Abstract: In accordance with an embodiment, a system includes a first transistor and a second transistor. The first transistor has a first input node coupled to a first signal input, a first output node coupled to a first common node, and a first reference node coupled to a first reference voltage, and the second transistor has a second input node coupled to second signal input, a second output node coupled to an output of the system, and a second reference node coupled to the first common node. The system further includes a first switch switchably coupling the first common node to a second reference voltage.

Abstract: A method for operating a non-volatile memory is provided. The non-volatile memory includes a plurality of physical blocks having a plurality of data blocks and spare blocks. An index is obtained by comparing an average erase count of selected physical blocks with a first threshold. Each erase count for each physical block is the total number of the erase operations performed thereon. A performance capability status for the memory is determined according to the index. The performance capability status is set to a first status when the average erase count exceeds the first threshold. An indication is generated based on the performance capability status. A limp function is performed in response to the first status for configuring a minimum number of the at least some spare blocks reserved and used for data update operations.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a stiffened panel, and a datum part for use in such a method. The method comprises: holding the panel with a jig; holding a datum part with the jig; engaging the panel and the datum part with a stringer; and joining the stringer to the panel. Preferably an additive process is used to form the datum part. By growing the datum part in a series of layers, the shape of each layer can be selected to enable the shape or size of the datum part to be optimised.

Abstract: A process for removing silicon compounds from aqueous NaCl brine includes, first, adjusting a weak brine to a pH value of less than 3 with hydrochloric acid. Iron(III) chloride or other trivalent iron ions are added to the acidified weak brine, the obtained weak brine is then continuously fed to a stirred dissolution vessel which contains undissolved salt in addition to brine. Fresh salt is charged batch-wise and intermittently to the dissolution vessel to produce strong brine. The obtained strong brine is fed to a stirred buffer vessel, the pH value in this buffer vessel being maintained at a level ranging from 5 to 8. A strong-brine flow is continuously withdrawn from the buffer vessel and filtered, and the filtrate containing the added iron and silicon is discharged. Also a system for carrying out this process is disclosed.

Abstract: An interactive three-dimensional display system includes a three-dimensional display panel which has an optical sensor array, an interactive device which includes a projection light source and a shadow mask, and an image recognizing unit. The shadow mask has a pattern to define an image projected by the interactive device. The image is captured by the optical sensor array. The pattern includes two strip patterns which cross each other. The image includes two strip images which cross each other. The image recognizing unit is electrically connected with the optical sensor array and calculates relative positions of the interactive device and the three-dimensional display panel according to the image. A method of calculating the relative positions includes calculating according to the lengths of one of the strip patterns and one of the strip images, and a divergent angle and tilt angle of the projection light source.

Abstract: Systems and methods for creating Web pages are provided. Web page development components, referred to as “pods,” may be used to encapsulate discrete functionality for use and re-use within Web pages. The pods may be contained in a library, from which a developer may select one or more pods that provide the functionality and/or presentation definitions the developer wishes to include in the Web page. A pod may contain all the functional and presentation information required to implement the desired functionality, and may contain only that functional and presentation information.

Abstract: A roller load support, for mounting on a load carrying vehicle such as a lift truck, has an elongate frame with a forwardly tapering vertical thickness and an upper surface for insertion beneath the underside of a load. Different longitudinally spaced pluralities of transverse upper rollers are movable upwardly to protrude through the frame's upper surface to engage the underside of the load during the insertion process. During the insertion process, the upper rollers are pushed upward by corresponding different pluralities of transverse lower rollers which rotatably engage the floor or other surface beneath the frame and frictionally counter-rotate the upper rollers. The lower rollers are spaced nonuniformly relative to each other along the length of the frame, with such spacings increasing progressively in size, within each plurality of lower rollers, in a forward direction toward the front end of the frame.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a capturing unit that captures a target object and generates a range image representing distance information, a general estimation unit that analyzes the range image and estimates a general position and orientation of the target object, and a determination unit that determines a priority order of a plurality of identification units, based on the estimated general position and orientation. In addition, a setting unit sets a search window indicating a range for detailed estimation of position and orientation of the range image based on a preregistered general size of the target object, a calculation unit calculates a difference between a first distance value of a first pixel in the range image and a second distance value of a second pixel which is next to the first pixel in the range image, and an updating unit updates the search window based on the calculated difference.

Abstract: A method and device to enable a medical or surgical procedure using electro-cautery on a patient with an implantable device in a cautery-safe mode of operation. In one embodiment, the invention provides an electronic implantable device programmer having a computer processor, and a display screen configured to display information based on signals from the computer processor. The programmer also includes an input device, and a wireless transmitter controlled by the computer processor. The programmer display and input give the operator the option of programming an implanted electronic device in a cautery-safe mode.

Abstract: A radio resource measurement method in a heterogeneous network includes a user equipment (UE) that performs radio resource measurement; when a measurement result meets a predefined condition, the UE performs radio resource measurement on restricted resources according to configuration information of the restricted resources, wherein the restricted resources are a set of all sub-frame resources corresponding to Almost Blank Sub-frames (ABSes) or are a subset of the set. Therefore, the precision of RLM measurement or RRM measurement of a mobility system can be improved, and the implementation complexity of the UE can be decreased.

Abstract: Aspects of the disclosure relate generally to detecting the edges of lane lines. Specifically, a vehicle driving on a roadway may use a laser to collect data for the roadway. A computer may process the data received from the laser in order to extract the points which potentially reside on two lane lines defining a lane. The extracted points are used by the computer to determine a model of a left lane edge and a right lane edge for the lane. The model may be used to estimate a centerline between the two lane lines. All or some of the model and centerline estimates, may be used to maneuver a vehicle in real time and also to update or generate map information used to maneuver vehicles.

Abstract: Reinforced sulphur concrete wherein one or more metal reinforcing members are in contact with sulphur concrete is disclosed. The reinforced sulphur concrete comprises an adhesion promoter that enhances the interaction between the sulphur and the one or more metal reinforcing members.

Abstract: A standardized, edible food containing a label for use in the measurement of gastric emptying by the quantification of marker excreted in the breath of the patient and methods of making the same using fluid bed granulation processing.

Abstract: A pattern inspection apparatus is provided to compare images of regions, corresponding to each other, of patterns that are formed so as to be identical and judge that non-coincident portions in the images are defects. The pattern inspection apparatus is equipped with an image comparing section which plots individual pixels of an inspection subject image in a feature space and detects excessively deviated points in the feature space as defects. Defects can be detected correctly even when the same patterns in images have a brightness difference due to a difference in the thickness of a film formed on a wafer.

Abstract: Techniques for controlling boost converter operation in an envelope tracking (ET) system. In an aspect, an enable generation block is provided to generate an enable signal for a boost converter, wherein the enable signal is turned on in response to detecting that a sum of a first headroom voltage and an enable peak of a tracking supply voltage is greater than an amplifier supply voltage of the ET system. The enable signal may be turned on for a predetermined enable on duration. In another aspect, a target generation block is provided to generate a target voltage for the boost converter, wherein the target voltage comprises the sum of a second headroom voltage and a target peak of the tracking supply voltage.

Abstract: Methods of making a sheet-form loop product are provided. One method includes placing a layer of staple fibers against a first side of a substrate comprising a nonwoven web; needling fibers of the layer through the substrate by penetrating the substrate with needles that drag portions of the fibers through the substrate, leaving exposed loops of the fibers extending from a second side of the substrate; and anchoring fibers forming the loops by fusing the fibers to each other and to filaments of the nonwoven web on the first side of the substrate, while substantially preventing fusion of the fibers on the second side of the substrate.

Abstract: A motorized walker, comprising a wheel mounted frame supporting a seat and retractable motor driven mid-drive drive wheels. Other features include the motor and drive wheels being mounted on a retractable sub-frame, with the retractable sub-frame comprising a pair of triangular frames, and a foot rest pivotally mounted on the retractable sub-frame. A method of making the motorized walker is also provided.

Abstract: An integrated circuit protected against electrostatic discharges, including input/output pads and first and second power supply rails, and: a thyristor forward-connected between each input/output pad and the second rail, each thyristor including, between its anode gate and its anode, a resistor; between each thyristor and the first rail, a diode having its anode connected to the anode gate of the thyristor and having its cathode connected to the first rail via a resistor for adjusting the triggering; and a triggering device capable of conducting a current between the first and second rails when a positive overvoltage occurs between these rails.

Abstract: A catalyst for selective oxidation of hydrocarbons relative to carbon monoxide includes a mixed oxide based on the compound Ce0.1-0.5Ti0.2-0.8Cr0.1-0.5Ox, wherein x is (the total of the valences of the metals)/2. Preferably, the mixed oxide is fixed as a coating on a molded body or less than 0.5 wt. % precious metal is doped to the mixed oxide. Oxidizable exhaust-gas components are oxidized for exhaust-gas purification by a mixed oxide based on the compound Ce0.1-0.5Ti0.2-0.8Cr0.1-0.5Ox as the catalyst. Preferably, hydrocarbons are preferentially oxidized relative to carbon monoxides or nitrogen oxides. For producing an oxidation catalyst for internal combustion engines, a mixed oxide made of cerium oxide, titanium oxide, chromium oxide, and optionally other metal oxides is fixed to a metallic or oxide or carbide, high temperature-stable molded body or an oxide ceramic, wherein the oxide ceramic is fixed to a molded body.