Abstract: In one aspect, the present disclosure provides for the accessing and playing of media files having differing associated rights such as non-DRM media files, purchased and downloaded media files, subscription download files such as tethered downloads, and subscription streamed DRM files. In one embodiment, the present disclosure provides a method and user interface for sharing a media collection among computing devices in communication via a network. In one embodiment, the disclosed method allows access and playback, from each computing device on a network, of all media files in a media collection, regardless of their associated rights.

Abstract: A motion base comprises lower and upper plates, a plurality of lateral stabilizers coupled in-between and connected to the lower and upper plates, a plurality of actuators, and one or more associated active controllers. Actuators typically comprise a body operatively connected to the upper plate and the lower plate, a rod movably disposed at least partially within the body, where the rod and body define an actuator effective length; and a controllable rod extender configured to selectively extend the rod out from and retract the rod into the body.

Abstract: Systems and methods for learning dimmer characteristics provide improved efficiency in operating lighting devices. In one embodiment, an apparatus includes a lamp controller that is configured to monitor voltage information associated with one or more lamps or a dimmer of a system, adjust one or more parameters of an attach current profile in conformity with the voltage information to arrive at a selected attach current profile, and apply within the system the selected attach current profile.

Abstract: An improved inverted motion base with left, right, and rear supports, a carriage to travel along a length of the rear support. The inverted motion base includes a first cable connected to the carriage and wound about a first drum to raise and lower the carriage, and left and right load carrying arms, each connected to a respective left and right ends of a transverse support member. The inverted motion base further includes a second cable connected to the right load carrying arm to raise and lower the right load carrying arm, and a third cable connected to the left load carrying arm to raise and lower the second end of the left load carrying arm. One or more rows of seats are positioned between and suspended from the right and left load carrying arms, each row of seats being parallel to the other row of seats.

Abstract: A device, system, and method for creating a molded crayon body are provided. In embodiments, the device includes a receiving and positioning device having a channel for receiving a wax stick. The channel may be configured to receive and position a wax stick for melting by a melting component. The device may further include a positioning and/or adjustment component that raises and lowers a mold plate with respect to a front surface of the melting component. In some embodiments, the melting component includes a nozzle having a nozzle tip configured to transfer melted portions of the wax stick from the nozzle of the melting component to a mold on a mold plate. The mold component may also include a chilling mechanism for cooling a completed, molded crayon body.

Abstract: An LED lighting device includes an auxiliary power supply that supplies power to a control circuit of the LED lighting device that receives an input from a terminal of a light-emitting diode (LED) string of the lighting device that has a substantially lower voltage than the line voltage to which the lighting device is connected. The terminal may be within the LED string, or may be an end of the string. A linear regulator may be operated from the voltage drop across a number of the LEDs in the string so that the energy wasted by the auxiliary power supply is minimized. In other designs, the auxiliary power supply may be intermittently connected in series with the LED string only when needed. The intermittent connection can be used to forward bias a portion of the LED string when the voltage supplied to the LED string is low, increasing overall brightness.

Abstract: A device, method, and system for creating a design on a design surface are provided. The device includes a first compartment that includes a receiving and positioning component and a channel configured to receive and position a wax stick at the receiving and positioning component. The device includes a second compartment having a melting component that includes a heating element, a temperature measurement element, and a nozzle. The nozzle includes a nozzle opening configured to receive the wax stick, the nozzle directly aligned with the channel of the receiving and positioning component. The nozzle also includes a nozzle tip configured to transfer melted portions of the wax stick from the nozzle to a design surface on a spinning component in a third compartment of the device.

Abstract: An LED lighting device includes an auxiliary power supply that supplies power to a control circuit of the LED lighting device that receives an input from a terminal of a light-emitting diode (LED) string of the lighting device that has a substantially lower voltage than the line voltage to which the lighting device is connected. The terminal may be within the LED string, or may be an end of the string. A linear regulator may be operated from the voltage drop across a number of the LEDs in the string so that the energy wasted by the auxiliary power supply is minimized. In other designs, the auxiliary power supply may be intermittently connected in series with the LED string only when needed. The intermittent connection can be used to forward bias a portion of the LED string when the voltage supplied to the LED string is low, increasing overall brightness.

Abstract: An LED lighting device includes an auxiliary power supply that supplies power to a control circuit of the LED lighting device that receives an input from a terminal of a light-emitting diode (LED) string of the lighting device that has a substantially lower voltage than the line voltage to which the lighting device is connected. The terminal may be within the LED string, or may be an end of the string. A linear regulator may be operated from the voltage drop across a number of the LEDs in the string so that the energy wasted by the auxiliary power supply is minimized. In other designs, the auxiliary power supply may be intermittently connected in series with the LED string only when needed. The intermittent connection can be used to forward bias a portion of the LED string when the voltage supplied to the LED string is low, increasing overall brightness.

Abstract: A circuit for powering high-efficiency lighting devices from a thyristor-controlled dimmer includes a power converter for powering the high-efficiency lighting devices from input terminals of the circuit. The circuit also includes a control circuit that controls the input current drawn by the input terminals at least while the power converter transfers energy to the lighting devices. The circuit also includes a sensing circuit that determines or measures at least one attach current characteristic at the input terminals and stores an indication of the characteristic for subsequent operation of the control circuit.

Abstract: A line-frequency determining circuit for coupling to the output of a thyristor-switched dimmer that determines a line-frequency of an AC power source that supplies an input to the thyristor-controlled dimmer permits accurate control of periodic probing of the dimmer output. The probing is performed to predict zero-cross times of the AC power source that, in turn, are used to determine a dimming control value of the thyristor-switched dimmer. A minimum conductance is applied across the output of the dimmer during the probing intervals that begin at the turn-on time of the dimmer and last until enough information has been gathered to correctly predict a next zero crossing of the AC line voltage that supplies the input of the dimmer. The probing can be performed at intervals of an odd number of half-cycles of the AC line frequency so that internal dimmer timer operation is not affected by DC offset.

Abstract: A circuit for powering high-efficiency lighting devices from a thyristor-controlled dimmer operates a switching power circuit during active portions of half-cycles of the AC line voltage source that supplies the dimmer. A control circuit determines the durations of the active portions such that sufficient energy is transferred to operate the lighting devices until a next half-cycle of the AC line voltage, at which time the active portion of the half-cycle is terminated. A high impedance level is presented to the output of the dimmer until the next half-cycle commences.

Abstract: A transformer isolated LED lighting circuit supplies current from a secondary-side storage capacitor to one or more LED strings in conformity with one or more dimming values. The dimming values are communicated through the transformer by patterns or codes provided in pulses of a power converter circuit that charges the storage capacitor from the primary side of the transformer, or alternatively by a special modulated signal provided in addition to the switching pulses.

Abstract: A bipolar junction transistor (BJT) may be used in a power stage DC-to-DC converter, such as for LED-based light bulbs. The BJT may be switched on and off from a controller coupled to two terminals of the BJT. Through the two terminals, the control IC may dynamically adjust a reverse recovery time period of the BJT. The reverse recovery time period may be adjusted by changing an amount of base charge that accumulates on the BJT. Additional, the reverse recovery may be controlled through the use of a reverse base current source applied to the BJT after beginning switching off the BJT.

Abstract: A power supply circuit for operating high-efficiency lighting devices from a thyristor-controlled dimmer determines the dimming value, i.e., the dimmer duty factor by periodically probing the dimmer output. A minimum conductance is applied across the output of the dimmer during probing intervals that begin at the turn-on time of the dimmer and last until enough information has been gathered to correctly predict a next zero crossing of the AC line voltage that supplies the input of the dimmer. The dimming value is determined from the time interval between the predicted zero-crossing and a next turn-on time of the dimmer. The probing can be performed at intervals of an odd number of half-cycles of the AC line frequency so that a DC offset is not introduced within internal timing circuits of the dimmer. The AC line frequency can also be determined from a time interval between the predicted zero crossings.

Abstract: In one aspect, the present disclosure provides for the accessing and playing of media files having differing associated rights such as non-DRM media files, purchased and downloaded media files, subscription download files such as tethered downloads, and subscription streamed DRM files. In one embodiment, the present disclosure provides a method and user interface for sharing a media collection among computing devices in communication via a network. In one embodiment, the disclosed method allows access and playback, from each computing device on a network, of all media files in a media collection, regardless of their associated rights.

Abstract: Systems and methods for learning dimmer characteristics provide improved efficiency in operating lighting devices. In one embodiment, an apparatus includes a lamp controller that is configured to monitor voltage information associated with one or more lamps or a dimmer of a system, adjust one or more parameters of an attach current profile in conformity with the voltage information to arrive at a selected attach current profile, and apply within the system the selected attach current profile.

Abstract: A circuit for powering high-efficiency lighting devices from a thyristor-controlled dimmer includes a power converter for powering the high-efficiency lighting devices from input terminals of the circuit. The circuit also includes a control circuit that controls the input current drawn by the input terminals at least while the power converter transfers energy to the lighting devices. The circuit also includes a sensing circuit that determines or measures at least one attach current characteristic at the input terminals and stores an indication of the characteristic for subsequent operation of the control circuit.

Abstract: An improved inverted motion base with left, right, and rear supports, a carriage to travel along a length of the rear support. The inverted motion base includes a first cable connected to the carriage and wound about a first drum to raise and lower the carriage, and left and right load carrying arms, each connected to a respective left and right ends of a transverse support member. The inverted motion base further includes a second cable connected to the right load carrying arm to raise and lower the right load carrying arm, and a third cable connected to the left load carrying arm to raise and lower the second end of the left load carrying arm. One or more rows of seats are positioned between and suspended from the right and left load carrying arms, each row of seats being parallel to the other row of seats.

Abstract: A circuit for powering high-efficiency lighting devices from a thyristor-controlled dimmer predicts a zero-crossing time of the AC power line supplying the dimmer and causes a glue impedance to be imposed at the output of the dimmer starting at the time of the zero-crossing, so that the timer in the dimmer will operate properly to generate the turn-on event at the correct time. At turn-on, a lower level of impedance is presented to absorb the energy associated with the turn-on event. A higher level of impedance may be presented after the energy is absorbed until all of the energy needed for the cycle is transferred. Then, a high impedance state is maintained until the next zero-crossing time. The impedance control may be provided by non-uniform operation of a power converter that supplies the lighting devices, or by a combination of non-uniform power converter operation and dissipative loading.