Abstract: A method for forming a connection between two tubular sections having a polymeric outer surface jacket, using electrofusion to fusion bond a casing of similar, non-crosslinked polymer to the outer surface of the tubular sections.

Abstract: An automated heat shrink device, useful for forming a connection between two tubular sections having a polymeric outer surface jacket, for example, a connection between two sections of a district heating pipeline, and a method of use thereof. The device is configured such that it requires minimal clearance to either side of the pipeline when being used.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for data migration. The system may comprise one or more processors and a memory storing instructions that, when executed by the one or more processors, cause the system to migrate at least one first table of a first database schema to at least one second table of a second database schema, determine a query for modifying the first table during the migration, modify the second table based at least in part on the query, and update a mutation table to describe the modification, wherein the mutation table at least describes the modification.

Abstract: A method for fabricating a fully depleted silicon on insulator (FDSOI) device is described. A charge trapping layer in a buried oxide layer is provided on a semiconductor substrate. A backgate well in the semiconductor substrate is provided under the charge trapping layer. A device structure including a gate structure, source and drain regions is disposed over the buried oxide layer. A charge is trapped in the charge trapping layer. The threshold voltage of the device is partially established by the charge trapped in the charge trapping layer. Different aspects of the invention include the structure of the FDSOI device and a method of tuning the charge trapped in the charge trapping layer of the FDSOI device.

Abstract: A system for managing mobile electronic communications devices includes a user directory database configured to hold authentication data associated with at least one user, an authentication authority communicatively connected to the user directory database, an administration server configured to send and receive command messages with at least one mobile electronic communications device, a messaging server configured to send and receive communications messages with at least one mobile electronic communications device, and the authentication authority, administration server, and messaging server are configured to send and receive data via a data communications network.

Abstract: A system for managing mobile electronic communications devices includes a user directory database configured to hold authentication data associated with at least one user, an authentication authority communicatively connected to the user directory database, an administration server configured to send and receive command messages with at least one mobile electronic communications device, a messaging server configured to send and receive communications messages with at least one mobile electronic communications device, and the authentication authority, administration server, and messaging server are configured to send and receive data via a data communications network.

Abstract: An apparatus such as a robot capable of performing goal oriented tasks may include one or more touch sensors to receive touch perception feedback on the location of objects and structures within an environment. A fusion engine may be configured to combine touch perception data with other types of sensor data such as data received from an image or distance sensor. The apparatus may combine distance sensor data with touch sensor data using inference models such as Bayesian inference. The touch sensor may be mounted onto an adjustable arm of a robot. The apparatus may use the data it has received from both a touch sensor and distance sensor to build a map of its environment and perform goal oriented tasks such as cleaning or moving objects.

Abstract: A system for managing mobile electronic communications devices includes a user directory database configured to hold authentication data associated with at least one user, an authentication authority communicatively connected to the user directory database, an administration server configured to send and receive command messages with at least one mobile electronic communications device, a messaging server configured to send and receive communications messages with at least one mobile electronic communications device, and the authentication authority, administration server, and messaging server are configured to send and receive data via a data communications network.

Abstract: A mobile electronic communications device includes a housing, a memory, a data entry mechanism, a display for visual data, at least one wireless transceiver configured to transmit and receive electromagnetic signals conforming to a plurality of wireless signaling protocols, and a controller. The controller is communicatively connected to the memory, data entry mechanism, and display; and is configured to send and receive data using the at least one wireless transceiver.

Abstract: A method of normalizing strain in semiconductor devices and normalized strain semiconductor devices. The method includes: forming first and second field effect transistors of an integrated circuit; forming a stress layer over the first and second field effect transistors, the stress layer inducing strain in channel regions of the first and second field effect transistors; and selectively thinning the stress layer over at least a portion of the second field effect transistor.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method (500) of encoding a message (501) into a target area of an original image by determining a set of data items into which the message can be partitioned, partitioning the message into the data items, encoding (580) a first mark into the target area at a location determined by applying (550) a hash function (505) to a first data item, and encoding (580) a second mark into the target area at a location dependent upon (a) a hash value determined by applying (550) the hash function (505) to the first data item and a second data item, (b) the location of the encoded first mark, and (c) a predetermined constraint (504), wherein the first and second marks form at least part of a pattern of marks in the target area of the encoded image, the pattern having a visual characteristic defined by the predetermined constraint.

Abstract: A mobile electronic communications device includes a housing, a memory, a data entry mechanism, a display for visual data, at least one wireless transceiver configured to transmit and receive electromagnetic signals conforming to a plurality of wireless signaling protocols, and a controller. The controller is communicatively connected to the memory, data entry mechanism, and display; and is configured to send and receive data using the at least one wireless transceiver.

Abstract: Pixel sensor cells, methods of fabricating pixel sensor cells, and design structures for a pixel sensor cell. The pixel sensor cell has a gate structure that includes a gate dielectric and a gate electrode on the gate dielectric. The gate electrode includes a layer with first and second sections that have a juxtaposed relationship on the gate dielectric. The second section of the gate electrode is comprised of a conductor, such as doped polysilicon or a metal. The first section of the gate electrode is comprised of a metal having a higher work function than the conductor comprising the second section so that the gate structure has an asymmetric threshold voltage.

Abstract: A mobile electronic communication device includes a controller, memory, wireless transceiver, and output device supported by a housing. The controller executes a program with instructions stored in the memory and suspends execution of the program. The controller resumes execution of the program to retrieve a communication message from an online data storage service with the wireless transceiver in response to receiving a notification message with the wireless transceiver. The controller executes the program to retrieve a communication message and outputs the communication message with the output device. The mobile electronic communication device outputs messages with a reduced delay between transmission of the communication message and output of the communication message.

Abstract: Pixel sensor cells, methods of fabricating pixel sensor cells, and design structures for a pixel sensor cell. A transistor in the pixel sensor cell has a gate structure that includes a gate dielectric with a thick region and a thin region. A gate electrode of the gate structure is formed on the thick region of the gate dielectric and the thin region of the gate dielectric. The thick region of the gate dielectric and the thin region of the gate dielectric provide the transistor with an asymmetric threshold voltage.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods (900) and apparatuses (600) for determining a location of a graphical object (2220) printed onto a print medium (230), said graphical object comprising a plurality of object marks, the method comprising the steps of superposing a two-dimensional reference pattern (710) having a pre-defined degree of accuracy over the printed graphical object, the two-dimensional reference pattern comprising a plurality of pattern marks (770); scanning the superposed printed graphical object and reference pattern to produce a scanned image (2400); determining a location coordinate (2923) of the graphical object in the scanned image (2400); and refining the location coordinate dependent upon the scanned reference pattern to determine a reference pattern coordinate (2904?) associated with the location coordinate (2923). Also disclosed are methods (1800), apparatuses, and computer program products for determining a head size (420) of a print head (3110) of a printer (3100) using the aforementioned method.

Abstract: Pixel sensor cells, methods of fabricating pixel sensor cells, and design structures for a pixel sensor cell. The pixel sensor cell has a gate structure that includes a gate dielectric and a gate electrode on the gate dielectric. The gate electrode includes a layer with first and second sections that have a juxtaposed relationship on the gate dielectric. The second section of the gate electrode is comprised of a conductor, such as doped polysilicon or a metal. The first section of the gate electrode is comprised of a metal having a higher work function than the conductor comprising the second section so that the gate structure has an asymmetric threshold voltage.

Abstract: A method of normalizing strain in semiconductor devices and normalized strain semiconductor devices. The method includes: forming first and second field effect transistors of an integrated circuit; forming a stress layer over the first and second field effect transistors, the stress layer inducing strain in channel regions of the first and second field effect transistors; and selectively thinning the stress layer over at least a portion of the second field effect transistor.

Abstract: A variable focal point lens includes a transparent tank, which comprises a transparent enclosure containing a transparent flexible membrane separating the inner volume of the transparent tank into an upper tank portion and a lower tank portion. The upper tank portion and the lower tank portion contain liquids having different indices of refraction. The transparent flexible membrane is electrostatically displaced to change the thicknesses of the first tank portion and the second tank portion in the path of the light, thereby shifting the focal point of the lens axially and/or laterally. The electrostatic displacement of the membrane may be effected by a fixed charge in the membrane and an array of enclosure-side conductive structures on the transparent enclosure, or an array of membrane-side conductive structures on the transparent membrane and an array of enclosure-side conductive structures.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method (500) of encoding a message (501) into a target area of an original image by determining a set of data items into which the message can be partitioned, partitioning the message into the data items, encoding (580) a first mark into the target area at a location determined by applying (550) a hash function (505) to a first data item, and encoding (580) a second mark into the target area at a location dependent upon (a) a hash value determined by applying (550) the hash function (505) to the first data item and a second data item, (b) the location of the encoded first mark, and (c) a predetermined constraint (504), wherein the first and second marks form at least part of a pattern of marks in the target area of the encoded image, the pattern having a visual characteristic defined by the predetermined constraint.