Abstract: Disclosed examples include methods and circuits to drive a haptic actuator, in which a single input signal from a host device has a first state representing a command to drive the actuator and a second state representing a command to stop the actuator. A control circuit provides a drive control signal to a driver circuit to drive the haptic actuator in response to the control signal transitioning to the first state, and to stop the haptic actuator in response to the control signal transitioning to the second state. A timer circuit places the circuit in a low power mode a predetermined time after the control signal transitions to the second state, or the control circuit places the circuit in the low power mode in response to a feedback signal indicating that the actuator has reached a stopped condition.

Abstract: In various embodiments, the present disclosure relates generally to a game including a path of different symbol display positions. The gaming system generates one or more symbols (and/or one or more awards) at one or more of the symbol display positions of a matrix or grid. The gaming system then randomly forms a path including a plurality of the symbol display positions and determines an award for the player based on which symbol display positions are included in the formed path.

Abstract: A compound is provided according to structure 4, (4) wherein n has a value from 0 to 48 and Z is hydroxyl or a benzene ring bearing substituents R11-R15, wherein R1-R15 are each individually selected from the group consisting of H, allyl, alkyl, alkoxy, phenyl, phenoxy, halide, hydroxyl, glycidyl, (meth)acryloyl, 3-(meth)acryloyl-2-hydroxy-1-propoxy, 2,3-epoxypropyl, maleate, and structure (a) wherein at least one of R1-R5, at least one of R6-R10, and at least one of R11-R15 is hydroxyl or an ether or ester derived from it.

Abstract: Disclosed examples include methods and circuits to drive a haptic actuator, in which a single input signal from a host device has a first state representing a command to drive the actuator and a second state representing a command to stop the actuator. A control circuit provides a drive control signal to a driver circuit to drive the haptic actuator in response to the control signal transitioning to the first state, and to stop the haptic actuator in response to the control signal transitioning to the second state. A timer circuit places the circuit in a low power mode a predetermined time after the control signal transitions to the second state, or the control circuit places the circuit in the low power mode in response to a feedback signal indicating that the actuator has reached a stopped condition.

Abstract: In various embodiments, the present disclosure relates generally to a game including a path of different symbol display positions. The gaming system generates one or more symbols (and/or one or more awards) at one or more of the symbol display positions of a matrix or grid. The gaming system then randomly forms a path including a plurality of the symbol display positions and determines an award for the player based on which symbol display positions are included in the formed path.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a motor driver configured to drive a motor across a pair of input terminals to the motor and a current sense unit configured to sense the motor's electrical current amplitude. Further, an angular frequency extractor is operatively coupled to the motor driver and the current sense unit and configured to detect discontinuities in the motor's electrical current amplitude. The angular frequency extractor also is configured to determine a time period for one complete revolution of a rotor of the motor and to generate a feedback signal based on the determined period to control an angular frequency of the motor. The feedback signal may be used to adjust how the motor is being driven (e.g., to slow the motor down or speed it up).

Abstract: Circuits and methods for driving ERM motors are disclosed herein. An embodiment of the circuit includes an input, wherein an input signal is receivable at the input and a back EMF signal. The circuit operates in a closed loop mode when the back EMF signal is less than a lower threshold value and the difference between the value of the input signal and the back EMF signal indicates that the velocity of the motor needs to increase. The circuit operates in an open loop mode when the back EMF signal is greater than a high threshold value and the difference between the value of the input signal and the back EMF signal indicates that the velocity of the motor needs to increase.

Abstract: In various embodiments, the present disclosure relates generally to a game including a path of different symbol display positions. The gaming system generates one or more symbols (and/or one or more awards) at one or more of the symbol display positions of a matrix or grid. The gaming system then randomly forms a path including a plurality of the symbol display positions and determines an award for the player based on which symbol display positions are included in the formed path.

Abstract: Disclosed examples include methods and circuits to drive a haptic actuator, in which a single input signal from a host device has a first state representing a command to drive the actuator and a second state representing a command to stop the actuator. A control circuit provides a drive control signal to a driver circuit to drive the haptic actuator in response to the control signal transitioning to the first state, and to stop the haptic actuator in response to the control signal transitioning to the second state. A timer circuit places the circuit in a low power mode a predetermined time after the control signal transitions to the second state, or the control circuit places the circuit in the low power mode in response to a feedback signal indicating that the actuator has reached a stopped condition.

Abstract: In various embodiments, the present disclosure relates generally to a game including a path of different symbol display positions. The gaming system generates one or more symbols (and/or one or more awards) at one or more of the symbol display positions of a matrix or grid. The gaming system then randomly forms a path including a plurality of the symbol display positions and determines an award for the player based on which symbol display positions are included in the formed path.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for determining the sensitivity to electrostatic discharge (ESD) of energetic and volatile samples. The method and apparatus include an optical detector configured to detect the optical light intensity from an ESD event with time resolution less than 15 microseconds. The optical light intensity is integrated to obtain an integrated light intensity. The method and apparatus further include processing circuitry configured to determine whether the ESD event is a “Go” event, wherein the energetic material undergoes decomposition generating additional light in addition to light generated by the ESD event itself, or the ESD event is a “No-Go” event without decomposition of the energetic/volatile material. The integrated light intensity threshold between “Go” and “No-Go” events is determined using a statistical distribution of inert sample measurements.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for controlling a haptic actuator. A haptic actuator controller can includes driver input amplifier, an actuator feedback amplifier, an actuator driver, and a gain controller. The actuator driver is configured to drive a haptic actuator based on a difference of output of the input amplifier and output of the actuator feedback amplifier. The gain controller is configured to determine a boost interval for initiating motion of the haptic actuator, the boost interval based on a boost threshold back-electromotive-force (BEMF) voltage value exceeding a BEMF voltage generated by the haptic actuator. The gain controller is also configured to apply boost gains in the input amplifier and the feedback amplifier during the boost interval. The boost gains are higher than gains applied subsequent to the boost interval to maintain motion of the haptic actuator.

Abstract: A method for driving a Linear Resonant Actuator (LRA) is provided. During a first off interval, the back-emf of the LRA is measured. During a first off interval, a timer is started when the back-emf reaches a predetermined threshold, and after a predetermined delay has lapsed following the back-emf reaching the predetermined threshold during the first off interval, the LRA is driven over a drive interval having a length and drive strength. A second off interval is entered following the drive interval, and during the second off interval, the back-emf of the LRA is measured. During the second off interval, the timer is stopped when the back-emf reaches the predetermined threshold. The value from the timer that corresponds to the duration between the back-emf reaching the predetermined threshold during the first off interval and the back-emf reaching the predetermined threshold during the second off interval determines the length.

Abstract: In various embodiments, the present disclosure relates generally to a game including a path of different symbol display positions. The gaming system generates one or more symbols (and/or one or more awards) at one or more of the symbol display positions of a matrix or grid. The gaming system then randomly forms a path including a plurality of the symbol display positions and determines an award for the player based on which symbol display positions are included in the formed path.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a motor driver configured to drive a motor across a pair of input terminals to the motor and a current sense unit configured to sense the motor's electrical current amplitude. Further, an angular frequency extractor is operatively coupled to the motor driver and the current sense unit and configured to detect discontinuities in the motor's electrical current amplitude. The angular frequency extractor also is configured to determine a time period for one complete revolution of a rotor of the motor and to generate a feedback signal based on the determined period to control an angular frequency of the motor. The feedback signal may be used to adjust how the motor is being driven (e.g., to slow the motor down or speed it up).

Abstract: A method, apparatus and a system for a Linear Resonant Actuator (LRA) real time impedance tracking. The method includes extracting the Back Electro-Motive Force (BEMF) voltage from a driver's load current by determining a current multiplying factor utilizing a Least Mean Square (LMS) algorithm and introducing an error function to control the gain of the load current and isolate the BEMF.

Abstract: A method for driving a Linear Resonant Actuator (LRA) is provided. During a first off interval, the back-emf of the LRA is measured. During a first off interval, a timer is started when the back-emf reaches a predetermined threshold, and after a predetermined delay has lapsed following the back-emf reaching the predetermined threshold during the first off interval, the LRA is driven over a drive interval having a length and drive strength. A second off interval is entered following the drive interval, and during the second off interval, the back-emf of the LRA is measured. During the second off interval, the timer is stopped when the back-emf reaches the predetermined threshold. The value from the timer that corresponds to the duration between the back-emf reaching the predetermined threshold during the first off interval and the back-emf reaching the predetermined threshold during the second off interval determines the length.

Abstract: In various embodiments, the present disclosure relates generally to a game including a path of different symbol display positions. The gaming system generates one or more symbols (and/or one or more awards) at one or more of the symbol display positions of a matrix or grid. The gaming system then randomly forms a path including a plurality of the symbol display positions and determines an award for the player based on which symbol display positions are included in the formed path.

Abstract: A system includes a controller to control movement of a linear resonant actuator (LRA). The system includes a monitor in the controller to monitor a back electromotive force (BEMF) signal from the LRA representing the movement of the LRA. The monitor generates an indicator that indicates whether or not movement of the LRA has occurred. A primary loop module in the controller controls acceleration and braking of the LRA based on the monitored BEMF signal if the indicator from the monitor indicates that LRA movement has occurred. An alternate cycle module in the controller pushes the LRA at a predetermined frequency if the indicator from the monitor indicates that LRA movement has not occurred. The push is employed to move the LRA when the BEMF signal is undetectable by the monitor with respect to a predetermined threshold.

Abstract: In various embodiments, the present disclosure relates generally to a game including a path of different symbol display positions. The gaming system generates one or more symbols (and/or one or more awards) at one or more of the symbol display positions of a matrix or grid. The gaming system then randomly forms a path including a plurality of the symbol display positions and determines an award for the player based on which symbol display positions are included in the formed path.