Abstract: A new serial bus interface module that enables constrained sensor systems to better match flash-based storage devices' (SD card) read and write performance. The serial bus interface module augments existing flash-based storage with non-volatile random-access memory to form a hybrid storage system using the most popularly used master-slave bus architecture. Together with PSC-like features, the serial bus interface module not only enables slave-to-slave transfer (therefore eliminating the double-transaction problem) but also reads caching (one source to multi-sink) and buffering while flushing. These transaction types enable multi-sector write for significantly faster speed and lower energy overhead, while the use of non-volatile memory for metadata caching means low risk of file-system corruption in the event of power failure. The serial bus interface also enables the direct data transfer from sensors to storage or communication modules without requiring the microprocessor's intervention.

Abstract: An efficient supercapacitor charging scheme with low ambient energy sources is provided. In one embodiment, a charging apparatus is disclosed. The apparatus includes a burst control module, and a boost converter configured to control a two-stage supercapacitor composition. The boost converter may be a pulse-frequency modulation (PFM) dc-dc boost converter and the apparatus may include a charge-strapping supercapacitor to control efficiency and the amount of burst charging time. Another embodiment is directed to a hysteretic charging scheme including controlling hysteresis, optimizing window size, and controlling a two-stage supercapacitor composition with a pulse-frequency modulation (PFM) dc-dc boost converter. The charging scheme is useful to extend the upper bound on the capacitance of supercapacitors.

Abstract: A system and method for measuring the movement of one or more limbs of an infant using a video system for the purpose of determining whether the infant suffers from or is at risk of suffering from a medical condition such as cerebral palsy.

Abstract: A new serial bus interface module that enables constrained sensor systems to better match flash-based storage devices' (SD card) read and write performance. The serial bus interface module augments existing flash-based storage with non-volatile random-access memory to form a hybrid storage system using the most popularly used master-slave bus architecture. Together with PSC-like features, the serial bus interface module not only enables slave-to-slave transfer (therefore eliminating the double-transaction problem) but also reads caching (one source to multi-sink) and buffering while flushing. These transaction types enable multi-sector write for significantly faster speed and lower energy overhead, while the use of non-volatile memory for metadata caching means low risk of file-system corruption in the event of power failure. The serial bus interface also enables the direct data transfer from sensors to storage or communication modules without requiring the microprocessor's intervention.

Abstract: A system and method for measuring the movement of one or more limbs of an infant using a video system for the purpose of determining whether the infant suffers from or is at risk of suffering from a medical condition such as cerebral palsy.