Abstract: An automated system includes transducers, at least one computing device, and at least one automated apparatus. The transducer(s) is/are driven and sensed using drive-sense circuit(s). A drives and senses drive and sense a transducer via a single line, generates a digital signal representative of a sensed analog feature to which the transducer is exposed, and transmits the digital signal to the computing device. The computing device receives digital signals from at least some of drive-sense circuits and process them in accordance with the automation process to produce an automated process command. The automated apparatus executes a portion of an automated process based on the automated process command.

Abstract: A low voltage drive circuit (LVDC) includes a digital to analog input circuit operable to convert transmit digital data into combined analog outbound data, where the transmit digital data has a data rate based on a host input clock, and where a first portion of the combined analog outbound data has a first oscillation rate based on a first transmit channel clock and a second portion of the combined analog outbound data has a second oscillation rate based on a second transmit channel clock.

Abstract: A method comprises determining, for an interaction between a user computing device and an interactive computing device and in accordance with data type communication restrictions, a first data type of a plurality of data types for supporting the interaction is restricted to transmitting via a screen to screen (STS) communication via a transmission medium. The method also includes determining a second data type of the plurality of data types is allowed for transmitting via a second communication type that is one or more of a Bluetooth communication, a wireless local area network communication, and a cellular network communication. When the available communication types include the STS communication and the second communication type, the method also includes facilitating execution of the interaction utilizing the STS communication for transmitting data having the first data type via a drive-sense signal and utilizing the second communication type for data having the second data type.

Abstract: A communication system comprises three low voltage drive circuits operable for coupling to a wired bus, wherein a low voltage drive circuit of the three low voltage drive circuits includes a transmit section operably coupled to convert transmit digital data into an analog transmit signal that includes one or more transmit frequency components. The communication system further comprises a receive section operably coupled to convert an analog receive signal that includes one or more receive frequency components into received digital data. The communication system further comprises a drive sense circuit for coupling to the wired bus and after the three low voltage drive circuits are operably coupled to the wired bus, each of the three voltage drive circuits is configured for communication among the three low voltage drive circuits, for one-to-one communication, for one-to-many communication, and for many-to-one communication.

Abstract: A method includes transmitting, by a plurality of drive-sense circuits of an interactive display device, a plurality of signals on a plurality of electrodes of the interactive display device and detecting, by a set of drive-sense circuits of the plurality of drive-sense circuits, a change in electrical characteristics of a set of electrodes of the plurality of electrodes. The method further includes interpreting, by a processing module of the interactive display device, the change in the electrical characteristics to be caused by a change in capacitance, interpreting the change in capacitance as a digital pad generation indication, generating a digital pad on the interactive surface, and interpreting, by the processing module, changes in the electrical characteristics of one or more sets of electrodes of the plurality of electrodes within the digital pad as functions to manipulate data on the larger area of the interactive display device.

Abstract: A method for execution by an input/output (IO) control module of an integrated circuit (IC) includes determining whether a programmable IO interface module is for dynamic or static use. The programmable IO interface module includes a configurable front-end module and a configurable back-end module. When the programmable IO interface module is for the dynamic use, determining to configure the programmable IO interface module as the dynamic use of a configuration of a plurality of configurations. The plurality of configurations includes a bidirectional interface, an input, an output, a concurrent drive and sense interface, and a concurrent transmit-receive interface. The method further includes configuring the front-end module in accordance with the configuration, configuring the back-end module in accordance with the configuration, and determining whether to change the configuration to another configuration of the plurality of configurations.

Abstract: A power supply signal conditioning system includes a power supply, one or more loads, and a drive-sense circuit (DSC). The power supply is operably coupled to one or more loads. When enabled, the power supply configured to output a power supply signal having a DC (direct current) voltage component and a ripple voltage component that is based on conversion of an AC (alternating current) signal in accordance with generating the power supply signal. The DSC is operably coupled to the power supply. When enabled, the DSC is configured simultaneously to sense the power supply signal and, based on sensing of the power supply signal, adaptively to process the power supply signal in accordance with reducing or eliminating the ripple voltage component of the power supply signal to generate a conditioned power supply signal to service the one or more loads.

Abstract: A Hall effect sensor system includes a Hall effect sensor and a drive-sense circuit (DSC). The Hall effect sensor includes an input port to receive a DC (direct current) current signal and generates a Hall voltage based on exposure to a magnetic field. The DSC generates the DC current signal based on a reference signal and drives it via a single line that operably couples the DSC to the Hall effect sensor and simultaneously to sense the DC current signal via the single line. The DSC detects an effect on the DC current signal corresponding to the Hall voltage that is generated across the Hall effect sensor based on exposure of the Hall effect sensor to the magnetic field and generates a digital signal representative of the Hall voltage.

Abstract: A battery characterization system includes a drive-sense circuit (DSC), memory that stores operational instructions, and processing module(s) operably coupled to the DSC and the memory. Based on a reference signal, the DSC generates a charge signal, which includes an AC (alternating current) component, and provides the charge signal to a terminal of a battery via a single line and simultaneously to senses the charge signal via the single line to detect an electrical characteristic of the battery based on a response of the battery. The DSC generates a digital signal representative of the electrical characteristic of the battery. The processing module(s), based on the operational instructions, generate the reference signal to include a frequency sweep of the AC component of the charge signal (e.g.

Abstract: Methods and systems for transmitting and receiving are disclosed. For example, a method for establishing secure communications can include measuring one or more human gestures using a sensor on a first device so as to create a first metric of the one or more human gestures, creating a strong encryption key based on the first metric, including time-based information incorporated into the first metric, and communicating to a second device using the strong encryption key to encrypt data sent to the second device.

Abstract: Methods and systems for transmitting and receiving are disclosed. For example, a method for establishing secure communications can include measuring one or more human gestures using a sensor on a first device so as to create a first metric of the one or more human gestures, creating a strong encryption key based on the first metric, including time-based information incorporated into the first metric, and communicating to a second device using the strong encryption key to encrypt data sent to the second device.

Abstract: In one example, a supercharger and air inlet assembly for a V8 engine comprises a supercharger, a pair of air inlet casings, and a top cover, the air inlet casings having outlet ports which align with inlet ports in the cylinder heads. The supercharger has a rotor casing, the upper sides of which extend upwards to form a peripheral wall where each inlet casing is fastened to the rotor casing by setscrews. Each inlet casing is also secured to the rotor casing by another setscrew located between two casing outlet ports. The arrangement allows the use of a relatively simple casting which simplifies manufacture and minimizes thermal stresses.

Abstract: A supercharger and air inlet assembly 16 for mounting between the cylinder heads of a V8 engine comprises a supercharger 17, a pair of air inlet casings 18, 19 and a top cover 21, the air inlet casings having outlet ports which align with inlet ports in the cylinder heads. The supercharger 17 has a rotor casing 22, the upper sides of which extend upwards to form a peripheral wall 24 where each inlet casing 18, 19 is fastened to the rotor casing by setscrews 48. Each inlet casing 18, 19 is also secured to the rotor casing 22 by another setscrew 51 located between two casing outlet ports to further secure each inlet casing 18, 19 to the rotor casing 22 at a position on the rotor casing where there is a transverse wall 62. The arrangement allows the use of a relatively simple casting for the supercharger rotor casing 22 which simplifies manufacture and minimises thermal stresses since relatively little constraint is placed on the walls of the rotor casing 22.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to various embodiments of a connector. In one illustrative embodiment, the connector includes a first connector half and a second connector half adapted to be coupled to a power supply source, wherein the first and second connector halves are adapted to, when coupled to one another, define at least one electrical conductive path through the first and second connector halves by contact between at least one conductive member in each of the first and second connector halves, and wherein the first and second connector halves are adapted to be mated or unmated while power is being supplied to at least the second connector half.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for providing non recourse funding of trade in goods during transit. In the method of the invention risks are allocated to decrease the cost of trade finance. A Funding Bank provides non recourse funding based upon various financial commitments received from a Performance Insurer and a Collateral Control Bank. The present invention also relates to a computer system for facilitating trade in goods comprised of a communications network coupled to a logistic data server and a trade management system. The communications network transmits and receives data from parties involved in the funding of trade in goods. The logistic data server calculates a target shipping trajectory and calculates the transactions overall credit worthiness. The trade management system monitors the actual shipping trajectory and determines whether to initiate corrective action when the actual shipping trajectory differs from the target shipping trajectory.

Abstract: A fluidized bed combustion system (10) particularly suited for use to effect the incineration, i.e., combustion, therewith of wood waste/sludge mixtures that have high moisture and ash content which makes them difficult to burn. The fluidized bed combustion system (10) includes a fluidized bed combustor (12) embodying a fluidized bed (24) composed of bed solids. Air is injected into the fluidized bed (24) through an air distributor (28) to establish a first controlled fluidizing velocity zone and a second controlled fluidizing velocity zone therewithin. Material (42b) is introduced into the fluidized bed combustor (12) above the second controlled fluidizing velocity zone. Bed solids are projected from the first controlled fluidizing velocity zone to the second controlled fluidizing velocity zone whereupon the bed solids rain down upon the material (42b) and effect a covering thereof. The material (42b) is then dried and thereafter combusted.