Abstract: An apparatus is provided. The apparatus includes an analog timing controller and a digital state machine. An input circuit in the digital state machine is configured to receive a plurality of analog input signals, and an analog event circuit is coupled to the analog timing circuit, the glitch filter, and the input circuit. The analog event circuit and input circuit are configured to generate a composite event signal from the analog input signals and by using the analog timing circuit. The glitch filter is configured to receive the composite event signal. A clock generator also is coupled to the glitch filter, wherein the clock generator is configured to generate an aperiodic clock signal. The aperiodic clock signal is configured to be a synchronous clock signal for the digital state machine.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided. The apparatus includes an analog timing controller and a digital state machine. An input circuit in the digital state machine is configured to receive a plurality of analog input signals, and an analog event circuit is coupled to the analog timing circuit, the glitch filter, and the input circuit. The analog event circuit and input circuit are configured to generate a composite event signal from the analog input signals and by using the analog timing circuit. The glitch filter is configured to receive the composite event signal. A clock generator also is coupled to the glitch filter, wherein the clock generator is configured to generate an aperiodic clock signal. The aperiodic clock signal is configured to be a synchronous clock signal for the digital state machine.

Abstract: A comparator (10) includes a first input transistor (M0) having a drain coupled to a gate and drain of a first diode-connected transistor (M2) and a gate of a first current mirror output transistor (M4), and a second input transistor (M1) having a drain coupled to a gate and drain of a second diode-connected transistor (M3) and a gate of a second current mirror output transistor (M5). Sources of the first and second current mirror output transistors are connected to a supply voltage (VDD). Gates of the first and second input transistors are coupled to first (VIN?) and second (VIN+) input signals, respectively. Sources of the first and second diode-connected transistors are coupled to drains of the first and second current mirror output transistors, respectively. A latch circuit (M8,M9) is coupled to the drains of the first and second current mirror output transistors.

Abstract: A method is provided. A low dropout regulator (LDO) is disabled during a first mode, and a first reference voltage is selected and applied to a switched-mode converter during the first mode. Also during the first mode, a first output voltage is generated by the switched-mode converter from a power supply, and a first capacitor is overcharged with the first output voltage. The LDO is then enabled during a second mode. During a first portion of a startup period for the second mode, a second capacitor is charged from the first capacitor, and a second reference voltage is selected and applied to the switched-mode converter. Then, during a second portion of the startup period for the second mode, the second capacitor is charged with the switched-mode converter.

Abstract: A method is provided. A first reference voltage during an idle mode is selected, and the first reference voltage is applied to a switched-mode converter. A first output voltage is then generated by the switched-mode converter from a power supply, and a capacitor is overcharged with the first output voltage. The first output voltage is regulated to generate a second output voltage during the idle mode. Then, a second reference voltage during a quiet mode, where the second reference voltage to the buck converter. During the quiet mode, a third output voltage is generated from the switched-mode converter and from discharging the overcharged capacitor, and the third output voltage is regulated to generate the second output voltage.

Abstract: A comparator (10) includes a first input transistor (M0) having a drain coupled to a gate and drain of a first diode-connected transistor (M2) and a gate of a first current mirror output transistor (M4), and a second input transistor (M1) having a drain coupled to a gate and drain of a second diode-connected transistor (M3) and a gate of a second current mirror output transistor (M5). Sources of the first and second current mirror output transistors are connected to a supply voltage (VDD). Gates of the first and second input transistors are coupled to first (VIN?) and second (VIN+) input signals, respectively. Sources of the first and second diode-connected transistors are coupled to drains of the first and second current mirror output transistors, respectively. A latch circuit (M8,M9) is coupled to the drains of the first and second current mirror output transistors.

Abstract: A claims and repair process including collecting accident information at birth of an accident, electronic communication to a remote site, and posting information for selecting repair and supplier parties, such as by a bid process. Any of a PDA, a mapping system, or a data collection system installed on the vehicle collects accident information at the accident site, on a tow truck, or at a facility. A PDA with a digital camera may be provided for collecting digital images. Wireless communications may be used to transfer accident information for expedited processing. A claims estimate may be made by a claims adjuster or claims wizard. An aggregate database may be employed by the claims wizard to facilitate damage assessment. The claims wizard may work interactively with a PDA device for improved data collection. Tow trucks may be dispatched to transport rental, damaged and repaired vehicles to reduce insured's involvement.

Abstract: A claims and repair process including collecting accident information at birth of an accident, electronic communication to a remote site, and posting information for selecting repair and supplier parties, such as by a bid process. Any of a PDA, a mapping system, or a data collection system installed on the vehicle collects accident information at the accident site, on a tow truck, or at a facility. A PDA with a digital camera may be provided for collecting digital images. Wireless communications may be used to transfer accident information for expedited processing. A claims estimate may be made by a claims adjuster or claims wizard. An aggregate database may be employed by the claims wizard to facilitate damage assessment. The claims wizard may work interactively with a PDA device for improved data collection. Tow trucks may be dispatched to transport rental, damaged and repaired vehicles to reduce insured's involvement.

Abstract: In some aspects, what is disclosed relates to a processor-based payment method for transferring user-provided payment data through a router that parses the payment data and transfers the parsed data to a plurality of receivers in distinct locations, detecting the parsed data at each of the plurality of receivers, and originating an ACH debit against the user, or an e-check, based on the parsed data.

Abstract: The present invention provides special purpose label arrangement sets for use with computer-based postage systems to facilitate mailing tracking, sheets of such label arrangement sets, and methods for printing such label arrangement sets.

Abstract: In some aspects, what is disclosed relates to a processor-based payment method for transferring user-provided payment data through a router that parses the payment data and transfers the parsed data to a plurality of receivers in distinct locations, detecting the parsed data at each of the plurality of receivers, and originating an ACH debit against the user, or an e-check, based on the parsed data.

Abstract: In some aspects, what is disclosed relates to a processor-based payment method for transferring user-provided payment data through a router that parses the payment data and transfers the parsed data to a plurality of receivers in distinct locations, detecting the parsed data at each of the plurality of receivers, and originating an ACH debit against the user, or an e-check, based on the parsed data.

Abstract: A system for operating an automotive liftgate includes a motor drive adapted for positioning the liftgate, and at least one telescopic strut positioned between the liftgate and an adjacent body structure. A controller operates the motor drive so as to place the liftgate in a predetermined position, such as a fully closed or fully opened position, in the event that a sensor detects unintended movement of the liftgate.

Abstract: There is a dispensing container. The dispensing container has a head, a body, and a closure. The head has a neck and a shoulder. The neck also has a bore extending longitudinally therethrough. The neck defines one or more external threads. The head has an indentation extending therein and circumferentially therearound proximal to the junction of the neck and the shoulder. The indentation is bounded by a tapered surface tapering outward with respect to the neck towards a top surface of the shoulder. The body is connected to the shoulder. The body has a chamber therein adapted to retain a product. The bore is in communication with the chamber. The closure defines one or more internal threads therein. The one or more internal threads are intermated with the one or more external threads. The closure has a skirt having a leading edge. The indentation in the head receives the leading edge. The leading edge contacts the tapered surface. The closure is openable and reclosable with respect to the head.

Abstract: A cutting apparatus having an annular-shaped cutting head and an impeller assembly coaxially mounted for rotation within the cutting head to deliver food products radially outward toward the cutting head. The cutting head has at least one knife extending radially inward toward the impeller assembly. The impeller assembly is equipped with paddles, each having a radially outer extremity adjacent the impeller assembly, a radially inner extremity, and a face therebetween facing the rotational direction of the impeller assembly. According to preferred aspects of the invention, removable posts radially extend from the radially outer extremity of each paddle, and/or the face of each paddle has grooves transverse to a radial of the impeller assembly.

Abstract: In some aspects, what is disclosed relates to a processor-based payment method for transferring user-provided payment data through a router that parses the payment data and transfers the parsed data to a plurality of receivers in distinct locations, detecting the parsed data at each of the plurality of receivers, and originating an ACH debit against the user, or an e-check, based on the parsed data.

Abstract: A system for operating an automotive liftgate includes a motor drive adapted for positioning the liftgate, and at least one telescopic strut positioned between the liftgate and an adjacent body structure. A controller operates the motor drive so as to place the liftgate in a predetermined position, such as a fully closed or fully opened position, in the event that a sensor detects unintended movement of the liftgate.

Abstract: A cutting apparatus having an annular-shaped cutting head and an impeller assembly coaxially mounted for rotation within the cutting head to deliver food products radially outward toward the cutting head. The cutting head has at least one knife extending radially inward toward the impeller assembly. The knife has a cutting edge at a radially innermost extremity and a radially outer face that defines a trajectory plane for slices removed from the products by the cutting edge. The knife is clamped to the cutting head with a clamping feature that provides clearance for slices when traveling the trajectory plane of the knife.

Abstract: A system for decoratively covering a support surface is provided. The system comprises a plurality of panels. Each panel includes a top, a bottom, and first and second ends. Each panel includes a nailing hem for mounting the panel to the support surface. Each panel also includes first and second rows of decorative portions simulating building materials. A riser interconnects the first and second rows. Each panel further includes a flap extending from the riser at the first end and a catch extending from the riser at the second end. The flap and catch mate with a corresponding catch and flap of horizontally adjacent panels. The flap and catch are both sloped upwardly toward the top at an acute angle to provide a mating fit between corresponding flaps and catches.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for producing decorative panels having a variegated appearance. The system includes a painting station, a wiping station, and a curing station for creating the variegated appearance on the panel. The painting station applies paint onto a front surface of the panel and the wiping station smears the paint along the peaks while avoiding the paint in the valleys. The wiper moves laterally across the panel, i.e., from edge to edge, generally in the same lateral direction as the peaks and valleys, while the panel is advanced through the wiping station in a longitudinal direction. The panel is then passed to the curing station to cure the paint with a UV light source.