Abstract: One embodiment of the invention includes a quantum processor system. The quantum processor system includes a first resonator having a first characteristic frequency and a second resonator having a second characteristic frequency greater than the first characteristic frequency. A qubit cell is coupled to each of the first resonator and the second resonator. The qubit cell has a frequency tunable over a range of frequencies including the first characteristic frequency and the second characteristic frequency. A classical control mechanism is configured to tune the frequency of the qubit cell as to transfer quantum information between the first resonator and the second resonator.

Abstract: Upstream data handling in a digital Data Over Cable Service Interface Specification (DOCSIS) passive optical network (DPON). Embodiments include receiving at a headend, in an upstream path over an optical network, a plurality of digitized and serialized DPON upstream packets respectively distributed in a time division multiplexed fashion, wherein each DPON upstream packet includes a header, a trailer and a payload, monitoring the optical network for energy in the upstream path, including energy associated with a header and a trailer of respective DPON upstream packets, controlling a bit stuffer that adds bits to the upstream path to (1) stop adding bits to the upstream path when energy is detected in the upstream path and (2) resume adding bits to the upstream path after an end of a trailer of a given DPON upstream packet has been detected, and removing the header and the trailer of the respective DPON upstream packets.

Abstract: A cooling system for a high voltage system can include a high voltage supply and an electrical component coupled to the high voltage supply. The electrical component can generate heat that needs to be dissipated. The cooling system can include a cooling mechanism for dissipating the heat. The cooling mechanism can include a liquid conduit thermally coupled to the electrical component. The liquid conduit can contain a cooling solution comprising an alcohol having the formula R—OH, wherein R is a hydrocarbon having the formula CnH2n+1 and n is any positive integer between 1 and 6. The cooling system can additionally include a pump and a heat exchanger, each of which may be coupled to the liquid conduit.

Abstract: A method fuses an inferior vertebra and a superior vertebra together. The method includes the steps of: extending a screw obliquely, both anteriorly and superiorly, through the inferior vertebra; and further extending the screw across an interbody space and into the superior vertebra both anteriorly and superiorly.

Abstract: A method for controlling an electric belt retractor (16) which has an electric motor (20) which can drive a belt spool (18) in a belt band retraction direction and/or in a belt band withdrawal direction, and a blocking catch which is able to be guided into blocking teeth in order to block a rotation of the belt spool (18) in the belt band withdrawal direction, comprises the following steps: Operating the electric motor (20) in belt band retraction direction for tensioning the belt band (26); Detecting a possible belt band withdrawal; Determining a stable vehicle state; and Re-operating the electric motor (20) in belt band retraction direction only when a belt band withdrawal is detected.

Abstract: A redundant switch includes a housing, an actuator, and a slide movable in the housing in two opposing directions. The slide is coupled to the actuator by two antagonistic springs. The switch includes a latching track with latching notches. At least two switch units are arranged one beside the other for simultaneous actuation by the slide. A latching cam is movably guided on the slide and is urged towards the latching track by a compression spring. The antagonistic springs force the slide to move into respective positions when the latching cam slides over an apex between the latching notches.

Abstract: A spinal platform for delivering a therapeutic agent to a spinal cord target includes a brace member for attachment to a plurality of bony structures surrounding at least a portion of the spinal cord target, a carriage member operatively coupled to and movable along the brace member, and a universal joint for adjusting the coronal or sagittal angle of a surgical instrument. The brace member includes at least one longitudinal rail and a plurality of attachment members. The plurality of attachment members is operably connected to the at least one longitudinal rail. The at least one longitudinal rail includes a proximal end portion, a distal end portion, and a middle portion extending between the proximal and distal end portions. The universal joint is seated within a portion of the carriage member and is capable of delivering the therapeutic agent to the spinal cord target.

Abstract: Core material is removed from a passage in a casting by exposing at least a portion of the core material in the passage to a leaching liquid. At least a portion of the core material in the passage is exposed to a gas. An opening to passage is exposed to a gas. At least a portion of the leaching liquid in the passage is boiled while the opening to the passage is exposed to a gas. At least a portion of the leaching liquid is expelled from the passage in the casting by the boiling action. To expose at least a portion of the core material in a passage to a leaching liquid, a flow of leaching liquid is conducted from a reservoir container to an operating container in which the casting is disposed. To expose at least a portion of the core material in the passage to a gas, a flow of leaching liquid is conducted from the operating container to the reservoir container.

Abstract: In a vehicle safety system with a vehicle steering wheel, which has a steering wheel rim, and with at least one capacitive sensor which detects an alteration to an electric or electromagnetic field, the sensor is arranged in or on the steering wheel rim.

Abstract: A device for use in tuning a string of a musical instrument includes a pinion gear which is connected with a rotatable shaft. A worm gear is rotated to effect rotation of the pinion gear and shaft about a central axis of the shaft. A sleeve encloses a portion of the shaft and is rotatable relative to the shaft. The sleeve includes string holes which are alignable with string holes in the shaft. The shaft has recesses formed at end portions of the string holes in the shaft. The sleeve extends across and encloses the recesses formed in the shaft. The sleeve and shaft are relatively rotatable from a first spatial relationship in which the string holes in the sleeve are aligned with the string hole in the shaft and a second spatial relationship in which the string holes in the sleeve are offset from the string hole in the shaft. Knurling is provided on the outside of the sleeve.

Abstract: A method for determining a crash condition of a vehicle comprises the step of sensing crash acceleration in a first direction substantially parallel to a front-to-rear axis of the vehicle and providing a first crash acceleration signal indicative thereof. The method also comprises the step of sensing crash acceleration in a second direction substantially parallel to a side-to-side axis of the vehicle and providing a second crash acceleration signal indicative thereof. The method further comprises the steps of determining a crash metric value functionally related to the sensed crash acceleration based on the second acceleration signal and comparing the determined crash metric value as a function of the sensed first crash acceleration signal against an associated threshold. The method still further comprises the step of determining a crash condition of the vehicle in response to (a) the comparison and (b) the first acceleration signal.

Abstract: A device for protection of a vehicle occupant (14) in a motor vehicle (10) comprises a means for detecting a maloperation during use of a seat belt system by the vehicle occupant (14). The detection means includes means for characterizing the vehicle occupant (14) and individually checks operation of the seat belt system by taking into account the characterization. A method for protecting a vehicle occupant (14) in a motor vehicle (10) with a seat belt system comprises the following steps: characterization of the vehicle occupant (14), and individual check of operation of the seat belt system for a maloperation by taking into account the characterization.

Abstract: A gas generator has an outer housing with a gas outlet section having an outer wall. The gas outlet section has a first and a second outflow area. Each outflow area has a net thrust outflow direction. The net thrust outflow direction of the first outflow area has a first component in the lengthwise direction of the gas generator and the net thrust outflow direction of the second outflow area has a second component in the lengthwise direction of the gas generator. The first component is oriented opposite to the second component. The gas generator is arranged in an airbag module in a way that gas from the first and second outflow areas is guided into different inflatable sections of a gas bag.

Abstract: An ion implanter system including an ion source for use in creating a stream or beam of ions. The ion source has an ion source chamber housing that at least partially bounds an ionization region for creating a high density concentration of ions within the chamber housing. An ion extraction aperture of desired characteristics covers an ionization region of the chamber. In one embodiment, a movable ion extraction aperture plate is moved with respect to the housing for modifying an ion beam profile. One embodiment includes an aperture plate having at least elongated apertures and is moved between at least first and second positions that define different ion beam profiles. A drive or actuator coupled to the aperture plate moves the aperture plate between the first and second positions. An alternate embodiment has two moving plate portions that bound an adjustable aperture.

Abstract: A method of repairing an intervertebral disc of a patient's body includes identifying a target area of the intervertebral disc. An ultrasound generator is placed proximate the target area and outside the patient's body. An area temperature at the target area is monitored. Ultrasonic energy is generated with the ultrasound generator within a predetermined energy range. The ultrasonic energy is adjusted in response to the area temperature exceeding a predetermined temperature range. An apparatus for repairing an intervertebral disc of a patient's body is also provided.

Abstract: One embodiment of the present application includes a vehicle illumination system. The vehicle illumination system comprises an input keypad configured to receive at least one input provided by a user. The vehicle illumination system also comprises a controller configured to receive input commands provided by the input keypad and to sequentially control a state of a plurality of output device drivers corresponding to a respective plurality of vehicle lamps. The vehicle illumination system also comprises mean for reducing or eliminating undesired LED illumination. The vehicle illumination system further comprises overvoltage protection circuitry configured to continuously monitor an electrical signal associated with each of the plurality of output device drivers relative to respective over-current condition thresholds and a summation over-current condition threshold.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for detecting contaminants associated with a target. In one embodiment, a system is provided that comprises a tunable laser configured to transmit an illuminator pulse at a target for a predetermined time duration and a laser Doppler vibrometer system configured to transmit a probe pulse at a surface of the target within the predetermined time duration. The laser Doppler vibrometer system is further configured to detect and analyze at least one return pulse of the probe pulse to determine a surface expansion velocity of contaminants associated with the target due to the illuminator pulse.

Abstract: A pyrotechnical actuator unit (10) for a vehicle safety system includes an outer housing (14) made of a plastic material accommodating a pyrotechnical igniter (12) that when activated breaks the outer housing. The outer housing (14) includes first and second plastic parts (18, 20) permanently connected with each other. A gas bag module may have such an actuator unit (10). A method of manufacturing a pyrotechnical actuator unit (10) including an outer housing (14) accommodating a pyrotechnical igniter (12) and made up of first and second housing parts (48, 50) includes: producing the first housing part (48) having a recess for the pyrotechnical igniter (12), inserting the pyrotechnical igniter (12) into the recess, and injection molding the second housing part (50) onto the pyrotechnical igniter (12) and onto a first end (34) of the first housing part (48) to essentially close a receiving space (24) for the pyrotechnical igniter (12).

Abstract: A process for generating a unique, secure and printable identity document, for authenticating the use of the document, and for granting privileges based on the document, includes generating an identity certificate for an individual. This certificate incorporates a pointer to biometric and other identifying data for the individual which are stored in a reference database. The identity certificate is encoded to produce, for example, a machine-readable printable 2-dimensional barcode as an identity document. The identity document may then be used by the document holder for generation of an encoded privilege document and this, in turn, is compared with the stored reference data, including the stored biometric when the privilege is to be exercised.