Patent application number | Description | Published |
20100246988 | METHODS AND APPARATUS TO PERFORM MULTI-FOCAL PLANE IMAGE ACQUISITION AND COMPRESSION - Example methods and apparatus to perform multi-focal plane image acquisition and compression are disclosed. A disclosed example method includes capturing a first image of a portion of an object at a first focal plane and at a first resolution, computing a contrast metric for the captured first image, comparing the contrast metric to a threshold to determine whether to capture a second image of the portion of the object at the first focal plane and at a second resolution, wherein the second resolution is different from the first resolution, capturing the second image of the portion of the object at the first focal plane and at the second resolution, and storing a first representation of the second image in a file, the file containing a second representation of the portion of the object at a second focal plane, wherein the second representation is at the first resolution. | 09-30-2010 |
20130038750 | METHODS AND APPARATUS TO PERFORM MULTI-FOCAL PLANE IMAGE ACQUISITION AND COMPRESSION - Example methods and apparatus to perform multi-focal plane image acquisition and compression are disclosed. A disclosed example method includes capturing a first image of a portion of an object at a first focal plane and at a first resolution, computing a contrast metric for the captured first image, comparing the contrast metric to a threshold to determine whether to capture a second image of the portion of the object at the first focal plane and at a second resolution, wherein the second resolution is different from the first resolution, capturing the second image of the portion of the object at the first focal plane and at the second resolution, and storing a first representation of the second image in a file, the file containing a second representation of the portion of the object at a second focal plane, wherein the second representation is at the first resolution. | 02-14-2013 |
Patent application number | Description | Published |
20080272748 | Power Factor Correction (PFC) Controller and Method Using a Finite State Machine to Adjust the Duty Cycle of a PWM Control Signal - A power factor correction (PFC) controller and method uses a finite state machine to adjust the duty cycle of a pulse width modulation (PWM) switching control signal. The PFC controller has a target current generator that receives the link output voltage and generates a target current proportionate to the rectified line input voltage. The PFC controller further includes a comparator which outputs a two-level current comparison result signal. The finite state machine responsive to the two-level current comparison result signal, generates a switch control signal that has a duty cycle which is adjusted for controlling the switch so that the sensed current is approximately proportionate to the rectified line input voltage, such that power factor correction is performed. | 11-06-2008 |
20090179660 | Non-invasiv, low pin count test circuits and methods utilizing emulated stress conditions - An integrated circuit including at least one internal operational block, which includes test control circuitry for initiating a test mode and testing circuitry for verifying an operation of the integrated circuit under a more stringent condition in the test mode as compared to a condition in another operating mode such that proper operation of the integrated circuit is assured in the another operating mode. Pin control circuitry selectively outputs a test signal from a selected pin in the test mode indicative of the operation of the internal block, wherein the selected pin is utilized for exchanging another signal when the integrated circuit is in the another operating mode. | 07-16-2009 |
20100079124 | Adjustable Constant Current Source with Continuous Conduction Mode ("CCM") and Discontinuous Conduction Mode ("DCM") Operation - A converter system and method of operating a converter system are disclosed. The converter system comprises a converter power stage that can operate in a Discontinuous Conduction Mode (DCM) in a range of output currents and a Continuous Conduction Mode (CCM) in another range of output currents. The converter power stage includes at least an inductor with an inductor value and a control switch. The converter power stage provides an average current. A current controller is coupled to the converter power stage. When the converter power stage operates in DCM, the converter power stage provides the average current and the current controller is configured to measure the inductor value of the inductor. Furthermore, the current controller can also be configured to measure an input-to-output conversion ratio from the converter power stage. | 04-01-2010 |
20100156319 | LED Lighting System with Accurate Current Control - A light emitting diode (LED) lighting system and method are disclosed. The LED lighting system and method include an LED controller to accurately control a current in an LED system. The LED controller includes components to calculate, based on the current and an active time period of an LED current time period, an actual charge amount delivered to the LED system wherein the LED current time period is duty cycle, modulated at a rate of greater than fifty (50) Hz and to utilize the actual charge amount to modify and provide a desired target charge amount to be delivered during a future active time period of the LED current time period. The LED system and method further involve components to compare the actual charge amount to a desired charge amount for the active time period and compensate for a difference between the actual charge amount and the desired charge amount during the future active time period. | 06-24-2010 |
20120194143 | Switch-Mode Converter Operating in a Hybrid Discontinuous Conduction Mode (DCM)/Continuous Conduction Mode (CCM) That Uses Double or More Pulses in a Switching Period - A switching converter controller and method for controlling a switch-mode converter in a hybrid discontinuous conduction mode (DCM)/continuous conduction mode (CCM) mode are disclosed. The hybrid mode involves using double (two) or more switching pulses in a switching period of a control signal for controlling the switch-mode converter. The switching period is defined by a switch on-time duration, a switch off-time duration, and an N number of switching pulses. N is an integer greater than one. An inductor current through the inductor of the switch-mode converter is zero before an initial switching pulse, is zero after a last switching pulse, and is non-zero for all other times within the switching period. The switch-mode-converter controller can be used as a power factor correction controller for a power factor corrector. The switch-mode converter controller can be implemented on a single integrated circuit. | 08-02-2012 |
20140239863 | Position Estimation System and Method for an Electric Motor - Systems and methods of estimating a motor position of a motor are disclosed. One exemplary system and method involve observing motor currents of the motor at two different times. Average motor voltages of the motor are determined between the two different times. Average back electro motive force (BEMF) values of the motor are calculated between the two different times. The BEMF values are in conformity with the observed motor currents and the average motor voltages. Another exemplary system and method for estimating a rotor position of a motor involve a motor position estimator that receives information from the motor and estimates a rotor position for a future time. The future time corresponds approximately to a desired target current, | 08-28-2014 |
20140265968 | Motor Control Loop with Fast Response - A system and method of controlling a motor are disclosed. The system comprises a current observer for observing a motor current at a sampling rate and a proportionate-integral controller that provides a proportionate path and an integral path and at least forms part of a proportionate-integral control loop based on the motor current. The current observer observes a motor current of the motor at a sampling rate. The proportionate path calculates, for a present cycle of the sampling rate, a proportionate path term for the proportionate-integral control loop based on the motor current. The system outputs a respective motor output voltage to the motor in conformity with the proportionate path term calculated for the present cycle. In conformity with the motor current, the integral path calculates an integral path term for another respective motor output voltage to be used in a later cycle of the sampling rate. | 09-18-2014 |
Patent application number | Description | Published |
20100159602 | CARBON MEASUREMENT IN AQUEOUS SAMPLES USING OXIDATION AT ELEVATED TEMPERATURES AND PRESSURES - Apparatus and methods for measuring the concentrations of organic and inorganic carbon, or of other materials, in aqueous samples are described, together with related, specially adapted components and sub-assemblies and related control, operational and monitoring systems. | 06-24-2010 |
20110155270 | Carbon measurement in aqueous samples using oxidation at elevated temperatures and pressures - Apparatus and methods for measuring the concentrations of organic and inorganic carbon, or of other materials, in aqueous samples are described, together with related, specially adapted components and sub-assemblies and related control, operational and monitoring systems. | 06-30-2011 |
20110155272 | Carbon measurement in aqueous samples using oxidation a elevated temperatures and pressures - Apparatus and methods for measuring the concentrations of organic and inorganic carbon, or of other materials, in aqueous samples are described, together with related, specially adapted components and sub-assemblies and related control, operational and monitoring systems. | 06-30-2011 |
20110155912 | Carbon measurement in aqueous samples using oxidation at elevated temperatures and pressures - Apparatus and methods for measuring the concentrations of organic and inorganic carbon, or of other materials, in aqueous samples are described, together with related, specially adapted components and sub-assemblies and related control, operational and monitoring systems. | 06-30-2011 |
20110163463 | Carbon measurement in aqueous samples using oxidation at elevated temperatures and pressures - Apparatus and methods for measuring the concentrations of organic and inorganic carbon, or of other materials, in aqueous samples are described, together with related, specially adapted components and sub-assemblies and related control, operational and monitoring systems. | 07-07-2011 |
Patent application number | Description | Published |
20150233916 | CENTRIPETAL MICROFLUIDIC PLATFORM FOR LALREACTIVE SUBSTANCES TESTING - A centripetal microfluidic platform comprised of a microfluidics disc and a reader for testing LAL-reactive substances in fluid samples is provided. The microfluidic disc may comprise at least two testing areas wherein each testing area includes a reservoir portion for receiving at least one fluid sample. The disc may comprise a distribution network portion in fluid communication with the reservoir portion. Each distribution network portion may comprise a distribution network of at least four (4) channels, wherein each channel has a metering portion and at least one analysis chamber portion. The analysis chamber portion may comprise a mixing chamber for mixing samples and reagents and an optical chamber portion that is compatible with an optical reader. The metering portion may be sized to meter an aliquot of the fluid sample for analysis in the analysis chamber portion. At least one analysis chamber portion has at least one reagent isolated therein. The centripetal microfluidic platform further includes a reader for testing fluid samples within a microfluidic disc comprising an enclosure, an optical bench, a centripetal disc drive, and a controller. A method for testing at least one fluid sample for LAL-reactive substances is also provided. | 08-20-2015 |
20150233917 | SENSITIVE AND RAPID METHOD FOR DETECTION OF LOW LEVELS OF LAL-REACTIVE SUBSTANCES - Methods and systems for measuring the concentration of LAL-reactive substances in fluid samples is provided. They include contacting an aqueous sample with a detection reagent to form a prepared sample. A physical property of the prepared sample may be measured to obtain at least one sample measurement characteristic of the prepared sample. Curve fitting may then be used to forecast a concentration of the LAL-reactive substance the aqueous sample will have at a specified time in the future based on the sample measurement and a correlation developed between at least one standard measurement of a physical quality of a solution with a known concentration of a LAL-reactive substance therein. The quality of the sample measurement may be validated using historical data and/or the standard measurement. | 08-20-2015 |
20150260719 | MICROFLUIDIC LAL-REACTIVE SUBSTANCES TESTING METHOD AND APPARATUS - A microfluidic testing cartridge for testing LAL-reactive substances in fluid samples is provided. The cartridge may comprise at least two (2) testing modules, wherein each testing module includes at least one inlet port for receiving one of the fluid samples, and at least four (4) testing channels in fluid communication with the inlet port. Each of the testing channels may include a metering portion for metering an aliquot of the fluid sample, an analyzing portion, and a mixing portion, wherein a valve is positioned between the metering portion and the analyzing portion to selectively fluidly separate the metering portion from the analyzing portion. The cartridge is insertable into an optical reader which performs optical measurements of the fluid sample within each test ing channel during a testing process. | 09-17-2015 |
20150293097 | PRELOADED TEST SUBSTRATES FOR TESTING LAL-REACTIVE SUBSTANCES, METHODS OF USE, AND METHODS OF MAKING - A test substrate for detecting a LAL-reactive substance, wherein at least a portion of said test substrate has been pre-loaded with at least one LAL reagent and/or at least one LAL-reactive standard. Methods of use of the test substrate are disclosed. Methods of depositing test reagents on a test substrate are also disclosed. | 10-15-2015 |
Patent application number | Description | Published |
20110061954 | STRONG HYBRID SYSTEM - A powertrain for a vehicle includes an engine, a transmission and a coupling system interconnecting the engine and the transmission. The coupling system includes an electric motor/generator. The electric motor/generator is coupled to an input shaft. An engine disconnect clutch interconnects the engine with the input shaft. A fluid coupling interconnects the input shaft and the transmission. The engine disconnect shaft is moveable between an engaged position and a disengaged position for starting the engine and/or isolating the electric motor/generator from the engine. The engine disconnect clutch includes a default position disconnecting the electric motor/generator from the engine. | 03-17-2011 |
20110100157 | TRANSMISSION WITH INTERNAL ISOLATOR AND BY-PASS CLUTCH - A transmission includes a housing defining a sealed interior and an input hub rotatably coupled to the housing. A gear set is disposed within the housing and configured for receiving a torque from an engine. The transmission further includes an isolator assembly and a bypass clutch, each disposed within the sealed interior of the housing. The isolator assembly is configured for selectively damping drivetrain inertia and/or vibration. The bypass clutch selectively engages and disengages the isolator assembly. | 05-05-2011 |
20110169360 | STATOR HOUSING AND BEARING SUPPORT CONNECTION - A transmission having an electric motor/generator includes a transmission housing and a bearing support rigidly connected to the transmission housing and substantially enclosed by the transmission housing. A stator housing is substantially enclosed by the transmission housing, and is rigidly joined to the bearing support by a plurality of rivets, such that torque may be transferred between the stator housing and bearing support. The stator housing may be formed from a first material, and the bearing support may be formed from a second material, different from the first material. The stator housing and bearing support meet at an interface region, which may be characterized by an absence of a welded connection between the stator housing and the bearing support. The interface region may be characterized as a slip fit, such that the stator housing and bearing support are matable by hand. | 07-14-2011 |