Abstract: An Intelligent Television provides unique user interfaces and user interface interactions to provide social media. The interfaces and interface are intuitive and allow the user to quickly retrieve and view social media with respect to content displayed on the Intelligent Television. Further, intuitive user interface interactions are provided to allow for the quick and efficient posting of social media from the Intelligent Television to a social media site.

Abstract: A lighting assembly includes a cooling system configured to enable the dissipation of a large amount of energy in the form of heat generated by a light source. Heat is dissipated without heating surrounding components, such as the one or more power supply units and device electronics. The cooling system is configured as a gravity feed system that does not require a powered fluid pump. In some embodiments, the cooling loop is configured as a thermal siphon that uses a boiling fluid to transport heat between the evaporator and the radiators. In some embodiments, the evaporator also functions as a device chassis, which reduces the overall part count. In some embodiments, the light source is a plurality of LEDs.

Abstract: A wearable electronics assembly includes one or more electronic modules coupled to a wearable electronics fabric. Each of the one or more electronic modules includes one or more plated through holes, through each of which is coupled an electrically conductive wire. The electrically conductive wire is stitched through the plated through hole and to a fabric onto which the electronic module is attached. The electronic module can include one or more electronic components coupled to a printed circuit board.

Abstract: An RFID device assembly is fabricated by stitching an electrically conductive wire into a fabric as a pattern that forms an antenna. The two ends of the electrically conductive wire are positioned for coupling to antenna contact pads on an RFID device. The RFID device is attached to the fabric either before or after the electrically conductive wire is stitched to the fabric.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for determining off-temperature behavior of a solenoid fluid control valve. The method comprises performing a current sweep at a first temperature. The method further comprises choosing a first and second characterization control pressure for characterizing the solenoid fluid control valve. A first current may be determined that corresponds to the first characterization control pressure based on the current sweep, and a first metric may be assigned to the solenoid fluid control valve based on the first current. A second current corresponding to the second characterization control pressure may be determined based on the current sweep, and a second metric may be assigned to the solenoid fluid control valve based on the second current. Information regarding the behavior of the solenoid fluid control valve at a second temperature may be determined based on the first and second metrics.

Abstract: A liquid compound dispensing apparatus for dispensing a controlled amount of liquid compound onto a workpiece is described. The apparatus comprises a cartridge system. The cartridge system may accept a liquid compound cartridge containing liquid compound. The apparatus also comprises a plate, having a threaded bore, positioned above the cartridge system that is movable in a first and second direction, at least one plunger attached to the plate at a first end and attached to a piston at a second end. The piston is dimensioned to move within the liquid compound cartridge to displace liquid compound when the plate is moved in the second direction. A driving mechanism moves the plate in the first and the second directions to dispense product and comprises a motor, a threaded rod disposed through the threaded bore of the plate that is driven by a driving belt attached to the motor.

Abstract: A switching mode power converter includes a DSC with a digital PWM module configured for complementary operation mode during normal operation. The control algorithm of the DSC is configured such that during an initialization stage immediately following power up of the device relevant digital PWM modules used for interleaving operation are reconfigured to temporarily operate in an independent operation mode with the duty cycle associated with each channel set at zero. The reconfigured digital PWM modules remain set in the independent operation mode for a predefined period of time. Once the predefined time period is reached, the reconfigured digital PWM modules are again reconfigured back to the original complementary operation mode configuration and the control algorithm resumes normal operation of the DSC and digital PWM modules.

Abstract: A power converter circuit includes a transformer and a main switch controller by a primary side controller. A sensing circuit is implemented that senses the voltage at an auxiliary winding of the transformer while the main switch is ON. The auxiliary winding is another winding on the primary side of the transformer, magnetically coupled to the secondary winding and electrically isolated from the primary winding. When the voltage across the auxiliary winding reaches a predefined threshold voltage level, the main switch is switched OFF. The threshold voltage level is set at a value that minimizes an amount of energy transferred per pulse to the secondary side of the circuit while maintaining a minimum amount of energy transfer to enable output voltage sensing at the auxiliary winding.

Abstract: A switched mode power converter includes a closed loop feedback control mechanism for regulating an output characteristic and a resonant type circuit for inclusion of resonant energy delivery. The characteristic impedance of the resonant type circuit is modified from an optimal energy transfer configuration to one that dampens fluctuations in a feedback signal used by the closed loop feedback mechanism. The modified characteristic impedance functions to dampen those fluctuations in the feedback signal resulting from leakage inductance energy provided by the resonant type circuit.

Abstract: Described herein is a system and method that recognizes vehicle lane departure in road conditions affected by environmental conditions. The system uses magnetic field flux detection to determine if a vehicle is departing from a projected vehicle trajectory or a determined vehicle position between lanes. A magnetic material is applied to the stripes painted on road surfaces or on other applicable lane boundary indicators. The system uses magnetic field flux sensors or Hall Effect sensors mounted in the vehicle to recognize changes in magnetic field flux from the magnetized road stripe. These changes in magnetic field flux are interpreted by the system to determine whether alarms should be initiated for vehicle lane departure.

Abstract: Described herein are press fit optical vias to interconnect different levels of an electronic or electro-optical device, printed circuit board or connector. A device includes a device level having an optical component and another device level having another optical component. A press fit optical via interconnects the device level and the another device level. A press fit optical includes a barrel having a length for interconnecting between the device level and the another device level, an insertion point at an end of the barrel, and a lens at another end of the barrel. It includes an extraction collar between the lens the barrel, an insertion limit face between the extraction collar and the barrel, and a rotation key extending from the extraction collar and the insertion limit face. A plurality of swages are interposed on the barrel and the insertion limit face.

Abstract: A process for dressing a solder pad removes excess solder from locations that should be free of solder, such as circuit traces, other solder pads, and components near the solder pad being dressed. A first area of a substrate comprises solder to be removed and is heated to a first temperature. A second area of the substrate is heated to a second temperature. A vacuum nozzle is heated to a third temperature sufficient to melt the solder and is scanned across the area to be dressed, melting and vacuuming away the excess solder. The scanning process is controlled using a computer numerical controlled (CNC) machine.

Abstract: A method of controlling a switching mode power converter enables zero voltage switching by forcing a voltage across the main switch to zero. This is accomplished by sensing when a current on the secondary side of the power converter drops to zero, or other threshold value, and then generating a negative current through the secondary winding in response. The negative secondary current results in a corresponding discharge current in the primary winding, which reduces the voltage across the main switch. The voltage across the main switch is monitored such that when the voltage reaches zero, or other threshold value, the main switch is turned ON. In this manner, the circuit functions as a bi-directional current circuit where a forward current delivers energy to a load and a reverse current provides control for reducing the voltage across the main switch to enable zero voltage switching.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a component including a bi-metallic sheet includes performing a manufacturing process that heats the bi-metallic sheet and physically constraining the bi-metallic sheet from deformation during the cooling of the bi-metallic sheet. Optionally, the method additionally includes physically constraining the bi-metallic sheet from deformation during the manufacturing process that heats the bi-metallic sheet. A constraining apparatus is also disclosed and includes a first constraining component having a first thermally conductive contact surface adapted to abut a first surface of a metal sheet, a second constraining component having a second contact surface adapted to abut a second surface of the metal sheet, and an engaging device operative to fix the first constraining component and the second constraining component in position relative to one another. The metal sheet is constrained between the first contact surface and the second contact surface during heating and/or cooling.

Abstract: Described herein is a system and method that recognizes vehicle lane departure in road conditions affected by environmental conditions. The system uses magnetic field flux detection to determine if a vehicle is departing from a projected vehicle trajectory or a determined vehicle position between lanes. A magnetic material is applied to the stripes painted on road surfaces or on other applicable lane boundary indicators. The system uses magnetic field flux sensors or Hall Effect sensors mounted in the vehicle to recognize changes in magnetic field flux from the magnetized road stripe. These changes in magnetic field flux are interpreted by the system to determine whether alarms should be initiated for vehicle lane departure.

Abstract: A wearable key fob is disclosed herein. The wearable key fob includes a wrist band including a slot and a key fob including a charging tab that fits into the slot of the wrist band; wherein the key fob is configured for vehicle operability and monitoring a user's health.

Abstract: A solar cell module comprises a solar cell soldered to a mounting element, such as a ceramic substrate. The solder bond can comprise a void. A method of reducing a solder void comprises reflowing the solder using a vacuum source and a heat source in a sealed chamber. The chamber is formed, at least in part, by a cowling into which the solar cell module is mounted. A system for reducing voids in a solder bond comprises a heat source and a vacuum source coupled to the sealed chamber into which a solar cell module is placed. The system can optionally include a control system that automates the execution of methods of reducing solder voids. The system can further include a pressure source to aid in reducing the solder void and reflowing the solder after the void is reduced.

Abstract: A power adapter system, method and device having two feedback loops that produces an output voltage on a load with a power converter using an input power. A feedback element coupled with the power converter comprises a first feedback loop that compensates for error on the output voltage. A noise detection element coupled with the power converter comprises a second feedback loop that detects noise and produces a noise feedback voltage based on the detected noise. Based on the noise feedback voltage a controller coupled with the power converter adjusts the operation of the power converter in order to compensate for or not respond to the effects of high frequency noise such as radio frequency noise on the first feedback loop of the system.

Abstract: An electronic component assembly and vibration reduction device having screwless design with cantilever clips to clam and locate the electronic panels onto the mounting brackets or fasten the information storage devices onto cases are disclosed. The cantilever clip contain damping structures, which can generate damping effect to reduce vibrations. The effectiveness of the damping structure can be adjusted through the adjustment of the length, thickness, materials and other factors of the cantilever clip. The damping effect is generated by moving the cantilever clips in an oscillatory manner.