Abstract: The computational resources needed to perform processes such as image recognition can be reduced by determining appropriate frames of image information to use for the processing. In some embodiments, infrared imaging can be used to determine when a person is looking substantially towards a device, such that an image frame captured at that time will likely be adequate for facial recognition. In other embodiments, sound triangulation or motion sensing can be used to assist in determining which captured image frames to discard and which to select for processing based on any of a number of factors indicative of a proper frame for processing.

Abstract: In one aspect, the invention is a sleep device. The sleep-aide device includes a soft housing adapted to be disposed over a user's head, a microphone positioned on the housing to receive an ambient sound signal, a suppression circuit that receives the ambient sound signal and produces a suppression sound signal, and a set of transducers, arranged in the soft housing, which receive the suppression sound signal. The suppression sound signal has a magnitude and phase to substantially cancel the ambient sound signal at the user's ear. In another aspect, the sleep-aide device includes a microphone to receive an ambient sound signal, a suppression circuitry, which receives the ambient sound signal and transmits a suppression sound signal based on the ambient sound signal, and a transducer which receives the suppression sound signal, which has a magnitude and phase to substantially cancel the ambient sound signal at the user's ear.

Abstract: In certain embodiments, a control/optimization system includes an instantiated model object stored in memory on a model server. The model object includes a model of a plant or process being controlled. The model object comprises an interface that precludes the transmission of proprietary information via the interface. The control/optimization system also includes a decision engine software module stored in memory on a decision support server. The decision engine software module is configured to request information from the model object through a communication network via a communication protocol that precludes the transmission of proprietary information, and to receive the requested information from the model object through the communication network via the communication protocol.

Abstract: This disclosure provides implementations of methods, apparatus and systems for producing acoustic wave devices and for selectively modifying one or more acoustic or electromechanical characteristics of such devices. In one aspect, a method includes depositing a structural layer over a substrate. The structural layer includes a plurality of structural portions, each being positioned over a corresponding device region. The method also includes arranging a mask layer over the structural layer. The mask layer includes a plurality of mask portions, each including a number of mask openings that expose a corresponding region of the structural portion. The method also includes accelerating dopant particles toward the mask layer. The accelerated dopant particles that proceed through the mask openings are impacted into the corresponding structural portion.

Abstract: This disclosure provides examples of circuits, devices, systems, and methods for providing high speed operation with high noise immunity. In one implementation, a circuit includes a first buffer configured to receive an incoming signal and to generate a first output signal. The circuit also includes a second buffer configured to receive the incoming signal and to generate a second output signal. The second buffer exhibits hysteresis with lower and upper thresholds. The circuit also includes an output block configured to receive the first and second output signals and to generate a third output signal. The output block is configured to switch a logic state of the third output signal in response to a transition of a logic state of the first output signal, and to lock the logic state of the third output signal until the output block receives a transition of a logic state of the second output signal.

Abstract: Programming NAND strings in a 3D stacked storage device to a conductive state is disclosed. Storage elements may be erased by raising their Vt and programmed by lowering their Vt. Programming may include applying a series of increasing voltages to selected bit lines until the selected memory cell is programmed. Unselected bit lines may be held at about ground, or close to ground. The selected word line may be grounded, or be held close to ground. Unselected word lines between the selected word line and the bit line may receive about the selected bit line voltage. Unselected word lines between the source line and the selected word line may receive about half the selected bit line voltage. Programming may be achieved without boosting channels of unselected NAND strings to inhibit them from programming. Therefore, program disturb associated with leakage of boosted channel potential may be avoided.

Abstract: A system for provisioning an elastic computing infrastructure is provided. The system include a memory and at least one processor coupled to the memory. The system also includes a management component executed by the at least one processor and configured to instantiate an objective object having a resource collection and instructions that specify processing performed by the objective object, the resource collection identifying at least one resource object that controls a capacity of at least one resource provided by at least one computer system, the capacity being sufficient for processing to be performed at a predetermined performance level.

Abstract: In certain embodiments, a method includes formulating an optimization problem to determine a plurality of model parameters of a system to be modeled. The method also includes solving the optimization problem to define an empirical model of the system. The method further includes training the empirical model using training data. The empirical model is constrained via general constraints relating to first-principles information and process knowledge of the system.

Abstract: Systems and methods for positioning solar energy collection devices are disclosed. In one embodiment, an integrated unit combines the necessity of solar panel repositioning with water filtration. While also providing clean water for the end user, the integrated unit uses controlled weight displacement to rotate a solar panel to follow the sun from east to west—a process also known as horizontal (azimuth) solar tracking.

Abstract: In certain embodiments, a control system includes a model-less controller configured to control operation of a plant or process. The control system also includes an automation controller operatively connected for access to a model of the plant or process being controlled by the model-less controller. The automation controller is configured to modify parameters of the model-less controller via an explicit optimization procedure.

Abstract: Described herein are systems, methods and apparatuses that can provide an approach to facilitate the design of objects (e.g., modular objects that can facilitate industrial automation applications). The design approach includes: facilitate a display of configuration data representing a configuration of objects selected for an application; analysis of metadata associated with an object of the configuration of objects; and generation of suggestion data representing a suggestion regarding an optimization of the configuration of the objects for the application based on the analysis of the metadata.

Abstract: The present invention provides an electronic device including a write-once-then-read-only register, a chipset, a read-only memory, a flash memory and a central processor. The write-once-then-read-only register is arranged to store a determination value. The chipset is arranged to produce a CPU reset signal. The read-only memory is implemented in the chipset, and has a first memory block which corresponds to a predetermined address and is used to store a first instruction. The flash memory is coupled to the chipset, and has a second memory block which corresponds to the predetermined address and is used to store a second instruction. The central processor is arranged to determine the location of the predetermined address according to the CPU reset signal and the determination value.

Abstract: A disk drive is disclosed comprising a head actuated over a disk, and a spindle motor operable to rotate the disk. A baseline relationship is generated between a baseline current draw of the spindle motor over a temperature range. An operating current draw of the spindle motor is measured and a corresponding operating temperature is measured. Failure of the spindle motor is predicted based on the operating current draw, the operating temperature, and the baseline relationship.

Abstract: The invention is intended to further improve the operability, economic efficiency and safety in the preparation of antigen-specific CTLs. The invention provides a preparation kit used for a method for preparing antigen-specific cytotoxic T lymphocytes, the method comprising: a first step for inducing antigen-specific cytotoxic T lymphocytes, wherein the components of the first step include a culture medium contained in an injection vessel, a hermetically scaled culture vessel, and the like; a second step for preparing an activated T cell for antigen presentation, wherein the components of the second step include a culture medium contained in an injection vessel, a hermetically sealed culture vessel, and the like.; and a third step for proliferating antigen-specific cytotoxic T lymphocytes, wherein the components of the third step include a culture medium contained in an injection vessel, a hermetically sealed separation vessel, a hermetically sealed culture vessel, and the like.

Abstract: A power system for delivering a custom level of electrical power to an industrial or commercial facility includes a local generator connected to a turbine operating in accordance with an organic Rankine or steam Rankine cycle. The local generator has a capacity at least greater than a maximum anticipated power level needed for the electrical needs of a local industrial or commercial facility. One or more control devices are operatively connected to the local generator for regulating active and reactive power generated by the generator. A controller directs the one or more control devices to regulate the generator such that the active power and reactive power generated by the generator are sufficient to satisfy active and reactive load conditions of local industrial or commercial facilities.

Abstract: Content management includes populating a library with modular objects and metadata associated with the modular objects. In response to a query, the library can be searched based in part on the metadata. The query can relate to implementation of an industrial process. One or more modular objects in the library can be identified as satisfying the query. A result of the query can be output and the output can include the identified modular objects and the respective metadata associated with the identified modular objects. The metadata can be anything known about the object that might not be accessible at runtime control.

Abstract: Described herein are mechanisms for providing event objects that can be configured under a certain timing or sequence context in parallel to similar event objects that are configured under another timing or sequence context. These mechanisms can be employed, for example, within an industrial controller. The mechanisms include queuing a first event object on a queue according to a first timing or sequence context and queuing a second event object on the queue according to a second timing or sequence context in parallel to the queuing of the first event object. The mechanisms can further facilitate consumption of the first event object from the queue by a first code element and consumption of the second event object from the queue by a second code element. In other words, the first and second code elements are activated through the consumption of the first and second event object.

Abstract: Content management includes populating a library with modular objects and metadata associated with the modular objects. In response to a query, the library can be searched based in part on the metadata. The query can relate to implementation of an industrial process. One or more modular objects in the library can be identified as satisfying the query. A result of the query can be output and the output can include the identified modular objects and the respective metadata associated with the identified modular objects. The metadata can be anything known about the object that might not be accessible at runtime control.

Abstract: A hybrid broadcast receiver and method of operating a memory in the receiver. The memory is used to store received data being processed in the receiver. The receiver is configured to receive both a terrestrial signal broadcast by a terrestrial transmitter and a satellite signal broadcast by a satellite transmitter. Terrestrial data from the terrestrial signal is stored in a terrestrial portion of the memory that includes a top end or first location of the memory. Satellite data from the satellite signal is stored in a satellite portion of the memory that includes a bottom end or last location of the memory.

Abstract: A program operation for a set of non-volatile storage elements. A count is maintained of a number of program pulses which are applied to an individual storage element in a slow programming mode, and an associated bit line voltage is adjusted based on the count. Different bit line voltages can be used, having a common step size or different steps sizes. As a result, the change in threshold voltage of the storage element within the slow programming mode, with each program pulse can be made uniform, resulting in improved programming accuracy. Latches maintain the count of program pulses experienced by the associated storage element, while in the slow programming mode. The storage element is in a fast programming mode when its threshold voltage is below a lower verify level, and in the slow programming mode when its threshold voltage is between the lower verify level and a higher verify level.