Abstract: Systems and methods for coordinating and controlling vehicles, for example heavy trucks, to follow closely behind each other, or linking to form a platoon. In one aspect, on-board controllers in each vehicle interact with vehicular sensors to monitor and control, for example, relative distance, relative acceleration or deceleration, and speed. In some aspects, vehicle onboard systems supply various data (breadcrumbs) to a Network Operations Center (NOC), which in turn provides data (authorization data) to the vehicles to facilitate platooning. The NOC suggests vehicles for platooning based on, for example, travel forecasts and analysis of relevant roadways to identify platoonable roadway segments. The NOC also can provide traffic, roadway, weather, or system updates, as well as various instructions. In some aspects, a mesh network ensures improved communication among vehicles and with the NOC. In some aspects, a vehicle onboard system may provide the authorization data.

Abstract: Systems and methods for coordinating and controlling vehicles, for example heavy trucks, to follow closely behind each other, or linking to form a platoon. In one aspect, on-board controllers in each vehicle interact with vehicular sensors to monitor and control, for example, relative distance, relative acceleration or deceleration, and speed. In some aspects, vehicle onboard systems supply various data (breadcrumbs) to a Network Operations Center (NOC), which in turn provides data (authorization data) to the vehicles to facilitate platooning. The NOC suggests vehicles for platooning based on, for example, travel forecasts and analysis of relevant roadways to identify platoonable roadway segments. The NOC also can provide traffic, roadway, weather, or system updates, as well as various instructions. In some aspects, a mesh network ensures improved communication among vehicles and with the NOC. In some aspects, a vehicle onboard system may provide the authorization data.

Abstract: Controllers, control architectures, systems and methods are described for controlling a host vehicle's participation in a platoon. Described vehicle platooning control systems may include a platoon controller and a vehicle interface controller. The platoon controller is configured to determine torque and braking requests for at least partially automatically controlling the host vehicle to platoon with a platoon partner. The vehicle interface controller manages communications between the platoon controller and one or more host vehicle control units. The vehicle interface controller may also include a safety monitor including one or more safety monitoring algorithms In some embodiments, the vehicle interface controller is at least ASIL-C compliant, whereas the platoon controller and an optional gateway processor may be QM rated under ISO 26262. The platoon controller may be configured as a listener capable of receiving but not transmitting messages on the host vehicle's control related communication bus(es).

Abstract: Controllers, control architectures, systems and methods are described for controlling a host vehicle's participation in a platoon. In some embodiments, a vehicle control system includes a vehicle controller configured to determine vehicle control commands for at least partially automatically controlling the host vehicle based at least in part on sensor information. The vehicle control commands are arranged to be directly or indirectly utilized by one or more host vehicle control units resident on the host vehicle. The vehicle control system also includes one or more safety monitoring algorithms that, during at least partially automated driving, verify that selected vehicle control commands received from the vehicle controller meet selected safety criteria. At least some of the safety algorithms utilize sensor data in the verification of the commands received from the vehicle controller. The sensor data used by the safety algorithms may come from the host vehicle and/or a second vehicle.

Abstract: Controllers, control architectures, systems and methods are described for controlling a host vehicle's participation in a platoon. Described vehicle platooning control systems may include a platoon controller and a gateway processor. The platoon controller is configured to determine torque and braking requests for at least partially automatically controlling the host vehicle to platoon with a platoon partner. The gateway processor coordinates communications between a host vehicle and the platoon partner and optionally a network operations center. A dedicated communications link may optionally directly connect the platoon controller to the gateway processor, with no other devices being coupled to the dedicated communications link. In some embodiments, the gateway processor is not coupled to any of the host vehicle's control related communication bus(es). In some embodiments, the gateway processor includes a message logger and the platoon controller does not have any logging capabilities.

Abstract: An analog multiplexer may be used for sampling an input voltage that is capable of having a higher voltage level than an upper supply voltage. The analog multiplexer includes a plurality of input switch circuits and a shorting switch circuit. The plurality of input switch circuits include n-type or p-type laterally diffused field effect transistors (NLDFETs or PLDFETs). At least one of the input switch circuits includes a level shifting switch circuit that is able to sample an input voltage that is greater than the upper supply voltage for the multiplexer. A shorting switch circuit, at an output of the multiplexer, includes a capacitively coupled gate drive circuit and is configured to short a first differential output to a second differential output after the input voltage is sampled.

Abstract: An improved apparatus, method and computer-readable storage medium are provided for implementing a secured communication system via synchronized hardware-based security. The present disclosure thus includes, without limitation, various example implementations directed toward secured data transmission reliant on hardware-based encryption and/or decryption methods. The secured communication system may provide secure real-time communications over networks, such as, but not limited, to computer networks, even when the networks being used are inherently insecure.

Abstract: A system comprises a writer to form a plurality of color mits on a base material, wherein at least one of the color mits may represent computer-readable instructions comprising data other than pixel-image data. The plurality of color mits may include a first color mit and a second color mit, wherein the first color mit represents information data, and the second color mit represents that the first color mit contains a particular type of information data. The system also may include a reader to read colors of the plurality of color mits on the base material. The system may comprise a device to map at least one of the color mits to computer-readable instructios. The system may further comprise a processor configured to transmit signals using a colored light.

Abstract: Battery monitors are provided in association with battery stacks to monitor the health of individual batteries. This is important as damaged batteries present a fire risk. Usually the battery stack is assembled and connected to a multipin connector assembled and connected to a multipin connector which engages with a cooperating connector of a battery monitor. The connections have a tolerance so the connections make in a random and uncontrolled order. This disclosure provides ways of ensuring that the power supply connector connects first. This reduces voltage stress in the monitoring circuit and also allows steps to be taken to control inrush currents.

Abstract: A system comprises a writer to form a plurality of color mits on a base material, wherein at least one of the color mits may represent computer-readable instructions comprising data other than pixel-image data. The plurality of color mits may include a first color mit and a second color mit, wherein the first color mit represents information data, and the second color mit represents that the first color mit contains a particular type of information data. The system also may include a reader to read colors of the plurality of color mits on the base material. The system may comprise a device to map at least one of the color mits to computer-readable instructios. The system may further comprise a processor configured to transmit signals using a colored light.

Abstract: A system comprises a writer to form a plurality of color mits on a base material, wherein at least one of the color mits may represent computer-readable instructions comprising data other than pixel-image data. The plurality of color mits may include a first color mit and a second color mit, wherein the first color mit represents information data, and the second color mit represents that the first color mit contains a particular type of information data. The system also may include a reader to read colors of the plurality of color mits on the base material. The system may comprise a device to map at least one of the color mits to computer-readable instructions. The system may further comprise a processor configured to transmit signals using a colored light.

Abstract: A utility knife includes a handle, a blade holder assembly, and a clamp assembly. The blade holder assembly is constructed and arranged to hold a blade at a position of use at one end of the handle. The clamp assembly is constructed and arranged to move between a clamp position wherein the clamp assembly applies a clamp force to side surfaces the blade and a release position wherein the clamp assembly releases the clamping force.

Abstract: A utility knife includes a handle, a blade holder assembly, a spare blade carrier, a spare blade dispenser, and an actuator. The blade holder assembly is constructed and arranged to hold a blade at a position of use at one end of the handle. The spare blade carrier is disposed in the handle, and is configured to carry a plurality of spare blades. The spare blade dispenser is constructed to separate one of the spare blades from the plurality thereof and present the one separated blade to the user. The actuator is operatively associated with the blade dispenser, wherein movement of the actuator moves the blade dispenser to separate the one spare blade from the plurality to present the one separated blade to the user.

Abstract: A system comprises a writer to form a plurality of color mits on a base material, wherein at least one of the color mits may represent computer-readable instructions comprising data other than pixel-image data. The plurality of color mits may include a first color mit and a second color mit, wherein the first color mit represents information data, and the second color mit represents that the first color mit contains a particular type of information data. The system also may include a reader to read colors of the plurality of color mits on the base material. The system may comprise a device to map at least one of the color mits to computer-readable instructions. The system may further comprise a processor configured to transmit signals using a colored light.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide a monitoring system that may include a plurality of monitors. Each may have a plurality of input pairs coupled to respective components of a component stack, wherein adjacent monitors each have an input pair coupled to a common component. Embodiments of the present invention provide an integrated circuit that may include a plurality of detectors to locally measure a first group of channels. The integrated circuit may also include a receiver operable to receive a measurement of at least one channel of the first group of channels, and a controller to calculate a correction factor based on the received measurement and a local measurement of the at least one channel and to correct all first group measurements with the correction factor.

Abstract: A utility knife includes a handle, a first blade holder assembly, a second blade holder assembly, and an interlock assembly. The handle includes an opening at a front end. The first blade holder assembly is constructed and arranged to hold a first blade at a position of use wherein the first blade projects through the opening at the front end of the handle, and to retract the first blade into the handle. The second blade holder assembly is constructed and arranged to hold a second blade at a position of use wherein the second blade projects through the opening at the front end of the handle, and to retract the second blade into the handle. The interlock assembly constructed and arranged to allow only one of the first blade and the second blade to project through the opening at the front end of the handle.

Abstract: A support bracket is provided for fastening to a concrete molding form. The bracket has a first and second distal end connected by a middle portion. The distal ends are generally in a first plane and the middle portion extends from a side of each distal end at an obtuse angle relative to that plane. The distal ends are releasably fastened to the form during use of the bracket, with the middle portion extending to be embedded in the concrete. After removal of the form, one or both of the distal ends are bent away from the concrete during use, with pipes being inserted through the openings in the distal ends. The support bracket may incorporate an internally-threaded and generally tubular structure attached to the middle portion of the support bracket, with one end of the tubular structure embedded in the concrete during use and the other end exposed at the plane of the concrete surface for useful access to the internal threads.

Abstract: The present invention is a framing or deck board clamp mainly used to hold an unfastened board and a fastened board together while the user fasten the unfastened board. The present invention allows the user to overcome the time consuming nature of aligning wooden boards, which usually are not cut with perfect straight edges. The apparatus coverts the rotational motion conveniently provided by a power drill into the linear motion required to clamp the unfastened board to the fastened board. The present invention comprises simple, light weight components, which make the apparatus relatively easy to use and relatively maintenance-free.

Abstract: Use of an alpha-2-delta ligand, or a pharmaceutically acceptable derivative thereof, for the manufacture of a medicament for the treatment of LUTS, other than urinary incontinence, associated with OAB and/or BPH.