Abstract: A photovoltaic system is disclosed. The system includes a solar panel adapted for operative connection to a power sink for delivery of electric power from the solar panel to the power sink. The system also includes a power transfer circuit in operative communication with the solar panel. The power transfer circuit is adapted for connection to an AC power supply, and the power transfer circuit is configured to transfer current at a forward-biased voltage to a first terminal of the solar panel in response to a first half-cycle portion (e.g., a first of a positive or negative voltage portion) of the alternating current supplied to the solar panel and to prevent transmission of current to the first terminal of the solar panel in response to a second half-cycle portion (e.g., a second of the positive or negative voltage portion) of the alternating current.

Abstract: A system that includes an accelerometer configured to measure acceleration of a vehicle, a gyroscope configured to measure orientation of the vehicle, a memory having computer readable instructions, and a processor for executing the computer readable instructions. The computer readable instructions include performing at intervals: receiving acceleration data from the accelerometer; receiving orientation data from the gyroscope; combining the acceleration data and the orientation data to generate speed fluctuation and slope data for the vehicle; and transmitting the fluctuation and slope data to a controller of the vehicle. The controller utilizes the speed fluctuation and slope data to modulate an engine throttle of the vehicle.

Abstract: A system that includes an accelerometer configured to measure acceleration of a vehicle, a gyroscope configured to measure orientation of the vehicle, a memory having computer readable instructions, and a processor for executing the computer readable instructions. The computer readable instructions include performing at intervals: receiving acceleration data from the accelerometer; receiving orientation data from the gyroscope; combining the acceleration data and the orientation data to generate speed fluctuation and slope data for the vehicle; and transmitting the fluctuation and slope data to a controller of the vehicle. The controller utilizes the speed fluctuation and slope data to modulate an engine throttle of the vehicle.

Abstract: A handheld apparatus for contactless acquisition of a fingerprint image is disclosed. One such apparatus includes an enclosure and at least three digital image capture devices housed within the enclosure and arranged along an arc. The enclosure includes a hollow finger receiving area, sized and shaped to receive a finger. Each of the digital image capture devices is positioned along the arc at substantially a same distance from the finger receiving area and positioned along the arc to have a respective optical axis that lies at about 45° to another of the digital image capture devices. The optical axes intersect within the enclosure. Each digital image capture device is operable to acquire a partial fingerprint image of the finger in a contactless manner. Each partial fingerprint image corresponds to a different side of the finger. The acquired fingerprint images combine to produce a nail-to-nail fingerprint image.