Abstract: A method includes generating a first current, wherein the first current flows through a first resistor and a first bipolar transistor. A first end of the first resistor is serially connected to an emitter-collector path of the first bipolar transistor, and a second end of the resistor is connected to an input of an operational amplifier. A second current is generated to flow through a second resistor that is connected to the input of the operational amplifier. An emitter of a second bipolar transistor is connected to a base of the first bipolar transistor, wherein a base and a collector of the second bipolar transistor are connected to VSS. The first and the second currents are added to generate a third current, which is mirrored to generate a fourth current proportional to the third current. The fourth current is conducted through a third resistor to generate an output reference voltage.

Abstract: A multi-step density gradient smoothing layout style is disclosed in which a plurality of unit cells are arranged into an array with a feature density. One or more edges of the array is bordered by a first edge sub-array which has a feature density that is less than the feature density of the array. The first edge sub-array is bordered by second edge sub-array which has a feature density that is less than the feature density of the first edge sub-array, and is approaching that of the background circuitry.

Abstract: An image sensor including a pixel array, a sampling circuit and a black level calibration circuit is provided. The pixel array includes a first optical black area, a second optical black area and an active pixel area. The sampling circuit respectively reads first optical black information, second optical black information and active pixel information from the first optical black area, the second optical black area and the active pixel area. The black level calibration circuit determines a black level offset according to the first optical black information, and determines a black level calibration value for calibrating the active pixel information.

Abstract: A method for making a crosslinked polymeric material for use in an orthopaedic device is described. The method may include the use of one or more crosslinking enhancers to enhance the crosslinking process.

Abstract: An implant module for dragging a bone fragment toward a bone is provided. The bone fragment has a first through hole, and the bone has a second through hole. The implant module includes a screw and a stud. The screw has a first section fixed to the bone fragment and a second section provided with a first external thread on its outer surface. The stud is provided with a second external thread on its outer surface for being screwed into the second through hole of the bone. An end of the stud has a screw hole for being screwed with the second section of the screw via the first external thread. A method of repairing avulsion fracture by using the implant module is further provided.

Abstract: A driver utilizes selective biasing of the terminal of an operational amplifier to reduce offset in the operational amplifier output. Each operational amplifier input includes a differential input pair of transistors including a NMOS transistor and PMOS transistor. At low and high ends of the input voltage range these transistors are selectively and individually coupled to either a standard input or biased to be on so as to contribute offset for offset compensation. The transistors are biased in a conventional manner for input voltages between the low and high ends of the voltage range.

Abstract: An image sensor including a pixel array, a sampling circuit and a black level calibration circuit is provided. The pixel array includes a first optical black area, a second optical black area and an active pixel area. The sampling circuit respectively reads first optical black information, second optical black information and active pixel information from the first optical black area, the second optical black area and the active pixel area. The black level calibration circuit determines a black level offset according to the first optical black information, and determines a black level calibration value for calibrating the active pixel information.

Abstract: This invention discloses a novel system that is tuned for people to exchange information effectively and manage the domain knowledge and tasks productively. With a WYSIWYG-like user interface, message encapsulation into individual objects, and multithreading message flow handling, this new system is able to bring forth revolutionary features that break the limitations of traditional IM systems by knitting traditionally separated functions into an integrated business information and management platform, and hence enable new ways in building knowledge base, reading industrial specific news, and assigning and managing tasks.

Abstract: A correlated double sampling device (CDS device) of an image sensor is provided. The CDS device is coupled to a plurality of light-sensing pixels arranged along a first direction. The CDS device of the image sensor includes a regulator and a sampling circuit. The regulator provides the light-sensing pixels with a first voltage so that at least one of the light-sensing pixels provides a first linear current and a second linear current according to the first voltage. The sampling circuit is coupled between a second voltage and the regulator and includes a first sampling unit and a second sampling unit to respectively receive the first linear current for a first duration and the second linear current for a second duration and to respectively and correspondingly output a first sampling signal and a second sampling signal.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are systems, methods, and non-transitory computer-readable storage media for automatically analyzing, modifying, and mixing a plurality of audio signals. The modification of the audio signals takes place to avoid spectral collisions which occur when more than one signal simultaneously occupies one or more of the same frequency bands. The modifications mask out some signals to allow others to exist unaffected. Also disclosed herein is a method for displaying the identified spectral collisions superimposed on graphical waveform representations of the analyzed signals.

Abstract: A method includes generating a first current, wherein the first current flows through a first resistor and a first bipolar transistor. A first end of the first resistor is serially connected to an emitter-collector path of the first bipolar transistor, and a second end of the resistor is connected to an input of an operational amplifier. A second current is generated to flow through a second resistor that is connected to the input of the operational amplifier. An emitter of a second bipolar transistor is connected to a base of the first bipolar transistor, wherein a base and a collector of the second bipolar transistor are connected to VSS. The first and the second currents are added to generate a third current, which is mirrored to generate a fourth current proportional to the third current. The fourth current is conducted through a third resistor to generate an output reference voltage.

Abstract: A current cell array includes a number of current cell groups arranged such that they extend in a first direction. Each of the current cell groups is identified by a first identifier that increases in a direction of a gradient across the current cell array. A number of current cells are included in each of the current cell groups. Each of the current cells is identified by a respective second identifier that increases in the direction of the gradient across the current cell array. The current cells are positioned in the current cell groups based on the first and second identifiers.

Abstract: A circuit includes an operational amplifier including a first input and a second input. A first resistor has a first end coupled to the first input. A first bipolar transistor includes a first emitter coupled to a second end of the first resistor, and a first base. A second bipolar transistor includes a second emitter coupled to the second input, and a second base. A third bipolar transistor includes a third emitter coupled to the first base, a first collector, and a third base connected to the first collector. A fourth bipolar transistor includes a fourth emitter coupled to the second base, a second collector, and a fourth base connected to the second collector. A second resistor is coupled to the first input, wherein the second resistor is parallel to the first resistor and the first bipolar transistor.

Abstract: A driver utilizes selective biasing of the terminal of an operational amplifier to reduce offset in the operational amplifier output. Each operational amplifier input includes a differential input pair of transistors including a NMOS transistor and PMOS transistor. At low and high ends of the input voltage range these transistors are selectively and individually coupled to either a standard input or biased to be on so as to contribute offset for offset compensation. The transistors are biased in a conventional manner for input voltages between the low and high ends of the voltage range.

Abstract: A current cell array includes a number of current cell groups arranged such that they extend in a first direction. Each of the current cell groups is identified by a first identifier that increases in a direction of a gradient across the current cell array. A number of current cells are included in each of the current cell groups. Each of the current cells is identified by a respective second identifier that increases in the direction of the gradient across the current cell array. The current cells are positioned in the current cell groups based on the first and second identifiers.

Abstract: The present invention discloses an LED drive circuit device. The LEDs are installed in a lamp-set and two ends of the lamp-set are provided respectively with two pins to receive a high frequency AC outputted from a ballast, with the two pins being further electrically connected with a drive circuit module. The drive circuit module includes primarily a resonant network correction circuit and a rectifying circuit. The resonant network correction circuit adjusts the high frequency AC received by the two pins to comply with an application range of LED current and then the rectifying circuit converts the AC into a DC which is next outputted through other two pins. By applying the aforementioned circuits, the LED lamp-set can be applied to an ordinary electronic ballast, thereby achieving high compatibility.

Abstract: A system and method for converting a digital signal to an analog signal is provided. The present disclosure provides a digital-to-analog converter (DAC) that can convert a large bit value digital signal to a corresponding analog signal. In accordance with an embodiment, a method comprises receiving portions of a digital signal by a plurality of sub-DACs; converting the portions of the digital signal to a corresponding analog signal by the plurality of sub-DACs; biasing one or more of the plurality of sub-DACs; and calibrating the portions of a digital signal by one or more calibration elements.

Abstract: A digital-to-analog converter (DAC) for converting a digital signal to an analog signal includes a first thermometer decoder and a second thermometer decoder. The first thermometer decoder is configured to decode most-significant bits (MSBs) of the digital signal to generate a first thermometer code. The second thermometer decoder is configured to decode middle bits of the digital signal to generate a second thermometer code. The DAC further includes a plurality of macro cells with each controlled by one bit of the first thermometer code. The plurality of macro cells is configured to provide a first analog signal according to the first thermometer code. The DAC further includes a macro cell configured to provide a second analog signal according to the second thermometer code. The macro cell is further configured to provide a third analog signal according to least-significant bits (LSBs) of the digital signal.

Abstract: The present invention discloses methods for enhancing the wear-resistance of polymers, the resulting polymers, and in vivo implants made from such polymers. One aspect of this invention presents a method whereby a polymer is irradiated, preferably with gamma radiation, then thermally treated, such as by remelting of annealing. The resulting polymeric composition preferably has its most oxidized surface layer removed. Another aspect of the invention presents a general method for optimizing the wear resistance and desirable physical and/or chemical properties of a polymer by crosslinking and thermally treating it. The resulting polymeric compositions is wear-resistant and may be fabricated into an in vivo implant.