Abstract: An access device for accessing an intervertebral disc having an outer shield comprising an access shield with a larger diameter (˜16-30 mm) that reaches from the skin down to the facet line, with an inner shield having a second smaller diameter (˜5-12 mm) extending past the access shield and reaches down to the disc level. This combines the benefits of the direct visual microsurgical/mini open approaches and the percutaneous, “ultra-MIS” techniques.

Abstract: An access device for accessing an intervertebral disc having an outer shield comprising an access shield with a larger diameter (˜16-30 mm) that reaches from the skin down to the facet line, with an inner shield having a second smaller diameter (˜5-12 mm) extending past the access shield and reaches down to the disc level. This combines the benefits of the direct visual microsurgical/mini open approaches and the percutaneous, “ultra-MIS” techniques.

Abstract: An access device for accessing an intervertebral disc having an outer shield comprising an access shield with a larger diameter (˜16-30 mm) that reaches from the skin down to the facet line, with an inner shield having a second smaller diameter (˜5-12 mm) extending past the access shield and reaches down to the disc level. This combines the benefits of the direct visual microsurgical/mini open approaches and the percutaneous, “ultra-MIS” techniques.

Abstract: A watch strap assembly may include a first watch strap and a second watch strap. The first watch strap may include a first strap body and a confining strap. The confining strap may be integrally formed with the first strap body. The confining strap may be located between two opposite ends in a length direction of the first strap body. A channel is defined between the confining strap and the first strap body. The second watch strap may include a second strap body. An end of the second strap body may be capable of passing through the channel and being secured to the first strap body.

Abstract: A liquid filtration device comprises: filter modules, wherein each of the filter modules has a layer for a bio-film and a first group of particles; and a biobridge, wherein the biobridge is coupled to the filter modules, wherein an input liquid is disposed on the filter modules, and wherein for each of the filter modules the input liquid is filtered by passing through the respective layer and the respective first group of particles.

Abstract: An access device for accessing an intervertebral disc having an outer shield comprising an access shield with a larger diameter (˜16-30 mm) that reaches from the skin down to the facet line, with an inner shield having a second smaller diameter (˜5-12 mm) extending past the access shield and reaches down to the disc level. This combines the benefits of the direct visual microsurgical/mini open approaches and the percutaneous, “ultra-MIS” techniques.

Abstract: This document describes a system and method for determining a location of a mobile device within an enclosed space using audio localization techniques. In particular, the system and method utilizes audio localization techniques to identify the location of a mobile device within a multi-storey multi-room structure or an enclosure with multiple rooms.

Abstract: A determination is made as to whether touch pressure data acquired from each of a plurality of touch pressure sensors is indicative of abnormal operation. If abnormal operation is indicated, the touch pressure data from each of the plurality of touch pressure sensors, except those touch pressure sensors having touch pressure data indicative of abnormal operation, is summed. Then, the sum is multiplied by a correction factor to produce a touch pressure output indicative of physical force applied to the plurality of touch pressure sensors.

Abstract: A device includes a touch and pressure sensitive screen having touch pressure sensors and a controller. The controller acquires touch pressure data from the plurality of touch pressure sensors. For each touch pressure sensor, the controller determines whether the touch pressure data from that touch pressure sensor is indicative of abnormal operation of that touch pressure sensor. Where no abnormal operation is indicated, the controller sums the touch pressure data from each of the touch pressure sensors to produce a touch pressure output. Where abnormal operation is indicated, the controller sums the touch pressure data from each of the touch pressure sensors and multiply the sum by a correction factor to produce the touch pressure output.

Abstract: A capacitive discharge circuit includes a line having a capacitance, a switched capacitor circuit including a capacitor, a switched circuit coupled to the line, and a voltage regulator coupled between the switched capacitor circuit and the switched circuit. A controller operates the switched capacitor circuit and switched circuit to in a first phase, charge the capacitor by coupling the capacitor between a common mode and a power supply, and in a second phase, discharge the capacitor by coupling the voltage regulator in series with the capacitor between the power supply node a ground. The controller is also configured to in a third phase, charge the capacitor by coupling the capacitor between the common mode and the power supply, and in a fourth phase, share charge between the line and the capacitor by coupling the voltage regulator and the capacitor in series between the line and the ground.

Abstract: A system and method for synchronizing two devices in communication with each other. When communication between the two devices is to be established, a synchronization process may be invoked. In an embodiment, a first device may initiate sending synchronization signals having rising edge and falling edge pairs. The second device may include a controller configured to receive the synchronization signals. However, noise may inhibit the ability of the controller to correctly receive and/or interpret the synchronization signals. Noise may cause detection components to falsely detect noise as a synchronization signal or may cause detection components to miss detection of an actual synchronization signal. A window generator may be used to generate comparison windows for the controller to detect synchronization signals.

Abstract: A device includes a touch and pressure sensitive screen having touch pressure sensors and a controller. The controller acquires touch pressure data from the plurality of touch pressure sensors. For each touch pressure sensor, the controller determines whether the touch pressure data from that touch pressure sensor is indicative of abnormal operation of that touch pressure sensor. Where no abnormal operation is indicated, the controller sums the touch pressure data from each of the touch pressure sensors to produce a touch pressure output. Where abnormal operation is indicated, the controller sums the touch pressure data from each of the touch pressure sensors and multiply the sum by a correction factor to produce the touch pressure output.

Abstract: An active stylus is capacitively coupled to a capacitive touch panel for communication. The active stylus operates in a wait mode to receive initial communications from the panel. In response to such receipt, the active stylus synchronizes to a repeating communications frame implementing time division multiplexing. Communications from the active stylus to the panel include: information communications; synchronization communications and communications specific for columns and/or rows of the panel. Communications from the panel to the active stylus may be addressed uniquely to the stylus or commonly to a group of styluses.

Abstract: A capacitive sensing system includes a capacitive sensing panel with drive lines and sense lines. Each drive line includes a drive circuit. A code generator operates to generate modulation codes. A drive controller generates drive signals wherein each drive signal is modulated by one of the modulation codes. The generated drive signals are applied to the drive lines through the drive circuits. The drive controller operates to simultaneously generate the drive signals for application to a corresponding group of drive lines during a drive period. Separate groups of drive lines are sequentially driven with the same drive signals during drive periods that only partially overlap.

Abstract: An apparatus for generating purified liquid from an input liquid, comprises, an evaporation chamber, wherein the evaporation chamber is flooded with the input liquid; and a condensation chamber having channels, wherein the channels are disposed in the input liquid, wherein liquid-saturated gases are generated from the input liquid in the evaporation chamber, wherein the liquid-saturated gases are guided into a first end of the channels, and wherein the purified liquid is outputted at a second end of the channels.

Abstract: A system and method for synchronizing two devices in communication with each other. When communication between the two devices is to be established, a synchronization process may be invoked. In an embodiment, a first device may initiate sending synchronization signals having rising edge and falling edge pairs. The second device may include a controller configured to receive the synchronization signals. However, noise may inhibit the ability of the controller to correctly receive and/or interpret the synchronization signals. Noise may cause detection components to falsely detect noise as a synchronization signal or may cause detection components to miss detection of an actual synchronization signal. A window generator may be used to generate comparison windows for the controller to detect synchronization signals.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is an electronic device including a first touch circuit to be coupled to a first touch sensing unit, the first touch sensing unit having first drive lines and first sense lines intersecting the first drive lines. A second touch circuit is to be coupled to a second touch sensing unit, the second touch sensing unit having second drive lines and second sense lines intersecting the second drive lines. A touch force circuit is to be coupled to a touch force sensing unit, the touch force sensing unit having third drive lines and third sense lines intersecting the third drive lines. The first touch circuit, second touch circuit, and touch force circuit are configured to drive the first, second, and third drive lines as a function of a synchronization signal, and acquire data from the first, second, and third sense lines as a function of the synchronization signal.

Abstract: A system and method for synchronizing two devices in communication with each other. When communication between the two devices is to be established, a synchronization process may be invoked. In an embodiment, a first device may initiate sending synchronization signals having rising edge and falling edge pairs. The second device may include a controller configured to receive the synchronization signals. However, noise may inhibit the ability of the controller to correctly receive and/or interpret the synchronization signals. Noise may cause detection components to falsely detect noise as a synchronization signal or may cause detection components to miss detection of an actual synchronization signal. A window generator may be used to generate comparison windows for the controller to detect synchronization signals.

Abstract: A capacitive discharge circuit includes a line having a capacitance, a switched capacitor circuit including a capacitor, a switched circuit coupled to the line, and a voltage regulator coupled between the switched capacitor circuit and the switched circuit. A controller operates the switched capacitor circuit and switched circuit to in a first phase, charge the capacitor by coupling the capacitor between a common mode and a power supply, and in a second phase, discharge the capacitor by coupling the voltage regulator in series with the capacitor between the power supply node a ground. The controller is also configured to in a third phase, charge the capacitor by coupling the capacitor between the common mode and the power supply, and in a fourth phase, share charge between the line and the capacitor by coupling the voltage regulator and the capacitor in series between the line and the ground.

Abstract: An active stylus is capacitively coupled to a capacitive touch panel for communication. The active stylus operates in a wait mode to receive initial communications from the panel. In response to such receipt, the active stylus synchronizes to a repeating communications frame implementing time division multiplexing. Communications from the active stylus to the panel include: information communications; synchronization communications and communications specific for columns and/or rows of the panel. Communications from the panel to the active stylus may be addressed uniquely to the stylus or commonly to a group of styluses.