Abstract: A system and method for calculating optimal equalizer coefficients during an initialization phase is disclosed. An equalizer system for processing a received signal at a communications receiver comprises several equalizers and adaptation modules. A first equalizer is configured to receive and process a received signal to create a first equalizer output. The first equalizer is active during an initialization phase and active during an operational phase. A second equalizer is configured to receive and process the first equalizer output to create a second equalizer output. The second equalizer is active during an initialization phase and aids in the generation of the first equalizer coefficients, and inactive during an operation phase. A third equalizer is configured to receive and process the first equalizer output to create a third equalizer output such that the third equalizer is inactive during an initialization phase and active during an operation phase.

Abstract: A nonvolatile memory controller includes memory storage configured to store a two-index look-up table that includes a Log-Likelihood Ratio (LLR), hard-and-soft-decision bits associate with the LLR and a neighboring cell read pattern associated with the LLR. Read circuitry is configured to perform a plurality of reads of a cell of a nonvolatile memory storage module at different read voltage levels to generate target cell hard-and-soft-decision bits and configured to read neighboring cells to generate neighboring cell reads. Neighboring cell processing circuitry combines the neighboring cell reads to generate a neighboring cell read pattern. Look-up circuitry accesses the two-index look-up table using the target cell hard-and-soft-decision bits and the neighboring cell read pattern to identify the corresponding LLR for use in Low-Density Parity Check (LDPC) decoding of a codeword stored in the nonvolatile memory storage module.

Abstract: An apparatus, system, and method for controlling combustion gas output in direct steam generation for oil recovery. A direct combustion steam generator burns a fuel and an oxygen-containing gas mixture to produce combustion products including steam, CO2 and N2. Supplemental oxygen is separately supplied to the combustion steam generator to adjust the oxygen content of the oxygen-containing gas mixture during the combustion process in order to adjust the ratio of CO2 to N2 produced in the combustion products.

Abstract: An integrated circuit device for correcting errors in data read from memory cells includes a decoder, an encoder and a data management module. The data management module is configured to select a correctable raw bit error rate limit from a plurality of raw bit error rate limits by changing a code-rate used by the encoder, wherein a virtual change to the decoder and the encoder occur to change the code rate.

Abstract: An appliance is provided. The appliance includes a cabinet that defines an air passage. An air handler has an impeller that is positioned proximate the air passage. The appliance also includes features for determining whether the impeller is rotating. When the impeller rotates, the impeller draws a flow of air through the air passage.

Abstract: A protective enclosure for transporting an automobile door includes an elongated, generally U-shaped main body having a pair of opposing side panels connected along a bottom edge by a bottom panel. A plurality of padded elements are located along the inside facing surfaces of the main body, and multiple inelastic straps are located along the outside edges of the main body. The straps including connectors for selectively engaging each of the opposing side panels.

Abstract: A sensor device including one or more sensor elements and one or more optical filters is provided. The one or more optical filters each include a plurality of dielectric layers and a plurality of metal layers stacked in alternation. The metal layers are intrinsically protected by the dielectric layers. In particular, the metal layers have tapered edges that are protectively covered by one or more of the dielectric layers.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for distributing spurious tones through the frequency domain are disclosed. One such apparatus can include a dithering circuit configured to generate a sequence of numbers that exhibit statistical randomness and a variable frequency circuit configured to adjust a frequency of an output based on the sequence of numbers so as to spread energy of spurious tones in a frequency response of the output to lower a noise floor. In one example, spurious tones can be reduced in a negative voltage generator of a radio frequency (RF) attenuator.

Abstract: A fractional-N divider of a frequency synthesizer is driven by a dither-less error feedback modulator to alleviate fractional spurious tones introduced by the cyclic train of division ratios from delta-sigma modulators. A first feedback loop generates the feedback signal. A second feedback loop disrupts fractional spurious tones and a third feedback loop provides approximately zero static error.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and articles of manufacture for repeating and semi-automatic cone-breech firearm systems, including barrel extension and bolt carrier systems, are provided. A semi-automatic cone-breech firearm system may, for example, comprise a tapered semi-automatic seven (7) or eight (8) lug bolt having a cartridge channel that facilitates engagement of an ammunition cartridge with a cartridge seat and/or a plunger-style ejector and may comprise a barrel extension and mating bolt carrier for housing and accepting the bolt.

Abstract: Carbon nanostructures free of an adhered growth substrate can include a plurality of carbon nanotubes that are branched, crosslinked, and share common walls with one another. Under applied shear, crosslinks between the carbon nanotubes in carbon nanostructures can break to form fractured carbon nanotubes that are branched and share common walls. Methods for making polymer composites from carbon nanostructures can include combining a polymer matrix and a plurality of carbon nanostructures that are free of an adhered growth substrate, and dispersing the carbon nanostructures in the polymer matrix under applied shear. The applied shear breaks crosslinks between the carbon nanotubes to form a plurality of fractured carbon nanotubes that are dispersed as individuals in the polymer matrix. Polymer composites can include a polymer matrix and a plurality of fractured carbon nanotubes dispersed as individuals in the polymer matrix.

Abstract: A triarylamine derivative is represented by general formula (1) shown below. In general formula (1), R1, R2, and R3 each represent, independently of one another, a halogen atom, an optionally substituted alkyl group having a carbon number of at least 1 and no greater than 6, an optionally substituted alkoxy group having a carbon number of at least 1 and no greater than 6, or an optionally substituted aryl group having a carbon number of at least 6 and no greater than 12. In general formula (1), o, p, and q each represent, independently of one another, an integer of at least 0 and no greater than 4, and m and n each represent, independently of one another, an integer of at least 1 and no greater than 2.

Abstract: A rack mountable network switch, the rack mountable network switch comprising: a faceplate; a switch chassis coupled to the faceplate, the switch chassis including a plurality of connector openings on a surface of the switch chassis that is perpendicular to the faceplate; a plurality of moveable plug receptacles coupled to a printed circuit board (‘PCB’) mounted inside the switch chassis; and a mechanical positioning component coupled to the moveable plug receptacles, the mechanical positioning component configured to position the moveable plug receptacles to extrude from the switch chassis via the connector openings when the mechanical positioning component is in a first position, the mechanical positioning component further configured to position the moveable plug receptacles inside the switch chassis when the mechanical positioning component is in a second position.

Abstract: A development device includes a developer container, a developer bearing member, a mixing/transporting member, an opening/closing member, and a drive mechanism. The developer container contains a developer. The developer bearing member is rotatably supported by the developer container. The developer bearing member also has a surface facing an image bearing member on which an electrostatic latent image is to be formed. The developer is borne on the surface of the developer bearing member. The mixing/transporting member mixes and transports the developer in the developer container. The opening/closing member opens and closes a developer outlet for discharging an excess of the developer in the developer container. The drive mechanism drives the opening/closing member in association with driving of the developer bearing member or the mixing/transporting member to open the developer outlet.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for adjusting a gain of an electronic oscillator, such as a voltage-controlled oscillator (VCO), are disclosed. In one aspect, an apparatus for compensating for VCO gain variations includes a charge pump controller. The charge pump controller can be configured to select a VCO gain model based on a comparison of a VCO gain indicator and a threshold value stored in a memory, obtain VCO gain model parameters from the memory corresponding to the selected VCO gain model, and compute a charge pump current control value using the VCO gain model parameters. The charge pump current control value can be used to compensate for VCO gain variations.

Abstract: The present invention is directed a system including a vehicle monitoring device coupled to a vehicle configured to retrieve vehicle information from a vehicle diagnostic system of the vehicle and transmit the vehicle information to an off-board device via a communication relay device to receive the vehicle information and display the received vehicle information based at least in part on information of the one or more recipients.

Abstract: A vehicle brake monitoring system comprises at least one sensor for detecting relative rotational position of a brake camshaft during vehicle braking. The at least one sensor is unconnected to the camshaft for remotely detecting the position. Processing structure communicates with the at least one sensor, and processes the output of the at least one sensor to determine brake status.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and system for secure confirmation of the status of a metering disconnect switch. By utilizing both a mechanical auxiliary switch and the reading of a load-side voltage immediately after a switch operation, a nearly certain decision can be achieved that the state of the relay is accurately known. This invention will prevent a motorized or solenoid driven switch operator from achieving a close or open state of the switch that otherwise could be uncertain.

Abstract: Beamforming in a satellite communications network includes determining a first delay imparted to signals redirected by a first reflecting dish in a satellite, the first delay being caused by motion of the first reflecting dish relative to the satellite. A second delay imparted to signals redirected by a second reflecting dish in the satellite is determined, the second delay being caused by motion of the second reflecting dish relative to the satellite. Calculating, using the determined first and second delays, beamforming coefficients that enable the generation of a single beam by combining a group of signals that includes a first signal redirected by the first reflecting dish and a second signal redirected by the second reflecting dish.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an image bearing member, a transfer device, a first charging device, a static elimination device, a second charging device, a light exposure device, and a development device. The transfer device transfers a developer image of a first polarity onto a recording medium from the image bearing member by receiving a transfer bias of a second polarity. The first charging device charges a region of the image bearing member that has undergone transfer to the first polarity by receiving a first charging bias of the first polarity. An absolute value of the first charging bias is greater during charging of a first region of the image bearing member than during charging of a second region of the image bearing member. The first region includes a trailing end contact section. The second region does not include the trailing end contact section or a leading end contact section.