Abstract: A battery assembly includes at least a plurality of battery cells that includes at least a first and a second battery cell each attached to a distributed battery monitoring unit, the second battery cell being associated with an external circuit, the second battery cell connected to a battery management unit (BMU) by way of a pre-formed battery contact shaped to accommodate the external circuit. The plurality of battery cells are electrically connected to at least the BMU such that each of the plurality of battery cells are substantially aligned with each other thereby preserving a battery profile corresponding to unconnected battery cells.

Abstract: A modular canal hearing device having a speaker module placed in the bony region for extended wear while a main module is removably inserted in the cartilaginous region. The main module wirelessly activates the speaker module when placed in proximity thereto. The main module is removed daily or as needed for maintenance of the hearing device such as for battery replacement. The speaker module remains undisturbed in the bony region to avoid skin friction. The main module contains the microphone, electronics, battery and in the preferred embodiment an inductive coupling coil for inductively sending audio signals to the receiver module. The modular design allows for a highly miniaturized design that is easier to navigate in the ear canal for improved fit and sound fidelity at the eardrum while allowing easy maintenance of a removable module.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for controlling an output impedance of an electronic device of the type having an impedance control terminal to which an external load is to be connected such that a predetermined value of the voltage at the impedance control terminal controls the output impedance of the device. The method is comprised of comparing a reference voltage to a voltage at the impedance control terminal. A variable count signal representing a count value is produced in response to the comparing. The impedance of a variable impedance circuit is varied in response to the count signal, wherein the impedance of the variable impedance circuit controls the voltage at the impedance control terminal. A device connected in parallel with the variable impedance circuit is periodically operated to change (increase/decrease) the impedance of the variable impedance circuit. An apparatus for performing the method is also disclosed.

Abstract: A system and method for trimming an unadjusted forward delay of a delay-locked loop (DLL) and trimming a duty cycle of first and second output clock signals provided by a DLL. For trimming an unadjusted forward delay, delay is added to one of a feedback clock signal path and an input clock signal path and a feedback clock signal is provided from the feedback clock signal path and an input clock signal is provided from the input clock signal path for phase comparison. For trimming a duty cycle of first and second output clock signals, one of a first delayed input clock signal and a second delayed input clock signal is delayed. The first and second delayed input clock signals are complementary. The delayed clock signal and the other clock signal are provided as the first and second output clock signals.

Abstract: A seal assembly disposed between relatively rotating members such as a rotating shaft passing through an opening in a stationary housing. The seal assembly may include a housing, such as a canister, and a seal member retained in the canister. The seal member may include an inner portion and an outer portion interconnected by a flexible wall and an aperture for receiving the shaft. The flexible wall may permit the inner portion to move relative to the outer portion of the seal member. The inner portion of the seal member may forms a seal with the shaft, and the seal member may rotate with the shaft within the canister. The seal assembly may engage an oil seal and may function as an excluder seal.

Abstract: An extension for use with a planter, drill, or other farming implement having a seed tube that deposits seed in a furrow. The extension defines protrusions for attaching one or more liquid distribution apparatuses arranged to distribute liquid in a furrow well above the seeds, on the seeds, or both.

Abstract: A system for recovery of data access of a locked secure storage device can comprise a keystore module and an authorization module. The keystore module may be configured to allow access to a master file system comprising a user encryption key for data stored within the locked secure storage device based on a master code. The authorization module may be configured to receive the administrator code, authenticate the administrator code, decode the master code, and reset a lockout parameter of the locked secure storage device.

Abstract: Systems and methods for commonality factoring for storing data on removable storage media that may allow for highly compressed data to be stored efficiently on portable memory devices. The methods include breaking data into unique chunks and calculating identifiers, e.g., hash identifiers, based on the unique chunks. Redundant chunks can be identified by comparing identifiers of other chunks to the identifiers of unique chunks. When a redundant chunk is identified, a reference to the existing unique chunk is generated such that the chunk can be reconstituted in relation to other chunks in order to recreate the original data. One or more of the unique chunks, the identifiers, and/or the references may be stored on the portable memory device. Hardware and/or software for the chunking and/or hashing functions can reside in a host computer, a removable storage device or cartridge, and/or a removable cartridge holder.

Abstract: Disclosed are interconnectable personal computer architectures comprising secure, portable and persistent computing environments that provide secure computing sessions with persistence. The computing environments are implemented using a secure non-computing client device, such as a USB device, that interfaces with a host computer and, optionally, a trusted server. The secure non-computing client device is used to instantiate a secure BIOS and a secure cold or warm boot of the host computer, from the client device, in a host protected area of the host computer, or from the trusted server. The client device comprises a security device, such a trusted platform module, that encrypts and decrypts data transferred between the client apparatus and the host computer to provide a sealed computing environment on the host computer. The client device may implement keyboard logger attack prevention. The client device may also implement a high assurance guard to protect applications.

Abstract: A control node has a sequence table and subscribers, with the sequence table having data records each having an identification for an action of a manufacturing sequence associated with the control node, an identification for a subscriber carrying out the action and an identification of a parameter set associated with the action, and wherein each subscriber has a sequence interpreter which is designed to read and to interpret the sequence table, and to initiate the actions associated with the subscriber.

Abstract: Plugs with core structural members and methods for manufacturing plugs with core structural members are provided. A plug can include a core structural member that may increase the structural integrity of the plug. The plug can further include contact pads and traces, and each trace can electrically couple with one of the contact pads and extend along a plug axis towards the proximal end (e.g., base section) of the plug. In orientation-specific embodiments, the traces may be disposed on the surface of the plug. However, in other embodiments, the traces may be disposed below but near the surface of the plug. The plug may also include one or more insulating layers to prevent contact pads and traces from shorting.

Abstract: For the purpose of controlling safety functions as part of a system controller which is not oriented to safety functions in an automation system, the invention provides safety modules having a sound functionality and provides a safety protocol which transmits data in the form of safety messages, wherein input and output parameters from each safety module are encapsulated by the safety protocol, and the individual safety modules are logically combined with one another in terms of data and flow by means of a data transmission link in line with the system's safety functions which are to be controlled, the data interchange taking place between the safety modules on the basis of the safety protocol.

Abstract: Memories, clock generators and methods for providing an output clock signal are disclosed. One such method includes delaying a buffered clock signal by a adjustable delay to provide an output clock signal, providing a feedback clock signal from the output clock signal, and adjusting a duty cycle of the buffered clock signal based at least in part on the feedback clock signal. An example clock generator includes a forward clock path configured to provide a delayed output clock signal from a clock driver circuit, and further includes a feedback clock path configured to provide a feedback clock signal based at least in part on the delayed output clock signal, for example, frequency dividing the delayed output clock signal. The feedback clock path further configured to control adjustment a duty cycle of the buffered input clock signal based at least in part on the feedback clock signal.

Abstract: A method for monitoring chest compressions using a compression member includes measuring a force exerted by the compression member, measuring a displacement of the compression member, providing a chest stiffness function representing the relationship between force and displacement based on values derived from the measured force and the measured displacement, and analyzing linearity of the chest stiffness function. Embodiments of the invention also include devices for performing the method.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and computer code for (i) performance-monitoring a multi-tier application including a .NET tier and a database tier; and (ii) for visually presenting performance-data to a user are disclosed. In some embodiments, a multi-tiered performance data interface, for example, including a .NET tier performance data interface and a database tier performance data interface operatively coupled to the .NET tier performance data interface, is provided. In some embodiments, the .NET tier performance data interface is configured to present .NET stack data and the database performance data interface is configured to present internal database performance data, for example, wait times (e.g. relative magnitudes of different types of wait times). Techniques for matching .NET-tier requests to execute SQL statements with database-tier executions of SQL statements are also disclosed.

Abstract: A metal plate material hot molding apparatus is provided for press molding a heated metal plate material. The apparatus may include supply piping for a cooling medium in a mold, and ejection holes penetrating from a molding surface of the mold to the supply piping. The exemplary apparatus may also include discharge piping for the cooling medium situated in the mold, and discharge holes penetrating from the molding surface of the mold to the discharge piping, and cooling piping. Molding procedure can be performed while the cooling medium is ejected from the ejection holes to a gap between the metal plate material and the mold.

Abstract: This invention is directed to systems and methods for providing a port in an electronic device housing that is electrically isolated from a conductive portion of a connector inserted in the port without the use of a nonconductive trim in the port. In some embodiments, the connector may include a non-conductive flange or ring operative to contact the housing and the portions of the housing within the port. In some embodiments, a thin layer of non-conductive material may be applied to the portions of the housing within the port to prevent conductive portions of the connector from coming into contact with the housing (e.g., and grounding the conductive portion. This invention may be of particular interest when the conductive portion that may come into contact with the housing is not used to ground the connector.

Abstract: An encryption for a distributed global online backup system with global two-stage deduplication in the absence of an indexing database where data blocks are encrypted using their SHA-1 signatures as encryption keys.

Abstract: Apparatus and method are provided for transmitting at least one electro-magnetic radiation is provided. In particular, at least one optical fiber having at least one end extending along a first axis may be provided. Further, a light transmissive optical arrangement may be provided in optical cooperation with the optical fiber. The optical arrangement may have a first surface having a portion that is perpendicular to a second axis, and a second surface which includes a curved portion. The first axis can be provided at a particular angle that is more than 0° and less than 90° with respect to the second axis.