Abstract: A first playback device is configured to (1) determine, based on a group configuration of a synchrony group including the first playback device and a second playback device, that the first playback device, and not the second playback device, is to operate as a group coordinator for the synchrony group, wherein the group coordinator transmits audio content and playback timing information, (2) begin to operate as the group coordinator, (3) while operating as the group coordinator, determine respective battery state variable values for the first and second playback devices, (4) based on the respective battery state variable values, determine that a computing device other than the first playback device is to operate as the group coordinator, and (5) based on the determining, (i) discontinue operating as the group coordinator and (ii) cause the computing device to operate as the group coordinator instead of the first playback device.

Abstract: A method includes: determining, based, at least in part, on a predicted driver characteristic, a first energy-versus-distance measure for a planned driving route of a vehicle, the first energy-versus-distance measure determined using an energy model; presenting the first energy-versus-distance measure on a user interface associated with the vehicle; identifying an already-driven part of the planned driving route; determining, based on information associated with the already-driven part of the planned driving route, a model error associated with the energy model; determining a second energy-versus-distance measure by modifying the first energy-versus-distance measure to account for the model error; and presenting the second energy-versus-distance measure on the user interface associated with the vehicle.

Abstract: A playback device comprising a first spectrum radio for communication via a first wireless spectrum and a second spectrum radio for communication via a second wireless spectrum operates in a first mode in which the first spectrum radio is enabled and the second spectrum radio is disabled. While operating in the first mode, the playback device receives a command to join a synchrony group with a display device. Based on the command, the playback device begins to operate in a second mode in which the second spectrum radio is enabled. The playback device receives audio content for playback, wherein the audio content corresponds to video content being displayed at a display device. Using the second spectrum radio, the playback device coordinates with the display device for playing back the audio content in synchrony with the video content.

Abstract: A system and method for enhanced monitoring and sorting of delivery items, such as packages, which are moved and sorted via a delivery service conveyor device. Conventional systems may employ photocells, which detect interrupted light beams, to identify packages or delivery items along a conveyor path. The present system and method enhances photocell function by adding image detection and analysis to the mail path; and further by modifying the photocell signals to the sorter/conveyor control. The present sensing system is located in the same area on the transport as the photocell, and uses a camera to capture an image of the mail path in the photocell area. The system and method then analyze a package image to formulate a more accurate item detection signal, based on photocell data and image data, for input to the sorter/conveyor control system.

Abstract: Mutant polymerases are provided that have improved ability to incorporate modified nucleotides, including 3?-OH unblocked reversible terminators. The mutant polymerases may be used in a variety of applications, such as for polynucleotide sequencing, primer extension reactions, and template-independent enzymatic oligonucleotide synthesis.

Abstract: Mutant polymerases are provided that have improved ability to incorporate modified nucleotides, including 3?-OH unblocked reversible terminators. The mutant polymerases may be used in a variety of applications, such as for polynucleotide sequencing, primer extension reactions, and template-independent enzymatic oligonucleotide synthesis.

Abstract: A system and method for enhanced monitoring and sorting of delivery items, such as packages, which are moved and sorted via a delivery service conveyor device. Conventional systems may employ photocells, which detect interrupted light beams, to identify packages or delivery items along a conveyor path. The present system and method enhances photocell function by adding image detection and analysis to the mail path; and further by modifying the photocell signals to the sorter/conveyor control. The present sensing system is located in the same area on the transport as the photocell, and uses a camera to capture an image of the mail path in the photocell area. The system and method then analyze a package image to formulate a more accurate item detection signal, based on photocell data and image data, for input to the sorter/conveyor control system.

Abstract: An ultrasound transducer positioning apparatus and method that are capable of securing an ultrasound transducer in a desired position on a patient's body are disclosed. In some implementations, pressure exerted by the apparatus on the ultrasound transducer influences the angle at which the ultrasound energy is delivered to the patient's body.

Abstract: An ultrasound transducer positioning apparatus and method that are capable of securing an ultrasound transducer in a desired position on a patient's body are disclosed. In some implementations, pressure exerted by the apparatus on the ultrasound transducer influences the angle at which the ultrasound energy is delivered to the patient's body.

Abstract: The invention provides mutants of DNA polymerases having an enhanced resistance to inhibitors of DNA polymerase activity. The mutant polymerases are well suited for PCR amplification of targets in samples that contain inhibitors of wild-type polymerases.

Abstract: Methods for designing and developing models for simulating the behavior of clock signals and in particular those generated by phase-locked loop (PLL) circuits are provided. The clock period of a phase-locked loop circuit's variable frequency oscillator signal may be modeled by combining the inverse of the oscillator frequency rounded up to the simulation time scale with the inverse rounded down to the simulation time scale. The variable frequency oscillator signal may further be synchronized with a reference clock signal at a rate determined by the relationship between the reference clock signal and the variable frequency oscillator signal. A parameter may indicate a target range for the deviation between the two signals and a runtime monitor may be used together with the parameter setting to decide whether synchronization is required and make the appropriate adjustments.

Abstract: The present invention provides mutants of DNA polymerases having an increased rate of incorporation of nucleotides into nucleic acids undergoing polymerization and having an enhanced resistance to inhibitors of DNA polymerase activity. The mutant polymerases are well suited for fast PCR applications, for PCR amplification of targets in samples that contain inhibitors of wild-type polymerases, and for fast PCR amplification of samples containing DNA polymerase inhibitors. In exemplary embodiments, the mutants are mutants of Taq DNA polymerase.

Abstract: A circuit designer may use computer-aided design (CAD) tools to implement an integrated circuit design. The CAD tools may include auto-pipelining capabilities to improve the performance of the integrated circuit design. Auto-pipelining may modify the number of pipeline registers in a path within a given range. A description of the integrated circuit design may include different implementation alternatives of a path each having a different number of pipeline registers, and the CAD tools may select one of these implementation alternatives. The CAD tools may further evaluate the performance of a particular implementation alternative and iteratively select a different implementation alternative until a given objective is met. The CAD tool may update a test environment according to the selected implementation alternative once the objective is met and validate the selected implementation alternative using the updated test environment.

Abstract: The invention provides mutants of DNA polymerases having an enhanced resistance to inhibitors of DNA polymerase activity. The mutant polymerases are well suited for PCR amplification of targets in samples that contain inhibitors of wild-type polymerases.

Abstract: A circuit designer may use computer-aided design (CAD) tools to implement an integrated circuit design. The CAD tools may include auto-pipelining capabilities to improve the performance of the integrated circuit design. Auto-pipelining may modify the number of pipeline registers in a path within a given range. A description of the integrated circuit design may include different implementation alternatives of a path each having a different number of pipeline registers, and the CAD tools may select one of these implementation alternatives. The CAD tools may further evaluate the performance of a particular implementation alternative and iteratively select a different implementation alternative until a given objective is met. The CAD tool may update a test environment according to the selected implementation alternative once the objective is met and validate the selected implementation alternative using the updated test environment.

Abstract: A combination lock comprises a bolt which is withdrawn by depressing a bolt pin which is shielded by rotating discs having a movable disc pin within them. A selector pin attached to a dial is provided for engaging in selector holes in the discs and aligning the disc pins with one another and with the bolt pin, with provision for pushing inwardly the disc pin on the outer disc and urging the other disc pins aligned therewith towards the bolt pin such that it is depressed and/or withdrawn. The discs have a weight attached at their circumference such that, during code setting, changing the position of the weight changes the relative angular position of the disc pin. When pressure is released from the mechanism, springs return the selector pin and the disc pins to their original positions and the weights on the discs fall, thereby rotating the discs and automatically scrambling the code.

Abstract: The present invention provides mutants of DNA polymerases having an increased rate of incorporation of nucleotides into nucleic acids undergoing polymerization and having an enhanced resistance to inhibitors of DNA polymerase activity. The mutant polymerases are well suited for fast PCR applications, for PCR amplification of targets in samples that contain inhibitors of wild-type polymerases, and for fast PCR amplification of samples containing DNA polymerase inhibitors. In exemplary embodiments, the mutants are mutants of Taq DNA polymerase.

Abstract: A computer array (10) has a plurality of computers (12). The computers (12) communicate with each other asynchronously, and the computers (12) themselves operate in a generally asynchronous manner internally. When one computer (12) attempts to communicate with another it goes to sleep until the other computer (12) is ready to complete the transaction, thereby saving power and reducing heat production. The sleeping computer (12) can be awaiting data or instructions (12). In the case of instructions, the sleeping computer (12) can be waiting to store the instructions or to immediately execute the instructions. In the later case, the instructions are placed in an instruction register (30a) when they are received and executed therefrom, without first placing the instructions first into memory.

Abstract: A combination lock comprises a bolt which is withdrawn by depressing a bolt pin which is shielded by rotating discs having a movable disc pin within them. A selector pin attached to dial means is provided for engaging in selector holes in the discs and aligning the disc pins with one another and with the bolt pin, means being provided for pushing inwardly the disc pin on the outer disc and urging the other disc pins aligned therewith towards the bolt pin such that it is depressed and/or withdrawn. The discs have a weight attached at their circumference such that, during code setting, changing the position of the weight changes the relative angular position of the disc pin. When pressure is released from the mechanism, springs return the selector pin and the disc pins to their original positions and the weights on the discs fall, thereby rotating the discs and automatically scrambling the code.