Abstract: A home appliance including a user interface with a plurality of LEDs, the LEDs being activated and deactivated according to predetermined sequences as dictated by input signals and triggers to the user interface.

Abstract: To provide a digitally controlled LDO regulator that can control an output voltage even during an auto-zero processing period. A digitally controlled low dropout regulator is provided that includes a plurality of AD converters and an impedance variable circuit, each of the plurality of AD converters including a comparator, in which a first signal from each of the plurality of AD converters is input to the impedance variable circuit; a second signal output from the impedance variable circuit is input to one of two terminals of each of the plurality of AD converters; when one of the plurality of AD converters is in operation, another of the plurality of AD converters performs auto-zero processing to set a voltage value used as a reference; and the comparator compares a voltage value of the second signal input to the one of the two terminals with the set voltage value.

Abstract: Embodiments are directed to establishing a direct electrical bond between a bonding connector of a contact plate and a battery cell in a battery module. In a first embodiment, an oscillating laser is used to weld the bonding connector to a battery cell terminal over a target area over which the bonding connector makes non-flush contact. In a second embodiment, the bonding connector is flattened to reduce a gap between the bonding connector and the target area on the battery cell terminal, and then laser-welded (e.g., using an oscillating or non-oscillating laser). In a third embodiment, at least one hold-down mechanism is applied over the bonding connector to secure the bonding connector to the battery cell terminal, after which the bonding connector is laser-welded to the battery cell terminal.

Abstract: An internal combustion engine is fitted with a pre-combustion chamber having first and second electrodes, each electrode extending through a respective electrode aperture located in a thermally conductive body portion of the pre-combustion chamber body which is located within the cylinder head or other engine body component outside the combustion chamber. The second electrode may be a ground electrode and is adjustable along an axis of the respective, second electrode aperture to adjust the spark gap.

Abstract: An instrument classification symbol specifying device includes a processor coupled to a memory. The processor acquires instrument information and a standardized information model. The processor specifies characteristics of an instrument on the basis of the instrument information. The processor determines an instrument classification symbol corresponding to the instrument on the basis of: determination information in which the characteristics of the instrument are associated with the instrument classification symbol, and the specified characteristics of the instrument. When the processor succeeds in specifying the characteristics of the instrument, the processor outputs a result of mapping between the instrument and the instrument classification symbol. When the processor has difficulty in specifying the characteristics of the instrument, the processor causes a display device to display candidates of the characteristics of the instrument.

Abstract: Techniques are provided for x-ray onset detection for an intraoral dental sensor. A methodology implementing the techniques according to an embodiment includes calculating a plurality of superpixel values for each of a plurality of rows of detector pixels of a sensor. Each of the superpixel values is based on a sum of pixel values of a set of pixels associated with the superpixel value, the set of pixels selected from the detection row of a current frame of the sensor. The method also includes calculating a difference between each of the superpixel values and a corresponding stored superpixel value generated from a previous sensor frame and determining if the differences exceed a superpixel threshold value. The method further includes incrementing a hit counter in response to the determination and generating a detection signal if the hit counter exceeds a hit count threshold, otherwise proceeding to process the next detection row.

Abstract: A rotary seal arrangement includes a first machine part being a shaft and a second machine part encompassing the shaft. The first and second machine parts are spaced apart and rotatable relative to one another forming a sealing gap. A seal holding structure is formed on one of the two machine parts. A rotary seal has a foot section and a sealing lip connected via a connecting section. The foot section is arranged on or in the seal holding structure. The sealing lip rests sealingly on a sealing surface of the respective other machine part to seal an oil side from an outside of the rotary seal arrangement. On the oil side there is a foam ring with a base body and with a holding section which surrounds the first machine part and which is held on the foot section of the rotary seal via the holding section.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for estimating a position of a boundary of a queue of traffic are disclosed, the queue extending along a roadway. Distributed acoustic sensing is used to generate, as a function of time and of position along the roadway, a signal representing acoustic vibration at a sensing optical fibre that extends along the roadway. A queue signature is detected in the signal of either the slowing down of a plurality of vehicles as they approach the boundary of the queue, or speeding up of a plurality of vehicles as they advance from the departed boundary of the queue. A position of the boundary of the queue is then estimated from the detected queue signature.

Abstract: Systems and methods to enhance the flow of fracturing fluid into a wellhead during a high-pressure fracturing operation may include providing a pump frame and a crankshaft. A plurality of first plungers may be connected to the crankshaft and may reciprocate in a first plane. The hydraulic fracturing pump also may include a plurality of second plungers connected to the crankshaft and positioned to reciprocate in a second plane. The first plane and the second plane may define a non-zero offset angle between the first plane and the second plane. The crankshaft may include a plurality of crankpins, and each of the crankpins may be connected to one of the first plungers and one of the second plungers. The first plungers may pump a first fracturing fluid and the second plungers may pump a second fracturing fluid different from the first fracturing fluid.

Abstract: The various embodiments herein provide a system and method that enables a buyer to have a conversation about the purchase of a non-commoditized product, where the product is complicated and has several configurations to choose when the buyer tries to make a purchase. The embodiments herein enable the sales of products in a virtual shopping-space. The embodiments enable the buyer to interact with the product in a 3D virtual space and choose a preferred configuration using one of many controllers present in the system. The buyer also receives advice and recommendation from the virtual avatar about the available options or explanation about the benefits of one product or configuration over the other. Once the recommendation is received, the user is enabled to provide feedback either through voice commands or through a feedback controller about the recommendation made by the system.

Abstract: An olefinic polymer and a method for preparing the olefinic polymer are disclosed. The olefinic polymer has excellent melt strength, and thus has excellent bubble stability during blown film molding. The olefinic polymer has (1) a density of 0.9 to 0.95 g/cm3; (2) a melt index (I2.16) of 0.1 to 5.0 g/10 min as measured with a load of 2.16 kg at 190° C.; (3) a ratio between a melt index (I21.6) measured with a load of 21.6 kg and a melt index (I2.16) measured with a load of 2.16 kg at 190° C. (melt flow ratio; MFR) of 20 or more; (4) a melt tension of 55 mN or more at a velocity at break of 350 mm/s; and (5) a maximum velocity at break of 550 mm/s or more.

Abstract: An encoder includes circuitry configured to receive a video, determine a plurality of long-term reference frames, determine a long-term reference retention time, and encode the video into a bitstream including the determined plurality of long-term reference fames and the determined retention time. A decoded picture buffer for retaining a plurality of reconstructed pictures, including a long term reference picture, is also provided.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a battery pack includes forming a positive electrode plate; forming a negative electrode plate; forming an electrode body; forming a battery cell; applying a binding load to battery cells; and initially charging the battery cells. When “A mg/cm2” represents a mass of a positive electrode active material on the positive electrode substrate, “C cm3/cm2” represents a volume of pores in the positive electrode substrate, “B mg/cm2” represents a mass of a negative electrode active material on the negative electrode substrate, “D cm3/cm2” represents a volume of pores in the negative electrode substrate, “E cm3/cm2” represents a volume of pores in the separator, and “F N/mm2” represents pressure applied to an opposing portion of a case of the electrode body facing a flat surface of the electrode body, a value of (A+B)/{(C+D+E)/F} is between 1300 and 3000, inclusive.

Abstract: Systems and methods relate to targeted display of media content, including a system that includes at least one processor configured to execute program instructions to implement a device and a content management system (CMS) and control the system to: send, by the device and to the CMS, a plurality of signals each triggering the CMS to play on a first display that is local to and separate from the device, a respective one of a plurality of media content of a playlist including a first media content, each of the plurality of signals sent at a different time while the first media content of the playlist is played on the first display, and ignore, by the CMS, each of the plurality of signals received prior to a first predetermined time of the played first media content of the playlist.

Abstract: An ink supply device according to the present disclosure includes an attachment part and a drip tray. To the attachment part, an ink pack is attached. The drip tray is provided below the attachment part and has a capacity equal to or larger than a capacity of one ink pack.

Abstract: An optical cable structure is discussed that enables a distributed optical fiber sensor to detect acoustic vibration and other measurands, which could be, for example, changes in temperature, changes in static pressure, and changes in static strain. The optical cable structure includes first and second optical fibers disposed within a thin walled, elliptical, gel filled, loose tube helically wound within a cable wall of the optical cable structure. The optical cable structure further includes an additional optical fiber bonded to a strength member using a tight encapsulant. Because the additional optical fiber is fixed to the strength member and disposed with its axis parallel to the strength member, the additional optical fiber experiences the full axial strain on the optical cable structure, unlike the first and second optical fibers contained within the helically wound loose tube, thereby providing a contrast to the strain response coefficients of the first and second optical fibers.

Abstract: To stably generate avalanche amplification while suppressing a reduction in resolution. A solid-state imaging device according to an embodiment includes a photoelectric conversion region in an element region defined by a trench in a semiconductor substrate, a first semiconductor region surrounding the photoelectric conversion region, a first contact that contacts the first semiconductor region at a bottom of the trench, a second semiconductor region contacting the first semiconductor region and having a first conductivity type the same as the first semiconductor region, a third semiconductor region that contacts the second semiconductor region, between the second semiconductor region and a first surface, and having a second conductivity type, and a second contact on the first surface and contacting the third semiconductor region, wherein a height of the first contact from the first surface is different from a height of the third semiconductor region from the first surface.

Abstract: An aftertreatment system for treating constituents of an exhaust gas includes: a housing defining a first internal volume and a second internal volume; an oxidation catalyst in the first internal volume and extending along a first axis, the oxidation catalyst configured to receive at least a portion of the exhaust gas via an inlet conduit fluidly coupled to the oxidation catalyst; a filter in the first internal volume and extending along a second axis parallel to and offset from the first axis, wherein an outlet of the filter is disposed within the second internal volume and configured to emit the exhaust gas into the second internal volume; at least one selective catalytic reduction (SCR) catalyst in the second internal volume and extending along a third axis that is perpendicular to the first axis; and a decomposition tube in the second internal volume in a direction parallel to the third axis.