Abstract: Methods, systems, and devices are described for both power and control signal transmission through a single coupled inductor. A current driver generates a cyclical current signal on a primary winding of a coupled inductor, to induce a voltage signal at the secondary winding corresponding to the cyclical current signal. A rectifier module is coupled with the secondary winding and configured to rectify the signal induced at the secondary winding. A control timing signal module is coupled with the primary winding and configured to induce voltage pulses on the secondary winding, the induced voltage pulses having an insubstantial impact on the output of the rectifier module. A switching module coupled with the secondary winding is configured to receive the voltage pulses and control a switching signal for a power switch coupled with the output of the rectifier and provide power to a load coupled with the output of the rectifier.

Abstract: A multichannel vestibular prosthesis includes a sensor system and a microcontroller configured to communicate with the sensor system to receive sensor signals from the sensor system while in operation. The microcontroller is configured to provide control signals in response to the sensor signals. The multichannel vestibular prosthesis also includes a neuroelectronic interface integrated circuit configured to communicate with the microcontroller to receive the control signals, and a plurality of electrodes electrically connected to the neuroelectronic interface integrated circuit. The neuroelectronic interface integrated circuit includes a digital controller configured to communicate with the microcontroller, a plurality of digital-to-analog converters configured to communicate with the digital controller, and a plurality of analog current control circuits, each constructed to communicate with a respective one of the plurality of digital-to-analog converters.

Abstract: A junction device driver is provided that includes a current regulator, an inductor coupled with the current regulator, and a switching module coupled with the inductor. The current regulator is configured to generate a current, and the inductor is configured to store energy generated by the current produced by the current regulator. The switching module is configured to control a conduction current for a gate of a junction device. The conduction current is generated, initially, from the stored energy of the inductor to thereby provide a relatively high initial current. As the energy stored in the inductor is discharged, the current level drops to a lower level that is sufficient to maintain the junction device in an “on” state.

Abstract: A vestibular implant system is described which includes an implantable vestibular stimulator providing a vestibular stimulation signal to electrically stimulate target neural tissue for vestibular sensation by a patient. A patient warning alarm process alters the stimulation signal when a given alarm condition occurs to change the vestibular sensation of the patient thereby warning the patient of the alarm condition.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and devices are described for providing a communication system for handling pulse information. Embodiments of the invention provide a pulse shaping unit operable to avoid saturation of the pulse transformer, while being easily incorporated into IC processes. Some embodiments of the pulse shaping unit provide a two-to-three level driver unit for converting a two-level input voltage signal to a three-level driver signal for driving a pulse transformer. Other embodiments of the pulse shaping unit provide components configured to differentially drive a pulse transformer, effectively converting a two-level input voltage signal to a three-level driver signal.

Abstract: An implantable nerve stimulation device has a sensor system, a data processor in communication with the sensor system, and a nerve stimulation system in communication with the data processor and constructed to provide electrical stimulation to at least one branch of at least one vestibulocochlear nerve. The nerve stimulation system includes an electrode array that has a first plurality of electrodes structured to be surgically implanted in electrical communication with a superior branch of the vestibular nerve, a second plurality of electrodes structured to be surgically implanted in electrical communication with a horizontal branch of the vestibular nerve, a third plurality of electrodes structured to be surgically implanted in electrical communication with a posterior branch of the vestibular nerve, and a common erus reference electrode structured to be surgically implanted into a common eras of the vestibular labyrinth.

Abstract: A bridgeless power factor correction system may include an AC input having a first input terminal and a second input terminal, an inductor module coupled with the first input terminal, and a switching module coupled between the second input terminal and the inductor module. The switching module may comprise a bi-directional voltage blocking switch that is configured to selectively couple the inductor module with the AC input based on an output voltage and a phase difference between an input voltage waveform and an input current waveform. The switching module may also comprise an auxiliary network for reversing a winding current to achieve zero voltage switching. An output module may be coupled with the inductor module, and provide an output to a load. The inductor module may include a magnetically coupled inductor having a primary and secondary winding. The output module may include a full or half bridge rectifier.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and devices are described for a non-isolated dc-dc power converter that uses a single magnetic element and provides both a positive and a negative voltage output. The magnetic element, such as an inductor, is coupled with two or more switching modules that electrically switch the inductor to and from a voltage source, an inductor terminal, and/or a load. By electrically connecting and electrically isolating different components at various times, separate positive and negative voltage outputs are provided using the single inductor element. Switching may be controlled by a controller module, and a magnitude of the dc output voltage may be selected based on two or more resistors coupled with the controller module.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and devices are described for an adjustment module that interacts with a parameter detection module to provide a threshold value for initiating switching of a switching module in a cyclical electronic system. Aspects of the present disclosure provide a switching module used in conjunction with an inductor that is coupled with the switching module. The threshold voltage for switching the switching module may be adjusted to provide switching at substantially zero volts while maintaining sufficient energy in the inductor to drive the voltage at a switching element in the switching module to zero volts. Such auto-adjustment circuits may allow for enhanced efficiency in cyclical electronic systems. The output of an up/down counter may be used to set another parameter that effects the performance of the cyclical electronic system in order to enhance the performance of the cyclical electronic system.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and devices are described for both power and control signal transmission through a single coupled inductor. A current driver generates a cyclical current signal on a primary winding of a coupled inductor, to induce a voltage signal at the secondary winding corresponding to the cyclical current signal. A rectifier module is coupled with the secondary winding and configured to rectify the signal induced at the secondary winding. A control timing signal module is coupled with the primary winding and configured to induce voltage pulses on the secondary winding, the induced voltage pulses having an insubstantial impact on the output of the rectifier module. A switching module coupled with the secondary winding is configured to receive the voltage pulses and control a switching signal for a power switch coupled with the output of the rectifier and provide power to a load coupled with the output of the rectifier.

Abstract: A junction device driver is provided that includes a current regulator, an inductor coupled with the current regulator, and a switching module coupled with the inductor. The current regulator is configured to generate a current, and the inductor is configured to store energy generated by the current produced by the current regulator. The switching module is configured to control a conduction current for a gate of a junction device. The conduction current is generated, initially, from the stored energy of the inductor to thereby provide a relatively high initial current. As the energy stored in the inductor is discharged, the current level drops to a lower level that is sufficient to maintain the junction device in an “on” state.

Abstract: A junction device driver is provided that includes a current regulator, an inductor coupled with the current regulator, and a switching module coupled with the inductor. The current regulator is configured to generate a current, and the inductor is configured to store energy generated by the current produced by the current regulator. The switching module is configured to control a conduction current for a gate of a junction device. The conduction current is generated, initially, from the stored energy of the inductor to thereby provide a relatively high initial current. As the energy stored in the inductor is discharged, the current level drops to a lower level that is sufficient to maintain the junction device in an “on” state.

Abstract: A chewy and intermediate moisture bar is provided that uses a dairy-based binder generally without the need to employ gums, humectants, and sugar syrups as a binder to achieve the moist and chewy texture. In one aspect, the bar includes a dry base uniformly blended with a dairy-based binder that uses high levels of dairy proteins as the main binding component. A method of forming the chewy and intermediate moisture bar is also provided that may use a lay or delay period to allow moisture equilibration or migration from the binder to the dry base.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and devices are described for using isolated and non-isolated circuit structures and control methods for achieving multiple independently regulated input and output parameters using a single, simple, primary magnetic circuit element. For example, structures and methods are revealed for achieving single-stage power factor correction with high power factor and multiple independently regulated outputs using a single, simple, primary magnetic circuit element. Other structures and methods are revealed for achieving multiple independently regulated outputs without power factor correction using a single primary magnetic circuit element for both isolated and non-isolated power conversion applications.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and devices are described for described for providing control circuitry for use with battery packs. Embodiments optimize charging and discharging cycles to mitigate overcharging, over-discharging, and/or overheating individual cells in a battery pack. For example, embodiments allow for full discharging of battery packs (i.e., bringing the battery pack and its individual cells closer to their minimum voltages without going below) and full charging of battery packs (i.e., charging each cell of the battery pack closer to their maximum voltages without exceeding). Further, some embodiments include a substantially lossless, bi-directional DC-to-DC converter for facilitating ultra-fast charging of battery packs (e.g., at greater than 10C charge rates) without overheating or overcharging the individual cells of the battery packs.

Abstract: A system to measure a subject's gaze stability, comprising: a display device; a data processor in communication with the display device; a data input device in communication with the data processor; and a motion detector in communication with the data processor, the motion detector being adapted to be worn by the subject under observation, wherein the data processor is configured to cause the display device to display a predetermined visual target based on a motion signal detected by the motion detector, the data processor is adapted to receive information from the data input device concerning a response of the subject in identifying the predetermined visual target, and the data processor is further adapted to generate an output characterizing the subject's gaze stability based on the received information.

Abstract: Non-sweet binder compositions, food products comprising such binder compositions, and methods of preparing food products comprising such binder compositions are provided.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and devices are described for providing a communication system for handling pulse information. Embodiments of the invention provide a pulse shaping unit operable to avoid saturation of the pulse transformer, while being easily incorporated into IC processes. Some embodiments of the pulse shaping unit provide a two-to-three level driver unit for converting a two-level input voltage signal to a three-level driver signal for driving a pulse transformer. Other embodiments of the pulse shaping unit provide components configured to differentially drive a pulse transformer, effectively converting a two-level input voltage signal to a three-level driver signal.

Abstract: A radio frequency (RF) generator comprises a first half bridge including first and second power transistors; a second half bridge including first and second power transistors; an RF output node coupling output nodes of the first and second half bridges, the output node outputting RF signals to a load; positive and negative rails coupled to a power source; and a first commutation inductor provided to store energy to commutate at least one of the half bridges.

Abstract: A radio frequency (RF) generator includes a first half bridge including first and second power transistors; a second half bridge including first and second power transistors; an output node coupling the first and second half bridges and RF signals to a load; positive and negative rails coupled to an AC power source via a rectifier; a first blocking capacitor provided between the positive rail and the load; a second blocking capacitor provided between the negative rail and the load; and a voltage regulator configured to output a given voltage to the first and second bridges, wherein the first and second blocking capacitors are configured to isolate the load from the AC power source.