Abstract: An apparatus includes a first half-cell, a second half-cell, a multiplexer and a decision feedback equalizer. The first input stage may be configured to present a first differential input to the first auto-zero stage and the second auto-zero stage. The second input stage may be configured to present a second differential input to the third auto-zero stage and the fourth auto-zero stage. The multiplexer may be configured to receive a first output from the first auto-zero stage, receive a second output from the third auto-zero stage and present a decision feedback input comprising one of the first output and the second output. The decision feedback equalizer may be configured to generate a feedback signal in response to the decision feedback input and present the feedback signal to the first feedback buffer and the second feedback buffer.

Abstract: A device for treating skin includes a skin treatment member, a skin contacting surface, a mounting member for mounting the skin treatment member and the skin contacting surface, and a friction controlling device to control friction between the skin contacting surface and skin to be treated, in at least one controlled friction area of the skin contacting surface when the skin contacting surface is moved over the skin. The friction controlling device introduces a slip motion of the controlled friction area relative to the mounting member in a direction corresponding to a local direction of extension of the skin contacting surface. The device also includes a sensor for detecting a first parameter related to an amount of friction between the skin contacting surface and the skin during use, and the friction controlling device controls a second parameter of the slip motion in dependence on a value of the first parameter.

Abstract: A television playout system provided in a broadcast provider system receives a playout schedule, which corresponds to a live video feed of a channel broadcasted to one or more multichannel video program distributors (MVPDs), from a playout schedule source, and generates a new channel comprising one or more video on demand (VOD) content assets, based on one or more scheduling rules of the playout schedule, to be transmitted to a plurality of MVPDs at a time specified in the received playout schedule. The received live video feed of the channel is sanitized by removal of a lower third graphical content overlay from the live video feed for the generation of the new channel. A discontinuity is inserted between program segments to allow dynamic ad insertion (DAI) within the program segments of the live video feed for the new channel.

Abstract: A television playout system provided in a broadcast provider system receives a playout schedule, which corresponds to a live video feed of a channel broadcasted to one or more multichannel video program distributors (MVPDs), from a playout schedule source, and generates a new channel comprising one or more video on demand (VOD) content assets, based on one or more scheduling rules of the playout schedule, to be transmitted to a plurality of MVPDs at a time specified in the received playout schedule. The received live video feed of the channel is sanitized by removal of a lower third graphical content overlay from the live video feed for the generation of the new channel. A discontinuity is inserted between program segments to allow dynamic ad insertion (DAI) within the program segments of the live video feed for the new channel.

Abstract: A brush head assembly comprising: a hard platen; a plurality of bristle tufts, each of which comprises a plurality of bristle strands, each bristle tuft having a proximal end and a free end; and a flexible matrix at least partially comprised of a shear-thickening material for coupling the plurality of bristle tufts to the hard platen, wherein the flexible matrix is arranged such that there is shear-thickening material between the proximal ends of the plurality of bristle tufts and the hard platen. A method of manufacturing the brush head assembly for use with a personal care appliance.

Abstract: The invention provides an energy generation system comprising a generator having charged mutually rotating plate elements, and comprising an integrated drive mechanism for precisely controlling a separation distance between the plates. The drive mechanism provides a separation which varies as a function of the speed of rotation, hence assimilating separation control within the natural operation of the device. Embodiments provide plates comprising self-generating bearings, both hydrodynamic gas and fluid bearings and centrifugal regulator solid bearings, the bearings providing a supporting force between the plates of a magnitude which increases as the rotational speed of the plates increases. Methods of energy generation are also provided.

Abstract: The invention provides an energy generation and/or conversion system and method wherein an electrical power generator is controlled to periodically alternate between a contact-mode, during which elements of the generator are brought into contact to induce a state of charging, and a non-contact mode, during which plates of the generator are separated from one another and electrical energy is generated through electrostatic induction. Timing and duration of contact and non-contact modes are controlled by a controller, or by user commands, in dependence on a charge state of the elements of the generator: In this way elements are controlled to come into contact only when surface charge has fallen below a certain level, and re-charging is necessary; contact time between the elements may hence be minimised—thereby minimising incurred noise and surface wear—whilst still maintaining a given desired threshold power output.

Abstract: A television playout system provided in a broadcast provider system receives a playout schedule, which corresponds to a live video feed of a channel broadcasted to one or more multichannel video program distributors (MVPDs), from a playout schedule source, and generates a new channel comprising one or more video on demand (VOD) content assets, based on one or more scheduling rules of the playout schedule, to be transmitted to a plurality of MVPDs at a time specified in the received playout schedule. The received live video feed of the channel is sanitized by removal of a lower third graphical content overlay from the live video feed for the generation of the new channel. A discontinuity is inserted between program segments to allow dynamic ad insertion (DAI) within the program segments of the live video feed for the new channel.

Abstract: The invention provides an energy generation system comprising a generator having charged mutually rotating plate elements, and comprising an integrated drive mechanism for precisely controlling a separation distance between the plates. The drive mechanism provides a separation which varies as a function of the speed of rotation, hence assimilating separation control within the natural operation of the device. Embodiments provide plates comprising self-generating bearings, both hydrodynamic gas and fluid bearings and centrifugal regulator solid bearings, the bearings providing a supporting force between the plates of a magnitude which increases as the rotational speed of the plates increases. Methods of energy generation are also provided.

Abstract: Sliding friction between a catheter and a guiding core is reduced by a rotating inner catheter member (12), introduced between the guiding core (13) and an outer catheter member (11). The inner catheter member (12) is rotated in the outer catheter member (11) by a motor (14), which may be controlled by a control unit (2). A lower catheter friction with respect to the guidewire allows the physician improved assessment of the forces resulting from collisions of the outer catheter member (11) and the vascular wall.

Abstract: A circuit includes a first transistor comprising a first control input and first and second current terminals, the first control input coupled to receive a first input control signal, and the first current terminal coupled to a first power supply node. The circuit also includes a first resistor coupled to the first control input of the first transistor, a first capacitor coupled between the second current terminal of the first transistor and the first resistor and a second transistor comprising a second control input and third and fourth current terminals, the third current terminal coupled to the first resistor and to the first capacitor.

Abstract: A semiconductor die. The die comprises a level shifter coupled to a positive differential input and to a negative differential input comprising a first operational amplifier, wherein the first operational amplifier is configured to generate an internal common mode voltage coupled to a positive differential output and to a negative differential output, a positive alternating current (AC) coupled feed-forward path comprising a first capacitor coupled to the positive differential input and to the positive differential output, a negative AC coupled feed-forward path comprising a second capacitor coupled to the negative differential input and to the negative differential output, a positive direct current (DC) feed-forward path coupled to the differential input, to the internal common mode voltage sense node, and to the positive differential output, and a negative DC feed-forward path coupled to the differential input, to the internal common mode voltage sense node, and to the negative differential output.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a plurality of coarse delay circuits and a phase blender circuit. The coarse delay circuits may be configured to (i) receive an input clock signal, (ii) receive a plurality of control signals and (iii) generate a first phase signal and a second phase signal. The phase blender circuit may be configured to (i) receive the first phase signal and the second phase signal, (ii) receive a phase control signal, (iii) step between stages implemented by the coarse delay circuits and (iv) present an output clock signal. The phase blender circuit may mitigate a mismatch between the stages of the coarse delay circuits by interpolating an amount of coarse delay provided by the coarse delay circuits.

Abstract: A circuit includes a first transistor comprising a first control input and first and second current terminals, the first control input coupled to receive a first input control signal, and the first current terminal coupled to a first power supply node. The circuit also includes a first resistor coupled to the first control input of the first transistor, a first capacitor coupled between the second current terminal of the first transistor and the first resistor and a second transistor comprising a second control input and third and fourth current terminals, the third current terminal coupled to the first resistor and to the first capacitor.

Abstract: A television playout system that handles playout of a channel, receives a video feed of the channel comprising programming data and a plurality of interstitial content items, and a playout schedule of the channel. Metadata comprising a pre-roll value is inserted at a first insertion point related to a first interstitial content item of the plurality of interstitial content items, based on the playout schedule. An offset is detected in the metadata, based on the first insertion point of the metadata in the video feed, the pre-roll value, and a time-code (TC) jump associated with a second interstitial content item in the video feed. One or more control parameters associated with the insertion of the metadata are calibrated, based on the detected offset to align a splice point related to the first interstitial content item with the TC jump associated with the second interstitial content item.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a plurality of coarse delay circuits and a phase blender circuit. The coarse delay circuits may be configured to (i) receive an input clock signal, (ii) receive a plurality of control signals and (iii) generate a first phase signal and a second phase signal. The phase blender circuit may be configured to (i) receive the first phase signal and the second phase signal, (ii) receive a phase control signal, (iii) step between stages implemented by the coarse delay circuits and (iv) present an output clock signal. The phase blender circuit may mitigate a mismatch between the stages of the coarse delay circuits by interpolating an amount of coarse delay provided by the coarse delay circuits.

Abstract: A television playout system provided in a broadcast provider system receives a playout schedule, which corresponds to a live video feed of a channel broadcasted to one or more multichannel video program distributors (MVPDs), from a playout schedule source, and generates a new channel comprising one or more video on demand (VOD) content assets, based on one or more scheduling rules of the playout schedule, to be transmitted to a plurality of MVPDs at a time specified in the received playout schedule. The received live video feed of the channel is sanitized by removal of a lower third graphical content overlay from the live video feed for the generation of the new channel. A discontinuity is inserted between program segments to allow dynamic ad insertion (DAI) within the program segments of the live video feed for the new channel.

Abstract: A television playout system provided in a broadcast provider system receives a playout schedule, which corresponds to a live video feed of a channel broadcasted to one or more multichannel video program distributors (MVPDs), from a playout schedule source, and generates a new channel comprising one or more video on demand (VOD) content assets, based on one or more scheduling rules of the playout schedule, to be transmitted to a plurality of MVPDs at a time specified in the received playout schedule. The received live video feed of the channel is sanitized by removal of a lower third graphical content overlay from the live video feed for the generation of the new channel. A discontinuity is inserted between program segments to allow dynamic ad insertion (DAI) within the program segments of the live video feed for the new channel.

Abstract: A semiconductor die. The die comprises a level shifter coupled to a positive differential input and to a negative differential input comprising a first operational amplifier, wherein the first operational amplifier is configured to generate an internal common mode voltage coupled to a positive differential output and to a negative differential output, a positive alternating current (AC) coupled feed-forward path comprising a first capacitor coupled to the positive differential input and to the positive differential output, a negative AC coupled feed-forward path comprising a second capacitor coupled to the negative differential input and to the negative differential output, a positive direct current (DC) feed-forward path coupled to the differential input, to the internal common mode voltage sense node, and to the positive differential output, and a negative DC feed-forward path coupled to the differential input, to the internal common mode voltage sense node, and to the negative differential output.

Abstract: A circuit includes a first transistor comprising a first control input and first and second current terminals, the first control input coupled to receive a first input control signal, and the first current terminal coupled to a first power supply node. The circuit also includes a first resistor coupled to the first control input of the first transistor, a first capacitor coupled between the second current terminal of the first transistor and the first resistor and a second transistor comprising a second control input and third and fourth current terminals, the third current terminal coupled to the first resistor and to the first capacitor.