Abstract: A fuel tank baffle assembly is provided for installation in a fuel tank, the baffle assembly comprising a main body having a first end section, a second end section, and an intermediate section interconnecting the first and second end sections. Operably associated with the main body is at least one deployable auxiliary baffle structure. The auxiliary baffle structure is configured to be positioned in an undeployed state during installation into a fuel tank, thereby defining a first installation width of the baffle assembly. Following installation, the auxiliary baffle structure is deployed into an extended position, thereby defining an operational width for subsequent usage. The operational width is greater than the installation width.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for generating an encoded audio bitstream, including by including program loudness metadata and audio data in the bitstream, and optionally also program boundary metadata in at least one segment (e.g., frame) of the bitstream. Other aspects are apparatus and methods for decoding such a bitstream, e.g., including by performing adaptive loudness processing of the audio data of an audio program indicated by the bitstream, or authentication and/or validation of metadata and/or audio data of such an audio program. Another aspect is an audio processing unit (e.g., an encoder, decoder, or post-processor) configured (e.g., programmed) to perform any embodiment of the method or which includes a buffer memory which stores at least one frame of an audio bitstream generated in accordance with any embodiment of the method.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for generating an encoded audio bitstream, including by including program loudness metadata and audio data in the bitstream, and optionally also program boundary metadata in at least one segment (e.g., frame) of the bitstream. Other aspects are apparatus and methods for decoding such a bitstream, e.g., including by performing adaptive loudness processing of the audio data of an audio program indicated by the bitstream, or authentication and/or validation of metadata and/or audio data of such an audio program. Another aspect is an audio processing unit (e.g., an encoder, decoder, or post-processor) configured (e.g., programmed) to perform any embodiment of the method or which includes a buffer memory which stores at least one frame of an audio bitstream generated in accordance with any embodiment of the method.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for generating an encoded audio bitstream, including by including program loudness metadata and audio data in the bitstream, and optionally also program boundary metadata in at least one segment (e.g., frame) of the bitstream. Other aspects are apparatus and methods for decoding such a bitstream, e.g., including by performing adaptive loudness processing of the audio data of an audio program indicated by the bitstream, or authentication and/or validation of metadata and/or audio data of such an audio program. Another aspect is an audio processing unit (e.g., an encoder, decoder, or post-processor) configured (e.g., programmed) to perform any embodiment of the method or which includes a buffer memory which stores at least one frame of an audio bitstream generated in accordance with any embodiment of the method.

Abstract: Systems and methods for operating an engine in a variety of different cylinder operating modes are presented. In one example, an actual total number of available cylinder modes is increased in response to a vehicle's suspension setting and road roughness. By increasing the available cylinder modes, the engine may be operated in a higher number of modes where one or more engine cylinders may be deactivated to conserve fuel. The number of cylinder modes is increased during conditions where vehicle occupants may be less likely to object to operating the engine with fewer active cylinders.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for generating an encoded audio bitstream, including by including program loudness metadata and audio data in the bitstream, and optionally also program boundary metadata in at least one segment (e.g., frame) of the bitstream. Other aspects are apparatus and methods for decoding such a bitstream, e.g., including by performing adaptive loudness processing of the audio data of an audio program indicated by the bitstream, or authentication and/or validation of metadata and/or audio data of such an audio program. Another aspect is an audio processing unit (e.g., an encoder, decoder, or post-processor) configured (e.g., programmed) to perform any embodiment of the method or which includes a buffer memory which stores at least one frame of an audio bitstream generated in accordance with any embodiment of the method.

Abstract: Audio stems are generated to contain audio content to be mixed by recipient devices. Multiple sets of mixing instructions for multiple audio channel configurations are determined, for example, based on input of audio producers. Each set of mixing instructions is to be used for mixing the audio stems for rendering in a corresponding audio channel configuration. A bitstream is generated to carry both the audio stems and the sets of mixing instructions. A recipient device receives the bitstream as the input. The recipient device determines a specific audio channel configuration to be used for rendering the plurality of audio stems. Based on that determination, a specific set of mixing instructions is retrieved from the bitstream and used to mix the audio stems.

Abstract: The present document relates to transcoding of metadata, and in particular to a method and system for transcoding metadata with reduced computational complexity. A transcoder configured to transcode an inbound bitstream comprising an inbound content frame and an associated inbound metadata frame into an outbound bitstream comprising an outbound content frame and an associated outbound metadata frame is described. The inbound content frame is indicative of a signal encoded according to a first codec system and the outbound content frame is indicative of the signal encoded according to a second codec system. The transcoder is configured to identify an inbound block of metadata from the inbound metadata frame, the inbound block of metadata associated with an inbound descriptor indicative of one or more properties of metadata comprised within the inbound block of metadata, and to generate the outbound metadata frame from the inbound metadata frame based on the inbound descriptor.

Abstract: A communication device includes a display screen upon which information is displayed. A microprocessor configured to execute at least one notification program is provided that displays a notification descriptive of an access control request on the display screen. The at least one notification program is programmed to receive data indicative of an access control request and to receive data descriptive of the access control request. Additionally, the at least one notification program is further programmed to display a notification indicative of the access control request and comprising an explanation of the access control request based on the received descriptive data.

Abstract: Systems and methods for operating an engine with deactivating and non-deactivating valves are presented. In one example, valves of a cylinder are deactivated in a closed state in response to an indication of degradation of a valve of the cylinder. Further, fuel flow to the cylinder may be stopped via ceasing to inject fuel to the cylinder.

Abstract: Systems and methods for operating an engine with deactivating and non-deactivating valves are presented. In one example, mode changes between deactivating cylinders is based on an amount of time a valve is deactivated, and the longer the valve is deactivated the sooner cylinder valves may be deactivated. If the amount of time the valve is deactivated is short, the time that valves may be deactivated may be delayed.

Abstract: Systems and methods for operating an engine with deactivating and non-deactivating valves are presented. In one example, a position of one or more volumetric efficiency control devices is changed in response to a request to deactivate one or more engine cylinders while at the same time the engine central throttle is adjusted. Spark timing may also be adjusted if engine air flow deviates from a desired engine air flow.

Abstract: A vehicle may include a vehicle charging system having an alternator operatively coupled to an engine and a controller. The controller may be programmed to output a warning indicative of a vehicle charging system fault in response to a quotient of a voltage drop associated with the alternator and an output current of the alternator exceeding a threshold value while the alternator is operating in a steady state condition.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a power apparatus includes a buck converter including a first capacitor, a first inductor and a first switch for connection with a direct current power supply, wherein when the first switch is closed and the buck converter is connected to the direct current power supply, the first capacitor and the first inductor are connected in series to the direct current power supply, a full-bridge inverter including at least four switches including the first switch, a second, third and fourth switch so that the first switch is shared by the inventor and buck converter, the inverter being operative to convert direct current to alternating current by alternating (a) closing the first and fourth switch with the second and third switch open, and (b) closing the second and third switch with the first and fourth switch open, and a transformer to step down an output of the inverter.

Abstract: Systems and methods for providing additional security for data being transmitted across a wireless connection that has been established using a known wireless protocol (e.g. Bluetooth) are described. An encryption key is exchanged between a computing device (e.g. a mobile device) and a wireless peripheral device (e.g. a keyboard, a printer). In some embodiments, the encryption key is generated at one of the two devices. Data associated with the encryption key is output at the one device, which can be input by the user at the other device. The encryption key is then recovered at the other device from the input, thereby completing the key exchange. The encryption key can then be used to encrypt and decrypt data transmitted over the established wireless connection, providing additional security.

Abstract: A system for assessing a structure and the tools and processes used to form the structure is described. 2D images of the structure are captured and processed to obtain 3D information concerning the structure. Both 2D and 3D information is then used to identify and analyze selected characteristics of the structure. This analysis allows for a quality assessment of the structure. The selected characteristics are correlated with information relating to the operation of the tool that carried out the process that at least in part created the structure. The correlation of tool/process information to structure characteristics allows for the generation of feedback that may be used to modify the tool or processed used to form the structure.

Abstract: The present document relates to transcoding of metadata, and in particular to a method and system for transcoding metadata with reduced computational complexity. A transcoder configured to transcode an inbound bitstream comprising an inbound content frame and an associated inbound metadata frame into an outbound bitstream comprising an outbound content frame and an associated outbound metadata frame is described. The inbound content frame is indicative of a signal encoded according to a first codec system and the outbound content frame is indicative of the signal encoded according to a second codec system. The transcoder is configured to identify an inbound block of metadata from the inbound metadata frame, the inbound block of metadata associated with an inbound descriptor indicative of one or more properties of metadata comprised within the inbound block of metadata, and to generate the outbound metadata frame from the inbound metadata frame based on the inbound descriptor.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for generating an encoded audio bitstream, including by including program loudness metadata and audio data in the bitstream, and optionally also program boundary metadata in at least one segment (e.g., frame) of the bitstream. Other aspects are apparatus and methods for decoding such a bitstream, e.g., including by performing adaptive loudness processing of the audio data of an audio program indicated by the bitstream, or authentication and/or validation of metadata and/or audio data of such an audio program. Another aspect is an audio processing unit (e.g., an encoder, decoder, or post-processor) configured (e.g., programmed) to perform any embodiment of the method or which includes a buffer memory which stores at least one frame of an audio bitstream generated in accordance with any embodiment of the method.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for generating an encoded audio bitstream, including by including program loudness metadata and audio data in the bitstream, and optionally also program boundary metadata in at least one segment (e.g., frame) of the bitstream. Other aspects are apparatus and methods for decoding such a bitstream, e.g., including by performing adaptive loudness processing of the audio data of an audio program indicated by the bitstream, or authentication and/or validation of metadata and/or audio data of such an audio program. Another aspect is an audio processing unit (e.g., an encoder, decoder, or post-processor) configured (e.g., programmed) to perform any embodiment of the method or which includes a buffer memory which stores at least one frame of an audio bitstream generated in accordance with any embodiment of the method.