Abstract: A method for executing a plurality of processing requests performed by a physical computing system that is programmed to execute the processing requests for clients includes, with the physical computing system, assigning an identification number to a new processing request; with the physical computing system, placing the new processing request into a process eligible group if the identification number of the new processing request meets a criterion; and with the physical computing system, placing the processing request into a queued group if the identification number of the processing request does not meet the criterion.

Abstract: A non-volatile memory organized into flash erasable blocks sorts units of data according to a temperature assigned to each unit of data, where a higher temperature indicates a higher probability that the unit of data will suffer subsequent rewrites due to garbage collection operations. The units of data either come from a host write or from a relocation operation. Among the units more likely to suffer subsequent rewrites, a smaller subset of data super-hot is determined. These super-hot data are then maintained in a dedicated portion of the memory, such as a resident binary zone in a memory system with both binary and MLC portions.

Abstract: This invention relates to a control circuit for a buck power factor correction (PFC) stage. Buck PFC stages are commonly used in low cost, high efficiency power converters. These buck PFC stages are typically controlled using a very slow control loop with a crossover frequency of the order of 10 to 20 Hz. However, such a slow response is unsuitable for applications requiring overvoltage protection. The present invention overcomes the problems with the known control circuits for buck PFC stages by implementing a two stage control circuit having a fast outer loop control circuit and a slow inner loop control circuit. The fast outer loop control circuit is in operation during low load conditions and the slow inner loop control circuit is only active under load.

Abstract: An integrated circuit (IC) having a pin having some dead-time when the pin is ineffective for use for a first purpose. The pin is used for a different purpose during that time wherein the pin is utilized to measure current when a main power transistor of a voltage converter is ON and used for driving an auxiliary or active-clamp when the main power transistor is OFF or used for generating a flag signal when the power transistor is OFF In addition, the integrated circuit (IC) could have a pin utilized for a first purpose to measure current during a first time when a power transistor of a voltage converter is ON and being utilized for a second purpose during the first time.

Abstract: A steering arrangement including a first, second, third and fourth hydraulic chamber, the first and third chambers being operable to steer in a first direction and the second and fourth chambers being operable to steer in a second direction. A pump system supplies fluid to a steering system, which is operable to supply the pressurised fluid to one or more of the first, second, third and fourth hydraulic chambers. The steering system having a first mode wherein fluid is supplied to the first and third hydraulic chambers to steer in the first direction, or pressurised fluid is supplied to the second and fourth hydraulic chambers to steer in the second direction. The steering system having a second mode to steer in the first direction, or to steer in the second direction, such that the steering ratio is higher in the second mode than in the first mode.

Abstract: Methods for cell-based tissue analysis utilize modern trends in digital microscopy to obtain, process, calibrate, and analyze digital images of tissue sections to quantify cell-based data for improved histological analysis. Using data from multiple images of a common tissue section, or data from images of multiple tissue sections, additional degrees of freedom are realized and the resulting analysis provides added depth to histological analysis of tissue samples. With computerized analytical methods, speed and accuracy of histological analysis is greatly improved.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a power converter (90) and a method of operating same. There are numerous advantages to operating power converters using a series resonant converter (1, 21). This approach is particularly suitable for minimizing switching losses in the power converter when it is operated at high frequency. However, there are problems with the known converters in that they are prone to generate noise in the acoustic spectrum due to the fact that the converter stages are often operating at different frequencies. The present invention relates to a power converter and a method of operating same that enables the operating frequency of the converter to be controlled by a control circuit over a predetermined range of the resonant frequency. This allows reduction in acoustic noise generation and facilitates frequency smearing that will in turn reduce spectral peaks. This is achieved while maintaining output ripple within acceptable ranges.

Abstract: A PWM modulator as might be used in a power converter, a drive signal will be generated on an output pin of an integrated circuit PWM controller device which is used to drive the output when the modulator is required to be on.

Abstract: A computer-implemented image processing technique for selectively recovering the features of an original CAD model after the original CAD model has been converted to a digitized image and a new CAD model generated from the digitized image. The original boundary representation provides a template to transform the representation through processing under governance of a programmed processor so as to recover accuracy and reintroduce feature edges and feature corners as well as other detailed features to the CAD model obtained from the digitized image, e.g., to enable detailed features to be retained that would otherwise have been lost due to the lossy conversion into image space. The method operates to better ensure that reconstructed boundary vertices lie on original CAD model surfaces and feature edges and corners are recovered.

Abstract: A method for preparing image data for three-dimensional printing in which a digitized (e.g. voxelized) representation of a virtual three-dimensional object (e.g. CAD model) is eroded to create an internal volume for the object. Subsequently, a vector-based surface representation of this internal volume is generated and simply combined with a corresponding vector-based surface representation of the original virtual three-dimensional object to yield a hollowed out model in a format suitable for three-dimensional printing. A microstructure may be introduced into the interior of the hollowed out model, e.g. by extracting a volume corresponding to the inverse of that microstructure from the eroded digitized representation.

Abstract: An expandable and collapsible platform system for providing a portable elevated platform for a user has a generally “A” shaped platform support member. A first vertical leg is attached to a second vertical leg via a top base and a plurality of fixed horizontal rungs. The fixed horizontal rungs incrementally increase in width from top to bottom. The first vertical leg has a first vertical leg extension and the second vertical leg has a second vertical leg extension. A horizontal beam has an engagement component for interfacing with a stationary vertical support surface with a hinge mounted to a top base. A planar flooring member is located on a top base top surface and a horizontal beam top surface.

Abstract: This invention relates to a power converter (1) comprising a converter input (3), a converter output (5), a power factor correction (PFC) stage (7) and an isolation stage (9). The PFC stage (7) is implemented by way of a buck PFC with low side drive and low side current sensing, There is provided a third stage, an intermediate buck pre-regulation stage (11), intermediate the buck PFC stage (7) and the isolation stage (9), Control of the power converter output voltage is achieved by varying the duty cycle of the intermediate buck pre-regulation stage (11) and therefore the isolation stage (9) may be an unregulated stage operated as a fixed DCDC voltage converter. The isolation stage (9) is operated as a 50%-50% duly cycle double ended stage. The configuration of power converter allows for a relatively inexpensive, highly efficient converter with 90%+ efficiency and simplified control.

Abstract: A medicated module includes (i) a rotatable reservoir body comprising (a) a flow path and (b) a medicament-reservoir profile and (ii) a pin feature disposed in the rotatable reservoir body, the pin feature comprising a medicament-cavity profile. The medicated module also includes a second medicament, wherein the second medicament is held in a reservoir formed at least in part by the medicament-reservoir profile and the medicament-cavity profile, and wherein, prior to dispense, the second medicament is filled to at least the proximal end of the medicament-cavity profile.

Abstract: A reservoir assembly for a medicated module includes a primary cavity for holding a medicament, a sump region, and a flexible element. The flexible element is configured to allow for fluid communication between the primary cavity and the sump region during a filling process for the reservoir. Further, the flexible element is configured to prevent fluid communication between the primary cavity and the sump region after the filling process.

Abstract: A transformer-coupled gate-drive power regulator system is provided that includes a feedback stage that generates a PWM signal having a duty-cycle that is based on a magnitude of an output voltage in an output stage. A switch driver stage configured to provide each of a first control signal and a second control signal based on the PWM signal. A switching stage comprising a first transformer input stage, a second transformer input stage, and a control switch. The first transformer input stage activates the control switch via the first control signal while the second transformer input stage is deactivated, and the second transformer input stage activates the control switch via the second control signal while the first transformer input stage is deactivated. The control switch can be configured to provide current through an output inductor in the output stage to generate the output voltage in response to being activated.

Abstract: A power converter for delivering power to a load at a regulated voltage 11 includes a regulating stage receiving an unregulated supply 10 and having a main transformer 18. Switches 16a and 16b are arranged in a half-bridge connect the transformer primary 17 to the unregulated supply 10 to drive the load via a rectifying stage connected to the transformer secondary 19. The on-time of the switch is controlled by a controller 14 to effect the regulation over a range of values of the unregulated supply. An auxiliary transformer 103 has a secondary winding 104 connected in series with the main transformer primary 17 and a primary winding that is selectively driven via a switch 106. A comparator 107 detects a low voltage event within the regulating stage, such as a drop in the intermediate voltage at 10. The primary winding 105 of the auxiliary transformer 103 is driven during the low voltage event.

Abstract: A non-volatile memory system writes logical to physical conversion data to the same memory blocks as user data, and as part of the same page as a segment of user data, as data segments are received and written. When a data block is subsequently compacted and obsolete data removed, the user data from the block is written to a one block and some or all of the logical to physical conversion data from the block is written to another block dedicated for the storage of such logical to physical mapping data.

Abstract: A medicated module containing a medicament is configured for removable attachment to the mouthpiece of an inhaler. The inhaler may contain a first medicament such that a single firing of the inhaler will deliver both medicaments to the user.

Abstract: A medicated module containing a second medicament is configured for removable attachment to the mouthpiece of an inhaler containing a first medicament such that a single inhalation by a user will deliver both medicaments to the user.

Abstract: A dedicated needle assembly (300) that can be attached only to a dedicated drug delivery device (400) is disclosed. The dedicated needle assembly (300) comprises a connecting body (320) extending from a distal end to a proximal end. A dedicated mechanical coupling (310) is configured at the proximal end of the connecting body (320). The dedicated mechanical coupling (310) forms a releasable connection to a distal end of the dedicated drug delivery device (400). The dedicated needle assembly (300) may comprise a medicated module or, alternatively, a non-medicated module. In one arrangement, the dedicated mechanical coupling (310) is integral with the dedicated needle assembly (300).