Abstract: A bearing assembly includes an outer race and an inner race. The outer race has a body extending between a pair of axial faces and defines a radially-inward facing bearing surface. The inner race is received in the outer race and has a radially-outward facing bearing surface that bears against the radially-inward facing bearing surface of the outer race. The radially-outward facing bearing surface has one or more flat surfaces removed from it. These flats on the inner race can reduce the dimensional entry requirements for insertion of the inner race into the outer race and either permits the receiving slots in the outer race to be reduced in dimension (thereby relatively thickening the wall of the outer race, which structurally strengthens the outer races) or permits the receiving slots to be eliminated altogether.

Abstract: Described is a screen surface layer comprising a plurality of light-emitting pixels including a plurality of red pixels, a plurality of green pixels and a plurality of blue pixels; a transducer layer comprising a plurality of acoustic transducers, wherein the transducer layer is affixed below the screen surface layer; and a cover layer having a plurality of cylinder-shaped perforations, wherein the cover layer is affixed above the screen surface layer. In addition, an average “transducer model” describing a phasor distribution in space may be produced describing the output signal at the carrier frequency in the air at a known spatial offset from an averaged transducer. Further, phased array systems may have numerous individual transducer elements that will likely fail before the product incorporating the transducers reaches end-of-life. By detecting such failed transducers, the transducer array may function at peak performance by working around the missing transducer output.

Abstract: A system providing various improved perceptions techniques for haptic feedback above interactive surfaces that require no contact with either tools, attachments or the surface itself is described. A range of receptors in a perceiving member which is part of the human body is identified to create substantially uniformly perceivable feedback. A vibration frequency that is in the range of the receptors in the perceiving member is chosen and dynamically altered to create substantially uniformly perceivable feedback throughout the receiving member.

Abstract: A wireless communication device includes a first circuit including a baseband circuit and a radio circuit, and at least one frontend module (FEM) remote from the first circuit and placed in close proximity to and coupled to at least one radio-frequency (RF) antenna. The FEM is coupled to the first circuit via interface circuitry. An FEM comprises a frontend (FE) circuit including one or more low-noise amplifiers (LNAs), one or more power amplifiers (PAs), and at least one of a multi-pole switch and a multiplexer. The multi-pole switch and the multiplexer being implemented on a first side of the FEM coupled to the interface circuitry. The interface circuitry includes at least some of filters, splitters, multi-pole switches, and multiplexers to reduce a count of interconnect routes to the at least one FEM.

Abstract: Techniques are provided for minimizing latency due to garbage collection in a distributed system. Time data is stored at a computing device. The time data indicates when each of multiple computing nodes (e.g., servers) in the distributed system might be performing (or is scheduled to perform) a garbage collection operation. The computing device receives a first request and, in response, determines, based on the time data, one or more computing nodes to process a second (e.g., related) request, which may contain identical content as in the first request. The second request is sent to the one or more computing nodes.

Abstract: Described is a system for producing an acoustic field from a plurality of ultrasonic transducer arrays, each of which has known relative positions and orientations. The acoustic field comprises a carrier wave and a modulated wave. The carrier wave has a plurality of modulated focal areas. A plurality of control points having a known spatial relationship relative to at least one of the plurality of ultrasonic transducer arrays is used. The plurality of ultrasonic transducer arrays are calibrated by using the relative position of each of the plurality of ultrasonic transducer arrays.

Abstract: The present disclosure concerns a method and apparatus for the creation of an acoustic field for providing tactile sensations. More particularly, but not exclusively, this disclosure concerns a method and apparatus for the creation of an acoustic field providing tactile sensations for use with an interactive device. The disclosure provides a method of generating a tactile sensation. The method comprises the steps of providing a plurality of acoustic transducers arranged to generate a predetermined distribution of pressure patterns, wherein the pressure patterns comprise a first region providing a first tactile sensation and a second region providing a second, different, tactile sensation.

Abstract: Techniques are provided for minimizing latency due to garbage collection in a distributed system. Time data is stored at a computing device. The time data indicates when each of multiple computing nodes (e.g., servers) in the distributed system might be performing (or is scheduled to perform) a garbage collection operation. The computing device receives a first request and, in response, determines, based on the time data, one or more computing nodes to process a second (e.g., related) request, which may contain identical content as in the first request. The second request is sent to the one or more computing nodes.

Abstract: The present disclosure concerns a method and apparatus for the creation of an acoustic field for providing tactile sensations. More particularly, but not exclusively, this disclosure concerns a method and apparatus for the creation of an acoustic field providing tactile sensations for use with an interactive device. The disclosure provides a method of generating a tactile sensation. The method comprises the steps of providing a plurality of acoustic transducers arranged to generate a predetermined distribution of pressure patterns, wherein the pressure patterns comprise a first region providing a first tactile sensation and a second region providing a second, different, tactile sensation.

Abstract: A system providing various improved calibration techniques for haptic feedback is described. An acoustic field is defined by one or more control points in a space within which the acoustic field may exist. Each control point is assigned an amplitude value equating to a desired amplitude of the acoustic field at the control point. Because complete control of space is not possible, controlling the acoustic field at given points yields erroneous local maxima in the acoustic field levels at other related positions. In relation to mid-air haptic feedback, these can interfere in interactions with the space by creating secondary effects and ghost phenomena that can be felt outside the interaction area. The level and nature of the secondary maxima in the acoustic field is determined by how the space is controlled. By arranging the transducer elements in different ways, unwanted effects on the acoustic field can be limited and controlled.

Abstract: The present invention concerns a method and apparatus for the modulation of an acoustic field for providing tactile sensations. A method of creating haptic feedback using ultrasound is provided. The method comprises the steps of generating a plurality of ultrasound waves with a common focal point using a phased array of ultrasound transducers, the common focal point being a haptic feedback point, and modulating the generation of the ultrasound waves using a waveform selected to produce little or no audible sound at the haptic feedback point.

Abstract: A system providing various improved processing techniques for haptic feedback is described. An acoustic field is defined by one or more control points in a space within which the acoustic field may exist. Each control point is assigned an amplitude value equating to a desired amplitude of the acoustic field at the control point. Transducers are then controlled to create an acoustic field exhibiting the desired amplitude at each of the control points. When human skin interacts with the acoustic field, vibrations of the skin are interpreted by mechanoreceptors being excited and sending signals to the brain via the nervous system. Improved processing techniques allow for more efficient real-world operation.

Abstract: A system providing various improved perceptions techniques for haptic feedback above interactive surfaces that require no contact with either tools, attachments or the surface itself is described. A range of receptors in a perceiving member which is part of the human body is identified to create substantially uniformly perceivable feedback. A vibration frequency that is in the range of the receptors in the perceiving member is chosen and dynamically altered to create substantially uniformly perceivable feedback throughout the receiving member.

Abstract: A semiconductor distributed Bragg reflector laser configured for single longitudinal mode operation, having an optical waveguide comprising an optical gain section, a first reflector being a first distributed Bragg reflector (DBR) section comprising a grating configured to produce a reflection spectrum having one or more first reflective peaks, and a second reflector, wherein the first DBR section is configured to compensate for thermal chirp that is induced inhomogeneously along the length of the DBR section, in use.

Abstract: A plurality of control points are defined having a known spatial relationship relative to an array of transducers. An amplitude is assigned to each control point. A matrix is produced containing elements which represent, for each of the control points, the effect that producing a modeled acoustic field having the assigned amplitude with a particular phase at the control point has on the consequential amplitude and phase of the modeled acoustic field at the other control points. Eigenvectors of the matrix are determined, each eigenvector representing a set of phases and relative amplitudes of the modeled acoustic field at the control points. One of the sets is selected and the transducer array is operated to cause one or more of the transducers to output an acoustic wave each having an initial amplitude and phase such that the phases and amplitudes of the resultant acoustic field at the control points correspond to the phases and relative amplitudes of the selected set.

Abstract: A semiconductor distributed Bragg reflector laser configured for single longitudinal mode operation, having an optical waveguide comprising an optical gain section, a first reflector being a first distributed Bragg reflector (DBR) section comprising a grating configured to produce a reflection spectrum having one or more first reflective peaks, and a second reflector, wherein the first DBR section is configured to compensate for thermal chirp that is induced inhomogeneously along the length of the DBR section, in use.

Abstract: The present disclosure concerns a method and apparatus for the creation of an acoustic field for providing tactile sensations. More particularly, but not exclusively, this disclosure concerns a method and apparatus for the creation of an acoustic field providing tactile sensations for use with an interactive device. The disclosure provides a method of generating a tactile sensation. The method comprises the steps of providing a plurality of acoustic transducers arranged to generate a predetermined distribution of pressure patterns, wherein the pressure patterns comprise a first region providing a first tactile sensation and a second region providing a second, different, tactile sensation.

Abstract: A method of utilizing an intellectual property grouping owned by a patent entity to generate income. The method includes acquiring rights in a first intellectual property asset from a seller on behalf of a patent investment entity, providing compensation to the seller in exchange for the first intellectual property asset, granting less than all of the rights in the first intellectual property asset to the seller of the intellectual property asset in exchange for a stream of payments, wherein granting less than all of the rights in the first intellectual property asset creates residual rights in the first intellectual property asset, and utilizing the residual rights in the first intellectual property asset to generate income for the patent investment entity.

Abstract: A method of utilizing an intellectual property grouping owned by a patent entity to generate income. The method includes acquiring rights in a first intellectual property asset from a seller on behalf of a patent investment entity, providing compensation to the seller in exchange for the first intellectual property asset, granting less than all of the rights in the first intellectual property asset to the seller of the intellectual property asset in exchange for a stream of payments, wherein granting less than all of the rights in the first intellectual property asset creates residual rights in the first intellectual property asset, and utilizing the residual rights in the first intellectual property asset to generate income for the patent investment entity.

Abstract: A kit for injecting a biomaterial into an intradiscal space accessed through an opening in the disc annulus comprises a plurality of needles, each sized for introduction through the annulus opening with a passageway for injecting the biomaterial therethrough, and each including a distal end to be disposed within the intradiscal space when the needle extends through the annulus opening. Each needle includes a stop affixed thereto at different pre-determined distances from the distal end to define the location of the distal end within the intradiscal space when the needle extends through the opening in the annulus. The kit further includes a plurality of seals defining a bore for sliding engagement with a needle, each of the plurality of seals including a sealing face for engaging the annulus around the needle. Each sealing face defines a differently configured area of contact, such as circular, elliptical, tapered and threaded.