Abstract: An optical transformer includes a plurality of light emitters, a plurality of photovoltaic cells positioned to receive light from at least a first subset of the plurality of light emitters, the plurality of photovoltaic cells including at least a first photovoltaic cell and a second photovoltaic cell, and one or more optically triggered switches positioned to receive light from at least a second subset of the plurality of light emitters, the one or more optically triggered switches including at least a first optically triggered switch electrically coupled to the first photovoltaic cell and the second photovoltaic cell. A method of operating the optical transformer is also described.

Abstract: An eye-tracking device includes an optical device that includes a light source with an optical cavity and a light sensor. The light source is positioned to output coherent light toward an eye of a user and receive at least a portion of the coherent light back from the eye of the user as feedback light. The feedback light enters the optical cavity and causes modulation of an intensity of the coherent light. The light sensor is optically coupled with the light source for detecting the modulated intensity of the coherent light and generating one or more signals based on the detected intensity of the coherent light. The eye-tracking device also includes one or more processors that are coupled to the optical device for determining, from the one or more signals, movement information of the eye. A method of detecting movement of an eye using the eye-tracking device is also disclosed.

Abstract: A fuel storage and supply arrangement serves as a source of fuel to be dispensed via at least one fuel dispenser in a fuel dispensing environment. The arrangement comprises a storage tank for containing a quantity of the fuel, fuel piping configured to convey fuel from the fuel storage tank to a fuel dispenser, and a fuel conditioning and filtration assembly having an inlet in fluid communication with the fuel piping and an outlet in fluid communication with the fuel storage tank to return the fuel. A fuel conditioning and filtration element is interposed between the inlet and the outlet, the fuel conditioning and filtration element being configured to remove water from the fuel passing through the filter element. A flow valve allows and prevents flow of fuel through the filter element. Processing circuitry is operative to control the flow valve based on predetermined criteria.

Abstract: A convertible force latching system includes two complementary connector bodies. Each connector body has a first mating face under which two series of magnets oriented alternating directions. A moving portion of the latching system allows the connector bodies and the magnets within to alter their alignment by the interaction of a user along a predetermined motion path. In a first arrangement, the series of magnets are aligned with such that the magnets of one connector body are attracted to the magnets of the other connector body. When the user actuation shifts the moving portion, the second arrangement positions the series of magnets such that they are aligned such that the magnets of one connector body are repelled to the magnets of the other connector body.

Abstract: An optical transformer includes a light source and an array of photovoltaic cells optically coupled to the light source, where at least a portion of the photovoltaic cells are connected in series. An optical connector such as a waveguide or an optical fiber may be disposed between an output of the light source and an input of the array of photovoltaic cells. Configured to generate a high voltage output, the optical transformer may be configured to power a device such as an actuator that provides a tunable displacement as a function of voltage.

Abstract: A controller for a tiltable MEMS reflector is configured to oscillate the reflector about X axis or about X and Y axes, and to obtain information about current and past tilt angles. The controller is configured to evaluate tilt angles of the tiltable MEMS reflector at a later moment of time based on the previously obtained information about the tilt angles of the tiltable MEMS reflector at the different earlier moments of time. The controller may be further configured to energize the light source providing a light beam to the tiltable MEMS reflector at the later moment of time with brightness and color corresponding to the brightness and color of a pixel that will be painted by the tiltable MEMS reflector at the later moment of time. A statistical model may be combined with machine learning to accurately predict future tilt angles of the tiltable MEMS reflector.

Abstract: A convertible force latching system includes two complementary connector bodies. Each connector body has a first mating face under which two series of magnets oriented alternating directions. A moving portion of the latching system allows the connector bodies and the magnets within to alter their alignment by the interaction of a user along a predetermined motion path. In a first arrangement, the series of magnets are aligned with such that the magnets of one connector body are attracted to the magnets of the other connector body. When the user actuation shifts the moving portion, the second arrangement positions the series of magnets such that they are aligned such that the magnets of one connector body are repelled to the magnets of the other connector body.

Abstract: A controller for a tiltable MEMS reflector is configured to oscillate the reflector about X axis or about X and Y axes, and to obtain information about current and past tilt angles. The controller is configured to evaluate tilt angles of the tiltable MEMS reflector at a later moment of time based on the previously obtained information about the tilt angles of the tiltable MEMS reflector at the different earlier moments of time. The controller may be further configured to energize the light source providing a light beam to the tiltable MEMS reflector at the later moment of time with brightness and color corresponding to the brightness and color of a pixel that will be painted by the tiltable MEMS reflector at the later moment of time. A statistical model may be combined with machine learning to accurately predict future tilt angles of the tiltable MEMS reflector.

Abstract: A fuel storage and supply arrangement serves as a source of fuel to be dispensed via at least one fuel dispenser in a fuel dispensing environment. The arrangement comprises a storage tank for containing a quantity of the fuel, fuel piping configured to convey fuel from the fuel storage tank to a fuel dispenser, and a fuel conditioning and filtration assembly having an inlet in fluid communication with the fuel piping and an outlet in fluid communication with the fuel storage tank to return the fuel. A fuel conditioning and filtration element is interposed between the inlet and the outlet, the fuel conditioning and filtration element being configured to remove water from the fuel passing through the filter element. A flow valve allows and prevents flow of fuel through the filter element. Processing circuitry is operative to control the flow valve based on predetermined criteria.

Abstract: A method for implementing controller area network (CAN) communications between a plurality of CAN nodes using a single radio frequency (RF) coax cable is provided. In an aspect, a hardware interface (e.g., an electronic circuit) may be coupled to each of the plurality of CAN nodes. The hardware interface may receive a CAN signal from a first CAN node. The hardware interface may convert the CAN signal to a single RF signal and transmit the RF signal to a second CAN node over the single RF coax cable. Moreover, the hardware interface may transmit a CAN feedback signal received over the RF coax cable to the first CAN node. In an aspect, the hardware interface may include an amplitude modulation (AM) modulator, an AM detector, and a bandpass filter.

Abstract: Services can be isolated across a single physical network interface. A gateway that is installed at the user's premises can include a single inbound port over which multiple services can be provided to the premises. The gateway can evaluate all outbound frames that are received at the port to identify to which service they pertain and then tag the frames with an identifier assigned to the service. This tagging will enable the frames to be delivered to the intended service provider. When the gateway receives an inbound frame, it can strip the identifier from the frame and forward it over the single inbound port regardless of the service to which it pertains. In this way, multiple services that are provided to the user's premises can remain isolated on the wide area network even though they are provided over the same physical medium on the user's local area network.

Abstract: Services can be isolated across a single physical network interface. A gateway that is installed at the user's premises can include a single inbound port over which multiple services can be provided to the premises. The gateway can evaluate all outbound frames that are received at the port to identify to which service they pertain and then tag the frames with an identifier assigned to the service. This tagging will enable the frames to be delivered to the intended service provider. When the gateway receives an inbound frame, it can strip the identifier from the frame and forward it over the single inbound port regardless of the service to which it pertains. In this way, multiple services that are provided to the user's premises can remain isolated on the wide area network even though they are provided over the same physical medium on the user's local area network.

Abstract: A convertible force latching system includes two complementary connector bodies. Each connector body has a first mating face under which two series of magnets oriented alternating directions. A moving portion of the latching system allows the connector bodies and the magnets within to alter their alignment by the interaction of a user along a predetermined motion path. In a first arrangement, the series of magnets are aligned with such that the magnets of one connector body are attracted to the magnets of the other connector body. When the user actuation shifts the moving portion, the second arrangement positions the series of magnets such that they are aligned such that the magnets of one connector body are repelled to the magnets of the other connector body.

Abstract: A filter element has a first end cap and a ring of filter media. The first end cap includes structures projecting from the periphery to form a keyed connection with a filter bowl and filter head. Some of the projections are fixed lugs, while other projections are latch fingers arranged to move in an axial direction during mounting and dismounting of the filter assembly components. The filter element first end cap is configured to mate with the upper end of a filter bowl to form an element/bowl assembly. The mated structures of the element and bowl form the male part of a bayonet connection. The filter head defines a corresponding female bayonet connector part. The latch fingers retain the element to the bowl and the assembled element and bowl to the filter head.

Abstract: A method for implementing controller area network (CAN) communications between a plurality of CAN nodes using a single radio frequency (RF) coax cable is provided. In an aspect, a hardware interface (e.g., an electronic circuit) may be coupled to each of the plurality of CAN nodes. The hardware interface may receive a CAN signal from a first CAN node. The hardware interface may convert the CAN signal to a single RF signal and transmit the RF signal to a second CAN node over the single RF coax cable. Moreover, the hardware interface may transmit a CAN feedback signal received over the RF coax cable to the first CAN node. In an aspect, the hardware interface may include an amplitude modulation (AM) modulator, an AM detector, and a bandpass filter.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for automatically opening a seed packet and dispensing the contents of the same for planting is disclosed.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and devices for automatically and dynamically managing and coordinating network resources used by services between users over a data network having a network infrastructure. A network resources coordinator can include a knowledge store, rules library, rules engine, and orchestrator. The knowledge store can have a plurality of layered abstraction stores having stored thereon facts representative of a present state of the network. The rules library can include production rules representative of knowledge of the network and of users. The orchestrator can receive service requests from users and use the rules engine in conjunction with the production rules of the rules library and facts of the knowledge store to: determine network resources required and available for requested services, dynamically make automated decisions with respect to the network and users, detect and react to changes in the network in an automated fashion, and enforce constraints of the network.

Abstract: A water bladder system. An air valve, which may be a check valve, is configured to be coupled with the flexible container and selectively allow air to enter an interior of the flexible container. A release mechanism coupled with the flexible container selectively allows the fluid to exit the interior of the flexible container. An open-celled foam is included within the interior of the flexible container and is coated with a quaternary organosilane coating produced from a quaternary ammonium organosilane reagent.