Abstract: According to an aspect of the invention, a motor drive circuit includes a first energy storage device configured to supply electrical energy, a bi-directional DC-to-DC voltage converter coupled to the first energy storage device, a voltage inverter coupled to the bi-directional DC-to-DC voltage converter, and an input device configured to receive electrical energy from an external energy source. The motor drive circuit further includes a coupling system coupled to the input device, to the first energy storage device, and to the bi-directional DC-to-DC voltage converter. The coupling system has a first configuration configured to transfer electrical energy to the first energy storage device via the bi-directional DC-to-DC voltage converter, and has a second configuration configured to transfer electrical energy from the first energy storage device to the voltage inverter via the bi-directional DC-to-DC voltage converter.

Abstract: Compositions, articles, systems, and methods for sensing and/or authentication using luminescence imaging are generally provided. In some embodiments, an article (or packaging material of an article) is associated with an emissive material comprising an emissive species (e.g., a luminescent species). In some cases, the emissive species has an emission lifetime of at least 10 nanoseconds (ns). In some cases, a characteristic of an article (e.g., identity, authenticity, age, quality, purity) may be determined by obtaining an image (or series of images) comprising time-dependent information related to an emissive species. In certain instances, for example, the emission lifetime of an emissive species may be determined from an image (or series of images). Since the emission lifetime of an emissive species may be modified by a number of factors, including but not limited to binding or proximity to other molecules (e.g.

Abstract: Components, systems, and methods for gas sensing identification are generally disclosed. In some embodiments, a characteristic of an article (e.g., identity, authenticity, property, product associated information such as age or quality, etc.) may be determined by determining the presence (e.g., an amount) or absence of a chemical compound (or compounds) emanating from the article. For example, the presence or absence of the compound (or compounds) emanating from the article identifies a characteristic of the article. In some embodiments, the chemical compound(s) has been proactively added to the article. That is to say, in some embodiments, the chemical compound is not inherently associated with the article but is added in order to, for example, identify a characteristic of the article.

Abstract: An electric vehicle includes a controller configured to receive sensor feedback from a high voltage storage device and from a low voltage storage device, compare the sensor feedback to operating limits of the respective high and low voltage storage device, determine, based on the comparison a total charging current to the high voltage storage device and to the low voltage storage device and a power split factor of the total charging current to the high voltage device and to the low voltage device, and regulate the total power to the low voltage storage device and the high voltage storage device based on the determination.

Abstract: In one aspect there is provided a foldable creeper having a body comprised of a foldable material. The body has a first end, a second end and is foldable in a direction along a folding axis. The creeper further comprises a bottom, a raisable circumferential wall having first end portion, a second end portion, a first side wall and a second side wall, said first and second side walls running along axes that are substantially parallel to the folding axis. A first locking member and a second locking member are provided for supporting the first and second side walls. The first end portion, the second end portion and the first and second side walls are moveable relative to the bottom and cooperate to form a circumferential raised barrier around the periphery when the creeper is in an unfolded configuration.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are systems and methods for detecting snore and automatically adjusting a bed system to a position intended to mitigate the snore. The bed system can include a mattress, an adjustable foundation, and a controller having a processor. The processor can be configured to generate, in response to sensing snoring from a user of the bed system, instructions for tilting the adjustable foundation to a predetermined position such that an angle between a head portion of the adjustable foundation and the ground is greater than an angle between a foot portion of the adjustable foundation and the ground. The ground can be a horizontal plane. The predetermined position can be a position intended to mitigate snore.

Abstract: A system includes a vehicle cover, a mechanical tensioning device, a memory device, storing instructions, and one or more processors configured to execute instructions to perform the steps of a method to secure a vehicle. The mechanical tensioning device may include attachment means to attach the device to a wheel of the vehicle and means to attach a security cable of the vehicle cover integrated into a bottom edge of the vehicle cover to the mechanical tensioning device. The mechanical tensioning device may include a rotational reel connected to either a tensioning motor or a tensioning crank and optionally including either a mechanical bi-stable device or one or more sensors configured to monitor the tension of the security cable when engaged to the mechanical tensioning device. The processor may monitor for a change in tension and execute one or more security measures in response.

Abstract: A drive circuit comprising a DC bus configured to supply power to a load, a first fuel cell coupled to the DC bus and configured to provide a first power output to the DC bus, and a second fuel cell coupled to the DC bus and configured to provide a second power output to the DC bus supplemental to the first fuel cell. The drive circuit further includes an energy storage device coupled to the DC bus and configured to receive energy from the DC bus when a combined output of the first and second fuel cells is greater than a power demand from a load, and provide energy to the DC bus when the combined output of the first and second fuel cells is less than the power demand from the load.

Abstract: Embodiments described herein generally relate to: sensing and/or authentication using luminescence imaging; diagnostic assays, systems, and related methods; temporal thermal sensing and related methods; and/or to emissive species, such as those excitable by white light, and related systems and methods.

Abstract: Embodiments described herein generally relate to: sensing and/or authentication using luminescence imaging; diagnostic assays, systems, and related methods; temporal thermal sensing and related methods; and/or to emissive species, such as those excitable by white light, and related systems and methods.

Abstract: A panel mounting system for mounting building materials to a building surface includes a rigid cleat fixed with the building surface. Multiple building panels each have a cleat depression formed in a rear surface for receiving the cleat. Each edge of the building panel interlocks with an adjacent panel so that all of the building panels hold each other together against the building surface along with the cleat. Some of the building panels may include a hooked flange projecting that engages a flange-receiving groove of an adjacent building panel to mutually secure the building panels together. Some embodiments include a gable rail fixed with the building surface that projecting outwardly to engage a gable rail-receiving slot formed within the rear surface of a trim panel that has an ornate front surface. Other decorative panels may be included for fixing with the trim panels or other of the bundling panels.

Abstract: A method for accommodating communication between a personal communication device and a satellite communication system includes identifying likely positions of one or more satellites and determining an orientation position of the personal communication device to potentially facilitate a wireless communication connection between the personal communication device and at least one satellite. The orientation position may be provided at a graphical user interface of the personal communication device. A signal received from the satellite may be detected and a determination may be made whether the satellite is capable of establishing the wireless communication connection between the personal communication device and the satellite.

Abstract: Various embodiments are directed to a modular headset assembly comprising a headband, a detachable audio module in wired communication with a computing device via a cord coupled to the detachable audio module, the detachable audio module being detachably secured relative to the headband and comprising: a module housing; and a cord retention element disposed within an interior of the module housing and comprising an at least partially dynamic configuration relative to the module housing defined at least in part by a range of relative rotational motion between the cord retention element and the module housing, wherein the cord retention element may rotate within the module housing at least partially independently of an angular configuration of the module housing; wherein the cord is engaged with the cord retention element such that the cord retention element may rotates along the range of relative rotational motion based on forces acting on the cord.

Abstract: An apparatus comprises a power electronic energy conversion system comprising a first energy storage device configured to store DC energy and a first voltage converter configured to convert a second voltage from a remote power supply into a first charging voltage configured to charge the first energy storage device. The apparatus also includes a first controller configured to control the first voltage converter to convert the second voltage into the first charging voltage and to provide the first charging voltage to the first energy storage device during a charging mode of operation and communicate with a second controller located remotely from the power electronic energy conversion system to cause a second charging voltage to be provided to the first energy storage device during the charging mode of operation to rapidly charge the first energy storage device.

Abstract: A system includes a vehicle cover, a mechanical tensioning device, a memory device, storing instructions, and one or more processors configured to execute instructions to perform the steps of a method to secure a vehicle. The mechanical tensioning device may include attachment means to attach the device to a wheel of the vehicle and means to attach a security cable of the vehicle cover integrated into a bottom edge of the vehicle cover to the mechanical tensioning device. The mechanical tensioning device may include a rotational reel connected to either a tensioning motor or a tensioning crank and optionally including either a mechanical bi-stable device or one or more sensors configured to monitor the tension of the security cable when engaged to the mechanical tensioning device. The processor may monitor for a change in tension and execute one or more security measures in response.

Abstract: Embodiments described herein generally relate to: sensing and/or authentication using luminescence imaging; diagnostic assays, systems, and related methods; temporal thermal sensing and related methods; and/or to emissive species, such as those excitable by white light, and related systems and methods.

Abstract: This application relates to systems and methods for scaling and assembling framed images, and to offering the framed images for purchase. In some embodiments, a computing device is configured to receive a first customer selection of a frame style and a frame size, where the frame size indicates dimensions of a frame window. The computing device is also configured to receive a second customer selection of a mat style. Further, the computing device is configured to determine, based at least on the dimensions of the frame window and the mat style, a mat size, where the mat size includes dimensions of a mat window. The computing device is also configured to determine, based at least on the dimensions of the mat window, an image size for an image. For example, the computing device may execute a rule-based model, or a machine learning model, to determine the image size.

Abstract: An apparatus comprises a power electronic energy conversion system comprising a first energy storage device configured to store DC energy and a first voltage converter configured to convert a second voltage from a remote power supply into a first charging voltage configured to charge the first energy storage device. The apparatus also includes a first controller configured to control the first voltage converter to convert the second voltage into the first charging voltage and to provide the first charging voltage to the first energy storage device during a charging mode of operation and communicate with a second controller located remotely from the power electronic energy conversion system to cause a second charging voltage to be provided to the first energy storage device during the charging mode of operation to rapidly charge the first energy storage device.