Abstract: The present relates to VEGF traps and VEGF mini-traps that include VEGF receptor Ig-like domains, fused to a multimerizing component, which bind to VEGF and block its interaction with the VEGF receptor. Such molecules are useful for treating angiogenic eye disorders (e.g., age-related macular degeneration), cancer and for other undesired angiogenesis.

Abstract: Described herein is a coffee cup plug that includes a combination cup/container sleeve and plug assembly. The coffee cup plug includes a sleeve for disposable beverage containers as well as a detachable plug. The plug includes a fold line such that when the plug is detached from the sleeve and folded the folded plug is configured to be inserted into a dispensing aperture formed in the lid of the cup/container. This Abstract is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope and meaning of the claims.

Abstract: An integrated circuit chip having programmable functions and features in which one-time programmable (OTP) memories are used to implement a non-volatile memory function, and a method for providing the same. The OTP memories may be based on poly-fuses as well as gate-oxide fuses. Because OTP memories are small, less die area is utilized as compared to metal fuses. Additionally, because OTP memories can be implemented as part of standard complementary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS) processes, the method is less costly and complex than the use of electrically-erasable programmable read-only memories (E2PROMs).

Abstract: A system and method for meeting performance goals in an electronic system in an energy efficient manner. Various aspects of the present invention may comprise operating an electrical circuit at a current level of performance and a current level of energy efficiency by providing the electrical circuit with electrical power characterized by a current set of power characteristics (e.g., utilizing a power control module). The current level of performance may be determined (e.g., by a performance monitor) and compared to a desired level of performance (e.g., by the power control module). If the current level of performance is higher than the desired level of performance, then the electrical circuit may be operated at a next (e.g., lower) level of performance and a next (e.g., higher) level of energy efficiency by providing the electrical circuit with electrical power characterized by a next set of power characteristics.

Abstract: A system and method for providing increased manufacturing yield for integrated circuits. Various aspects of the invention may comprise receiving an integrated circuit designed to operate at nominal power supply characteristics. The integrated circuit may, for example, be tested at nominal power supply characteristics to determine if the integrated circuit meets performance requirements at nominal power supply characteristics. If the integrated circuit meets performance requirements at nominal power supply characteristics, then the integrated circuit may designated as such and further processed accordingly. Such a designation may, for example be visible, electronic or procedural. Various aspects of the present invention may also comprise testing the integrated circuit at non-nominal power supply characteristics to determine if the integrated circuit meets performance requirements at non-nominal power supply characteristics.

Abstract: A system and method for implementing a common control bus in a multi-regulator power supply integrated circuit. The integrated circuit may, for example, comprise first and second power regulator modules that control at least one characteristic of respective power signals. The integrated circuit may also, for example, comprise a communication interface module that receives power control information related to operation of the first and second power regulator modules over a shared data bus. An exemplary method may, for example, comprise receiving power control information over a data bus. The method may also, for example, comprise determining which of a plurality of power regulators corresponds to the received power control information. The method may further, for example, comprise determining a regulator control signal, based at least in part on the received power control information, and provide the regulator control signal to the determined regulator(s) to control operation of the determined regulator(s).

Abstract: An integrated circuit chip having programmable functions and features in which one-time programmable (OTP) memories are used to implement a non-volatile memory function, and a method for providing the same. The OTP memories may be based on poly-fuses as well as gate-oxide fuses. Because OTP memories are small, less die area is utilized as compared to metal fuses. Addtionally, because OTP memories can be implemented as part of standard complementary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS) processes, the method is less costly and complex than the use of electrically-erasable programmable read-only memories (E2PROMs).

Abstract: A system and method for automatically controlling power save operation of a portable communication system utilizing historical usage information. Various aspects of the present invention may comprise monitoring usage of a portable communication system. A usage monitor module may perform such monitoring. Usage information for the portable communication system may be accumulated. Such usage information may, for example, be stored in a usage information database. A power-save operating profile may be determined based, at least in part, on the accumulated usage information. An operating profile development module may, for example, determine such a power-save operating profile. The portable communication system may be automatically operated in accordance with the determined power-save operating profile. An operation control module may control such automatic operation of the portable communication system.

Abstract: A system and method for marketing and/or providing integrated circuits. Various aspects of the present invention may provide a computer system adapted to receive and process a request for information regarding an integrated circuit. A database may comprise information of a first set of the integrated circuits that meet performance requirements at nominal power supply characteristics, and information of a second set of the integrated circuits that do not meet the performance requirements at the nominal power supply characteristics and meet the performance requirements at non-nominal power supply characteristics. A processor module may, upon receipt of a request for information regarding the integrated circuit, process information in the database to determine whether the second set of integrated circuits is available. A communication interface module may electronically communicate information of the second set of the integrated circuits (e.g.

Abstract: A system and method for automatically controlling operation of a portable communication device based on a communication acceptance/rejection profile. Various aspects of the present invention may comprise receiving communication acceptance profile information. An interface module of a portable communication device may, for example, receive such information. Information describing a pending communication may be received. A receiver module of a portable communication device may, for example, receive such information. The communication acceptance profile information and the information describing the pending communication may be analyzed to determine whether to accept the pending communication. A communication acceptance determination module may, for example, perform such analysis. If it is determined that the communication should be accepted, then the communication may be received. A receiver module may perform such receiving.

Abstract: A system and method for providing multi-tiered power save operation in a portable communication device. A portable communication device may be operated in a first power-save mode. A power-save module of the portable communication device may, for example, provide for operation in such a first power-save mode. It may be determined to operate the portable communication device in a second power-save mode that is different than the first power-save mode. A power-save management module may, for example, make such a determination. The portable communication device may then be operated in the second power-save mode. The power-save module may, for example, provide for operation in such a second power-save mode.

Abstract: A system and method for providing increased manufacturing yield for integrated circuits. Various aspects of the invention may comprise receiving an integrated circuit designed to operate at nominal power supply characteristics. The integrated circuit may, for example, be tested at nominal power supply characteristics to determine if the integrated circuit meets performance requirements at nominal power supply characteristics. If the integrated circuit meets performance requirements at nominal power supply characteristics, then the integrated circuit may designated as such and further processed accordingly. Such a designation may, for example be visible, electronic or procedural. Various aspects of the present invention may also comprise testing the integrated circuit at non-nominal power supply characteristics to determine if the integrated circuit meets performance requirements at non-nominal power supply characteristics.

Abstract: A system and method for providing a low power warning in a portable communication device based on predicted device utilization. Various aspects of the present invention may comprise monitoring power utilization for a portable communication device. A power utilization profile may be determined based, at least in part, on the results of the power utilization monitoring. Power availability for the portable communication device may be determined. Future power need for the portable communication device may be predicted based, at least in part, on the determined power utilization profile. The predicted future power need and the determined power availability may be analyzed to determine whether to generate a warning indicating a potential future power shortage. If it is determined that a potential future power shortage warning should be generated, such a warning may be generated. Such a warning may, for example, be generated in accordance with user specifications.

Abstract: An integrated circuit comprising multiple independent power supply zones at substantially the same voltage level and a method for utilizing such power supply zones. An integrated circuit may comprise a first module and may, for example, comprise a second module. A first power supply bus may communicate first electrical power to the first module, where the first electrical power is characterized by a first set of power characteristics comprising a first voltage level. A second power supply bus may communicate second power to the second module, where the second power is characterized by a second set of power characteristics comprising a second voltage level that is substantially similar to the first voltage level. The second set of power characteristics may, for example, be substantially different than the first set of power characteristics. The second power supply bus may also, for example, communicate the second electrical power to the first module.

Abstract: A system and method for providing power control in a power management integrated circuit. A power management integrated circuit may comprise a communication interface module that receives power supply information from at least one electrical device external to the power management integrated circuit. The power supply information may, for example, comprise information related to a first electrical power. The power management integrated circuit may also comprise a power regulator module that determines a regulated power signal based, at least in part, on a portion of the power supply information. The regulated power signal may correspond to the first electrical power. For example, the regulated power signal may comprise the first electrical power or cause another circuit to output the first electrical power. The power management integrated circuit may then output the regulated power signal to at least one electrical device external to the power management integrated circuit.

Abstract: A circuit and method utilizing a power control data bus for implementing power control. Various aspects of the present invention provide an electrical circuit that comprises a power supply circuit that outputs electrical power. The electrical circuit may also comprise an integrated circuit that receives electrical power from the power supply circuit. The electrical circuit may also comprise a power control data bus, which communicatively couples a power control data bus interface of the power supply circuit and a power control data bus interface of the integrated circuit. The power control data bus may, for example, carry power control data between the integrated circuit and the power supply circuit. Various aspects of the present invention also provide a method that comprises communicating power control data over a power control data bus and utilizing the power control data to control characteristics of electrical power provided to an integrated circuit or module.

Abstract: A system and method for providing, in an integrated power supply circuit, signals corresponding to multiple power supply outputs. Various aspects of the present invention may comprise an integrated circuit. The integrated circuit may comprise a first module that outputs a first signal corresponding to electrical power that is characterized by a first set of power characteristics. The first set of power characteristics may, for example, comprise a first voltage level. The integrated circuit may also comprise a second module that outputs a second signal corresponding to electrical power that is characterized by a second set of power characteristics. The second set of power characteristics may, for example, comprise a second voltage level. The second voltage level may, for example, be substantially similar to the first voltage level, and the first set of power characteristics may, for example, be substantially different than the second set of power characteristics.

Abstract: A system and method for storing power utilization information in an integrated circuit and utilizing such information. Various aspects of the present invention provide an integrated circuit that comprises a first module, which stores power utilization information for at least a portion of the integrated circuit. A second module of the integrated circuit may communicate the power utilization information with an electrical device external to the integrated circuit. Various aspects of the present invention provide a method for storing power utilization information in an integrated circuit. For example, a performance characteristic and/or a power supply characteristic may be monitored as the integrated circuit is utilized. Power utilization information may be determined from the monitored characteristic(s), and the power utilization information may be stored in the integrated circuit.

Abstract: A system and method for meeting performance goals in an electronic system in an energy efficient manner. Various aspects of the present invention may comprise operating an electrical circuit at a current level of performance and a current level of energy efficiency by providing the electrical circuit with electrical power characterized by a current set of power characteristics (e.g., utilizing a power control module). The current level of performance may be determined (e.g., by a performance monitor) and compared to a desired level of performance (e.g., by the power control module). If the current level of performance is higher than the desired level of performance, then the electrical circuit may be operated at a next (e.g., lower) level of performance and a next (e.g., higher) level of energy efficiency by providing the electrical circuit with electrical power characterized by a next set of power characteristics.

Abstract: A system and method for controlling characteristics of supplied electrical power. Various aspects of the present invention may comprise an integrated circuit comprising a first circuit module that receives electrical power. The integrated circuit may comprise a second circuit module that monitors at least one characteristic of electrical power received by at least one of the first circuit module and the integrated circuit. The second circuit module may also communicate with a third circuit module regarding the monitored at least one characteristic. Various aspects of the present invention may comprise an integrated circuit comprising a first module that monitors at least one characteristic of electrical power received by a first electrical device that is external to the integrated circuit. The integrated circuit may also comprise a second module that communicates with a second electrical device, external to the integrated circuit, regarding the monitored at least one characteristic.