Abstract: Prosthetic and/or orthotic devices (PODS), control systems for PODS and methods for controlling PODS are provided. As part of the control system, an inference layer collects data regarding a vertical and horizontal displacement of the POD, as well as an angle of the POD with respect to gravity during a gait cycle of a user of the POD. A processor analyzes the data collected to determine a locomotion activity of the user and selects one or more control parameters based on the locomotion activity. The inference layer may be situated between a reactive layer control module and a learning layer control module of the control system architecture.

Abstract: Prosthetic and/or orthotic devices (PODS), control systems for PODS and methods for controlling PODS are provided. As part of the control system, an inference layer collects data regarding a vertical and horizontal displacement of the POD, as well as an angle of the POD with respect to gravity during a gait cycle of a user of the POD. A processor analyzes the data collected to determine a locomotion activity of the user and selects one or more control parameters based on the locomotion activity. The inference layer may be situated between a reactive layer control module and a learning layer control module of the control system architecture.

Abstract: An electrocyclonic particle collector (EPC) for removing particulate matter from a gas includes an EPC gas inlet, an EPC gas outlet, and an EPC gas flow path between the EPC gas inlet and the EPC gas outlet. A first section is downstream of the EPC gas inlet and includes a first cyclonic particle collector in the gas flow path for cyclonically removing particles from the gas. A second section is in series with the first section and includes a rotational flow chamber in the gas flow path, and at least a first electrode in the gas flow path for facilitating electrostatic removal of particles from the gas stream in the rotational flow chamber.

Abstract: Prosthetic and/or orthotic devices (PODS), control systems for PODS and methods for controlling PODS are provided. As part of the control system, an inference layer collects data regarding a vertical and horizontal displacement of the POD, as well as an angle of the POD with respect to gravity during a gait cycle of a user of the POD. A processor analyzes the data collected to determine a locomotion activity of the user and selects one or more control parameters based on the locomotion activity. The inference layer may be situated between a reactive layer control module and a learning layer control module of the control system architecture.

Abstract: An electrocyclonic particle collector (EPC) for removing particulate matter from a gas includes an EPC gas inlet, an EPC gas outlet, and an EPC gas flow path between the EPC gas inlet and the EPC gas outlet. A first section is downstream of the EPC gas inlet and includes a first cyclonic particle collector in the gas flow path for cyclonically removing particles from the gas. A second section is in series with the first section and includes a rotational flow chamber in the gas flow path, and at least a first electrode in the gas flow path for facilitating electrostatic removal of particles from the gas stream in the rotational flow chamber.

Abstract: Prosthetic and/or orthotic devices (PODS), control systems for PODS and methods for controlling PODS are provided. As part of the control system, an inference layer collects data regarding a vertical and horizontal displacement of the POD, as well as an angle of the POD with respect to gravity during a gait cycle of a user of the POD. A processor analyzes the data collected to determine a locomotion activity of the user and selects one or more control parameters based on the locomotion activity. The inference layer may be situated between a reactive layer control module and a learning layer control module of the control system architecture.

Abstract: A flue gas treatment apparatus has a flue gas inlet, a treated gas outlet downstream of the flue gas inlet, and a gas flow path therebetween. The flue gas treatment apparatus comprises a particulate removal device. A first heater is downstream of the particulate removal device. The first heater heats the flue gas to a first treatment temperature. A first catalytic converter is downstream of the first heater for eliminating at least some CO and SO2 from the flue gas. A second heater is downstream of the first catalytic converter for heating the flue gas to a second treatment temperature. A second catalytic converter is downstream of the second heater for eliminating at least some NOx from the flue gas. At least a first fan forces the flue gas from the flue gas inlet to the treated gas outlet.

Abstract: A load distribution device that transfers the musculo-skeletal stress at a joint to associated body segments of a given joint-segments body structure. The device includes a proximal support element adapted to be positioned onto a proximal body segment, a distal support element adapted to be positioned onto a distal body segment, a compensating joint movably connecting the proximal and distal support elements, a control system operatively connected to the compensating joint and a power source supplying power to the control system and the compensating joint. During user executed movements, the compensating joint generates or dissipates, under the directions of the control system a preset level of biomechanical energy corresponding to a user desired musculo-skeletal stress reduction at the joint-segments structure in order to compensate the movements of the user, the biomechanical energy being redistributed onto the proximal and distal body segments via the corresponding proximal and distal support elements.

Abstract: A flue gas treatment apparatus has a flue gas inlet, a treated gas outlet downstream of the flue gas inlet, and a gas flow path therebetween. The flue gas treatment apparatus comprises a particulate removal device. A first heater is downstream of the particulate removal device. The first heater heats the flue gas to a first treatment temperature. A first catalytic converter is downstream of the first heater for eliminating at least some CO and SO2 from the flue gas. A second heater is downstream of the first catalytic converter for heating the flue gas to a second treatment temperature. A second catalytic converter is downstream of the second heater for eliminating at least some NOx from the flue gas. At least a first fan forces the flue gas from the flue gas inlet to the treated gas outlet.

Abstract: Prosthetic and/or orthotic devices (PODS), control systems for PODS and methods for controlling PODS are provided. As part of the control system, an inference layer collects data regarding a vertical and horizontal displacement of the POD, as well as an angle of the POD with respect to gravity during a gait cycle of a user of the POD. A processor analyzes the data collected to determine a locomotion activity of the user and selects one or more control parameters based on the locomotion activity. The inference layer may be situated between a reactive layer control module and a learning layer control module of the control system architecture.

Abstract: Prosthetic and/or orthotic devices (PODS), control systems for PODS and methods for controlling PODS are provided. As part of the control system, an inference layer collects data regarding a vertical and horizontal displacement of the POD, as well as an angle of the POD with respect to gravity during a gait cycle of a user of the POD. A processor analyzes the data collected to determine a locomotion activity of the user and selects one or more control parameters based on the locomotion activity. The inference layer may be situated between a reactive layer control module and a learning layer control module of the control system architecture.

Abstract: An implantable pulse generator for providing at least one of a voltage and a current stimulation to a tissue of a subject through trough at least two electrodes adapted to be in electrical contact with the tissue of the subject, the implantable pulse generator comprising a stimulation circuit coupled to the at least two electrodes, the stimulation circuit including at least one dual-mode voltage and current source, wherein the stimulation circuit can operate alternatively in a voltage stimulation mode and in a current stimulation mode. The implantable pulse generator also comprises a processing unit coupled to the stimulation circuit, the processing unit being so configured as to control the mode of operation of the stimulation circuit.

Abstract: A load distribution device that transfers the musculo-skeletal stress at a joint to associated body segments of a given joint-segments body structure. The device comprises a proximal support element adapted to be positioned onto a proximal body segment, a distal support element adapted to be positioned onto a distal body segment, a compensating joint movably connecting the proximal and distal support elements, a control system operatively connected to the compensating joint and a power source supplying power to the control system and the compensating joint. During user executed movements, the compensating joint generates or dissipates, under the directions of the control system a preset level of biomechanical energy corresponding to a user desired musculo-skeletal stress reduction at the joint-segments structure in order to compensate the movements of the user, the biomechanical energy being redistributed onto the proximal and distal body segments via the corresponding proximal and distal support elements.

Abstract: Prosthetic and/or orthotic devices (PODS), control systems for PODS and methods for controlling PODS are provided. As part of the control system, an inference layer collects data regarding a vertical and horizontal displacement of the POD, as well as an angle of the POD with respect to gravity during a gait cycle of a user of the POD. A processor analyzes the data collected to determine a locomotion activity of the user and selects one or more control parameters based on the locomotion activity. The inference layer may be situated between a reactive layer control module and a learning layer control module of the control system architecture.

Abstract: An implantable pulse generator for providing at least one of a voltage and a current stimulation to a tissue of a subject through trough at least two electrodes adapted to be in electrical contact with the tissue of the subject, the implantable pulse generator comprising a stimulation circuit coupled to the at least two electrodes, the stimulation circuit including at least one dual-mode voltage and current source, wherein the stimulation circuit can operate alternatively in a voltage stimulation mode and in a current stimulation mode. The implantable pulse generator also comprises a processing unit coupled to the stimulation circuit, the processing unit being so configured as to control the mode of operation of the stimulation circuit.

Abstract: The present invention discloses an apparatus and a method of modulating a carrier with digital information having a series of datums represented in a plurality of symbols, the method comprising selecting a first number of half-periods of a first phase distinguished carrier signal for representing a corresponding symbol of a first one of the datums, selecting a second number of half-periods of a second phase distinguished carrier signal for representing a corresponding symbol of the datum following the first datum, determining at least one matching carrier signal having a third number of half-periods of a format to conform to a transition of the first phase distinguished carrier signal to the second phase distinguished carrier signal, and sequentially arranging the first number of half-periods of the first phase distinguished carrier signal, the third number of half-periods of the matching carrier signal and the second number of half-periods of the second phase distinguished carrier signal.

Abstract: A method and system for extracting segments from a broadcast television signal uses a mean display attribute value of pixels of each successive frame of a video component of the signal to identify segment transitions. Elapsed times between the identified segment transitions are compared with expected durations of segments, in order to detect intervals that are likely to constitute segments. Groups of the detected intervals are subjected to tests to see if they are temporally arranged in an expected distribution typical of segments in broadcast signals. The mean display attribute values concurrent with each detected segment are then used to form a statistical profile for the segment. These statistical profiles may be used to identify re-broadcast segments. Further a stream of mean audio amplitudes is preferably used to supply further segment transitions, to improve segment detection, and to provide more statistical values.

Abstract: A system and method for extracting advertising segments from a video source, stores the extracted segments in a stractured database to be used in various applications. The system for extracting advertising, or other promotional segments, from a video signal converts the video signal to a digital format, if requied, stores the video signal in a database, scans the video signal for the presence of predetermined characteristics and uses the characteristics to locate a start and an end of each segment.

Abstract: The power line communication system includes a transmitter and a receiver, both providing a communication path between two communication control devices over a power line. The transmitter includes a voltage amplifier and a current amplifier. A switch between the transmit and receive modes is implemented within the voltage amplifier. The current amplifier also has a two-step output impedance. When the transmitter is active, the current amplifier shows a low impedance on the line to overcome other loads. If, however, the communication medium shows a high level of noise, the output impedance of the current amplifier decreases even further and creates a path to ground. The receiver advantageously uses a logarithmic amplifier for signal range compression. This type of amplifier preserves the shape of the signal that is important when the modulation scheme uses the zero crossings to store information.

Abstract: A method and system for extracting segments from a broadcast television signal uses a mean display attribute value of pixels of each successive frame of a video component of the signal to identify segment transitions. Elapsed times between the identified segment transitions are compared with expected durations of segments, in order to detect intervals that are likely to constitute segments. Groups of the detected intervals are subjected to tests to see if they are temporally arranged in an expected distribution typical of segments in broadcast signals. he mean display attribute values concurrent with each detected segment are then used to form a statistical profile for the segment. These statistical profiles may be used to identify re-broadcast segments. Further a stream of mean audio amplitudes is preferably used to supply further segment transitions, to improve segment detection, and to provide more statistical values.