Abstract: A magnetic stripe card reader assembly and method includes a panel having portions defining a card entry opening of a card entry path provided for receiving a magnetic stripe card with the magnetic stripe disposed perpendicular to the card entry path. A card swipe path in communication with the card entry path is provided for swiping the card with the magnetic stripe disposed parallel to the card swipe path, and a magnetic stripe read head is disposed proximate the card swipe path for reading only a pre-determined segment of the magnetic stripe. The panel is also provided with portions defining a card withdrawal opening of a card withdrawal path in communication with the card swipe path and partly overlapping the card entry opening for withdrawal of the card with the magnetic stripe disposed perpendicular to the card withdrawal path.

Abstract: A lighting system having neural hubs that connect to other neural hubs in a manner that allows a lighting system to be configured in a two dimensional pattern that can propagate out from a single neural hub. Straight sections can be provided for use in connection with the neural hubs to enhance the configurability of the lighting system.

Abstract: An image sensor pixel that includes a photoelectric conversion unit supported by a substrate and an insulator adjacent to the substrate. The pixel includes a cascaded light guide located within an opening of the insulator. The cascaded light guide may include a color filter having an air gap between adjacent color filters that is sealed from above by a transparent sealing film having a concave surface over the air gap to diverge light crossing into the air gap from the concave surface into adjacent color filters. A portion of a support wall between a pair of color filters may have a larger width above than below to form a necking to hold down the color filters for better retention.

Abstract: A system and method for merging multi-modal communications are disclosed. The multi-modal communications can be synchronous, asynchronous and semi-synchronous. By way of a non-limiting example, at least two devices operating with varied modalities can be connected to a conferencing appliance. The conferencing appliance can integrate the differing modalities from the at least two devices by executing at least one of turn taking, conference identification, participant identification, ordering of interjections, modulation of meaning, expectation of shared awareness, floor domination and combination thereof.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus relating to gather or scatter operations in a multi-level cache are described. In some embodiments, a logic may determine whether to perform gather or scatter operations at a first memory or a second memory, based in part on a relative performance of performing the gather or scatter operations at the first memory and the second memory. Other embodiments are also described and claimed.

Abstract: A luminaire, such as a ceiling suspended luminaire, that can change its shape or some other state or characteristic based on user-input. The changes of shape or other state or characteristic can be achieved by hand gestures, such as moving the hand up and down in the detection field of a sensor. In one aspect of the invention, a suspended luminaire having a flexible sheet form is provided. The shape or attitude of the sheet form luminaire can be changed by exerting a force on one or more attachment points on the luminaire.

Abstract: Described herein are methods, compositions and articles of manufacture involving neutral conjugated polymers including methods for synthesis of neutral conjugated water-soluble polymers with linkers along the polymer main chain structure and terminal end capping units. Such polymers may serve in the fabrication of novel optoelectronic devices and in the development of highly efficient biosensors. The invention further relates to the application of these polymers in assay methods.

Abstract: A bone fixation device is provided with an elongate body having a longitudinal axis and having a first state in which at least a portion of the body is flexible and a second state in which the body is generally rigid, an actuateable gripper disposed at one or more locations on the elongated body, a hub located on a proximal end of the elongated body, and an actuator operably connected to the gripper(s) to deploy the gripper(s) from a retracted configuration to an expanded configuration. Methods of repairing a fracture of a bone are also disclosed. One such method comprises inserting a bone fixation device into an intramedullary space of the bone to place at least a portion of an elongate body of the fixation device in a flexible state on one side of the fracture and at least a portion of a hub on another side of the fracture, and operating an actuator to deploy at least one gripper of the fixation device to engage an inner surface of the intramedullary space to anchor the fixation device to the bone.

Abstract: The invention relates to a multifunctional detector for gaseous compounds, or mixtures of gaseous compounds, selected from NH2Cl, NHCl2, NCl3, total chlorine, NOx, where x=1 or 2, O3, and X2, where X?Cl, Br, or I, in a sample, said detector including a first sensor including an iodide and a reactive compound selected from starch, amylose, amylopectin, xyloglucan, xylan, chitosan, glycogen, polyvinyl alcohol, cellulose or a cellulose compound, ?-cyclodextrin, theobromine, and polypropylene block polymers and polyethylene oxide block polymers, included in a block of sol-gel material that is absorbent in the UV spectrum but not in the visible spectrum. The invention also relates to the uses of said detector.

Abstract: A light emitting diode includes a thermal conductive substrate having at least one electrical isolation layer configured to provide vertical electrical isolation and a heat transfer path through the substrate from a front side (first side) to a back side (second side) thereof. The light emitting diode includes an anode having a through interconnect, and a cathode having a through interconnect, which are arranged side by side on the substrate. The light emitting diode also includes a LED chip mounted to the substrate between the anode and the cathode.

Abstract: Systems and methods for improving loading and unloading of a read or write head onto and off of a disk medium. Particular embodiments may assist in loading a read or write head to, or unloading a read or write head from, a load location over a surface of a disk medium in such a manner that damage to the surface of the disk medium (e.g., load location) is either prevented or minimized. The prevention or reduction of damage may be achieved by ensuring that a read or write head has sufficient clearance over the surface of a disk medium as the read or write head moves over the surface (e.g., as the head moves parallel to the surface) during a head loading or unloading process.

Abstract: Methods are disclosed for forming a vertical semiconductor light-emitting diode (VLED) device having an active layer between an n-doped layer and a p-doped layer; and securing a plurality of balls on a surface of the n-doped layer of the VLED device.

Abstract: In one embodiment, an antenna system has a plurality of antenna paths and a calibration circuit. Each of the antenna paths has a transceiver and an antenna element. The calibration circuit has (i) a calibration transceiver and a different coupler coupled to each antenna path. The couplers are connected in series with one another and with the calibration transceiver. Connecting the couplers in series, rather than in parallel, reduces the amount of cabling needed and the need for a combiner/splitter or switch matrix between the couplers and the calibration transceiver, thereby reducing the cost, volume, and/or weight associated with the calibration circuit.

Abstract: A method for tagging and organizing images includes the steps of providing a mobile communication device having an input device configured to receive voice input, an image capture device configured to capture the images of events, a storage medium configured to store the images, and a processor. The method also includes the steps of capturing the images using the image capture device; providing the voice input from the user containing the information; recording the voice input; and forming tagged images in the storage medium using the voice input and the information. A system includes a mobile communications device having a processor in signal communication with an image capture device, with a storage medium and with an input device configured to tag the images with information responsive to voice input and to form tagged images in the storage medium.

Abstract: A light emitting diode (LED) die includes a semiconductor substrate having an n-type confinement layer, a multiple quantum well (MQW) layer in electrical contact with the n-type confinement layer configured to emit electromagnetic radiation, a p-type confinement layer in electrical contact with the multiple quantum well (MQW) layer; multiple light extraction structures on the n-type confinement layer configured to scatter the electromagnetic radiation; and an electrode in a recess embedded in the n-type confinement layer proximate to the light extraction structures. A method of fabrication includes: forming the semiconductor substrate; forming a recess in the n-type confinement layer having sidewalls and a planar bottom surface; forming an electrode in the recess comprising a conductive material conforming to the sidewalls and to the bottom surface of the recess; planarizing the electrode; and forming a plurality of light extraction structures in the n-type confinement layer proximate to the electrode.

Abstract: A method for fabricating vertical light emitting diode (VLED) dice includes the steps of: forming a light emitting diode (LED) die having a multiple quantum well (MQW) layer configured to emit electromagnetic radiation in a first spectral region; forming a confinement layer on the multiple quantum well (MQW) layer; forming an adhesive layer on the confinement layer; and forming a wavelength conversion layer on the adhesive layer configured to convert the electromagnetic radiation in the first spectral region to output electromagnetic radiation in a second spectral region.

Abstract: A drill bit in one aspect includes a cutting device on a selected section of the drill bit, which cutting device is configured to cut formation on the high side of a wellbore during drilling of the wellbore. In one aspect, the cutting device comprises a cutting element disposed on a substantially non-rotating member placed around the selected section. In another aspect, the selected section may be a gage section of the drill bit.

Abstract: A system and method for providing product research help to a consumer doing internet shopping. A consumer helper application for internet commerce has been designed to integrate the techniques that are currently used by many internet consumers into a single application program. For example, the consumer helper application allows a user to take notes, store web site links, store web site annotations, obtain collaborative input, and perform other tasks commonly used by web site consumers. The consumer helper application stores all of the information gathered in a single place. Information provided by other consumers may be shared using the consumer helper application. The consumer helper application will suggest specific items for a consumer to purchase based up on the information gathered by the consumer into the consumer helper application.

Abstract: Bone fixation methods and devices with an elongate body having a longitudinal axis and having a flexible state and a rigid state, a plurality of grippers, a rigid hub connected to the elongated body, and an actuator operably connected to the grippers to deploy the grippers from a first shape to an expanded second shape. One method can include inserting a bone fixation device into an intramedullary space of the bone to place at least a portion of an elongate body of the fixation device in a flexible state on one side of the fracture and at least a portion of a rigid hub on another side of the fracture, and operating an actuator to deploy a plurality of grippers of the fixation device to engage an inner surface of the intramedullary space to anchor the fixation device to the bone.