Abstract: In an embodiment, a method includes: providing a gray-coded time reference to a time-to-digital converter (TDC); receiving an event from an event signal; latching the gray-coded time reference into a memory upon reception of the event signal; and updating a time-of-flight (ToF) histogram based on the latched gray-coded time reference.

Abstract: Generating a three-dimensional radiation dose matrix for a patient for controlling the delivery of radiation dose to patients. The three-dimensional radiation dose matrix for the patient based on an intensity of radiation fields delivered by a radiation therapy delivery system that intersect with volume elements of a patient and determined by a predictive model. The intensity of the radiation fields at volume elements of the patient determined from spatial position data of the volume elements in a patient and radiation therapy delivery system data.

Abstract: A distance from an apparatus to at least one object is determined by generating a first signal and generating light modulated by the first signal to be emitted from the apparatus. Light reflected by the at least one object is detected using a Time-of-flight detector array, wherein each array element of the Time-of-flight detector array generates an output signal from a series of photon counts over a number of consecutive non-overlapping time periods. The output signals are compared to the first signal to determine at least one signal phase difference. From this at least one signal phase difference a distance from the apparatus to the at least one object is determined.

Abstract: A single photon avalanche diode based range detecting apparatus includes a reference array of single photon avalanche diodes configured to receive light from an illumination source via an internally coupled path. A return array of single photon avalanche diodes is configured to receive light from the illumination source via an external free space path. A calibration pulse generator is configured to generate a calibration signal pulse. Readout circuitry is configured to receive an output of the reference array via a reference signal path, an output of the return array via a return signal path, and an output of the calibration pulse generator via a calibration signal path. The readout circuitry is configured to determine a delay difference value between the reference signal path and the return signal path based on the output of the calibration pulse generator via the calibration signal path.

Abstract: A distance from an apparatus to at least one object is determined by generating a first signal and generating light modulated by the first signal to be emitted from the apparatus. Light reflected by the at least one object is detected using a Time-of-flight detector array, wherein each array element of the Time-of-flight detector array generates an output signal from a series of photon counts over a number of consecutive non-overlapping time periods. The output signals are compared to the first signal to determine at least one signal phase difference. From this at least one signal phase difference a distance from the apparatus to the at least one object is determined.

Abstract: Techniques for video with dynamic pixel update rates are described. A first video frame is received from a video source, the first video frame having a first pixel value at a first frame location of a plurality of frame locations, wherein the first frame location includes a horizontal pixel location and a vertical pixel location. A second video frame is received from the video source, the second video frame having a second pixel value at the first frame location. The first frame location is identified based at least in part on determining a difference between the first pixel value and the second pixel value. A package including a pixel update value and an indication of the first frame location is sent to a video destination, wherein the pixel update value is based at least in part on the second pixel value.

Abstract: A system and method for dispensing sparkling and other pressurized beverages from a container. Sparkling wine and other beverages may be dispensed without removing a cork or other closure. One or more needles may be inserted through the closure and sparkling beverage dispensed through the one or more needles. The one or more needles may be inserted at an angle to the vertical or axis of the bottle opening in which the closure is positioned, e.g., to avoid contact with a metal retainer on the closure. Dispensed beverage may be directed to a pressurized reservoir to help maintain or recover carbonation prior to dispensing.

Abstract: An electronic device includes laser emitters, and a laser driver generating a laser drive signal for the laser emitters based upon a feedback control signal. A steering circuit selectively steers the laser drive signal to a different selected one of the plurality of laser emitters and prevents the laser drive signal from being steered to non-selected ones of the plurality of laser emitters, during each of a plurality of time periods. Control circuitry senses a magnitude of a current of the laser drive signal and generates the feedback control signal based thereupon. The feedback control signal is generated so as to cause the laser driver to generate the laser drive signal as having a current with a substantially constant magnitude.

Abstract: A ranging system includes a first ranging unit with a first laser driver, a first control circuit generating a first trigger signal, and a first data interface with a first trigger transmitter transmitting the first trigger signal over a first data transmission line and a first calibration receiver receiving a first calibration signal over a second data transmission line. A second ranging unit includes a second laser driver, a second data interface with a second trigger receiver receiving the first trigger signal and a second calibration transmitter transmitting the first calibration signal, and a second control circuit generating the first calibration signal in response to receipt of the first trigger signal. The first control circuit determines an elapsed time between transmission of the first trigger signal and receipt of the first calibration signal. The determined elapsed time is used to synchronize activation of the first and second laser drivers.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and computer-readable media for real-time video streaming with latency control are disclosed. Using a media streaming system, a current frame of a video input is acquired from an input pipeline. The current frame is associated with a timestamp. A mapped timestamp associated with the current frame is determined. The mapped timestamp represents the timestamp mapped to a clock associated with the media streaming system. Based at least in part on a comparison between the mapped timestamp and a deadline for frame output, the current frame is either transmitted to an output pipeline according to the deadline, held for evaluation against one or more subsequent deadlines, or discarded.

Abstract: Generating a three-dimensional radiation dose matrix for a patient for controlling the delivery of radiation dose to patients. The three-dimensional radiation dose matrix for the patient based on an intensity of radiation fields delivered by a radiation therapy delivery system that intersect with volume elements of a patient and determined by a predictive model. The intensity of the radiation fields at volume elements of the patient determined from spatial position data of the volume elements in a patient and radiation therapy delivery system data.

Abstract: Systems and methods are described to enable synchronized encoding of streaming audio or video content between multiple encoders, in a manner that provides for seamlessly interchangeable encodings. Within a pool of encoders, each encoder can generate state information regarding its state of encoding, and share that state information with a controller. The control can compare the state information of the various encoders to determine whether a desynchronization has occurred. When a desynchronization does occur, such as due to intermittent network packet loss, the controller can determine an authoritative state for the pool, and instruct desynchronized encoders to resynchronize to the authoritative state, resulting in identical or interchangeable encoded content being output from each encoder of the pool.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a diode including a first doped structure, doped with a first type of material and forming at least part of an isolation structure for the diode; at least one contact structure located within the first doped structure, the at least one contact structure forming one of the cathode or anode of the diode; a second doped structure, doped with a second type of material, and forming at least one depletion region or PN junction with the first doped structure; at least one second contact structure located within the second doped structure, the at least one second contact structure forming the other of the anode or the cathode of the diode; at least one further contact structure, doped with the first type of material, the at least one further contact structure forming at least one further depletion region or further PN junction, such that the at least one further depletion region is configured to steer charge from the at least one depletion region and thus decrease the sensitivity

Abstract: Methods of inserting and retaining interbody fusion material are disclosed. In some embodiments, the methods include inserting an anchored implant comprising a bone anchoring portion and an engagement portion. A method may also include inserting at least one bone fusion material within a disc space between two adjacent vertebral bodies. In some embodiments, a method includes driving the bone anchoring portion into an outer surface of at least one of the adjacent vertebral bodies and recessing the bone anchoring portion within the outer surface of the at least one adjacent vertebral body.

Abstract: In an embodiment, a TDC includes: a clock input configured to receive a reference clock that is synchronized with a first event; a clock generation circuit configured to generate a first clock at a first output of the clock generation circuit based on the reference clock, the first clock having a second frequency lower than the reference clock; a data input configured to receive an input stream of pulses, where the input stream of pulses is based on the first event; a sampling circuit having an input register, the sampling circuit coupled to the data input, the sampling circuit configured to continuously sample the input stream of pulses into the input register based on the reference clock; and output terminals configured to stream time stamps based on the input stream of pulses at the second frequency, where the stream of time stamps is synchronized with the first clock.

Abstract: A video packaging and origination service can include one or more encoder components that receive content for encoding and transmitting to requesting entities. During the operation of the encoder components, individual encoders receive input signals for encoding and determine quality metric information related to the generation of an encoded segment. The encoder components exchange quality metric information and an encoder component is selected to transmit an encoded segment. The selection of an individual encoder component per segment can continue throughout the streaming process.

Abstract: A contribution encoder receives media from a source, encodes the media, and transmits the encoded media to a network-adaptive encoding system for eventual distribution to end users. The network-adaptive encoding system tests a network connection between the contribution encoder and the network-adaptive encoding system before transmission of the encoded media begins. The network-adaptive encoding system uses the results of the test to select appropriate values for parameters that define the encoding and transmission of the media. The selected parameter values are transmitted by the network-adaptive encoding system to the contribution encoder for use in encoding and transmitting the media.

Abstract: In an embodiment of the present invention, a method for controlling a voltage across a single photon avalanche diode includes: providing an output based on a current flowing through the single photon avalanche diode; and controlling the voltage applied across the single photon avalanche diode based on the provided output.

Abstract: Systems and methods are described to enable synchronized encoding of streaming audio or video content between multiple encoders, in a manner that provides for seamlessly interchangeable encodings. Within a pool of encoders, each encoder can periodically generate state information regarding its state of encoding, and share that state information with other encoders. The other encoders can compare the state information to their current state, to determine whether a desynchronization has occurred. When a desynchronization does occur, such as due to intermittent network packet loss, the encoders within the pool can evaluate the shared state information to determine an authoritative state, and then resynchronize to the authoritative state, resulting in identical or interchangeable encoded content being output from each encoder of the pool.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention relate generally to tissue anchors and methods of delivering same to the intervertebral disc or other sites within the body. In some embodiments, the anchors provide pull-out resistance, stability and/or maximize contact with tissue involving a minimum amount of penetration. In some embodiments, delivery methods are minimally invasive and include linear, lateral, and off-angle implantation or driving of anchors along, against or within tissue surfaces.