Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for generation of lower-frequency tactile energy (e.g., vibration) of a vehicle system based on audio signals. In one example, a method may include acquiring an audio signal from an audio system, generating a motor input command, and applying the motor input command to at least a first traction motor and a second traction motor to create a resultant vibrational force.

Abstract: Charging control systems and methods are provided for controlling noise emission levels when charging an electrified vehicle. The nose emission levels may be controlled based on one or more user-defined rules associated with a custom quiet zone. The charging control systems may include one or more user interfaces designed to allow users to establish the user-defined rules which bound the custom quiet zone.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for generation of lower-frequency tactile energy (e.g., vibration) of a vehicle system based on audio signals. In one example, a method may include acquiring an audio signal from an audio system, generating a motor input command, and applying the motor input command to at least a first traction motor and a second traction motor to create a resultant vibrational force.

Abstract: A method of actuating an article using a servo actuation system is disclosed. The system comprises a motor, a controller and an inverter. The controller comprises a position controller, a velocity controller and a current controller; the position controller outputs velocity demands to the velocity controller, the velocity controller outputs current demands to the current controller, and the current controller outputs voltage demands to the inverter. The inverter outputs inverted voltage demands to the motor. The method comprises: determining a parameter downstream of the inverter; calculating a limiting value from the parameter and a defined supply power limit; and applying the limiting value in the controller to ensure that the power drawn by the servo actuation system remains within the defined supply power limit.

Abstract: A battery powered device is configured to allow the device to be stored for extended periods of time with a lithium battery installed and operable. An electronic switch is coupled between the battery and processing logic of the device and is biased off to block all current flow to the processing logic while the device is in a storage state. A user may perform a simple action to overcome the bias such that the electronic switch is turned on and allows current to flow to the processing logic in an operational state. Later, the user may perform another simple action to restore the bias such that the electronic switch is turned off to return the device to the storage state in which essentially no current is drained from the battery.

Abstract: An object-detection system suitable for an automated vehicle includes an object-detection device and an accelerometer. The object-detection device is configured to be installed on a vehicle. The object-detection device is operable to detect an object proximate to the vehicle. The accelerometer is coupled to the object-detection device. The accelerometer operable to determine an orientation-angle of the object-detection device relative to a gravity-direction.

Abstract: An example method, set of machine readable instructions stored on a storage device, and computer system, each adapted for determining an acceptable offer price for a product or service are described herein. In the method, a reserve price is set for a desired product or service that is displayed to a user. Upon receiving an offer on the product or service by the user, a given fee may be billed to the user in response thereto. Upon the input of the offer, a determination is made as to whether or not it meets or exceeds the set reserve price. If the offer amount is less than the reserve price, the reserve price is automatically lowered by a given amount, otherwise the offered amount input by the user for the desired product or service is accepted.

Abstract: An apparatus for stretching the lower back includes a waist garment configured for placement around a person's waist. It also includes at least one stretchable elastic element for interconnecting the waist garment with a surface. The elastic element is stretchable when interconnecting the waist garment with the surface from a materially biased configuration by a person wearing the waist garment and tensioning the stretchable elastic element by pushing away from the surface to thereby apply force to the person's back via the waist garment. The apparatus also includes at least one foot support element against which a person can push his foot to push away from the surface, thus imposing a therapeutic force on his lower back.

Abstract: A radial closure device has a compression element to place compression force against the radial access site. The invention further comprises an occlusion element that places an occlusion force against the ulnar artery to reduce blood pressure at the arteriotomy site and increase blood flow in the radial artery thereby reducing radial artery occlusion and reducing the time and compression force to achieve hemostasis. A radial restriction element can also be placed upstream of the access site to further reduce radial blood pressure at the arteriotomy site.

Abstract: An electrical drive system includes an electric motor having an armature, which is mounted on a stator, and a rotor, wherein aligning stator flux with rotor flux enables current to flow in the armature without inducing torque on the rotor shaft. The disclosed operation may be used, for example, in testing the electrical drive system. The electric drive system can carry full rated current yet produce little or no torque, thereby increasing the current that can be tested during electrical drive test procedures without producing undesired forces or motion. The method may be used, for example, in heating the electric motor, for example for de-icing.

Abstract: A wheel assembly for a wheel chair allows the occupant to transfer laterally without encountering obstruction from a fixed mobilization or transfer wheel. In one embodiment the wheel is slid rearward and locked to allow the occupant to transfer laterally in front of the slidable wheel. In another embodiment a chordal portion of the wheel is temporarily removed to allow transfer over the remaining portion of the wheel. Another embodiment enables the chair occupant to mobilize vertically to allow lateral transfer over a standard fixed mobilization wheel; alternately, a further embodiment allows the occupant to mobilize forward to allow lateral transfer in front of a standard fixed mobilization wheel.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed that provide a riflescope with an internal display. In some embodiments, the riflescope may include a housing; an ocular system disposed within the housing; a reticle disposed within the housing and viewable through the ocular system; an adjustment knob coupled with the housing and the reticle, the adjustment knob configured to move the reticle; a position encoder configured to provide position data representing a relative position of the reticle relative to at least a portion of the riflescope; a display system providing a display viewable through the ocular system; a memory having ballistic information stored therein; and a processor coupled with the memory, the position encoder, and the display system. The processor may be configured to determine an adjustment value based on the position data and the ballistic information and provide the adjustment value to the display system for display.

Abstract: A system for accessing a desired location in the heart or other target areas has an alignment catheter which directs a directional element towards a target area. A second directional element can be directed towards a target tissue, using the known location of the first directional element as a basis to easily locate other tissues and targets. One or more stabilization elements can help to stabilize the distal portion of the apparatus near the target area. The system can be used for transvenous access to the transatrial septum for transatrial access to the mitral valve, for example, and can use a stabilization basket near the right atrium. The system can be used for coronary sinus access or access to other targets. Various configurations are disclosed, as are various stabilization elements, directional elements, combinations, and methods.

Abstract: Transcatheter mitral valve replacement is provided which includes a stabilizing stent portion for placement at a mitral annulus, with a narrowed waist portion to avoid significantly dilating the annulus, and expanded bulb portions at the atrial and ventricular ends to secure the device in position. A housing is attached to the stabilizing stent and reduces in diameter to a smaller tract portion where replacement valve leaflets are secured. The resulting smaller replacement mitral valve offers benefits including a lower introduction profile, yet fits and secures to the native annulus by the securing stent and housing. Expansion limiting elements can limit expansion of portions of self-expanding stent if desired, avoiding excessive mitral annulus dilation or providing a fixed diameter in other portions of the stent or housing. Two-step implantation can be accomplished by making the housing functional as a temporary valve.

Abstract: A battery powered device is configured to allow the device to be stored for extended periods of time with a lithium battery installed and operable. An electronic switch is coupled between the battery and processing logic of the device and is biased off to block all current flow to the processing logic while the device is in a storage state. A user may perform a simple action to overcome the bias such that the electronic switch is turned on and allows current to flow to the processing logic in an operational state. Later, the user may perform another simple action to restore the bias such that the electronic switch is turned off to return the device to the storage state in which essentially no current is drained from the battery.

Abstract: An electrical drive system includes an electric motor having an armature, which is mounted on a stator, and a rotor, wherein aligning stator flux with rotor flux enables current to flow in the armature without inducing torque on the rotor shaft. The disclosed operation may be used, for example, in testing the electrical drive system. The electric drive system can carry full rated current yet produce little or no torque, thereby increasing the current that can be tested during electrical drive test procedures without producing undesired forces or motion. The method may be used, for example, in heating the electric motor, for example for de-icing.

Abstract: An apparatus for stretching the lower back includes a waist garment configured for placement around a person's waist. It also includes at least one stretchable elastic element for interconnecting the waist garment with a surface. The elastic element is stretchable when interconnecting the waist garment with the surface from a materially biased configuration by a person wearing the waist garment and tensioning the stretchable elastic element by pushing away from the surface to thereby apply force to the person's back via the waist garment. The apparatus also includes at least one foot support element against which a person can push his foot to push away from the surface, thus imposing a therapeutic force on his lower back.

Abstract: An apparatus for stretching the lower back. A person lie supine on a horizontal padded surface at the end of which are two vertical rigid foot bars. The person wears a waist band around his waist and connects the waist band to left and right elastic members, each of which is connected to a respective foot bar. By pushing his feet against the foot bars, the person pushes the remainder of his body away from the foot bars, thereby stretching the elastic members and imposing a therapeutic force on his lower back.

Abstract: An apparatus for stretching the lower back. A person lie supine on a horizontal padded surface at the end of which are two vertical rigid foot bars. The person wears a waist band around his waist and connects the waist band to left and right elastic members, each of which is connected to a respective foot bar. By pushing his feet against the foot bars, the person pushes the remainder of his body away from the foot bars, thereby stretching the elastic members and imposing a therapeutic force on his lower back.

Abstract: A combined battery and wireless-communications apparatus and method. In some embodiments, the apparatus includes a support, a first conductive layer deposited on a first surface area of the support, a thin-film battery including a cathode layer, a solid-state electrolyte layer, and an anode layer deposited such that either the anode layer or the cathode layer is in electrical contact with the first conductive layer, an antenna mounted to the support structure, and an electronic communications circuit mounted to the support and electrically coupled to the battery and the antenna to transceive radio communications. Other embodiments include an energy-receiving device mounted to the support structure, and an electronic communications circuit mounted to the support structure and including a recharging circuit, the recharging circuit electrically coupled to the battery and the energy-receiving device to recharge the battery using energy received by the energy-receiving device.