Abstract: A system may include a power source. The power source supplies a first voltage. The system may also include a voltage regulator that receives the first voltage and supply a second voltage. Additionally, the system may include a microcontroller that receives the second voltage and output the second voltage via an output pin. Further, the system may include a switching element that receives the second voltage from the output pin of the controller at a first terminal and receives the first voltage from the power supply at a second terminal. The switching element selectively charges a first capacitor based on a difference between the first voltage and the second voltage.

Abstract: A system may include a power source. The power source supplies a first voltage. The system may also include a voltage regulator that receives the first voltage and supply a second voltage. Additionally, the system may include a microcontroller that receives the second voltage and output the second voltage via an output pin. Further, the system may include a switching element that receives the second voltage from the output pin of the controller at a first terminal and receives the first voltage from the power supply at a second terminal. The switching element selectively charges a first capacitor based on a difference between the first voltage and the second voltage.

Abstract: Methods and systems for communicating information from a first modular electronic device to a second modular electronic device. The first modular electronic device transmitting a first serial data frame over a two-wire communication protocol. The first serial data frame containing status information, a heartbeat challenge and a frame check character. The second modular electronic device able to receive the first serial data frame, validate the data and display status information on a local human interface. The second electronic device able to respond to the first electronic device by transmitting a second serial data frame. The second serial data frame containing a heartbeat response and a frame check character response. The first modular electronic device having the ability to place a modular electronic overload system in a safe state if communication is lost between the first modular electronic device and the second modular electronic device.

Abstract: A method of determining at least one match item corresponding to a source item. A database of multiple items such as songs is created. Each song is also represented by an n-dimensional database vector in which each element corresponding to one of n musical characteristics of the song. An n-dimensional source song vector that corresponds to the musical characteristics of a source song is determined. A Distance between the source song vector and each of database song vector is calculated, each distance being a function of the differences between the n musical characteristics of the source song vector and one of source database song vector. The calculation of the distances may include the application of a weighted factor to the musical characteristics of resulting vector. A match song is selected based on the magnitude of the distance between the source song and each database songs after applying any weighted factors.

Abstract: An apparatus for producing a pixel-modulated line light source from a point light source in which a fiber optic bundle formed of individual fibers arranged in a cylindrical array forming a tip at one end and having the individual fibers spread to a substantially flat line of fibers at the other end optically coupled with an optical shutter means which is constructed of an array of aperture cells disposd in a straight line region aligned with the flat line of fibers. The transmissivity of the aperture cells is individually controllable by electrical signals.

Abstract: A system for producing an image by a sequence of intensity values representing pixels of the image which employs means for scanning the image at a non-linear rate and further, includes means modulating the basic illumination and intensity of pixels as a function of scanning speed. The scanner provides a reciprocating scan and in a specific embodiment, a bi-directional scan whereby pixels are projected during both forward and reverse line sweep. The scan pattern is typically sinusoidal but can be any repeatable scan. The rate of output of video data is proportional to the rate of scan as is the average intensity of the output.