unit can stop the rotary motor. While the rotary motor is stopped, the blood pump can be updated. At the completion of the update, the rotary pump can be restarted.

Abstract: The present invention generally relates to ventricular assist device power monitoring and conservation. In some embodiments, a pump controller may transition the pump to operate in a power-saving operational mode when a power source and/or a power source condition indicate a need to conserve power. In some embodiments, when the power source is an emergency battery and when the emergency battery has powered the pump for an extended period of time, the controller may signal the pump to operate in the power saving-operational mode. In some embodiments, when a low power hazard condition is triggered by signals from one or more external power sources, the controller may signal the pump to transition to the power-saving operational mode if the condition lasts for an extended period of time. In some embodiments, the controller may trigger the power-saving mode when the emergency backup battery is below a voltage threshold.

Abstract: Method and system for enabling users to perform self-service operations in interactive TV environments. In one embodiment, the method enables users to select and activate programming channels via a content receiving device, thereby eliminating the need for the users to have to call a call center or content provider to activate previously unavailable or inaccessible content. Using a set of interactive screens, the user is enabled to view programming channel information, including comparative information. In one embodiment, the method assists users who are moving to activate/reactive programming and content services. For example, options are provided to enable the user to schedule service work, disconnect and activate services, and other activities connected with the move. In another embodiment, the method enables a user to select a programming channel based on channels that are recommended by the system.

Abstract: Method and system for enabling users to perform self-service operations in interactive TV environments. In one embodiment, the method enables users to select and activate programming channels via a content receiving device, thereby eliminating the need for the users to have to call a call center or content provider to activate previously unavailable or inaccessible content. Using a set of interactive screens, the user is enabled to view programming channel information, including comparative information. In one embodiment, the method assists users who are moving to activate/reactive programming and content services. For example, options are provided to enable the user to schedule service work, disconnect and activate services, and other activities connected with the move. In another embodiment, the method enables a user to select a programming channel based on channels that are recommended by the system.

Abstract: The objective of the present invention is providing optical systems for controlling with propagation of light beams in lateral and angular space, and through optical apertures. Said light beams include laser beams as well as beams with wide spectrum of wavelengths and large divergence angles. Said optical systems are based on combination of diffractive waveplates with diffractive properties that can be controlled with the aid of external stimuli such as electrical fields, temperature, optical beams and mechanical means.

Abstract: Method and system for enabling users to perform self-service operations in interactive TV environments. In one embodiment, the method enables users to select and activate programming packages via a set-top box, thereby eliminating the need for the users to have to call a call center to activate the unit. Using a set of interactive screens, the user is enabled to view various programming package information, including comparative information. In one embodiment, the method assists users who are moving to activate/reactive broadcast services. For example, options are provided to enable the user to schedule service work, disconnect and activate services, and other activities connected with the move. In another embodiment, the method enables a user to select a programming package based on packages that are recommended by the system. Historic usage patterns, including viewing habits and attempts to access unavailable content are analyzed to determine which programming packages should be recommended for the user.

Abstract: Method and system for enabling users to perform self-service operations in interactive TV environments. In one embodiment, the method enables users to select and activate programming packages via a set-top box, thereby eliminating the need for the users to have to call a call center to activate the unit. Using a set of interactive screens, the user is enabled to view various programming package information, including comparative information. In one embodiment, the method assists users who are moving to activate/reactive broadcast services. For example, options are provided to enable the user to schedule service work, disconnect and activate services, and other activities connected with the move. In another embodiment, the method enables a user to select a programming package based on packages that are recommended by the system. Historic usage patterns, including viewing habits and attempts to access unavailable content are analyzed to determine which programming packages should be recommended for the user.

Abstract: Method and system for enabling users to perform self-service operations in interactive TV environments. In one embodiment, the method enables users to select and activate programming packages via a set-top box, thereby eliminating the need for the users to have to call a call center to activate the unit. Using a set of interactive screens, the user is enabled to view various programming package information, including comparative information. In one embodiment, the method assists users who are moving to activate/reactive broadcast services. For example, options are provided to enable the user to schedule service work, disconnect and activate services, and other activities connected with the move. In another embodiment, the method enables a user to select a programming package based on packages that are recommended by the system. Historic usage patterns, including viewing habits and attempts to access unavailable content are analyzed to determine which programming packages should be recommended for the user.

Abstract: Methods and systems for enabling users visiting a friend or family member to subscribe to a TV programming package that the friend or family member currently subscribes to. In one embodiment, the method includes generating a user-interface (UI) via the friend's set-top box to enable entry of visitor user identification information. This information, along with programming identification information is then sent to the service provider for the programming package. The service provider retrieves or generates information by which a UI may be generated to easily enable the visitor to setup and activate the programming package and sends it to the visitor's home set-top box. In another embodiment, programming package identification information is stored on a portable storage medium and carried to the visitor's home set-top box, where it is read to retrieve the identification information. The information is then sent to the service provider, which sends back appropriate data to generate the UI.

Abstract: Methods and systems for enabling users visiting a friend or family member to subscribe to a TV programming package that the friend or family member currently subscribes to. In one embodiment, the method includes generating a user-interface (UI) via the friend's set-top box to enable entry of visitor user identification information. This information, along with programming identification information is then sent to the service provider for the programming package. The service provider retrieves or generates information by which a UI may be generated to easily enable the visitor to setup and activate the programming package and sends it to the visitor's home set-top box. In another embodiment, programming package identification information is stored on a portable storage medium and carried to the visitor's home set-top box, where it is read to retrieve the identification information. The information is then sent to the service provider, which sends back appropriate data to generate the UI.

Abstract: A charged particle beam system uses an ion generator for charge neutralization. In some embodiments, the ion generator is configured to maintain an adequate gas pressure at the ion generator to generate ions, but a reduced pressure in the remainder of the vacuum chamber, so that another column can operate in the chamber either simultaneously or after an evacuation process that is much shorter than a process that would be required to evacuate the chamber from the full pressure required at the ion generator. The invention is particularly useful for repair of photolithography masks in a dual beam system.

Abstract: An embodiment of the present invention provides a television electronic programming guide (EPG) that allow users to combine multiple search criteria within a single search. The EPG receives a television program search criteria set containing a plurality of search criteria and a specified search time period. The EPG provides a search result set containing television programs that meet the television program search criteria set for the specified search time period. The search time period may be revised such that the search criteria set is automatically applied to the revised search time period. One embodiment provides a search time period button that returns the search to a current time period from a specified future time period.

Abstract: Method and system for enabling users to perform self-service operations in interactive TV environments. In one embodiment, the method enables users to select and activate programming packages via a set-top box, thereby eliminating the need for the users to have to call a call center to activate the unit. Using a set of interactive screens, the user is enabled to view various programming package information, including comparative information. In one embodiment, the method assists users who are moving to activate/reactive broadcast services. For example, options are provided to enable the user to schedule service work, disconnect and activate services, and other activities connected with the move. In another embodiment, the method enables a user to select a programming package based on packages that are recommended by the system. Historic usage patterns, including viewing habits and attempts to access unavailable content are analyzed to determine which programming packages should be recommended for the user.

Abstract: Methods and systems for enabling users visiting a friend or family member to subscribe to a TV programming package that the friend or family member currently subscribes to. In one embodiment, the method includes generating a user-interface (UI) via the friend's set-top box to enable entry of visitor user identification information. This information, along with programming identification information is then sent to the service provider for the programming package. The service provider retrieves or generates information by which a UI may be generated to easily enable the visitor to setup and activate the programming package and sends it to the visitor's home set-top box. In another embodiment, programming package identification information is stored on a portable storage medium and carried to the visitor's home set-top box, where it is read to retrieve the identification information. The information is then sent to the service provider, which sends back appropriate data to generate the UI.