Abstract: An electronic indicator on a see-through optical scope indicates whether an optical system is canted. The indicator may include illuminable visual indicators positioned on opposite sides of a field of view through the optical scope. The indicator may be visual, haptic, or aural. The visual indicator may include one or more LEDs positioned on the periphery of the field of view, and may be optically coupled to an appropriate position on the face of the reticle using a suitable waveguide. The LEDs are coupled to a microprocessor which is, in turn, coupled to a solid-state electronic inclinometer that is incorporated into the internal structure of the optical system. The microprocessor is configured to selectively illuminate one or more of the visual indicators based on the output of the inclinometer, thereby indicating how the reticle is canted, if at all.

Abstract: An electronic device is described. The electronic device includes line voltage measuring circuitry configured to measure a line voltage to produce a line voltage measurement. The electronic device also includes load voltage measuring circuitry configured to measure a load voltage to produce a load voltage measurement. The electronic device further includes a processor coupled to the line voltage measuring circuitry and the load voltage measuring circuitry. The processor is configured to adjust a voltage ramp waveform for a transition of a first metal-oxide-semiconductor field-effect transistor (MOSFET) and a second MOSFET based on the line voltage measurement and the load voltage measurement to minimize heat generation and electromagnetic interference creation by the MOSFETs. The first MOSFET and the second MOSFET control a current to a load in an alternating current configuration.

Abstract: A power management apparatus is provided. The apparatus is configured to connect a plurality of DC power elements to a plurality of AC power elements and includes a DC interface module connected to the plurality of DC power elements, a bi-directional AC-DC converter connected to the DC interface module, and an AC interface module connected to the bi-directional AC-DC converter and the AC power elements.

Abstract: A reticle for an aiming device includes a number of holdover indicators on the reticle that may be individually selected; an input for receiving ballistics data; and a processor configured to, based at least in part on the received ballistics data, select one or more of the holdover indicators; and cause the selected holdover indicator or indicators to visibly change state on the reticle. Methods of operating a digital reticle are also described. Further disclosed is a system that includes the reticle above, as well as a rangefinder for providing range data and a ballistics calculator for providing ballistics data.

Abstract: Circuitry for controlling relay activation timing is described. The circuitry includes voltage zero cross detection circuitry configured to produce a zero cross detection signal indicating a zero cross time of an alternating current (AC) signal. The circuitry also includes current measuring circuitry coupled to voltage zero cross detection circuitry. The current measuring circuitry is configured to produce a current flow detection signal indicating a current flow start time of the AC signal. The circuitry further includes relay circuitry coupled to the current measuring circuitry. The circuitry additionally includes a processor coupled to the voltage zero cross detection circuitry, to the current measuring circuitry, and to the relay circuitry. The processor is configured to determine a relay time error based on the zero cross time and the current flow start time. The processor is also configured to control relay activation signal timing to reduce the relay time error.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and devices configured to build and utilize an intelligent cipher transfer object are provided. The intelligent cipher transfer object includes a set of participants protected by cloaking patterns. A portable dynamic rule set, which includes executable code for managing access to the protected set of participants, is included within the intelligent cipher transfer object. For a given user, the intelligent cipher transfer object may provide access to some of the participants while preventing access to other participants, based on the portable dynamic rule set therein.

Abstract: An AC to DC converter system is provided. The system includes a bidirectional boost converter circuit coupled to an AC input, a high voltage DC link capacitor circuit coupled to the bidirectional boost converter and comprising at least one capacitor, and a DC to DC converter circuit coupled to the high voltage DC link capacitor circuit and a DC input, wherein the at least one capacitor may include a film capacitor.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and devices configured to build and utilize an intelligent cipher transfer object are provided. The intelligent cipher transfer object includes a set of participants protected by cloaking patterns. A portable dynamic rule set, which includes executable code for managing access to the protected set of participants, is included within the intelligent cipher transfer object. For a given user, the intelligent cipher transfer object may provide access to some of the participants while preventing access to other participants, based on the portable dynamic rule set therein.

Abstract: Circuitry for controlling relay activation timing is described. The circuitry includes voltage zero cross detection circuitry configured to produce a zero cross detection signal indicating a zero cross time of an alternating current (AC) signal. The circuitry also includes current measuring circuitry coupled to voltage zero cross detection circuitry. The current measuring circuitry is configured to produce a current flow detection signal indicating a current flow start time of the AC signal. The circuitry further includes relay circuitry coupled to the current measuring circuitry. The circuitry additionally includes a processor coupled to the voltage zero cross detection circuitry, to the current measuring circuitry, and to the relay circuitry. The processor is configured to determine a relay time error based on the zero cross time and the current flow start time. The processor is also configured to control relay activation signal timing to reduce the relay time error.

Abstract: An electronic indicator on a see-through optical scope indicates whether an optical system is canted. The indicator may include illuminable visual indicators positioned on opposite sides of a field of view through the optical scope. The indicator may be visual, haptic, or aural. The visual indicator may include one or more LEDs positioned on the periphery of the field of view, and may be optically coupled to an appropriate position on the face of the reticle using a suitable waveguide. The LEDs are coupled to a microprocessor which is, in turn, coupled to a solid-state electronic inclinometer that is incorporated into the internal structure of the optical system. The microprocessor is configured to selectively illuminate one or more of the visual indicators based on the output of the inclinometer, thereby indicating how the reticle is canted, if at all.

Abstract: An electronic indicator accessory may be coupled to a standard scope, which is in turn coupled to a shooting device, to indicate whether the scope is canted. The indicator may be visual, haptic, or aural. If visual, the visual indicator may include one or more LEDs positioned on the periphery of the field of view, on an accessory body attached to the scope. The accessory body may be coupled near either the ocular or objective lens of the scope. The LEDs are coupled to a microprocessor which is, in turn, coupled to a solid-state electronic inclinometer that is incorporated into the internal structure of the optical system. The microprocessor is configured to selectively illuminate one or more of the visual indicators based on the output of the inclinometer, thereby indicating how the reticle is canted, if at all.

Abstract: A power management apparatus is provided. The apparatus is configured to connect a plurality of DC power elements to a plurality of AC power elements and includes a DC interface module connected to the plurality of DC power elements, a bi-directional AC-DC converter connected to the DC interface module, and an AC interface module connected to the bi-directional AC-DC converter and the AC power elements.

Abstract: An AC to DC converter system is provided. The system includes a bidirectional boost converter circuit coupled to an AC input, a high voltage DC link capacitor circuit coupled to the bidirectional boost converter and comprising at least one capacitor, and a DC to DC converter circuit coupled to the high voltage DC link capacitor circuit and a DC input, wherein the at least one capacitor may include a film capacitor.

Abstract: A multiple stage switching type converter circuit provided between an AC source and a DC source is provided. The circuit includes a boost converter stage coupled to the AC source, a DC link capacitor stage comprising a DC link capacitor decoupled from an AC source and a DC source, and an isolated DC-DC converter stage coupled to the DC source. The multiple stage switching type converter circuit comprises a plurality of switches, each switch configured to operate at a baseline duty cycle, a baseline voltage, a baseline resistance, with a baseline current and providing a baseline switching time. At least one switch is altered to perform at a duty cycle differing from the baseline duty cycle, a voltage differing from the baseline voltage, a resistance differing from baseline resistance, with a current differing from the baseline current or using a switching time differing from the baseline switching time.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and devices configured to build and utilize an intelligent cipher transfer object are provided. The intelligent cipher transfer object includes a set of participants protected by cloaking patterns. A portable dynamic rule set, which includes executable code for managing access to the protected set of participants, is included within the intelligent cipher transfer object. For a given user, the intelligent cipher transfer object may provide access to some of the participants while preventing access to other participants, based on the portable dynamic rule set therein.

Abstract: An access structure analysis method is interspersed with the query optimization process. The method can determine the ideal combination of access structures, including both materialized views and indexes, for a given database workload. The interspersed structure analysis method can include advanced transformations like view merging, star transformation, bitmap access plans, query rewrite using materialized views, for example. The method may be performed using the query optimizer's rules as heuristics to guide the index candidate generation process.

Abstract: Portable laser rangefinders include an objective lens situated to form an image of a distant object on an image sensor. The image sensor is coupled to a display that produces a corresponding displayed image that can be viewed directly by a user, or viewed using an eye piece. A transmitter directs a probe beam to a target, and a returned portion of the probe beam is detected to estimate target distance or target speed. An image processor is coupled to the image sensor and the display so as to provide a digital image.

Abstract: An automated contract mediation system that (a) accepts tasks and parameters associated with the tasks from a requesting entity including a commitment to review the deliverables once received, (b) enables the requesting and commitment to complete the tasks to another entity, (c) receives deliverables related to the task from the other entity, (d) presents the deliverables to the requesting entity, (e) receives acceptance or rejection of the deliverables and takes action accordingly. For instance, if the deliverables are rejected, a deviation report can be submitted through the system to the other entity. The system also can process change requests, generate meeting minutes and provide risk management assessments.

Abstract: Multiple simultaneous auctions can be monitored and participated in using a single bidding device operated by a single remote bidder. A multi-windowed environment allows for the display of active bidding windows and docked bidding windows. The active bidding windows are fully functional bidding windows and include auction status, product information and the like. The docked bidding windows provide a subset of the information but, nonetheless provide real-time auction status information and allows for bidders to enter bids into the auctioning process without having to move the bidding window into an active status. A customer-identifier selector of identifier allows the remote bidder to associate a customer with a particular bidding window. The customer-identifier advantageously helps the remote bidder to track who purchased items are associated with, as well as providing control structure over the bidding process.

Abstract: An automotive power inverter is provided. The power inverter includes a chassis, a microelectronic die coupled to the chassis and having an integrated circuit formed thereon, and an insulating region between the chassis and the microelectronic die.