Abstract: A power supply includes a reference voltage generator circuit, a ramp generator circuit, and control circuitry. During operation, the reference voltage generator circuit compares a magnitude of a received output voltage feedback signal to a received reference voltage. Based on the comparison, the reference voltage generator circuit produces a varying reference voltage and outputs it to the ramp generator circuit. As its name suggests, a magnitude of the varying reference voltage varies over time. The ramp generator circuit produces a ramp voltage signal, a magnitude of which is offset by the varying reference voltage. To maintain an output voltage of the power supply within regulation, the control circuitry receives the varying reference voltage and controls activation of a power converter circuit to power a load based on a comparison of the ramp voltage signal and the output voltage feedback signal of the power supply.

Abstract: A preparation at least useful as a bone implant, which contains a solid component including a lithium compound and a calcium compound. The preparation shows an anti-bacterial ability in comparison with a preparation contains the calcium compound but free of the lithium compound.

Abstract: A power supply includes a reference voltage generator circuit, a ramp generator circuit, and control circuitry. During operation, the reference voltage generator circuit compares a magnitude of a received output voltage feedback signal to a received reference voltage. Based on the comparison, the reference voltage generator circuit produces a varying reference voltage and outputs it to the ramp generator circuit. As its name suggests, a magnitude of the varying reference voltage varies over time. The ramp generator circuit produces a ramp voltage signal, a magnitude of which is offset by the varying reference voltage. To maintain an output voltage of the power supply within regulation, the control circuitry receives the varying reference voltage and controls activation of a power converter circuit to power a load based on a comparison of the ramp voltage signal and the output voltage feedback signal of the power supply.

Abstract: A preparation at least useful as a bone implant is provided, which contains a solid component including a lithium compound and a calcium compound. The preparation shows an anti-bacterial ability in comparison with a preparation contains the calcium compound but free of the lithium compound.

Abstract: A multi string controller with independent current setting for each string is designed for solid state lighting applications. This controller can regulate multiple channels of LEDs. Each string may have a different forward voltage and current setting. A constant buck regulator is also integrated inside this controller to regulate the total current, which is fed into the LED output channels. The circuit also contains a feedback loop in order to precisely control the current passing through each string and is immune to transient conditions.

Abstract: A power supply includes a reference voltage generator circuit, a ramp generator circuit, and control circuitry. During operation, the reference voltage generator circuit compares a magnitude of a received output voltage feedback signal to a received reference voltage. Based on the comparison, the reference voltage generator circuit produces a varying reference voltage and outputs it to the ramp generator circuit. As its name suggests, a magnitude of the varying reference voltage varies over time. The ramp generator circuit produces a ramp voltage signal, a magnitude of which is offset by the varying reference voltage. To maintain an output voltage of the power supply within regulation, the control circuitry receives the varying reference voltage and controls activation of a power converter circuit to power a load based on a comparison of the ramp voltage signal and the output voltage feedback signal of the power supply.

Abstract: A method for improving the efficiency of an internal combustion engine having a cycle, for each cylinder of the engine, including intake, compression, power, and exhaust strokes, comprises inserting two strokes into the cycle in addition to the intake, compression, power, and exhaust strokes. No material other than air is introduced into each cylinder during either of the additional two strokes. A high efficiency internal combustion engine system having a cycle, for each cylinder of the engine, including intake, compression, power, and exhaust strokes, comprises a cylinder, a piston, an air intake device, a fuel injector, an exhaust valve device, a camshaft, and an electronic control unit (ECU) configured to control cylinder operation such that two strokes, in addition to the intake, compression, power, and exhaust strokes, are inserted into the cycle. No material other than air is introduced into each cylinder during either of the additional two strokes.

Abstract: Flexible light engines capable of being cut, and methods thereof, are provided. A cuttable flexible light engine includes a flexible strip and strings of solid state light sources coupled in parallel. A voltage balancer establishes a desired current flow through the strings of solid state light sources when the flexible strip is cut to a desired length, and may be part of a connector placed where the strip is cut. The strings may be provided in a first set of strings coupled in parallel between a first conductive path and an intermediate conductive path and a second set of strings coupled in parallel between the intermediated conductive path and a second conductive path. A cuttable flexible light engine may also include test points positioned within the strings.

Abstract: A method for improving the efficiency of an internal combustion engine having a cycle, for each cylinder of the engine, including intake, compression, power, and exhaust strokes, comprises inserting two strokes into the cycle in addition to the intake, compression, power, and exhaust strokes. No material other than air is introduced into each cylinder during either of the additional two strokes. A high efficiency internal combustion engine system having a cycle, for each cylinder of the engine, including intake, compression, power, and exhaust strokes, comprises a cylinder, a piston, an air intake device, a fuel injector, an exhaust valve device, a camshaft, and an electronic control unit (ECU) configured to control cylinder operation such that two strokes, in addition to the intake, compression, power, and exhaust strokes, are inserted into the cycle. No material other than air is introduced into each cylinder during either of the additional two strokes.

Abstract: Flexible light engines capable of being cut, and methods thereof, are provided. A cuttable flexible light engine includes a flexible strip and strings of solid state light sources coupled in parallel. A voltage balancer establishes a desired current flow through the strings of solid state light sources when the flexible strip is cut to a desired length, and may be part of a connector placed where the strip is cut. The strings may be provided in a first set of strings coupled in parallel between a first conductive path and an intermediate conductive path and a second set of strings coupled in parallel between the intermediated conductive path and a second conductive path. A cuttable flexible light engine may also include test points positioned within the strings.

Abstract: Flexible light engines capable of being cut, and methods thereof, are provided. A cuttable flexible light engine includes a flexible strip and strings of solid state light sources coupled in parallel. A voltage balancer establishes a desired current flow through the strings of solid state light sources when the flexible strip is cut to a desired length, and may be part of a connector placed where the strip is cut. The strings may be provided in a first set of strings coupled in parallel between a first conductive path and an intermediate conductive path and a second set of strings coupled in parallel between the intermediated conductive path and a second conductive path. A cuttable flexible light engine may also include test points positioned within the strings.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for restricting access to content elements with content ratings. In one method, the content distributor can receive a request from a device to access a set of content elements. The content distributor can then identify at least a content descriptor and a content rating for each content element within the set of content elements, identify a range within the content ratings, and identify content elements with content ratings that are within the range. The content distributor can transmit at least the content descriptors for content elements having content ratings that are within the range to the device for display on the device. This permits a device user to access the content elements by content descriptor. In this method, at least some content descriptors for content elements having content ratings that are outside of the range are not transmitted to the device.

Abstract: Techniques are disclosed for maintaining consistent lumen output of a lighting assembly over time. By maintaining a consistent lumen output, it is possible to maintain acceptable color stability where color mixing of multiple outputs is used. The lighting assembly may be any lighting configuration that might suffer from lumen depreciation and/or color drift over time, and may include any type(s) of light source(s) that may be monitored and driven accordingly. The lighting assembly, in addition to light source(s), includes a photo detector and a directed light source, such as a laser. The directed light source provides a golden sample for use in calibrating the photo detector, which in turn monitors lumen output of the light source(s). Drive signals are adjusted to account for lumen depreciation of the monitored light source(s).

Abstract: Systems and methods for detection of interconnected outputs of a power supply are provided. A first channel of a power supply is activated, such that power is supplied to a first load connected to the first channel. A first load voltage is measured for the first load. A second load voltage is measured for a second load connected to a second channel of the power supply. The second load voltage is compared to the first load voltage to generate an interconnection result. The power supply is shut down when the interconnection result indicates that the second load voltage matches the first load voltage, such that all channels of the power supply do not supply power to any load connected thereto.

Abstract: Systems and methods for a multichannel power supply are disclosed. The multichannel power supply includes a front end circuit configured to receive an input voltage and to provide a regulated front end direct current (DC) voltage. A multichannel source circuit is coupled to the front-end circuit. The multichannel source circuit includes a controller, a reference voltage circuit, and a plurality of source circuits. Each source circuit in the plurality of source circuits represents a distinct output channel of the multichannel power supply. The multichannel source circuit is configured to generate a constant current output for each source circuit in the plurality of source circuits. Each load in a plurality of loads is connected to a corresponding source circuit in the plurality of source circuits and is configured to receive the corresponding constant current output via the corresponding source circuit.

Abstract: Techniques are disclosed for maintaining consistent lumen output of a lighting assembly over time. By maintaining a consistent lumen output, it is possible to maintain acceptable color stability where color mixing of multiple outputs is used. The lighting assembly may be any lighting configuration that might suffer from lumen depreciation and/or color drift over time, and may include any type(s) of light source(s) that may be monitored and driven accordingly. The lighting assembly, in addition to light source(s), includes a photo detector and a directed light source, such as a laser. The directed light source provides a golden sample for use in calibrating the photo detector, which in turn monitors lumen output of the light source(s). Drive signals are adjusted to account for lumen depreciation of the monitored light source(s).

Abstract: Techniques are disclosed for maintaining consistent lumen output of a lighting assembly over time. By maintaining a consistent lumen output, it is possible to maintain acceptable color stability where color mixing of multiple outputs is used. The lighting assembly may be any lighting configuration that might suffer from lumen depreciation and/or color drift over time, and may include any type(s) of light source(s) that may be monitored and driven accordingly. The lighting assembly, in addition to light source(s), includes a photo detector and a directed light source, such as a laser. The directed light source provides a golden sample for use in calibrating the photo detector, which in turn monitors lumen output of the light source(s). Drive signals are adjusted to account for lumen depreciation of the monitored light source(s).

Abstract: Systems, methods, and computer program products for turn on optimization of a driver for one or more light sources are disclosed. A duty cycle value is selected from a table. The selected duty cycle corresponds to the target output current of the driver and has a corresponding voltage. The selected duty cycle is applied to the driver. An output voltage at the light source is measured, and compared to the corresponding voltage of the selected duty cycle to produce a voltage comparison result. Based on the comparison result, the selection of the duty cycle is adjusted. Additionally, an output current of the light source is measured and compared to the target output current, to produce a current comparison result. An adjustment coefficient is applied to a feedback circuit of the driver based thereon, wherein the feedback circuit adjusts a switching frequency of the driver based on the selected duty cycle.

Abstract: A storage unit management method for managing a plurality of physical units in a rewritable non-volatile memory module is provided, wherein the physical units are at least grouped into a data area and a spare area. The method includes configuring a plurality of logical units for mapping to the physical units belonging to the data area, and determining whether the rewritable non-volatile memory module contains cold data. The method further includes performing a first wear-leveling procedure on the physical units if it is determined that the rewritable non-volatile memory module does not contain any cold data, and performing a second wear-leveling procedure on the physical units if it is determined that the rewritable non-volatile memory module contains the cold data.

Abstract: Techniques are disclosed for maintaining consistent lumen output of a lighting assembly over time. By maintaining a consistent lumen output, it is possible to maintain acceptable color stability where color mixing of multiple outputs is used. The lighting assembly may be any lighting configuration that might suffer from lumen depreciation and/or color drift over time, and may include any type(s) of light source(s) that may be monitored and driven accordingly. The lighting assembly, in addition to light source(s), includes a photo detector and a directed light source, such as a laser. The directed light source provides a golden sample for use in calibrating the photo detector, which in turn monitors lumen output of the light source(s). Drive signals are adjusted to account for lumen depreciation of the monitored light source(s).