Abstract: A mode matching servo for an inertial sensor having a resonator and an accelerometer provides a test signal at a frequency higher than a predetermined inertial sensor response frequency and lower than an accelerometer resonance mode frequency so as to induce acceleration signals from the accelerometer substantially at the test signal frequency when the modes are not matched. A feedback signal is provided in response to such induced signals to substantially nullify the signals.

Abstract: The invention relates to a circuit breaker for electrical supply lines, particularly power supply lines or battery cables, for motor vehicles, which circuit breaker is comprised of a first connecting element (1), a second connecting element (3) connectable to said first connecting element (1), and a current path whereby in the conducting state of the circuit breaker a current passes between the first connecting element (1) and the second connecting element (3). The technical problem of providing a circuit breaker for electrical supply lines which can be manufactured and advantageously ensures an error-free operation is solved in that a pyrotechnic separating unit (5) is thermally actuatable by Joule heat emitted by at least one of said connecting elements (1, 3) and in that, the connection between the connecting elements (1, 3) can be released by means of the actuated pyrotechnic separating unit (5).

Abstract: A digital output sensor includes a sensor module for providing digital data representative of a sensed parameter, a First-In-First-Out (FIFO) memory having a single port memory, and an output port for transmitting the digital data. The digital data from the sensor module is pushed into the FIFO memory buffer via the single memory port, and the digital data is popped out of the FIFO memory buffer via the single memory port for receipt by the output port.

Abstract: A system and method for calculating data representative of at least one intermediary transition image between a first image and a second image in the encoded domain is disclosed. Cinematic transitions can be created between encoded still images and frames from video sequences. For each corresponding location within the first and second image, a transform coded value is calculated for the at least one intermediary image using the transform encoded data of the first and second images without transform decoding the transform encoded data. The transform coded values can be fully encoded using a compression protocol and transmitted to a device for decoding and display of the cinematic transition.

Abstract: A stimulation electrode is described for a hearing impaired patient. An intra-fluid electrode branch is immersed in cochlear fluid within an interior volume of a patient cochlea and has electrode contacts for delivering a cochlear stimulation signal to adjacent neural tissue. An intra-modiolus electrode branch penetrates through the cochlea and has one or more electrode contacts for delivering a modiolus stimulation signal to cochlear nerve tissue within the modiolus of the patient.

Abstract: An apparatus for use with automatic testing equipment for testing infrared sensors on integrated circuits is provided. The apparatus includes an infrared source, a heat mass, and an electronic frequency modulator. The infrared source is modulated according to a predetermined test frequency such that the infrared source emits an infrared test signal representative of a test temperature and corresponding to the temperature of the heat mass and the predetermined test frequency. A signal processor, electrically coupled to an integrated circuit having an infrared sensor, receives a sensed signal from the infrared sensor in response to the infrared test signal and uses the sensed signal according to the predetermined test frequency to determine a measured temperature.

Abstract: A MEMS sensor includes a substrate and a MEMS structure coupled to the substrate. The MEMS structure has a mass movable with respect to the substrate. The MEMS sensor also includes a reference structure positioned radially outward from the MEMS structure. The reference structure is used to provide a reference to offset any environmental changes that may affect the MEMS sensor in order to increase the accuracy of its measurement.

Abstract: Processes for microbial digestion of organic material, and preparation of substrates for microbial digestion, suitable for the production of biomethane, from municipal and industrial waste water or from municipal or agricultural waste. In addition, a method for identifying a composition of matter that is suitable for microbial digestion, more particularly anaerobic digestion and/or mixed aerobic and anaerobic digestion. Also, a system and process for detoxifying organic wastes, such as those which may be present in waste water from industrial processes.

Abstract: The invention relates to a potential distribution system for motor vehicles, which makes provision for a reserve on contact bars of an excess number of connection possibilities for further outlets. The connection possibilities which are not required can be closed off with a blanking plug and the connection possibilities which are required are brought in contact by means of an intermediate element, wherein the intermediate element can be designed as a fuse box or as an intermediate plug with integrated fuses.

Abstract: A perimodiolar electrode for cochlear implantation includes an electrode carrier having a front end and a back end. The electrode carrier includes one or more contacts and a hydrophilic segment that swells after insertion in a cochlea and detaches at least in part from the carrier. In accordance with related embodiments, the hydrophilic segment may detach from the electrode carrier between the front end and the back end. The detached hydrophilic segment may surround the modiolus of a scala tympani of the cochlea or the inner wall of a scala tympani of the cochlea.

Abstract: A floating point rasterization and frame buffer in a computer system graphics program. The rasterization, fog, lighting, texturing, blending, and antialiasing processes operate on floating point values. In one embodiment, a 16-bit floating point format consisting of one sign bit, ten mantissa bits, and five exponent bits (s10e5), is used to optimize the range and precision afforded by the 16 available bits of information. In other embodiments, the floating point format can be defined in the manner preferred in order to achieve a desired range and precision of the data stored in the frame buffer. The final floating point values corresponding to pixel attributes are stored in a frame buffer and eventually read and drawn for display. The graphics program can operate directly on the data in the frame buffer without losing any of the desired range and precision of the data.

Abstract: A method for arthroplasty includes using a self-locking prosthesis that has a member structured to transfer a load produced by the weight of a patient to a bone. An expandable bone-locking portion that is integral to the member includes a shape-memory material and expands to produce a locking force. A portion of the bone is removed to form an aperture in the bone. The bone-locking portion is inserted into the aperture, and a temperature increase causes a change from a contracted state to an expanded state resulting in expansion of the bone-locking portion so as to contact the inner surface. The expanding is sufficient to create a locking force at the junction between the inner surface and the bone-locking portion of the prosthesis and the majority of the locking force is applied at or above the metaphysis. The length/width ration of the prosthesis may be less than or equal to 5. The resulting reconstructed long-bone may have improved primary and long-term stability.

Abstract: Systems and methods of positioning interface elements for interfacing with laryngeal structures of a subject such as for diagnosis or treatment of a laryngeal impairment. Illustratively, a needle is positioned in geographical relation to the lateral wing of a vocal cord cartilage and at least one interface element positioned via the needle.

Abstract: A packaged microchip has a base, at least one spacer coupled to the base, and first and second microchips mounted to the at least one spacer. The at least one spacer is configured to substantially prevent leakage current between the first and second microchips.

Abstract: A wall partition lifter has a vertically extending support beam, a sleeve that is freely slidable therearound and has a ledge extending transversely outwardly from one side. An engagement protuberance extends transversely outwardly from a second side. The engagement protuberance engages and vertically supports the wall partition and may comprise a series of hooks adapted to engage complementary slots in the wall partition, and/or a foot plate for supporting a bottom surface of the wall partition. The support beam has a base with a lip that extends beyond one side thereof. An extension actuator such as a jack may be positioned on the lip and engage the underside of the ledge such that when the jack is extended, the sleeve extends vertically, elevating the wall partition. A plurality of bores in the support beam provide a locking mechanism together with a cotter pin to prevent the sleeve from descending beyond a desired elevation, even when the jack is retracted and/or removed.

Abstract: A micromachined microphone is formed from a silicon or silicon-on-insulator (SOI) wafer. A fixed sensing electrode for the microphone is formed from a top silicon layer of the wafer. Various polysilicon microphone structures are formed above a front side of the top silicon layer by depositing at least one oxide layer, forming the structures, and then removing a portion of the oxide underlying the structures from a back side of the top silicon layer through trenches formed through the top silicon layer. The trenches allow sound waves to reach the diaphragm from the back side of the top silicon layer. In an SOI wafer, a cavity is formed through a bottom silicon layer and an intermediate oxide layer to expose the trenches for both removing the oxide and allowing the sound waves to reach the diaphragm. An inertial sensor may be formed on the same wafer, with various inertial sensor structures formed at substantially the same time and using substantially the same processes as corresponding microphone structures.

Abstract: An echo compensation system may remove undesirable audio signals. The echo compensation system may utilize adaptive filters to remove echoes and undesirable signals received by a microphone. The echo compensation system may inhibit adaptation of an adaptive filter when left and right channel audio signals are highly correlated. In a two-channel system, inhibiting adaptation of one of two adaptive filters may reduce computational power requirements, while still removing undesirable signals. In a four-channel system, inhibiting adaptation of all but one of the four adaptive filters may reduce computational power requirements by a greater percentage.

Abstract: A MEMS microphone has a backplate and a movable diaphragm that together form a variable capacitance. The backplate has a backplate surface and, in a corresponding manner, the diaphragm has a diaphragm surface that faces the backplate surface. At least one of the backplate surface and the diaphragm surface has at least a portion with a Hurst exponent that is less than or equal to about 0.5.

Abstract: A microphone system has a base coupled with first and second microphone apparatuses. The first microphone apparatus is capable of producing a first output signal having a noise component, while the second microphone apparatus is capable of producing a second output signal. The system also has combining logic operatively coupled with the first microphone apparatus and the second microphone apparatus. The combining logic uses the second output signal to remove at least a portion of the noise component from the first output signal.

Abstract: Methods are disclosed for assessing the condition of a cartilage in a joint, particularly in a human knee. The methods include converting an image such as an MRI to a three dimensional map of the cartilage. The cartilage map can be correlated to a movement pattern of the joint to assess the affect of movement on cartilage wear. Changes in the thickness of cartilage over time can be determined so that therapies can be provided. Information on thickness of cartilage and curvature of cartilage or subchondral bone can be used to plan therapy. Information on movement pattern can be used to plan therapy.