Abstract: An actuating mechanism for a door includes a first antenna block having a first integrated microcontroller electrically connected to a first transceiver device and a first antenna. A second antenna block having a second integrated microcontroller is electrically connected to a second transceiver device and a second antenna. A processor device is electrically connected between the first and second microcontrollers and a first switch. The first and second antennas receive a first radio frequency signal from a third, mobile transceiver device. The processor device measures a time difference of arrival (TDOA) of the first radio frequency signal. The processor device computes a direction of arrival (DOA). The DOA measurement is compared against a predefined range of DOAs. The processor device sends a control signal to the first switch to actuate the door in the event of a match.

Abstract: An actuating mechanism for a door includes a first antenna block having a first integrated microcontroller electrically connected to a first transceiver device and a first antenna. A second antenna block having a second integrated microcontroller is electrically connected to a second transceiver device and a second antenna. A processor device is electrically connected between the first and second microcontrollers and a first switch. The first and second antennas receive a first radio frequency signal from a third, mobile transceiver device. The processor device measures a time difference of arrival (TDOA) of the first radio frequency signal. The processor device computes a direction of arrival (DOA). The DOA measurement is compared against a predefined range of DOAs. The processor device sends a control signal to the first switch to actuate the door in the event of a match.

Abstract: A drug delivery device for implantation into a patient is provided that includes at least one device element which comprises a substrate having a plurality of discrete reservoirs disposed therein, said reservoirs containing drug molecules and a degradable matrix material which controls in vivo release of the drug molecules from the reservoirs, wherein the drug delivery device is adapted to conform to a curved bone tissue surface. In one embodiment, the substrate is flexible and conforms to a bone tissue surface. In another embodiment, the device has two or more device elements attached to or integral with a flexible supporting layer.

Abstract: A method (100) and system (600) for adaptively segmenting pixel elements in an image frame is disclosed. The method comprises the steps of segmenting pixel elements into at least one first region based on a selection criteria (110), refining the selection criteria (150) based on information associated with each of the pixel elements within an associated first region and segmenting (160) the image pixel elements into at least one second region based on said refined selection criteria (150).

Abstract: Devices and methods are provided for the controlled release or exposure of reservoir contents. The device includes a reservoir cap formed of an electrically conductive material, which prevents the reservoir contents from passing out from the device and prevents exposure of the reservoir contents to molecules outside of the device; an electrical input lead connected to said reservoir cap; and an electrical output lead connected to said reservoir cap, such that upon application of an electrical current through the reservoir cap, via the input lead and output lead, the reservoir cap ruptures to release or expose the reservoir contents. The reservoir contents can comprise a release system containing drug molecules for release or can comprise a secondary device, such as a sensor. In one embodiment, the controlled release system is incorporated into an implantable drug delivery device.

Abstract: A method and system for improving the quality of a video image (100) segmented into a plurality of blocks (110, 115, 120) of known size is disclosed. The method comprises the steps of associating a value to each of said blocks and altering said associated value corresponding to a selected one of said blocks when each of said associated values of blocks adjacent to said selected block is different than said selected block associated value. The block value is a first value when said block probability function is greater than a threshold value, otherwise it a set as a second value.

Abstract: Devices and methods are provided for transdermal administration of a pharmaceutical agent to a patient in need thereof. The device includes a substrate, a plurality of discrete reservoirs in the substrate, one or more pharmaceutical agents stored in the reservoirs, discrete reservoir caps that prevent the pharmaceutical agent from passing out from the reservoirs until desired, control means for actuating release of the one or more pharmaceutical agents from one or more of the reservoirs by disintegrating or permeabilizing the reservoir caps, means for securing the device to the skin of the patient, and means for transporting the pharmaceutical agent to the skin following release from the one or more of the reservoirs. In another embodiment, the device is adapted for diagnostic sensing instead of or in addition to drug delivery.

Abstract: Methods and devices are provided for enhancing mass transport through any fibrous tissue capsule that may form around an implanted medical device following implantation. Methods and devices are also provided to enhance vascularization around the implanted device, which also will aid in mass transport to/from the device. The device preferably comprises multiple reservoirs containing (i) a drug formulation for short- or long-term, controlled drug delivery, (ii) sensors for sensing an analyte in the patient, or (iii) a combination thereof.

Abstract: This invention describes novel methods and devices for stabilizing and retracting tissue during surgery, in particular internal tissue. Patches of material, preferably biodegradable, are adhered to tissue surfaces. By manipulation of the patches, for example directly with forceps, or via sutures attached to the patches, tissues can be retracted or otherwise manipulated with minimal trauma to the tissues. The method is especially useful in minimally-invasive surgery.

Abstract: Device are provided for the controlled release or exposure of molecules or secondary devices comprising a substrate; a plurality of reservoirs located in the substrate; reservoir contents comprising molecules, a secondary device, or both, isolated inside the reservoirs; reservoir caps positioned on the reservoirs over the reservoir contents, wherein the reservoir caps (which can comprise a metal film) are mechanically reinforced with a second material deposited and patterned on the surface of the metal film inside the reservoir or on the surface of the metal film outside the reservoir or on both of said surfaces; and control circuitry and a power source for disintegrating the reservoir caps to initiate exposure or release of the reservoir contents in selected reservoirs.

Abstract: There is disclosed an apparatus for performing segmentation-based enhancements of a video image. The apparatus comprises: 1) an input buffer for storing video frames of an incoming video signal; 2) a segmentation controller capable of segmenting a first stored frame into a plurality of segments, each of the plurality of segments comprising a plurality of pixels having at least one common property; 3) an image processor capable of calculating a probability function associated with at least one pixel in the first stored frame, the probability function indicating a probability that the at least one pixel belongs within a first selected one of the plurality of segments; and 4) an enhancement controller capable of enhancing a parameter of the at least one pixel as a function of the probability function of the at least one pixel.

Abstract: Medical devices, utilizing multiple reservoirs to protect and selectively expose sensors or other reservoir contents, are provided having (i) a reservoir contents destruction mechanism to interrupt the release or exposure of reservoir contents, for example, to deactivate an unneeded sensor and prevent it from negatively impacting other sensors, (ii) a protective covering material layer over the sensor underneath the reservoir cap, which protects the sensor membrane and sensor during reservoir cap disintegration and then is removed, (iii) a device design for containing sensors in shallow, wide reservoir structures to enhance sensor exposure by minimizing molecular diffusion distances, (iv) an implantable sensor unit and a separate drug delivery unit, or (v) combinations thereof.

Abstract: Devices are provided for the controlled exposure or release of contents stored in hermetically sealed reservoirs. The devices comprise a primary substrate having a front side and a back side, and including one or more hermetic sealing materials; a plurality of reservoirs in the primary substrate positioned between the front side and the back side; reservoir contents, which comprise chemical molecules (such as drugs) or a secondary device (such as a glucose sensor), located inside the reservoirs; a hermetic sealing substrate having a surface composed of one or more hermetic sealing materials; and a hermetic seal formed between and joining the primary substrate and the hermetic sealing substrate, wherein the hermetic seal independently seals the reservoirs.

Abstract: There is disclosed an apparatus and method for highlighting one or more selected portions of a display screen. The apparatus comprises a color shift controller capable of receiving a user input selecting one of a plurality of portions of a display screen and, in response to the user input selection, modifying the value of the pixels within the selected portion to increase the color temperature of the pixels. The method comprises selecting a portion of the display screen and increasing the color temperature of at least one color within the selected portion of the display screen. In one advantageous embodiment of the present invention, the color shift controller modifies white color pixel values in a selected portion of the display screen to new white color pixel values that have a higher color temperature. The higher color temperatures increase the apparent brightness of the displayed images.

Abstract: Pixels in a video image may be segmented based upon selected criteria, such as a common color, texture, shape, amplitude range or temporal variation. Color values for these pixels may be used to calculate a color probability function which indicates the probability that the color value of the pixel will lie within a designated range of values. The pixels are also used to calculate a texture probability function that indicates whether the pixel represents a designated texture. Pixels that are assigned to a given segment may then be further processed to improve the quality of an image. In this manner, pixels that identify grass, sky, human skin, etc. may be identified and processed in order to achieve a more pleasing appearance.

Abstract: A hybrid lighting system for producing white light including at least one light emitting diode and phosphor-light emitting diode. The hybrid lighting system exhibits improved performance over conventional LED lighting systems that use LEDs or phosphor-LEDs to produce white light. In particular, the hybrid system of the invention permits different lighting system performance parameters to be addressed and optimized as deemed important, by varying the color and number of the LEDs and/or the phosphor of the phosphor LED.

Abstract: There is disclosed an apparatus for correcting the color of objects appearing in a video image. The apparatus comprises: 1) a frame buffer for receiving and storing a first video frame from an incoming baseband video signal; 2) a memory for storing known pixel data corresponding to a plurality of known icons, the known pixel data comprising true color data values associated with the plurality of known icons; and 3) a color correction controller for comparing captured pixel data from the stored first video frame with the known pixel data stored in the memory and detecting a first actual image of a first known icon appearing in the stored first video frame. The color correction controller also compares a first true color data value associated with the first known icon and a first actual color data value associated with a first actual color in the first actual image of the first known icon.

Abstract: A hybrid lighting system for producing white light including at least one light emitting diode and phosphor-light emitting diode. The hybrid lighting system exhibits improved performance over conventional LED lighting systems that use LEDs or phosphor-LEDs to produce white light. In particular, the hybrid system of the invention permits different lighting system performance parameters to be addressed and optimized as deemed important, by varying the color and number of the LEDs and/or the phosphor of the phosphor LED.

Abstract: A hybrid lighting system for producing white light including at least one light emitting diode and phosphor-light emitting diode. The hybrid lighting system exhibits improved performance over conventional LED lighting systems that use LEDs or phosphor-LEDs to produce white light. In particular, the hybrid system of the invention permits different lighting system performance parameters to be addressed and optimized as deemed important, by varying the color and number of the LEDs and/or the phosphor of the phosphor LED.

Abstract: There is disclosed an apparatus for performing segmentation-based enhancements of a video image. The apparatus comprises: 1) an input buffer for storing video frames of an incoming video signal; 2) a segmentation controller capable of segmenting a first stored frame into a plurality of segments, each of the plurality of segments comprising a plurality of pixels having at least one common property; 3) an image processor capable of calculating a probability function associated with at least one pixel in the first stored frame, the probability function indicating a probability that the at least one pixel belongs within a first selected one of the plurality of segments; and 4) an enhancement controller capable of enhancing a parameter of the at least one pixel as a function of the probability function of the at least one pixel.