Abstract: Multilevel power converters, power cells and methods are presented for selectively bypassing a power stage of a multilevel inverter circuit, in which a single relay or contactor includes one or more normally closed output control contacts coupled between a given power cell switching circuit and the given power cell output, along with a normally open bypass contact coupled across the power stage output, with a local or central controller energizing the coil of the relay or contactor of a given cell to bypass that cell.

Abstract: An enabling platform is provided where an installed agent (e.g., device-side software) may be installed on a mobile device to decode chipset level information readable on the mobile device. Such readable chipset level information can then be transmitted and/or accessed in real-time via a central server for dynamic, real-time, geo-location for mobile device and network performance enhancement. An important feature of the embodiments of the present invention include the ability to decode and transmit chipset level information from a mobile device in real time so that remote field service data gathering, and local headquarter service assessment and issue resolution, may occur more on a contemporaneous basis, permitting faster issue assessment and resolution, which benefits the telecommunications providers and their customers.

Abstract: An electrical assembly that includes an electronic device, a buss bar, and an electrical connection. The electronic device is operable to control electrical energy. The buss bar is configured to distribute electrical energy within the assembly. The electrical connection is configured to electrically interconnect the device and the buss bar. The electrical connection is formed of braided wire. Flat braided wire is advantageous as it is more flexible than a direct connection formed by a sheet-metal type lead frame, and provides for large contact areas capable of carrying higher currents than a wire-to-surface type contact made with a twisted wire that is generally round in shape.

Abstract: An image sensor includes photosensitive regions, transfer transistors, and one or more shared charge-to-voltage mechanism. A method for reading out the image sensor includes enabling a first transfer transistor to transfer photo-generated charge from a first photosensitive region to a shared charge-to-voltage mechanism. The method also includes no more than partially enabling a second transfer transistor to partially turn on the second transfer transistor to increase a capacitance of the shared charge-to-voltage mechanism while the photo-generated charge is transferred from the first photosensitive region to the shared charge-to-voltage mechanism.

Abstract: A heater management system provides heat to heated zones of a mobile unit. For each heated zone, the heater management system includes a heater driver and a sensor. The heater driver is controlled by a unique control channel that is configured to heat the heated zone. The sensor senses environmental data external and internal to the heated zone. The heater management system includes a memory storing a heater driver prioritization database. The heater management system includes a heater control logic unit programmed to receive periodic reports from each of the sensors, prioritize the heated zones by utilizing the heater driver database as a function of the periodic reports, and determine power to be provided to each of the heater drivers based on the prioritizing operation and a predetermined global power limitation.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for receiving uploaded data from a sender at a receiver. A data deduplication technique is described that may reduce the bandwidth used in uploading data from the sender to the receiver. In the technique, the receiver, rather than the sender, maintains a fingerprint dictionary for previously uploaded data. When a sender has additional data to be uploaded, the sender extracts fingerprints for units of the data and sends the fingerprints to the receiver. The receiver checks its fingerprint dictionary to determine the data units to be uploaded and notifies the sender of the identified units, which then sends the identified units of data to the receiver. The technique may, for example, be applied in virtualized data store systems to reduce bandwidth usage in uploading data.

Abstract: Static sorted index replication is described. A method may include receiving data to store in a memory tree of a replica in a partitioned distributed data store. The method may also include storing the received data in the respective memory tree of one of a plurality of replicas. The method may further include storing the received data sequentially in a static sorted index.

Abstract: A semiconductor structure includes a device, a conductive pad over the device and a Ag1-xYx alloy pillar disposed on the conductive pad, wherein the Y of the Ag1-xYx alloy comprises metals forming complete solid solution with Ag at arbitrary weight percentage, and wherein the X of the Ag1-xYx alloy is in a range of from about 0.005 to about 0.25.

Abstract: An embodiment method includes selecting, by a network infrastructure manager, a first user equipment (UE) as a destination UE and selecting a second UE as a relay UE for the destination UE. The method further includes negotiating installation of a virtual range extender (vREX) UE on the destination UE, and negotiating installation of a vREX forwarding agent (FA) on the relay UE. The vREX FA is configured to act as a FA for the vREX UE.

Abstract: An erase operation for a 3D stacked memory device applies an erase pulse which includes an intermediate level (Vgidl) and a peak level (Verase) to a set of memory cells, and steps up Vgidl in erase iterations of the erase operation. Vgidl can be stepped up when a specified portion of the cells have reached the erase verify level. In this case, a majority of the cells may have reached the erase verify level, such that the remaining cells can benefit from a higher gate-induced drain leakage (GIDL) current to reached the erase verify level. Verase can step up before and, optionally, after Vigdl is stepped up, but remain fixed while Vgidl is stepped. Vgidl can be stepped up until a maximum allowed level, Vgidl_max, is reached. Vgidl may be applied to a drain-side and/or source-side of a NAND string via a bit line or source line, respectively.

Abstract: Hood stop assemblies and methods of setting a hood of a vehicle to a support frame. The receptacle includes an interior wall that defines a first part of a linear ratchet. The shaft includes a head and a wedge tooth lock that forms a second part of the linear ratchet. The first part of the linear ratchet engages the second part of the linear ratchet in a range of height positions. The methods disclosed relate to setting, adjusting and locking the hood stop.

Abstract: Output voltage feedback systems and methods are provided for controlling voltage source inverter output voltages using low bandwidth buffer circuitry and low A/D converter sample rates to sense and sample PWM output voltage waveforms to provide an estimated volt-second value for phase voltage or line-line voltage is feedback for controlling the voltage source inverter.

Abstract: A magnetic hard disk drive compromising a head along a suspension pivoted by a pivot bearing assembly that utilizes a grease composition is provided. The grease composition comprises an additive having at least one aryl phosphite and at least one orthophosphoric acid ester. Each of the aryl phosphite and the orthophosphoric acid ester has a molecular weight of greater than about 369 g/mol., has low volatility, and has hydrolytic stability.

Abstract: A lighting system for a vehicle display includes a light source and a pointer located apart from the light source. The lighting system further includes at least one optical fiber connected between the light source and the pointer.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are stable organosiloxane coating compositions comprising a blocked isocyanate silane and at least one polyol that provide abrasion resistant coatings for transparent polymer substrates. The cured coatings also have excellent adhesion to the polymer substrates. In accordance with certain embodiments, the disclosed coating compositions, which when cured on the substrate, provide formable, weatherable, anti-fog, or combinations of formable, weatherable, or anti-fog organosiloxane coatings. Also disclosed herein are articles comprising coatings cured from such coating compositions, and processes for making the coating compositions.

Abstract: A data storage device includes a buffer and a decoder. The buffer is configured to receive a set of bits representing data stored at a memory. The decoder is configured to receive the set of bits from the buffer. The decoder is further configured to perform a decoding operation based on the set of bits at a decoding throughput that corresponds to a storage size of the buffer.

Abstract: The present invention is a touchscreen-based control system for massage chairs that includes a touchscreen device. In another aspect, the present invention is a massage chair controlled by a touchscreen-based control system that includes a touchscreen-based control system. In a further aspect, the present invention is a massage chair controlled by a touchscreen-based control system that includes a touchscreen-based control system and at least one health monitoring device or system.

Abstract: In alternative embodiments, the invention provides processes and methods for extracting and recovering rare earth materials from a wet-process phosphoric acid using one or more continuous ion exchange resin systems. In alternative embodiments, the method is particularly suited for use in extracting and recovering multiple rare earth materials present in low concentrations contained in wet-process phosphoric acid.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus A includes: a light irradiation device 3 which irradiates laser light; an image carrying body 1 which is exposed to the laser light to form a latent image on the exposed portion; and an abutting member 31 which is fastened to the light irradiation device in abutting contact with a stationary member F for defining a reference position. The abutting member 31 changes in volume due to temperature fluctuation, and the light irradiation device 3 moves with respect to the stationary member F, in an opposite direction to a focal point shift which has taken place along an irradiation direction of the laser light due to the temperature fluctuation.

Abstract: Watermarking techniques are described which can be performed at network edge locations such as a Content Delivery Network (CDN) point-of-presence (POP). An edge server can identify users by request and apply a watermark based on the user to media content stored locally. Performance is improved by moving the watermarking from a central location closer to the user in terms of network proximity. An edge server can receive instructions on what type of watermark to assign and how to assign it. The edge server can use requester's identity to create and apply watermarks at the time of transferring media content to the requester. Individualized watermarking is applied to the bits transmitted to the device, the watermark indicating the specific user downloading the stream, time of transmission, etc. Watermarking can be applied throughout all of the frames of the media content rather than merely attaching it at a specific place.