Abstract: A driving circuit for a solid state lighting apparatus includes a full wave rectifier configured to rectify an alternating current (AC) input voltage signal to generate a rectified input signal, a boost conversion circuit configured to receive the rectified input signal and responsively generate a direct current (DC) output voltage signal and to supply the output voltage signal to a solid state light source, and a boost control circuit coupled to the boost conversion circuit and configured to cause the boost conversion circuit to operate in a constant power mode.

Abstract: A method for implanting a stent includes contracting a self-expanding/forcibly-expanding stent of a shape-memory material set to a given shape to a reduced implantation size with a delivery system having drive wires. The stent has a selectively adjustable assembly with adjustable elements operatively connected to the drive wires such that, when the adjustable elements are adjusted by the drive wires, a configuration change in at least a portion of the self-expanding stent occurs. The contracted stent is inserted into a native annulus in which the stent is to be implanted. The drive wires are rotated with the delivery system to forcibly expand the stent into the native annulus. While rotating the drive wires, a torque applied to the drive wires is determined with the delivery system. Rotation of the drive wires is stopped based upon a value of the determined torque.

Abstract: Compounds are disclosed for the treatment, management and prevention of diseases and disorders affecting the bone. Particular compounds are potent inhibitors of Notum Pectinacetylesterase, and are of the formula: wherein E, G, Y, Z, R1, R2, and R3 are defined herein.

Abstract: A lane detection method wherein a digitized image of a lane is evaluated, including the following steps: detecting edges in the image, determining the angles of the detected edges with respect to a reference edge, removing the edges from the plurality of detected edges, the angle of which lies within a predetermined angle sector, and detecting the lane based on the remaining edges of the plurality of detected edges.

Abstract: A lighting apparatus includes at least one light emitting device and a reconfigurable driver circuit configured to drive the at least one light emitting device with an intensity that varies responsive to a dimming signal according to an adjustable mapping of the dimming signal to output of the light emitting device. In some embodiments, the mapping may be configurable using circuit component selection. In further embodiments, the mapping may be provided by a data input.

Abstract: A magnetic bracket includes a base and at least two posts at opposite ends of the base. The posts bend upwards from the base such that at least two clips are operable to attach at the posts at opposite ends of the base. The posts have a notch between the base and ends of the posts to permit the clips to hook onto the posts. The magnetic bracket may be clipped into a vehicle chassis by removably inserting the clips into a slot of the vehicle chassis. A body panel such as a headliner having a magnetic fastener attached to the body panel may then be magnetically self-aligned and removably attached to the base having a magnetic portion. The magnetic fastener is operable to be removably attached to the magnetic portion. The magnetic bracket is attached to a non-magnetic part of a vehicle chassis.

Abstract: A system and method for finding real terrain matches in a stereo image pair is presented. A method for finding differences of underlying terrain between a first stereo image and a second stereo image includes performing epipolar rectification on a stereo image pair to produce rectified image data. The method performs a hybrid stereo image matching on the rectified image data to produce image matching data. A digital surface model (DSM) is generated based on the image matching data. Next, the method identifies areas in the DSM where the stereo image matching should fail based on the image matching data and the DSM to generate predicted failures. The method can then determine real terrain changes based on the predicted failures and the image matching data.

Abstract: Compounds that may be used to inhibit Notum Pectinacetylesterase are described, as well as compositions comprising them, and methods of their use to treat diseases and disorders affecting bone.

Abstract: A multiturn rotary encoder includes a singleturn code disk which is joined in rotatably fixed manner to a shaft and which has a code track that is scannable by a singleturn scanning unit to ascertain the absolute position within one revolution of the shaft, a multiturn unit for measuring revolution data which are suitable for ascertaining the number of revolutions performed by the shaft, and an evaluation unit which is connected to the multiturn unit via at least two digital interfaces for transmitting the revolution data. The revolution data include at least two data words which have a different rate of change during rotation of the shaft, the interface for transmitting the data word having the highest rate of change to the evaluation unit is a parallel interface, and the interface for transmitting the data word having the lowest rate of change to the evaluation unit is a serial interface.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for estimating the roll angle in a travelling vehicle (7), comprising the following steps. In step a), a camera (8) is used to record a sequence of images of the vehicle's surroundings, in particular of the road (1) ahead. In step b), at least one signature (S1-S6) on the road surface is extracted from the camera images, i.e. said signature is determined and tracked. The changed position of the at least one signature (S1-S6) in one or more subsequent camera image(s) is used in step c) to determine in which direction the camera (8) is turned with regard to the roll angle. The value of the roll angle is estimated in step d). For this purpose, the roll angle is either directly estimated in step d1), taking into account the vehicle speed (v) and an imaging model of the camera (8), or the roll angle is iteratively increased or decreased by a defined correction angle in step d2) until the roll angle sufficiently compensates for the turning of the camera (8).

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for determining a gas concentration in a measuring gas by means of a gas sensor. In a first mode of operation of an internal combustion engine, in which the gas concentration in the measuring gas is known, a gas concentration signal and a pressure signal are detected. A compensation parameter of the gas sensor is determined from said signals. The thus determined compensation parameter is taken into account in at least one of the two modes of operation of the internal combustion engine for determining the gas concentration.

Abstract: The method relates to a trim part with an airbag cover, in particular for use in a motor vehicle, comprising a carrier and a haptics layer which are weakened along a tear line delimiting the airbag cover, and a decor layer of leather which covers the carrier and the haptics layer, wherein additionally a reinforcement layer is arranged between the haptics layer and the decor layer. According to the invention, the decor layer and the reinforcement layer have a constant thickness. The invention also relates to a method for manufacturing such a trim part.

Abstract: A circuit for generating an output current includes a control signal generating circuit that is configured to generate a control signal. The control signal is a function of a level of an analog input voltage signal, and a level of the output current is a function of a level of an analog input current signal and the level of the analog input voltage signal.

Abstract: A power conversion circuit includes a voltage boost circuit including a boost inductor configured to generate an output voltage in response to an input voltage, and a boost controller configured to control operation of the voltage boost circuit. The boost controller is configured to control operation of the voltage boost circuit in response to a level of current in the boost inductor.

Abstract: A power conversion circuit includes a voltage boost circuit configured to generate an output voltage in response to an input voltage, a boost controller configured to control operation of the voltage boost circuit, and a bias voltage generation circuit configured to generate a bias voltage. The bias generation circuit is configured to regulate a level of the bias voltage in response to a level of the input voltage.

Abstract: An electroacupuncture system for measuring and treating meridian energy balance in a patient. The system can include a pressure sensitive probe and return path contact, both of which are connected to an electrical potential source. The probe and contact are meant to be applied to a patient to diagnose and treat meridian energy imbalances. The system also includes a processing apparatus connected to the electrical potential source capable of interpreting the readings taken by the electrical potential source and probe and affecting operation of the system based on the readings. The processing apparatus may also use measurements to calculate an overall meridian energy balance number.

Abstract: A method for generating an integrated family of benchmarks representing portfolio allocations for a participant is described. At least two assets for a portfolio are identified. A current market rate for at least one of the assets and a break-even inflation rate for a predetermined time period are determined via a computing device. The computing device determines a portfolio allocation to each asset based on the current market rate and the break-even inflation for obtaining inflation-protected income for a predetermined number of years and then non-inflation protected income for subsequent years. The identified assets and the portfolio allocations are published via a network.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method and system for producing electrical current based on a temperature differential. The system comprises of at least one unit having a plurality of chips sandwiched between a higher temperature layer on one side and a lower temperature layer on an opposite side. Chips are preferably thermoelectric solid state chips that produce an electric current when there is a temperature differential created across the chips. There are a plurality of chips in each unit and the chips within each unit are electrically connected to one another in series. Preferably, there are a plurality of units.

Abstract: In a robotic scanning and processing system, at least one work station includes a pair of passing lanes along which workpieces are passable, a pair of scanners each for one of the passing lanes, and a robot arranged between the passing lanes and downstream of the scanners. The robot processes the workpieces, that have been scanned by the scanners, based on respective scan results provided by the scanners. Each of the scanners scans at least one workpiece on the respective passing lane, while the robot is processing another workpiece on the other passing lane based on the respective scan result outputted by the other scanner.

Abstract: A system and method for generating an integrated family of benchmarks representing portfolio allocations for a participant is described. At least two assets for a portfolio are identified. A current market rate for at least one of the assets and an expected inflation for a predetermined time period are determined via a computing device. The computing device determines a portfolio allocation to each asset based on the current market rate and the expected inflation so as to define a process for obtaining inflation-protected income for a predetermined number of years and then non-inflation protected income for subsequent years. The identified assets and the portfolio allocations are published via a network.