Abstract: An all fiber wavelength selective coupler provides wavelength selective transfer of optical energy between two or more separated waveguides. The coupler includes signal cores that are separated enough that they can be fusion spliced to standard fibers as lead-in and lead-out pigtails. A bridge between the signal cores facilitates transfer of the optical energy through a process of evanescent coupling. In one example, the bridge is formed of a series of graded index cores.

Abstract: Industrial machines positioned along a gas transmission pipeline are controlled using setpoints. Operators of such pipelines would benefit from real-time data and recommendations to guide them in optimizing performance of the pipelines. Accordingly, a compression optimization system is disclosed that monitors and provides real-time data and notifications, recommends optimal control setpoints using a machine-learning or other artificial-intelligence model, which may self-learn to realistically represent the pipeline, and executes simulations for hypothetical scenarios. The compression optimization system enables efficient management of the gas transmission pipeline.

Abstract: A vehicle includes a vehicle body including a truck bed at least partially defining a cargo area, a vehicle interior with front passenger seating and rear passenger seating, and a modular, multi-component hard top assembly. The hard top assembly is configured to selectively and removably couple interchangeably between (i) the vehicle body to provide an enclosed configuration at least partially enclosing the vehicle interior, and (ii) the truck bed to function as a truck bed storage cover to enclose the cargo area and provide a securable storage compartment. The multi-component hard top assembly is detachable from the vehicle body to provide an open air configuration for the vehicle interior.

Abstract: A method of forming a data-hiding watermark on a surface may include encoding data within an image using the chrominance data of the of the image, adjusting at least one characteristic of the image to enhance the prominence of the encoded data within the image, and printing the adjusted, encoded image onto the surface.

Abstract: A forceps is provided and includes a housing having a shaft. An end effector assembly operatively connects to a distal end of the shaft and includes a pair of first and second jaw members. One or both of the first and second jaw members is movable relative to the other jaw member from a clamping position to an open position. A resilient member operably couples to at least one of the first and second jaw members. The resilient member is configured to bias the first and second jaw members in the clamping position and provide a closure force on tissue disposed therebetween.

Abstract: Embodiments of an invention a processor architecture are disclosed. In an embodiment, a processor includes a decoder, an execution unit, a coherent cache, and an interconnect. The decoder is to decode an instruction to zero a cache line. The execution unit is to issue a write command to initiate a cache line sized write of zeros. The coherent cache is to receive the write command, to determine whether there is a hit in the coherent cache and whether a cache coherency protocol state of the hit cache line is a modified state or an exclusive state, to configure a cache line to indicate all zeros, and to issue the write command toward the interconnect. The interconnect is to, responsive to receipt of the write command, issue a snoop to each of a plurality of other coherent caches for which it must be determined if there is a hit.

Abstract: A door assembly includes a doorframe, an insulated glazing unit (IGU), door skins, and a gas passageway. The IGU includes a substantially sealed IGU cavity and a hole communicating with the IGU cavity. The door skins are secured to opposite sides of the doorframe and have openings between which the IGU is provided. The gas passageway provides gas communication between the IGU cavity and the atmosphere outside of the door assembly. The gas passageway contains a gas passage conduit that includes a first end communicating with the IGU cavity through the hole and a second end communicating with atmosphere outside of the door assembly. The gas passageway may contain a gas passage conduit having a first end communicating with the IGU cavity through the first hole and a second end communicating with an air pocket, and a channel connects the air pocket with atmosphere outside of the door assembly.

Abstract: A cord holder is shown and disclosed. The cord holder has a bridge and a fixture on each end of the bridge. The fixture has a finger on the outermost edge of the bridge which extends from one side of the bridge to the other side forming an upwardly opening saddle. A pair of knobs located adjacent to the fingers, extend from the bottom of the bridge. The arrangement of the knobs forms a downward opening curved area for housing the cord. The user inserts one cord into the saddle and the curved area on one end and the second cord into the saddle and curved area on the opposite end. The ends of the cords can then be attached and retained below the bridge in this plugged together position until removed by the users as the cords are retained preventing premature disconnect of the cords. Alternative embodiments show a cord holder either translatable or fixed to one end of the cord. Another embodiment shows multiple cord holders attached to form a multiple line extension cord.

Abstract: A technique for operating a vehicle detection system involves obtaining samples randomly from a detector of the vehicle detection system and determining the presence of a vehicle in response to the random samples. When multiple detectors are located in close proximity to each other, the likelihood of interference caused by concurrent sampling events is reduced because of the randomness of the sampling, which in turn reduces the occurrence of incorrect vehicle detection results. Control systems for vehicle detection systems obtain the random samples independently from each other. Because the random samples are obtained independently from each other, multiple inductive loop vehicle detection systems can be operated in close proximity to each other without having to be coordinated or synchronized in any way. The possibility of an incorrect vehicle detection as a result of concurrent sampling events can be further reduced using validity checking techniques.

Abstract: A technique for operating a vehicle detection system involves obtaining samples randomly from a detector of the vehicle detection system and determining the presence of a vehicle in response to the random samples. When multiple detectors are located in close proximity to each other, the likelihood of interference caused by concurrent sampling events is reduced because of the randomness of the sampling, which in turn reduces the occurrence of incorrect vehicle detection results. Control systems for vehicle detection systems obtain the random samples independently from each other. Because the random samples are obtained independently from each other, multiple inductive loop vehicle detection systems can be operated in close proximity to each other without having to be coordinated or synchronized in any way. The possibility of an incorrect vehicle detection as a result of concurrent sampling events can be further reduced using validity checking techniques.

Abstract: A system is shown, which when attached to an internal combustion engine, will charge the air/fuel mixture or fuel mixture and oppositely charge the spark plug such that the air/fuel mixture or fuel mixture will be attracted to the opposite charge of the spark plug in the combustion chamber resulting in fewer exhaust emissions.

Abstract: A programmable vehicle detector with operator actuatable function selection and parameter value setting keys, and an operational display. A small cluster (four) of key switches enables an operator to select programmable vehicle detector functions, such as pulse/presence, scanning/non-scanning, end of green control; and also adjust the value of settable parameters, such as loop frequency, sensitivity, delay time, and maximum presence time. The value of certain parameters is displayed, either by manual interrogation by operation of the switches during a set mode or automatically during normal operation. During normal operation, the display also indicates dynamically the relative value of the loop inductance, using a unique bar graph, the generation of Call a signal, and the time remaining in a delay time period and a maximum presence time period. The display further indicates which of several channels has been selected for function and parameter programming, or is currently being monitored for operation.

Abstract: A vehicle detector with improved reference tracking routines in both the Call direction and the No Call direction. Call direction tracking includes rate sensitive tracking in which the reference is only changed in response to small fluctuations in loop frequency due to drift, and one or more fixed decrementing tracking intervals during which the reference is decremented at a fixed rate for a maximum predetermined period of time. Call direction tracking also includes infinite tracking during which the reference is decremented to an end value representative of loop inductance prior to the generation of a call signal. No Call tracking permits reference updating only after the loop frequency has stabilized for a minimum period of time, a minimum number of loop frequency samples or both.

Abstract: An estimate of the number of vehicles crossing a loop inductor having one or more interconnected discrete loops of the type found in vehicle detector system installations. A measuring signal follows changes in loop inductance caused by the influence of vehicles crossing the loop inductor. A vehicle count threshold value is computed by observing changes in the measuring signal caused by the first car crossing the loop. Subsequent excursions of the measuring signal between relative minima and relative maxima are tested against the threshold and a vehicle count event is registered when the differences exceed the threshold. After a predetermined count period, the number of vehicle counts is estimated from the total count events by multiplying them by an interpolation factor determined empirically from the type of loop inductor. Apparatus for perfoming the method is combined with a conventional vehicle detector system in a switch selectable apparatus for specifying vehicle detector mode or vehicle count mode.

Abstract: A process for polymerizing vinyl halide monomer in a large capacity reactor. Liquid polymerization medium comprising water, surfactant, and monomer is charged to the reactor, polymerization catalyst is added, and the polymerization medium is agitated in a manner to provide substantially laminar flow along a circular path about a generally vertical centrally located axis in the reaction zone. The polymerization medium is agitated in a manner to provide localized turbulent mixing near the periphery of the reaction zone, and the polymerization medium is maintained within selected ranges of temperature and pressure through the action of a vertical condensing tube positioned at the top of the reactor.