Abstract: Networked devices are arranged to play content such as audio and video content in synchronization. A synching device receives a packet from an initiating device over a network. The packet may include an identifier of content to play, such as a URI, and an indication of when to play the content. A local clock time to play the content is determined based on a time of a local clock of the first device and the indication of when to play the content. The synching device obtains from a server the content based on the received identifier, and plays the content in synchronization with the initiating device based on a time on the local clock and the local clock time to play the content. In some embodiments, the synching device also adjusts a clock speed of the local clock reference to control rate of playback of the content.

Abstract: A network device transmits to at least one playback device, audio information and playback timing information, wherein the audio information is associated with a first timestamp and a second timestamp; wherein the first timestamp and the second timestamp identify a time to playback the audio information; and wherein the playback timing information comprises the first timestamp. After transmitting the audio information and playback timing information, the network device receives while playback of the audio information is paused via the network interface, a command to resume playback of the audio information; wherein the audio information is paused prior to a time indicated by the first timestamp and second timestamp to play back the audio information. The network device instructs the at least one playback device to update the first timestamp, and updates the second timestamp to facilitate playback the audio information in synchrony.

Abstract: A first example playback device includes one or more processors and a non-transitory computer-readable medium storing instructions that, when executed by the one or more processors, cause the first playback device to perform functions. The functions include generating a mixed audio signal comprising one or more components of a first audio stream and one or more components of a second audio stream; and playing the mixed audio signal, where the one or more components of the second audio stream of the mixed audio signal played by the first playback device are played in synchrony with a second playback device configured to play the second audio stream. An example non-transitory computer-readable medium and an example method, both related to the first example playback device, are also disclosed herein.

Abstract: An adjusting device includes a connecting member having a chamber. The connecting member further includes first and second openings defined in two ends thereof and communicated with the chamber. The connecting member further includes a first assembling portion in the chamber and a threaded portion in the second opening. A through-hole extends from an inner periphery through an outer periphery of the connecting member and communicates with the chamber. An adjusting member includes a pivotal end having a second assembling portion for assembling with the first assembling portion. The adjusting member further includes a passage having first and second openings respectively in two ends thereof. The first opening of the adjusting member is located in the pivotal end. A sealing cap is in threading connection with the threaded portion. A damper and a damp adjustment cylinder can be coupled to the adjusting device to form a vehicular shock absorber.

Abstract: A computing device may broadcast a first message via a wireless interface while operating according to a first network topology. After broadcasting the first message, the computing device may receive the first message via a wired interface. Based on receiving the first message via the wired interface, the computing device may broadcast a second message indicating a second network topology via the wireless interface. Based on receiving the first message via the wired interface, the computing device may operate according to the second network topology.

Abstract: Certain examples identify a device's useful wired connection and, when found, facilitate network configuration according to that useful wired connection. An example method includes periodically transmitting, by a first device, a first message over a wireless network interface. The example method includes listening, by the first device, for the first message over a wired network interface. The example method includes, when the first device at least receives the first message over the wired network interface, transmitting, by the first device to at least one additional device over the wireless network interface, a second message, wherein the second message includes an indication, the indication indicating that the at least one additional device can change its network configuration to utilize the wired network interface of the first device.

Abstract: A first example playback device includes one or more processors and a non-transitory computer-readable medium storing instructions that, when executed by the one or more processors, cause the first playback device to perform functions. The functions include generating a mixed audio signal comprising one or more components of a first audio stream and one or more components of a second audio stream; and playing the mixed audio signal, where the one or more components of the second audio stream of the mixed audio signal played by the first playback device are played in synchrony with a second playback device configured to play the second audio stream. An example non-transitory computer-readable medium and an example method, both related to the first example playback device, are also disclosed herein.

Abstract: An adjusting device includes a connecting member having a chamber. The connecting member further includes first and second openings defined in two ends thereof and communicated with the chamber. The connecting member further includes a first assembling portion in the chamber and a threaded portion in the second opening. A through-hole extends from an inner periphery through an outer periphery of the connecting member and communicates with the chamber. An adjusting member includes a pivotal end having a second assembling portion for assembling with the first assembling portion. The adjusting member further includes a passage having first and second openings respectively in two ends thereof. The first opening of the adjusting member is located in the pivotal end. A sealing cap is in threading connection with the threaded portion. A damper and a damp adjustment cylinder can be coupled to the adjusting device to form a vehicular shock absorber.

Abstract: A network device transmits to at least one playback device, audio information and playback timing information, wherein the audio information is associated with a first timestamp and a second timestamp; wherein the first timestamp and the second timestamp identify a time to playback the audio information; and wherein the playback timing information comprises the first timestamp. After transmitting the audio information and playback timing information, the network device receives while playback of the audio information is paused via the network interface, a command to resume playback of the audio information; wherein the audio information is paused prior to a time indicated by the first timestamp and second timestamp to play back the audio information. The network device instructs the at least one playback device to update the first timestamp, and updates the second timestamp to facilitate playback the audio information in synchrony.

Abstract: Embodiments are provided for fast-resume of audio playback. An example method includes transmitting a plurality of frames, each frame comprising audio information and playback timing information, the playback timing information identifying a time to play the audio information of the respective frame, wherein the playback timing information comprises a time relative to a clock; receiving a pause command, wherein the pause command indicates that the at least one playback device is to cease playback of the audio information; subsequent to receiving the pause command, receiving a resume command; based on the resume command, identifying a range of frames previously transmitted, wherein the range of frames have playback timing information subsequent to a time of receiving the pause command; and, based on the resume command, instructing at least one playback device to (i) update the playback timing information in the range of frames, and (ii) play the audio information.

Abstract: Certain examples identify a device's useful wired connection and, when found, facilitate network configuration according to that useful wired connection. An example method includes periodically transmitting, by a first device, a first message over a wireless network interface. The example method includes listening, by the first device, for the first message over a wired network interface. The example method includes, when the first device at least receives the first message over the wired network interface, transmitting, by the first device to at least one additional device over the wireless network interface, a second message, wherein the second message includes an indication, the indication indicating that the at least one additional device can change its network configuration to utilize the wired network interface of the first device.

Abstract: Embodiments are provided for fast-resume of audio playback. An example method includes transmitting a plurality of frames, each frame comprising audio information and playback timing information, the playback timing information identifying a time to play the audio information of the respective frame, wherein the playback timing information comprises a time relative to a clock; receiving a pause command, wherein the pause command indicates that the at least one playback device is to cease playback of the audio information; subsequent to receiving the pause command, receiving a resume command; based on the resume command, identifying a range of frames previously transmitted, wherein the range of frames have playback timing information subsequent to a time of receiving the pause command; and, based on the resume command, instructing at least one playback device to (i) update the playback timing information in the range of frames, and (ii) play the audio information.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for the remote design of an electric motor (e.g. an AC or DC motor) by a customer through an interactive Web-based process. A typical system includes a Web server capable of delivering an interactive web page to a remote system. The web page includes one or more input fields allowing a user to specify motion performance requirement values applied to a design algorithm. The user may specify only some of the possible performance values. The design algorithm generates electric motor design parameters which will achieve the desired performance values. The algorithm also performs a parametric search through an existing parts database for at least some existing components which can be used in the electric motor design. The electric motor performance data is presented as an output to the user.

Abstract: A stepper motor includes a rotor having equally spaced rotor teeth defining a full step angle, and a stator with stator poles wound with coils that can be driven in a series of phases so as to magnetically interact with the rotor to produce stepping motion. The stator poles have teeth organized into two groups when there is an even number of stator teeth per pole, or into three groups for an odd number of stator teeth per pole. The stator teeth have an average pitch different from the rotor's tooth pitch, but the groups of stator teeth are also displaced relative to other groups by a specified offset angle of one-half or one-quarter step to double the number of detent positions, and to displace such detent positions from full one-phase ON or two-phase ON positions.

Abstract: A half-stepping motor with bifilar coil windings about its stator poles has two layers of stator coils with different numbers of turns per pole for each layer. The ratio between the number turns is selected to provide a desired angular phase shift in the torque profile. A first layer wound about a first group of poles is connected in series in a forward sense with a second layer wound about a second distinct group of poles and driven by a first phase, while a second layer wound about the first group of poles is connected in series in a reverse sense with a first layer wound about the second group of poles and driven by a second phase in quadrature relation to the first phase. For a motor with 8 stator poles, the desired phase shift is 22.5 degrees, resulting from a turn ratio between the layers of about 0.4142.

Abstract: A method of data hiding includes providing a message (68), providing an encrypting sequence (86), and generating an encrypted message (72) based on the message and the encrypting sequence. A carrier signal (66) that conveys information unrelated to the encrypted message is provided, and the encrypted message is embedded (78) into the carrier signal by performing an exclusive-OR of the encrypted message with a first portion of the carrier signal.

Abstract: A vocal container cap includes a cap portion and a vocal assembly received in the cap portion. When the cap portion is fully closed onto a container mouth, an elastic switch associated with a movable member of the vocal assembly is pressed against a contact on a circuit board supported on a fixed member of the vocal assembly to disable the vocal container cap. And when the cap portion is twisted to loosen from the container mouth, a spring lifts the movable member to separate the elastic switch from the contact and thereby actuates the vocal container cap to sound or voice.

Abstract: A vocal container cap includes a cap portion and a vocal assembly received in the cap portion. When the cap portion is fully closed onto a container mouth, an elastic switch associated with a movable member of the vocal assembly is pressed against a contact on a circuit board supported on a fixed member of the vocal assembly to disable the vocal container cap. And when the cap portion is twisted to loosen from the container mouth, a spring lifts the movable member to separate the elastic switch from the contact and thereby actuates the vocal container cap to sound or voice.