Abstract: An optical assembly and a method of making an optical assembly in which additive manufacturing techniques are used to form a support structure either directly on an optical element or on a carrier that is subsequently bonded to an optical element.

Abstract: A power supply for a smooth power output level transitioning includes an energy storage circuit for temporarily storing electric energy for driving a load, a semiconductor switch for pulse-width modulation (PWM) switching, and a digital PWM controller. The digital PWM controller generates a driving waveform to regulate on and off status of the semiconductor switch. The driving waveform toggles between PWM periods of a first type and PWM periods of a second type, and gradually adjusts a ratio of numbers of the PWM periods of the two types over time. The toggling driving waveform achieves one or more intermediate finer power output level that cannot be realized by a single type of PWM period with an intermediate duty cycle, due to the minimum item unit of the driving waveform limited by a clock rate of the digital PWM controller.

Abstract: Disclosed are compounds of Formula 1, including all geometric and stereoisomers, tautomers, N-oxides, and salts thereof, wherein R1, R2, A, L and J are as defined in the disclosure. Also disclosed are compositions containing the compounds of Formula 1 and methods for controlling plant disease caused by a fungal pathogen comprising applying an effective amount of a compound or a composition of the invention.

Abstract: A power supply for a smooth power output level transitioning includes an energy storage circuit for temporarily storing electric energy for driving a load, a semiconductor switch for pulse-width modulation (PWM) switching, and a digital PWM controller. The digital PWM controller generates a driving waveform to regulate on and off status of the semiconductor switch. The driving waveform toggles between PWM periods of a first type and PWM periods of a second type, and gradually adjusts a ratio of numbers of the PWM periods of the two types over time. The toggling driving waveform achieves one or more intermediate finer power output level that cannot be realized by a single type of PWM period with an intermediate duty cycle, due to the minimum item unit of the driving waveform limited by a clock rate of the digital PWM controller.

Abstract: Embodiments disclosed herein provide computerized, networked procurement systems designed to interact with source sites through asynchronous, progressive scripting requests to retrieve richer data sets from websites utilizing interactive loading and multiple hyperlinked pages either with a single vendor or across a plurality of vendors. These may provide improvements on prior art systems, such as by improving the response time relative to a prior art synchronous system from 30-60 seconds to less than ten seconds.

Abstract: Methods, systems, devices and/or apparatus related to type of network-based social network in which network “connections” are include a topical trust factor between users, so that reputable information available over the network may be provided. In an example embodiment, a social rank score for available items of information is provided that allows the system to rank available information based upon topical factors associated with such information.

Abstract: This disclosure involves a method of controlling a safety critical control device, the method comprising: sending user inputs to a first state machine, identifying user inputs by the first state machine, determining the correct state to communicate to a second state machine, the correct state being determined by selecting one state of a plurality of states depending on the user inputs, communicating the correct state to a second state machine through a control bus, and determining the correct state for the second state machine based on communication from the control bus.

Abstract: Smart mapping is provided. A smart mapping system (SMS) and method identify an information source (IS) as an intended recipient of an information request item by matching one or more data elements in a dataset associated with an information request (IR) item with an IS candidate stored in a mapping database. An IS candidate may be an exact match, or a partial match with a highest match agreement score. The SMS provides for notifying an information requestor in real time or near real time when a match is determined or when a plurality of matching IS candidates are identified, such that a user is enabled to select an intended IS, or provide additional input. When a trend associated with matching particular data items to a particular IS candidate is identified, the SMS may add mapping property values to the mapping database for refining and improving the system.

Abstract: A power supply for a smooth power output level transitioning includes an energy storage circuit for temporarily storing electric energy for driving a load, a semiconductor switch for pulse-width modulation (PWM) switching, and a digital PWM controller. The digital PWM controller generates a driving waveform to regulate on and off status of the semiconductor switch. The driving waveform toggles between PWM periods of a first type and PWM periods of a second type, and gradually adjusts a ratio of numbers of the PWM periods of the two types over time. The toggling driving waveform achieves one or more intermediate finer power output level that cannot be realized by a single type of PWM period with an intermediate duty cycle, due to the minimum item unit of the driving waveform limited by a clock rate of the digital PWM controller.

Abstract: A power supply for a smooth power output level transitioning includes an energy storage circuit for temporarily storing electric energy for driving a load, a semiconductor switch for pulse-width modulation (PWM) switching, and a digital PWM controller. The digital PWM controller generates a driving waveform to regulate on and off status of the semiconductor switch. The driving waveform toggles between PWM periods of a first type and PWM periods of a second type, and gradually adjusts a ratio of numbers of the PWM periods of the two types over time. The toggling driving waveform achieves one or more intermediate finer power output level that cannot be realized by a single type of PWM period with an intermediate duty cycle, due to the minimum item unit of the driving waveform limited by a clock rate of the digital PWM controller.

Abstract: Methods, systems, devices and/or apparatus related to finding and sharing information on the Internet. Specifically, the disclosed methods, systems, devices and/or apparatus relate to utilizing reference materials to find and share topical information on the Internet.

Abstract: The disclosure concerns a cork stopper shaving device with shaving elements fixed at predetermined angles and configured for cutting material from a cork stopper and tapering an edge thereof, such that the cork stopper, when cut, becomes modified for easy re-insertion back into a bottle or container.

Abstract: Dynamically determining an optimum connectivity path is provided. Default paths to connectivity sources associated with a payer may be determined and ranked based on various metrics, such as availability, content, and cost. When a connection to a primary connectivity source is determined to be down or unresponsive, a request may automatically be routed to a next connectivity source, wherein the next connectivity source is determined to be a next highest ranking connectivity source based on the various metrics. Data associated with availability, content, cost, and other attributes may be collected, stored in a database, and utilized to rank connectivity sources. Accordingly, as new information about a payer or connectivity source is discovered, default paths and rankings of connectivity sources may change.

Abstract: Methods, systems, devices and/or apparatus related to finding and sharing information on a large-scale or global computer network such as the Internet, and, specifically, to allow for collaboratively searching for, organizing and/or accessing information.

Abstract: Isolated and/or purified polypeptides and nucleic acid sequences encoding polypeptides from Alicyclobacillus acidocaldarius are provided. Further provided are methods for modulating or altering metabolism in a cell using isolated and/or purified polypeptides and nucleic acid sequences from Alicyclobacillus acidocaldarius.

Abstract: The present invention provides an adjustable, universal screed guide/control joint clip for positioning screed guide/control joints utilized in the placement of concrete in concrete slabs. The adjustable universal screed guide clip allows for the exact adjustment of the height of the screed guide attached thereto for the placement of the concrete slabs, and the adjustable universal screed guide clip also allows for the installation of the screed guide in applications which heretofore were not possible. The adjustable, universal screed guide/control joint clip of the present invention is capable of accommodating both large and small profile screed guides.

Abstract: A power supply for a smooth power output level transitioning includes an energy storage circuit for temporarily storing electric energy for driving a load, a semiconductor switch for pulse-width modulation (PWM) switching, and a digital PWM controller. The digital PWM controller generates a driving waveform to regulate on and off status of the semiconductor switch. The driving waveform toggles between PWM periods of a first type and PWM periods of a second type, and gradually adjusts a ratio of numbers of the PWM periods of the two types over time. The toggling driving waveform achieves one or more intermediate finer power output level that cannot be realized by a single type of PWM period with an intermediate duty cycle, due to the minimum item unit of the driving waveform limited by a clock rate of the digital PWM controller.

Abstract: Smart mapping is provided. A smart mapping system (SMS) and method identify an information source (IS) as an intended recipient of an information request item by matching one or more data elements in a dataset associated with an information request (IR) item with an IS candidate stored in a mapping database. An IS candidate may be an exact match, or a partial match with a highest match agreement score. The SMS provides for notifying an information requestor in real time or near real time when a match is determined or when a plurality of matching IS candidates are identified, such that a user is enabled to select an intended IS, or provide additional input. When a trend associated with matching particular data items to a particular IS candidate is identified, the SMS may add mapping property values to the mapping database for refining and improving the system.