Abstract: Embodiments of the invention generally provide an input device with display screens that periodically update (refresh) the screen by selectively driving common electrodes corresponding to pixels in a display line. In general, the input devices drive each electrode until each display line (and each pixel) of a display frame is updated. In addition to updating the display, the input device may perform capacitive sensing using the display screen as a proximity sensing area. To do this, the input device may interleave periods of capacitive sensing between periods of updating the display based on a display frame. For example, the input device may update the first half of display lines of the display screen, pause display updating, perform capacitive sensing, and finish updating the rest of the display lines. Further still, the input device may use common electrodes for both updating the display and performing capacitive sensing.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for controlling a streetlight is provided. GPS data is required from a GPS coupled to a process of the streetlight. A geographic location of the streetlight is determined from the received GPS data. A real local time is determined from the GPS data and a sunrise and sunset time associated with the geographic location can then be determined. The on and off state of one or more LED lighting modules of the streetlight can then be controlled upon the determined sunrise and sunset times.

Abstract: The present invention relates to substituted thiazolyl- and oxazolyl-isoquinolinones that act, for example, as modulators of poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP). The present invention also relates to processes for the preparation of substituted thiazolyl- and oxazolyl-isoquinolinones and to their use in treating various diseases and disorders.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a housing portion comprising a back panel, side panels, and a front panel, the back panel and side panels partially defining a cavity having an access orifice, the side panels partially defining an entry area to the access orifice, the front panel arranged to at least partially obscure the entry area to the access orifice and pivot about an axis of rotation, and a first switch disposed in the cavity including a first contact portion secured to the housing portion, and a removable contact portion connected to the front panel.

Abstract: According to some embodiments, a system comprises an interface and one or more processors. The interface receives a request for a transaction from a user of a financial account. The processor(s) determine, based on a user identifier, whether the user corresponds to an administrator, a primary user, or a contributor. The administrator is authorized to configure rules for the financial account and to conduct deposit transactions, withdrawal transactions, and view transactions. The primary user is authorized to conduct at least one of the following types of transactions according to the rules: the deposit transactions, the withdrawal transaction, and the view transactions. The contributor is authorized to conduct at least one of the following types of transactions according to the rules: the deposit transactions and the view transactions. The processor(s) process the transaction according to the rules associated with the user requesting the transaction.

Abstract: A battery charging station is provided that includes a plurality of charge ports, a plurality of power stages where each power stage includes an AC to DC converter and where each power stage provides a portion of the charging station's maximum available charging power, a switching system that is used to couple the output of the power stages to the charging ports, a system monitor that determines current charging station and vehicle conditions, and a controller that controls operation of the switching system in accordance with a predefined set of power distribution rules and on the basis of the current charging station and vehicle conditions. Current charging station and vehicle conditions may include vehicle arrival time, usage fees, vehicle and/or customer priority information, battery pack SOC, and/or intended departure time.

Abstract: A method of distributing charging power among a plurality of charge ports of a battery charging station is provided, where the battery charging station includes a plurality of power stages where each power stage includes an AC to DC converter and provides a portion of the charging station's maximum available charging power, the method comprising the steps of (i) monitoring battery charging station conditions and operating conditions for each charging port; (ii) determining current battery charging station conditions, including current operating conditions for each charging port; (iii) determining power distribution for the battery charging station and the charging ports in response to the current battery charging conditions and in accordance with a predefined set of power distribution rules; and (iv) coupling the power stages to the charging ports in accordance with the power distribution.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a coaxial cable preparation tool that includes a main body and a cavity extending into the main body configured to accommodate insertion of a coaxial cable therein, the cavity including a first center axis. The coaxial cable further includes a first blade extending into the cavity. The first blade is rotatable about the cavity eccentric about the first center axis. The first blade is also variably securable in a fixed position with respect to the cavity and configured to cut the coaxial cable when the main body is rotated with respect to the coaxial cable.

Abstract: A control circuit operably couples to a plurality of home-automation edge-component interfaces. This control circuit is configured to compatibly interact with a plurality of home-automation edge components via a common application programming interface. By one approach at least some of the plurality of home-automation edge components are operationally incompatible with one another.

Abstract: Transcription factor polynucleotides and polypeptides incorporated into nucleic acid constructs, including expression vectors, have been introduced into plants and were ectopically expressed. Transgenic plants transformed with many of these constructs have been shown to have increased tolerance to an abiotic stress (in some cases, to more than one abiotic stress), increased growth, and/or increased biomass. The abiotic stress may include, for example, salt, hyperosmotic stress, water deficit, heat, cold, drought, and/or low nutrient conditions.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods of treating a substrate with an amorphous semiconductor layer, or a semiconductor layer having small crystals, to form large crystals in the substrate are described. A treatment area of the substrate is identified and melted using a progressive melting process of delivering pulsed energy to the treatment area. The treatment area is then recrystallized using a progressive crystallization process of delivering pulsed energy to the area. The pulsed energy delivered during the progressive crystallization process is selected to convert the small crystals into large crystals as the melted material freezes.

Abstract: An electronic device and control method. A uniform resource identifier from a controller defines a parameter setting or value for the electronic device. The parameter setting or value is applied to the electronic device.

Abstract: The invention concerns an apparatus for sorting a stream of products, comprising a supply system for supplying the stream of products to a scanning zone, a background element positioned behind the scanning zone, at least one inspection unit comprising a scanning unit for illuminating the product stream along the entire width W of the stream of products, and a detection unit for capturing a zone of light returned by the products, the apparatus further comprising a reject system, the apparatus being characterized in that said background element comprises means to capture incident light and to direct it to detector means that is configured to convert said light into an electric signal. The invention equally concerns a method for sorting a stream of products.

Abstract: An off-balance detection method comprises a plurality of off-balance detection schemes that utilize wash basket speed to detect an off-balance load condition at speed ranges that span the entire spin cycle and include speeds corresponding to natural frequencies of a mass comprising a wash tub and a wash basket. The schemes can be used alone or in combination with one or more of the other schemes. The off-balance detection method can further comprise a power limiting method to prevent motor overload when an off-balance condition is present.

Abstract: An automatic washing machine can be operated in accordance with a selected wash cycle by determining a concentration of a wash aid prior to a dispensing of the wash aid into at least one of a tub and a drum, and selecting an operating parameter of the automatic washing machine in response to the determined concentration.

Abstract: A system and method for sharing information on a network-based social platform is provided. A search request, from a first user, for an item from a network-based marketplace is received via an interface provided by a social networking website of a network-based social platform. The network-based social platform is a platform that allows the first user to communicative couple with at least a second user with whom the first user has a pre-established relationship that is stored in a user profile of the first user at the network-based social platform. A search result including at least one item available from the network-based marketplace is provided to the interface associated with the first user. A selection is received from the first user to share information concerning an item from the search result to at least the second user, and the information is shared with at least the second user.

Abstract: The disclosed technology provides for determining whether an audio stream is monophonic or polyphonic. An exemplary method includes analyzing and detecting frequency peaks in a portion of the audio stream. The method includes determining whether the portion of the audio stream is monophonic, by determining if all detected peaks are integer intervals of a lowest detected frequency peak. The method then includes determining that the audio stream portion is monophonic if a greatest common devisor frequency exists between a threshold frequency and the lowest detected frequency peak, wherein each detected peak is an integer multiple of the greatest common devisor frequency. The method includes determining that the portion of the audio stream is polyphonic if any one of the detected peaks is not substantially an integer multiple of the lowest detected frequency and if no greatest common devisor frequency exists between the threshold frequency and the lowest detected frequency peak.

Abstract: A thin portable electronic device with a display is described. The components of the electronic device can be arranged in stacked layers within an external housing where each of the stacked layers is located at a different height relative to the thickness of the device. One of the stacked layers can be internal metal frame. The internal metal frame can be configured to act as a heat spreader for heat generating components located in layers adjacent to the internal frame. Further, the internal metal frame can be configured to add to the overall structural stiffness of the device. In addition, the internal metal frame can be configured to provide attachment points for device components, such as the display, so that the device components can be coupled to the external housing via the internal metal frame.

Abstract: A method for detecting neutron radiation in accordance with particular embodiments includes exposing a neutron detector array comprising at least one two-dimensional array of neutron detectors to a first scene of interest. The neutron detector array is based on at least one two-dimensional array of microbolometer detectors. The method also includes receiving a plurality of response values from a corresponding plurality of neutron detectors of the neutron detector array. The method further includes generating a comparison value based on the plurality of response values and a baseline response value. The method additionally, includes determining whether more than a first threshold amount of neutron radiation is being generated by the first scene based on the comparison value.