Abstract: Molten carbonate fuel cell configurations are provided that allow for introduction of an anode input gas flow on a side of the fuel cell that is adjacent to the entry side for the cathode input gas flow while allowing the anode and cathode to operate under co-current flow and/or counter-current flow conditions. It has been discovered that improved flow properties can be achieved within the anode or cathode during co-current flow or counter-current flow operation by diverting the input flow for the anode or cathode into an extended edge seal region (in an extended edge seal chamber) adjacent to the active area of the anode or cathode, and then using a baffle to provide sufficient pressure drop for even flow distribution of the anode input flow across the anode or cathode input flow across the cathode.

Abstract: In some embodiments, an apparatus for performing reactive positioning of a robot gripper includes one or more fingers disposed on an end-effector of the robot, a signal processing circuit, a memory storing instructions, and a processor. Each of the one or more fingers includes a transducer configured to generate vibrational energy based on an input signal, and convert an acoustic reflection of the vibrational energy from an object into a voltage signal. The signal processing circuit is configured to provide the input signal to each transducer, and perform signal processing on the voltage signal of each transducer resulting in reflection data. The processor is configured to execute the instructions to perform pre-touch proximity detection on the reflection data, perform grasp positioning on the reflection data, perform contact detection from the reflection data, and provide, to the robot, results of the pre-touch proximity detection, the grasp positioning, and the contact detection.

Abstract: Techniques for biasing output transistor of a push-pull amplifier output stage are provided. In certain applications the techniques can improve efficiency of the amplifier. In an example, a circuit can include an output stage including first and second output transistors, a first scaled replica transistor corresponding to the first output transistor, and an amplifier circuit in a feedback arrangement for biasing a gate of the first output transistor at a level that, at a specified stand-by current level of the first output transistor, reproduces a voltage difference between the drain and source terminals of the first output transistor across the drain and source terminals of the first replica transistor.

Abstract: Circuitry and techniques described herein can use a clamp circuit to provide back-drive compensation in applications where a thermoelectric cooler (TEC) device is to be controlled. A back-drive compensation circuit can be used to inhibit or prevent a linear output stage of a TEC control circuit from being forced out of its intended operating range. The clamp circuit can be implemented using a variety of circuit topologies, such as including a comparator arrangement with hysteresis. In another approach, a linear amplifier topology can provide clamping behavior, such as by injecting or sinking a current at the output node or an intermediate node to inhibit or prevent the output node or intermediate node from being driven outside a specified voltage range by an external source.

Abstract: Techniques for biasing output transistor of a push-pull amplifier output stage are provided. In certain applications the techniques can improve efficiency of the amplifier. In an example, a circuit can include an output stage including first and second output transistors, a first scaled replica transistor corresponding to the first output transistor, and an amplifier circuit in a feedback arrangement for biasing a gate of the first output transistor at a level that, at a specified stand-by current level of the first output transistor, reproduces a voltage difference between the drain and source terminals of the first output transistor across the drain and source terminals of the first replica transistor.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention are directed to a pole vault landing system configured for receiving a pole vault box collar. The pole vault landing system may be comprised of a base section and a cutout section positioned adjacent to the base section, where both the base section and the cutout section have top and bottom surface. The bottom surface of the cut out section additionally comprises a recess dimensioned to receive a pole vault box collar such that when the cutout section is placed over a pole vault box and a pole vault box collar, the pole vault box collar is received in the recess and the bottom surface of the cutout section is substantially flush with the ground surrounding the pole vault box.

Abstract: Initial navigation directions are generated to guide a vehicle along an initial route between an origin and a destination. When the vehicle is a certain location disposed along the initial route, an alternate route to the destination is determined, such that the alternate route and the initial route diverge at a point of divergence between the current location of the vehicle and the destination. Boundaries of an announcement window within which the alternate route can be suggested are determined in view of a current speed of the vehicle. When the point of divergence is within the announcement window, generating, by the one or more processors, an interactive prompt to suggest that the alternate route be selected, such that the interactive prompt is not generated when the point of divergence is outside the announcement window.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for enabling existing or legacy network devices to handle packets defined in accordance with future-defined standards, without having to be re-configured to be compatible with these standards. A transmitting network device may generate packets, and may set in the packets indication fields (e.g., tag header type fields) to indicate when particular fields (e.g., tag header fields) are inserted into the packets, including unknown or newly-defined fields. The indication fields may enable a receiving device to handle the packets by skipping, when necessary, over these fields (e.g., including the unknown or newly-defined fields). The indication fields may, for example, identify for each packet a remaining portion to jump to without reading the inserted fields.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for enabling existing or legacy network devices to recognize and parse packets defined in accordance with future-defined standards, without having to be re-configured to be compatible with such standards. A transmitting network device may generate packets such that to enable receiving network devices to bypass, when processing the packets, unknown or newly-inserted fields, such as tag headers, in the packets, and to continue processing the remainder of the packet. This may be achieved by, for example, incorporating in the packets, when such unknown or newly-inserted are included in the packets, corresponding indication fields (e.g., tag header type fields) which may indicated that the unknown or newly-inserted are inserted. Further, indication fields may enable a receiving device to skip over these unknown or newly-inserted. For example, each tag header type filed may be associated with a particular tag header length of the corresponding tag header.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for enabling existing or legacy network devices to recognize and parse packets defined in accordance with future-defined standards, without having to be re-configured to be compatible with such standards. A transmitting network device may generate packets such that to enable receiving network devices to bypass, when processing the packets, unknown or newly-inserted fields, such as tag headers, in the packets, and to continue processing the remainder of the packet. This may be achieved by, for example, incorporating in the packets, when such unknown or newly-inserted are included in the packets, corresponding indication fields (e.g., tag header type fields) which may indicated that the unknown or newly-inserted are inserted. Further, indication fields may enable a receiving device to skip over these unknown or newly-inserted. For example, each tag header type filed may be associated with a particular tag header length of the corresponding tag header.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a method allowing an existing or legacy network device to recognize and parse packets defined in accordance with future-defined standards without having to be re-configured to be compatible with such standards. In particular, the device can skip past unknown or newly-inserted fields, such as tag headers in a tagged packet, to parse and process the remainder of the packet. By skipping those added fields such as a tag header, the device can accommodate various future-defined standards without incurring additional engineering or design costs or compromising packet processing efficiency.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a method allowing an existing or legacy network device to recognize and parse packets defined in accordance with future-defined standards without having to be re-configured to be compatible with such standards. In particular, the device can skip past unknown or newly-inserted fields, such as tag headers in a tagged packet, to parse and process the remainder of the packet. By skipping those added fields such as a tag header, the device can accommodate various future-defined standards without incurring additional engineering or design costs or compromising packet processing efficiency.

Abstract: Improved lighting devices and methods are provided. In many embodiments, the devices and methods provide the capability to change a spot of light projected onto a target surface. In other embodiments, the devices and methods are fixed-focus. In one embodiment a lens can have a lens body with anterior and posterior surfaces. The anterior surface can be adapted to receive light from a light source. The posterior surface can have a central portion and a peripheral portion. Some of the light from the light source can pass through the lens body and exit the central portion of the posterior surface via refraction. Some of the light from the light source can pass through the lens body and exit the peripheral portion of the posterior surface via both refraction and reflection at various surfaces of the lens.

Abstract: A method of scheduling a plurality of subscriber equipment based on sets of channel conditions and calculated power allocations for downlink channels of an air interface of a wireless communication system to satisfy a desired system requirement. A set of subscriber requesting access to the communication system or being provided access to the communication are selected by a scheduler based on their channel conditions and power allocation calculation. The scheduler then schedules the selected set of subscribers to achieve the desired system requirement whereby the subscribers simultaneously receive information from a multiple of antennas which are typically located at a base station.

Abstract: A position landmarking system operative with respect to an object includes an operative device including a reference point and configured for movement in a direction relative to the object. The position landmarking system also includes a sensor configured for detecting a stimulus at a location on the sensor and to be disposed relative to the object and corresponding to the direction of movement of the operative device. In response to the stimulus, the reference point of the operative device and the location on the sensor are aligned with each other via movement of the operative device relative to the object. The operative device may be configured for performing an operation relative to a base, the operative device and the base configured for movement relative to each other. The sensor may be configured for communication with the operative device, the base or both.

Abstract: A method of providing a plurality of schedulers for independently scheduling multiple subscribers to increase the capacity and/or throughput of an HDR wireless communication system. Each scheduler is associated with base station equipment and an antenna that receive channel conditions on which the scheduling of subscribers are based.

Abstract: A wireless data communication system simultaneously transmits data signals from more than one antenna with a deterministic, time-dependent phase difference between the signals. In one example, more than one antenna transmits the same data signal with a phase difference between the transmitted signals. In another example multiple users' data signals are simultaneously transmitted using a corresponding plurality of beams that each use at least two transmitting antennas. Transmissions to multiple users on a shared packet data channel can be scheduled at the same time. In one example, the phase difference is periodic and the beams are orthogonal to maximize system throughput even when one or more users is stationary or slowly moving.

Abstract: The compositions of this invention comprise a mixture of (1) phenylalanine and a dietary food supplement, (2) leucine and a dietary food supplement, and (3) hydrocinnamic acid and a dietary food supplement. The compositions are used for medicinal purposes to alleviate a variety of maladies.

Abstract: A wireless data communication system simultaneously transmits data signals from more than one antenna with a deterministic, time-dependent phase difference between the signals. In one example, more than one antenna transmits the same data signal with a phase difference between the transmitted signals. In another example multiple users' data signals are simultaneously transmitted using a corresponding plurality of beams that each use at least two transmitting antennas. Transmissions to multiple users on a shared packet data channel can be scheduled at the same time. In one example, the phase difference is periodic and the beams are orthogonal to maximize system throughput even when one or more users is stationary or slowly moving.