Abstract: A radio frequency (RF) front end having group delay mismatch reduction is provided. One embodiment provides a first feed forward path and a second feed forward path. The second feed forward path is electrically in parallel with the first feed forward. The second feed forward path has a first signal path and a second signal path. The first and second signal paths are arranged to be electrically in parallel. The first signal path has a digital filter. The second signal path has a tunable analog filter. The tunable analog filter operates to reduce a delay associated with the second feed forward path as compared with a delay associated with the first feed forward path.

Abstract: An adjustable accessory for a medical device having an elongate tube and a lumen extending therein, the adjustable accessory including a handle adapted for connection to a proximal end of the elongate tube. The handle including a longitudinal axis and a slot on the handle transverse to the longitudinal axis. The slot includes multiple detent positions and a fitting movably disposed in the slot. The fitting is configured to be releasably secured within one of the detent positions, and the fitting includes a port in communication with the lumen of the elongate tube.

Abstract: Biodegradable polyesters are made by synthesizing copolymers derived from biodegradable hydroxyacid monomers as well as from hydroxyacid monomers containing a functional group such as an azide group, a halogen group, a thioacetate group, and the like. Preferably, the functionalized biodegradable polyester copolymers are derived from a functionalized hydroxyacid such as a homolog of lactic acid and/or glycolic acid with the copolyester thus containing functional groups on the backbone thereof. These biodegradable polyesters can be utilized wherever biodegradable polyesters are currently used, and also serve as a polymer to which various medical and drug delivery systems can be attached.

Abstract: A method of adapting transmission controls to locate synchronizer touch points in an automated layshaft transmission. This method may include actuating a motor to move a shift drum along a layshaft at an essentially constant speed; measuring a feedback current as the motor moves the shift drum; detecting a first spike in feedback current adjacent to a second spike in feedback current for a gear; determining a shift drum angle for the first spike; and adjusting a transmission controller to set a synchronizer touch point at a shift drum angle adjacent to the first feedback current spike for the gear.

Abstract: The power output of a free piston Stirling engine mounted in a free casing configuration is controlled by having a spring drivingly linking the displacer to the casing and controllably varying the amplitude of reciprocation of the casing. A variable casing reciprocation restraint is linked to the casing for applying a variable restraining force to the casing. The restraining force is increased for decreasing the displacer amplitude of reciprocation and thereby decreasing the power output from the Stirling engine and the restraining force is decreased for increasing the displacer amplitude of reciprocation and thereby increasing the power output from the Stirling engine.

Abstract: Various embodiments of the present disclosure create a novel system for rating an event in a media based on the strength of the emotions viewers feel towards the event. The viewer's responses to the media can be measured and calculated via physiological sensors. The metric for rating the strength of the media is created based on the mathematical coherence of change (up or down) of all pertinent physiological responses across multiple viewers. Such rating offers an objective ability to compare the strengths of events of the media, as there is a strong correlation between high coherence of physiological responses (all viewers feel the same thing at the same time) and strong ratings of emotionality, engagement, likeability, success in the marketplace/on screen.

Abstract: A voltage source converter comprising three phase elements defining a star connection in which a first end of each phase element is connected to a common junction; at least two converter limbs, each converter limb including first and second DC terminals for connection in use to a DC network and an AC terminal connected in series with a second end of a phase element, each converter limb defining first and second limb portions, including a chain-link converter, each chain-link converter including chain-link modules; and a third DC terminal connected to the common junction of the star connection to define an auxiliary connection, wherein in use a current is injected into the auxiliary connection to modify a voltage of each chain-link module in each limb portion.

Abstract: Video drive-by data provides a street level view of a neighborhood surrounding a selected geographic location. A video and data server farm incorporates a video storage server that stores video image files containing video drive-by data corresponding to a geographic location, a database server that processes a data query received from a user over the Internet corresponding to a geographic location of interest, and an image processing server. In operation, the database server identifies video image files stored in the video storage server that correspond to the geographic location of interest contained in the data query and transfers the video image files over a pre-processing network to the image processing server. The image processing server converts the video drive-by data to post-processed video data corresponding to a desired image format and transfers the post-processed video data via a post-processing network to the Internet in response to the query.

Abstract: Holster carrying a firearm with an optical sight mounted thereon, holster having an open top, inner and outer sidewalls with parallel extension portions, a top wall portion affixed to the extension. A protector includes a U-shaped body with an upper wall, spaced depending side walls, a rear wall and forward spring tab the sight. The side walls are respectively pivotally connected to the extension portions and movable between closed and open positions. When closed, all the protector walls, the extension portions and the top wall portion substantially enclose a rear part of the sight to inhibit debris from entering. The polymeric tab engages the top wall portion and biases the protector closed which is overcome automatically by forcible withdrawal of the firearm. The sight is on a firearm slide and is partially covered by the rear wall.

Abstract: Arrangements involving portable devices (e.g., smartphones and tablet computers) are disclosed. One arrangement enables a content creator to select software with which that creator's content should be rendered—assuring continuity between artistic intention and delivery. Another utilizes a device camera to identify nearby subjects, and take actions based thereon. Others rely on near field chip (RFID) identification of objects, or on identification of audio streams (e.g., music, voice). Some technologies concern improvements to the user interfaces associated with such devices. Others involve use of these devices in connection with shopping, text entry, sign language interpretation, and vision-based discovery. Still other improvements are architectural in nature, e.g., relating to evidence-based state machines, and blackboard systems. Yet other technologies concern use of linked data in portable devices—some of which exploit GPU capabilities. Still other technologies concern computational photography.

Abstract: A self-adjusting striker assembly, for use with a box having a lid, a box body and a latch, includes a striker bar mounted to the lid which is operative to move linearly relative to the latch in the event of misalignment between the lid and box body.

Abstract: A laser-machining system and method is disclosed for forming retainers on a suture thread. The laser system is preferably a femtosecond laser system which is capable of creating submicron features on the suture thread while preserving strength of the suture thread. The laser-machining system enables creation of retainers and self-retaining suture systems in configurations which are difficult and/or impossible to achieve using mechanical cutting technology.

Abstract: A horizontally polarized antenna array allows for the efficient distribution of RF energy into a communications environment through selectable antenna elements and redirectors that create a particular radiation pattern such as a substantially omnidirectional radiation pattern. In conjunction with a vertically polarized array, a particular high-gain wireless environment may be created such that one environment does not interfere with other nearby wireless environments and avoids interference created by those other environments. Lower gain patterns may also be created by using particular configurations of a horizontal and/or vertical antenna array. In a preferred embodiment, the antenna systems disclosed herein are utilized in a multiple-input, multiple-output (MIMO) wireless environment.

Abstract: A system for controlling an active electronically scanned array (AESA) antenna, which enables the AESA antenna to switch rapidly between different antenna states, includes memories (38) connected to a common address bus (40). Each memory (38) is also connected to a digitally controlled RF signal transmission block (32) within the AESA antenna, and stores digital control words for the digitally controlled RF signal transmission block (32). When a new address is provided on the address bus (40), each memory (38) outputs a new digital control word to its respective digitally controlled RF signal transmission block (32), causing a change in the state of the AESA antenna.

Abstract: An electrode/separator assembly for use in an electrochemical cell includes a porous composite layer having a total thickness in the range of about 4 ?m to about 50 ?m comprising inorganic particles having an average aggregate particle size in the range of about 0.5 ?m to about 6 ?m in an electrochemically stable polymer matrix.

Abstract: Disclosed is a water bottle plus related mounting apparatus and methods.

Abstract: Methods, computer readable media, and apparatuses for electronically sorting and managing mail within an electronic lockbox are described. Mail may be routed from a mail delivery service to a first location. The mail may be scanned at the first location and information may be extracted from the envelopes and items within the envelopes. The information may be verified and grouped into electronic transactions. The electronic transactions may be classified and sorted into batches based on identifiers contained within the information extracted from the mail. The batches of electronic transactions may be processed and information relating to the transactions may be stored.

Abstract: Various embodiments relate to a systems and methods for downloading one or more effects to an effects unit. One or more effects may be received. On an effects unit. Audio signals for the one or more effects may be processed based on instructions for processing the audio signals received with the one or more effects. For each subsequent effect received on the effect unit, the processing of the audio signals may be reprogrammed. The one or more effects may be transmitted for output from the effects unit.

Abstract: A field programmable gate array (FPGA) includes configuration RAM (CRAM) including at least one non-hardened portion and at least one hardened portion having an SER resilience greater than an SER resilience of the non-hardened portion.

Abstract: Various embodiments provide keyboards that provide haptic feedback to a user of the keyboard. In at least some embodiments, movement of an actuator and/or a user-engageable portion in a direction generally orthogonal to a direction of the keypress when the switch is closed provides a user with haptic feedback, which simulates a snapover movement.