Abstract: A transistor drive circuit uses multi-stage slew rate control to drive one or more switching transistors. After a decision is made to change transistor state, a first drive current may be applied to an input terminal of the transistor for a predetermined time duration. After the predetermined time duration, a second drive current may be applied to the input terminal. When the transition between states is substantially complete, the current drive to the input terminal may be changed to a voltage drive. In some embodiments, the predetermined time duration may be based on the start time of a Miller plateau during the transition period.

Abstract: A floor tool for a vacuum cleaning appliance comprising a support member adapted to support a cleaning element and at least one suction nozzle in communication with a conduit that is attachable to a vacuum cleaning appliance, wherein a neck for controlling the floor tool is coupled to the support member and wherein the at least one suction nozzle is configured to float relative to the neck.

Abstract: A ceramic block consisting essentially of substantially homogeneous (Y2O3)? P2O5, where 0.95?x?1.05, having length LL, a width WW and a height HH, and a volume W of at least 8×10?3 m3 essentially free of cracks throughout the volume, a density of at least 85% of the theoretical maximal density of Y203.P2O5 under standard conditions, and a creep rate CR at 1250° C. and 6.89 MPa; where CR?8.0×10?6 hour?1 and method for making the same. The method utilizes a dry process where the starting YP04-based ceramic material is synthesized by reacting anhydrous P2O5 with dry Y2O3 powder.

Abstract: Systems and techniques detecting a reverse current are disclosed. An apparatus comprises a switching circuit coupled to a load and a reference node. The switching circuit may be capable of conducting a reverse current from the reference node to the load when a voltage at the load is lower than a voltage at the reference node. A voltage source has a first terminal coupled to the load, a second terminal configured to follow a voltage at the load, and produces a voltage proportional to a voltage drop across the switching circuit. A comparator circuit is coupled to compare a voltage at the second terminal of the voltage source to the voltage at the reference node and configured to indicate when the reverse current has a magnitude greater than a predetermined threshold.

Abstract: An isolation circuit is coupled between motor driver half bridge circuits and an electric motor. A motor controller circuit supplies motor drive signals to the motor driver half bridge circuits. The isolation circuit includes transistors coupled in series with the motor windings. Low to medium power diodes are coupled between a reference voltage source and control terminals of the transistors.

Abstract: Using a hand-held range finding device to range an object in a field of view is difficult due to user-induced jitter. In particular, user-induced jitter introduces uncertainty as to which object in a field of view is actually ranged. Current approaches attempt to mitigate user-induced jitter by requiring a user to mount the hand-held range finding device onto a stabilizing device (e.g., a tripod). However, such approaches require the user to carry additional equipment. Embodiments of the present disclosure enable the user to visually confirm which object in a field of view is actually ranged during a range finding event by generating a composite image that includes a visual representation of a laser pulse emitted by the range finding device reflecting off an object in the field of view. Advantageously, disclosed embodiments provide true hand-held range finding capabilities without requiring the use of stabilization assistance techniques.

Abstract: An electronic circuit for driving an electronic switch includes a first voltage terminal coupled to receive a first voltage from a power supply and a second voltage terminal coupled to receive a second voltage from the power supply. A driver circuit is configured to drive the voltage at a control terminal of the electronic switch to an intermediate voltage level in order to turn on the electronic switch during a high or normal voltage condition. A clamp circuit is configured to clamp the voltage at the control terminal of the electronic switch to the second voltage terminal in order to turn on the electronic switch during a low voltage condition, so that the electronic switch can enhance power provided to a load during the low voltage condition. A low voltage detection circuit detects the low voltage condition and provides a signal to activate the clamp circuit.

Abstract: A method switches master/slave timing in a communication network without traffic disruption. The method includes a master device informing a slave of timing loss. The master device additionally begins transmitting with timing from a local reference clock and begins receive timing recovery. The slave freezes its receive timing recovery and locks its transmit clock. The master device transitions its transmit timing to use the recovered receive clock. The slave gradually switches to transmitting using its local clock signal. The method may be used in synchronous Ethernet networks.

Abstract: An electronic circuit for driving an electronic switch includes a first voltage terminal coupled to receive a first voltage from a power supply and a second voltage terminal coupled to receive a second voltage from the power supply. A driver circuit is configured to drive the voltage at a control terminal of the electronic switch to an intermediate voltage level in order to turn on the electronic switch during a high or normal voltage condition. A clamp circuit is configured to clamp the voltage at the control terminal of the electronic switch to the second voltage terminal in order to turn on the electronic switch during a low voltage condition, so that the electronic switch can enhance power provided to a load during the low voltage condition. A low voltage detection circuit detects the low voltage condition and provides a signal to activate the clamp circuit.

Abstract: Using a hand-held range finding device to range an object in a field of view is difficult due to user-induced jitter. In particular, user-induced jitter introduces uncertainty as to which object in a field of view is actually ranged. Current approaches attempt to mitigate user-induced jitter by requiring a user to mount the hand-held range finding device onto a stabilizing device (e.g., a tripod). However, such approaches require the user to carry additional equipment. Embodiments of the present disclosure enable the user to visually confirm which object in a field of view is actually ranged during a range finding event by generating a composite image that includes a visual representation of a laser pulse emitted by the range finding device reflecting off an object in the field of view. Advantageously, disclosed embodiments provide true hand-held range finding capabilities without requiring the use of stabilization assistance techniques.

Abstract: A floor tool for a vacuum cleaning appliance comprising a support member adapted to support a cleaning element and at least one suction nozzle in communication with a conduit that is attachable to a vacuum cleaning appliance, wherein a neck for controlling the floor tool is coupled to the support member and wherein the at least one suction nozzle is configured to float relative to the neck.

Abstract: A ceramic block consisting essentially of substantially homogeneous (Y2O3)? P2O5, where 0.95?x?1.05, having length LL, a width WW and a height HH, and a volume W of at least 8×10?3 m3 essentially free of cracks throughout the volume, a density of at least 85% of the theoretical maximal density of Y203.P2O5 under standard conditions, and a creep rate CR at 1250° C. and 6.89 MPa; where CR?8.0×10?6 hour?1 and method for making the same. The method utilizes a dry process where the starting YP04-based ceramic material is synthesized by reacting anhydrous P2O5 with dry Y2O3 powder.

Abstract: A system for introducing behaviorally tested live content (18) into an electronic mail message comprising at least one dynamic live content area (1006) sent through an e-mail service provider system (16) comprises memory and a click manager (28). The memory 5 includes behaviorally tested live content comprising image data. The click manager (28) receives an indication of the opening of the message by a recipient, whereupon the click manager (28) accesses the memory to retrieve behaviorally tested live content (18) and send the retrieved behaviorally tested live content (18) for rendering in the dynamic live content area (1006) of the electronic mail message opened by the one of the plurality of 0 recipients.

Abstract: Isopipes (13) for making a glass or a glass-ceramic using a fusion process are provided. The isopipes are made from a silicon nitride refractory material that is: (a) produced in block form in an atmosphere having a pO2 of less than 0.1 using less than 10 weight percent of one or more sintering aids, (b) machined into an isopipe configuration, and (c) exposed to a partial pressure of oxygen equal to or greater than 0.1 for a period of time and at a temperature sufficient to form a SiO2 layer (31) which exhibits substantially only a passive oxidation mechanism. The SiO2 layer (31) serves as a protective barrier for further oxidation of the silicon nitride during use of the isopipe (13). The isopipes (13) exhibit less sag during use than isopipes composed of zircon.

Abstract: A computer implemented method, apparatus, and computer usable program product for symmetric and anti-symmetric control of aircraft flight control surfaces to reduce wing-body loads. Commands are sent to symmetrically deploy outboard control surfaces to shift wing air-loads inboard based on airplane state and speed brake deployment. Surface rate retraction on a wing with peak loads is limited to reduce maximum loads due to wheel checkback accompanied by utilization of opposite wing control surfaces to retain roll characteristics. Airloads are shifted inboard on a swept wing to move the center of pressure forward, thereby reducing the tail load required to perform a positive gravity maneuver. In a negative gravity maneuver, speed brakes are retracted, thereby reducing the positive tail load and reducing the aft body design loads. High gain feedback commands are filtered from wing structural modes above one hertz by a set of linear and non-linear filters.

Abstract: A method switches master/slave timing in a communication network without traffic disruption. The method includes a master device informing a slave of timing loss. The master device additionally begins transmitting with timing from a local reference clock and begins receive timing recovery. The slave freezes its receive timing recovery and locks its transmit clock. The master device transitions its transmit timing to use the recovered receive clock. The slave gradually switches to transmitting using its local clock signal. The method may be used in synchronous Ethernet networks.

Abstract: Isopipes (13) for making a glass or a glass-ceramic using a fusion process are provided. The isopipes are made from a silicon nitride refractory material that is: (a) produced in block form in an atmosphere having a pO2 of less than 0.1 using less than 10 weight percent of one or more sintering aids, (b) machined into an isopipe configuration, and (c) exposed to a partial pressure of oxygen equal to or greater than 0.1 for a period of time and at a temperature sufficient to form a SiO2 layer (31) which exhibits substantially only a passive oxidation mechanism. The SiO2 layer (31) serves as a protective barrier for further oxidation of the silicon nitride during use of the isopipe (13). The isopipes (13) exhibit less sag during use than isopipes composed of zircon.

Abstract: Barcode markings such as two-dimensional data matrices, and methods for using them, according to which ceramic or other articles are imprinted with condensed barcode patterns having printed bars or cells of reduced dimensions as compared with the dimensions of the non-printed bars or cells, and with further processing or use of the articles thereafter causing dilation of the condensed bar or cell patterns to provide patterns with printed and non-printed bars or cells of comparable dimensions.