Abstract: A system includes a capacitively-coupled touch sensor having a conductive first layer and a conductive second layer on a first insulative layer. The width of the second layer varies along an axis of the first layer. A first excitation signal is applied to one of the first and second layers and is capacitively coupled through a touch element to the other layer, producing a first signal that produces a second signal which is digitized. Digitized peak values of the second signal are processed to compute a value for a touch element location. A conductive third layer can be placed on the opposite side of the first layer has width varying oppositely to the second layer. The first excitation signal is applied to the second layer and a non-overlapping second excitation signal is applied to the third layer. The resulting digitized peak values are processed to cancel errors due to variations.

Abstract: A system includes a capacitively-coupled touch sensor having a conductive first layer and a conductive second layer on a first insulative layer. The width of the second layer varies along an axis of the first layer. A first excitation signal is applied to one of the first and second layers and is capacitively coupled through a touch element to the other layer, producing a first signal that produces a second signal which is digitized. Digitized peak values of the second signal are processed to compute a value for a touch element location. A conductive third layer can be placed on the opposite side of the first layer has width varying oppositely to the second layer. The first excitation signal is applied to the second layer and a non-overlapping second excitation signal is applied to the third layer. The resulting digitized peak values are processed to cancel errors due to variations.

Abstract: A thermal management system for an engine is disclosed. The thermal management system may have a first heat exchanger situated to cool air directed into the engine, a pump configured to pressurize a fluid directed through the engine, and a second heat exchanger situated to transfer heat absorbed by the fluid to air directed into the engine. The thermal management system may also have a heater configured to provide supplemental heat to air directed into the engine.

Abstract: A thermal management system for an engine is disclosed. The thermal management system may have a first hydraulic circuit configured to circulate a fluid through the engine. The thermal management system may also have a second hydraulic circuit pressurized by the engine to heat the fluid during operation of the engine.

Abstract: A control system for an engine having a plurality of combustion chambers is disclosed. The control system may have a plurality of fuel injectors associated with the plurality of combustion chambers, and a controller in communication with each of the plurality of fuel injectors. The controller may be configured to determine a need to inhibit fueling of a subset of the plurality of combustion chambers. The controller may also be configured to selectively regulate the plurality of fuel injectors to inhibit fueling of a fraction of the subset at a time until fueling of all of the subset has been inhibited.

Abstract: A thermal management system for an engine is disclosed. The thermal management system may have a first heat exchanger situated to cool air directed into the engine, a pump configured to pressurize a fluid directed through the engine, and a second heat exchanger situated to transfer heat absorbed by the fluid to air directed into the engine. The thermal management system may also have a heater configured to provide supplemental heat to air directed into the engine.

Abstract: A thermal management system for an engine is disclosed. The thermal management system may have a first hydraulic circuit configured to circulate a fluid through the engine. The thermal management system may also have a second hydraulic circuit pressurized by the engine to heat the fluid during operation of the engine.

Abstract: A portable computing device includes at least three buttons and circuitry for sensing the pressing of at least three buttons, one being recessed, and in response to such sensing provides a battery disable signal to a non-removable battery. The portable computing device further includes circuitry for sensing the coupling of the device to a device cradle, and in response to such coupling, or in response to the press of the recess button, provides a battery enable signal to the non-removable battery.

Abstract: An alignment tool of the present invention is provided for aligning a sight for a bow. The alignment tool may comprise a sight reference plate comprising reference markings, and a support mechanism attached to the sight reference plate for releasably attaching the sight reference plate to the bow behind the sight such that the sight may be adjusted relative to the reference markings on the sight reference plate. The support mechanism may comprise a peg for releasable attachment to a stabilizer hole of the bow. The alignment tool may further comprise an additional structure for enabling the adjustment of the nocks, rest, and tiller of the bow.

Abstract: There is provided a display device which comprises a display housing. The display housing has an internal compartment defined by a plurality of connected panels. At least one of the panels is a heat-conducting panel which simulates a glass window. Moreover, a heat source is disposed within the inside compartment for generating heat therein. In addition, a plurality of window coverings each having a specific heat insulation property corresponding thereto are further provided. Each respective one of the plurality of window coverings are removably mountable to the display housing to insulate the heat conducting through the heat-conducting panel from within the internal compartment. By doing so, a consumer is able to determine the heat insulation property of each respective on of the plurality of window coverings.

Abstract: There is provided a display device which comprises a display housing. The display housing has an internal compartment defined by a plurality of connected panels. At least one of the panels is a heat-conducting panel which simulates a glass window. Moreover, a heat source is disposed within the inside compartment for generating heat therein. In addition, a plurality of window coverings each having a specific heat insulation property corresponding thereto are further provided. Each respective one of the plurality of window coverings are removably mountable to the display housing to insulate the heat conducting through the heat-conducting panel from within the internal compartment. By doing so, a consumer is able to determine the heat insulation property of each respective on of the plurality of window coverings.

Abstract: A portable computing device includes at least three buttons and circuitry for sensing the pressing of at least three buttons, one being recessed, and in response to such sensing provides a battery disable signal to a non-removable battery. The portable computing device further includes circuitry for sensing the coupling of the device to a device cradle, and in response to such coupling, or in response to the press of the recess button, provides a battery enable signal to the non-removable battery.

Abstract: An apparatus supports both (1) a cost-effective graphics device (such as an AGP device) integrated onto the motherboard, and (2) an upgradable computer system with an add-in card slot for receiving a second graphics device (such as a second AGP device) on a card. The apparatus is connected to a bus that has a first set of signals which is sensitive to noise. The apparatus also has a first switch connected to a first device, the first switch being connected to the first set of signals on the bus. The apparatus has a second switch which is adapted to be connected to a second device. The second switch is also connected to the first set of signals on the bus. The apparatus also has a detector connected to the first and second switches to enable the first switch if the first device is selected and otherwise enable the second switch.

Abstract: An LCD precharge regulator circuit providing current directly from the input battery voltage to precharge the LCD display. A first switch activates a precharge regulator coupled to the unregulated DC input voltage, to supply the power for the initial current surge from the DC input to charge the LCD display. The precharge regulator includes a transistor and a biasing circuit. The biasing circuit initially turns the transistor fully on, but increasingly biases the transistor off as the LCD display charges to just below the operating voltage of the LCD display. A delay circuit activates a second switch after the LCD display is substantially charged, where the second switch connects the supply voltage from the DC/DC converter to the LCD display. At that point, the transistor is biased off, isolating the LCD display from the DC input voltage. Thus, the supply voltage need only sustain the charge on the LCD display after being substantially charged.

Abstract: A simplified power on/off protect circuit is provided to enable logic above a predetermined power supply voltage level and disable the logic below such predetermined voltage level. The circuit comprises a zener diode in combination with a transistor such that the zener controls the voltage level at which the transistor turns on. The transistor enables the logic.