Abstract: Variable compression ratio engines and methods for homogeneous charge, compression ignition operation. The engines effectively premix the fuel and air well before compression ignition. Various embodiments are disclosed including embodiments that include two stages of compression to obtain compression ratios well above the mechanical compression ratio of the engine cylinders for compression ignition of difficult to ignite fuels, and a controllable combustion chamber volume for limiting the maximum temperature during combustion. Energy storage with energy management are also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention encompasses methods and systems of representing video in continuous time. Photons incident on pixels in an imaging array are continuously captured using a continuous time imaging sensor array to produce respective continuous time analog signals without any discontinuity in time. At each pixel, the respective continuous time analog signal is modulated into respective continuous time binary analog signals. The continuous time binary analog signals from all pixels can then be aggregated to produce a frame free video. Further, at each pixel, the respective continuous time analog signal may be modulated using a continuous time sigma delta modulator to produce the corresponding continuous time binary analog signal. The sigma delta modulator may be one of charge-based or current-based.

Abstract: A tongue mechanism for use in an occupant restraint system also having a buckle mechanism and a webbing. The tongue mechanism includes a tongue member configured to selectively engage the buckle mechanism, a body formed over a portion of the tongue member, a slider, and a biasing member configured to laterally bias the slider. The body includes a body contact surface. The slider includes a slider contact surface and is configured to travel along a track between a first free position and a second locking position. When the slider is positioned in the first free position the tongue mechanism is free to slide along the length of the webbing, and when the slider is positioned in the second locking position a portion of the webbing is clamped between the slider contact surface and the body contact surface thereby preventing the tongue mechanism from sliding along the length of the webbing.

Abstract: The invention relates to methods of separating or isolating a component from a plant using freeze separation. The invention includes products produced by said methods.

Abstract: A locking mechanism is configured to secure a seat on a valve. The configurations may include a pin with a tapered end. The pin extends into the valve body to engage with an engagement feature, like a slot, on the seat. The slot may reside on the downstream side of the seat. This location can provide ready access to the pin, for example, through various feature found on the valve body, such as a boss. For steam conditioning valves, the locking mechanism may prove useful because it allows the seat to easily remove from the valve body.

Abstract: An FM LIDAR system is described that includes a frequency modulated LIDAR system that incorporates a laser source that is optically coupled to a whispering gallery mode optical resonator. Light from the laser that is coupled into the whispering gallery mode optical resonator is coupled back out as a returning counterpropagating wave having a frequency characteristic of a whispering gallery mode of the optical resonator. This returning wave is used to reduce the linewidth of the source laser by optical injection. Modulation of the optical properties of the whispering gallery mode optical resonator results in modulation of the frequency of the frequencies supported by whispering gallery modes of the resonator, and provides a method for producing highly linear and reproducible optical chirps that are highly suited for use in a LIDAR system. Methods of using such an FM LIDAR system and vehicle assisting systems that incorporate such FM LIDAR systems are also described.

Abstract: A behavior detection system has access to a collection of behavior definitions that each describe a functional behavior of a system. Each behavior definition includes multiple basic operations, each of which includes an identifier and one or more parameters. The behavior definition also includes, explicitly or inherently, a basic operation combination definition that describes a sequence or other manner in which the basic operations are combined. The behavior detection system analyzes events in an event log for the system and determines whether the events in the event log satisfy any of the behavior definitions. An appropriate responsive action is taken in response to detecting that the events in the event log satisfy a behavior definition. The collection of behavior definitions is scalable, allowing behavior definitions to be added or deleted, and allowing basic operations in a behavior definition to be changed (e.g., adding, removing, and/or modifying basic operation parameters).

Abstract: In some embodiments, a client device may obtain an external signal. The hardware components of an integrated circuit of the client device may be reconfigured from a first configuration to a second configuration based on information in the external signal such that one or more portions of the integrated circuit that was previously inaccessible is now accessible and an application may access the one or more portions of the integrated circuit. Further, in response to a trigger, the components of the integrated circuit may reconfigure from the second configuration to the first configuration such that the one or more portions of the integrated circuit is inaccessible.

Abstract: Techniques are described herein for enabling the use of “dynamic” or “context-specific” hot words to invoke an automated assistant. In various implementations, an automated assistant may be executed in a default listening state at least in part on a user's computing device(s). While in the default listening state, audio data captured by microphone(s) may be monitored for default hot words. Detection of the default hot word(s) transitions of the automated assistant into a speech recognition state. Sensor signal(s) generated by hardware sensor(s) integral with the computing device(s) may be detected and analyzed to determine an attribute of the user. Based on the analysis, the automated assistant may transition into an enhanced listening state in which the audio data may be monitored for enhanced hot word(s). Detection of enhanced hot word(s) triggers the automated assistant to perform a responsive action without requiring detection of default hot word(s).

Abstract: An example device may include an antenna node configured to be coupled to an antenna element. The antenna node may be configured to pass wireless communications over multiple frequency bands. The device may also include multiple signal paths coupled to the antenna node. Each of the multiple signal paths may be configured to carry a signal from a different one of the multiple frequency bands. The device may further include a switch element coupled to the antenna node by the multiple signal paths and an amplifier circuit within the multiple signal paths between the switch element and the antenna node. The amplifier circuit may be configured to amplify the signals carried by the multiple signal paths.

Abstract: Techniques and a framework are described herein for constructing and/or updating, e.g., on top of a general-purpose knowledge graph, an “event-specific provisional knowledge graph.” In various implementations, live data stream(s) may be analyzed to identify entity(s) associated with a developing event. The entity(s) may form part of a general-purpose knowledge graph that includes entity nodes and edges between the entity nodes. Based on the identified one or more entities, an event-specific provisional knowledge graph may be constructed or updated in association with the developing event. In some implementations, the event-specific provisional knowledge graph may be queried for new information about the developing event. Computing devices may be caused to render, as output, the new information.

Abstract: Apparatuses, systems, and methods are presented for energy storage. A plurality of input connectors are configured to receive input power from one or more power sources. A plurality of input power converters are coupled to the input connectors, and are configured to convert the input power to direct current (DC) power for storage. A controller is configured to control power flow through the input power converters on a per-converter basis so that separate converters are separately controlled. One or more output power converters are configured to convert stored DC power to output power for use by one or more loads. The controller is configured to control power flow through the one or more output power converters. One or more output connectors are configured to transfer the output power to the one or more loads.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for operating a variable displacement engine that includes a knock control system. Engine knock background noise levels determined during all cylinders operating mode may be determined via two filters that are constructed in parallel. Output of the two filters may be the basis for determining the presence or absence of engine knock.

Abstract: A collection of data stored in a computer-readable storage medium is provided, and a plurality of portions of the collection are associated with corresponding identifiers that are associated with positions of an object to be rendered. User selections of positions on the surface of the object are received. The portions associated with the user selected position are determined, and the portions are displayed at their respective position on the surface of the object. The selected portions can be displayed as being connected by graphical elements.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and apparatus for device pairing are described. A first device may transmit one or more codes to a second device via a first protocol. The second device may prioritize the one or more codes. After receiving the one or more codes, the devices may initiate automated pairing. After concluding the automated pairing, the devices may communicate via a second protocol.