Abstract: In a method and system to fabricate a compact optical device, a periodic group-delay device (PGDD) includes N optical input ports, N being a positive integer number, each port being configured to include one or more wavelength-division-multiplexing (WDM) channels; N corresponding optical output ports, each port being configured to include one or more WDM channels. The PGDD also includes a first slab waveguide region (FSWR) coupled to the N optical input ports, a second slab waveguide region (SSWR) coupled to the said N optical output ports, a first optical grating coupled to the FSWR, a second optical grating coupled to the SSWR, and; a third slab waveguide region (TSWR) coupled to at least one of the first and second optical gratings. The TSWR is configured to provide a configurable amount of dispersion to the N optical output ports. Optical signals carried by each WDM channel are processed concurrently and independently.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for detecting faults and optimizing phase currents in an electromechanical energy converter are disclosed. An example method comprises: measuring a current of a phase of the electromechanical energy converter, modeling the electromechanical energy converter with the current measurement input into a field reconstruction module, calculating a flux linkage of the electromechanical energy converter, comparing the flux linkage with a flux linkage from a no fault electromechanical energy converter, and optimizing the current of the phase of the electromechanical energy converter in response to the comparison. Other embodiments are described and claimed.

Abstract: A system and method for electronic device protection. A method includes activating the electronic device; transferring control to a Basic Input/Output System (BIOS) component after activation; transferring control to a non-viewable component from the BIOS component; verifying that an application component operated correctly during a previous device activation; and continuing with activation of the electronic device if the application component operated correctly during the previous device activation.

Abstract: An electronic device has software for protecting the electronic device from unauthorized utilization. When executed, the software causes the electronic device to execute an application component, wherein the application component is configured to automatically ascertain whether the electronic device has been reported stolen, based on information received from a server system. The electronic device also automatically determines whether the application component is operating correctly, and if so, automatically provides a basic input/output system (BIOS) component of the electronic device with information indicating that the application component is operating correctly. During a subsequent boot process for the electronic device, the software automatically prevents the electronic device from completing the boot process if the BIOS component does not find the information from the application component indicating that the application component was operating correctly. Other embodiments are described and claimed.

Abstract: A hybrid ceramic/sand casting method of manufacturing a metal part. The method is especially suitable for parts having one or more very small internal gaps, such as might occur with a linear passage or round opening. These parts are formed using a hybrid core having at least one ceramic section and at least one sand section, with the ceramic section being used to create the internal gap. A mold cavity is created for the part, and the hybrid core is positioned in the mold. Molten metal is introduced into the mold, and after the metal cools, the core is removed, thereby forming the part with the internal gap.

Abstract: Methods and systems for phase current reconstruction are disclosed. An example method comprises: sampling a current from a power stage comprising: three phase legs, a current sensor to measure a dc-link current, and three more current sensors configured to measure three summations of currents for the power stage, storing the sampled current into a current stack if the sampled current comes from a survived sensor and is one of the phase currents from the switching state in the state stack, and reconstructing an unknown phase current by using the previously stored currents along with the sampled current to calculate the unknown phase current. Other embodiments are described and claimed.

Abstract: In a method for securing and disabling an electronic device, the electronic device automatically executes a basic input/output system (BIOS) component of a security and tracking service during boot up. The BIOS component automatically determines whether an application component of the security and tracking service has requested disabling of the electronic device. In response to a determination that the application component has requested disabling of the electronic device, the BIOS component automatically displays system information and unlock key. The BIOS component also automatically prompts a user of the electronic device to enter an activation password to re-enable the electronic device. Other embodiments are described and claimed.

Abstract: Methods and systems for electrochemically depositing doped metal oxide and metal chalcogenide films are disclosed. An example method includes dissolving a metal precursor into a solution, adding a halogen precursor to the solution, and applying a potential between a working electrode and a counter electrode of an electrochemical cell to deposit halogen doped metal oxide or metal chalcogenide onto a substrate. Another example method includes dissolving a zinc precursor into a solution, adding an yttrium precursor to the solution, and applying a potential between a working electrode and a counter electrode of an electrochemical cell to deposit yttrium doped zinc oxide onto a substrate. Other embodiments are described and claimed.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for modular pipe repair, the method comprising attaching two enclosure halves over a leak in a pipe to assemble a first repair enclosure and determining if another repair enclosure is needed for another leak in the pipe. If another repair enclosure is needed, the method further comprises drilling in the first repair enclosure drill hole passages in selected angled grooves thereof to connect to a primary groove in the enclosure, attaching a second repair enclosure to pipe, drilling in the second repair enclosure drill hole passages in selected angled grooves thereof to connect to the primary groove in the second enclosure, and attaching hub clamps to the first repair enclosure and the second repair enclosure. Finally, the method comprises injecting sealant into a plurality of injection points to fill the selected angled grooves and the primary grooves in the repair enclosures.

Abstract: A hybrid system for powering a vehicle and a method of controlling the hybrid system. The hybrid system has both an internal combustion engine and a motor/generator. The vehicle is controlled in response to the combination of states of five control parameters of the vehicle: polarity of the MG (positive or negative), relative rotor/stator speed, fueling of engine (on or off), clutch (on or off), and transmission shift position (drive, reverse, park). A control unit receives data from the vehicle representing these states, and determines an associated control mode. In at least one of the control modes, the engine both drives the vehicles and provides power to the generator.

Abstract: An electronic device security and tracking system. A system includes one or more clients, wherein the clients are electronic devices; and a server computer system connected to each of the clients, wherein the server computer system is capable of tracking and locating each of the clients. In one aspect, the server computer system includes one or more web servers coupled to each of the clients, wherein the web servers include a website for the electronic device security and tracking system; one or more file transfer protocol servers coupled to each of the web servers; and one or more database servers connected to each of the web servers.

Abstract: A system, method, and devices for locating an object, in which the system includes objects having location tags for projecting data about the object, a processing unit for receiving data about the object, and an algorithm for processing the data. Typically, the location tag includes at least one mobility sensor that projects sensory data about the object, a wireless transceiver that projects received signal strength indication data about the object and a microprocessor. The processing unit receiving the sensory data and the received signal strength indication data about the object. The algorithm processes the data, provides a location estimate about the object and thereby locates the object.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to interference management for a security and tracking system of an electronic device. In one embodiment, during a startup process, an electronic device executes a security program and automatically attempts to access a first web server to ascertain whether the electronic devices has been reported as stolen. In response to an unsuccessful attempt to access the first web server, the electronic device may automatically attempt to access a second web server for data regarding operational status of the first web server. In response to unsuccessful attempts to access the first and second web servers, the electronic device may automatically present an interference alert to provide notification that the electronic device will be disabled if the electronic device continues to experience interference. The electronic device may be automatically disabled in response to a predetermined number of startup sequences with interference. Other embodiments are described and claimed.

Abstract: A system of gravel modules to be used atop a room or other enclosure in which there is a threat of explosion. Each module has a rigid metal box frame, which contains a two layers of gravel. The lower gravel layer is screen gravel, and a layer of graded gravel is above the screen gravel. The box frame has a lower and an upper criss-cross pattern of bridge cable. A stack of wire mesh and other supporting material is laid over the lower bridge cable to support the screen gravel, and more wire mesh is laid over the screen gravel to support the graded gravel. The depths and grades of gravel are selected according to the type potential explosion, in terms of explosive fragment sizes and the nature of any expanding gases.

Abstract: A system and method for providing an electronic device security and tracking system and method (ESTSM). A method includes but is not limited to accepting a selection of an opt-in to use the ESTSM service; and making available the ESTSM service.

Abstract: A method for tracking, locating and disabling an electronic device. A method includes checking if an application component operated correctly during last power-up of the device; and placing the device under control of power on self test to proceed with powering-up the device if the application component operated correctly during last device power-up.

Abstract: The system and method described herein uses a hybrid pulsed detonation engine (PDE) system to drive a turbine that powers an electric generator. The combustion chamber of the PDE is shaped in a helical form, so that the external length of the section is reduced, while maintaining the distance for acceleration to detonation. This allows the achievement of deflagration to detonation transition without the help of turbulence enhancing obstacles, while keeping the overall size of the detonation tube small. The PDE output can be scaled by: increasing the cross sectional area of the detonation chamber; increasing the number of detonation tubes; and increasing the frequency of operation of the PDE. The replacement of conventional deflagrative internal combustion engines, including gas turbines and reciprocating engines, with pulsed detonation engines for electric power generation, may provide fuel savings and have a lower environmental impact.

Abstract: A system and method for securing and tracking an electronic device. A method includes but is not limited to accepting a selection of a service to erase a hard disk drive in the electronic device; recording that the electronic device has been reported stolen; and erasing the hard disk drive.

Abstract: A system and technique for measuring the mutual inductance in a switched reluctance machine (SRM). In a first example embodiment of the technique, a voltage pulse is applied to primary coil when the machine is stationery. By measuring current in the primary coil and measuring induced voltages in adjacent open circuited coils mutual inductance may be determined. In another example embodiment, a voltage pulse is applied to the primary coil when the machine is stationery. The secondary coil is allowed to freewheel current through the phase. By measuring time taken by the primary phase to reach a preset value, the mutual inductance for the known position of a rotor can be determined.

Abstract: A microphone for use in windy environments. The microphone uses a transducer to flood the environment outside the microphone with a high frequency (such as an ultrasonic) acoustic field. The sounds desired to be detected are mixed with the high frequency carrier, and can then be received by the microphone with less wind noise. The microphone then demodulates the desired sound signals from the high frequency carrier. The microphone can be configured in a special emitter-receiver configuration that also reduces interference from engine noise.