Abstract: A mobile device is provided that includes a digit input that can be manipulated by a user's fingers or thumb, an air conduction microphone and an alternative sensor that provides an alternative sensor signal indicative of speech. Under some embodiments, the mobile device also includes a proximity sensor that provides a proximity signal indicative of the distance from the mobile device to an object. Under some embodiments, the signal from the air conduction microphone, the alternative sensor signal, and the proximity signal are used to form an estimate of a clean speech value. In further embodiments, a sound is produced through a speaker in the mobile device based on the amount of noise in the clean speech value. In other embodiments, the sound produced through the speaker is based on the proximity sensor signal.

Abstract: A vehicle's active electrically controlled non-step speed change mechanism includes an internal combustion engine, a dynamo (motor-generator), a power allotment unit and an active electrically controlled non-step speed changer to control vehicle able to run in the best condition notwithstanding its speed, roadway condition or load thereby achieving the aim of fuel saving and minimizing the environmental contamination due to excess discharge of exhaust gas.

Abstract: An integrative combined vehicle power allotment mechanism includes an electric energy unit, an electric power control unit, an electric power unit, a heat power unit, an one-way clutch unit, a power allotment unit, and a speed change unit. The electric energy unit formed of a storage battery, the heat power unit formed of an internal combustion engine, and the one way clutch unit are disposed in different positions in the power allotment unit. Through dexterously designed energy management, the vehicle is driven with individual electric or mechanical power, or the combination thereof in a best condition so as to achieve the aim of energy saving.

Abstract: This invention provides methods for non-invasive, real-time measuring and/or monitoring of local blood flow in a subject. Methods of the invention generally include the steps of obtaining Doppler shift images of at least two planes intersecting blood vessels at the scanned location; determining Doppler angles using the Doppler shift images; and then using the Doppler angles thus determined together with the Doppler shift signals to arrive at a measure of the volumetric blood flow. Also provided are systems and software for performing the methods.

Abstract: Methods for analyzing retinal tomography maps to detect patterns of optic nerve diseases such as glaucoma, optic neuritis, anterior ischemic optic neuropathy are disclosed in this invention. The areas of mapping include the macula centered on the fovea, and the region centered on the optic nerve head. The retinal layers that are analyzed include the nerve fiber, ganglion cell, inner plexiform and inner nuclear layers and their combinations. The overall retinal thickness can also be analyzed. Pattern analysis are applied to the maps to create single parameter for diagnosis and progression analysis of glaucoma and optic neuropathy.

Abstract: A handheld diagnostic device and method for displaying bitmapped graphic characters is provided which utilizes a condensed bitmap library. In particular, the present invention provides a method for condensing extremely large graphically-based bitmapped character sets, such as Chinese, Japanese, Korean or any other graphically-based bitmapped character set, and storing them in simple and economical handheld automotive diagnostic devices.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for increasing the grain size of a polysilicon layer, which includes exposing a silicon oxide wafer in a deposition chamber to an amount, effective for the purpose, of nitrogen at a flow rate of at least about 240 standard liters per minute (slm). The instant invention further relates to a method for inhibiting the formation of a polysilicon seed in a furnace, which includes the treatment as noted above. The invention also relates to a method for forming a polysilicon layer, including: forming a silicon oxide layer on a substrate, the silicon oxide layer having a plurality of oxygen molecules therein; exposing the silicon oxide layer to a predetermined amount of nitrogen-containing gas in a furnace, whereby a plurality of nitrogen molecules in the nitrogen-containing gas replaces at least part of the oxygen molecules in the silicon oxide layer; and forming a polysilicon layer on the silicon oxide layer.

Abstract: Methods and systems for recognizing a spoken alias are disclosed. The present invention includes generating a plurality of alias variations based on a discoverable name and creating a phonetic representation for each of the alias variations. The present invention also includes capturing a phonetic pronunciation of the spoken alias. At least one of the created alias variations that has a phonetic representation that corresponds to the captured phonetic pronunciation is selected.

Abstract: Described is a technology by which a storage at a telephone device (e.g., a client telephone) is synchronized with information corresponding to actions performed at a computing device (e.g., a server) on behalf of the client. For example, the server may employ speech recognition to recognize a name or number spoken into the client telephone, and in response, dial out a corresponding telephone number for the client telephone. This action is synchronized back to the client storage so that the client's call history includes knowledge of the server's dialing action. Thereafter, an action at the telephone device that accesses the call history (e.g., for redialing or scrolling) obtains the full call history, independent of whether the telephone device or computing device performed the action. Changes made via telephone device may be similarly synchronized to the computing device, such as directly dialed calls, user-input speed dial information, and so forth.

Abstract: A high performance voice coil motor comprises: a retaining seat having at least one magnetic unit; a movable seat installed within a receiving space of the retaining seat; the movable seat being installed with at least one coil set; the coil set being interacted with the magnetic unit as current flows through the coil set so that the movable seat moves with respect to the retaining seat; the magnetic unit having four poles so as to increase the density of magnetic lines. Each of four corners of the upper cover is extended with a supporting rod; and each of four sides of the movable seat is installed with a coil set which is adjacent to the magnetic unit. A lower side of the movable seat is installed with two lower elastic sheets; each lower elastic sheet has an electrode plate.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a method for recognizing features of a 3D solid model which particularly performs geometric form features. First, the main and minor geometric features of the solid model are respectively defined and sorted into classes and subclasses according to hierarchical taxonomies, and a database of structural features of the solid model is built with respect to a designed table schema. Then feature names and information are retrieved from the structural feature tree of the solid model on the basis of CSG (constructive solid geometry) by means of the “retrieving feature tree information” technique, and decomposed into geometric data and topological data which are finally stored into the database. The method of the present invention can therefore rapidly recognize the features of the solid model with high accuracy.

Abstract: A signal transmitting and receiving system is adapted for use in a vehicle cabin, and includes a transmitting device and a receiving device. The transmitting device includes a first processing unit for receiving signals from a signal source, a directional transmitting unit coupled to the first processing unit and operable so as to wirelessly transmit signals from the first processing unit along a primary signal transmitting direction, and a driving unit for coupling rotatably the directional transmitting unit to the first processing unit such that the primary signal transmitting direction is adjustable relative to the first processing unit. The receiving device includes a receiving unit for receiving the signals wirelessly transmitted by the directional transmitting unit, and a second processing unit coupled to the receiving unit for processing signals received therefrom.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for measuring a retinal sublayer characteristic of an eye. A plurality of axial scans are performed over an area of the retina of the eye. Reflections are measured during the axial scans to determine a plurality of sets of reflection intensity values. A given set of reflection intensity values is associated with one of the plurality of axial scans. A progressive refinement boundary detection algorithm is performed using the plurality of sets of reflection intensity values to determine at least one boundary location associated with the retinal sublayer for each of the plurality of sets of reflection intensity values. The retinal sublayer characteristic is determined in response to the determined boundary locations.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a method for characterizing ectatic diseases of the cornea by computing a mean curvature map of the anterior or posterior surfaces of the cornea and fitting the map to a Gaussian function to characterize the surface features of the map. Exemplary ectatic disease that may be characterized include keratoconus and pellucid marginal degeneration. Also disclosed are a system for diagnosing ectatic disease of the cornea and a computer readable medium encoding the method thereof.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a method for comparing the detection of clinically significant diabetic macular edema by an optical coherence tomography (OCT) grid scanning protocol and biomicroscopic examination. Also provided are computer implemented, automated systems for performing the method thereof and computer readable media encoding the method thereof.

Abstract: Optical coherence tomography (OCT) is used to map the surface elevation and thickness of the cornea. The OCT maps are used to plan laser procedures for the treatment of an irregular, opacified or weakened cornea, and in the treatment of refractive errors. In the excimer laser phototherapeutic keratectomy (PTK) procedure, the OCT data is used to plan a map of ablation depth needed to restore a smooth optical surface. In the excimer laser photorefractive keratectomy procedure, OCT mapping of epithelial thickness is used to achieve clean laser epithelial removal. In femtosecond laser anterior keratoplasty procedure, OCT data is used to plan the depth of femtosecond laser dissection to remove an anterior layer of the cornea, leaving a smooth recipient bed of uniform thickness to receive a disk of donated corneal tissue.

Abstract: A method of performing an OCT image scan is presented. Other images are taken and a template is formed to correct the OCT images, for example, for eye motion, blood vessel placement, and center offset. In some embodiments, video images are taken simultaneously with the OCT images and utilized to correct the OCT images. In some embodiments, a template OCT image is formed prior to acquisition of the OCT images and the template OCT image is utilized as a template from which to correct all of the OCT images.

Abstract: A storage device assembly includes a case unit, a storage unit and a fixing unit. The case unit includes a first housing and a second housing. The storage mounted in the case includes a connecting hole formed on a side. The fixing unit formed on the first housing includes a flexible stand portion and a protrusion formed on the stand portion to be fixedly secured to the connecting hole.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to novel molecules capable of, inter alia, modulating apoptosis in mammalian cells and to genetic sequences encoding same. More particularly, the present invention relates to a novel member of the Bcl-2 family of proteins, referred to herein as “Bim”, and to genetic sequences encoding same. The molecules of the present invention are useful, for example, in therapy, diagnosis, antibody generation and as a screening tool for therapeutic agents capable of modulating physiological cell death or survival and/or modulating cell cycle entry.

Abstract: A vehicular diagnostic tool is provided for receiving vehicular diagnostic codes from a vehicle on-board computer, and translating the diagnostic codes into diagnostic descriptive data. An input port is provided for receiving vehicular diagnostic codes output from a vehicle under test. A code parser parses the received diagnostic codes into diagnostic code segments. A code translator translates diagnostic code segments into corresponding diagnostic descriptor segments. And, a combiner is provided for combining the code descriptor segments to derive composite diagnostic code descriptors, wherein the composite code descriptors being collectively representative of the received diagnostic code.