Abstract: By providing a novel bipolar device design implementation, a standard CMOS process can be used unchanged to fabricate useful bipolar transistors and other bipolar devices having adjustable properties by partially blocking the P or N well doping used for the transistor base. This provides a hump-shaped base region with an adjustable base width, thereby achieving, for example, higher gain than can be obtained with the unmodified CMOS process alone. By further partially blocking the source/drain doping step used to form the emitter of the bipolar transistor, the emitter shape and effective base width can be further varied to provide additional control over the bipolar device properties. The embodiments thus include prescribed modifications to the masks associated with the bipolar device that are configured to obtain desired device properties. The CMOS process steps and flow are otherwise unaltered and no additional process steps are required.

Abstract: A health monitoring system for a vehicle system includes an operational support system including a plurality of managers and a decision support module. Each manager corresponds to a different sub-system of the vehicle system, and comprises a plurality of reasoners and a fusion block. Each reasoner is configured to obtain data and provide preliminary output regarding a different component of the sub-system based on the data. The fusion block is coupled to the plurality of reasoners, and is configured to receive the preliminary output and generating manager output based on the preliminary output. The decision support module is coupled to the plurality of managers, and is configured to receive the manager output and provide a decision support output based on the manager output.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for reducing angular velocity of a vehicle using a gyroscope array. A method comprises dithering a gyroscope of the gyroscope array, obtaining current through a gimbal motor of the gyroscope while dithering the gyroscope, determining a gimbal rate command to reduce angular velocity of the vehicle based on the current through the gimbal motor obtained while dithering the gyroscope, and operating the gimbal motor of the gyroscope based on the gimbal rate command.

Abstract: A shifter apparatus is associated with a neutral lock lever and includes a detent ball bearing, a shaft seal, a detent spring, and a retention pin. A shaft associated with the neutral lock lever can be inserted into a matching hole configured within or integrated with a shifter housing. The shaft can be rotated if a cammed lobe portion associated with the shaft moves into an inner wall of the shifter housing. The retention pin can be pressed via an end of the neutral lock lever into a groove located on an outside wail of the shifter housing after the neutral lock lever is rotated into position. The retention pin rides inside the groove thereby limiting the rotation of the neutral lock lever. The neutral lock lever locks the shift lever in a neutral position preventing accidental movement of the vehicle in a forward and a reverse direction.

Abstract: A media device allows users to watch and capture portions from a media broadcast. Users may then share the captured media content items with other users, for example, by uploading the items to a community website. Before providing requested media content items to other users, the website may combine advertisements with the media content items. The website may receive advertising revenue from advertisers and may share the advertising revenue with owners of the media content items in exchange for their permission to provide the media content items. The advertisers may provide restrictions on how the advertisements are combined with the media content items, and the content owners may provide restrictions on how the media content items are provided to the users.

Abstract: A deformation element, a motor vehicle fender bracket with the deformation element, and a method for producing a deformation element are provided. The deformation element serves to receive external impulses introduced into the deformation element and includes, but is not limited to at least two sleeves that are displaceable relative to one another, and a spring-elastic pressure element that is supported in each case on the at least two sleeves that are displaceable relative to one another. In this case, it is provided that at least one of the sleeves has at least one embossing that forms a sliding surface for the other sleeve. The at least one embossing is preferably introduced by electromagnetic pulse forming.

Abstract: Methods, systems and devices are described for detecting a position-based attribute of a finger, stylus or other object with a touchpad or other sensor having a touch-sensitive region that includes a plurality of electrodes. Modulation signals for one or more electrodes are produced as a function of any number of distinct digital codes. The modulation signals are applied to an associated at least one of the plurality of electrodes to obtain a resultant signal that is electrically affected by the position of the object. The resultant signal is demodulated using the plurality of distinct digital codes to discriminate electrical effects produced by the object. The position-based attribute of the object is then determined with respect to the plurality of electrodes from the electrical effects.

Abstract: A pedal system for a vehicle is disclosed. The pedal system includes an accelerator pedal, a sensor, a sensor detection circuit, and a controller. The pedal has a footpad, and the pedal moves in response to user actuation of the footpad. The sensor, which is coupled to or integrated into the footpad, has a first state when the footpad is actuated and a second state when the footpad is not actuated. The sensor is independent of and distinct from any physical position sensors of the pedal. The detection circuit, which is electrically coupled to the sensor, can distinguish between the first state and the second state. The controller, which is coupled to the sensor detection circuit, controls operation of the vehicle in a manner that is influenced by the first state or the second state.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for startup of a permanent magnet alternating current (AC) motor. The method comprises the steps of detecting startup of the permanent magnet AC motor; detecting a mechanical oscillation of the permanent magnet AC motor when startup of the permanent magnet AC motor is detected; and, in response to detection of the mechanical oscillation of the permanent magnet AC motor when startup is detected, suppressing the mechanical oscillation of the permanent magnet AC motor.

Abstract: An actuation assembly is provided. The actuation assembly includes a casing, a plurality of linear actuators coupled to the casing, each of the linear actuators having first and second components and being configured to move the second component thereof relative to the first component thereof along a respective first axis, and a plurality of translational member sets, each being coupled to the second component of a respective one of the linear actuators and the casing and being configured such that when the second component of the respective linear actuator moves along the respective first axis, a selected portion of the translational member set moves substantially along a respective second axis.

Abstract: A method for displaying images of a camera associated with a vehicle includes the steps of displaying the images in a first mode if a first condition is satisfied, and displaying the images in a second mode if a second condition is satisfied.

Abstract: Transistors (21, 41) employing floating buried layers (BL) (72) may exhibit transient breakdown voltage (BVdss)TR significantly less than (BVdss)DC. It is found that this occurs because the floating BL (72) fails to rapidly follow the applied transient, causing the local electric field within the device to temporarily exceed avalanche conditions. (BVdss)TR of such transistors (69. 69?) can be improved to equal or exceed (BVdss)DC by including a charge pump capacitance (94, 94?) coupling the floating BL (72) to whichever high-side terminal (28, 47) receives the transient. The charge pump capacitance (94, 94?) may be external to the transistor (69, 69?), may be formed on the device surface (71) or, may be formed internally to the transistor (69-3, 69?-3) using a dielectric deep trench isolation wall (100) separating DC isolated sinker regions (86, 88) extending to the BL (72). The improvement is particularly useful for LDMOS devices.

Abstract: Presented here is a method of operating video services receivers in a network that includes a controller device and at least one member device. Also presented is a controller device that facilitates the method. The method obtains network configuration data at a first video services receiver, where the network configuration data is utilized by the first video services receiver to support data communication with the controller device and the at least one member device. The method continues by establishing a data communication link between the first video services receiver and the controller device, and uploading the network configuration data from the first video services receiver to the controller device via the data communication link. The controller device can thereafter be used to download the network configuration data to a second video services receiver.

Abstract: A visual display system is provided, and includes a visual display element configured to display a visual display with three-dimensional, conformal background information at a first perspective; and a processor coupled to the visual display. The processor can be configured to evaluate flight path information and to adjust the visual display into a second perspective if the flight path information cannot be accurately displayed at the first perspective relative to the background.

Abstract: Methods, system and apparatus are provided for overmodulation of a five-phase machine in a vector controlled motor drive system that includes a five-phase PWM controlled inverter module that drives the five-phase machine. Techniques for overmodulating a reference voltage vector are provided to optimize voltage command signals that control a five-phase inverter module to increase output voltages generated by the five-phase inverter module.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for assessing movement of a vehicle having a plurality of wheels. A plurality of wheel direction values are obtained. Each of the wheel direction values pertains to a direction of wheel rotation of a respective wheel. An average value of the wheel direction values is calculated. A direction of movement of the vehicle is obtained via a controller using the average value. In addition, a signed velocity is determined for and indicative of both forward and reverse motions using the wheel direction values.

Abstract: Methods and systems for controlling motor torque in a hybrid vehicle are provided. A current sensor provides a feedback current when the sensor is operating properly. A processor controls the motor torque using the feedback current if the current sensor is operating properly. The processor controls the motor torque using a slip value for the hybrid vehicle if the current sensor is not operating properly.

Abstract: A valve assembly is provided. The valve assembly comprises a housing having an inlet, a first outlet, and a passageway extending therebetween, the passageway having a first inner diameter at the inlet and a second inner diameter at the first outlet, a first poppet valve disposed in, and adapted to selectively seal, the inlet, a second poppet valve disposed in, and adapted to selectively seal, the first outlet, the second poppet valve coupled to the first poppet valve, and a biasing member coupled to the second poppet valve, the biasing member adapted to exert a force sealing the second poppet valve.

Abstract: A mount is provided for fastening a motor vehicle module on a motor vehicle, having a fastening section, using which the module is fastenable on the motor vehicle, and having a support section angled therefrom, in order to place the module thereon. The support section has a receptacle, into which a pin of the module is insertable in the vertical direction (z), the pin being longitudinally displaceable in the receptacle in a predetermined direction (x) in the inserted state, the fastening section having a receptacle, into which a tab of the module can be introduced upon a movement in the cited direction (x), and having a cantilever, which is implemented to produce a positive connection with a safeguard block associated with the module.