Abstract: Systems and methods of increasing power converter efficiency are provided. A power converter includes a boost circuit configured to receive a DC input voltage ranging from a minimum input voltage value to a maximum voltage value, boost the DC input voltage to a predefined nominal voltage value when the DC input voltage has a value between the minimum input voltage value and the predefined nominal voltage value, and maintain the DC input voltage when the DC input voltage has a value that is greater than or equal to the predefined nominal voltage value and less than the maximum input voltage value. The unit also includes a DC-DC converter coupled to an output of the boost circuit, the DC-DC converter configured to convert the boosted DC voltage or the maintained DC voltage to a DC output voltage.

Abstract: A Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) device, having a demodulator configured to translate in-phase and quadrature components of a received BLE signal into a differential phase signal; an estimator configured to estimate a frequency offset of the differential phase signal; and a detector configured to detect information in the differential phase signal corrected by the estimated frequency offset.

Abstract: A Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) device, having a demodulator configured to translate in-phase and quadrature components of a received BLE signal into a differential phase signal; an estimator configured to estimate a frequency offset of the differential phase signal; and a detector configured to detect information in the differential phase signal corrected by the estimated frequency offset.

Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention sets forth a technique for performing tasks associated with a construction project. The technique includes transmitting to a worker, via a mobile computing device worn by the worker, a first instruction related to performing a first task included in a plurality of tasks associated with a construction project, and transmitting to a light-emitting device a command to provide a visual indicator to the worker that facilitates performing the first task, based on an input received from the mobile computing device, determining that the worker has completed the first task of the construction project, selecting, from a database that tracks eligibility of each of the plurality of tasks, a second task included in the plurality of tasks that the worker is eligible to perform, and transmitting to the worker, via the mobile computing device, a second instruction related to performing the second task.

Abstract: A method performed by a system comprising a processor and a memory can include performing a global placement of a circuit design for a target programmable integrated circuit (IC) and clustering the circuit design using a selected size of cluster regions according to control sets identified within the circuit design. The method further can include determining a legalized placement of the clustered circuit design by solving a minimum cost network flow problem for the selected size of the cluster regions and the target programmable IC and assigning components to sites of the target programmable IC according to the legalized placement. The circuit design specifying the legalized placement can be stored within the memory.

Abstract: Provided is a method for processing a wafer that includes providing an alloy susceptor including an exterior surface and a wafer contact surface. The exterior surface of the alloy susceptor is treated to produce a roughness of the exterior surface. The roughened exterior surface of is coated with a ceramic material. The alloy susceptor including the ceramic-coated roughened exterior surface is positioned in a wafer process chamber. A plurality of layers of a film are deposited on the ceramic-coated roughened exterior surface of the alloy susceptor, wherein a first adhesion exists between the plurality of layers of the film and the ceramic material coated on the roughened exterior surface of the alloy susceptor that is greater than a second adhesion that would exist between the plurality of layers of the film and a non-roughened exterior surface of the alloy susceptor without the ceramic material.

Abstract: Approaches for determining a static timing analysis of a logic design are disclosed. Physical delay arcs of a plurality of physical elements of an integrated circuit specify respective propagation delays from inputs of the physical elements to outputs of the physical elements. Logic components of the logic design are mapped to selected ones of the physical components of the physical elements. For each of the logic components, the logic delay arcs are determined from the physical delay arcs. Each logic delay arc for each logic component specifies a propagation delay from an input of the logic component to an output of the logic component. A static timing analysis of the logic components is performed using the logic delay arc, and data from the timing analysis is output.

Abstract: A sheet material cutting machine includes a bristle bed with generally vertically extending bristles having free ends defining a support surface for supporting sheet material to be cut and a carriage movable over the bristle bed and carrying at least one cutting tool to selectively cut the sheet material. A vacuum cleaning system provides vacuum at the carriage to remove cutting debris as the cutting tool is cutting the sheet material. Illustrated embodiments include providing the vacuum through a passage in the cutting tool and providing the vacuum through a cavity in a presser foot.

Abstract: A distributed collaborative computer system is provided that comprises a plurality of server computers interconnected via a high-speed link. Client computers can connect to any available server computer and start or join a conference hosted on either the server computer to which the client computer is connected or any other server in the system. As a result, the system and method of the present invention is easily scalable to support an arbitrary number of participants to a conference by merely adding the appropriate number of server computers to the system. In addition, by replicating the conference information on more than one server computer, the single point of failure limitation is eliminated. In fact, if a server hosting or participating in a conference malfunctions, the failure is detected by other server computers and the client computer is able to reconnect to the conference through a new server computer.

Abstract: A sheet material cutting machine includes a bristle bed with generally vertically extending bristles having free ends defining a support surface for supporting sheet material to be cut and a carriage movable over the bristle bed and carrying at least one cutting tool to selectively cut the sheet material. A vacuum cleaning system provides vacuum at the carriage to remove cutting debris as the cutting tool is cutting the sheet material. Illustrated embodiments include providing the vacuum through a passage in the cutting tool and providing the vacuum through a cavity in a presser foot.

Abstract: The present invention provides an object loading apparatus, including: an elastic component positioned at a bottom plate of an object feeding device; a first pivot positioned at a side plate of the object feeding device; an object loading plate rotatably coupled to the first pivot for loading objects, wherein the elastic component provides an elastic force to the object loading plate to rotate the object loading plane; a second pivot positioned at a side plate of the object feeding device; a pressing cam rotatably coupled to the second pivot; and a guiding module coupled to the pressing cam for rotating the pressing cam to make an inclination of the object loading plate of the object feeding device when the object feeding device is at an object feeding position smaller than an inclination of the object loading plate when the object feeding plate is at an object loading position.

Abstract: A distributed collaborative computer system is provided that comprises a plurality of server computers interconnected via a high-speed link. Client computers can connect to any available server computer and start or join a conference hosted on either the server computer to which the client computer is connected or any other server in the system. As a result, the system and method of the present invention is easily scalable to support an arbitrary number of participants to a conference by merely adding the appropriate number of server computers to the system. In addition, by replicating the conference information on more than one server computer, the single point of failure limitation is eliminated. In fact, if a server hosting or participating in a conference malfunctions, the failure is detected by other server computers and the client computer is able to reconnect to the conference through a new server computer.

Abstract: A distributed collaborative computer system is provided that comprises a plurality of server computers interconnected via a high-speed link. Client computers can connect to any available server computer and start or join a conference hosted on either the server computer to which the client computer is connected or any other server in the system. As a result, the system and method of the present invention is easily scalable to support an arbitrary number of participants to a conference by merely adding the appropriate number of server computers to the system. In addition, by replicating the conference information on more than one server computer, the single point of failure limitation is eliminated. In fact, if a server hosting or participating in a conference malfunctions, the failure is detected by other server computers and the client computer is able to reconnect to the conference through a new server computer.

Abstract: The gas permeance of polyester bottles or other packaging article is improved by the combination of an oxygen scavenging material provided in the wall of the article and an external barrier to gas flow.

Abstract: A distributed collaborative computer system is provided that comprises a plurality of server computers interconnected via a high-speed link. Client computers can connect to any available server computer and start or join a conference hosted on either the server computer to which the client computer is connected or any other server in the system. As a result, the system and method of the present invention is easily scalable to support an arbitrary number of participants to a conference by merely adding the appropriate number of server computers to the system. In addition, by replicating the conference information on more than one server computer, the single point of failure limitation is eliminated. In fact, if a server hosting or participating in a conference malfunctions, the failure is detected by other server computers and the client computer is able to reconnect to the conference through a new server computer.

Abstract: A pseudo SRAM integrated circuit device is achieved. The device comprises, first, a memory array comprising a plurality of dynamic storage cells. Finally, an access controller is included. The access controller provides read and write access to the memory array from an external device. The access controller performance is compatible with a standard SRAM memory device. The access controller enables a partial data retention mode comprising selective refreshing of at least one part of the memory array and non-refreshing of at least one other part of the memory array.

Abstract: A method for design optimization using logical and physical information is provided. In one embodiment, a method for design optimization using logical and physical information, includes receiving a behavioral description of an integrated circuit or a portion of an integrated circuit, optimizing placement of circuit elements in accordance with a first cost function, and optimizing logic of the circuit elements in accordance with a second cost function, in which the optimizing placement of the circuit elements and the optimizing logic of the circuit elements are performed concurrently. The method can further include optimizing routing in accordance with a third cost function, in which the optimizing routing, the optimizing placement of the circuit elements, and the optimizing logic of the circuit elements are performed concurrently.