Abstract: One aspect of the invention is a robot system comprising a flexible artificial skin operable to be mechanically flexed under the control of a computational system. The system comprises a first set of software instructions operable to receive and process input images to determine that at least one human likely is present. The system comprises a second set of software instructions operable to determine a response to a perceived human presence, whereby the computational system shall output signals corresponding to the response, such that, in at least some instances, the output signals cause the controlled flexing of the artificial skin.

Abstract: A spinal implant is described in this disclosure. The implant includes first and second pieces separated by a controlled break location. Spinal implant kits having multiple spinal implant pieces derived from a common source also are disclosed.

Abstract: Described herein are methods and systems for providing software development services more efficiently. Re-computation of results each time a service request is received can be avoided by maintaining a cache of results from having processed requests. Results are stored under a unique mapping of request-results pairs that at least in part rely on a file fingerprint hash of the contents of the input files related to the request. In network environment with a client requester and service provider unnecessary transmission is also avoided by first presenting results for requests are in form of a unique file identifier identifying one or more files holding the content of the results. The file identifier is used to search a cache local to the requesting client prior to requesting transmission of the results. The file identifier may also include an indicator for indicating a location from which the results may be retrieved.

Abstract: A communications system may include at least one wireless communications device and at least one electronic mail (email) server for storing email messages for the at least one wireless communications device. The system may further include an email relay server for detecting a new email message on the at least one email server and, based thereon, sending a short message service (SMS) notification with a unique message identifier (ID) of the new email message to the at least one wireless communications device. Moreover, the at least one wireless communications device may detect the SMS notification and send an email retrieval request to the email relay server instructing the email relay server to retrieve the new email message based upon the unique message ID.

Abstract: A communications system may include at least one wireless communications device and a plurality of electronic mail (email) servers for storing email messages for the at least one wireless communications device. The system may further include an email relay server for detecting a new email message on a given one of the email servers and, based thereon, sending a short message service (SMS) notification with a unique server identifier (ID) of the given email server to the at least one wireless communications device. The at least one wireless communications device may detect the SMS notification and send an email retrieval request to the email relay server instructing the email relay server to retrieve email messages from the given server based upon the unique server ID.

Abstract: A communications system may include at least one wireless communications device and at least one electronic mail (email) server for storing email messages for the at least one wireless communications device. An email relay server may detect a new email message on the at least one email server and, based thereon, send a short message service (SMS) notification with an original SMS identifier to the at least one wireless communications device. The at least one wireless communications device may detect the SMS notification and send an instruction to the email relay server to thereafter send any subsequent SMS notification with a different SMS identifier rather than the original SMS identifier.

Abstract: A field effect transistor (“FET”) is provided has a semiconductor region including a channel region, a source region and a drain region and a gate conductor overlying the channel region. Such FET has a first threshold voltage having a first magnitude and a second threshold voltage having a second magnitude higher than the first magnitude, both threshold voltages being effective at the same time.

Abstract: A circuit is provided which is operable to program an electrically alterable element, e.g., fuse or antifuse, to a programmed state and determine whether the electrically alterable element is in the programmed state or not. Such circuit includes a multiple conduction state field effect transistor (“multi-state FET”) having at least one of a source or a drain coupled to the electrically alterable element to apply a current to the electrically alterable element. The multi-state FET has a first threshold voltage and a second threshold voltage, both being effective at the same time, the second threshold voltage being higher than the first threshold voltage.

Abstract: Described herein are methods and systems for providing software development services in a networked software development environment. For instance, instead of performing compilation on a stand-alone desktop computer, software development activities including, compilation are performed by a service provider in response to a general query from a client requester. Such a network desirably has a global view of the source files being processed by various software development tools associated therewith. This global view enables many interesting approaches including the ability to perform analysis and optimizations to the input files not specified by the client requester. Such anticipatory processing may be based on the history and pattern of previous requests and availability of software development tools that the client requester is not aware of, for instance.

Abstract: Described herein are methods and systems for providing software development services according to an execution environment specified in the requests. For instance, instead of performing compilation on a stand-alone desktop computer, software development activities including, compilation are performed by a service provider in response to a general query from a client requester. Service provider avoids computing results each time a request is received by maintaining a cache of results. To ensure that stored results are compatible to results that can be obtained by re-computation, results are computed according to a specified execution environment. The execution environment for computing is first created on a virtual machine on which aspects of the environment such as a specific version of an operating system and software development tool are established. The execution environment is then saved and invoked on a virtual machine during computation of results for software development requests.

Abstract: A spinal implant is described in this disclosure. The implant includes first and second pieces separated by a controlled break location. Spinal implant kits having multiple spinal implant pieces derived from a common source also are disclosed.

Abstract: An electromagnetic actuator includes a stator assembly mounted to a center pole formed of material having high magnetic permeability and functions as a return path for the magnetic field generated when current is passed through coils in the stator assembly. When current is applied to one or more coils within the stator assembly, a magnetic field is generated that interacts with a magnetic field generated by one or more magnets disposed within the armature assembly and causes the armature to move relative to the center pole thus, for example, opening or closing a valve.

Abstract: An internal combustion engine may be provided with independently controllable valves, fuel injectors and ignition elements that may be used to start the engine without a separate auxiliary device such as an electric starter motor. The engine may fire the cylinders under a startup mode of control at the same time it fires the cylinders under a normal mode of control in order to smooth the transition from start up to normal operating mode. Additionally, an internal combustion engine may use independently controllable valves to stop the engine and ensure that one or more of the pistons come to rest at a position which allows them to be used to restart the engine.

Abstract: The disclosure provides implants, instruments and methods for bone fusion procedures. In some embodiments, the implants are particularly advantageous for use between opposing vertebral bodies to facilitate stabilization or arthrodesis of an intervertebral joint. The implants include, at least, a support component that provides structural support during fusion. In a typical embodiment, the implants also include a growth component. A growth component provides an environment conducive to new bone growth between the bones being fused. Several unique configurations to enhance fusion, instruments for insertion and methods for insertion are also disclosed.

Abstract: A circuit and method of controlling integrated circuit power consumption using phase change switches where the phase change switches switchably couple and decouple power sources to logic blocks in response to a programming voltage.

Abstract: Implants, instruments and methods for bone fusion procedures are disclosed. In some embodiments, the implants are particularly advantageous for use between opposing vertebral bodies to facilitate stabilization or arthrodesis of an intervertebral joint. The implants include, at least, a support component that provides structural support during fusion. In a typical embodiment, the implants also include a growth component. A growth component provides an environment conducive to new bone growth between the bones being fused. Several unique configurations to enhance fusion, instruments for insertion and methods for insertion are also disclosed.

Abstract: A memory system includes a memory array, a plurality of wordline drivers, a row address decoder block which has a plurality of outputs connected to selected ones of the wordline drivers, a row selector block which has a selector lines connected to individual ones of the wordline drivers. A power management circuit having a power down input for a power down input signal (WLPWRDN) and a wordline power down output (WLPDN) is connected to the wordline drivers to lower the power consumption thereof as a function of the power down input signal.

Abstract: A microelectronic element is provided having a major surface, the microelectronic element including a first capacitor formed on a sidewall of a first trench, the first trench being elongated in a downwardly extending direction from the major surface. The microelectronic element further includes a second capacitor formed on a sidewall of a second trench, the second trench being elongated in a downwardly extending direction from the major surface, wherein a top of the first capacitor is disposed at a first depth from the major surface, and a top of the second capacitor is disposed at a second depth from the major surface.

Abstract: A sensor isolation system including a sensor, a package for the sensor, and a compliant interposer disposed between the sensor and the package and interconnecting the sensor to the package to isolate the sensor from thermal and mechanical stresses and yet at the same time providing a physical interconnect between the sensor and the package.

Abstract: A multi-display computer system comprises a display member rotatably coupled to a base member. The display member has a first display device disposed on an interior surface thereof and a second display device disposed on an exterior surface thereof. The computer system also comprises a display manager executable by a processor and adapted to enable a user to automatically control a display mode of the second display device independent of a display mode of the first display device.