Abstract: Panoramic imaging systems and methods for manufacturing and arranging the same are disclosed. A panoramic imaging system includes a mounting frame, an image sensor coupled to the mounting frame, and an optical de-rotation device arranged in an optical path of the image sensor. The optical de-rotation device and the image sensor are oriented such that the optical de-rotation device and the image sensor are in the same plane. The optical de-rotation device removes motion-related blur that would be observed by the image sensor when a rotational movement external to the panoramic imaging system causes the panoramic imaging system to rotate.

Abstract: An apparatus for inspecting a substrate is described. The apparatus includes an X-Y stage that supports a substrate to be inspected and is operable to move a substrate supported thereby in X and Y directions; and an imaging system including a plurality of beam columns operable to irradiate regions of a substrate supported by the X-Y stage with beams of energy, respectively, discrete from one another. Respective ones of the beam columns are movable relative to others of the electron beam columns.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to systems and processes for interacting with mapping applications. In one example, a virtual assistant server can efficiently communicate with a map server to provide a user with map data in response to spoken user requests received at a user device. In another example, communicatively coupled electronic devices can be synchronized such that a location marker generated on one device can be displayed on the other device. In another example, an electronic device can display simplified views of individual route directions that can be updated based on movement of the user or in response to user requests. In another example, an electronic device can selectively display an interface including a current location of a user or an interface including a route to a predicted destination based on contextual information associated with the user. The interfaces can include affordances for launching an associated mapping application.

Abstract: A tie bar assembly includes front and rear units each including inner inserts interconnected with outer inserts with webs of elastomeric material. A pole sub-assembly is disposed between the units. The pole sub-assembly and the units define front and rear fluid chambers containing a magneto-rheological fluid. Fluid orifices are disposed through the pole sub-assembly for flow of the magneto-rheological fluid between fluid chambers. An electromagnet coil generates an electromagnetic field to affect viscosity of the magneto-rheological fluid. A connecting rod connects inner inserts and is slidably disposed through the pole sub-assembly for causing movement of the magneto-rheological fluid between fluid chambers. A displacement sensor detects movement to generate a signal to the electromagnet coil. Front and rear travel cushions are each disposed on the inner inserts for limiting the movement of the inner inserts toward the pole sub-assembly.

Abstract: A piston including a crown and at least one pin tower coupled to the crown. The pin tower has an opening therein configured to receive a pin therein along a pin axis. The piston further includes a skirt extending generally away from the crown, the skirt including a pair of opposed skirt panel portions. The skirt has a generally non-circular oval shape having a major axis extending generally parallel to the pin axis, wherein the panel portions are offset from the major axis.

Abstract: An email system for mobile devices, such as cellular phones and PDAs, is disclosed which allows email messages to be played back on the mobile device as voice messages on demand by way of a media player, thus eliminating the need for a unified messaging system. Email messages are received by the mobile device in a known manner. In accordance with an important aspect of the invention, the email messages are identified by the mobile device as they are received. After the message is identified, the mobile device sends the email message in text format to a server for conversion to speech or voice format. After the message is converted to speech format, the server sends the messages back to the user's mobile device and notifies the user of the email message and then plays the message back to the user through a media player upon demand.

Abstract: A spatial graphical user interface for interfacing with a plurality of data sources to create a layered image includes a content acquisition module configured to acquire a first primary image from any one of the data sources where the primary image has at least an image of one object thereon. A transparent layer generating module generates a transparent layer to be overlaid over the primary image which spatially corresponds to the primary image. A link generating module generates an icon on the transparent layer over the at least one object such that the icon represents a link to data contained in the data sources related to the object on the primary image. The layered image is the combined view of the primary image, the transparent layer and icons on the transparent layer.

Abstract: The disclosed embodiments provide a battery cell. The battery cell includes a set of layers forming a non-rectangular shape, wherein the set of layers comprises a cathode with an active coating, a separator, and an anode with an active coating. The battery cell also includes a first conductive tab coupled to the cathode and a second conductive tab coupled to the anode. The layers are enclosed in a flexible pouch, and the first and second conductive tabs are extended through seals in the pouch to provide terminals for the battery cell. Furthermore, the non-rectangular shape is created by removing material from one or more of the layers.

Abstract: A method of allocating data to a storage block included in a storage network may include determining a plurality of characteristics associated with a storage block included in a storage network. The plurality of characteristics may include storage capacity of the storage block, available storage space of the storage block, likelihood of loss of data stored on the storage block, availability of the storage block with respect to the storage network, and use of the storage block. The method may further include allocating data to the storage block based on the plurality of characteristics.

Abstract: This invention is directed to an electronic device with an embedded authentication system for restricting access to device resources. The authentication system may include one or more sensors operative to detect biometric information of a user. The sensors may be positioned in the device such that the sensors may detect appropriate biometric information as the user operates the device, without requiring the user to perform a step for providing the biometric information (e.g., embedding a fingerprint sensor in an input mechanism instead of providing a fingerprint sensor in a separate part of the device housing). In some embodiments, the authentication system may be operative to detect a visual or temporal pattern of inputs to authenticate a user. In response to authenticating, a user may access restricted files, applications (e.g., applications purchased by the user), or settings (e.g., application settings such as contacts or saved game profile).

Abstract: A method of fabricating a monolithic integrated circuit using a single substrate, the method including forming a first semiconductor layer from a substrate, fabricating semiconductor devices on the substrate, fabricating at least one metal wiring layer on the semiconductor devices, forming at least one dielectric layer in integral contact with the at least one metal wiring layer, forming contact openings through the at least one dielectric layer to expose regions of the at least one metal wiring layer, integrally forming, from the substrate, a second semiconductor layer on the dielectric layer, and in contact with the at least one metal wiring layer through the contact openings, and forming a plurality of non-linear semiconductor devices in said second semiconductor layer.

Abstract: A system may be configured to receive profile identifiers from a set of user devices; identify, based on the profile identifiers, one or more user devices, of the set of user devices, for which updated parameters should be provided, the parameters relating to operation of the one or more user devices with respect to a telecommunications network; and provide, to the identified one or more user devices, the updated parameters.

Abstract: Various embodiments are directed to a system for managing an inventory comprising serialized products. A computer system may receive from an intake sensor a first tray identifier describing a first tray present on an intake transport system. The computer system may also associate the first tray identifier with a first serial identifier of a first product unit present on a product transport system and instructing the product transport system, by the computer system, to transport the first product unit to the first tray. Additionally, the computer system may instruct a robot to place the first tray containing the first product unit at a first bin selected from a plurality of robot-accessible bins.

Abstract: A multi-user medical robotic system for collaboration or training in minimally invasive surgical procedures includes first and second master input devices, a first slave robotic mechanism, and at least one processor configured to generate a first slave command for the first slave robotic mechanism by switchably using one or both of a first command indicative of manipulation of the first master input device by a first user and a second command indicative of manipulation of the second master input device by a second user. To facilitate the collaboration or training, both first and second users communicate with each other through an audio system and see the minimally invasive surgery site on first and second displays respectively viewable by the first and second users.

Abstract: The present invention provides a lenticular or disc coated detergent particle having perpendicular dimensions x, y and z, wherein x is from 1 to 2 mm, y is from 2 to 8 mm and z is from 2 to 8 mm, wherein the particle comprises: (i) from 40 to 90 wt % surfactant selected from anionic surfactant and non-ionic surfactant; (ii) from 1 to 40 wt % water soluble inorganic salts; and (iii) from 0.0001 to 0.5 wt % pigment, wherein the pigment is selected from organic and inorganic pigments, wherein the inorganic salts and the pigment are present on the detergent particle as a coating and the surfactant is present as a core.

Abstract: A method, an apparatus, and a computer program product for wireless communication are provided. The apparatus may receive broadcast information related to a second UE from a third UE, relay the broadcast information and identifier information to a set of UEs, determine whether each UE in the set of UEs has received the broadcast information based on whether the identifier information is received from each UE in the set of UEs, and refrain from relaying the broadcast information upon determining that each UE in the set of UEs has received the broadcast information. In another aspect, the apparatus may receive broadcast information related to a second UE and a tag associated with the broadcast information from a third UE, relay the tag without the broadcast information to a set of UEs, receive a request for broadcast information from a third UE in the set of UEs, and relay the broadcast information to the third UE. In an aspect, the first, second and third UEs may be the same UE.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for measuring antibody titers in a thin film sample in an automated system which does not require multiple dilutions. The system provides a simple method for creating an in-situ dilution within a sample analysis chamber without the use of any precision fluid-handling components, and further, to use the same principles to provide a wide range of sample dilutions within the chamber so as to obviate the need for additional dilution steps when dealing with samples possibly containing wide ranges of analyte concentrations.

Abstract: The ectopic expression of Mer receptor tyrosine kinase (Mer) has been identified as a tumor cell survival gene product in Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL) cells and a potential cause of ALL chemoresistance. Hence, we investigated whether the development of small molecule Mer inhibitors was possible. A first aspect of the present invention is a compound (sometimes referred to as an “active compound” herein) of Formula I, IA, or IB.

Abstract: Techniques for testing a wireless communications device are disclosed. In one particular exemplary embodiment, the techniques may be realized as a system and method for testing a wireless communications device. The method may comprise generating an audio test signal. The audio test signal may be transmitted to a wireless communication device through a wireless base station simulator via a VoIP application. The method may also comprise receiving an output signal, where the output signal may be generated by the wireless communication device and transmitted to a telecoil probe. The method may further comprise processing the output signal by comparing the output signal with the audio test signal.