Abstract: During a software activation process, a processing device may provide a software license key to be communicated to an activation authority. The software license key may be provided to the activation authority via one of a number of communication methods, such as, for example, via a telephone, via a facsimile, via e-mail, via a text message, or via other communication methods. A length of the software license key may be based on an expected amount of time to provide the software license key to the activation authority. When the expected amount of time is relatively long, the software license key may be relatively short. When the expected amount of time is relatively short, the software license key may be relatively long. In some embodiments, a relatively short software license key may be a unique subset of a relatively long software license key.

Abstract: Ophthalmic surgical blades are manufactured from either a crystalline or polycrystalline material, preferably in the form of a wafer. The method comprises preparing the crystalline or polycrystalline wafers by mounting them and machining trenches into the wafers. Methods for machining the trenches, which form the bevel blade surfaces, include a diamond blade saw, laser system, ultrasonic machine, a hot forge press and a router. The wafers are then placed in an etchant solution which isotropically etches the wafers in a uniform manner, such that layers of crystalline or polycrystalline material are removed uniformly, producing single, double or multiple bevel blades. Nearly any bevel angle can be machined into the wafer which remains after etching. The resulting radii of the blade edges is 5-500 nm, which is the same caliber as a diamond edged blade, but manufactured at a fraction of the cost.

Abstract: In various embodiments, a server may be provided. The server may respond to a request for a service, from a processing device, with a challenge. The challenge may include a partial key for a memory-intensive operation, a number of iterations of the memory-intensive operation to perform, and a result of performing the number of iterations of the memory-intensive operation. Upon receiving the challenge, the processing device may choose a complete key consistent with the partial key and may produce a proposed result by performing the memory-intensive operation for the number of iterations. When the proposed result matches the result included in the challenge, the processing device may send a challenge answer, including the chosen complete key, to the server. Upon receiving a correct challenge answer from the processing device, the server may access the requested service and may return a result of the access to the processing device.

Abstract: A tuning circuit and a method for setting its tuning voltage. The tuning circuit has a phase frequency detector coupled to a loop filter which is coupled to a voltage controlled oscillator. An output terminal of the voltage controlled oscillator is coupled to an input terminal of the phase frequency detector to form a feedback loop. A state machine is coupled between the phase frequency detector and the voltage controlled oscillator. A switch is coupled between an output terminal of the state machine and the input terminal to the loop filter or between the output terminal of the state machine and the input terminal of the voltage controlled oscillator. Alternatively, a comparator is coupled between an input terminal of the state machine and the output terminal to the loop filter or between the input terminal of the state machine and the output terminal of the phase frequency detector.

Abstract: Ophthalmic surgical blades are manufactured from either a single crystal or poly-crystalline material, preferably in the form of a wafer. The method comprises preparing the single crystal or poly-crystalline wafers by mounting them and etching trenches into the wafers using one of several processes. Methods for machining the trenches, which form the bevel blade surfaces, include a diamond blade saw, laser system, ultrasonic machine, a hot forge press and a router. Other processes include wet etching (isotropic and anisotropic) and dry etching (isotropic and anisotropic, including reactive ion etching), and combinations of these etching steps. The wafers are then placed in an etchant solution which isotropically etches the wafers in a uniform manner, such that layers of crystalline or poly-crystalline material are removed uniformly, producing single, double or multiple bevel blades. Nearly any angle can be machined into the wafer, and the machined angle remains after etching.

Abstract: Ophthalmic surgical blades are manufactured from either a crystalline or polycrystalline material, preferably in the form of a wafer. The method comprises preparing the crystalline or polycrystalline wafers by mounting them and machining trenches into the wafers. Methods for machining the trenches, which form the bevel blade surfaces, include a diamond blade saw, laser system, ultrasonic machine, a hot forge press and a router. The wafers are then placed in an etchant solution which isotropically etches the wafers in a uniform manner, such that layers of crystalline or polycrystalline material are removed uniformly, producing single, double or multiple bevel blades. Nearly any bevel angle can be machined into the wafer which remains after etching. The resulting radii of the blade edges is 5-500 nm, which is the same caliber as a diamond edged blade, but manufactured at a fraction of the cost.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing surgical blades from either a crystalline or poly-crystalline material, preferably in the form of a wafer, is disclosed. The method includes preparing the crystalline or poly-crystalline wafers by mounting them and machining trenches into the wafers. The methods for machining the trenches, which form the bevel blade surfaces, include a diamond blade saw, laser system, ultrasonic machine, and a hot forge press. The wafers are then placed in an etchant solution which isotropically etches the wafers in a uniform manner, such that layers of crystalline or poly-crystalline material are removed uniformly, producing single or double bevel blades. Nearly any angle can be machined into the wafer which remains after etching. The resulting radii of the blade edges is 5–500 nm, which is the same caliber as a diamond edged blade, but manufactured at a fraction of the cost.

Abstract: An apparatus, system, and process are disclosed for maintaining data in an electronic storage array during multiple, concurrent drive failures. A first drive failure is recognized and the storage system controller subsequently enters a first operating mode. The storage system controller then recognizes a second drive failure and enters a second operating mode, which is different from the first operating mode, in response to the second drive failure. The second operating mode allows the storage system controller and a recovery module to access the data of the second failed drive in a controlled manner in order to attempt to recover the data on the first failed drive. Also, a pinned data module may allow write data to be written to a pinned data drive, instead of a failed drive, while the storage system controller is operating in the second operating mode.

Abstract: A differential amplifier (10, 60) is formed to have a propagation delay that varied responsively to a control signal received on a differential control signal input. The propagation delay is varied by changing the bias current of a pair of differential input transistor (11, 13).

Abstract: A differential amplifier (10, 60) is formed to have a propagation delay that varied responsively to a control signal received on a differential control signal input. The propagation delay is varied by changing the bias current of a pair of differential input transistor (11, 13).

Abstract: In accordance with the present invention there is provided an obturator for penetrating body tissue which contains a handle and a shaft. The shaft has a proximal end attached to the handle and a distal end extending from it. The handle and shaft are formed from a single piece of molded polymer. A substantially rigid reinforcing member which is formed from a material having a greater rigidity than the molded polymer is disposed along the shaft.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing surgical blades from either a crystalline or poly- crystalline material, preferably in the form of a wafer, is disclosed. The method includes preparing the crystalline or poly-crystalline wafers by mounting them and machining trenches into the wafers. The methods for machining the trenches, which form the bevel blade surfaces, include a diamond blade saw, laser system, ultrasonic machine, and a hot forge press. The wafers are then placed in an etchant solution which isotropically etches the wafers in a uniform manner, such that layers of crystalline or poly-crystalline material are removed uniformly, producing single or double bevel blades. Nearly any angle can be machined into the wafer which remains after etching. The resulting radii of the blade edges is 5-500 nm, which is the same caliber as a diamond edged blade, but manufactured at a fraction of the cost.

Abstract: In accordance with the present invention there is provided an obturator for penetrating body tissue which contains a handle and a shaft. The shaft has a proximal end attached to the handle and a distal end extending from it. The handle and shaft are formed from a single piece of molded polymer. A substantially rigid reinforcing member which is formed from a material having a greater rigidity than the molded polymer is disposed along the shaft.