Abstract: A filter includes a structurally rigid adsorptive filtering medium formed as a sintered porous material chosen to remove targeted contaminant(s). The adsorptive filtering medium forms a hollow chamber sized to receive a mechanical filtering medium which is sized to press outward against the adsorptive filtering medium which supports the mechanical filtering medium thus eliminating a cage and a core to support the mechanical filtering medium and leading to a simplified construction. The fluid enters the filter through substantially the entire face of the adsorptive filtering structure and proceeds through the mechanical filtering medium which is a pleated paper filter.

Abstract: In a capacitive deionization water desalination apparatus, the waterways of the cell are physically switchable between treatment-phase and purge-phase. In treatment-phase, the waterways conduct the flow of water thickness-wise, in-series, through the whole stack of electrodes and spacers. In purge-phase, the waterways conduct the flow of purge-water into the edges of the spacers, and along the spacers parallel to the plane of the spacers.

Abstract: A system is disclosed for reading hard bit information and soft bit information from non-volatile storage. Some of the hard bit information and/or soft bit information is read concurrently by using different bit line voltages, different integration times, different sense levels within the sense amplifiers, or other techniques. A method is disclosed for determining the hard bits and soft bits in real time based on sensed hard bit information and soft bit information.

Abstract: Improved aligners are provided with pearlescent white coloring and improved aesthetics.

Abstract: Methods and systems for providing joint power control (PC) and scheduling in a wireless network are provided. In one example, a method includes generating a near-optimal power pattern for PC and scheduling in accordance with long term channel statistics. The near-optimal PC solution may be generated by first generating a set of possible power patterns in accordance with likely scheduling scenarios, then statistically narrowing the set of possible power patterns to identify the most commonly used power patterns, and finally selecting one of the most commonly used power patterns as the near-optimal power pattern. In another example, a table of optimal PC solutions are provided for performing distributed PC and scheduling in an adaptive and/or dynamic manner.

Abstract: Methods, systems and related apparatus are provided to enable an electronic device to operate an external sensor comprising one or more emitters for emitting electromagnetic radiation of two different wavelengths and a detector for generating a response signal based on received electromagnetic radiation of the two different wavelengths connectable to an audio interface by applying a harmonic driving signal to a first contact and a second contact of the audio interface for driving the emitters of the external sensor, receiving the response signal at a third contact of the audio interface, demodulating and demultiplexing the response signal into a first wavelength response signal and a second wavelength response signal, analyzing the first and second wavelength response signals to determine one or more vital signs, and outputting the determined one or more vital signs.

Abstract: A low Z-height projection system includes a display panel for displaying a grating pattern that has gratings extended in a first direction. A projection lens system is also included and projects the grating pattern displayed on the display panel onto a surface. The projection lens system is a truncated circular lens system that has a first lens width in the first direction and a second lens width in a second direction. The first lens width is less than the second lens width. The first and second directions are orthogonal.

Abstract: A shielding arrangement for preventing AM radio interference when a wireless charger is used in a vehicle has a plurality of parallel conductors arranged at a distance from one another responsive to a frequency desired to be attenuated. An interconnection arrangement includes a solid conductive junction and connects the conductors to one another without forming loops, and to ground. The conductors are traces disposed on a PCB. Additional parallel conducts are disposed on the other side of the PCB at an orthogonal orientation with respect to the first conductors. The spacing between the conductors is determined in response to the frequency desired to be attenuated, as well as frequencies thereabove that are desired to be propagated therethrough, such as mobile telephone signals. The solid conductive junction that is disposed on the printed circuit board is electrically and thermally conductive, such as copper.

Abstract: A global, broadband communications and computing system Platform for commercial aircraft selects a “current best” communication link from multiple available links. Onboard network access components, such as Wi-Fi and GSM pico-cells, enable wired/wireless devices to use the aircraft's broadband communications links. The Platform uses virtualization and distributed systems computing technology to create a system of systems that extends an airline company's ground communications and computing systems server(s) onboard aircraft in the fleet, regardless of model, age, or manufacturer. The Platform can host airline operational applications and services onboard the aircraft. An onboard system collects data from multiple aircraft systems, tags it with trusted time and origin metadata, and securely transmits it to a ground portion of the Platform in real time (or as links are available), and receives data for distribution to appropriate onboard systems.

Abstract: A semiconductor structure includes a semiconductor substrate, a metal layer formed on the semiconductor substrate, a conductive pillar, and a solder ball. The conductive pillar is formed on and electrically connected with the metal layer, wherein the conductive pillar has a bearing surface and a horizontal sectional surface under the bearing surface, and the contact surface area of the bearing surface is larger than the area of the horizontal sectional surface. The solder ball is located on the conductive pillar and covers the bearing surface.

Abstract: Embodiments of an interferometric modulator are disclosed having various enhancements and features including a conductive bus. In certain embodiments, the interferometric modulator has a first conductive layer suspended over a second electrode layer. In certain embodiments, a second conductive layer is provided over the first conductive layer. One of the first and/or second conductive buses may further connect to the first electrode layer and/or the second electrode layer. Other disclosed features can be incorporated into embodiments of the interferometric modulator to improve response time, power consumption, and image resolution.

Abstract: Electronic devices that include reflective displays for rendering content, touch sensors layered atop the reflective displays for detecting touch inputs, front lights layered atop the touch sensors for lighting the reflective displays and antiglare components for reducing glare caused by ambient light. This disclosure also describes techniques for assembling electronic devices including these component stacks.

Abstract: A magnetic thin film deposition is patterned and protected from oxidation during subsequent processes, such as bit line formation, by an oxidation-prevention encapsulation layer of SiN. The SiN layer is then itself protected during the processing by a metal overlayer, preferably of Ta, Al, TiN, TaN or W. A sequence of low pressure plasma etches, using Oxygen, Cl2, BCl3 and C2H4 chemistries provide selectivity of the metal overlayer to various oxide layers and to the photo-resist hard masks used in patterning and metal layer and thereby allow the formation of bit lines while maintaining the integrity of the SiN layer.

Abstract: A method is performed in a data storage device that includes a controller coupled to a non-volatile memory. The non-volatile memory includes a group of storage elements. Each storage element is configured to store multiple data bits. Data is sent from the controller to the non-volatile memory and first bits corresponding to a first portion of the data are stored into the group of storage elements during a first write stage. Each storage element of the group of storage elements stores at least one bit of the first bits upon completion of the first write stage. Second bits corresponding to a second portion of the data are sent to a second memory without sending the first bits to the second memory. The second bits are retrieved from the second memory and at least the second bits are stored into the group of storage elements during a second write stage.

Abstract: A comparator circuit for generating a signal representing a comparison of an input signal and a reference signal. In an embodiment, the comparator circuit includes a first stage and a second stage to provide respective signal amplification, where switch circuitry of the second stage switchedly couples respective elements of the first and second stages. The comparator circuit further includes a third stage to generate an output signal based on an intermediate signal of the second stage. In another embodiment, feedback circuitry of the comparator circuit is to selectively control a voltage of the output stage based on the output signal.

Abstract: Circuitry and method for detecting occurrence of a reflow process to an embedded storage device are disclosed. A temperature sensing device includes a resistor, a temperature sensor, and a comparator. The first terminal of the resistor is coupled to a voltage source, and the second terminal of the resistor is coupled to both the first terminal of the temperature sensor and the first input of the comparator. The second terminal of the temperature sensor is grounded and the second input of the comparator is coupled to a reference voltage. The resistance state of the temperature sensor changes from a first resistance state to a second resistance state when the temperature surrounding the temperature sensor reaches a threshold. The comparator generates an output based on the resistance changes of the temperature sensor. The generated output may indicate whether a reflow process has occurred to the embedded storage device.

Abstract: A connector for a component fitting assembly of an air conditioning system includes a substantially planar plate having a recessed portion and a slot portion. The recessed portion and the slot portion are formed in the plate to define an opening for receiving a conduit therein. A method for coupling the conduit to the connector includes the step of urging at least the portion of the conduit through the slot portion and into the recessed portion of the plate, whereby the at least the portion of the conduit is deformed to correspond with a configuration of the opening to militate against disengagement between the plate and the at least the portion of the conduit disposed in the opening of the plate.

Abstract: A laser scanner for optically scanning and measuring an environment is provided. The laser scanner includes a light transmitter for emitting a light beam to measure a plurality of points in the environment, the light transmitter coupled to the rotating unit. A receiver is provided for receiving a reflected light beam reflected from the plurality of measurement points, the receiver being coupled to the rotating unit. A first image acquisition unit is configured to record a visible image of an area of the environment that includes the plurality of points. A sensing device is configured to record data of the area. A processor is operably coupled to the receiver, the first image acquisition unit and the sensing device, the processor is configured to associate a color value from the visible image and a recorded data value from the sensing device with each of the plurality of points.

Abstract: An optic Distributed Antenna System includes a Head End (HE) configured to adjust a first signal for a first carrier at a first band to a first level, to adjust a second signal having at least a carrier different from the first carrier or a band different from the first band to a second level, to combine the first and second signals, to perform Electronic/Optic conversion on the combined signal, and to optic-distribute and send the combined optic signal, and a plurality of Remote Units (RUs) each connected to the HE over a corresponding single optic line, wherein each of the RUs is configured to perform Optic/Electronic conversion on the combined optic signal, to adjust the converted signal for each signal band, to perform high-power amplification on the adjusted signals, to multiplex the amplified signals, and to transmit the multiplexed signal to a Mobile station via at least one antenna.

Abstract: Techniques for efficiently programming non-volatile storage are disclosed. A second page of data may efficiently be programmed into memory cells that already store a first page. Data may be efficiently transferred from single bit cells to multi-bit cells. Memory cells are read using at least two different read levels. The results are compared to determine a count how many memory cells showed a different result between the two reads. If the count is less than a threshold, then data from the memory cells is stored into a set of data latches without attempting to correct for misreads. If the count is not less than the threshold, then data from the memory cells is stored into the set of data latches with attempting to correct for misreads. A programming operation may be performed based on the data stored in the set of data latches.