Abstract: An optical beam steering device can include a first electrically conductive fluid having an optically reflective surface thereon, and this first electrically conductive fluid may include a material that deforms in response to application of a first magnetic field and/or first electric field thereto. This first electrically conductive fluid may be an optically reflective material. The optically reflective surface may at least partially cover a non-fluid substrate that maintains its shape in response to the application of the first magnetic field and/or first electric field. A sealed package may be provided, which includes the optical beam steering device, and the first electrically conductive fluid, the non-fluid substrate and an ambient within the package may be collectively configured to yield a substantially neutrally buoyant condition therein.

Abstract: A control circuit for a step-up converter includes a soft start module configured to control states of N transistor pairs of the step-up converter, where N is an integer greater than two. A driver module is in communication with the soft start module and configured to generate a first signal when N transistor pairs of the step-up converter are ready to switch. A first charging circuit is configured to charge (N-1) capacitors of the step-up converter to an input voltage of the step-up converter in response to the first signal and to generate a second signal when charging is complete. A second charging circuit is configured to sequentially charge the (N-1) capacitors of the step-up converter to (N-1) predetermined voltage values in response to the first signal and the second signal and before operation of the step-up converter begins.

Abstract: Polarizable diamond materials and methods for obtaining nuclear magnetic resonance spectra of samples external to the diamond materials are described. The diamond materials can include 12C, 13C, substitutional nitrogen, and nitrogen vacancy defects in a crystalline lattice, wherein the substitutional nitrogen concentration is between 10 ppm and 200 ppm, the nitrogen vacancy concentration is between 10 ppb and 10 ppm, and the 13C concentration is greater than 1.1% and not more than 25%. Methods for obtaining nuclear magnetic resonance spectra can include optically pumping a diamond material to generate electron spin hyperpolarization in nitrogen vacancy centers, transferring the electron spin hyperpolarization to nuclei of the sample, and generating a nuclear magnetic resonance spectrum by applying a magnetic field to the sample, exciting the sample with a radio frequency pulse, and detecting a nuclear magnetic resonance response from the sample.

Abstract: A lighting system configured for daylight emulation. The system includes a plurality of light sources for generating a daylight-emulating output light spectrum. The system also includes a controller for dynamically controlling at least one of the intensity, directionality and color temperature to emulate sun position for at least one of a geography and time of day. The system further includes a networking facility that facilitates data communication with at least one external resource.

Abstract: The invention relates to multi-photon excitation microscopy, and in particular to a path planning module and calibration module for three mirror adaptive sampling system configured to automatically generate an optimized RGG mirror scanning path by scanning a Field of View, identifying multiple region of interest targets, and analyzing the targets to generate an optimized path. The invention also relates to methods for maintaining a high frame rate during wide field of view sampling.

Abstract: Systems and methods are described herein for controlling heat flow between systems of an electric automotive vehicle. An automotive electric vehicle system includes a high voltage battery system including an enclosure, an electric powertrain system, a radiator, coolant lines that permit coolant flow between the high voltage battery system, the power train system and the radiator, one or more valves for routing coolant along the coolant lines, and a controller. The controller is configured to control the one or more valves to control the flow of coolant among a plurality of different, selectable coolant flow states involving the high voltage battery system, the powertrain system and the radiator.

Abstract: Systems, tools and methods for 3D animation provided including: creating stereoscopic effect in 3D animation in a shot; determining maximum parallax in 3D animation; representation of stereo effect on a non-stereoscopic monitor in 3D animation; producing a digital contact sheet created for viewing in 3D animation; correcting for holes created by missing pixel information from a left camera perspective in 3D animation; real-time compositing of multiple stereo camera views in 3D animation; and emulation of multi-cam rig in 3D animation.

Abstract: An artificial light system that emulates daylight. The system includes at least one light engine, a light diffuser and a controller that is configured to generate light engine control signals based upon geographic location data. The light engine control signals are used to tune at least one of intensity, color temperature and directionality.

Abstract: A multi-level, step-up converter circuit includes an inductor including one terminal in communication with an input voltage supply. N transistor pairs are connected in series, where N is an integer greater than one. First and second transistors of a first pair of the N transistor pairs are connected together at a node. The node is in communication with another terminal of the inductor. Third and fourth transistors of a second pair of the N transistor pairs are connected to the first and second transistors, respectively. (N?1) capacitors have terminals connected between the N transistor pairs, respectively. An output capacitor has a terminal in communication with at least one transistor of the N transistor pair.

Abstract: The disclosed embodiments provide a system that facilitates broadcast transmission in a distributed content delivery network. The system includes a node in the distributed content delivery network that plays a content stream received over the distributed content delivery network. The node includes a leadership-management apparatus that identifies the node as a peer leader in a local network of the distributed content delivery network. The node also includes a broadcasting apparatus. Upon identification of the node as the peer leader, the broadcasting apparatus obtains the content stream from a content source, broadcasts the content stream to other nodes in the local network, and adjusts a bit rate of the content stream based on one or more attributes associated with obtaining the content stream from the content source.

Abstract: An artificial light system that emulates daylight. The system includes at least one light engine, a light diffuser and a controller that is configured to generate light engine control signals based upon geographic location data. The light engine control signals are used to tune at least one of intensity, color temperature and directionality.

Abstract: A multi-level, step-up converter circuit includes an inductor including one terminal in communication with an input voltage supply. N transistor pairs are connected in series, where N is an integer greater than one. First and second transistors of a first pair of the N transistor pairs are connected together at a node. The node is in communication with another terminal of the inductor. Third and fourth transistors of a second pair of the N transistor pairs are connected to the first and second transistors, respectively. (N?1) capacitors have terminals connected between the N transistor pairs, respectively. An output capacitor has a terminal in communication with at least one transistor of the N transistor pair.

Abstract: A control circuit for a step-up converter includes a soft start module configured to control states of N transistor pairs of the step-up converter, where N is an integer greater than two. A driver module is in communication with the soft start module and configured to generate a first signal when N transistor pairs of the step-up converter are ready to switch. A first charging circuit is configured to charge (N-1) capacitors of the step-up converter to an input voltage of the step-up converter in response to the first signal and to generate a second signal when charging is complete. A second charging circuit is configured to sequentially charge the (N-1) capacitors of the step-up converter to (N-1) predetermined voltage values in response to the first signal and the second signal and before operation of the step-up converter begins.

Abstract: A multi-level, step-up converter circuit includes an inductor including one terminal in communication with an input voltage supply. N transistor pairs are connected in series, where N is an integer greater than one. First and second transistors of a first pair of the N transistor pairs are connected together at a node. The node is in communication with another terminal of the inductor. Third and fourth transistors of a second pair of the N transistor pairs are connected to the first and second transistors, respectively. (N?1) capacitors have terminals connected between the N transistor pairs, respectively. An output capacitor has a terminal in communication with at least one transistor of the N transistor pair.

Abstract: A method that compensates for fluid pressure variations in a vehicle brake system so that the fluid pressure, brake torque and/or brake force at the wheel more accurately reflects that requested by the driver. In an exemplary embodiment, the method determines the braking intent of the driver, determines a current stage of the braking event (e.g., an apply stage, release stage, etc.), uses the braking event stage and the driver braking intent to select a pressure compensation, and uses the pressure compensation to generate compensated brake command signals for operating the vehicle brake system. This method is well suited for use with brake-by-wire systems, such as an electrohydraulic braking (EHB) system.

Abstract: A control circuit for a step-up converter includes a soft start module configured to control states of N transistor pairs of the step-up converter, where N is an integer greater than two. A driver module is in communication with the soft start module and configured to generate a first signal when N transistor pairs of the step-up converter are ready to switch. A first charging circuit is configured to charge (N?1) capacitors of the step-up converter to an input voltage of the step-up converter in response to the first signal and to generate a second signal when charging is complete. A second charging circuit is configured to sequentially charge the (N?1) capacitors of the step-up converter to (N?1) predetermined voltage values in response to the first signal and the second signal and before operation of the step-up converter begins.

Abstract: An activity band is provided and includes a strap, a cover section, a cover fastener, and an activity device receiving pocket. The cover section is positioned on top of and attached to the strap. The cover fastener is secured to the strap and positioned to correspond with the cover section. The activity device receiving pocket is located between the cover section and the strap.

Abstract: The disclosed embodiments provide a system that facilitates broadcast transmission in a distributed content delivery network. The system includes a node in the distributed content delivery network that plays a content stream received over the distributed content delivery network. The node includes a leadership-management apparatus that identifies the node as a peer leader in a local network of the distributed content delivery network. The node also includes a broadcasting apparatus. Upon identification of the node as the peer leader, the broadcasting apparatus obtains the content stream from a content source, broadcasts the content stream to other nodes in the local network, and adjusts a bit rate of the content stream based on one or more attributes associated with obtaining the content stream from the content source.

Abstract: A simulator is configured to simulate the fulfillment of orders by nodes. Each node has an inventory of products and is capable of shipping the products to destinations in response to receipt of a corresponding order. The simulator divides the nodes into groups and assigns a different priority to each group based on input provided by a user to the simulator to generate an ordered sequence of priorities. The simulator maintains safety stock data corresponding to each node that indicates minimum quantities of the products required to be present at the corresponding node. The simulator selects a current priority of the sequence and next simulates a first group among the groups having the current priority fulfilling the orders for a given product among the products while a quantity of the given product at each of the nodes in the first group is below the minimum quantity in the corresponding safety stock data.

Abstract: A simulator is configured to simulate the fulfillment of orders by nodes. Each node has an inventory of products and is capable of shipping the products to destinations in response to receipt of a corresponding order. The simulator divides the nodes into groups and assigns a different priority to each group based on input provided by a user to the simulator to generate an ordered sequence of priorities. The simulator maintains safety stock data corresponding to each node that indicates minimum quantities of the products required to be present at the corresponding node. The simulator selects a current priority of the sequence and next simulates a first group among the groups having the current priority fulfilling the orders for a given product among the products while a quantity of the given product at each of the nodes in the first group is below the minimum quantity in the corresponding safety stock data.