Abstract: The subject system and method are generally directed to the user-friendly insertion of at least one device, and optionally chains of devices, into at least one pre-existing chain of interconnected devices within a graphical representation of a circuit design such as a circuit layout, circuit mask, or a schematic. The system and method provide for discerning the intended insertion points and performing remedial transformations of the devices within the chains to ensure compliance with both structural and operational requirements of the circuit design.

Abstract: An HVAC switching circuit may comprise a current source circuit charging a capacitor used to power an HVAC DC power relay coil. The power relay coil terminal is connected to an activation control circuit which comprises at least one of (1) each of (a) a threshold circuit which activates a first transistor to energize the power relay coil when the voltage across the threshold circuit reaches a first threshold value and (b) a regenerative feedback circuit configured to lower the first threshold value to a second threshold voltage, and (2) a voltage divider connected between a first terminal on the power relay coil and the negative DC supply, and a programmable shunt regulator, configured as a level triggered switch, programmed by the voltage divider and connected between the second power relay coil terminal and the negative DC supply.

Abstract: To generate a media station, a client device can receive a candidate media item playlist and media playback rules corresponding to the media station. When a new media item is needed for the media station, the client device can apply the media playback rules to a next media item in the list of candidate media items. The playback rules can be used to determine whether the next media item is currently eligible for playback. Additionally, the client device can receive a candidate invitational content item playlist and invitational content playback rules corresponding to the media station. In response to detecting an invitational content triggering action, the client device can apply the invitational content item rules to the candidate invitational content item playlist to select at least one invitational content item to present in the media stream.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a modified porphyrin-based oxygen-carrying protein, such as haemoglobin, which has been found, in its unmodified state to have a low affinity site of electron transfer and a high affinity electron transfer between a reductant and ferryl haem iron via one or more protein amino acids. The invention provides such proteins that comprise a modification to enhance this pathway.

Abstract: An electronic device may have a display. Inactive portions of the display such as peripheral portions of the display may be masked using an opaque masking layer. An opening may be provided in the opaque masking layer to allow light to pass. For example, a logo may be viewed through an opening in the opaque masking layer and a camera may receive light through an opening in the opaque masking layer. The display may include upper and lower polarizers, a color filter layer, and a thin-film transistor layer. The opaque masking layer may be formed on the upper polarizer, may be interposed between the upper polarizer and the color filter layer, or may be interposed between the color filter layer and the thin-film transistor layer. The upper polarizer may have unpolarized windows for cameras, logos, or other internal structures.

Abstract: A system for activating a predetermined set of vehicle features on a vehicle is provided. The system comprises a valet keyfob in wireless communication with the vehicle and configured to activate the predetermined set of vehicle features when enabled, and a first processor coupled to the vehicle and configured to enable the valet keyfob to activate the predetermined set of vehicle features.

Abstract: Systems and methods for preventing a motor vehicle side door from coming into contact with an obstacle are provided. One system includes an outside rear view mirror, a camera coupled to the outside rear view mirror, and a controller coupled to the camera. The camera is configured to detect the obstacle and determine the distance between the side door and the obstacle, and the controller is configured to disable the side door if the obstacle is within a threshold distance of the side door. Another system replaces the camera with an ultrasonic sensor to detect the obstacle and determine the distance between the side door and the obstacle. A method includes determining the distance between a plurality of motor vehicle side doors and the obstacle, and automatically disabling each motor vehicle side door that is within a threshold distance of the obstacle.

Abstract: A system and method is provided for distracting opposite surfaces from the interior of a bone, such as a vertebral body. A working channel cannula provides a working channel through which an inserter and an injection cannula can simultaneously pass. The inserter transports a plurality of wafers into the interior of the bone to form a load-bearing stack bearing against the opposite surfaces. The injection cannula is used to inject a fluent material into and/or around the stack. In certain embodiments, the fluent material is a load-bearing or hardenable material, such as bone cement. In other embodiments, the fluent material can be a BMP, HAP, or other osteo-inductive, osteo-conductive, or pharmaceutical compositions. A syringe containing the fluent material is engaged to the injection cannula and is operable to inject the fluent material into the vertebral body under controlled pressure.

Abstract: A system and method is provided for distracting opposite surfaces from the interior of a bone, such as a vertebral body. A working channel cannula provides a working channel through which an inserter and an injection cannula can simultaneously pass. The inserter transports a plurality of wafers into the interior of the bone to form a load-bearing stack bearing against the opposite surfaces. The injection cannula is used to inject a fluent material into and/or around the stack. In certain embodiments, the fluent material is a load-bearing or hardenable material, such as bone cement. In other embodiments, the fluent material can be a BMP, HAP, or other osteo-inductive, osteo-conductive, or pharmaceutical compositions. A syringe containing the fluent material is engaged to the injection cannula and is operable to inject the fluent material into the vertebral body under controlled pressure.

Abstract: A system and method is provided for distracting opposite surfaces from the interior of a bone, such as a vertebral body. A working channel cannula provides a working channel through which an inserter and an injection cannula can simultaneously pass. The inserter transports a plurality of wafers into the interior of the bone to form a load-bearing stack bearing against the opposite surfaces. The injection cannula is used to inject a fluent material into and/or around the stack. In certain embodiments, the fluent material is a load-bearing or hardenable material, such as bone cement. In other embodiments, the fluent material can be a BMP, HAP, or other osteo-inductive, osteo-conductive, or pharmaceutical compositions. A syringe containing the fluent material is engaged to the injection cannula and is operable to inject the fluent material into the vertebral body under controlled pressure.

Abstract: A system and method is provided for distracting opposite surfaces from the interior of a bone, such as a vertebral body. A working channel cannula provides a working channel through which an inserter and an injection cannula can simultaneously pass. The inserter transports a plurality of wafers into the interior of the bone to form a load-bearing stack bearing against the opposite surfaces. The injection cannula is used to inject a fluent material into and/or around the stack. In certain embodiments, the fluent material is a load-bearing or hardenable material, such as bone cement. In other embodiments, the fluent material can be a BMP, HAP, or other osteo-inductive, osteo-conductive, or pharmaceutical compositions. A syringe containing the fluent material is engaged to the injection cannula and is operable to inject the fluent material into the vertebral body under controlled pressure.

Abstract: A system and method is provided for distracting opposite surfaces from the interior of a bone, such as a vertebral body. A working channel cannula provides a working channel through which an inserter and an injection cannula can simultaneously pass. The inserter transports a plurality of wafers into the interior of the bone to form a load-bearing stack bearing against the opposite surfaces. The injection cannula is used to inject a fluent material into and/or around the stack. In certain embodiments, the fluent material is a load-bearing or hardenable material, such as bone cement. In other embodiments, the fluent material can be a BMP, HAP, or other osteo-inductive, osteo-conductive, or pharmaceutical compositions. A syringe containing the fluent material is engaged to the injection cannula and is operable to inject the fluent material into the vertebral body under controlled pressure.

Abstract: A modular air fluidized sand bed for the heat treatment of metal products is disclosed. This technology provides for the heat-treatment of steels, particularly long products, and other alloys and shapes using fluidized-sand heat transfer media. The technology directs gas burners into U-tube assemblies suspended in the media. The fluidizing agent is hot exhaust gas recovered from the U-tubes. Blended exhaust gases and cool air can maintain fluidizing gas, plenum and retort temperatures at nearly the same temperature as the sand. Constant volume and pressure of fluidizing gas maximizes heat transfer between sand and product. For extreme heating applications, a thermally insulated cover held in direct contact with the hot fluidized sand improves energy efficiency. A sand return system returns sand lost from the bed exit to entrance. The modular air fluidized sand bed includes a fluidization pressure and volume that are altered independent of a fluidization media temperature.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for a near field detection system. The apparatus comprises a glass plate, the glass plate having a first edge and comprising a first electrode, the first electrode disposed along the first edge of the glass plate, adapted to detect the presence of an object in near proximity to the glass plate, and adapted to transmit a signal in response to the presence of the object.

Abstract: A system and method is provided for distracting opposite surfaces from the interior of a bone, such as a vertebral body. A working channel cannula provides a working channel through which an inserter and an injection cannula can simultaneously pass. The inserter transports a plurality of wafers into the interior of the bone to form a load-bearing stack bearing against the opposite surfaces. The injection cannula is used to inject a fluent material into and/or around the stack. In certain embodiments, the fluent material is a load-bearing or hardenable material, such as bone cement. In other embodiments, the fluent material can be a BMP, HAP, or other osteo-inductive, osteo-conductive, or pharmaceutical compositions. A syringe containing the fluent material is engaged to the injection cannula and is operable to inject the fluent material into the vertebral body under controlled pressure.

Abstract: The present invention is a man-portable counter-mortar radar (MCMR) radar system that detects and tracks enemy mortar projectiles in flight and calculates their point of origin (launch point) to enable and direct countermeasures against the mortar and its personnel. In addition, MCMR may also perform air defense surveillance by detecting and tracking aircraft, helicopters, and ground vehicles. MCMR is a man-portable radar system that can be disassembled for transport, then quickly assembled in the field, and provides 360-degree coverage against an enemy mortar attack.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an article, system and method for thermally conditioning an image forming apparatus. The image forming apparatus may incorporate a heating device and a component that includes a lubricant. The component including the lubricant may be preheated before movement and then rotated at reduced speeds prior to a printing operation. This may occur during an image forming apparatus cold start or power saver mode.

Abstract: A system and method is provided for distracting opposite surfaces from the interior of a bone, such as a vertebral body. A working channel cannula provides a working channel through which an inserter and an injection cannula can simultaneously pass. The inserter transports a plurality of wafers into the interior of the bone to form a load-bearing stack bearing against the opposite surfaces. The injection cannula is used to inject a fluent material into and/or around the stack. In certain embodiments, the fluent material is a load-bearing or hardenable material, such as bone cement. In other embodiments, the fluent material can be a BMP, HAP, or other osteo-inductive, osteo-conductive, or pharmaceutical compositions. A syringe containing the fluent material is engaged to the injection cannula and is operable to inject the fluent material into the vertebral body under controlled pressure.

Abstract: In a method and apparatus for controlling damping and bandwidth in a phase locked loop (PLL), a loop filter is configured to have a dual path for charge pump current. A 3 dB bandwidth of the PLL is controlled by adjusting gain of a proportional current path. An integral current path includes a gating circuit to digitally control an amount of time an integral charge pump current received is passed through as an effective integral charge pump current. A resistor and capacitor (RC) circuit filters the proportional and effective integral charge pump currents, thereby providing a filtered input to a voltage controlled oscillator. Damping and hence peaking of the PLL is precisely controlled by sampling one of every p samples of the integral charge pump current to provide the effective integral charge pump current, p being an integer.

Abstract: Methods and devices are provided for activation of a vehicle operational mode. The device includes one or more detectors and a controller. The one or more detectors visually monitor one or more predetermined spatial locations, each of the one or more detectors corresponding to one of the one or more predetermined spatial locations. The controller is coupled to the one or more detectors and activates a predetermined vehicle operational mode in response to a current vehicle operational mode and a predetermined gesture detected within one of the one or more predetermined spatial locations.