Abstract: A regenerative braking system separate from a friction braking system of a vehicle is disclosed. According to certain embodiments, the regenerative braking system may include at least one actuator and a controller. The controller may be configured to: determine whether an accelerator pedal is depressed; when the accelerator pedal is depressed, determine an amount of regenerative braking based on behavior of the accelerator pedal; when the accelerator pedal is not depressed, determine the amount of regenerative braking based on motion of the vehicle; and control the at least one actuator to generate the determined amount of regenerative braking.

Abstract: Vector format based computer graphics tools have become very powerful tools allowing artists, designers etc. to mimic many artistic styles, exploit automated techniques, etc. and across different simulated physical media and digital media. However, hand-drawing and sketching in vector format graphics is unnatural and a user's strokes rendered by software are generally unnatural and appear artificial. In contrast to today's hand-drawing and sketching which requires significant training of and understanding by the user of complex vector graphics methods embodiments of the invention lower the barrier to accessing computer graphics applications for users in respect of making hand-drawing or sketching easier to perform. Accordingly, the inventors have established a direct vector-based hand-drawing/sketching entry format supporting any input methodology.

Abstract: A postural awareness apparatus includes a pad, a signal producing system, and an activator that activates the signal producing system when a compressive force applied to the apparatus exceed a predetermined compressive force. The activator includes a switch having an upper portion, a compressible element having defined therein an opening, the compressible element at least partially surrounding the upper portion of the switch, and a cap adapted to secure the compressible element in a position at least partially surrounding the upper portion of the switch.

Abstract: Systems and methods disclosed herein provide techniques for reducing quantization errors and side lobe levels in phased array antennas. The states of a quantized phase shifter of a phased array antenna may be dithered to achieve a time-averaged value that reduces quantization errors. By rapidly switching between the different states of the quantized phase shifter, a time-average value close to a desired phase state may be achieved with a low resolution phase shifter.

Abstract: An expanding cam lock for use with an electrophoresis system is disclosed herein. The cam lock allows the simultaneous use of multiple slab gel cassettes in first and second buffer core assemblies in an electrophoresis system while maintaining the necessary compressive force to create a liquid-tight seal between the anode and cathode buffer solutions. In one example embodiment, the expanding cam lock includes a base plate with a first surface adapted to engage the first buffer core assembly and a follower plate having second surface adapted to engage the second buffer core assembly, buffer dam or buffer displacement dam. The base plate and the follower plate are slidably coupled together and are designed for insertion between the first buffer core assembly and the second buffer core assembly, buffer dam or buffer displacement dam in the electrophoresis container. A cam is positioned between and moveably coupled with the base plate and the follower plate.

Abstract: A phase shifter having both digital and analog shifting components is disclosed. The digital-analog phase shifter includes an input/output port configured, in part, for receiving an input radio frequency (RF) signal from an external source and outputting a phase shifted RF signal. A digital shifter performs coarse phase shifts of the input RF signal, while an analog shifter variably shift the phase of the input RF signal relative to the coarse phase shift. This produces a phase shifted RF signal having a total phase range that is output is continuously variable from 0° to 360°.

Abstract: A hydraulic system and method of controlling such on a machine is disclosed. The hydraulic system may comprise a primary hydraulic circuit that includes a first load sense controlled pump, a secondary hydraulic circuit that includes a second load sense controlled pump, a flow sharing valve, and a load sense arrangement. The load sense arrangement may include a main resolver configured to select a higher pressure signal between the primary and secondary hydraulic circuits, and a load sense valve having an open position at which pressure signal flow between the primary hydraulic circuit and the main resolver is allowed, and a closed position at which pressure signal flow between the primary hydraulic circuit and the main resolver is blocked. In an embodiment, when the load sense valve is in the closed position, the second load sense controlled pump may be controlled only by the secondary hydraulic circuit.

Abstract: A digital phase shifter is described where each bit of the phase shifter has a circuit block including one PIN diode in parallel with one transmission line. The phase shifter requires only one PIN diode and one transmission line per bit circuit block. Each PIN diode behaves like a simple switch for phase shifting. When the PIN diode is forward biased (“on” state), current flows through the PIN diode and the RF signal is not phase shifted. When the pin diode is not forward biased (“off” state), current flows through the transmission line parallel to the PIN diode and the RF signal is phase shifted by the transmission line. The digital phase shifter may have n circuit blocks in series, and adjacent PIN diodes may share a current when both are on. The phase shifter may be implemented in a phased array or reflect array antenna including multiple phase shifters.

Abstract: An inflight entertainment system for use in an aircraft displays commands to a passenger to move a passenger electronic device (PED) between locations defined relative a seatback display device and the passenger's seat. The system measures received signal strength indications (RSSIs) from discoverable PEDs over time while the PED is moved between the locations, and selects one of the PEDs that satisfies a defined rule for an amount of change that is observed over time in the measured RSSIs for that PED. The system then establishes a connection through a Bluetooth transceiver with a Bluetooth transceiver of the selected PED.

Abstract: An inflight entertainment system for use in an aircraft displays commands to a passenger to move a passenger electronic device (PED) between locations defined relative a seatback display device and the passenger's seat. The system measures received signal strength indications (RSSIs) from discoverable PEDs over time while the PED is moved between the locations, and selects one of the PEDs that satisfies a defined rule for an amount of change that is observed over time in the measured RSSIs for that PED. The system then establishes a connection through a Bluetooth transceiver with a Bluetooth transceiver of the selected PED.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for continuously shifting the phase of an input signal includes a quadrature hybrid having an input/output port for receiving an input radio frequency (RF) signal and outputting a phase shifted RF signal. An analog shifting unit is connected to the quadrature hybrid for performing an intermediate phase shift on the input RF signal. An additional analog shifting unit is connected to an isolation port of the quadrature hybrid to receive an intermediate output signal based on the intermediate phase shift, and shifting a phase of the intermediate output signal to produce an intermediate input signal. The analog shifting unit performs a final phase shift of the intermediate input signal and the final phase shifted intermediate input signal is output, at the input/output port, as the phase shifted RF signal.

Abstract: Vector format based computer graphics tools have become very powerful tools allowing artists, designers etc. to mimic many artistic styles, exploit automated techniques, etc. and across different simulated physical media and digital media. However, hand-drawing and sketching in vector format graphics is unnatural and a user's strokes rendered by software are generally unnatural and appear artificial. In contrast to today's hand-drawing and sketching which requires significant training of and understanding by the user of complex vector graphics methods embodiments of the invention lower the barrier to accessing computer graphics applications for users in respect of making hand-drawing or sketching easier to perform. Accordingly, the inventors have established a direct vector-based hand-drawing/sketching entry format supporting any input methodology.

Abstract: A control system for a work implement of a machine having a frame is provided. The control system includes a fluid source configured to provide a supply of pressurized fluid and a pair of tilt cylinders in fluid communication with the fluid source. The tilt cylinders are configured to operatively tilt the work implement with respect to the frame of the machine. Each of the tilt cylinders has a rod end and a cap end between which a regenerative valve is disposed to selectively allow fluid communication between the rod end and the cap end of a corresponding tilt cylinder. The control system further includes a controller communicably coupled to each of the regenerative valves. The controller is configured to vary an amount of restriction in each regenerative valve to regulate an amount of fluid flowing between the rod end and the cap end of the corresponding tilt cylinder.

Abstract: Systems and methods disclosed herein provide techniques for reducing quantization errors and side lobe levels in phased array antennas. The states of a quantized phase shifter of a phased array antenna may be dithered to achieve a time-averaged value that reduces quantization errors. By rapidly switching between the different states of the quantized phase shifter, a time-average value close to a desired phase state may be achieved with a low resolution phase shifter.

Abstract: A radio frequency waveguide is disclosed. The radio frequency waveguide includes: a dielectric including an exterior input surface, an exterior output surface and other exterior surfaces; and a metal disposed on the other exterior surfaces of the dielectric, wherein the dielectric is voidless and adapted to propagate radio frequency radiation from the exterior input surface to the exterior output surface.

Abstract: A braking control method and device for a vehicle are disclosed. According to certain embodiments, the device may include a controller configured to receive driving environment information from one or more sensors, and determine that emergency braking is warranted based on the driving environment information. The controller may also be configured to activate regenerative braking and friction braking to decelerate the vehicle. The controller may also be configured to monitor rotational speeds of one or more wheels of the vehicle, and adjust an amount of the regenerative braking and an amount of the friction braking based on the rotational speeds of the one or more wheels. The device may further include at least one actuator for applying the regenerative braking and the friction braking.

Abstract: A braking control method and device for a vehicle are disclosed. According to certain embodiments, the device may include a controller configured to: detect a panic braking event initiated by a user; activate regenerative braking to decelerate the vehicle; monitor an amount of friction braking generated by a friction braking system of the vehicle; monitor rotational speeds of one or more wheels of the vehicle; and adjust an amount of the regenerative braking based on the amount of the friction braking and the rotational speeds of the one or more wheels. The device may further include at least one actuator for applying the adjusted amount of the regenerative braking.

Abstract: A regenerative braking system separate from a friction braking system of a vehicle is disclosed. According to certain embodiments, the regenerative braking system may include at least one actuator and a controller. The controller may be configured to: determine whether an accelerator pedal is depressed; when the accelerator pedal is depressed, determine an amount of regenerative braking based on behavior of the accelerator pedal; when the accelerator pedal is not depressed, determine the amount of regenerative braking based on motion of the vehicle; and control the at least one actuator to generate the determined amount of regenerative braking.

Abstract: An interface pillow for insertion into a nostril of a user for delivering positive air pressure (e.g. during sleep) has a pliable member having a body. The body has an insertion end and a distal sealing end that includes a seal for interfacing with a cannula. An insertion bulge extends from the body limiting an insertion distance into the user's nostrils. An insertion area of the body extends between the insertion end and the insertion bulge, the sides of which angle inwardly towards the insertion end at an angle. The outer shape of the insertion area is flattened on one side for interfacing with a septum of a nose, and an upper interface area of the outer shape of the insertion area is narrower than a lower interface area of the outer shape of the insertion area to conform to a shape of a nostril of the nose.

Abstract: A power toothbrush includes a handle having a driving system therein. The driving system is responsive to two drive signals. One drive signal produces a clinically effective cleansing action for the teeth, while the other drive signal is arranged to produce audible sounds from the toothbrush which are cognitively stimulating or relaxing.