The present application includes a blade-pitch control system for controlling a pitch angle of each of a plurality of blades on an aircraft rotor. A feedback lever associated with each blade is pivotally mounted to the rotating portion of a swashplate assembly. A pitch link connects an output arm of a lever to a pitch horn of a corresponding blade, and a feedback link connects the input arm of the lever to a yoke. Flapping motion of the yoke causes motion of the feedback link, and this motion causes corresponding rotation of the lever. Rotation of the lever causes motion of the pitch link, which changes the pitch angle of the attached blade. This provides for selected pitch-flap coupling between flapping motion of the yoke and pitch motion of the blades.

An X-ray arrangement is suitable to record absorption, phase contrast, and dark field images of an object. The visibility of low absorbing specimens is improved and required radiation dose is reduced. The assembly includes an X-ray source; two or more gratings; a position-sensitive detector with spatially modulated detection sensitivity; a recorder for recording the images; an evaluator for evaluating the intensities for each pixel to identify the characteristic of the object for each individual pixel as an absorption and/or a differential phase contrast and/or an x-ray scattering dominated pixel. Images are collected by rotating from 0 to n or 2n either the sample or the assembly. The gratings are produced with planar geometry. The X-rays pass through the gratings parallel to the substrate. The grating structures extend along the X-ray path which determines the phase shift. The attenuation of the X-rays caused by the grating structures is no longer given by the thickness, but by the length of the grating structures.

A Compton radiation detection device for determining of Compton radiation of iron, includes a sensor and a filter arrangement. The filter arrangement is adapted such that the radiation emitted by a test object due to Compton scattering passes a nickel layer and an iron layer before being detected by the sensor. A dispersive ionization chamber includes an ionization chamber having a plurality off ionization volumes and a window. Each ionization volume includes an electrode. Radiation can enter through the window. The ionization volumes are arranged in a beam propagation direction behind each other. Radiation having lower energy is statistically absorbed in ionization volumes located more proximal to the window. Radiation having higher energy is statistically absorbed in the ionization volumes located more distal from the window.

A power converter is configured to include an inverter which converts a DC output into an AC voltage of a predetermined frequency, and a high voltage generator which receives an output from output terminals of the inverter and boosts the output to a desired high DC voltage. The high voltage generator includes a transformer, and the primary windings of the transformer are connected to the output terminals of the inverter in parallel by conductive wires connected to both ends of each primary winding. Further, a current sensor is provided to detect a current flowing through each of the primary windings, and a control unit determines abnormalities of a path of the inverter and the primary windings on the basis of a value of the current sensor.

A method of projection domain processing based on a local transform and shrinkage for use in reconstructing digital images from a set of projections, the method including providing a target image of a target object, providing projection data of the target object, producing filtered projection data by applying a sparsifying transform and a shrinkage function to the projection data, followed by an inverse of the sparsifying transform, producing a restored image by applying a reconstruction transform to the filtered projection data, comparing the restored image to the target image, and producing an optimized projection domain shrinkage function by adapting the shrinkage function to minimize differences between the restored image and the target image. Related apparatus and methods are also described.

This specification is directed towards finding, locating, and confirming threat items and substances. The inspection system is designed to detect objects that are made from, but not limited to, special nuclear materials (“SNM”) and/or high atomic number materials. The system employs a dual energy CT scanning first stage inspection system and advanced image processing techniques to analyze images of an object under inspection (“OUI”), which includes, but is not limited to baggage, parcels, vehicles and cargo.

A compensation circuit 76 of an AEC unit 67 of an electronic cassette 13 defines the detection signal of a detection pixel 65 of the electronic cassette 13 as a detection signal corresponding to the detection signal of an old AEC sensor 25. The compensation circuit 76 performs compensation so as to exclude the influence on the detection signal due to a difference in the configuration of an intermediate member disposed between an X-ray source 10 and an FPD 35 of the electronic cassette 13 when the detection pixel 65 is used as an AEC sensor instead of the old AEC sensor 25. The detection signal is transmitted from a detection signal I/F 80 to a detection signal I/F 26 of a source control device 11 as it is (instantaneous value) or as an accumulated value obtained using an integration circuit 77.

A surfactant film viewing apparatus having a chassis, film wand, and film wand positioning means. The chassis is opaque and has a magnifying lens and a light aperture to allow ambient light into the interior of the chassis. The chassis, with the exception of the light aperture and the magnifying lens, forms an substantially closed surface. The film wand has a hoop suitable for supporting a surfactant film across its span. The apparatus includes a means for positioning of said hoop in said interior of said chassis such that the position of said hoop relative to the magnifying lens is stable but manually adjustable so the surfactant film can be positioned for viewing by said magnifying lens. The apparatus may include a reservoir for the surfactant/water mixture, and the means for positioning may also include a means for dipping the hoop in the surfactant/water mixture. In an alternate embodiment the wand has multiple hoops each of which is capable of supporting a surfactant film, rotation of the wand bringing the surfactant films sequentially into view.

A system for providing multi-language conference is provided. The system includes conference terminals and a multipoint control unit. The conference terminals are adapted to process a speech of a conference site, transmitting the processed speech to the multipoint control unit, process an audio data received from the multipoint control unit and output it. At least one of the conference terminals is an interpreting terminal adapted to interpret the speech of the conference according to the audio data transmitted from the multipoint control unit, process the interpreted audio data and output the processed audio data. The multipoint control unit is adapted to perform a sound mixing process of the audio data from the conference terminals in different sound channels according to language types, and then sends mixed audio data after the sound mixing process to the conference terminals.

A method and system for capturing expert behavior that the expert is not even necessarily conscious of, such as gaze patterns, that are tied to positive outcomes, and to create a catalog (e.g. database) of these behaviors. The system compares the current behavior of a person, for example a novice, against this catalog of expert behaviors. If the current behavior is significantly different, the system would adapt various aspects of the interface to bring the current behavior closer in line to that of the expert.

Systems and methods for use in playing biotic games having a biologically active material as a component. Various games that provide for one or more human players to interact with biologically active materials are disclosed. The game apparatus includes a replaceable cartridge having a chamber in which a biologically active component such as a single-celled organism or a biologically active compound is contained. A stimulus controller accepts instructions from a human user and provides a stimulus to the biologically active component. A response receiver accepts a signal indicative of a response of the biologically active component. A display is provided to display to the user information indicative of the response of the biologically active component, and a game score. A computer-based game controller includes a set of pre-defined rules of play that define a game and that comprise pre-defined rules of scoring for the game.

This invention is a wearable, automatic, and tamper-resistant device and method for monitoring and measuring food consumption and caloric intake. It can help people to manage their energy balance and weight. It can be embodied as: (a) one or more automatic-imaging members that are worn on a person from which these members collectively and automatically take pictures of the person's mouth and pictures of a reachable food source when the person eats; (b) a tamper-resisting mechanism which detects and responds if the operation of the one or more automatic-imaging members is impaired; and (c) an image-analyzing member which automatically analyzes pictures of the person's mouth and pictures of the reachable food source in order to estimate the types and quantities of food that are consumed by the person.

An automatic as well as manually operated switching system for selectively applying relatively high voltage pulses to an electrified fence from one of a pair of fence charger units commonly referred to as "fencers." In its automatic mode, an interface switching circuit under the control of a monitoring circuit senses the condition of the high voltage applied to a fence circuit from a first fencer unit and in the event of the occurrence of a predetermined abnormal operating condition, causes a switchover to a second fencer unit which, after a predetermined manually adjustable delay to allow for a varying number of shocks, is caused to turn on and apply its respective high voltage pulses to the fence circuit. The monitor circuit in one embodiment is also adapted to operate as a portable metering unit for trouble shooting the fence circuit.

A method that utilizes software and hardware mechanisms to meet the FCC requirement for a U-NII antenna to be an integral part of the device in which it operates, while providing wireless ready U-NII devices and CRUable U-NII radios. Enhancements are made to the software BIOS, including the inclusion of a table of approved radio-antenna PCI ID pairs to create an authentication scheme that verifies and authenticates the radio and antenna combination as being an FCC-approved unique coupling during boot-up of the system. The BIOS also comprises an OEM field that stores an encrypted secret key utilized to complete a second check of the radio model placed in the device. During boot up of the device, the PCI ID pairs from the BIOS are compared against the PCI ID of the radio and the secret key is checked against the radio model. Only a system with an approved combination of radio and antenna is allowed to complete the boot process, indicating an FCC approved device-antenna-radio combination under the “integral” requirement.

Secure access to a database of upgrade data is provided by storing an encryption key value in a cable used to interconnect a first device and a second device that is associated with the database of upgrade data. The second device allows access to the database of upgrade data via the cable only when the cable is first positively authenticated by the second device through use of the encryption key value stored in the cable.

An apparatus and a method of compensating for an I/Q imbalance in a direct up-conversion system prevents the performance of the system from being deteriorated by efficiently compensating for an I/Q timing skew, an I/Q phase imbalance, and an I/Q gain imbalance by using a characteristic of an OFDM scheme in an Orthogonal Frequency Domain Multiple (Access) (OFDM(A)) system using a direct up-conversion scheme. According to the apparatus and the method of compensating for an I/Q imbalance in the direct up-conversion system of the present invention, an OFDM(A) system using a direct up-conversion scheme may efficiently compensate for I/Q timing skew, I/Q phase imbalance, and I/Q gain imbalance by using a characteristic of an OFDMA scheme, so that a performance of the system is prevented from being deteriorated.

In one embodiment, interference suppression is improved by improving convergence criteria. For some embodiments, convergence is improved by employing non-constant alpha-beta-weighting. For other embodiments, convergence is improved by employing successive interference suppression methods that have guaranteed convergence properties.

A very-low intermediate frequency (VLIF) receiver and a method of controlling a VLIF receiver. The method comprises receiving a first signal, the first signal including one or both of an on-channel signal portion and an adjacent channel interferer (ACI) portion; determining that the first signal includes a portion having a strength that is above a threshold; in response to determining that the first signal includes a portion having a strength that is above the threshold, estimating one or more IQ imbalance parameters for at least a portion of the first signal; and compensating for an IQ imbalance in at least the portion of the first signal using the one or more IQ imbalance parameters.

A method and system provides for execution of calibration cycles from time to time during normal operation of the communication channel. A calibration cycle includes de-coupling the normal data source from the transmitter and supplying a calibration pattern in its place. The calibration pattern is received from the communication link using the receiver on the second component. A calibrated value of a parameter of the communication channel is determined in response to the received calibration pattern. The steps involved in calibration cycles can be reordered to account for utilization patterns of the communication channel. For bidirectional links, calibration cycles are executed which include the step of storing received calibration patterns on the second component, and retransmitting such calibration patterns back to the first component for use in adjusting parameters of the channel at first component.

A communication device and a power control method thereof are provided. The power control method, performed by a communication device, includes: determining a power range of a transmit power of an uplink signal; determining a gain switch range based on the power range; when the transmit power of the uplink signal is within the gain switch range, determining a first gain mode for amplifying the uplink signal; and when the transmit power of the uplink signal is out of the gain switch range, determining a second gain mode for amplifying the uplink signal.

A method and device that interrogates the availability of a called party before placing a communication from the calling party to the called party. A callback may be initiated so that both communications are completed simultaneously. The routing of communication may take place through any one of a number of different networks and at another time of the day, even if the caller does not otherwise have access to those networks.

An image processing apparatus includes a system managing unit configured to manage an apparatus status of apparatus hardware; an acquiring unit configured to acquire application status information of an application from the application and apparatus status information from the system managing unit; an input unit configured to accept a display request for displaying a status monitor screen indicating an overall system status; a screen generating unit configured to receive the display request and generate the status monitor screen based on the application status information and the apparatus status information acquired by the acquiring unit, the status monitor screen including an application status display and an apparatus status display; and a display unit configured to display the status monitor screen generated by the screen generating unit.

The invention provides a semiconductor device and a shift register, in which low noise is caused in a non-selection period and a transistor is not always on. First to fourth transistors are provided. One of a source and a drain of the first transistor is connected to a first wire, the other of the source and the drain thereof is connected to a gate electrode of the second transistor, and a gate electrode thereof is connected to a fifth wire. One of a source and a drain of the second transistor is connected to a third wire and the other of the source and the drain thereof is connected to a sixth wire. One of a source and a drain of the third transistor is connected to a second wire, the other of the source and the drain thereof is connected to the gate electrode of the second transistor, and a gate electrode thereof is connected to a fourth wire. One of a source and a drain of the fourth transistor is connected to the second wire, the other of the source and the drain thereof is connected to the sixth wire, and a gate electrode thereof is connected to the fourth wire.

In one embodiment, a viewer executing on an electronic device having a touch sensitive display shows a three-dimensional (3D) model of a building created using computer aided design (CAD) software. A plurality of selectable interface nodes are provided at respective locations within the 3D model. Each interface node is linked to at least one corresponding two-dimensional (2D) construction drawing that shows a section view, a plan view, an elevation view or a detail view of the building related to the location of the interface node. In response to receiving input from a user indicating selection of a particular interface node, a menu is displayed with one or more selectable menu options. In response to receiving additional input from the user indicating selection of a particular menu option, a corresponding 2D construction drawing for the particular interface node is displayed in context of the 3D model of the building.

A balun including a first conductor winding, a first inductor, a second inductor, a third inductor, and a fourth inductor. The first conductor winding has a figure eight shape including a first loop and a second loop. The first inductor and the second inductor substantially surround the first loop. The third inductor and the fourth inductor substantially surround the second loop.

A three dimensional (3D) branchline coupler using through silicon vias (TSV), methods of manufacturing the same and design structures are disclosed. The method includes forming a first waveguide structure in a first dielectric material. The method further includes forming a second waveguide structure in a second dielectric material. The method further includes forming through silicon vias through a substrate formed between the first dielectric material and the second dielectric material, which connects the first waveguide structure to the second waveguide structure.

In an example embodiment, an electromagnetic interface can comprise: a first component comprising a first waveguide channel, a first interface surface, and a first force transfer feature; a second component comprising a second waveguide channel, a second interface surface, and a second force transfer feature; and a fastener that can be configured to force the first force transfer feature in sliding engagement with the second force transfer feature. The first and second force transfer features can be configured to interoperate to create an indirect force holding the first interface surface in contact with the second interface surface and holding the first waveguide channel in alignment with the second waveguide channel.

A power supply apparatus includes a converter to convert AC power into DC power, an SMPS to convert the DC power into DC powers desired by loads, a capacitor to interconnect the converter and the SMPS, a PTC element connected to the converter, a first switch connected in parallel with the PTC element, and a second switch connected in series with the first switch. The method includes turning on the second switch to start charging of the capacitor, turning on the first switch to charge the capacitor to a target voltage level, and turning off both the first switch and second switch if a voltage across the capacitor rises over the target voltage level, to discharge the voltage across the capacitor so as to lower the voltage across the capacitor to the target voltage level or lower.

An attenuation reduction control structure for high-frequency signal transmission lines of a flexible circuit board includes an impedance control layer formed on a surface of a substrate. The impedance control layer includes an attenuation reduction pattern that is arranged in an extension direction of the high-frequency signal transmission lines of the substrate and corresponds to bottom angle structures of the high-frequency signal transmission lines in order to improve attenuation of a high-frequency signal transmitted through the high-frequency signal transmission lines. An opposite surface of the substrate includes a conductive shielding layer formed thereon. The conductive shielding layer is formed with an attenuation reduction pattern corresponding to top angle structures of the high-frequency signal transmission lines.

A cavity filter includes a slider, a driving device, and an adapter. The slider is used to slide relative to and couple with a plurality of resonators located in the cavity filter to adjust a resonating frequency of the cavity filter. The driving device is used to drive the slider slide relative to the plurality of resonators and includes a shaft having a free end. The adapter is installed between the slider and the driving device and rotateably connected to the free end of the shaft with a gap configured between the free end and the adapter.

An unbalanced-balanced conversion circuit element includes an inductor connected in series between an unbalanced terminal and a first balanced terminal. The first balanced terminal side of the inductor is grounded via a capacitor. A capacitor is connected in series between the unbalanced terminal and a second balanced terminal. An inductor is connected between the first balanced terminal side of the inductor and the second balanced terminal side of the capacitor. In a laminate defining the unbalanced-balanced conversion circuit element, the capacitor is spaced far from a mounting surface of the laminate in comparison with other circuit elements.

Fabric strap having at least two different segments. The first segment is wider and less elastic, providing a comfortable contacting area to the skin and the other segment is narrower and more elastic which is aesthetically more pleasing and easier for applying sewing process in the garment production. Preferably, the first segment is a sealed tubular structure and contains internally free-floating yarns, making it exert less stress to the skin and thus more comfortable to the wearer. In addition, the different segments of the strap are made in a single integral weaving process and thus is conducive to industry automation.

A textile sleeve for routing and protecting elongate members and method of construction thereof is provided. The sleeve includes an elongate wall having opposite edges extending parallel to a central axis. The wall is woven with warp yarns extending parallel to the axis and hybrid fill yarns extending transversely to the warp yarns. The hybrid fill yarns are provided having a yarn filament core and non-metallic first and second yarn filaments overlying the yarn filament core. The first yarn filament is twisted about the yarn filament core in a first helical direction and the second multifilament yarn is twisted over the first yarn filament and about the yarn filament core in a second helical direction. The first helical direction and the second helical direction being opposite one another to provide a resultant zero torque on the yarn filament core.

An anti-“Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus (MRSA)” chitosan containing antibacterial High Wet Modulus (HWM) rayon fiber textile for medical usage is made of the steps as following: chitin flakes made from natural shrimp or crab shells are deacetylated to generate chitosan with a high deacetylation degree of 90% or more. Next chitosan is dissolved in acetic acid and regenerated by caustic soda to form a chitosan antibacterial nanoparticles slurry, then added to HWM viscose rayon process, and spinning to produce a chitosan containing antibacterial HWM rayon fiber. The antibacterial amino groups of chitosan and the hydroxyl groups of rayon cellulose combine together via hydrogen bonding. Therefore, the fiber becomes the anti-MRSA antibacterial HWM rayon fiber containing amino groups (—NH3+). Finally the resulting HWM rayon fiber is conducted via a yarn spinning or/and weaving process to procure a medical textile with chitosan content.

A textile sleeve for routing and protecting elongate members and method of construction thereof is provided. The sleeve includes an elongate wall having opposite edges extending parallel to a central axis of the sleeve. The wall is woven with warp yarns extending parallel to the axis and fill yarns extending transverse to the warp yarns. The warp yarns include monofilament yarns within an intermediate region of the wall and multifilament yarns within opposite edge regions of the wall to enhance abrasion resistance and curl, respectively, and the fill yarns include monofilament yarns larger in diameter than the fill monofilament yarns to provide further abrasion resistance, enhanced curl strength and multifilament yarns to provide increased coverage, maintain flexibility, and to maintain the warp monofilaments in their intended position.

The connecting rod (6) for two articulations with parallel axes and for transmitting the rocking movements of an output lever of a shedding device to a heald frame belonging to a weaving loom, having a first connecting tip connecting to a first articulation and secured to a longitudinal bar, a second connecting tip (62) connecting to a second articulation and including members for clamping the bar that are accessible from one side of the connecting rod, and members (64) for separating the tips along a longitudinal axis (X6) of the connecting rod. The separating member having a bearing member (640) on an inclined surface (612; 630) whereof the normal is comprised in a plane (P6) perpendicular to the axes of the articulations and is inclined relative to the longitudinal axis (X6) of the connecting rod, while the bearing member (640) can be moved in a direction perpendicular to a plane (P34) containing the axes (X3, X4) of the articulations.

A multilayer textile sleeve and method of construction thereof is provided. The sleeve has an outer layer constructed at least in part from a first warp yarn extending along a length direction of the sleeve and a weft yarn extending transversely to the length direction. The sleeve further includes an inner layer constructed at least in part from a second warp yarn extending along the length direction and a weft yarn extending transversely to the length direction, with the second warp yarn being a different type of yarn than the first warp yarn. The outer layer and inner layer are connected to one another by interlinking the weft yarn of the outer layer with at least some of the second warp yarns of the inner layer and by interlinking the weft yarn of the inner layer with at least some of the first warp yarns of the outer layer.

Systems and methods for controlling the output of a battery pack are disclosed. In one example, a battery pack contactor is opened in response to battery pack current. The system and method may reduce battery pack degradation and increase system flexibility.

In a method for transferring energy between at least two energy storage cells in a controllable energy store that serves to control and to supply electrical energy to an n-phase electric machine, which energy store has n power supply arms which each have at least two series-connected energy storage modules which each include at least one electrical energy storage cell with an associated controllable coupling unit, and are connected to one respective phase of the electric machine, in a charging phase, all coupling units of those energy storage modules which are to be used as an energy source are controlled in such a way that the respectively associated energy storage cells are connected into the respective power supply arm.

A method for charging an assembled battery including series circuits connected in parallel, each of the series circuits including series-connected lead storage batteries, using a single charger is provided. The method includes: a first step of obtaining a first index value, corresponding to a resistance value of a first series circuit with a correlative relationship, the first series circuit having a lowest resistance value; a second step of obtaining a second index value corresponding to a resistance value of a second series circuit with a correlative relationship, the second series circuit having a highest resistance value; a third step of performing normal charging, in which the assembled battery is charged with a first amount of charge corresponding to the first index value; and a fourth step of performing refresh charging, in which the assembled battery is charged with a second amount of charge corresponding to the second index value.

State based full and empty control for rechargeable batteries that will assure a uniform battery empty condition, even in the presence of a load on the battery. A fuel gauge provides a prediction of the open circuit voltage of the battery, and when the predicted open circuit voltage of the battery reaches the predetermined open circuit voltage of an empty battery, the load is terminated, after which the battery will relax back to the predetermined open circuit voltage of an empty battery. A similar technique is disclosed for battery charging, allowing faster battery charging without overcharging. Preferably an RC battery model is used as the fuel gauge to provide the prediction, but as an alternative, a coulomb counter may be used to provide the prediction, with error correction between successive charge discharge cycles.

A controller for controlling a flow cell battery system is provided. The controller operates the flow cell battery system in a plurality of states including a plating state, a charging state and a discharge state.

A battery pack, and a method of controlling the battery pack are disclosed. The battery pack detects consumption current when a load is not turned on, and shuts off power when a load is turned off or in stand-by mode, thereby preventing consumption current of the load from flowing.

Circuitry and techniques to measure, at the battery's terminals, characteristic(s) of the charging signal applied to the battery/cell during the recharging operation and, in response to feedback data which indicates the charging signal is out-of-specification, control or instruct the charging circuitry to adjust characteristic(s) of the recharging signal (e.g., the amplitude of the voltage of and/or current applied to or removed from the battery during the charging operation). For example, a rechargeable battery pack comprising a battery, and controllable switch(es), a current meter and voltmeter, all of which are fixed to the battery. Control circuitry generates control signal(s) to adjust a current and/or voltage of the charging signal using the feedback data from the current meter and/or voltmeter, respectively.

A system for protecting a power consuming circuit, the system comprising two terminals for receiving power and two terminals for providing received power. Between one of the receiving terminals and a providing terminal, a transistor is provided which is controlled by a Zener diode and to break the connection between one of the receiving terminals and a providing terminal, if a voltage over the providing terminals or the receiving terminals exceeds the breakdown voltage of the Zener diode.

A charging apparatus including a charging unit adapted to charge, in a non-contact manner, an apparatus to be charged placed in a charging region, a detector adapted to detect a charged state of the apparatus to be charged placed in the charging region, and a controller adapted to change a mode of the apparatus to be charged to a mode that inhibits vibration, according to the charged state detected by the detector.

An energy storage system and a method of controlling the same is provided. The energy storage system may directly provide generated DC power or DC power stored in a battery to a DC load without performing a DC/AC conversion or an AC/DC conversion. Furthermore, in the case where a grid operates abnormally (e.g. power interruption) and the energy storage system functions as an uninterruptible power supply (UPS), power stored in a battery may be selectively provided to loads according to power remaining in a battery, and thus stored power may be used stably.

There is provided a battery controller including a storing unit which stores an upper limit voltage and a lower limit voltage, each defining a first voltage range in which a battery is charged/discharged, and a second upper limit voltage and a second lower limit voltage, each defining a second voltage range which is wider than the first voltage range, and a charge/discharge regulation unit which temporarily changes, when charge/discharge is performed in the first voltage range and permission for charge/discharge in the second voltage is received, setting of the battery such that charge/discharge is performed in the second voltage range.