Abstract: The driving of an audio device that supports two or more audio modes is accomplished by associating a first physical device object of an audio device with a first device identifier, the first physical device object representing a first audio mode enumerated by a bus enumerator; associating a second physical device object of an audio device with a second device identifier, the second physical device object representing a second audio mode enumerated by the bus enumerator; and if the first device identifier matches the second device identifier, enabling a coupled kernel streaming audio interface compatible with both the first physical device object and the second physical device object.

Abstract: A media system is described including a graphical display that presents an iconic menu and a textual menu. The iconic menu includes a plurality of icons arranged in a two-dimensional collection, where each icon provides access to media content. The textual menu includes a structured textual list that provides access to a media library including the media content. The iconic menu may be unlocked responsive to a first user input received at the user input device and may be locked responsive to a second user input received at the user input device. The plurality of icons of the iconic menu may be shuffled relative to each other without shuffling the structured textual list responsive to motion of the media system. The plurality of icons may be maintained in a fixed relative arrangement even if motion of the media system occurs if the iconic menu is locked.

Abstract: A propulsion system is provided. The system includes: a first propulsion vehicle unit including a first tractive bank having at least one traction motor; a second propulsion vehicle unit including: a second tractive bank having at least one traction motor, a contactor electrically coupling the first propulsion vehicle unit and the second propulsion vehicle unit, and an electrical power modulation device coupled between the first tractive bank and the second tractive bank, the electrical power modulation device having an electrical current threshold that causes the electrical power modulation device to transition to an open state to reduce or prevent transfer of electrical power between the first propulsion unit and the second propulsion unit in response to an electrical current at the electrical power modulation device being above the electrical current threshold.

Abstract: Embodiments of optical collimators are disclosed. For example, one disclosed embodiment comprises an optical waveguide having a first end, a second end opposing the first end, a viewing surface extending at least partially between the first end and the second end, and a back surface opposing the viewing surface. The viewing surface comprises a first critical angle of internal reflection, and the back surface is configured to be reflective at the first critical angle of internal reflection. Further, a collimating end reflector comprising a faceted lens structure having a plurality of facets is disposed at the second end of the optical waveguide.

Abstract: A channel-selection filter. The channel-selection filter helps a user navigate to a desired channel. In particular, the channel-selection filter presents a filtered channel list to the user when the user issues one or more channel-filtering commands. The filtered channel list narrows a list of all available channels to those channels that correspond to the channel-filtering commands issued by the user. When presented with a filtered channel list, the user can select a channel from the filtered channel list. The user can also issue additional channel-filtering commands to further narrow the list of channels presented in the filtered channel list.

Abstract: A method for controlling a vehicle engine having a plurality of cylinders and an electric motor configured to rotate the engine is provided. The method includes, during engine idling, advancing spark timing of at least one cylinder to substantially before a peak torque timing. The method further includes adjusting motor torque output of the electric motor to maintain engine idle speed.

Abstract: Environment customization includes downloading extensible environment-settings data from a data-storage device and adjusting one or more environmental parameters defined by the extensible environment-settings data. The extensible environment-settings data is amended to include previously undefined settings, and the amended extensible environment-settings data is uploaded to the data-storage device.

Abstract: The detection of touch on an optical touch-sensitive device is disclosed. For example, one disclosed embodiment comprises a touch-sensitive device including a display screen, a laser, and a scanning mirror configured to scan light from the laser across the screen. The touch-sensitive device also includes a position-sensitive device and optics configured to form an image of at least a portion of the screen on the position-sensitive device. A location of an object relative to the screen may be determined by detecting a location on the position-sensitive device of laser light reflected by the object.

Abstract: Various systems and method are described for controlling an engine having an exhaust system which includes a particulate filter. One example method comprises, after shutting down the engine and spinning down the engine to rest, operating a vacuum pump to draw fresh air through the exhaust system to an intake system, and regenerating at least a portion of the particulate filter during the engine rest.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a traveling working machine, in particular an excavator, with an undercarriage on which the traveling gear is arranged, and an uppercarriage rotatably arranged on the undercarriage about a vertical axis of rotation. In accordance with the invention, the load-bearing steel construction of the uppercarriage is composed of at least one first and one second element, which are connected with each other via bolts and/or screws.

Abstract: A method for improving starting of an engine that may be operated with fuels having varying alcohol concentrations is presented. In one embodiment, the method adjusts a compression ratio of an engine in response to a number of combustion events after an engine stop and a concentration of alcohol in a fuel supplied to the engine. The method may make engine starting more repeatable at lower engine temperatures.

Abstract: A method for controlling differences in exhaust gas residual amount for a two cylinder bank engine having at least one turbocharger is presented. In one example, the description includes a method for adjusting valve timing to reduce cylinder exhaust gas residual variation.

Abstract: A drive system for a grid blower of a vehicle is provided. The system includes: an electrical bus, a grid of resistive elements connected to the electrical bus, the grid of resistive elements configured to thermally dissipate electrical power generated from braking of the vehicle, the electrical power being transmitted on the electrical bus to the grid of resistive elements, an electrical power modulation device configured to modify electrical power received from at least one of the electrical bus and the grid of resistive elements, and a grid blower motor coupled to an output of the electrical power modulation device, wherein a speed of the grid blower motor varies based on the electrical power that has been modified by the electrical power modulation device.

Abstract: A slip suppression control system for a vehicle comprises a monitored value detecting device for detecting a monitored value corresponding to a difference between a rotational speed of a front wheel of the vehicle and a rotational speed of a rear wheel of the vehicle; a threshold determiner unit configured to determine a relationship between the monitored value detected by the monitored value detecting device and plural thresholds; and a controller configured to execute traction control for reducing a driving power of a drive wheel based on determination of the threshold determiner unit; wherein the plural thresholds have at least first and second thresholds, and the second threshold is set larger than the first threshold; and wherein the traction control includes an amount-change-based control.

Abstract: An inlet duct, an induction system, and a system are disclosed for directing an inlet flow into an inlet compressor for use in an internal combustion engine. An example inlet duct may include one or more relief features disposed on an inner surface of the inlet duct. The one or more relief features may be made integral with the inlet duct. The one or more relief features may be disposed to protrude into the inlet flow to cause the inlet flow to swirl before reaching the inlet compressor.

Abstract: A system and method for synchronizing media files stored on a plurality of computing devices. The system includes a source computing device configured to execute a synchronization engine configured to synchronize media files on the source computing device with copies of the media files on a target computing device. The synchronization engine may be configured to display a file synchronization interface including a synchronization control having a plurality of media file selectors configured to receive user input of a selected set of the media files for synchronization. The system further may include a prediction module configured to compute a predicted storage state of the target computing device based on an available storage capacity of the target computing device and an estimated destination file size of each of the selected set of media files, and display the predicted storage state on a graphical predicted storage state gauge.

Abstract: A vehicle propulsion system and a method of its operation are described. As one example, the vehicle propulsion system includes a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle. The method may include starting the engine responsive to different criteria, including criteria related to potential degradation effects that may occur due to excessive durations of engine off vehicle operation.

Abstract: A personal watercraft comprises a water jet pump configured to be driven by an engine to generate a rearward water jet, a reverse bucket mounted at a periphery of the water jet pump and movable between a forward driving position and a reverse driving position, a driving power operation member configured to control an engine driving power, a reverse driving operation member configured to change a position of the reverse bucket from the forward driving position to the reverse driving position, and a deceleration operation member, wherein the reverse bucket is in the forward driving position when the deceleration operation member and the reverse driving operation member are not operated, and the reverse bucket is in a deceleration position between the forward driving position and the reverse driving position when the deceleration operation member has been operated and the reverse driving operation member is not operated.

Abstract: A system and method for delivering EGR to an internal combustion engine is presented. The system can reduce system cost and lower system complexity.

Abstract: Systems and methods for generating a vacuum in an engine are provided. The system includes a first throttle upstream from a plurality of cylinders and a second throttle upstream from one of the cylinders. The system further includes a vacuum reservoir in fluidic communication with an intake runner downstream from the second throttle; a vacuum consumer in fluidic communication with the vacuum reservoir, the vacuum consumer controlled by an actuator; and a pneumatic actuator driven by a pressure state of the vacuum reservoir to adjust the second throttle.