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339,900 | 16,800,893 | 3,619 | There is provided a Kraft paper, wherein: the grammage according to ISO 536 is 60-120 g/m2; the bending resistance index in the machine direction is 105-200 Nm7/kg3; the bending resistance index in the cross direction is 60-145 Nm7/kg3 (the bending resistance indexes are tested according to ISO 2493 using a bending angle of 15° and a test span length of 10 mm); the strain at break according to ISO 1924-3 in the machine direction is at least 3%; and the strain at break according to ISO 1924-3 in the cross direction is at least 5%. | 1. A method of forming a filled bag, comprising:
providing a paper; providing a vertical form fill sealing machine that comprises a forming shoulder, a forming tube, a longitudinal sealing arrangement, a cross/horizontal sealing and cutting arrangement; introducing the paper to the forming shoulder and around the forming tube; forming a bottom fin seal to form a bag; introducing a product through the forming tube into the bag; and forming a top fin seal; wherein said paper has
a grammage according to ISO 536 is 60-120 g/m2;
a strain at break according to ISO 1924-3 in the machine direction is at least 3%; and
a strain at break according to ISO 1924-3 in the cross direction is at least 5%. 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the paper has:
a bending resistance index according to ISO 2493 in the machine direction is 105-200 Nm6/kg3 and wherein the bending resistance is tested using a bending angle of 15° and a test span length of 10 mm; and a bending resistance index according to ISO 2493 in the cross direction is 60-145 Nm6/kg3 and wherein the bending resistance is tested using a bending angle of 15° and a test span length of 10 mm. 3. The method of claim 1, wherein the paper is a Kraft paper. 4. The method of claim 3, wherein the paper is a bleached Kraft paper. 5. The method of claim 4, wherein the brightness of the bleached Kraft paper according to ISO 2470-1 is at least 70. 6. The method of claim 3, wherein the paper is formed from a fiber suspension comprising softwood Kraft pulp. 7. The method of claim 6, wherein the fiber suspension further comprises hardwood Kraft pulp. 8. The method of claim 7, wherein hardwood pulp constitutes 5-50% of the dry weight of the fiber suspension and softwood pulp constitutes 50-95% of the dry weight of the fiber suspension. 9. The method of claim 1, wherein the paper has a tear strength according to ISO 1974 in the machine direction is at least 780 mN. 10. The method of claim 1, wherein the paper is creped. 11. The method of claim 1, wherein the paper has:
a tensile energy absorption according to ISO 1924-3 in the machine direction is at least 130 J/m2; and a tensile energy absorption according to ISO 1924-3 in the cross direction is at least 230 J/m2. 12. The method of claim 1, wherein the paper has a Gurley porosity according to ISO 5636-5 is at least 29 s. 13. The method of claim 2, wherein the bending resistance according to ISO 2493 in the machine direction is 45-105 mN. 14. The method of claim 1, wherein the grammage according to ISO 536 is 60-100 g/m2. 15. The method of claim 1, wherein the paper has:
a bending resistance index according to ISO 2493 in the machine direction is 120-160 Nm6/kg3 and wherein the bending resistance is tested using a bending angle of 15° and a test span length of 10 mm; a bending resistance index according to ISO 2493 in the cross direction is 80-130 Nm6/kg3 and wherein the bending resistance is tested using a bending angle of 15° and a test span length of 10 mm. 16. The method of claim 1, wherein the paper has:
the strain at break according to ISO 1924-3 in the machine direction is at least 3.5%; and the strain at break according to ISO 1924-3 in the cross direction is at least 5.5%. 17. The method of claim 1, wherein the paper has:
a grammage according to ISO 536 is 70-90 g/m2; a bending resistance index according to ISO 2493 in the machine direction is 120-160 Nm6/kg3 and wherein the bending resistance is tested using a bending angle of 15° and a test span length of 10 mm; a bending resistance index according to ISO 2493 in the cross direction is 100-120 Nm6/kg3 and wherein the bending resistance is tested using a bending angle of 15° and a test span length of 10 mm; a strain at break according to ISO 1924-3 in the machine direction is 3.5-5%; and a strain at break according to ISO 1924-3 in the cross direction is 6-12%. 18. The method of claim 1, wherein the paper has a strain at break according to ISO 1924-3 in the cross direction is 6-10%. 19. The method of claim 4, wherein the paper has a brightness according to ISO 2470-1 of 70-100. 20. The method of claim 9, wherein the tear strength according to ISO 1974 in the machine direction is at least 800 mN. 21. The method of claim 10, wherein paper is micro-creped. 22. The method of claim 11, wherein:
the tensile energy absorption according to ISO 1924-3 in the machine direction is 150-240 J/m2; and the tensile energy absorption according to ISO 1924-3 in the cross direction is 240-320 J/m2. 23. The method of claim 12, wherein the Gurley porosity according to ISO 5636-5 is at least 35 s. 24. The method of claim 1, the sealed bag is a gusseted bag. 25. The method of claim 1, wherein the sealed bag is a pillow bag. | There is provided a Kraft paper, wherein: the grammage according to ISO 536 is 60-120 g/m2; the bending resistance index in the machine direction is 105-200 Nm7/kg3; the bending resistance index in the cross direction is 60-145 Nm7/kg3 (the bending resistance indexes are tested according to ISO 2493 using a bending angle of 15° and a test span length of 10 mm); the strain at break according to ISO 1924-3 in the machine direction is at least 3%; and the strain at break according to ISO 1924-3 in the cross direction is at least 5%.1. A method of forming a filled bag, comprising:
providing a paper; providing a vertical form fill sealing machine that comprises a forming shoulder, a forming tube, a longitudinal sealing arrangement, a cross/horizontal sealing and cutting arrangement; introducing the paper to the forming shoulder and around the forming tube; forming a bottom fin seal to form a bag; introducing a product through the forming tube into the bag; and forming a top fin seal; wherein said paper has
a grammage according to ISO 536 is 60-120 g/m2;
a strain at break according to ISO 1924-3 in the machine direction is at least 3%; and
a strain at break according to ISO 1924-3 in the cross direction is at least 5%. 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the paper has:
a bending resistance index according to ISO 2493 in the machine direction is 105-200 Nm6/kg3 and wherein the bending resistance is tested using a bending angle of 15° and a test span length of 10 mm; and a bending resistance index according to ISO 2493 in the cross direction is 60-145 Nm6/kg3 and wherein the bending resistance is tested using a bending angle of 15° and a test span length of 10 mm. 3. The method of claim 1, wherein the paper is a Kraft paper. 4. The method of claim 3, wherein the paper is a bleached Kraft paper. 5. The method of claim 4, wherein the brightness of the bleached Kraft paper according to ISO 2470-1 is at least 70. 6. The method of claim 3, wherein the paper is formed from a fiber suspension comprising softwood Kraft pulp. 7. The method of claim 6, wherein the fiber suspension further comprises hardwood Kraft pulp. 8. The method of claim 7, wherein hardwood pulp constitutes 5-50% of the dry weight of the fiber suspension and softwood pulp constitutes 50-95% of the dry weight of the fiber suspension. 9. The method of claim 1, wherein the paper has a tear strength according to ISO 1974 in the machine direction is at least 780 mN. 10. The method of claim 1, wherein the paper is creped. 11. The method of claim 1, wherein the paper has:
a tensile energy absorption according to ISO 1924-3 in the machine direction is at least 130 J/m2; and a tensile energy absorption according to ISO 1924-3 in the cross direction is at least 230 J/m2. 12. The method of claim 1, wherein the paper has a Gurley porosity according to ISO 5636-5 is at least 29 s. 13. The method of claim 2, wherein the bending resistance according to ISO 2493 in the machine direction is 45-105 mN. 14. The method of claim 1, wherein the grammage according to ISO 536 is 60-100 g/m2. 15. The method of claim 1, wherein the paper has:
a bending resistance index according to ISO 2493 in the machine direction is 120-160 Nm6/kg3 and wherein the bending resistance is tested using a bending angle of 15° and a test span length of 10 mm; a bending resistance index according to ISO 2493 in the cross direction is 80-130 Nm6/kg3 and wherein the bending resistance is tested using a bending angle of 15° and a test span length of 10 mm. 16. The method of claim 1, wherein the paper has:
the strain at break according to ISO 1924-3 in the machine direction is at least 3.5%; and the strain at break according to ISO 1924-3 in the cross direction is at least 5.5%. 17. The method of claim 1, wherein the paper has:
a grammage according to ISO 536 is 70-90 g/m2; a bending resistance index according to ISO 2493 in the machine direction is 120-160 Nm6/kg3 and wherein the bending resistance is tested using a bending angle of 15° and a test span length of 10 mm; a bending resistance index according to ISO 2493 in the cross direction is 100-120 Nm6/kg3 and wherein the bending resistance is tested using a bending angle of 15° and a test span length of 10 mm; a strain at break according to ISO 1924-3 in the machine direction is 3.5-5%; and a strain at break according to ISO 1924-3 in the cross direction is 6-12%. 18. The method of claim 1, wherein the paper has a strain at break according to ISO 1924-3 in the cross direction is 6-10%. 19. The method of claim 4, wherein the paper has a brightness according to ISO 2470-1 of 70-100. 20. The method of claim 9, wherein the tear strength according to ISO 1974 in the machine direction is at least 800 mN. 21. The method of claim 10, wherein paper is micro-creped. 22. The method of claim 11, wherein:
the tensile energy absorption according to ISO 1924-3 in the machine direction is 150-240 J/m2; and the tensile energy absorption according to ISO 1924-3 in the cross direction is 240-320 J/m2. 23. The method of claim 12, wherein the Gurley porosity according to ISO 5636-5 is at least 35 s. 24. The method of claim 1, the sealed bag is a gusseted bag. 25. The method of claim 1, wherein the sealed bag is a pillow bag. | 3,600 |
339,901 | 16,800,879 | 3,619 | There is provided a Kraft paper, wherein: the grammage according to ISO 536 is 60-120 g/m2; the bending resistance index in the machine direction is 105-200 Nm7/kg3; the bending resistance index in the cross direction is 60-145 Nm7/kg3 (the bending resistance indexes are tested according to ISO 2493 using a bending angle of 15° and a test span length of 10 mm); the strain at break according to ISO 1924-3 in the machine direction is at least 3%; and the strain at break according to ISO 1924-3 in the cross direction is at least 5%. | 1. A method of forming a filled bag, comprising:
providing a paper; providing a vertical form fill sealing machine that comprises a forming shoulder, a forming tube, a longitudinal sealing arrangement, a cross/horizontal sealing and cutting arrangement; introducing the paper to the forming shoulder and around the forming tube; forming a bottom fin seal to form a bag; introducing a product through the forming tube into the bag; and forming a top fin seal; wherein said paper has
a grammage according to ISO 536 is 60-120 g/m2;
a strain at break according to ISO 1924-3 in the machine direction is at least 3%; and
a strain at break according to ISO 1924-3 in the cross direction is at least 5%. 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the paper has:
a bending resistance index according to ISO 2493 in the machine direction is 105-200 Nm6/kg3 and wherein the bending resistance is tested using a bending angle of 15° and a test span length of 10 mm; and a bending resistance index according to ISO 2493 in the cross direction is 60-145 Nm6/kg3 and wherein the bending resistance is tested using a bending angle of 15° and a test span length of 10 mm. 3. The method of claim 1, wherein the paper is a Kraft paper. 4. The method of claim 3, wherein the paper is a bleached Kraft paper. 5. The method of claim 4, wherein the brightness of the bleached Kraft paper according to ISO 2470-1 is at least 70. 6. The method of claim 3, wherein the paper is formed from a fiber suspension comprising softwood Kraft pulp. 7. The method of claim 6, wherein the fiber suspension further comprises hardwood Kraft pulp. 8. The method of claim 7, wherein hardwood pulp constitutes 5-50% of the dry weight of the fiber suspension and softwood pulp constitutes 50-95% of the dry weight of the fiber suspension. 9. The method of claim 1, wherein the paper has a tear strength according to ISO 1974 in the machine direction is at least 780 mN. 10. The method of claim 1, wherein the paper is creped. 11. The method of claim 1, wherein the paper has:
a tensile energy absorption according to ISO 1924-3 in the machine direction is at least 130 J/m2; and a tensile energy absorption according to ISO 1924-3 in the cross direction is at least 230 J/m2. 12. The method of claim 1, wherein the paper has a Gurley porosity according to ISO 5636-5 is at least 29 s. 13. The method of claim 2, wherein the bending resistance according to ISO 2493 in the machine direction is 45-105 mN. 14. The method of claim 1, wherein the grammage according to ISO 536 is 60-100 g/m2. 15. The method of claim 1, wherein the paper has:
a bending resistance index according to ISO 2493 in the machine direction is 120-160 Nm6/kg3 and wherein the bending resistance is tested using a bending angle of 15° and a test span length of 10 mm; a bending resistance index according to ISO 2493 in the cross direction is 80-130 Nm6/kg3 and wherein the bending resistance is tested using a bending angle of 15° and a test span length of 10 mm. 16. The method of claim 1, wherein the paper has:
the strain at break according to ISO 1924-3 in the machine direction is at least 3.5%; and the strain at break according to ISO 1924-3 in the cross direction is at least 5.5%. 17. The method of claim 1, wherein the paper has:
a grammage according to ISO 536 is 70-90 g/m2; a bending resistance index according to ISO 2493 in the machine direction is 120-160 Nm6/kg3 and wherein the bending resistance is tested using a bending angle of 15° and a test span length of 10 mm; a bending resistance index according to ISO 2493 in the cross direction is 100-120 Nm6/kg3 and wherein the bending resistance is tested using a bending angle of 15° and a test span length of 10 mm; a strain at break according to ISO 1924-3 in the machine direction is 3.5-5%; and a strain at break according to ISO 1924-3 in the cross direction is 6-12%. 18. The method of claim 1, wherein the paper has a strain at break according to ISO 1924-3 in the cross direction is 6-10%. 19. The method of claim 4, wherein the paper has a brightness according to ISO 2470-1 of 70-100. 20. The method of claim 9, wherein the tear strength according to ISO 1974 in the machine direction is at least 800 mN. 21. The method of claim 10, wherein paper is micro-creped. 22. The method of claim 11, wherein:
the tensile energy absorption according to ISO 1924-3 in the machine direction is 150-240 J/m2; and the tensile energy absorption according to ISO 1924-3 in the cross direction is 240-320 J/m2. 23. The method of claim 12, wherein the Gurley porosity according to ISO 5636-5 is at least 35 s. 24. The method of claim 1, the sealed bag is a gusseted bag. 25. The method of claim 1, wherein the sealed bag is a pillow bag. | There is provided a Kraft paper, wherein: the grammage according to ISO 536 is 60-120 g/m2; the bending resistance index in the machine direction is 105-200 Nm7/kg3; the bending resistance index in the cross direction is 60-145 Nm7/kg3 (the bending resistance indexes are tested according to ISO 2493 using a bending angle of 15° and a test span length of 10 mm); the strain at break according to ISO 1924-3 in the machine direction is at least 3%; and the strain at break according to ISO 1924-3 in the cross direction is at least 5%.1. A method of forming a filled bag, comprising:
providing a paper; providing a vertical form fill sealing machine that comprises a forming shoulder, a forming tube, a longitudinal sealing arrangement, a cross/horizontal sealing and cutting arrangement; introducing the paper to the forming shoulder and around the forming tube; forming a bottom fin seal to form a bag; introducing a product through the forming tube into the bag; and forming a top fin seal; wherein said paper has
a grammage according to ISO 536 is 60-120 g/m2;
a strain at break according to ISO 1924-3 in the machine direction is at least 3%; and
a strain at break according to ISO 1924-3 in the cross direction is at least 5%. 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the paper has:
a bending resistance index according to ISO 2493 in the machine direction is 105-200 Nm6/kg3 and wherein the bending resistance is tested using a bending angle of 15° and a test span length of 10 mm; and a bending resistance index according to ISO 2493 in the cross direction is 60-145 Nm6/kg3 and wherein the bending resistance is tested using a bending angle of 15° and a test span length of 10 mm. 3. The method of claim 1, wherein the paper is a Kraft paper. 4. The method of claim 3, wherein the paper is a bleached Kraft paper. 5. The method of claim 4, wherein the brightness of the bleached Kraft paper according to ISO 2470-1 is at least 70. 6. The method of claim 3, wherein the paper is formed from a fiber suspension comprising softwood Kraft pulp. 7. The method of claim 6, wherein the fiber suspension further comprises hardwood Kraft pulp. 8. The method of claim 7, wherein hardwood pulp constitutes 5-50% of the dry weight of the fiber suspension and softwood pulp constitutes 50-95% of the dry weight of the fiber suspension. 9. The method of claim 1, wherein the paper has a tear strength according to ISO 1974 in the machine direction is at least 780 mN. 10. The method of claim 1, wherein the paper is creped. 11. The method of claim 1, wherein the paper has:
a tensile energy absorption according to ISO 1924-3 in the machine direction is at least 130 J/m2; and a tensile energy absorption according to ISO 1924-3 in the cross direction is at least 230 J/m2. 12. The method of claim 1, wherein the paper has a Gurley porosity according to ISO 5636-5 is at least 29 s. 13. The method of claim 2, wherein the bending resistance according to ISO 2493 in the machine direction is 45-105 mN. 14. The method of claim 1, wherein the grammage according to ISO 536 is 60-100 g/m2. 15. The method of claim 1, wherein the paper has:
a bending resistance index according to ISO 2493 in the machine direction is 120-160 Nm6/kg3 and wherein the bending resistance is tested using a bending angle of 15° and a test span length of 10 mm; a bending resistance index according to ISO 2493 in the cross direction is 80-130 Nm6/kg3 and wherein the bending resistance is tested using a bending angle of 15° and a test span length of 10 mm. 16. The method of claim 1, wherein the paper has:
the strain at break according to ISO 1924-3 in the machine direction is at least 3.5%; and the strain at break according to ISO 1924-3 in the cross direction is at least 5.5%. 17. The method of claim 1, wherein the paper has:
a grammage according to ISO 536 is 70-90 g/m2; a bending resistance index according to ISO 2493 in the machine direction is 120-160 Nm6/kg3 and wherein the bending resistance is tested using a bending angle of 15° and a test span length of 10 mm; a bending resistance index according to ISO 2493 in the cross direction is 100-120 Nm6/kg3 and wherein the bending resistance is tested using a bending angle of 15° and a test span length of 10 mm; a strain at break according to ISO 1924-3 in the machine direction is 3.5-5%; and a strain at break according to ISO 1924-3 in the cross direction is 6-12%. 18. The method of claim 1, wherein the paper has a strain at break according to ISO 1924-3 in the cross direction is 6-10%. 19. The method of claim 4, wherein the paper has a brightness according to ISO 2470-1 of 70-100. 20. The method of claim 9, wherein the tear strength according to ISO 1974 in the machine direction is at least 800 mN. 21. The method of claim 10, wherein paper is micro-creped. 22. The method of claim 11, wherein:
the tensile energy absorption according to ISO 1924-3 in the machine direction is 150-240 J/m2; and the tensile energy absorption according to ISO 1924-3 in the cross direction is 240-320 J/m2. 23. The method of claim 12, wherein the Gurley porosity according to ISO 5636-5 is at least 35 s. 24. The method of claim 1, the sealed bag is a gusseted bag. 25. The method of claim 1, wherein the sealed bag is a pillow bag. | 3,600 |
339,902 | 16,800,877 | 3,619 | An optical coupler device comprises a substrate having a substantially planar upper surface, and a grating structure on the upper surface of the substrate. In one embodiment, the grating structure comprises a copropagating array of waveguides that are substantially parallel to each other and extend along at least a portion of the upper surface of the substrate. Each of the waveguides has opposing sidewalls, wherein a width of each waveguide is defined by a distance between the opposing sidewalls. The opposing sidewalls each have a periodic structure that produces a sidewall modulation for each of the waveguides. An input port is in optical communication with the grating structure. The input port is configured to direct an input light beam in plane into the grating structure such that the beam propagates along the waveguides. The grating structure is configured to diffract the beam out of plane and into free space. | 1. An optical coupler device, comprising:
a substrate having a substantially planar upper surface; a grating structure on the upper surface of the substrate, the grating structure comprising a copropagating array of waveguides that are substantially parallel to each other and extend along at least a portion of the upper surface;
wherein the grating structure is defined by an x-y-z coordinate system having an x-axis and z-axis that define an x-z plane, and a y-axis that is substantially perpendicular to the x-z plane, wherein the copropagating array of waveguides extend along the x-z plane;
wherein each of the waveguides has opposing sidewalls, wherein a width of each waveguide is defined by a distance between the opposing sidewalls, wherein the opposing sidewalls each having a periodic structure that produces a sidewall modulation for each of the waveguides; and
an input port in optical communication with the grating structure, the input port configured to direct an input light beam into the grating structure substantially along the z-axis such that the input light beam propagates in the array of waveguides; wherein the grating structure is configured to diffract the input light beam out of the grating structure substantially along the y-axis and into free space. 2. The optical coupler device of claim 1, wherein the substrate comprises a first material having a first refractive index, and the grating structure comprise a second material having a second refractive index that is greater than the first refractive index. 3. The optical coupler device of claim 2, wherein the first material comprises silicon dioxide, and the second material comprises silicon nitride. 4. The optical coupler device of claim 1, wherein each waveguide has a periodic change in the width along a propagation direction based on the periodic structure of the opposing sidewalls, such that each waveguide is individually modulated by the periodic change in the width. 5. The optical coupler device of claim 4, wherein the periodic change in the width includes a uniform narrowing and widening of the width of each waveguide along the propagation direction. 6. The optical coupler device of claim 1, wherein the opposing sidewalls in each waveguide have a serpentine shape along a propagation direction based on the periodic structure of the sidewalls, wherein the width of each waveguide between the opposing sidewalls remains substantially constant along each waveguide. 7. The optical coupler device of claim 1, wherein the opposing sidewalls in each waveguide have a semi-serpentine shape along a propagation direction based on the periodic structure of the sidewalls, wherein the opposing sidewalls of each waveguide are out of phase with respect to each other along each waveguide. 8. The optical coupler device of claim 1, wherein the grating structure has a grating strength that is a function of an amplitude of the sidewall modulation for each of the waveguides. 9. The optical coupler device of claim 1, wherein the substrate is coupled to an integrated photonics chip. 10. An optical coupler device, comprising:
a substrate having a substantially planar upper surface; a grating structure on the upper surface of the substrate, the grating structure comprising an array of zig-zag grating lines, wherein the grating structure is defined by an x-y-z coordinate system having an x-axis and z-axis that define an x-z plane, and a y-axis that is substantially perpendicular to the x-z plane, wherein the array of zig-zag grating lines are along the x-z plane; and an input port in optical communication with the grating structure, the input port configured to direct an input light beam into the grating structure substantially along the z-axis; wherein each of the zig-zag grating lines is positioned substantially perpendicular to a propagation direction of the input light beam; wherein the grating structure is configured to diffract the input light beam out of the grating structure substantially along the y-axis and into free space. 11. The optical coupler device of claim 10, wherein the substrate comprises a first material having a first refractive index, and the grating structure comprise a second material having a second refractive index that is greater than the first refractive index. 12. The optical coupler device of claim 11, wherein the first material comprises silicon dioxide, and the second material comprises silicon nitride. 13. The optical coupler device of claim 10, wherein the grating structure has a grating strength that is a function of an amplitude of each of the zig-zag grating lines. 14. (canceled) 15. A method of fabricating an optical coupler device, the method comprising:
providing a substrate layer having an upper surface, the substrate layer including a first material having a first refractive index; depositing a guiding layer on the upper surface of the substrate layer, the guiding layer including a second material having a second refractive index that is higher than the first refractive index; and forming a grating structure in at least a portion of the guiding layer, the grating structure comprising an array of grating lines, wherein each of the grating lines has a periodic structure along a length thereof with a substantially uniform periodic amplitude wherein the grating structure is defined by an x-y-z coordinate system having an x-axis and z-axis that define an x-z plane, and a y-axis that is substantially perpendicular to the x-z plane, wherein the array of grating lines extend along the x-z plane; wherein the grating structure is configured to diffract an input light beam, propagating substantially along the z-axis, out of the grating structure substantially along the y-axis and into free space. 16. The method of claim 15, wherein a remaining portion of the guiding layer comprises an input slab in optical communication with the grating structure. 17. The method of claim 15, further comprising:
forming an upper cladding layer over the grating structure, the upper cladding layer comprising the first material having the first refractive index. 18. The method of claim 15, wherein the array of grating lines comprises a copropagating array of waveguides, wherein each of the waveguides has opposing sidewalls with a periodic structure that produces a sidewall modulation for each of the waveguides. 19. The method of claim 15, wherein the array of grating lines includes an array of zig-zag grating lines, wherein each of the zig-zag grating lines is positioned substantially perpendicular to a propagation direction of an input light beam injected into the grating structure. 20. (canceled) 21. The optical coupler device of claim 6, wherein the opposing sidewalls of each waveguide have modulations that are about 180 degrees out of phase with respect to each other. 22. The optical coupler device of claim 7, wherein the opposing sidewalls of each waveguide have modulations that are about 90 degrees out of phase with respect to each other. | An optical coupler device comprises a substrate having a substantially planar upper surface, and a grating structure on the upper surface of the substrate. In one embodiment, the grating structure comprises a copropagating array of waveguides that are substantially parallel to each other and extend along at least a portion of the upper surface of the substrate. Each of the waveguides has opposing sidewalls, wherein a width of each waveguide is defined by a distance between the opposing sidewalls. The opposing sidewalls each have a periodic structure that produces a sidewall modulation for each of the waveguides. An input port is in optical communication with the grating structure. The input port is configured to direct an input light beam in plane into the grating structure such that the beam propagates along the waveguides. The grating structure is configured to diffract the beam out of plane and into free space.1. An optical coupler device, comprising:
a substrate having a substantially planar upper surface; a grating structure on the upper surface of the substrate, the grating structure comprising a copropagating array of waveguides that are substantially parallel to each other and extend along at least a portion of the upper surface;
wherein the grating structure is defined by an x-y-z coordinate system having an x-axis and z-axis that define an x-z plane, and a y-axis that is substantially perpendicular to the x-z plane, wherein the copropagating array of waveguides extend along the x-z plane;
wherein each of the waveguides has opposing sidewalls, wherein a width of each waveguide is defined by a distance between the opposing sidewalls, wherein the opposing sidewalls each having a periodic structure that produces a sidewall modulation for each of the waveguides; and
an input port in optical communication with the grating structure, the input port configured to direct an input light beam into the grating structure substantially along the z-axis such that the input light beam propagates in the array of waveguides; wherein the grating structure is configured to diffract the input light beam out of the grating structure substantially along the y-axis and into free space. 2. The optical coupler device of claim 1, wherein the substrate comprises a first material having a first refractive index, and the grating structure comprise a second material having a second refractive index that is greater than the first refractive index. 3. The optical coupler device of claim 2, wherein the first material comprises silicon dioxide, and the second material comprises silicon nitride. 4. The optical coupler device of claim 1, wherein each waveguide has a periodic change in the width along a propagation direction based on the periodic structure of the opposing sidewalls, such that each waveguide is individually modulated by the periodic change in the width. 5. The optical coupler device of claim 4, wherein the periodic change in the width includes a uniform narrowing and widening of the width of each waveguide along the propagation direction. 6. The optical coupler device of claim 1, wherein the opposing sidewalls in each waveguide have a serpentine shape along a propagation direction based on the periodic structure of the sidewalls, wherein the width of each waveguide between the opposing sidewalls remains substantially constant along each waveguide. 7. The optical coupler device of claim 1, wherein the opposing sidewalls in each waveguide have a semi-serpentine shape along a propagation direction based on the periodic structure of the sidewalls, wherein the opposing sidewalls of each waveguide are out of phase with respect to each other along each waveguide. 8. The optical coupler device of claim 1, wherein the grating structure has a grating strength that is a function of an amplitude of the sidewall modulation for each of the waveguides. 9. The optical coupler device of claim 1, wherein the substrate is coupled to an integrated photonics chip. 10. An optical coupler device, comprising:
a substrate having a substantially planar upper surface; a grating structure on the upper surface of the substrate, the grating structure comprising an array of zig-zag grating lines, wherein the grating structure is defined by an x-y-z coordinate system having an x-axis and z-axis that define an x-z plane, and a y-axis that is substantially perpendicular to the x-z plane, wherein the array of zig-zag grating lines are along the x-z plane; and an input port in optical communication with the grating structure, the input port configured to direct an input light beam into the grating structure substantially along the z-axis; wherein each of the zig-zag grating lines is positioned substantially perpendicular to a propagation direction of the input light beam; wherein the grating structure is configured to diffract the input light beam out of the grating structure substantially along the y-axis and into free space. 11. The optical coupler device of claim 10, wherein the substrate comprises a first material having a first refractive index, and the grating structure comprise a second material having a second refractive index that is greater than the first refractive index. 12. The optical coupler device of claim 11, wherein the first material comprises silicon dioxide, and the second material comprises silicon nitride. 13. The optical coupler device of claim 10, wherein the grating structure has a grating strength that is a function of an amplitude of each of the zig-zag grating lines. 14. (canceled) 15. A method of fabricating an optical coupler device, the method comprising:
providing a substrate layer having an upper surface, the substrate layer including a first material having a first refractive index; depositing a guiding layer on the upper surface of the substrate layer, the guiding layer including a second material having a second refractive index that is higher than the first refractive index; and forming a grating structure in at least a portion of the guiding layer, the grating structure comprising an array of grating lines, wherein each of the grating lines has a periodic structure along a length thereof with a substantially uniform periodic amplitude wherein the grating structure is defined by an x-y-z coordinate system having an x-axis and z-axis that define an x-z plane, and a y-axis that is substantially perpendicular to the x-z plane, wherein the array of grating lines extend along the x-z plane; wherein the grating structure is configured to diffract an input light beam, propagating substantially along the z-axis, out of the grating structure substantially along the y-axis and into free space. 16. The method of claim 15, wherein a remaining portion of the guiding layer comprises an input slab in optical communication with the grating structure. 17. The method of claim 15, further comprising:
forming an upper cladding layer over the grating structure, the upper cladding layer comprising the first material having the first refractive index. 18. The method of claim 15, wherein the array of grating lines comprises a copropagating array of waveguides, wherein each of the waveguides has opposing sidewalls with a periodic structure that produces a sidewall modulation for each of the waveguides. 19. The method of claim 15, wherein the array of grating lines includes an array of zig-zag grating lines, wherein each of the zig-zag grating lines is positioned substantially perpendicular to a propagation direction of an input light beam injected into the grating structure. 20. (canceled) 21. The optical coupler device of claim 6, wherein the opposing sidewalls of each waveguide have modulations that are about 180 degrees out of phase with respect to each other. 22. The optical coupler device of claim 7, wherein the opposing sidewalls of each waveguide have modulations that are about 90 degrees out of phase with respect to each other. | 3,600 |
339,903 | 16,800,896 | 3,619 | The present disclosure relates to a solid-state imaging device, a method for driving the solid-state imaging device, and an electronic device capable of improving auto-focusing accuracy by using a phase difference signal obtained by using a photoelectric conversion film. The solid-state imaging device includes a pixel including a photoelectric conversion portion having a structure where a photoelectric conversion film is interposed by an upper electrode on the photoelectric conversion film and a lower electrode under the photoelectric conversion film. The upper electrode is divided into a first upper electrode and a second upper electrode. The present disclosure can be applied to, for example, a solid-state imaging device or the like. | 1-20. (canceled) 21. A solid-state imaging device, comprising:
a photoelectric conversion unit, comprising:
a photoelectric conversion film;
a first electrode;
a second electrode; and
a third electrode;
at least one photoelectric conversion region disposed in a semiconductor substrate; and an on-chip lens, wherein the photoelectric conversion film is disposed between the first electrode and the third electrode and disposed between the second electrode and the third electrode, wherein the photoelectric conversion unit is disposed between the on-chip lens and the semiconductor substrate, and wherein the on-chip lens overlaps the first electrode, the second electrode, and one of the at least one photoelectric conversion region in a plan view. 22. The solid-state imaging device according to claim 21, wherein the first electrode and the second electrode constitute an upper electrode. 23. The solid-state imaging device according to claim 21, wherein different voltages are applied to the first electrode and the second electrode. 24. The solid-state imaging device according to claim 21, wherein a first voltage applied to the first electrode allows charges to be generated in the photoelectric conversion film, and a second voltage applied to the second electrode allows charges not to be generated in the photoelectric conversion film. 25. The solid-state imaging device according to claim 24, wherein, after the first voltage is applied to the first electrode and the second voltage is applied to the second electrode, the first voltage is applied to the second electrode and the second voltage is applied to the first electrode. 26. The solid-state imaging device according to claim 24, wherein the second voltage is controlled so that a potential difference with respect to the third electrode is constant. 27. The solid-state imaging device according to claim 21,
wherein a voltage for allowing charges to be generated in the photoelectric conversion film is applied to the first electrode and the second electrode, and signals are output from the photoelectric conversion unit. 28. The solid-state imaging device according to claim 27, wherein at least one of a first signal output from the photoelectric conversion unit and a second signal output from the photoelectric conversion unit is used as a phase difference signal. 29. The solid-state imaging device according to claim 21, wherein the photoelectric conversion unit is one of multiple photoelectric conversion units, and the multiple photoelectric conversion units are two-dimensionally arranged in a matrix shape. 30. The solid-state imaging device according to claim 21, wherein the third electrode faces the first electrode and the second electrode and is divided into a first lower electrode and a second lower electrode. 31. The solid-state imaging device according to claim 30, wherein a first charge retaining portion is connected to the first lower electrode and a second charge retaining portion is connected to the second lower electrode. 32. The solid-state imaging device according to claim 31, wherein a charge combining portion combines charges, and the charge combining portion combines charges retained in the first charge retaining portion and charges retained in the second charge retaining portion. 33. The solid-state imaging device according to claim 32, further comprising:
switch elements between the first charge retaining portion and the charge combining portion and between the second charge retaining portion and the charge combining portion. 34. The solid-state imaging device according to claim 21, wherein any one of the first electrode and the upper electrode is formed so as to extend over an adjacent photoelectric conversion unit. 35. The solid-state imaging device according to claim 21, wherein the photoelectric conversion unit photoelectrically converts predetermined color light. 36. The solid-state imaging device according to claim 35, wherein the photoelectric conversion unit is formed outside the semiconductor substrate, and another photoelectric conversion unit photoelectrically converting light of color different from color which the photoelectric conversion unit photoelectrically converts is further included inside the semiconductor substrate. 37. The solid-state imaging device according to claim 21, wherein the photoelectric conversion unit photoelectrically converts light which passes through a color filter. 38. The solid-state imaging device according to claim 21, wherein the first electrode and the second electrode are formed so as to be symmetric with respect to an optical axis. 39. A method for driving a solid-state imaging device including a photoelectric conversion unit having a structure comprising a photoelectric conversion film disposed between a first electrode and a third electrode and disposed between a second electrode and the third electrode, the photoelectric conversion unit disposed between an on-chip lens and a semiconductor substrate, and the on-chip lens overlapping the first electrode, the second electrode, and one of multiple photoelectric conversion regions in a plan view, the solid-state imaging device applying different voltages to the first electrode and the second electrode. 40. An electronic device comprising a solid-state imaging device including a photoelectric conversion unit having a structure comprising a photoelectric conversion film disposed between a first electrode and a third electrode and disposed between a second electrode and the third electrode, the photoelectric conversion unit disposed between an on-chip lens and a semiconductor substrate, and the on-chip lens overlapping the first electrode, the second electrode, and one of multiple photoelectric conversion regions in a plan view. | The present disclosure relates to a solid-state imaging device, a method for driving the solid-state imaging device, and an electronic device capable of improving auto-focusing accuracy by using a phase difference signal obtained by using a photoelectric conversion film. The solid-state imaging device includes a pixel including a photoelectric conversion portion having a structure where a photoelectric conversion film is interposed by an upper electrode on the photoelectric conversion film and a lower electrode under the photoelectric conversion film. The upper electrode is divided into a first upper electrode and a second upper electrode. The present disclosure can be applied to, for example, a solid-state imaging device or the like.1-20. (canceled) 21. A solid-state imaging device, comprising:
a photoelectric conversion unit, comprising:
a photoelectric conversion film;
a first electrode;
a second electrode; and
a third electrode;
at least one photoelectric conversion region disposed in a semiconductor substrate; and an on-chip lens, wherein the photoelectric conversion film is disposed between the first electrode and the third electrode and disposed between the second electrode and the third electrode, wherein the photoelectric conversion unit is disposed between the on-chip lens and the semiconductor substrate, and wherein the on-chip lens overlaps the first electrode, the second electrode, and one of the at least one photoelectric conversion region in a plan view. 22. The solid-state imaging device according to claim 21, wherein the first electrode and the second electrode constitute an upper electrode. 23. The solid-state imaging device according to claim 21, wherein different voltages are applied to the first electrode and the second electrode. 24. The solid-state imaging device according to claim 21, wherein a first voltage applied to the first electrode allows charges to be generated in the photoelectric conversion film, and a second voltage applied to the second electrode allows charges not to be generated in the photoelectric conversion film. 25. The solid-state imaging device according to claim 24, wherein, after the first voltage is applied to the first electrode and the second voltage is applied to the second electrode, the first voltage is applied to the second electrode and the second voltage is applied to the first electrode. 26. The solid-state imaging device according to claim 24, wherein the second voltage is controlled so that a potential difference with respect to the third electrode is constant. 27. The solid-state imaging device according to claim 21,
wherein a voltage for allowing charges to be generated in the photoelectric conversion film is applied to the first electrode and the second electrode, and signals are output from the photoelectric conversion unit. 28. The solid-state imaging device according to claim 27, wherein at least one of a first signal output from the photoelectric conversion unit and a second signal output from the photoelectric conversion unit is used as a phase difference signal. 29. The solid-state imaging device according to claim 21, wherein the photoelectric conversion unit is one of multiple photoelectric conversion units, and the multiple photoelectric conversion units are two-dimensionally arranged in a matrix shape. 30. The solid-state imaging device according to claim 21, wherein the third electrode faces the first electrode and the second electrode and is divided into a first lower electrode and a second lower electrode. 31. The solid-state imaging device according to claim 30, wherein a first charge retaining portion is connected to the first lower electrode and a second charge retaining portion is connected to the second lower electrode. 32. The solid-state imaging device according to claim 31, wherein a charge combining portion combines charges, and the charge combining portion combines charges retained in the first charge retaining portion and charges retained in the second charge retaining portion. 33. The solid-state imaging device according to claim 32, further comprising:
switch elements between the first charge retaining portion and the charge combining portion and between the second charge retaining portion and the charge combining portion. 34. The solid-state imaging device according to claim 21, wherein any one of the first electrode and the upper electrode is formed so as to extend over an adjacent photoelectric conversion unit. 35. The solid-state imaging device according to claim 21, wherein the photoelectric conversion unit photoelectrically converts predetermined color light. 36. The solid-state imaging device according to claim 35, wherein the photoelectric conversion unit is formed outside the semiconductor substrate, and another photoelectric conversion unit photoelectrically converting light of color different from color which the photoelectric conversion unit photoelectrically converts is further included inside the semiconductor substrate. 37. The solid-state imaging device according to claim 21, wherein the photoelectric conversion unit photoelectrically converts light which passes through a color filter. 38. The solid-state imaging device according to claim 21, wherein the first electrode and the second electrode are formed so as to be symmetric with respect to an optical axis. 39. A method for driving a solid-state imaging device including a photoelectric conversion unit having a structure comprising a photoelectric conversion film disposed between a first electrode and a third electrode and disposed between a second electrode and the third electrode, the photoelectric conversion unit disposed between an on-chip lens and a semiconductor substrate, and the on-chip lens overlapping the first electrode, the second electrode, and one of multiple photoelectric conversion regions in a plan view, the solid-state imaging device applying different voltages to the first electrode and the second electrode. 40. An electronic device comprising a solid-state imaging device including a photoelectric conversion unit having a structure comprising a photoelectric conversion film disposed between a first electrode and a third electrode and disposed between a second electrode and the third electrode, the photoelectric conversion unit disposed between an on-chip lens and a semiconductor substrate, and the on-chip lens overlapping the first electrode, the second electrode, and one of multiple photoelectric conversion regions in a plan view. | 3,600 |
339,904 | 16,800,901 | 3,619 | Systems and methods presented herein relate to depositing a material coating on a substrate. For example, first layer of a material coating is deposited upon a substrate using a thermal spray. Further, a cooling flow is provided to the substrate. Additionally, a second layer of the material coating is deposited upon the substrate subsequent to depositing the first layer using the thermal spray. | 1. A method, comprising:
depositing a first layer of a material coating upon a substrate using a thermal spray device; providing a cooling flow to the substrate via a cooling jet; and depositing a second layer of the material coating upon the substrate using the thermal spray device, wherein the second layer is deposited subsequent to depositing the first layer. 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the thermal spray device comprises high velocity air fuel (HVAF) thermal spray device. 3. The method of claim 1, wherein the cooling flow is provided during the depositing of the first layer, during the depositing of the second layer, or both. 4. The method of claim 1, wherein depositing the first layer comprises:
adding a material coating precursor powder to a fuel gas at a nozzle of the thermal spray device; adding air or oxygen to a mixture of the material coating precursor powder and the fuel gas at the nozzle to form an air/oxygen fuel gas mixture; and impinging the air/oxygen fuel gas mixture onto a surface of the substrate to be coated until the first layer of the material coating has a desired thickness. 5. The method of claim 1, comprising:
measuring a temperature of the substrate while depositing the first layer of the material; and depositing the second layer of the material based at least in part on the measured temperature. 6. The method of claim 5, comprising:
providing the cooling flow to the substrate when the temperature of the substrate exceeds a temperature threshold; and depositing the second layer of the material after providing the cooling flow. 7. The method of claim 5, comprising depositing the second layer of the material when the measured temperature is below a temperature threshold. 8. The method of claim 1, wherein depositing the first layer of the material comprises rotating the substrate about a longitudinal axis of the substrate. 9. The method of claim 1, wherein the second layer is deposited at least partially on top of the first layer. 10. The method of claim 1, wherein the substrate is a radial bearing, and wherein depositing the first layer comprises rotating the radial bearing while depositing the first layer and depositing the second layer comprises rotating the radial bearing while depositing the second layer. 11. A method, comprising:
depositing a first layer of a material coating on a radial bearing using a thermal spray device; cooling the radial bearing; and depositing a second layer of the material coating on the radial bearing using the thermal spray device. 12. The method of claim 11, wherein the material coating comprises a metal carbide. 13. The method of claim 11, comprising:
rotating the radial bearing about a longitudinal axis of the radial bearing; and depositing the first layer while the radial bearing is rotating. 14. The method of claim 11, wherein cooling the radial bearing comprises pausing for a predetermined time period before depositing the second layer of the material coating. 15. The method of claim 11, wherein cooling the radial bearing comprises providing a cooling flow using a cooling jet to prevent a temperature of the radial bearing from exceeding a temperature threshold. 16. The method of claim 11, wherein cooling the radial bearing occurs during the depositing the first layer of the material coating, during the depositing the second layer of the material coating, or both. 17. The method of claim 11, comprising:
measuring a temperature of the radial bearing while depositing the first layer of the material coating, while depositing the second layer of the material coating, or both; and cooling the radial bearing when the measured temperature exceeds a temperature threshold. 18. A system, comprising:
a high velocity air fuel (HVAF) thermal spray device configured to provide a material spray to a radial bearing to form a material coated radial bearing; a cooling jet configured to provide a cooling flow of fluid to the radial bearing; a rotational actuator configured to rotate the radial bearing; and a controller communicatively coupled to the rotational actuator, the HVAF thermal spray device, and the cooling jet, wherein the controller is configured to:
send a first control signal to the HVAF thermal spray device to provide the material spray;
send a second control signal to the rotational actuator to rotate the radial bearing;
and
send a third control signal to cause the cooling jet to provide the cooling flow of the fluid 19. The system of claim 18, comprising one or more temperature sensors configured to measure a temperature of the radial bearing, wherein the controller is configured to send the third control signal to cause the cooling jet to provide the cooling flow of the fluid when the measured temperature is above a temperature threshold range. 20. The system of claim 19, wherein the controller is configured to adjust the first control signal based at least in part on the measured temperature. | Systems and methods presented herein relate to depositing a material coating on a substrate. For example, first layer of a material coating is deposited upon a substrate using a thermal spray. Further, a cooling flow is provided to the substrate. Additionally, a second layer of the material coating is deposited upon the substrate subsequent to depositing the first layer using the thermal spray.1. A method, comprising:
depositing a first layer of a material coating upon a substrate using a thermal spray device; providing a cooling flow to the substrate via a cooling jet; and depositing a second layer of the material coating upon the substrate using the thermal spray device, wherein the second layer is deposited subsequent to depositing the first layer. 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the thermal spray device comprises high velocity air fuel (HVAF) thermal spray device. 3. The method of claim 1, wherein the cooling flow is provided during the depositing of the first layer, during the depositing of the second layer, or both. 4. The method of claim 1, wherein depositing the first layer comprises:
adding a material coating precursor powder to a fuel gas at a nozzle of the thermal spray device; adding air or oxygen to a mixture of the material coating precursor powder and the fuel gas at the nozzle to form an air/oxygen fuel gas mixture; and impinging the air/oxygen fuel gas mixture onto a surface of the substrate to be coated until the first layer of the material coating has a desired thickness. 5. The method of claim 1, comprising:
measuring a temperature of the substrate while depositing the first layer of the material; and depositing the second layer of the material based at least in part on the measured temperature. 6. The method of claim 5, comprising:
providing the cooling flow to the substrate when the temperature of the substrate exceeds a temperature threshold; and depositing the second layer of the material after providing the cooling flow. 7. The method of claim 5, comprising depositing the second layer of the material when the measured temperature is below a temperature threshold. 8. The method of claim 1, wherein depositing the first layer of the material comprises rotating the substrate about a longitudinal axis of the substrate. 9. The method of claim 1, wherein the second layer is deposited at least partially on top of the first layer. 10. The method of claim 1, wherein the substrate is a radial bearing, and wherein depositing the first layer comprises rotating the radial bearing while depositing the first layer and depositing the second layer comprises rotating the radial bearing while depositing the second layer. 11. A method, comprising:
depositing a first layer of a material coating on a radial bearing using a thermal spray device; cooling the radial bearing; and depositing a second layer of the material coating on the radial bearing using the thermal spray device. 12. The method of claim 11, wherein the material coating comprises a metal carbide. 13. The method of claim 11, comprising:
rotating the radial bearing about a longitudinal axis of the radial bearing; and depositing the first layer while the radial bearing is rotating. 14. The method of claim 11, wherein cooling the radial bearing comprises pausing for a predetermined time period before depositing the second layer of the material coating. 15. The method of claim 11, wherein cooling the radial bearing comprises providing a cooling flow using a cooling jet to prevent a temperature of the radial bearing from exceeding a temperature threshold. 16. The method of claim 11, wherein cooling the radial bearing occurs during the depositing the first layer of the material coating, during the depositing the second layer of the material coating, or both. 17. The method of claim 11, comprising:
measuring a temperature of the radial bearing while depositing the first layer of the material coating, while depositing the second layer of the material coating, or both; and cooling the radial bearing when the measured temperature exceeds a temperature threshold. 18. A system, comprising:
a high velocity air fuel (HVAF) thermal spray device configured to provide a material spray to a radial bearing to form a material coated radial bearing; a cooling jet configured to provide a cooling flow of fluid to the radial bearing; a rotational actuator configured to rotate the radial bearing; and a controller communicatively coupled to the rotational actuator, the HVAF thermal spray device, and the cooling jet, wherein the controller is configured to:
send a first control signal to the HVAF thermal spray device to provide the material spray;
send a second control signal to the rotational actuator to rotate the radial bearing;
and
send a third control signal to cause the cooling jet to provide the cooling flow of the fluid 19. The system of claim 18, comprising one or more temperature sensors configured to measure a temperature of the radial bearing, wherein the controller is configured to send the third control signal to cause the cooling jet to provide the cooling flow of the fluid when the measured temperature is above a temperature threshold range. 20. The system of claim 19, wherein the controller is configured to adjust the first control signal based at least in part on the measured temperature. | 3,600 |
339,905 | 16,800,861 | 3,619 | Bordering pixels delineating a texture hole region in an image are identified. Depth values of the bordering pixels are recorded. The depth values are automatically clustered into two depth value clusters with a depth value threshold separating the two depth value clusters. A subset of bordering background pixels is identified in the bordering pixels as those with depth values in one of the two depth value clusters that is declared as a background depth value cluster. The subset of bordering background pixels is used to predict texture hole pixel values in the texture hole region based on multiple candidate prediction directions. Quality indicator values are computed for the multiple candidate prediction directions and used to select a specific candidate prediction direction for filling in final texture hole pixel values in the texture hole region of the image. | 1. A computer-implemented method, comprising:
identifying a plurality of bordering pixels delineating a texture hole region in an image; recording a plurality of depth values of the plurality of bordering pixels, each depth value in the plurality of depth values corresponding to a respective bordering pixel in the plurality of bordering pixels; automatically clustering the plurality of depth values into two depth value clusters with a depth value threshold separating a first depth value cluster of the two depth value clusters from a second depth value cluster of the two depth value clusters; identifying one or more bordering pixels, in the plurality of bordering pixels, with depth values in the first depth value cluster as a subset of bordering background pixels in the plurality of bordering pixels; using the subset of bordering background pixels to predict texture hole pixel values in the texture hole region based on a plurality of candidate prediction directions; computing, based at least in part on the predicted candidate texture hole pixel values in the texture hole region, one or more quality indicator values for one or more quality indicators for each candidate prediction direction in the plurality of candidate prediction directions; selecting, based on the one or more quality indicator values for each candidate prediction direction in the plurality of candidate prediction directions, a specific candidate prediction direction from among the plurality of candidate prediction directions, the specific candidate prediction direction being used to fill in final texture hole pixel values in the texture hole region of the image. 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the texture hole region is identified based on a texture hole mask that comprises a binary value for each pixel in the image to indicate whether each such pixel is a texture hole pixel. 3. The method of claim 1, wherein the image comprises a plurality of texture hole regions that include the texture hole region. 4. The method of claim 1, wherein the image represents a synthesized image from applying depth-image-based rendering to one or more pre-synthesized texture images and one or more corresponding depth images. 5. The method of claim 1, wherein the plurality of depth values comprises one of: distance-based depth values or disparity-based depth values. 6. The method of claim 1, wherein the plurality of depth values is automatically clustered into a background depth value cluster and a foreground depth value cluster using one or more of: a centroid-based algorithm, a density-based algorithm, a K-means clustering algorithm, or Jenks natural breaks optimization. 7. The method of claim 1, wherein the one or more quality indicators comprises one or more of: a sum-of-absolute-difference based prediction error, or a number-of-missing-pixel counter. 8. The method of claim 1, wherein a pixel value of a bordering background pixel in the subset of bordering background pixels is propagated into the texture hole region in a filling order dependent on a candidate prediction direction. 9. The method of claim 1, wherein the specific candidate prediction direction is signaled in an image metadata portion in a video stream encoded with the image to a downstream decoder; wherein the downstream decoder performs hole filling operations for the texture hole region of the image based on the specific candidate prediction direction as signaled in the image metadata portion in the video stream. 10. The method of claim 1, wherein the method is performed by one of: a video decoder, a video encoder, or a video transcoder. 11. The method of claim 1, wherein an average pixel value of bordering background pixels in the subset of bordering background pixels is propagated into the texture hole region in a filling order dependent on a candidate prediction direction. 12. A computer-implemented method, comprising:
identifying bordering pixels of a texture hole region in an image; automatically clustering the bordering pixels into two pixel clusters one of which represents a foreground pixel cluster and the other of which represents a background pixel cluster; using a plurality of candidate prediction directions and bordering background pixels in the background pixel cluster to fill in the texture hole region; selecting a winning prediction direction among all the candidate prediction directions based on prediction errors computed with the plurality of candidate prediction directions; using the winning prediction direction to fill the texture hole regions with the background pixels along fill-in orders as pointed to by the winning prediction direction. 13. A computer-implemented method, comprising:
for a currently processed texture hole pixel in a texture hole region in an image, searching in multiple candidate prediction directions to find first non-hole pixels; recording positions and depth values of the first non-hole pixels; performing one-dimensional (1D) clustering on the recorded depth values to two depth value clusters and obtaining a depth value threshold that identifies one of the two depth value clusters as comprising background depths. 14. The method of claim 13, further comprising:
for the candidate prediction directions resulting in bordering pixels with background depths, performing predictions of the pixel value of the currently processed texture hole pixel based on background pixel values of the bordering pixels; selecting a winner prediction direction among the candidate prediction directions resulting in bordering pixels with background depths based on prediction errors computed for the candidate prediction directions; filling the texture hole pixel with the pixel value of the winning bordering background pixel. 15. The method of claim 13, further comprising:
computing an average background pixel value of the first non-hole pixels that have been identified as background pixels; filling the texture hole pixel with the average background pixel value. 16. The method of claim 13, wherein the method is independently performed by a processing thread for each texture hole pixel in the image. 17. An apparatus performing the method as recited in claim 1. 18. A system performing the method as recited in claim 1. 19. A non-transitory computer readable storage medium, storing software instructions, which when executed by one or more processors cause performance of the method recited in claim 1. 20. A computing device comprising one or more processors and one or more storage media, storing a set of instructions, which when executed by one or more processors cause performance of the method recited in claim 1. | Bordering pixels delineating a texture hole region in an image are identified. Depth values of the bordering pixels are recorded. The depth values are automatically clustered into two depth value clusters with a depth value threshold separating the two depth value clusters. A subset of bordering background pixels is identified in the bordering pixels as those with depth values in one of the two depth value clusters that is declared as a background depth value cluster. The subset of bordering background pixels is used to predict texture hole pixel values in the texture hole region based on multiple candidate prediction directions. Quality indicator values are computed for the multiple candidate prediction directions and used to select a specific candidate prediction direction for filling in final texture hole pixel values in the texture hole region of the image.1. A computer-implemented method, comprising:
identifying a plurality of bordering pixels delineating a texture hole region in an image; recording a plurality of depth values of the plurality of bordering pixels, each depth value in the plurality of depth values corresponding to a respective bordering pixel in the plurality of bordering pixels; automatically clustering the plurality of depth values into two depth value clusters with a depth value threshold separating a first depth value cluster of the two depth value clusters from a second depth value cluster of the two depth value clusters; identifying one or more bordering pixels, in the plurality of bordering pixels, with depth values in the first depth value cluster as a subset of bordering background pixels in the plurality of bordering pixels; using the subset of bordering background pixels to predict texture hole pixel values in the texture hole region based on a plurality of candidate prediction directions; computing, based at least in part on the predicted candidate texture hole pixel values in the texture hole region, one or more quality indicator values for one or more quality indicators for each candidate prediction direction in the plurality of candidate prediction directions; selecting, based on the one or more quality indicator values for each candidate prediction direction in the plurality of candidate prediction directions, a specific candidate prediction direction from among the plurality of candidate prediction directions, the specific candidate prediction direction being used to fill in final texture hole pixel values in the texture hole region of the image. 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the texture hole region is identified based on a texture hole mask that comprises a binary value for each pixel in the image to indicate whether each such pixel is a texture hole pixel. 3. The method of claim 1, wherein the image comprises a plurality of texture hole regions that include the texture hole region. 4. The method of claim 1, wherein the image represents a synthesized image from applying depth-image-based rendering to one or more pre-synthesized texture images and one or more corresponding depth images. 5. The method of claim 1, wherein the plurality of depth values comprises one of: distance-based depth values or disparity-based depth values. 6. The method of claim 1, wherein the plurality of depth values is automatically clustered into a background depth value cluster and a foreground depth value cluster using one or more of: a centroid-based algorithm, a density-based algorithm, a K-means clustering algorithm, or Jenks natural breaks optimization. 7. The method of claim 1, wherein the one or more quality indicators comprises one or more of: a sum-of-absolute-difference based prediction error, or a number-of-missing-pixel counter. 8. The method of claim 1, wherein a pixel value of a bordering background pixel in the subset of bordering background pixels is propagated into the texture hole region in a filling order dependent on a candidate prediction direction. 9. The method of claim 1, wherein the specific candidate prediction direction is signaled in an image metadata portion in a video stream encoded with the image to a downstream decoder; wherein the downstream decoder performs hole filling operations for the texture hole region of the image based on the specific candidate prediction direction as signaled in the image metadata portion in the video stream. 10. The method of claim 1, wherein the method is performed by one of: a video decoder, a video encoder, or a video transcoder. 11. The method of claim 1, wherein an average pixel value of bordering background pixels in the subset of bordering background pixels is propagated into the texture hole region in a filling order dependent on a candidate prediction direction. 12. A computer-implemented method, comprising:
identifying bordering pixels of a texture hole region in an image; automatically clustering the bordering pixels into two pixel clusters one of which represents a foreground pixel cluster and the other of which represents a background pixel cluster; using a plurality of candidate prediction directions and bordering background pixels in the background pixel cluster to fill in the texture hole region; selecting a winning prediction direction among all the candidate prediction directions based on prediction errors computed with the plurality of candidate prediction directions; using the winning prediction direction to fill the texture hole regions with the background pixels along fill-in orders as pointed to by the winning prediction direction. 13. A computer-implemented method, comprising:
for a currently processed texture hole pixel in a texture hole region in an image, searching in multiple candidate prediction directions to find first non-hole pixels; recording positions and depth values of the first non-hole pixels; performing one-dimensional (1D) clustering on the recorded depth values to two depth value clusters and obtaining a depth value threshold that identifies one of the two depth value clusters as comprising background depths. 14. The method of claim 13, further comprising:
for the candidate prediction directions resulting in bordering pixels with background depths, performing predictions of the pixel value of the currently processed texture hole pixel based on background pixel values of the bordering pixels; selecting a winner prediction direction among the candidate prediction directions resulting in bordering pixels with background depths based on prediction errors computed for the candidate prediction directions; filling the texture hole pixel with the pixel value of the winning bordering background pixel. 15. The method of claim 13, further comprising:
computing an average background pixel value of the first non-hole pixels that have been identified as background pixels; filling the texture hole pixel with the average background pixel value. 16. The method of claim 13, wherein the method is independently performed by a processing thread for each texture hole pixel in the image. 17. An apparatus performing the method as recited in claim 1. 18. A system performing the method as recited in claim 1. 19. A non-transitory computer readable storage medium, storing software instructions, which when executed by one or more processors cause performance of the method recited in claim 1. 20. A computing device comprising one or more processors and one or more storage media, storing a set of instructions, which when executed by one or more processors cause performance of the method recited in claim 1. | 3,600 |
339,906 | 16,800,819 | 3,619 | Discussed herein are devices, systems, and methods for merging point cloud data with error propagation. A can include reducing a sum aggregate of discrepancies between respective tie points and associated 3D points in first and second 3D images, adjusting 3D error models of the first and second 3D images based on the reduced discrepancies to generate registered 3D images, and propagating an error of the first or second 3D images to the registered 3D image to generate error of the registered 3D images. | 1. A method for registering a first three-dimensional (3D) image to a second 3D image with error propagation, the method comprising:
reducing a sum aggregate of discrepancies between respective tie points and associated 3D points in the first and the second 3D images; adjusting 3D error models of the first and second 3D images based on the reduced discrepancies to generate registered 3D images; and propagating an error of the first or second 3D images to the registered 3D image to generate error of the registered 3D images. 2. The method of claim 1, further comprising conditioning the error of the first and second 3D images before propagating the error. 3. The method of claim 2, wherein the conditioned error includes errors in translation in x, errors in translation in y, errors in translation in z, errors in roll, errors in yaw, errors in pitch, and errors in scale between the first and second images. 4. The method of claim 1, wherein reducing the sum aggregate of discrepancies includes using a least squares estimator between the tie points and the associated 3D points in the first and second 3D images. 5. The method of claim 1, wherein the tie points include respective tie point errors and reducing the sum aggregate of discrepancies is further determined based on the tie point errors. 6. The method of claim 1, wherein the error of the registered 3D images is an improvement over the initial errors of the first 3D image and the second 3D image. 7. The method of claim 1, wherein reducing the discrepancies include folding ground points associated with the tie points into a representation of the first and second 3D images. 8. The method of claim 7, further comprising unfolding corrections to the ground points from the representation. 9. The method of claim 1, wherein the first 3D image and the second 3D image are views of first and second geographical regions, respectively, that overlap. 10. A non-transitory machine-readable medium including instructions that, when executed by a machine, cause a machine to perform operations for registering a first three-dimensional (3D) image to a second 3D image with error propagation, the operations comprising:
reducing a sum aggregate of discrepancies between respective tie points and associated 3D points in the first and the second 3D images; adjust 3D error models of the first and second 3D images based on the reduced discrepancies to generate registered 3D images; and propagating an error of the first or second 3D images to the registered 3D image to generate error of the registered 3D images. 11. The non-transitory machine-readable medium of claim 10, wherein the operations further comprise conditioning the error of the first and second 3D images before propagating the error. 12. The non-transitory machine-readable medium of claim 11, wherein the conditioned error includes errors in translation in x, errors in translation in y, errors in translation in z, errors in roll, errors in yaw, errors in pitch, and errors in scale between the first and second images. 13. The non-transitory machine-readable medium of claim 10, wherein reducing the sum aggregate of discrepancies includes using a least squares estimator between the tie points and the associated 3D points in the first and second 3D images. 14. The non-transitory machine-readable medium of claim 10, wherein the tie points include respective tie point errors and reducing the sum aggregate of discrepancies is further determined based on the tie point errors. 15. The non-transitory machine-readable medium of claim 10, wherein the error of the registered 3D images is an improvement over the initial errors of the first 3D image and the second 3D image. 16. A system comprising:
a memory including first and second three-dimensional (3D) images of first and second geographical regions stored thereon; processing circuitry coupled to the memory, the processing circuitry configured to: reduce a sum aggregate of discrepancies between respective tie points and associated 3D points in the first and the second 3D images; adjust 3D error models of the first and second 3D images based on the reduced discrepancies to generate registered 3D images; and propagate an error of the first or second 3D images to the registered 3D image to generate error of the registered 3D images. 17. The system of claim 16, wherein the processing circuitry is further configured to reduce the discrepancies by folding ground points associated with the tie points into a representation of the first and second 3D images. 18. The system of claim 17, wherein the processing circuitry is further configured to unfold corrections to the ground points from the representation. 19. The system of claim 16, wherein the first 3D image and the second 3D image are views of first and second geographical regions, respectively, that overlap. 20. The system of claim 16, wherein the processing circuitry is further configured to condition the error of the first and second 3D images before propagating the error and wherein the conditioned error includes errors in translation in x, errors in translation in y, errors in translation in z, errors in roll, errors in yaw, errors in pitch, and errors in scale between the first and second images. | Discussed herein are devices, systems, and methods for merging point cloud data with error propagation. A can include reducing a sum aggregate of discrepancies between respective tie points and associated 3D points in first and second 3D images, adjusting 3D error models of the first and second 3D images based on the reduced discrepancies to generate registered 3D images, and propagating an error of the first or second 3D images to the registered 3D image to generate error of the registered 3D images.1. A method for registering a first three-dimensional (3D) image to a second 3D image with error propagation, the method comprising:
reducing a sum aggregate of discrepancies between respective tie points and associated 3D points in the first and the second 3D images; adjusting 3D error models of the first and second 3D images based on the reduced discrepancies to generate registered 3D images; and propagating an error of the first or second 3D images to the registered 3D image to generate error of the registered 3D images. 2. The method of claim 1, further comprising conditioning the error of the first and second 3D images before propagating the error. 3. The method of claim 2, wherein the conditioned error includes errors in translation in x, errors in translation in y, errors in translation in z, errors in roll, errors in yaw, errors in pitch, and errors in scale between the first and second images. 4. The method of claim 1, wherein reducing the sum aggregate of discrepancies includes using a least squares estimator between the tie points and the associated 3D points in the first and second 3D images. 5. The method of claim 1, wherein the tie points include respective tie point errors and reducing the sum aggregate of discrepancies is further determined based on the tie point errors. 6. The method of claim 1, wherein the error of the registered 3D images is an improvement over the initial errors of the first 3D image and the second 3D image. 7. The method of claim 1, wherein reducing the discrepancies include folding ground points associated with the tie points into a representation of the first and second 3D images. 8. The method of claim 7, further comprising unfolding corrections to the ground points from the representation. 9. The method of claim 1, wherein the first 3D image and the second 3D image are views of first and second geographical regions, respectively, that overlap. 10. A non-transitory machine-readable medium including instructions that, when executed by a machine, cause a machine to perform operations for registering a first three-dimensional (3D) image to a second 3D image with error propagation, the operations comprising:
reducing a sum aggregate of discrepancies between respective tie points and associated 3D points in the first and the second 3D images; adjust 3D error models of the first and second 3D images based on the reduced discrepancies to generate registered 3D images; and propagating an error of the first or second 3D images to the registered 3D image to generate error of the registered 3D images. 11. The non-transitory machine-readable medium of claim 10, wherein the operations further comprise conditioning the error of the first and second 3D images before propagating the error. 12. The non-transitory machine-readable medium of claim 11, wherein the conditioned error includes errors in translation in x, errors in translation in y, errors in translation in z, errors in roll, errors in yaw, errors in pitch, and errors in scale between the first and second images. 13. The non-transitory machine-readable medium of claim 10, wherein reducing the sum aggregate of discrepancies includes using a least squares estimator between the tie points and the associated 3D points in the first and second 3D images. 14. The non-transitory machine-readable medium of claim 10, wherein the tie points include respective tie point errors and reducing the sum aggregate of discrepancies is further determined based on the tie point errors. 15. The non-transitory machine-readable medium of claim 10, wherein the error of the registered 3D images is an improvement over the initial errors of the first 3D image and the second 3D image. 16. A system comprising:
a memory including first and second three-dimensional (3D) images of first and second geographical regions stored thereon; processing circuitry coupled to the memory, the processing circuitry configured to: reduce a sum aggregate of discrepancies between respective tie points and associated 3D points in the first and the second 3D images; adjust 3D error models of the first and second 3D images based on the reduced discrepancies to generate registered 3D images; and propagate an error of the first or second 3D images to the registered 3D image to generate error of the registered 3D images. 17. The system of claim 16, wherein the processing circuitry is further configured to reduce the discrepancies by folding ground points associated with the tie points into a representation of the first and second 3D images. 18. The system of claim 17, wherein the processing circuitry is further configured to unfold corrections to the ground points from the representation. 19. The system of claim 16, wherein the first 3D image and the second 3D image are views of first and second geographical regions, respectively, that overlap. 20. The system of claim 16, wherein the processing circuitry is further configured to condition the error of the first and second 3D images before propagating the error and wherein the conditioned error includes errors in translation in x, errors in translation in y, errors in translation in z, errors in roll, errors in yaw, errors in pitch, and errors in scale between the first and second images. | 3,600 |
339,907 | 16,800,843 | 3,619 | There is provided a method for manufacturing a semiconductor device comprising: forming a first organic insulating layer on a semiconductor region; forming a bump base film including an edge portion contacting with the first organic insulating layer; performing heat treatment of the bump base film; and forming a second organic insulating layer so as to cover the edge portion of the bump base film and the first organic insulating layer around the bump base film while contacting with the first organic insulating layer, the second organic insulating layer being provided with a first opening that exposes a surface of the bump base film. | 1. A method for manufacturing a semiconductor device comprising:
forming a first organic insulating layer on a semiconductor region; forming a bump base film including an edge portion contacting with the first organic insulating layer; performing heat treatment of the bump base film; and forming a second organic insulating layer so as to cover the edge portion of the bump base film and the first organic insulating layer around the bump base film while contacting with the first organic insulating layer, the second organic insulating layer being provided with a first opening that exposes a surface of the bump base film. 2. The method for manufacturing a semiconductor device according to claim 1, wherein the heat treatment of the bump base film is performed before the forming of the second organic insulating layer. 3. The method for manufacturing a semiconductor device according to claim 1, further comprising:
etching the first organic insulating layer after the performing of the heat treatment and before the forming of the second organic insulating layer. 4. The method for manufacturing a semiconductor device according to claim 3, wherein a recessed portion depressed from a surface of the first organic insulating layer is formed by the etching of the first organic insulating layer. 5. The method for manufacturing a semiconductor device according to claim 4, wherein a depth of the recessed portion from the surface of the first organic insulating layer is half or smaller than a thickness of the first organic insulating layer. 6. The method for manufacturing a semiconductor device according to claim 1, wherein the forming of the second organic insulating layer includes forming the first opening by exposing and developing the second organic insulating layer that mainly includes a photosensitive resin. 7. The method for manufacturing a semiconductor device according to claim 1, further comprising:
forming a solder bump by a reflow process so as to cover the first opening and contact with the bump base film. 8. The method for manufacturing a semiconductor device according to claim 7, wherein the heat treatment is performed at a temperature higher than a temperature of the reflow process of the solder bump. 9. The method for manufacturing a semiconductor device according to claim 7, wherein the heat treatment is performed at a temperature of a range of 260° C. to 350° C. 10. The method for manufacturing a semiconductor device according to claim 1, wherein the heat treatment of the bump base film continues within a range of 5 minutes to 60 minutes. 11. The method for manufacturing a semiconductor device according to claim 1, wherein the heat treatment of the bump base film is performed in an atmospheric air, a vacuum atmosphere, or an inert gas atmosphere. 12. The method for manufacturing a semiconductor device according to claim 1, further comprising:
forming a metal wiring serving as a signal wiring on the semiconductor region, wherein the first organic insulating layer is formed so as to have a second opening that exposes a surface of the metal wiring in the forming of the first organic insulating layer. 13. The method for manufacturing a semiconductor device according to claim 12, further comprising:
forming a first metal film serving as a ground wiring in a ground wiring region on the first organic insulating layer; and forming a second metal film serving as the signal wiring in a signal wiring region isolated from the ground wiring region so as to connect with the metal wiring through the second opening. 14. The method for manufacturing a semiconductor device according to claim 13, wherein a first part of the bump base film covering the first metal film and a second part of the bump base film covering the second metal film are formed separately in the forming of the bump base film. 15. The method for manufacturing a semiconductor device according to claim 13, wherein the first metal film and the second metal film in their entirety are covered by the bump base film in the forming of the bump base film. 16. A semiconductor device comprising:
a semiconductor region; a first organic insulating layer provided on the semiconductor region; a bump base film including an edge portion positioned on the first organic insulating layer; a second organic insulating layer provided so as to cover the edge portion of the bump base film and the first organic insulating layer around the bump base film while contacting with the first organic insulating layer, the second organic insulating layer being provided with a first opening that exposes a surface of the bump base film; and a solder bump covering the first opening and contacting with the bump base film. 17. The semiconductor device according to claim 16, wherein a material constituting the second organic insulating layer enters a gap between the first organic insulating layer and the bump base film. 18. The semiconductor device according to claim 16, further comprising:
a metal wiring serving as a signal wiring provided on the semiconductor region, wherein the first organic insulating layer has a second opening that exposes the metal wiring therefrom. 19. The semiconductor device according to claim 18, further comprising:
a first metal film serving as a ground wiring provided in a ground wiring region on the first organic insulating layer: and a second metal film serving as the signal wiring provided in a signal wiring region isolated from the ground wiring region and connected to the metal wiring through the second opening. 20. The semiconductor device according to claim 19, wherein the bump base film includes a first part covering the first metal film, and a second part separated from the first part and covering the second metal film. | There is provided a method for manufacturing a semiconductor device comprising: forming a first organic insulating layer on a semiconductor region; forming a bump base film including an edge portion contacting with the first organic insulating layer; performing heat treatment of the bump base film; and forming a second organic insulating layer so as to cover the edge portion of the bump base film and the first organic insulating layer around the bump base film while contacting with the first organic insulating layer, the second organic insulating layer being provided with a first opening that exposes a surface of the bump base film.1. A method for manufacturing a semiconductor device comprising:
forming a first organic insulating layer on a semiconductor region; forming a bump base film including an edge portion contacting with the first organic insulating layer; performing heat treatment of the bump base film; and forming a second organic insulating layer so as to cover the edge portion of the bump base film and the first organic insulating layer around the bump base film while contacting with the first organic insulating layer, the second organic insulating layer being provided with a first opening that exposes a surface of the bump base film. 2. The method for manufacturing a semiconductor device according to claim 1, wherein the heat treatment of the bump base film is performed before the forming of the second organic insulating layer. 3. The method for manufacturing a semiconductor device according to claim 1, further comprising:
etching the first organic insulating layer after the performing of the heat treatment and before the forming of the second organic insulating layer. 4. The method for manufacturing a semiconductor device according to claim 3, wherein a recessed portion depressed from a surface of the first organic insulating layer is formed by the etching of the first organic insulating layer. 5. The method for manufacturing a semiconductor device according to claim 4, wherein a depth of the recessed portion from the surface of the first organic insulating layer is half or smaller than a thickness of the first organic insulating layer. 6. The method for manufacturing a semiconductor device according to claim 1, wherein the forming of the second organic insulating layer includes forming the first opening by exposing and developing the second organic insulating layer that mainly includes a photosensitive resin. 7. The method for manufacturing a semiconductor device according to claim 1, further comprising:
forming a solder bump by a reflow process so as to cover the first opening and contact with the bump base film. 8. The method for manufacturing a semiconductor device according to claim 7, wherein the heat treatment is performed at a temperature higher than a temperature of the reflow process of the solder bump. 9. The method for manufacturing a semiconductor device according to claim 7, wherein the heat treatment is performed at a temperature of a range of 260° C. to 350° C. 10. The method for manufacturing a semiconductor device according to claim 1, wherein the heat treatment of the bump base film continues within a range of 5 minutes to 60 minutes. 11. The method for manufacturing a semiconductor device according to claim 1, wherein the heat treatment of the bump base film is performed in an atmospheric air, a vacuum atmosphere, or an inert gas atmosphere. 12. The method for manufacturing a semiconductor device according to claim 1, further comprising:
forming a metal wiring serving as a signal wiring on the semiconductor region, wherein the first organic insulating layer is formed so as to have a second opening that exposes a surface of the metal wiring in the forming of the first organic insulating layer. 13. The method for manufacturing a semiconductor device according to claim 12, further comprising:
forming a first metal film serving as a ground wiring in a ground wiring region on the first organic insulating layer; and forming a second metal film serving as the signal wiring in a signal wiring region isolated from the ground wiring region so as to connect with the metal wiring through the second opening. 14. The method for manufacturing a semiconductor device according to claim 13, wherein a first part of the bump base film covering the first metal film and a second part of the bump base film covering the second metal film are formed separately in the forming of the bump base film. 15. The method for manufacturing a semiconductor device according to claim 13, wherein the first metal film and the second metal film in their entirety are covered by the bump base film in the forming of the bump base film. 16. A semiconductor device comprising:
a semiconductor region; a first organic insulating layer provided on the semiconductor region; a bump base film including an edge portion positioned on the first organic insulating layer; a second organic insulating layer provided so as to cover the edge portion of the bump base film and the first organic insulating layer around the bump base film while contacting with the first organic insulating layer, the second organic insulating layer being provided with a first opening that exposes a surface of the bump base film; and a solder bump covering the first opening and contacting with the bump base film. 17. The semiconductor device according to claim 16, wherein a material constituting the second organic insulating layer enters a gap between the first organic insulating layer and the bump base film. 18. The semiconductor device according to claim 16, further comprising:
a metal wiring serving as a signal wiring provided on the semiconductor region, wherein the first organic insulating layer has a second opening that exposes the metal wiring therefrom. 19. The semiconductor device according to claim 18, further comprising:
a first metal film serving as a ground wiring provided in a ground wiring region on the first organic insulating layer: and a second metal film serving as the signal wiring provided in a signal wiring region isolated from the ground wiring region and connected to the metal wiring through the second opening. 20. The semiconductor device according to claim 19, wherein the bump base film includes a first part covering the first metal film, and a second part separated from the first part and covering the second metal film. | 3,600 |
339,908 | 16,800,836 | 3,619 | Cross-optimization in wireless mobile networks. In an embodiment, a demand map is received for each of a plurality of networks. The demand map represents demand at a plurality of geographic locations in at least one cell of the network. Based on the demand maps, an optimal transfer of demand is generated between the plurality of networks at one or more of the plurality of geographic locations at which the plurality of networks overlap. Then, one or more parameters, to be used by at least one of the plurality of networks in a handover procedure, is determined, so as to produce the optimal transfer of demand between the plurality of networks at the one or more geographic locations at which the plurality of networks overlap. | 1. A method comprising using at least one hardware processor to:
for each of a plurality of networks, receive a demand map that represents demand at a plurality of geographic locations in at least one cell of the network; generate an optimal transfer of demand between the plurality of networks at one or more of the plurality of geographic locations at which the plurality of networks overlap based on the demand maps; and determine one or more parameters to be used by at least one of the plurality of networks in a handover procedure of the at least one network to produce the optimal transfer of demand between the plurality of networks at the one or more geographic locations at which the plurality of networks overlap. 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the plurality of networks are a plurality of network layers. 3. The method of claim 1, wherein each demand map comprises an average demand over a time period at each of the plurality of geographic locations. 4. The method of claim 3, wherein each demand map comprises the average demand over the time period for one or more simulated mobile devices at each of the plurality of geographic locations. 5. The method of claim 4, wherein the plurality of networks comprise a first network and a second network, and wherein generating the optimal transfer of demand comprises, when a network load in the first network at one of the plurality of geographic locations at which the first and second networks overlap is higher than a network load in the second network at that one geographic location, transferring one or more of the simulated mobile devices in the first network at that one geographic location to the second network. 6. The method of claim 5, further comprising using the at least one hardware processor to, for each of the plurality of networks, receive quality information in association with the demand map for that network, wherein the quality information comprises a signal quality or throughput at the plurality of geographic locations, and wherein the optimal transfer of demand is generated further based on the quality information. 7. The method of claim 6, wherein the one or more simulated mobile devices to be transferred, at the geographic location at which the first and second networks overlap, are selected based on the signal information, so as to improve the signal quality or throughput of the one or more simulated mobile devices via the transfer. 8. The method of claim 1, further comprising using the at least one hardware processor to, for each of the plurality of networks, generate the demand map from a model of the at least one cell of the network. 9. The method of claim 1, further comprising using the at least one hardware processor to, for each of the plurality of networks, receive one or more objectives, wherein the optimal transfer of demand is determined based on the one or more objectives. 10. The method of claim 9, wherein the one or more objectives comprise maintaining a relative performance difference between the plurality of networks. 11. The method of claim 10, further comprising using the at least one hardware processor to, based on the objective of maintaining the relative performance difference between the plurality of networks, analyze the demand maps for the plurality of networks to identify the relative performance difference between the plurality of networks, wherein the optimal transfer of demand is generated such that the relative performance difference is the same after the transfer of demand as before the transfer of demand. 12. The method of claim 1, further comprising using the at least one hardware processor to, after generating the optimal transfer of demand and before determining the set of parameters, for each of the plurality of networks, generate a modified demand map from the demand map received for that network, wherein the modified demand map represents the optimal transfer of demand to or from that network. 13. The method of claim 12, further comprising using the at least one hardware processor to, for each of the plurality of networks, provide the modified demand map to at least one recipient. 14. The method of claim 13, further comprising using the at least one hardware processor to, over a plurality of iterations until one or more objectives are satisfied, for one or more of the plurality of networks, receive a demand map, generate the optimal transfer of demand, generate a modified demand map, and provide the modified demand map to at least one recipient. 15. The method of claim 1, further comprising using the at least one hardware processor to deliver the set of one or more parameters to the at least one network. 16. The method of claim 15, wherein delivering the one or more parameters to the at least one network comprises sending the one or more parameters through an interface with the at least one network. 17. The method of claim 16, wherein the interface is an application programming interface (API) of a self-optimizing network (SON). 18. The method of claim 1, wherein the one or more parameters comprise one or more neighbor cells, in one or more networks that are different than the at least one network, to be used in a neighbor list for mobile devices connected to the at least one network in at least one of the plurality of geographic locations at which the plurality of networks overlap. 19. The method of claim 18, wherein the one or more parameters further comprise a value for a cell individual offset (CIO) of each of the one or more neighbor cells. 20. The method of claim 19, wherein determining the one or more parameters comprises computing the value for each CIO of each of the one or more neighbor cells, so as to trigger the optimal transfer of demand between the plurality of networks during real-time operation of the plurality of networks. 21. The method of claim 1, wherein each demand map is associated with a reoccurring time period, and wherein the method further comprises using the at least one hardware processor to generate a profile that associates the one or more parameters with the reoccurring time period. 22. The method of claim 21, wherein the reoccurring time period is one or both of a time of day and a day of a week. 23. The method of claim 21, further comprising using the at least one hardware processor to, for each of a plurality of different profiles, initiate use of the one or more parameters in the profile at each occurrence of the associated reoccurring time period. 24. The method of claim 1, wherein the plurality of networks comprise a first network and a second network, wherein, for each of the first and second networks, the received demand map represents demand at a plurality of geographic locations in a plurality of cells of the network, and wherein generating the optimal transfer of demand comprises transporting demand over a geographic distance by:
starting at a first end of the geographic distance, for one or more hops, until a second end of the geographic distance is reached, transferring an amount of demand at an edge of a cell in the first network to a cell in the second network that overlaps both the edge of the cell in the first network and an edge of another cell in the first network, and transferring the same amount of demand from the cell in the second network to the other cell in the first network, such that the amount of demand is transferred from a starting cell in the first network at the first end to an ending cell in the first network at the second end, without changing a load level in any cells in the first and second networks other than the starting and ending cells in the first network. 25. The method of claim 24, wherein the starting cell provides coverage to one of either a commercial area or a residential area, and wherein the ending cell provides coverage to the other one of either the commercial area or the residential area. 26. A system comprising:
at least one hardware processor; and one or more software modules configured to, when executed by the at least one hardware processor,
for each of a plurality of networks, receive a demand map that represents demand at a plurality of geographic locations in at least one cell of the network,
generate an optimal transfer of demand between the plurality of networks at one or more of the plurality of geographic locations at which the plurality of networks overlap based on the demand maps, and
determine one or more parameters to be used by at least one of the plurality of networks in a handover procedure of the at least one network to produce the optimal transfer of demand between the plurality of networks at the one or more geographic locations at which the plurality of networks overlap. 27. A non-transitory computer-readable medium having instructions stored therein, wherein the instructions, when executed by a processor, cause the processor to:
for each of a plurality of networks, receive a demand map that represents demand at a plurality of geographic locations in at least one cell of the network; generate an optimal transfer of demand between the plurality of networks at one or more of the plurality of geographic locations at which the plurality of networks overlap based on the demand maps; and determine one or more parameters to be used by at least one of the plurality of networks in a handover procedure of the at least one network to produce the optimal transfer of demand between the plurality of networks at the one or more geographic locations at which the plurality of networks overlap. | Cross-optimization in wireless mobile networks. In an embodiment, a demand map is received for each of a plurality of networks. The demand map represents demand at a plurality of geographic locations in at least one cell of the network. Based on the demand maps, an optimal transfer of demand is generated between the plurality of networks at one or more of the plurality of geographic locations at which the plurality of networks overlap. Then, one or more parameters, to be used by at least one of the plurality of networks in a handover procedure, is determined, so as to produce the optimal transfer of demand between the plurality of networks at the one or more geographic locations at which the plurality of networks overlap.1. A method comprising using at least one hardware processor to:
for each of a plurality of networks, receive a demand map that represents demand at a plurality of geographic locations in at least one cell of the network; generate an optimal transfer of demand between the plurality of networks at one or more of the plurality of geographic locations at which the plurality of networks overlap based on the demand maps; and determine one or more parameters to be used by at least one of the plurality of networks in a handover procedure of the at least one network to produce the optimal transfer of demand between the plurality of networks at the one or more geographic locations at which the plurality of networks overlap. 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the plurality of networks are a plurality of network layers. 3. The method of claim 1, wherein each demand map comprises an average demand over a time period at each of the plurality of geographic locations. 4. The method of claim 3, wherein each demand map comprises the average demand over the time period for one or more simulated mobile devices at each of the plurality of geographic locations. 5. The method of claim 4, wherein the plurality of networks comprise a first network and a second network, and wherein generating the optimal transfer of demand comprises, when a network load in the first network at one of the plurality of geographic locations at which the first and second networks overlap is higher than a network load in the second network at that one geographic location, transferring one or more of the simulated mobile devices in the first network at that one geographic location to the second network. 6. The method of claim 5, further comprising using the at least one hardware processor to, for each of the plurality of networks, receive quality information in association with the demand map for that network, wherein the quality information comprises a signal quality or throughput at the plurality of geographic locations, and wherein the optimal transfer of demand is generated further based on the quality information. 7. The method of claim 6, wherein the one or more simulated mobile devices to be transferred, at the geographic location at which the first and second networks overlap, are selected based on the signal information, so as to improve the signal quality or throughput of the one or more simulated mobile devices via the transfer. 8. The method of claim 1, further comprising using the at least one hardware processor to, for each of the plurality of networks, generate the demand map from a model of the at least one cell of the network. 9. The method of claim 1, further comprising using the at least one hardware processor to, for each of the plurality of networks, receive one or more objectives, wherein the optimal transfer of demand is determined based on the one or more objectives. 10. The method of claim 9, wherein the one or more objectives comprise maintaining a relative performance difference between the plurality of networks. 11. The method of claim 10, further comprising using the at least one hardware processor to, based on the objective of maintaining the relative performance difference between the plurality of networks, analyze the demand maps for the plurality of networks to identify the relative performance difference between the plurality of networks, wherein the optimal transfer of demand is generated such that the relative performance difference is the same after the transfer of demand as before the transfer of demand. 12. The method of claim 1, further comprising using the at least one hardware processor to, after generating the optimal transfer of demand and before determining the set of parameters, for each of the plurality of networks, generate a modified demand map from the demand map received for that network, wherein the modified demand map represents the optimal transfer of demand to or from that network. 13. The method of claim 12, further comprising using the at least one hardware processor to, for each of the plurality of networks, provide the modified demand map to at least one recipient. 14. The method of claim 13, further comprising using the at least one hardware processor to, over a plurality of iterations until one or more objectives are satisfied, for one or more of the plurality of networks, receive a demand map, generate the optimal transfer of demand, generate a modified demand map, and provide the modified demand map to at least one recipient. 15. The method of claim 1, further comprising using the at least one hardware processor to deliver the set of one or more parameters to the at least one network. 16. The method of claim 15, wherein delivering the one or more parameters to the at least one network comprises sending the one or more parameters through an interface with the at least one network. 17. The method of claim 16, wherein the interface is an application programming interface (API) of a self-optimizing network (SON). 18. The method of claim 1, wherein the one or more parameters comprise one or more neighbor cells, in one or more networks that are different than the at least one network, to be used in a neighbor list for mobile devices connected to the at least one network in at least one of the plurality of geographic locations at which the plurality of networks overlap. 19. The method of claim 18, wherein the one or more parameters further comprise a value for a cell individual offset (CIO) of each of the one or more neighbor cells. 20. The method of claim 19, wherein determining the one or more parameters comprises computing the value for each CIO of each of the one or more neighbor cells, so as to trigger the optimal transfer of demand between the plurality of networks during real-time operation of the plurality of networks. 21. The method of claim 1, wherein each demand map is associated with a reoccurring time period, and wherein the method further comprises using the at least one hardware processor to generate a profile that associates the one or more parameters with the reoccurring time period. 22. The method of claim 21, wherein the reoccurring time period is one or both of a time of day and a day of a week. 23. The method of claim 21, further comprising using the at least one hardware processor to, for each of a plurality of different profiles, initiate use of the one or more parameters in the profile at each occurrence of the associated reoccurring time period. 24. The method of claim 1, wherein the plurality of networks comprise a first network and a second network, wherein, for each of the first and second networks, the received demand map represents demand at a plurality of geographic locations in a plurality of cells of the network, and wherein generating the optimal transfer of demand comprises transporting demand over a geographic distance by:
starting at a first end of the geographic distance, for one or more hops, until a second end of the geographic distance is reached, transferring an amount of demand at an edge of a cell in the first network to a cell in the second network that overlaps both the edge of the cell in the first network and an edge of another cell in the first network, and transferring the same amount of demand from the cell in the second network to the other cell in the first network, such that the amount of demand is transferred from a starting cell in the first network at the first end to an ending cell in the first network at the second end, without changing a load level in any cells in the first and second networks other than the starting and ending cells in the first network. 25. The method of claim 24, wherein the starting cell provides coverage to one of either a commercial area or a residential area, and wherein the ending cell provides coverage to the other one of either the commercial area or the residential area. 26. A system comprising:
at least one hardware processor; and one or more software modules configured to, when executed by the at least one hardware processor,
for each of a plurality of networks, receive a demand map that represents demand at a plurality of geographic locations in at least one cell of the network,
generate an optimal transfer of demand between the plurality of networks at one or more of the plurality of geographic locations at which the plurality of networks overlap based on the demand maps, and
determine one or more parameters to be used by at least one of the plurality of networks in a handover procedure of the at least one network to produce the optimal transfer of demand between the plurality of networks at the one or more geographic locations at which the plurality of networks overlap. 27. A non-transitory computer-readable medium having instructions stored therein, wherein the instructions, when executed by a processor, cause the processor to:
for each of a plurality of networks, receive a demand map that represents demand at a plurality of geographic locations in at least one cell of the network; generate an optimal transfer of demand between the plurality of networks at one or more of the plurality of geographic locations at which the plurality of networks overlap based on the demand maps; and determine one or more parameters to be used by at least one of the plurality of networks in a handover procedure of the at least one network to produce the optimal transfer of demand between the plurality of networks at the one or more geographic locations at which the plurality of networks overlap. | 3,600 |
339,909 | 16,800,860 | 2,894 | Embodiments of the disclosure are in the field of advanced integrated circuit structure fabrication and, in particular, 10 nanometer node and smaller integrated circuit structure fabrication and the resulting structures. In an example, a method includes forming a plurality of fins and forming a plurality of gate structures over the plurality of fins. A dielectric material structure is formed between adjacent ones of the plurality of gate structures. A portion of a first of the plurality of gate structures is removed to expose a first portion of each of the plurality of fins, and a portion of a second of the plurality of gate structures is removed to expose a second portion of each of the plurality of fins. The exposed first portion of each of the plurality of fins is removed, but the exposed second portion of each of the plurality of fins is not removed. | 1. An integrated circuit structure, comprising:
a plurality of fins, individual ones of the plurality of fins along a first direction; an isolation structure over the plurality of fins, the isolation structure having a longest dimension along a second direction between a first end and a second end, the second direction orthogonal to the first direction; a first gate structure at the first end of the isolation structure, the first gate structure having a top surface co-planar with a top surface of the isolation structure; and a second gate structure at the second end of the isolation structure, the second gate structure having a top surface co-planar with the top surface of the isolation structure. 2. The integrated circuit structure of claim 1, further comprising:
a dielectric material structure over the plurality of fins and adjacent to the isolation structure, wherein the dielectric material structure is distinct from the isolation structure. 3. The integrated circuit structure of claim 2, wherein the dielectric material structure has a top surface co-planar with the top surface of the isolation structure. 4. The integrated circuit structure of claim 2, wherein the dielectric material structure differs in composition from the isolation structure. 5. The integrated circuit structure of claim 1, wherein each of the first gate structure and the second gate structure comprises a gate electrode on and between sidewalls of a high-k gate dielectric layer. 6. The integrated circuit structure of claim 5, wherein each of the first gate structure and the second gate structure further comprises an insulating cap on the gate electrode and on and the sidewalls of the high-k gate dielectric layer. 7. The integrated circuit structure of claim 1, wherein the plurality of fins is a plurality of silicon fins. 8. The integrated circuit structure of claim 1, wherein the isolation structure is on a shallow trench isolation (STI) structure between individual ones of the plurality of fins. 9. An integrated circuit structure, comprising:
a plurality of fins, individual ones of the plurality of fins along a first direction; an isolation structure over the plurality of fins, the isolation structure having a longest dimension along a second direction orthogonal to the first direction, the isolation structure having a first side and a second side opposite the first side along the first direction; a first dielectric material structure over the plurality of fins and adjacent to the first side of the isolation structure, wherein the first dielectric material structure is distinct from the isolation structure; and a second dielectric material structure over the plurality of fins and adjacent to the second side of the isolation structure, wherein the second dielectric material structure is distinct from the isolation structure. 10. The integrated circuit structure of claim 9, wherein the first dielectric material structure has a top surface co-planar with a top surface of the isolation structure, and the second dielectric material structure has a top surface co-planar with the top surface of the isolation structure. 11. The integrated circuit structure of claim 9, wherein the first and second dielectric material structures differ in composition from the isolation structure. 12. The integrated circuit structure of claim 9, wherein the plurality of fins is a plurality of silicon fins. 13. The integrated circuit structure of claim 9, wherein the isolation structure is on a shallow trench isolation (STI) structure between individual ones of the plurality of fins. 14. A computing device, comprising:
a board; and a component coupled to the board, the component including an integrated circuit structure, comprising:
a plurality of fins, individual ones of the plurality of fins along a first direction;
an isolation structure over the plurality of fins, the isolation structure having a longest dimension along a second direction between a first end and a second end, the second direction orthogonal to the first direction;
a first gate structure at the first end of the isolation structure, the first gate structure having a top surface co-planar with a top surface of the isolation structure; and
a second gate structure at the second end of the isolation structure, the second gate structure having a top surface co-planar with the top surface of the isolation structure. 15. The computing device of claim 14, further comprising:
a memory coupled to the board. 16. The computing device of claim 14, wherein the component is a packaged integrated circuit die. 17. The computing device of claim 13, wherein the component is selected from the group consisting of a processor, a communications chip, and a digital signal processor. 18. A computing device, comprising:
a board; and a component coupled to the board, the component including an integrated circuit structure, comprising:
a plurality of fins, individual ones of the plurality of fins along a first direction;
an isolation structure over the plurality of fins, the isolation structure having a longest dimension along a second direction orthogonal to the first direction, the isolation structure having a first side and a second side opposite the first side along the first direction;
a first dielectric material structure over the plurality of fins and adjacent to the first side of the isolation structure, wherein the first dielectric material structure is distinct from the isolation structure; and
a second dielectric material structure over the plurality of fins and adjacent to the second side of the isolation structure, wherein the second dielectric material structure is distinct from the isolation structure. 19. The computing device of claim 18, further comprising:
a memory coupled to the board. 20. The computing device of claim 18, wherein the component is a packaged integrated circuit die. | Embodiments of the disclosure are in the field of advanced integrated circuit structure fabrication and, in particular, 10 nanometer node and smaller integrated circuit structure fabrication and the resulting structures. In an example, a method includes forming a plurality of fins and forming a plurality of gate structures over the plurality of fins. A dielectric material structure is formed between adjacent ones of the plurality of gate structures. A portion of a first of the plurality of gate structures is removed to expose a first portion of each of the plurality of fins, and a portion of a second of the plurality of gate structures is removed to expose a second portion of each of the plurality of fins. The exposed first portion of each of the plurality of fins is removed, but the exposed second portion of each of the plurality of fins is not removed.1. An integrated circuit structure, comprising:
a plurality of fins, individual ones of the plurality of fins along a first direction; an isolation structure over the plurality of fins, the isolation structure having a longest dimension along a second direction between a first end and a second end, the second direction orthogonal to the first direction; a first gate structure at the first end of the isolation structure, the first gate structure having a top surface co-planar with a top surface of the isolation structure; and a second gate structure at the second end of the isolation structure, the second gate structure having a top surface co-planar with the top surface of the isolation structure. 2. The integrated circuit structure of claim 1, further comprising:
a dielectric material structure over the plurality of fins and adjacent to the isolation structure, wherein the dielectric material structure is distinct from the isolation structure. 3. The integrated circuit structure of claim 2, wherein the dielectric material structure has a top surface co-planar with the top surface of the isolation structure. 4. The integrated circuit structure of claim 2, wherein the dielectric material structure differs in composition from the isolation structure. 5. The integrated circuit structure of claim 1, wherein each of the first gate structure and the second gate structure comprises a gate electrode on and between sidewalls of a high-k gate dielectric layer. 6. The integrated circuit structure of claim 5, wherein each of the first gate structure and the second gate structure further comprises an insulating cap on the gate electrode and on and the sidewalls of the high-k gate dielectric layer. 7. The integrated circuit structure of claim 1, wherein the plurality of fins is a plurality of silicon fins. 8. The integrated circuit structure of claim 1, wherein the isolation structure is on a shallow trench isolation (STI) structure between individual ones of the plurality of fins. 9. An integrated circuit structure, comprising:
a plurality of fins, individual ones of the plurality of fins along a first direction; an isolation structure over the plurality of fins, the isolation structure having a longest dimension along a second direction orthogonal to the first direction, the isolation structure having a first side and a second side opposite the first side along the first direction; a first dielectric material structure over the plurality of fins and adjacent to the first side of the isolation structure, wherein the first dielectric material structure is distinct from the isolation structure; and a second dielectric material structure over the plurality of fins and adjacent to the second side of the isolation structure, wherein the second dielectric material structure is distinct from the isolation structure. 10. The integrated circuit structure of claim 9, wherein the first dielectric material structure has a top surface co-planar with a top surface of the isolation structure, and the second dielectric material structure has a top surface co-planar with the top surface of the isolation structure. 11. The integrated circuit structure of claim 9, wherein the first and second dielectric material structures differ in composition from the isolation structure. 12. The integrated circuit structure of claim 9, wherein the plurality of fins is a plurality of silicon fins. 13. The integrated circuit structure of claim 9, wherein the isolation structure is on a shallow trench isolation (STI) structure between individual ones of the plurality of fins. 14. A computing device, comprising:
a board; and a component coupled to the board, the component including an integrated circuit structure, comprising:
a plurality of fins, individual ones of the plurality of fins along a first direction;
an isolation structure over the plurality of fins, the isolation structure having a longest dimension along a second direction between a first end and a second end, the second direction orthogonal to the first direction;
a first gate structure at the first end of the isolation structure, the first gate structure having a top surface co-planar with a top surface of the isolation structure; and
a second gate structure at the second end of the isolation structure, the second gate structure having a top surface co-planar with the top surface of the isolation structure. 15. The computing device of claim 14, further comprising:
a memory coupled to the board. 16. The computing device of claim 14, wherein the component is a packaged integrated circuit die. 17. The computing device of claim 13, wherein the component is selected from the group consisting of a processor, a communications chip, and a digital signal processor. 18. A computing device, comprising:
a board; and a component coupled to the board, the component including an integrated circuit structure, comprising:
a plurality of fins, individual ones of the plurality of fins along a first direction;
an isolation structure over the plurality of fins, the isolation structure having a longest dimension along a second direction orthogonal to the first direction, the isolation structure having a first side and a second side opposite the first side along the first direction;
a first dielectric material structure over the plurality of fins and adjacent to the first side of the isolation structure, wherein the first dielectric material structure is distinct from the isolation structure; and
a second dielectric material structure over the plurality of fins and adjacent to the second side of the isolation structure, wherein the second dielectric material structure is distinct from the isolation structure. 19. The computing device of claim 18, further comprising:
a memory coupled to the board. 20. The computing device of claim 18, wherein the component is a packaged integrated circuit die. | 2,800 |
339,910 | 16,800,849 | 2,894 | A proximity detector includes a sensor providing a proximity reading. The proximity detector is capable of comparing the reading to a rising threshold level and a falling threshold level, wherein the falling threshold level is less than the rising threshold level. The proximity detector filters the proximity reading through three low pass filters using a three different time constants to generate three filtered readings. While the proximity detector is in the no material present state, the proximity detector will enter the material present state when the second filtered reading is less than the difference between the first filtered reading and the falling threshold. While the proximity detector is in the material present state, the proximity detector enters the no material present state when the third filtered reading is greater than the sum of the first filtered reading and the rising threshold. | 1. A proximity detector comprising a sensor providing a proximity reading, the proximity detector having a rising threshold level and a falling threshold level, wherein the falling threshold level is less than the rising threshold level, wherein the proximity detector comprises a state selected from the group of no material present and material present and is initially set to no material present, and wherein the proximity detector:
filters the proximity reading through a first low pass filter using a first time constant to generate a first filtered reading; filters the proximity reading through a second low pass filter using a second time constant to generate a second filtered reading; filters the proximity reading through a third low pass filter using a third time constant to generate a third filtered reading; while in the no material present state, enters the material present state when the second filtered reading is less than the difference between the first filtered reading and the falling threshold; and while in the material present state, enters the no material present state when the third filtered reading is greater than the sum of the first filtered reading and the rising threshold. 2. The proximity detector of claim 1 wherein the first time constant is greater than the third time constant and the second time constant is less than the first time constant and greater than the third time constant. 3. The proximity detector of claim 1 wherein the proximity detector comprises an optical sensor providing a light intensity reading. 4. The proximity detector of claim 1 wherein the low pass filters comprise finite impulse response filters. 5. The proximity detector of claim 1 wherein the low pass filters comprise infinite impulse response filters. 6. The proximity detector of claim 1 wherein the proximity detector will enter the material present state only when the second filtered reading remains less than the difference between the first filtered reading and the falling threshold for a predetermined period of time. 7. The proximity detector of claim 1 wherein the proximity detector will enter the no material present state only when the third filtered reading remains greater than the sum of the first filtered reading and the rising threshold for a predetermined period of time. 8. A proximity detector comprising a sensor providing a proximity reading, the proximity detector having a rising threshold level and a falling threshold level, wherein the falling threshold level is less than the rising threshold level, wherein the proximity detector comprises a state selected from the group of no material present and material present and is initially set to no material present, and wherein the proximity detector:
filters the proximity reading through a low pass filter using a fast time constant to generate a fast filtered reading; filters the proximity reading through a low pass filter using a slow time constant to generate a slow filtered reading; while in the no material present state, enters the material present state when the proximity reading is less than the difference between the fast filtered reading and the falling threshold; and while in the material present state, enters the no material present state when the proximity reading is greater than the sum of the slow filtered reading and the rising threshold. 9. The proximity detector of claim 8 wherein the proximity detector will enter the material present state only when the second filtered reading remains less than the difference between the first filtered reading and the falling threshold for a predetermined period of time. 10. The proximity detector of claim 8 wherein the proximity detector will enter the no material present state only when the third filtered reading remains greater than the sum of the first filtered reading and the rising threshold for a predetermined period of time. | A proximity detector includes a sensor providing a proximity reading. The proximity detector is capable of comparing the reading to a rising threshold level and a falling threshold level, wherein the falling threshold level is less than the rising threshold level. The proximity detector filters the proximity reading through three low pass filters using a three different time constants to generate three filtered readings. While the proximity detector is in the no material present state, the proximity detector will enter the material present state when the second filtered reading is less than the difference between the first filtered reading and the falling threshold. While the proximity detector is in the material present state, the proximity detector enters the no material present state when the third filtered reading is greater than the sum of the first filtered reading and the rising threshold.1. A proximity detector comprising a sensor providing a proximity reading, the proximity detector having a rising threshold level and a falling threshold level, wherein the falling threshold level is less than the rising threshold level, wherein the proximity detector comprises a state selected from the group of no material present and material present and is initially set to no material present, and wherein the proximity detector:
filters the proximity reading through a first low pass filter using a first time constant to generate a first filtered reading; filters the proximity reading through a second low pass filter using a second time constant to generate a second filtered reading; filters the proximity reading through a third low pass filter using a third time constant to generate a third filtered reading; while in the no material present state, enters the material present state when the second filtered reading is less than the difference between the first filtered reading and the falling threshold; and while in the material present state, enters the no material present state when the third filtered reading is greater than the sum of the first filtered reading and the rising threshold. 2. The proximity detector of claim 1 wherein the first time constant is greater than the third time constant and the second time constant is less than the first time constant and greater than the third time constant. 3. The proximity detector of claim 1 wherein the proximity detector comprises an optical sensor providing a light intensity reading. 4. The proximity detector of claim 1 wherein the low pass filters comprise finite impulse response filters. 5. The proximity detector of claim 1 wherein the low pass filters comprise infinite impulse response filters. 6. The proximity detector of claim 1 wherein the proximity detector will enter the material present state only when the second filtered reading remains less than the difference between the first filtered reading and the falling threshold for a predetermined period of time. 7. The proximity detector of claim 1 wherein the proximity detector will enter the no material present state only when the third filtered reading remains greater than the sum of the first filtered reading and the rising threshold for a predetermined period of time. 8. A proximity detector comprising a sensor providing a proximity reading, the proximity detector having a rising threshold level and a falling threshold level, wherein the falling threshold level is less than the rising threshold level, wherein the proximity detector comprises a state selected from the group of no material present and material present and is initially set to no material present, and wherein the proximity detector:
filters the proximity reading through a low pass filter using a fast time constant to generate a fast filtered reading; filters the proximity reading through a low pass filter using a slow time constant to generate a slow filtered reading; while in the no material present state, enters the material present state when the proximity reading is less than the difference between the fast filtered reading and the falling threshold; and while in the material present state, enters the no material present state when the proximity reading is greater than the sum of the slow filtered reading and the rising threshold. 9. The proximity detector of claim 8 wherein the proximity detector will enter the material present state only when the second filtered reading remains less than the difference between the first filtered reading and the falling threshold for a predetermined period of time. 10. The proximity detector of claim 8 wherein the proximity detector will enter the no material present state only when the third filtered reading remains greater than the sum of the first filtered reading and the rising threshold for a predetermined period of time. | 2,800 |
339,911 | 16,800,798 | 2,894 | Calcium hydroxide-containing compositions can be manufactured by slaking quicklime, and subsequently drying and milling the slaked product. The resulting calcium hydroxide-containing composition can have a size, steepness, pore volume, and/or other features that render the compositions suitable for treatment of exhaust gases and/or removal of contaminants. In some embodiments, the calcium hydroxide-containing compositions can include a D10 from about 0.5 microns to about 4 microns, a D90 less than about 30 microns, and a ratio of D90 to D10 from about 8 to about 20, wherein individual particles include a surface area greater than or equal to about 25 m2/g. | 1-20. (canceled) 21. A method for treating an acid-containing gas stream, the method comprising:
providing calcium hydroxide particles, individual calcium hydroxide particles comprising
a moisture content no more than about 3.0% and a pore volume or porosity of at least about 0.1 cm3/g, wherein—
about 90% of the calcium hydroxide particles comprise a cross-sectional dimension equal to or less than a first cross-sectional dimension,
about 10% of the calcium hydroxide particles comprise a cross-sectional dimension equal to or less than a second cross-sectional dimension different than the first cross-sectional dimension, and
a ratio of the first cross-sectional dimension to the second cross-sectional dimension is from about 8-25; and
dispersing the particles within a pollution control device, thereby causing at least some of the particles to directly contact the gas stream. 22. The method of claim 21, wherein the pollution control device comprises a circulating dry scrubber. 23. The method of claim 21, wherein the pollution control device comprises a wet scrubber. 24. The method of claim 21, wherein the pollution control device comprises a conditioning chamber, and wherein dispersing the particles comprises injecting the parties into ductwork. 25. The method of claim 21, wherein the specific surface area of the individual calcium hydroxide particles is at least about 30 m2/g. 26. The method of claim 21, wherein the specific surface area of the individual calcium hydroxide particles is less than about 50 m2/g. 27. The method of claim 21, wherein the specific surface area of the individual calcium hydroxide particles is from about 35-45 m2/g. 28. The method of claim 21, wherein the first cross-sectional dimension is less than about 30 microns. 29. The method of claim 21, wherein the second cross-sectional dimension is from about 1-4 microns. 30. The method of claim 21, wherein:
the first cross-sectional dimension is from about 15-50 microns, and the second cross-sectional dimension is from about 1-4 microns. 31. The method of claim 21, wherein about 50% of the calcium hydroxide particles comprise a third cross-sectional dimension less than about 10 microns. 32. The method of claim 21, wherein the flow factor of the calcium hydroxide particles is from about 2-4. 33. The method of claim 21, wherein dispersing the particles comprises dispersing a composition including the particles, the particles comprising at least about 90% by volume of the composition. 34. The method of claim 21, wherein the calcium hydroxide particles comprise a loose density of from about 15-25 lb/ft3 and a packed density of from about 28-34 lb/ft3. 35. A method for treating an exhaust gas, the method comprising:
providing a pollution control device positioned to receive a composition comprising a plurality of calcium hydroxide particles, at least a portion of the calcium hydroxide particles comprising a specific surface area of from about 25-50 m2/g and a moisture content of no more than about 3.0%, wherein (i) 90% of the calcium hydroxide particles are less than a first cross-sectional dimension, (ii) 10% of the calcium hydroxide particles are less than a second cross-sectional dimension, and (iii) a ratio of the first cross-sectional dimension to the second cross-sectional dimension is less than 25, and wherein the calcium hydroxide particles comprise at least about 90% by volume of the composition; and dispersing the composition from the pollution control device, thereby enabling the calcium hydroxide particles to absorb acid species from the exhaust gas. 36. The method of claim 35, wherein the pollution control device comprises a circulating dry scrubber. 37. The method of claim 35, wherein the pollution control device comprises a wet scrubber. 38. The method of claim 35, wherein the pollution control device comprises a conditioning chamber. 39. The method of claim 35, wherein the first cross-sectional dimension is less than about 50 microns, and the second cross sectional dimension is about 4 microns. 40. The method of claim 35, wherein about 50% of the calcium hydroxide particles comprise a third cross-sectional dimension less than about 10 microns. | Calcium hydroxide-containing compositions can be manufactured by slaking quicklime, and subsequently drying and milling the slaked product. The resulting calcium hydroxide-containing composition can have a size, steepness, pore volume, and/or other features that render the compositions suitable for treatment of exhaust gases and/or removal of contaminants. In some embodiments, the calcium hydroxide-containing compositions can include a D10 from about 0.5 microns to about 4 microns, a D90 less than about 30 microns, and a ratio of D90 to D10 from about 8 to about 20, wherein individual particles include a surface area greater than or equal to about 25 m2/g.1-20. (canceled) 21. A method for treating an acid-containing gas stream, the method comprising:
providing calcium hydroxide particles, individual calcium hydroxide particles comprising
a moisture content no more than about 3.0% and a pore volume or porosity of at least about 0.1 cm3/g, wherein—
about 90% of the calcium hydroxide particles comprise a cross-sectional dimension equal to or less than a first cross-sectional dimension,
about 10% of the calcium hydroxide particles comprise a cross-sectional dimension equal to or less than a second cross-sectional dimension different than the first cross-sectional dimension, and
a ratio of the first cross-sectional dimension to the second cross-sectional dimension is from about 8-25; and
dispersing the particles within a pollution control device, thereby causing at least some of the particles to directly contact the gas stream. 22. The method of claim 21, wherein the pollution control device comprises a circulating dry scrubber. 23. The method of claim 21, wherein the pollution control device comprises a wet scrubber. 24. The method of claim 21, wherein the pollution control device comprises a conditioning chamber, and wherein dispersing the particles comprises injecting the parties into ductwork. 25. The method of claim 21, wherein the specific surface area of the individual calcium hydroxide particles is at least about 30 m2/g. 26. The method of claim 21, wherein the specific surface area of the individual calcium hydroxide particles is less than about 50 m2/g. 27. The method of claim 21, wherein the specific surface area of the individual calcium hydroxide particles is from about 35-45 m2/g. 28. The method of claim 21, wherein the first cross-sectional dimension is less than about 30 microns. 29. The method of claim 21, wherein the second cross-sectional dimension is from about 1-4 microns. 30. The method of claim 21, wherein:
the first cross-sectional dimension is from about 15-50 microns, and the second cross-sectional dimension is from about 1-4 microns. 31. The method of claim 21, wherein about 50% of the calcium hydroxide particles comprise a third cross-sectional dimension less than about 10 microns. 32. The method of claim 21, wherein the flow factor of the calcium hydroxide particles is from about 2-4. 33. The method of claim 21, wherein dispersing the particles comprises dispersing a composition including the particles, the particles comprising at least about 90% by volume of the composition. 34. The method of claim 21, wherein the calcium hydroxide particles comprise a loose density of from about 15-25 lb/ft3 and a packed density of from about 28-34 lb/ft3. 35. A method for treating an exhaust gas, the method comprising:
providing a pollution control device positioned to receive a composition comprising a plurality of calcium hydroxide particles, at least a portion of the calcium hydroxide particles comprising a specific surface area of from about 25-50 m2/g and a moisture content of no more than about 3.0%, wherein (i) 90% of the calcium hydroxide particles are less than a first cross-sectional dimension, (ii) 10% of the calcium hydroxide particles are less than a second cross-sectional dimension, and (iii) a ratio of the first cross-sectional dimension to the second cross-sectional dimension is less than 25, and wherein the calcium hydroxide particles comprise at least about 90% by volume of the composition; and dispersing the composition from the pollution control device, thereby enabling the calcium hydroxide particles to absorb acid species from the exhaust gas. 36. The method of claim 35, wherein the pollution control device comprises a circulating dry scrubber. 37. The method of claim 35, wherein the pollution control device comprises a wet scrubber. 38. The method of claim 35, wherein the pollution control device comprises a conditioning chamber. 39. The method of claim 35, wherein the first cross-sectional dimension is less than about 50 microns, and the second cross sectional dimension is about 4 microns. 40. The method of claim 35, wherein about 50% of the calcium hydroxide particles comprise a third cross-sectional dimension less than about 10 microns. | 2,800 |
339,912 | 16,800,886 | 2,894 | A multi-functional diffractive optical element (DOE) for redirecting light into a waveguide and providing higher order aberration correction is described. The multi-functional DOE may be positioned on, connected to, adjacent to, or within a waveguide, and in some examples is positioned at, or near, the exit pupil of the projector lens. In an example, a head-mounted display (HMD) is configured to output artificial reality content, comprising a waveguide configured to receive input light and configured to output the received input light to an eyebox. The HMD further comprises a projector configured to input light into the waveguide, the projector comprising a display, a projection lens, and a multi-functional diffractive optical element (DOE) configured to redirect light from the projector into the waveguide and provide higher order aberration correction of the light from the display. | 1. A head-mounted display (HMD) configured to output artificial reality content, comprising:
a waveguide configured to receive input light and configured to output the received input light to an eyebox; a projector configured to input light into the waveguide, the projector comprising:
a display;
a projection lens; and
a multi-functional diffractive optical element (DOE) configured to redirect light from the projector into the waveguide. 2. The HMD of claim 1, wherein the multi-functional DOE includes a linear phase profile and a higher order aberration correcting phase profile. 3. The HMD of claim 2, wherein the multi-functional DOE includes a rotationally symmetric higher order aberration correcting phase profile and a non-rotationally symmetric phase profile. 4. The HMD of claim 3, wherein the multi-functional DOE is configured to compensate for the aberrations of the projection lens. 5. The HMD of claim 4, wherein a length of the projection lens along its optical axis is less than 4 mm. 6. The HMD of claim 1, wherein the multi-functional DOE is positioned to within 500 of a stop of the projection lens. 7. The HMD of claim 6, wherein the multi-functional DOE is positioned adjacent to a major surface of the waveguide. 8. The HMD of claim 1, wherein the multi-functional DOE is a transmissive DOE or a reflective DOE. 9. A multi-functional diffractive optical element (DOE) comprising:
a linear phase profile; and a higher order aberration correcting phase profile, wherein the higher order aberration correcting phase profile is configured to provide higher order aberration correction of light incident on the multi-functional DOE. 10. The multi-functional DOE of claim 9, wherein the periodic phase profile is configured to redirect light incident on the multi-functional DOE into a waveguide. 11. The multi-functional DOE of claim 9, wherein the higher order aberration correcting phase profile is configured to compensate for the aberrations of a projection lens that is configured to direct light to the multi-functional DOE. 12. The multi-functional DOE of claim 9, wherein the higher order aberration correcting phase profile includes a rotationally symmetric higher order aberration correcting phase profile and a non-rotationally symmetric phase profile. 13. The multi-functional DOE of claim 9, wherein the multi-functional DOE comprises a transmissive DOE. 14. The multi-functional DOE of claim 9, wherein the multi-functional DOE comprises a reflective DOE. 15. The multi-functional DOE of claim 9, wherein the multi-functional DOE comprises a metasurface or a metamaterial. 16. A method of projecting an image, the method comprising:
emitting light from an electronic display; collimating the emitted light via a projection lens; redirecting the collimated emitted light via a multi-functional DOE; and compensating for the aberrations of the projection lens via the multi-functional DOE. 17. The method of claim 16, wherein compensating for the aberrations of the projection lens includes inducing a rotationally symmetric phase delay profile and a non-rotationally symmetric phase delay profile to the wavefront of the collimated emitted light. 18. The method of claim 17, wherein the redirecting the collimated emitted light comprises redirecting the collimated emitted light into a waveguide. 19. The method of claim 18, further comprising:
positioning the multi-functional DOE at a major surface of the waveguide. 20. The method of claim 16, further comprising:
positioning the multi-functional DOE within 500 μm from a stop of the projection lens. 21. The method of claim 16, further comprising:
positioning the multi-functional DOE within 4 mm from the electronic display. 22. A projector lens comprising:
one or more lens elements having optical power and configured to collimate light emitted at or near a focal plane of the projector lens; a lens stop positioned opposite the one or more lens elements from the focal plane; a multi-functional diffractive optical element (DOE) positioned opposite the lens stop from the one or more lens elements, the multi-functional DOE comprising:
a linear phase profile; and
a higher order aberration correcting phase profile configured to provide higher order aberration correction to light incident on the multi-functional DOE. | A multi-functional diffractive optical element (DOE) for redirecting light into a waveguide and providing higher order aberration correction is described. The multi-functional DOE may be positioned on, connected to, adjacent to, or within a waveguide, and in some examples is positioned at, or near, the exit pupil of the projector lens. In an example, a head-mounted display (HMD) is configured to output artificial reality content, comprising a waveguide configured to receive input light and configured to output the received input light to an eyebox. The HMD further comprises a projector configured to input light into the waveguide, the projector comprising a display, a projection lens, and a multi-functional diffractive optical element (DOE) configured to redirect light from the projector into the waveguide and provide higher order aberration correction of the light from the display.1. A head-mounted display (HMD) configured to output artificial reality content, comprising:
a waveguide configured to receive input light and configured to output the received input light to an eyebox; a projector configured to input light into the waveguide, the projector comprising:
a display;
a projection lens; and
a multi-functional diffractive optical element (DOE) configured to redirect light from the projector into the waveguide. 2. The HMD of claim 1, wherein the multi-functional DOE includes a linear phase profile and a higher order aberration correcting phase profile. 3. The HMD of claim 2, wherein the multi-functional DOE includes a rotationally symmetric higher order aberration correcting phase profile and a non-rotationally symmetric phase profile. 4. The HMD of claim 3, wherein the multi-functional DOE is configured to compensate for the aberrations of the projection lens. 5. The HMD of claim 4, wherein a length of the projection lens along its optical axis is less than 4 mm. 6. The HMD of claim 1, wherein the multi-functional DOE is positioned to within 500 of a stop of the projection lens. 7. The HMD of claim 6, wherein the multi-functional DOE is positioned adjacent to a major surface of the waveguide. 8. The HMD of claim 1, wherein the multi-functional DOE is a transmissive DOE or a reflective DOE. 9. A multi-functional diffractive optical element (DOE) comprising:
a linear phase profile; and a higher order aberration correcting phase profile, wherein the higher order aberration correcting phase profile is configured to provide higher order aberration correction of light incident on the multi-functional DOE. 10. The multi-functional DOE of claim 9, wherein the periodic phase profile is configured to redirect light incident on the multi-functional DOE into a waveguide. 11. The multi-functional DOE of claim 9, wherein the higher order aberration correcting phase profile is configured to compensate for the aberrations of a projection lens that is configured to direct light to the multi-functional DOE. 12. The multi-functional DOE of claim 9, wherein the higher order aberration correcting phase profile includes a rotationally symmetric higher order aberration correcting phase profile and a non-rotationally symmetric phase profile. 13. The multi-functional DOE of claim 9, wherein the multi-functional DOE comprises a transmissive DOE. 14. The multi-functional DOE of claim 9, wherein the multi-functional DOE comprises a reflective DOE. 15. The multi-functional DOE of claim 9, wherein the multi-functional DOE comprises a metasurface or a metamaterial. 16. A method of projecting an image, the method comprising:
emitting light from an electronic display; collimating the emitted light via a projection lens; redirecting the collimated emitted light via a multi-functional DOE; and compensating for the aberrations of the projection lens via the multi-functional DOE. 17. The method of claim 16, wherein compensating for the aberrations of the projection lens includes inducing a rotationally symmetric phase delay profile and a non-rotationally symmetric phase delay profile to the wavefront of the collimated emitted light. 18. The method of claim 17, wherein the redirecting the collimated emitted light comprises redirecting the collimated emitted light into a waveguide. 19. The method of claim 18, further comprising:
positioning the multi-functional DOE at a major surface of the waveguide. 20. The method of claim 16, further comprising:
positioning the multi-functional DOE within 500 μm from a stop of the projection lens. 21. The method of claim 16, further comprising:
positioning the multi-functional DOE within 4 mm from the electronic display. 22. A projector lens comprising:
one or more lens elements having optical power and configured to collimate light emitted at or near a focal plane of the projector lens; a lens stop positioned opposite the one or more lens elements from the focal plane; a multi-functional diffractive optical element (DOE) positioned opposite the lens stop from the one or more lens elements, the multi-functional DOE comprising:
a linear phase profile; and
a higher order aberration correcting phase profile configured to provide higher order aberration correction to light incident on the multi-functional DOE. | 2,800 |
339,913 | 16,800,878 | 2,894 | A data storage device includes: a housing integrating a control logic, a data protection logic, and a non-volatile storage; and a network interface connector integrated to the housing and is configured to be directly inserted into a network switch. The control logic is configured to store a vehicle data including a video stream in the non-volatile storage. The video stream is received from a video camera that is connected to the network switch. The data protection logic is configured to detect a vehicle event and change an operating mode of the data storage device to a read-only mode prohibiting the vehicle data stored in the non-volatile storage from being erased or tampered. | 1. A data storage device comprising:
a control logic, a data protection logic, and a non-volatile storage; and a network interface connector configured to be connected to a network switch, wherein the data storage device is accessible using a network address, wherein the control logic is configured to store a data in the non-volatile storage, wherein the data is received from one or more sensors that are connected to the network switch, and wherein the data protection logic is configured to detect an event based on the data received from the one or more sensors and change an operating mode of the data storage device to a read-only mode based on detection of the event. 2. The data storage device of claim 1, wherein the event is a vehicle event including one or more of an airbag deployment, a sensor trigger, a power loss due to water submersion, and a fire due to a crash. 3. The data storage device of claim 1, wherein the control logic stores the data in the data storage device for a predetermined period of time after the event. 4. The data storage device of claim 1, wherein the network interface connector has a small form-factor pluggable (SFP), quad small form-factor pluggable (QSFP), or modular connector form factor. 5. The data storage device of claim 1, wherein the data storage device is a network-attached solid-state drive (SSD). 6. The data storage device of claim 1, wherein the one or more sensors include a video camera that is connected to the network switch via a network connection, and wherein the video camera is configured to send a video stream to the network switch in network packets. 7. The data storage device of claim 1, further comprising a reserve power and a beacon, wherein the beacon is triggered by the data protection logic after the event and is configured to generate a beacon signal using the reserve power. 8. The data storage device of claim 1, further comprising an image processor, wherein the image processor is configured to insert a time stamp and/or a coordinate stamp to the data. 9. A data storage and retention system comprising:
a network switch comprising a plurality of switch ports and a CPU; one or more sensors configured to generate a data; and a data storage device comprising a control logic, a data protection logic, and a non-volatile storage; and a network interface connector, wherein the data storage device is accessible by a network address, wherein the one or more sensors are connected to a first switch port of the network switch and the data storage device is connected to a second switch port of the network switch, wherein the control logic of the data storage device is configured to store the data generated by the one or more sensors in the non-volatile storage, and wherein the data protection logic of the data storage device is configured to detect an event based on the data generated by the one or more sensors and change an operating mode of the data storage device to a read-only mode based on detection of the event. 10. The data storage and retention system of claim 9, wherein the event is a vehicle event including one or more of an airbag deployment, a sensor trigger, a power loss due to water submersion, and a fire due to a crash. 11. The data storage and retention system of claim 9, wherein the control logic of the data storage device stores the data in the data storage device for a predetermined period of time after the event. 12. The data storage and retention system of claim 9, wherein the network interface connector of the data storage device and at least one of the plurality of switch ports of the network switch have a small form-factor pluggable (SFP), quad small form-factor pluggable (QSFP), or modular connector form factor. 13. The data storage and retention system of claim 9, wherein the data storage device is a network-attached solid-state drive (SSD). 14. The data storage and retention system of claim 9, wherein the one or more sensors include a video camera that is connected to the first switch port of the network switch via a network connection, and wherein the video camera is configured to send a video stream to the network switch in network packets. 15. The data storage and retention system of claim 9, wherein the data storage device further comprises a reserve power and a beacon, wherein the beacon is triggered by the data protection logic after the event and is configured to generate a beacon signal using the reserve power. 16. The data storage and retention system of claim 9, wherein the data storage device further comprises an image processor, wherein the image processor is configured to insert a time stamp and/or a coordinate stamp to a video stream. 17. The data storage and retention system of claim 9, wherein the CPU of the network switch is configured to stitch multiple video streams generated by a plurality of video cameras connected to the plurality of switch ports of the network switch. 18. The data storage and retention system of claim 17, wherein the CPU is configured to generate a spherical video stream using the multiple video streams. 19. The data storage and retention system of claim 9, wherein the CPU is configured to insert a time stamp or a coordinate stamp to the data. | A data storage device includes: a housing integrating a control logic, a data protection logic, and a non-volatile storage; and a network interface connector integrated to the housing and is configured to be directly inserted into a network switch. The control logic is configured to store a vehicle data including a video stream in the non-volatile storage. The video stream is received from a video camera that is connected to the network switch. The data protection logic is configured to detect a vehicle event and change an operating mode of the data storage device to a read-only mode prohibiting the vehicle data stored in the non-volatile storage from being erased or tampered.1. A data storage device comprising:
a control logic, a data protection logic, and a non-volatile storage; and a network interface connector configured to be connected to a network switch, wherein the data storage device is accessible using a network address, wherein the control logic is configured to store a data in the non-volatile storage, wherein the data is received from one or more sensors that are connected to the network switch, and wherein the data protection logic is configured to detect an event based on the data received from the one or more sensors and change an operating mode of the data storage device to a read-only mode based on detection of the event. 2. The data storage device of claim 1, wherein the event is a vehicle event including one or more of an airbag deployment, a sensor trigger, a power loss due to water submersion, and a fire due to a crash. 3. The data storage device of claim 1, wherein the control logic stores the data in the data storage device for a predetermined period of time after the event. 4. The data storage device of claim 1, wherein the network interface connector has a small form-factor pluggable (SFP), quad small form-factor pluggable (QSFP), or modular connector form factor. 5. The data storage device of claim 1, wherein the data storage device is a network-attached solid-state drive (SSD). 6. The data storage device of claim 1, wherein the one or more sensors include a video camera that is connected to the network switch via a network connection, and wherein the video camera is configured to send a video stream to the network switch in network packets. 7. The data storage device of claim 1, further comprising a reserve power and a beacon, wherein the beacon is triggered by the data protection logic after the event and is configured to generate a beacon signal using the reserve power. 8. The data storage device of claim 1, further comprising an image processor, wherein the image processor is configured to insert a time stamp and/or a coordinate stamp to the data. 9. A data storage and retention system comprising:
a network switch comprising a plurality of switch ports and a CPU; one or more sensors configured to generate a data; and a data storage device comprising a control logic, a data protection logic, and a non-volatile storage; and a network interface connector, wherein the data storage device is accessible by a network address, wherein the one or more sensors are connected to a first switch port of the network switch and the data storage device is connected to a second switch port of the network switch, wherein the control logic of the data storage device is configured to store the data generated by the one or more sensors in the non-volatile storage, and wherein the data protection logic of the data storage device is configured to detect an event based on the data generated by the one or more sensors and change an operating mode of the data storage device to a read-only mode based on detection of the event. 10. The data storage and retention system of claim 9, wherein the event is a vehicle event including one or more of an airbag deployment, a sensor trigger, a power loss due to water submersion, and a fire due to a crash. 11. The data storage and retention system of claim 9, wherein the control logic of the data storage device stores the data in the data storage device for a predetermined period of time after the event. 12. The data storage and retention system of claim 9, wherein the network interface connector of the data storage device and at least one of the plurality of switch ports of the network switch have a small form-factor pluggable (SFP), quad small form-factor pluggable (QSFP), or modular connector form factor. 13. The data storage and retention system of claim 9, wherein the data storage device is a network-attached solid-state drive (SSD). 14. The data storage and retention system of claim 9, wherein the one or more sensors include a video camera that is connected to the first switch port of the network switch via a network connection, and wherein the video camera is configured to send a video stream to the network switch in network packets. 15. The data storage and retention system of claim 9, wherein the data storage device further comprises a reserve power and a beacon, wherein the beacon is triggered by the data protection logic after the event and is configured to generate a beacon signal using the reserve power. 16. The data storage and retention system of claim 9, wherein the data storage device further comprises an image processor, wherein the image processor is configured to insert a time stamp and/or a coordinate stamp to a video stream. 17. The data storage and retention system of claim 9, wherein the CPU of the network switch is configured to stitch multiple video streams generated by a plurality of video cameras connected to the plurality of switch ports of the network switch. 18. The data storage and retention system of claim 17, wherein the CPU is configured to generate a spherical video stream using the multiple video streams. 19. The data storage and retention system of claim 9, wherein the CPU is configured to insert a time stamp or a coordinate stamp to the data. | 2,800 |
339,914 | 16,800,892 | 2,632 | Methods and systems are described for sampling a data signal using a data sampler operating in a data signal processing path having a decision threshold associated with a decision feedback equalization (DFE) correction factor, measuring an eye opening of the data signal by adjusting a decision threshold of a spare sampler operating outside of the data signal processing path to determine a center-of-eye value for the decision threshold of the spare sampler, initializing the decision threshold of the spare sampler based on the center-of-eye value and the DFE correction factor, generating respective sets of phase-error signals for the spare sampler and the data sampler responsive to a detection of a predetermined data pattern, and updating the decision threshold of the data sampler based on an accumulation of differences in phase-error signals of the respective sets of phase-error signals. | 1. A method comprising:
measuring an eye opening of a data signal by adjusting a decision threshold of a spare sampler operating outside of a data signal processing path to determine a center-of-eye value for the decision threshold of the spare sampler; determining first and second decision threshold offsets of the spare sampler with respect to first and second data samplers operating within the data signal processing path, respectively, each decision threshold offset of the first and second decision threshold offsets determined by comparisons of phase-error results generated by the spare sampler and a corresponding data sampler of the first and second data samplers, the decision threshold of the spare sampler calibrated by (i) the center-of-eye value and (ii) a decision feedback equalization (DFE) correction factor associated with the corresponding data sampler; and responsive to determining the first and the second decision threshold offsets, updating the decision thresholds of the first and the second data samplers based on the first and the second decision threshold offsets, respectively. 2. The method of claim 1, wherein determining each decision threshold offset comprises updating the decision threshold of the spare sampler responsive to the comparisons of the phase-error results generated by the spare sampler and the corresponding data sampler. 3. The method of claim 2, wherein the decision threshold of the spare sampler is updated until phase-error results generated by the spare sampler and the corresponding data sampler match within a predetermined threshold. 4. The method of claim 1, wherein each decision threshold offset corresponds to a direction for which to update the decision threshold of the corresponding data sampler. 5. The method of claim 4, wherein the decision thresholds of the first and second data samplers are updated by a unit step in the direction associated with the first and second decision threshold offsets, respectively. 6. The method of claim 4, wherein each decision threshold offset further comprises a magnitude for which to update the decision threshold of the corresponding data sampler. 7. The method of claim 1, wherein the first decision threshold offset is fully determined prior to determining the second decision threshold offset. 8. The method of claim 1, wherein determining each decision threshold offset comprises accumulating differences in the comparisons of phase-error results generated by the spare sampler and the corresponding data sampler. 9. The method of claim 8, wherein accumulating differences in the comparisons of phase-error results generated by the spare sampler and the corresponding data sampler comprises updating a least-significant-bit (LSB) portion of a multi-bit accumulator. 10. The method of claim 9, wherein each difference in the comparisons of phase-error results generated by the spare sampler and the corresponding data sampler has a sign for incrementing or decrementing the multi-bit accumulator. 11. An apparatus comprising:
first and second data samplers operating within a data signal processing path configured to generate phase-error results from a data signal according to respective decision thresholds associated with respective decision feedback equalization (DFE) correction factors; a spare sampler configured to measure an eye opening of the data signal by adjusting a decision threshold of the spare sampler operating outside of the data signal processing path to determine a center-of-eye value for the decision threshold of the spare sampler; control logic configured to compare phase-error results generated by the spare sampler and a corresponding data sampler of the first and second data samplers, wherein the decision threshold of the spare sampler is calibrated by (i) the center-of-eye value and (ii) the DFE correction factor associated with the corresponding data sampler; and an accumulator configured to determine first and second decision threshold offsets of the spare sampler with respect to the first and the second data samplers, respectively, each decision threshold offset of the first and second decision threshold offsets determined by the comparisons of the phase-error results, the accumulator further configured to update the decision thresholds of the first and the second data samplers based on the first and the second decision threshold offsets, respectively, responsive to determining the first and the second decision threshold offsets. 12. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the measurement controller is configured to determine each decision threshold offset by updating the decision threshold of the spare sampler responsive to the comparisons of the phase-error results generated by the spare sampler and the corresponding data sampler. 13. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the measurement controller is configured to update the decision threshold of the spare sampler until phase-error results generated by the spare sampler and the corresponding data sampler match within a predetermined threshold. 14. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein each decision threshold offset corresponds to a direction for which to update the decision threshold of the corresponding data sampler. 15. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the accumulator is configured to update the decision thresholds of the first and second data samplers by a unit step in the direction associated with the first and second decision threshold offsets, respectively. 16. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein each decision threshold offset further comprises a magnitude for which to update the decision threshold of the corresponding data sampler. 17. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the accumulator is configured to determine and to store the first decision threshold offset prior to determining and storing the second decision threshold offset. 18. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the accumulator is a multi-bit accumulator. 19. The apparatus of claim 18, wherein the multi-bit accumulator is configured to accumulate differences in the comparisons of phase-error results generated by the spare sampler and the corresponding data sampler by updating a least-significant-bit (LSB) portion of the multi-bit accumulator. 20. The apparatus of claim 19, wherein each difference in the comparisons of phase-error results generated by the spare sampler and the corresponding data sampler has a sign for incrementing or decrementing the multi-bit accumulator. | Methods and systems are described for sampling a data signal using a data sampler operating in a data signal processing path having a decision threshold associated with a decision feedback equalization (DFE) correction factor, measuring an eye opening of the data signal by adjusting a decision threshold of a spare sampler operating outside of the data signal processing path to determine a center-of-eye value for the decision threshold of the spare sampler, initializing the decision threshold of the spare sampler based on the center-of-eye value and the DFE correction factor, generating respective sets of phase-error signals for the spare sampler and the data sampler responsive to a detection of a predetermined data pattern, and updating the decision threshold of the data sampler based on an accumulation of differences in phase-error signals of the respective sets of phase-error signals.1. A method comprising:
measuring an eye opening of a data signal by adjusting a decision threshold of a spare sampler operating outside of a data signal processing path to determine a center-of-eye value for the decision threshold of the spare sampler; determining first and second decision threshold offsets of the spare sampler with respect to first and second data samplers operating within the data signal processing path, respectively, each decision threshold offset of the first and second decision threshold offsets determined by comparisons of phase-error results generated by the spare sampler and a corresponding data sampler of the first and second data samplers, the decision threshold of the spare sampler calibrated by (i) the center-of-eye value and (ii) a decision feedback equalization (DFE) correction factor associated with the corresponding data sampler; and responsive to determining the first and the second decision threshold offsets, updating the decision thresholds of the first and the second data samplers based on the first and the second decision threshold offsets, respectively. 2. The method of claim 1, wherein determining each decision threshold offset comprises updating the decision threshold of the spare sampler responsive to the comparisons of the phase-error results generated by the spare sampler and the corresponding data sampler. 3. The method of claim 2, wherein the decision threshold of the spare sampler is updated until phase-error results generated by the spare sampler and the corresponding data sampler match within a predetermined threshold. 4. The method of claim 1, wherein each decision threshold offset corresponds to a direction for which to update the decision threshold of the corresponding data sampler. 5. The method of claim 4, wherein the decision thresholds of the first and second data samplers are updated by a unit step in the direction associated with the first and second decision threshold offsets, respectively. 6. The method of claim 4, wherein each decision threshold offset further comprises a magnitude for which to update the decision threshold of the corresponding data sampler. 7. The method of claim 1, wherein the first decision threshold offset is fully determined prior to determining the second decision threshold offset. 8. The method of claim 1, wherein determining each decision threshold offset comprises accumulating differences in the comparisons of phase-error results generated by the spare sampler and the corresponding data sampler. 9. The method of claim 8, wherein accumulating differences in the comparisons of phase-error results generated by the spare sampler and the corresponding data sampler comprises updating a least-significant-bit (LSB) portion of a multi-bit accumulator. 10. The method of claim 9, wherein each difference in the comparisons of phase-error results generated by the spare sampler and the corresponding data sampler has a sign for incrementing or decrementing the multi-bit accumulator. 11. An apparatus comprising:
first and second data samplers operating within a data signal processing path configured to generate phase-error results from a data signal according to respective decision thresholds associated with respective decision feedback equalization (DFE) correction factors; a spare sampler configured to measure an eye opening of the data signal by adjusting a decision threshold of the spare sampler operating outside of the data signal processing path to determine a center-of-eye value for the decision threshold of the spare sampler; control logic configured to compare phase-error results generated by the spare sampler and a corresponding data sampler of the first and second data samplers, wherein the decision threshold of the spare sampler is calibrated by (i) the center-of-eye value and (ii) the DFE correction factor associated with the corresponding data sampler; and an accumulator configured to determine first and second decision threshold offsets of the spare sampler with respect to the first and the second data samplers, respectively, each decision threshold offset of the first and second decision threshold offsets determined by the comparisons of the phase-error results, the accumulator further configured to update the decision thresholds of the first and the second data samplers based on the first and the second decision threshold offsets, respectively, responsive to determining the first and the second decision threshold offsets. 12. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the measurement controller is configured to determine each decision threshold offset by updating the decision threshold of the spare sampler responsive to the comparisons of the phase-error results generated by the spare sampler and the corresponding data sampler. 13. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the measurement controller is configured to update the decision threshold of the spare sampler until phase-error results generated by the spare sampler and the corresponding data sampler match within a predetermined threshold. 14. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein each decision threshold offset corresponds to a direction for which to update the decision threshold of the corresponding data sampler. 15. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the accumulator is configured to update the decision thresholds of the first and second data samplers by a unit step in the direction associated with the first and second decision threshold offsets, respectively. 16. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein each decision threshold offset further comprises a magnitude for which to update the decision threshold of the corresponding data sampler. 17. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the accumulator is configured to determine and to store the first decision threshold offset prior to determining and storing the second decision threshold offset. 18. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the accumulator is a multi-bit accumulator. 19. The apparatus of claim 18, wherein the multi-bit accumulator is configured to accumulate differences in the comparisons of phase-error results generated by the spare sampler and the corresponding data sampler by updating a least-significant-bit (LSB) portion of the multi-bit accumulator. 20. The apparatus of claim 19, wherein each difference in the comparisons of phase-error results generated by the spare sampler and the corresponding data sampler has a sign for incrementing or decrementing the multi-bit accumulator. | 2,600 |
339,915 | 16,800,888 | 2,632 | An information processing apparatus includes a game processing unit that processes the game including movement of the player character in the virtual field and a difficulty level management unit that manages a difficulty level of game play in each of the plurality of areas in the virtual field, wherein upon a predetermined event in accordance with a user operation occurs in the virtual field, the difficulty level management unit lowers the difficulty level set for a peripheral area near an event occurrence area including an occurrence point of the predetermined event. | 1. A non-transitory computer-readable recording medium having recorded thereon a game processing program that causes a computer to function as:
a game processing unit that processes a game including movement of a player character in a virtual field in which a plurality of areas are set, in accordance with a user operation; and a difficulty level management unit that manages a difficulty level of game play by the user in each of the plurality of areas, wherein upon a predetermined event in accordance with the user operation occurs in the virtual field, the difficulty level management unit lowers the difficulty level set for a peripheral area near an event occurrence area including an occurrence point of the predetermined event among the plurality of areas. 2. The non-transitory computer-readable recording medium having recorded thereon the game processing program according to claim 1, wherein, upon a predetermined event in accordance with the user operation occurs in the virtual field, the difficulty management unit heightens the difficulty level set for the event occurrence area. 3. The non-transitory computer-readable recording medium having recorded thereon the game processing program according to claim 1, wherein
the game processing program causes the computer to further function as an object control unit that controls an object which is located in the virtual field to oppose the player character, and the object control unit moves the object from a current area at which the object is currently located to a neighboring area in which the difficulty level thereof is set higher than the difficulty level of the current area. 4. The non-transitory computer-readable recording medium having recorded thereon the game processing program according to claim 1, wherein
the game processing program causes the computer to further function as an object control unit that controls an object which is located in the virtual field to oppose the player character, and upon the predetermined event occurs, the difficulty management unit lowers the difficulty level set for a peripheral area of the event occurrence area by causing the object control unit to move the object from the peripheral area of the event occurrence area to the event occurrence area. 5. The non-transitory computer-readable recording medium having recorded thereon the game processing program according to claim 1, wherein the game processing program causes the computer to further function as a map drawing unit that draws a map including an overview of the virtual field, locations of the plurality of areas in the virtual field, and a display of the difficulty level set for each of the plurality of areas. 6. An information processing apparatus, comprising:
a game processing unit that processes a game including movement of a player character in a virtual field in which a plurality of areas are set in accordance with a user operation; and a difficulty level management unit that manages a difficulty level of game play by the user in each of the plurality of areas, wherein upon a predetermined event in accordance with the user operation occurs in the virtual field, the difficulty level management unit lowers the difficulty level set for a peripheral area near an event occurrence area including an occurrence point of the predetermined event among the plurality of areas. 7. A game processing method for causing a computer to execute steps of:
processing a game including movement of a player character in a virtual field in which a plurality of areas are set in accordance with a user operation; and managing a difficulty level of game play by the user in each of the plurality of areas, wherein upon a predetermined event in accordance with the user operation occurs in the virtual field, the step of managing the difficulty level lowers the difficulty level set for a peripheral area near an event occurrence area including an occurrence point of the predetermined event among the plurality of areas. | An information processing apparatus includes a game processing unit that processes the game including movement of the player character in the virtual field and a difficulty level management unit that manages a difficulty level of game play in each of the plurality of areas in the virtual field, wherein upon a predetermined event in accordance with a user operation occurs in the virtual field, the difficulty level management unit lowers the difficulty level set for a peripheral area near an event occurrence area including an occurrence point of the predetermined event.1. A non-transitory computer-readable recording medium having recorded thereon a game processing program that causes a computer to function as:
a game processing unit that processes a game including movement of a player character in a virtual field in which a plurality of areas are set, in accordance with a user operation; and a difficulty level management unit that manages a difficulty level of game play by the user in each of the plurality of areas, wherein upon a predetermined event in accordance with the user operation occurs in the virtual field, the difficulty level management unit lowers the difficulty level set for a peripheral area near an event occurrence area including an occurrence point of the predetermined event among the plurality of areas. 2. The non-transitory computer-readable recording medium having recorded thereon the game processing program according to claim 1, wherein, upon a predetermined event in accordance with the user operation occurs in the virtual field, the difficulty management unit heightens the difficulty level set for the event occurrence area. 3. The non-transitory computer-readable recording medium having recorded thereon the game processing program according to claim 1, wherein
the game processing program causes the computer to further function as an object control unit that controls an object which is located in the virtual field to oppose the player character, and the object control unit moves the object from a current area at which the object is currently located to a neighboring area in which the difficulty level thereof is set higher than the difficulty level of the current area. 4. The non-transitory computer-readable recording medium having recorded thereon the game processing program according to claim 1, wherein
the game processing program causes the computer to further function as an object control unit that controls an object which is located in the virtual field to oppose the player character, and upon the predetermined event occurs, the difficulty management unit lowers the difficulty level set for a peripheral area of the event occurrence area by causing the object control unit to move the object from the peripheral area of the event occurrence area to the event occurrence area. 5. The non-transitory computer-readable recording medium having recorded thereon the game processing program according to claim 1, wherein the game processing program causes the computer to further function as a map drawing unit that draws a map including an overview of the virtual field, locations of the plurality of areas in the virtual field, and a display of the difficulty level set for each of the plurality of areas. 6. An information processing apparatus, comprising:
a game processing unit that processes a game including movement of a player character in a virtual field in which a plurality of areas are set in accordance with a user operation; and a difficulty level management unit that manages a difficulty level of game play by the user in each of the plurality of areas, wherein upon a predetermined event in accordance with the user operation occurs in the virtual field, the difficulty level management unit lowers the difficulty level set for a peripheral area near an event occurrence area including an occurrence point of the predetermined event among the plurality of areas. 7. A game processing method for causing a computer to execute steps of:
processing a game including movement of a player character in a virtual field in which a plurality of areas are set in accordance with a user operation; and managing a difficulty level of game play by the user in each of the plurality of areas, wherein upon a predetermined event in accordance with the user operation occurs in the virtual field, the step of managing the difficulty level lowers the difficulty level set for a peripheral area near an event occurrence area including an occurrence point of the predetermined event among the plurality of areas. | 2,600 |
339,916 | 16,800,894 | 2,632 | A piezoelectric ceramic, which does not contain lead as a constituent element, is characterized in that: its primary component is a perovskite compound expressed by the composition formula (Bi0.5−x/2Na0.5−x/2Bax)(Ti1−yMny)O3 (where 0.01≤x≤0.25, 0.001≤y≤0.020); and the coefficient of variation (CV) in grain size among the grains contained therein is 35 percent or lower. The piezoelectric ceramic presents an improved dielectric loss tangent tan δ. | 1. A piezoelectric ceramic that does not contain lead as a constituent element, the piezoelectric ceramic characterized in that:
a primary component is a perovskite compound expressed by a composition formula (Bi0.5−x/2Na0.5−x/2Bax)(Ti1−yMny)O3 (where 0.01≤x≤0.25, 0.001≤y≤0.020); and a coefficient of variation (CV) in grain size among grains contained therein is 35 percent or lower. 2. The piezoelectric ceramic according to claim 1, wherein an average grain size ravg of the grains contained therein is 3 μm or larger. 3. A method for manufacturing a piezoelectric ceramic that does not contain lead as a constituent element, the method for manufacturing the piezoelectric ceramic is characterized by including:
mixing prescribed quantities of bismuth compound powder, sodium compound powder, barium compound powder, titanium compound powder, and manganese compound powder to obtain a mixed powder; calcining the mixed powder to obtain a calcined powder; compacting the calcined powder into a prescribed shape to obtain a compact; and sintering the compact to obtain a sintered compact whose primary component is a perovskite compound expressed by a composition formula (Bi0.5−x/2Na0.5−x/2Bax)(Ti1−yMny)O3 (where 0.01≤x≤0.25, 0.001≤y≤0.020); wherein the titanium compound powder represents TiO2 with a specific surface area of 10 m2/g or larger. 4. The method for manufacturing piezoelectric ceramic according to claim 3, wherein the sintering is performed at a temperature of 1100° C. or lower. 5. A piezoelectric element, comprising the piezoelectric ceramic of claim 1, and electrodes connected electrically to the piezoelectric ceramic. 6. The piezoelectric element according to claim 5, further comprising:
a laminate body constituted by alternately-stacked piezoelectric ceramic layers and internal electrode layers; a pair of connection conductors connected electrically to the alternate internal electrode layers; and surface electrodes provided on a surface of the laminate body and connected electrically to the pair of connection conductors, respectively. | A piezoelectric ceramic, which does not contain lead as a constituent element, is characterized in that: its primary component is a perovskite compound expressed by the composition formula (Bi0.5−x/2Na0.5−x/2Bax)(Ti1−yMny)O3 (where 0.01≤x≤0.25, 0.001≤y≤0.020); and the coefficient of variation (CV) in grain size among the grains contained therein is 35 percent or lower. The piezoelectric ceramic presents an improved dielectric loss tangent tan δ.1. A piezoelectric ceramic that does not contain lead as a constituent element, the piezoelectric ceramic characterized in that:
a primary component is a perovskite compound expressed by a composition formula (Bi0.5−x/2Na0.5−x/2Bax)(Ti1−yMny)O3 (where 0.01≤x≤0.25, 0.001≤y≤0.020); and a coefficient of variation (CV) in grain size among grains contained therein is 35 percent or lower. 2. The piezoelectric ceramic according to claim 1, wherein an average grain size ravg of the grains contained therein is 3 μm or larger. 3. A method for manufacturing a piezoelectric ceramic that does not contain lead as a constituent element, the method for manufacturing the piezoelectric ceramic is characterized by including:
mixing prescribed quantities of bismuth compound powder, sodium compound powder, barium compound powder, titanium compound powder, and manganese compound powder to obtain a mixed powder; calcining the mixed powder to obtain a calcined powder; compacting the calcined powder into a prescribed shape to obtain a compact; and sintering the compact to obtain a sintered compact whose primary component is a perovskite compound expressed by a composition formula (Bi0.5−x/2Na0.5−x/2Bax)(Ti1−yMny)O3 (where 0.01≤x≤0.25, 0.001≤y≤0.020); wherein the titanium compound powder represents TiO2 with a specific surface area of 10 m2/g or larger. 4. The method for manufacturing piezoelectric ceramic according to claim 3, wherein the sintering is performed at a temperature of 1100° C. or lower. 5. A piezoelectric element, comprising the piezoelectric ceramic of claim 1, and electrodes connected electrically to the piezoelectric ceramic. 6. The piezoelectric element according to claim 5, further comprising:
a laminate body constituted by alternately-stacked piezoelectric ceramic layers and internal electrode layers; a pair of connection conductors connected electrically to the alternate internal electrode layers; and surface electrodes provided on a surface of the laminate body and connected electrically to the pair of connection conductors, respectively. | 2,600 |
339,917 | 16,800,875 | 2,632 | Disclosed herein are systems and methods for reducing surface recombination losses in micro-LEDs. In some embodiments, a method includes increasing a bandgap in an outer region of a semiconductor layer by implanting ions in the outer region of the semiconductor layer and subsequently annealing the outer region of the semiconductor layer to intermix the ions with atoms within the outer region of the semiconductor layer. The semiconductor layer includes an active light emitting layer. A light outcoupling surface of the semiconductor layer has a diameter of less than 10 μm. The outer region of the semiconductor layer extends from an outer surface of the semiconductor layer to a central region of the semiconductor layer that is shaded by a mask during the implanting of the ions. | 1. A method comprising:
increasing a bandgap in an outer region of a semiconductor layer by implanting ions in the outer region of the semiconductor layer and subsequently annealing the outer region of the semiconductor layer to intermix the ions with atoms within the outer region of the semiconductor layer, wherein: the semiconductor layer comprises an active light emitting layer, a light outcoupling surface of the semiconductor layer has a diameter of less than 10 μm, the outer region of the semiconductor layer extends from an outer surface of the semiconductor layer to a central region of the semiconductor layer that is shaded by a mask during the implanting of the ions, and the semiconductor layer further comprises an n-side semiconductor layer and a p-side semiconductor layer. 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the ions are implanted from a top surface of the p-side semiconductor layer to a depth of approximately 460 nm within the semiconductor layer. 3. The method of claim 1, wherein the ions are implanted from a top surface of the p-side semiconductor layer to a depth within the active light emitting layer. 4. The method of claim 1, wherein the ions comprise Al ions. 5. The method of claim 4, wherein a concentration of Al in the outer region of the semiconductor layer is between 0.3 and 0.5. 6. The method of claim 4, wherein the ions have an implantation energy of approximately 400 keV. 7. The method of claim 1, wherein the ions are implanted at an angle between 0° and 7° with respect to an axis that is normal to a plane of the mask. 8. The method of claim 1, wherein the mask comprises at least one of a metal, a resist, or a hard mask. 9. The method of claim 8, wherein the metal has a thickness of less than 1000 nm, the resist has a thickness of less than 2500 nm, and the hard mask has a thickness of less than 800 nm. 10. The method of claim 1, wherein the outer region of the semiconductor layer has a cross-sectional annular shape. 11. A light-emitting diode comprising:
a semiconductor layer comprising an active light emitting layer, wherein: a light outcoupling surface of the semiconductor layer has a diameter of less than 10 μm, a bandgap in an outer region of the semiconductor layer is greater than a bandgap in a central region of the semiconductor layer, the outer region of the semiconductor layer comprises ions that are implanted in the outer region of the semiconductor layer and intermixed with atoms within the outer region of the semiconductor layer, and the semiconductor layer further comprises an n-side semiconductor layer and a p-side semiconductor layer. 12. The light-emitting diode of claim 11, wherein the ions are implanted from a top surface of the p-side semiconductor layer to a depth of approximately 460 nm within the semiconductor layer. 13. The light-emitting diode of claim 11, wherein the ions are implanted from a top surface of the p-side semiconductor layer to a depth within the active light emitting layer. 14. The light-emitting diode of claim 11, wherein the ions comprise Al ions. 15. The light-emitting diode of claim 14, wherein a concentration of Al in the outer region of the semiconductor layer is between 0.3 and 0.5. 16. The light-emitting diode of claim 11, wherein the outer region of the semiconductor layer has a cross-sectional annular shape. | Disclosed herein are systems and methods for reducing surface recombination losses in micro-LEDs. In some embodiments, a method includes increasing a bandgap in an outer region of a semiconductor layer by implanting ions in the outer region of the semiconductor layer and subsequently annealing the outer region of the semiconductor layer to intermix the ions with atoms within the outer region of the semiconductor layer. The semiconductor layer includes an active light emitting layer. A light outcoupling surface of the semiconductor layer has a diameter of less than 10 μm. The outer region of the semiconductor layer extends from an outer surface of the semiconductor layer to a central region of the semiconductor layer that is shaded by a mask during the implanting of the ions.1. A method comprising:
increasing a bandgap in an outer region of a semiconductor layer by implanting ions in the outer region of the semiconductor layer and subsequently annealing the outer region of the semiconductor layer to intermix the ions with atoms within the outer region of the semiconductor layer, wherein: the semiconductor layer comprises an active light emitting layer, a light outcoupling surface of the semiconductor layer has a diameter of less than 10 μm, the outer region of the semiconductor layer extends from an outer surface of the semiconductor layer to a central region of the semiconductor layer that is shaded by a mask during the implanting of the ions, and the semiconductor layer further comprises an n-side semiconductor layer and a p-side semiconductor layer. 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the ions are implanted from a top surface of the p-side semiconductor layer to a depth of approximately 460 nm within the semiconductor layer. 3. The method of claim 1, wherein the ions are implanted from a top surface of the p-side semiconductor layer to a depth within the active light emitting layer. 4. The method of claim 1, wherein the ions comprise Al ions. 5. The method of claim 4, wherein a concentration of Al in the outer region of the semiconductor layer is between 0.3 and 0.5. 6. The method of claim 4, wherein the ions have an implantation energy of approximately 400 keV. 7. The method of claim 1, wherein the ions are implanted at an angle between 0° and 7° with respect to an axis that is normal to a plane of the mask. 8. The method of claim 1, wherein the mask comprises at least one of a metal, a resist, or a hard mask. 9. The method of claim 8, wherein the metal has a thickness of less than 1000 nm, the resist has a thickness of less than 2500 nm, and the hard mask has a thickness of less than 800 nm. 10. The method of claim 1, wherein the outer region of the semiconductor layer has a cross-sectional annular shape. 11. A light-emitting diode comprising:
a semiconductor layer comprising an active light emitting layer, wherein: a light outcoupling surface of the semiconductor layer has a diameter of less than 10 μm, a bandgap in an outer region of the semiconductor layer is greater than a bandgap in a central region of the semiconductor layer, the outer region of the semiconductor layer comprises ions that are implanted in the outer region of the semiconductor layer and intermixed with atoms within the outer region of the semiconductor layer, and the semiconductor layer further comprises an n-side semiconductor layer and a p-side semiconductor layer. 12. The light-emitting diode of claim 11, wherein the ions are implanted from a top surface of the p-side semiconductor layer to a depth of approximately 460 nm within the semiconductor layer. 13. The light-emitting diode of claim 11, wherein the ions are implanted from a top surface of the p-side semiconductor layer to a depth within the active light emitting layer. 14. The light-emitting diode of claim 11, wherein the ions comprise Al ions. 15. The light-emitting diode of claim 14, wherein a concentration of Al in the outer region of the semiconductor layer is between 0.3 and 0.5. 16. The light-emitting diode of claim 11, wherein the outer region of the semiconductor layer has a cross-sectional annular shape. | 2,600 |
339,918 | 16,800,897 | 3,618 | A magnetic ski management device encases and immobilizes a pair of skis while incorporating a magnetic implement attracting the device/ski combination to ferromagnetic surfaces. The ski management device of the present invention joins and secures a pair of skis together having a magnetic implement (device) aligned with but offset from the juncture between the skis establishing a magnetic attractive force between the ski management device, including the associated skis, and any ferromagnetic surface. | 1. A ski management device; comprising:
a flexible sleeve having a sleeve width and a sleeve length wherein the sleeve length is greater than the sleeve width and wherein a right cross section of the sleeve is an ellipse having a minor axis substantially less than a major axis; a semi-rigid planar separator having a separator length with a length edge and a separator width with a width edge, the separator length being greater than the separator width, and wherein the separator is interposed within and bifurcating the sleeve throughout the sleeve length and wherein the separator width is aligned with the major axis of the sleeve, each length edge making contact with the sleeve along the sleeve length and wherein the separator is affixed to the sleeve between each length edge of the separator and the sleeve; and an elongated magnetic implement coupled to the sleeve and aligned with the sleeve length, wherein the magnetic implement is configured to attach the sleeve and separator to a ferromagnetic substance using a magnetic force. 2. The ski management device of claim 1, wherein the sleeve length is greater than 1.5 times the sleeve width. 3. The ski management device of claim 1, wherein the sleeve length is greater than or equal to the sleeve width. 4. The ski management device of claim 1, wherein the sleeve is composed of a material selected from a group consisting of leather, canvas, rubber, and natural fiber cloth. 5. The ski management device of claim 1, wherein the sleeve is composed of a material selected from the group consisting of Polymethyl Methacrylate (PMMA), Polycarbonate (PC), Polyethylene (PE), Polypropylene (PP), Polyethylene Terephthalate (PETE or PET), Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC), Polysiloxanes, and Acrylonitrile-Butadiene-Styrene (ABS). 6. The ski management device of claim 1, wherein the sleeve is substantially elliptical having a longitudinal axis and wherein the semi-rigid planar separator bifurcates the sleeve along the longitudinal axis at a juncture. 7. The ski management device of claim 1, wherein the sleeve includes a first panel and a second panel affixed to the semi-rigid planar separator at a juncture and is configured to wrap around the semi-rigid planar separator so as to overlap and adhere to itself using a hook and loop surface. 8. The ski management device of claim 1, wherein the sleeve is configured to accept and encase a pair of skis. 9. The ski management device of claim 8, wherein the pair of skis are separated by the semi-rigid planar separator within the sleeve. 10. The ski management device of claim 8, wherein the pair of skis are alpine skis. 11. The ski management device of claim 8, wherein the pair of skis are Nordic skis. 12. The ski management device of claim 8, wherein the pair of skis are skate skis. 13. The ski management device of claim 8, wherein the pair of skis are touring skis. 14. The ski management device of claim 1, wherein the magnetic implement is sized based on a ski type. 15. The ski management device of claim 1, further comprising an elastic sheath affixed to an exterior of the sleeve at a juncture between the sleeve and the semi-rigid planar separator. 16. The ski management device of claim 15, wherein the magnetic implement is housed within the elastic sheath 17. The ski management device of claim 15, further comprising a second elastic sheath affixed to the exterior of the sleeve at a second juncture wherein the second elastic sheath is configured to accept a second magnetic implement. 18. The ski management device of claim 1, wherein the magnetic implement is magnetic bar having an elongated side, the elongated side of the magnetic bar aligned with the sleeve length and wherein the magnetic bar is removably housed within an elastic sheath affixed to an exterior of the sleeve at a juncture between the sleeve and the semi-rigid planar separator. 19. A system for ski organization, comprising
at least one pair of skis a ski management device configured to encase the at least one pair of skis, the ski management device characterized by
a flexible sleeve having a sleeve width and a sleeve length wherein the sleeve length is greater than the sleeve width and wherein a right cross section of the sleeve is an ellipse having a minor axis substantially less than a major axis,
a semi-rigid planar separator having a separator length with a length edge and a separator width with a width edge, the separator length being greater than the separator width, and wherein the separator is interposed within and bifurcating the sleeve throughout the sleeve length and wherein the separator width is aligned with the major axis of the sleeve, each length edge making contact with the sleeve along the sleeve length and wherein the separator is affixed to the sleeve between each length edge of the separator and the sleeve, and
a magnetic implement aligned with the sleeve length; and
a ferromagnetic surface wherein the magnetic implement is configured to attach the ski management device and the at least one pair of skis to the ferromagnetic surface using a magnetic force. 20. The system for ski organization according to claim 19, wherein the at least one pair of skis are alpine skis. 21. The system for ski organization according to claim 19, wherein the at least one pair of skis are Nordic skis. 22. The system for ski organization according to claim 19, wherein the sleeve is substantially elliptical having a longitudinal axis and wherein the semi-rigid planar separator bifurcates the sleeve along the longitudinal axis at a juncture. 23. The system for ski organization according to claim 19, wherein the magnetic implement is magnetic bar having an elongated side, the elongated side of the magnetic bar aligned with the sleeve length and wherein the magnetic bar is removably housed within an elastic sheath affixed to an exterior of the sleeve at a juncture between the sleeve and the semi-rigid planar separator. 24. The system for ski organization according to claim 23, wherein the elongated magnetic bar is sized based on a ski type. 25. The system for ski organization according to claim 16, wherein the at least one pair of skis are separated by the semi-rigid planar separator within the sleeve. | A magnetic ski management device encases and immobilizes a pair of skis while incorporating a magnetic implement attracting the device/ski combination to ferromagnetic surfaces. The ski management device of the present invention joins and secures a pair of skis together having a magnetic implement (device) aligned with but offset from the juncture between the skis establishing a magnetic attractive force between the ski management device, including the associated skis, and any ferromagnetic surface.1. A ski management device; comprising:
a flexible sleeve having a sleeve width and a sleeve length wherein the sleeve length is greater than the sleeve width and wherein a right cross section of the sleeve is an ellipse having a minor axis substantially less than a major axis; a semi-rigid planar separator having a separator length with a length edge and a separator width with a width edge, the separator length being greater than the separator width, and wherein the separator is interposed within and bifurcating the sleeve throughout the sleeve length and wherein the separator width is aligned with the major axis of the sleeve, each length edge making contact with the sleeve along the sleeve length and wherein the separator is affixed to the sleeve between each length edge of the separator and the sleeve; and an elongated magnetic implement coupled to the sleeve and aligned with the sleeve length, wherein the magnetic implement is configured to attach the sleeve and separator to a ferromagnetic substance using a magnetic force. 2. The ski management device of claim 1, wherein the sleeve length is greater than 1.5 times the sleeve width. 3. The ski management device of claim 1, wherein the sleeve length is greater than or equal to the sleeve width. 4. The ski management device of claim 1, wherein the sleeve is composed of a material selected from a group consisting of leather, canvas, rubber, and natural fiber cloth. 5. The ski management device of claim 1, wherein the sleeve is composed of a material selected from the group consisting of Polymethyl Methacrylate (PMMA), Polycarbonate (PC), Polyethylene (PE), Polypropylene (PP), Polyethylene Terephthalate (PETE or PET), Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC), Polysiloxanes, and Acrylonitrile-Butadiene-Styrene (ABS). 6. The ski management device of claim 1, wherein the sleeve is substantially elliptical having a longitudinal axis and wherein the semi-rigid planar separator bifurcates the sleeve along the longitudinal axis at a juncture. 7. The ski management device of claim 1, wherein the sleeve includes a first panel and a second panel affixed to the semi-rigid planar separator at a juncture and is configured to wrap around the semi-rigid planar separator so as to overlap and adhere to itself using a hook and loop surface. 8. The ski management device of claim 1, wherein the sleeve is configured to accept and encase a pair of skis. 9. The ski management device of claim 8, wherein the pair of skis are separated by the semi-rigid planar separator within the sleeve. 10. The ski management device of claim 8, wherein the pair of skis are alpine skis. 11. The ski management device of claim 8, wherein the pair of skis are Nordic skis. 12. The ski management device of claim 8, wherein the pair of skis are skate skis. 13. The ski management device of claim 8, wherein the pair of skis are touring skis. 14. The ski management device of claim 1, wherein the magnetic implement is sized based on a ski type. 15. The ski management device of claim 1, further comprising an elastic sheath affixed to an exterior of the sleeve at a juncture between the sleeve and the semi-rigid planar separator. 16. The ski management device of claim 15, wherein the magnetic implement is housed within the elastic sheath 17. The ski management device of claim 15, further comprising a second elastic sheath affixed to the exterior of the sleeve at a second juncture wherein the second elastic sheath is configured to accept a second magnetic implement. 18. The ski management device of claim 1, wherein the magnetic implement is magnetic bar having an elongated side, the elongated side of the magnetic bar aligned with the sleeve length and wherein the magnetic bar is removably housed within an elastic sheath affixed to an exterior of the sleeve at a juncture between the sleeve and the semi-rigid planar separator. 19. A system for ski organization, comprising
at least one pair of skis a ski management device configured to encase the at least one pair of skis, the ski management device characterized by
a flexible sleeve having a sleeve width and a sleeve length wherein the sleeve length is greater than the sleeve width and wherein a right cross section of the sleeve is an ellipse having a minor axis substantially less than a major axis,
a semi-rigid planar separator having a separator length with a length edge and a separator width with a width edge, the separator length being greater than the separator width, and wherein the separator is interposed within and bifurcating the sleeve throughout the sleeve length and wherein the separator width is aligned with the major axis of the sleeve, each length edge making contact with the sleeve along the sleeve length and wherein the separator is affixed to the sleeve between each length edge of the separator and the sleeve, and
a magnetic implement aligned with the sleeve length; and
a ferromagnetic surface wherein the magnetic implement is configured to attach the ski management device and the at least one pair of skis to the ferromagnetic surface using a magnetic force. 20. The system for ski organization according to claim 19, wherein the at least one pair of skis are alpine skis. 21. The system for ski organization according to claim 19, wherein the at least one pair of skis are Nordic skis. 22. The system for ski organization according to claim 19, wherein the sleeve is substantially elliptical having a longitudinal axis and wherein the semi-rigid planar separator bifurcates the sleeve along the longitudinal axis at a juncture. 23. The system for ski organization according to claim 19, wherein the magnetic implement is magnetic bar having an elongated side, the elongated side of the magnetic bar aligned with the sleeve length and wherein the magnetic bar is removably housed within an elastic sheath affixed to an exterior of the sleeve at a juncture between the sleeve and the semi-rigid planar separator. 24. The system for ski organization according to claim 23, wherein the elongated magnetic bar is sized based on a ski type. 25. The system for ski organization according to claim 16, wherein the at least one pair of skis are separated by the semi-rigid planar separator within the sleeve. | 3,600 |
339,919 | 16,800,867 | 3,618 | Aspects of the disclosure provide a method and an apparatus for video coding. In some examples, an apparatus includes processing circuitry that obtains a plurality of control point motion vectors for a current block, determines first motion vectors and second motion vectors for a plurality of sub-blocks of the current block according to the plurality of control point motion vectors. The first motion vectors correspond to a first relative position in each sub-block. At least one first motion vector is different from a corresponding second motion vector. The processing circuitry obtains a first set of predicted samples according to the first motion vectors, obtains a second set of predicted samples according to the second motion vectors, and obtains a third set of predicted samples for the current block based on the first set of predicted samples and the second set of predicted samples. | 1. A method of video decoding in a decoder, comprising:
obtaining a plurality of control point motion vectors for a current block, the current block being divided into a plurality of sub-blocks; determining first motion vectors for the plurality of sub-blocks, respectively, according to the plurality of control point motion vectors, the first motion vectors corresponding to a first relative position in each sub-block; determining second motion vectors for the plurality of sub-blocks, respectively, according to the plurality of control point motion vectors, at least one first motion vector from the first motion vectors being different from a corresponding second motion vector from the second motion vectors; obtaining a first set of predicted samples for the current block according to the first motion vectors and the plurality of sub-blocks; obtaining a second set of predicted samples for the current block according to the second motion vectors and the plurality of sub-blocks; and obtaining a third set of predicted samples for the current block based on the first set of predicted samples and the second set of predicted samples. 2. The method of claim 1, wherein
the second motion vectors correspond to a second relative position in each sub-block, the first relative position being different from the second relative position. 3. The method of claim 2, wherein the first relative position is a center of each sub-block. 4. The method of claim 3, wherein the second relative position is a particular corner of each sub-block. 5. The method of claim 2, wherein the first relative position and the second relative position are symmetric with respect to one of a vertical line, a horizontal line, and a diagonal line intersecting a center of each sub-block. 6. The method of claim 2, wherein
the first relative position is a center of a left edge of each sub-block, and the second relative position is a center of a right edge of each sub-block. 7. The method of claim 1, wherein
the second motion vectors are obtained by applying a motion vector offset to the first motion vectors. 8. The method of claim 1, wherein
the third set of predicted samples is calculated as a weighted average of the first set of predicted samples and the second set of predicted samples. 9. The method of claim 8, wherein
a first pixel in the first set of predicted samples for a particular one of the sub-blocks is located at a first position in the sub-block and has a first weight for calculating the combination, a second pixel in the first set of predicted samples for the particular one of the sub-blocks is located at a second position in the sub-block and has a second weight for calculating the combination, and the first weigh is greater than the second weight, and the first position is closer to the first relative position of the sub-block than the second position. 10. The method of claim 8, wherein
one of the plurality of sub-blocks has a size of 4×4 pixels, and a pixel in the first set of predicted samples for the one of the plurality of sub-blocks has
a weight of three over a total weight of four when the pixel is located less than three pixels away from the first relative position along a horizontal direction or a vertical direction, and
a weight of one over the total weight of four when the pixel is located three or more pixels away from the first relative position along the horizontal direction or the vertical direction. 11. The method of claim 8, wherein
weights for calculating the weighted average for a particular one of the plurality of sub-blocks are derived according to a generalized bi-prediction (GBi) index for the particular one of the sub-blocks. 12. The method of claim 1, wherein
the current block is a uni-predicted block. 13. The method of claim 1, wherein
a de-blocking process is not performed on the current block. 14. The method of claim 1, further comprising:
determining whether a stacked affine mode is enabled in a coding region of a particular level according to a flag signaled at the particular level, the current block being included in the coding region of the particular level, wherein the particular level corresponds to one of a slice, title, title-group, picture, and sequence level, the determining the second motion vectors for the plurality of sub-blocks and the obtaining the second set of predicted samples for the current block are performed when the stacked affine mode is enabled, and the determining the second motion vectors for the plurality of sub-blocks and the obtaining the second set of predicted samples for the current block are not performed when the stacked affine mode is not enabled. 15. The method of claim 14, wherein
when the flag that is applicable to the coding region indicates that the stacked affine mode is enabled, the determining the second motion vectors for the plurality of sub-blocks and the obtaining the second set of predicted samples for the current block are not performed on any bi-predicted block in the coding region. 16. An apparatus, comprising:
processing circuitry configured to:
obtain a plurality of control point motion vectors for a current block, the current block being divided into a plurality of sub-blocks;
determine first motion vectors for the plurality of sub-blocks, respectively, according to the plurality of control point motion vectors, the first motion vectors corresponding to a first relative position in each sub-block;
determine second motion vectors for the plurality of sub-blocks, respectively, according to the plurality of control point motion vectors, at least one first motion vector from the first motion vectors being different from a corresponding second motion vector from the second motion vectors;
obtain a first set of predicted samples for the current block according to the first motion vectors and the plurality of sub-blocks;
obtain a second set of predicted samples for the current block according to the second motion vectors and the plurality of sub-blocks; and
obtain a third set of predicted samples for the current block based on the first set of predicted samples and the second set of predicted samples. 17. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein
the second motion vectors correspond to a second relative position in each sub-block, the first relative position being different from the second relative position. 18. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein
the second motion vectors are obtained by applying a motion vector offset to the first motion vectors. 19. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein
the third set of predicted samples is calculated as a weighted average of the first set of predicted samples and the second set of predicted samples. 20. A non-transitory computer-readable medium storing instructions which when executed by a computer for video decoding cause the computer to perform:
obtaining a plurality of control point motion vectors for a current block, the current block being divided into a plurality of sub-blocks; determining first motion vectors for the plurality of sub-blocks, respectively, according to the plurality of control point motion vectors, the first motion vectors corresponding to a first relative position in each sub-block; determining second motion vectors for the plurality of sub-blocks, respectively, according to the plurality of control point motion vectors, at least one first motion vector from the first motion vectors being different from a corresponding second motion vector from the second motion vectors; obtaining a first set of predicted samples for the current block according to the first motion vectors and the plurality of sub-blocks; obtaining a second set of predicted samples for the current block according to the second motion vectors and the plurality of sub-blocks; and obtaining a third set of predicted samples for the current block based on the first set of predicted samples and the second set of predicted samples. | Aspects of the disclosure provide a method and an apparatus for video coding. In some examples, an apparatus includes processing circuitry that obtains a plurality of control point motion vectors for a current block, determines first motion vectors and second motion vectors for a plurality of sub-blocks of the current block according to the plurality of control point motion vectors. The first motion vectors correspond to a first relative position in each sub-block. At least one first motion vector is different from a corresponding second motion vector. The processing circuitry obtains a first set of predicted samples according to the first motion vectors, obtains a second set of predicted samples according to the second motion vectors, and obtains a third set of predicted samples for the current block based on the first set of predicted samples and the second set of predicted samples.1. A method of video decoding in a decoder, comprising:
obtaining a plurality of control point motion vectors for a current block, the current block being divided into a plurality of sub-blocks; determining first motion vectors for the plurality of sub-blocks, respectively, according to the plurality of control point motion vectors, the first motion vectors corresponding to a first relative position in each sub-block; determining second motion vectors for the plurality of sub-blocks, respectively, according to the plurality of control point motion vectors, at least one first motion vector from the first motion vectors being different from a corresponding second motion vector from the second motion vectors; obtaining a first set of predicted samples for the current block according to the first motion vectors and the plurality of sub-blocks; obtaining a second set of predicted samples for the current block according to the second motion vectors and the plurality of sub-blocks; and obtaining a third set of predicted samples for the current block based on the first set of predicted samples and the second set of predicted samples. 2. The method of claim 1, wherein
the second motion vectors correspond to a second relative position in each sub-block, the first relative position being different from the second relative position. 3. The method of claim 2, wherein the first relative position is a center of each sub-block. 4. The method of claim 3, wherein the second relative position is a particular corner of each sub-block. 5. The method of claim 2, wherein the first relative position and the second relative position are symmetric with respect to one of a vertical line, a horizontal line, and a diagonal line intersecting a center of each sub-block. 6. The method of claim 2, wherein
the first relative position is a center of a left edge of each sub-block, and the second relative position is a center of a right edge of each sub-block. 7. The method of claim 1, wherein
the second motion vectors are obtained by applying a motion vector offset to the first motion vectors. 8. The method of claim 1, wherein
the third set of predicted samples is calculated as a weighted average of the first set of predicted samples and the second set of predicted samples. 9. The method of claim 8, wherein
a first pixel in the first set of predicted samples for a particular one of the sub-blocks is located at a first position in the sub-block and has a first weight for calculating the combination, a second pixel in the first set of predicted samples for the particular one of the sub-blocks is located at a second position in the sub-block and has a second weight for calculating the combination, and the first weigh is greater than the second weight, and the first position is closer to the first relative position of the sub-block than the second position. 10. The method of claim 8, wherein
one of the plurality of sub-blocks has a size of 4×4 pixels, and a pixel in the first set of predicted samples for the one of the plurality of sub-blocks has
a weight of three over a total weight of four when the pixel is located less than three pixels away from the first relative position along a horizontal direction or a vertical direction, and
a weight of one over the total weight of four when the pixel is located three or more pixels away from the first relative position along the horizontal direction or the vertical direction. 11. The method of claim 8, wherein
weights for calculating the weighted average for a particular one of the plurality of sub-blocks are derived according to a generalized bi-prediction (GBi) index for the particular one of the sub-blocks. 12. The method of claim 1, wherein
the current block is a uni-predicted block. 13. The method of claim 1, wherein
a de-blocking process is not performed on the current block. 14. The method of claim 1, further comprising:
determining whether a stacked affine mode is enabled in a coding region of a particular level according to a flag signaled at the particular level, the current block being included in the coding region of the particular level, wherein the particular level corresponds to one of a slice, title, title-group, picture, and sequence level, the determining the second motion vectors for the plurality of sub-blocks and the obtaining the second set of predicted samples for the current block are performed when the stacked affine mode is enabled, and the determining the second motion vectors for the plurality of sub-blocks and the obtaining the second set of predicted samples for the current block are not performed when the stacked affine mode is not enabled. 15. The method of claim 14, wherein
when the flag that is applicable to the coding region indicates that the stacked affine mode is enabled, the determining the second motion vectors for the plurality of sub-blocks and the obtaining the second set of predicted samples for the current block are not performed on any bi-predicted block in the coding region. 16. An apparatus, comprising:
processing circuitry configured to:
obtain a plurality of control point motion vectors for a current block, the current block being divided into a plurality of sub-blocks;
determine first motion vectors for the plurality of sub-blocks, respectively, according to the plurality of control point motion vectors, the first motion vectors corresponding to a first relative position in each sub-block;
determine second motion vectors for the plurality of sub-blocks, respectively, according to the plurality of control point motion vectors, at least one first motion vector from the first motion vectors being different from a corresponding second motion vector from the second motion vectors;
obtain a first set of predicted samples for the current block according to the first motion vectors and the plurality of sub-blocks;
obtain a second set of predicted samples for the current block according to the second motion vectors and the plurality of sub-blocks; and
obtain a third set of predicted samples for the current block based on the first set of predicted samples and the second set of predicted samples. 17. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein
the second motion vectors correspond to a second relative position in each sub-block, the first relative position being different from the second relative position. 18. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein
the second motion vectors are obtained by applying a motion vector offset to the first motion vectors. 19. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein
the third set of predicted samples is calculated as a weighted average of the first set of predicted samples and the second set of predicted samples. 20. A non-transitory computer-readable medium storing instructions which when executed by a computer for video decoding cause the computer to perform:
obtaining a plurality of control point motion vectors for a current block, the current block being divided into a plurality of sub-blocks; determining first motion vectors for the plurality of sub-blocks, respectively, according to the plurality of control point motion vectors, the first motion vectors corresponding to a first relative position in each sub-block; determining second motion vectors for the plurality of sub-blocks, respectively, according to the plurality of control point motion vectors, at least one first motion vector from the first motion vectors being different from a corresponding second motion vector from the second motion vectors; obtaining a first set of predicted samples for the current block according to the first motion vectors and the plurality of sub-blocks; obtaining a second set of predicted samples for the current block according to the second motion vectors and the plurality of sub-blocks; and obtaining a third set of predicted samples for the current block based on the first set of predicted samples and the second set of predicted samples. | 3,600 |
339,920 | 16,800,871 | 3,618 | Processes to form differently-pitched gate structures are provided. An example method includes providing a workpiece having a substrate and semiconductor fins spaced apart from one another by an isolation feature, depositing a gate material layer over the workpiece, forming a patterned hard mask over the gate material layer, the patterned hard mask including differently-pitched elongated features, performing a first etch process using the patterned hard mask as an etch mask through the gate material layer to form a trench, performing a second etch process using the patterned hard mask as an etch mask to extend the trench to a top surface of the isolation feature, and performing a third etch process using the patterned hard mask to extend the trench into the isolation feature. The first etch process includes use of carbon tetrafluoride and is free of use of oxygen gas. | 1. A method, comprising:
providing a workpiece comprising a substrate and a plurality of semiconductor fins over the substrate, each of the plurality of semiconductor fins spaced apart from another of the plurality of the plurality of semiconductor fins by an isolation feature; depositing a gate material layer over the workpiece, the gate material layer comprising a first thickness over a top surface of the plurality of semiconductor fins; forming a patterned hard mask over the gate material layer, the patterned hard mask including a first plurality of elongated features and a second plurality of elongated features; performing a first etch process using the patterned hard mask as an etch mask through the gate material layer to form a trench that extends through about 90% and about 95% of the first thickness toward the top surface of the plurality of semiconductor fins; performing a second etch process using the patterned hard mask as an etch mask to extend the trench to a top surface of the isolation feature; and performing a third etch process using the patterned hard mask to extend the trench into the isolation feature, wherein the first plurality of elongated features includes a first pitch and the second plurality of elongated features includes a second pitch greater than the first pitch, wherein the first etch process comprises use of carbon tetrafluoride and a pressure between about 40 mTorr and about 100 mTorr, wherein the first etch process is free of use of oxygen gas. 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the first etch process further comprises use of hydrogen bromide and chlorine. 3. The method of claim 1, wherein a ratio of the second pitch to the first pitch is between about 1.1 and about 2.0. 4. The method of claim 1, wherein the second etch process comprises a dry etch process using chlorine, hydrogen bromide, or oxygen gas. 5. The method of claim 1, wherein the second etch process comprises a nitridation process that uses a nitrogen containing reagent. 6. The method of claim 5, wherein the nitrogen containing reagent comprise nitrogen gas (N2). 7. The method of claim 1, wherein the third etch process comprises chlorine. 8. The method of claim 7, wherein the third etch process is free of use of oxygen gas and hydrogen bromide. 9. A method, comprising:
providing a workpiece comprising:
a substrate,
a plurality of semiconductor fins over the substrate, each of the plurality of semiconductor fins spaced apart from another of the plurality of the plurality of semiconductor fins by an isolation feature, and
a dielectric layer disposed conformally over the plurality of semiconductor fins;
depositing a gate material layer over the workpiece, the gate material layer comprising a first thickness over a top surface of the plurality of semiconductor fins; forming a patterned hard mask over the gate material layer, the patterned hard mask including a first plurality of elongated features and a second plurality of elongated features; performing a first etch process using the patterned hard mask as an etch mask to form a trench that extends through a substantial portion of the first thickness; performing a second etch process using the patterned hard mask as an etch mask to extend the trench to a top surface of the isolation feature; and performing a third etch process using the patterned hard mask to extend the trench into the isolation feature, wherein the first plurality of elongated features includes a first pitch and the second plurality of elongated features includes a second pitch greater than the first pitch, wherein the first etch process and the third etch process are free of use of oxygen gas and the second etch process comprises use of oxygen gas. 10. The method of claim 9, wherein the first etch process comprises use of hydrogen bromide, carbon tetrafluoride and chlorine. 11. The method of claim 9, wherein the first etch process comprises a pressure between about 40 mTorr and about 100 mTorr. 12. The method of claim 9, wherein a ratio of the second pitch to the first pitch is between about 1.1 and about 2.0. 13. The method of claim 9, wherein the second etch process comprises a dry etch process using chlorine, hydrogen bromide, or oxygen gas. 14. The method of claim 9, wherein the third etch process comprises chlorine. 15. The method of claim 9, wherein the second etch process comprising a nitridation process to introduce nitrogen into the dielectric layer. 16. The method of claim 15, wherein the nitridation process comprises use of nitrogen gas (N2). 17. A method, comprising:
providing a workpiece comprising:
a substrate,
a plurality of semiconductor fins over the substrate, each of the plurality of semiconductor fins spaced apart from another of the plurality of the plurality of semiconductor fins by an isolation feature, and
a silicon oxide layer disposed conformally over the plurality of semiconductor fins;
depositing a gate material layer over the workpiece, the gate material layer comprising a first thickness over a top surface of the plurality of semiconductor fins; forming a patterned hard mask over the gate material layer, the patterned hard mask including a first plurality of elongated features and a second plurality of elongated features; performing a first etch process using the patterned hard mask as an etch mask to form a trench that extends through a substantial portion of the first thickness; performing a second etch process using the patterned hard mask as an etch mask to extend the trench to a top surface of the isolation feature; and performing a third etch process using the patterned hard mask to extend the trench into the isolation feature, wherein the first plurality of elongated features includes a first pitch and the second plurality of elongated features includes a second pitch that is about 1.1 times to about 2 times of the first pitch, wherein the first etch process comprises carbon tetrafluoride and is free of use of oxygen gas, wherein the third etch process is free of use of oxygen gas and hydrogen bromide and comprises chlorine. 18. The method of claim 17, wherein the first etch process further comprises use of hydrogen bromide and chlorine. 19. The method of claim 18, wherein the first etch process comprises a pressure between about 40 mTorr and about 100 mTorr. 20. The method of claim 17 wherein the second etch process comprises a nitridation process to convert a portion of the silicon oxide layer into silicon oxynitride. | Processes to form differently-pitched gate structures are provided. An example method includes providing a workpiece having a substrate and semiconductor fins spaced apart from one another by an isolation feature, depositing a gate material layer over the workpiece, forming a patterned hard mask over the gate material layer, the patterned hard mask including differently-pitched elongated features, performing a first etch process using the patterned hard mask as an etch mask through the gate material layer to form a trench, performing a second etch process using the patterned hard mask as an etch mask to extend the trench to a top surface of the isolation feature, and performing a third etch process using the patterned hard mask to extend the trench into the isolation feature. The first etch process includes use of carbon tetrafluoride and is free of use of oxygen gas.1. A method, comprising:
providing a workpiece comprising a substrate and a plurality of semiconductor fins over the substrate, each of the plurality of semiconductor fins spaced apart from another of the plurality of the plurality of semiconductor fins by an isolation feature; depositing a gate material layer over the workpiece, the gate material layer comprising a first thickness over a top surface of the plurality of semiconductor fins; forming a patterned hard mask over the gate material layer, the patterned hard mask including a first plurality of elongated features and a second plurality of elongated features; performing a first etch process using the patterned hard mask as an etch mask through the gate material layer to form a trench that extends through about 90% and about 95% of the first thickness toward the top surface of the plurality of semiconductor fins; performing a second etch process using the patterned hard mask as an etch mask to extend the trench to a top surface of the isolation feature; and performing a third etch process using the patterned hard mask to extend the trench into the isolation feature, wherein the first plurality of elongated features includes a first pitch and the second plurality of elongated features includes a second pitch greater than the first pitch, wherein the first etch process comprises use of carbon tetrafluoride and a pressure between about 40 mTorr and about 100 mTorr, wherein the first etch process is free of use of oxygen gas. 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the first etch process further comprises use of hydrogen bromide and chlorine. 3. The method of claim 1, wherein a ratio of the second pitch to the first pitch is between about 1.1 and about 2.0. 4. The method of claim 1, wherein the second etch process comprises a dry etch process using chlorine, hydrogen bromide, or oxygen gas. 5. The method of claim 1, wherein the second etch process comprises a nitridation process that uses a nitrogen containing reagent. 6. The method of claim 5, wherein the nitrogen containing reagent comprise nitrogen gas (N2). 7. The method of claim 1, wherein the third etch process comprises chlorine. 8. The method of claim 7, wherein the third etch process is free of use of oxygen gas and hydrogen bromide. 9. A method, comprising:
providing a workpiece comprising:
a substrate,
a plurality of semiconductor fins over the substrate, each of the plurality of semiconductor fins spaced apart from another of the plurality of the plurality of semiconductor fins by an isolation feature, and
a dielectric layer disposed conformally over the plurality of semiconductor fins;
depositing a gate material layer over the workpiece, the gate material layer comprising a first thickness over a top surface of the plurality of semiconductor fins; forming a patterned hard mask over the gate material layer, the patterned hard mask including a first plurality of elongated features and a second plurality of elongated features; performing a first etch process using the patterned hard mask as an etch mask to form a trench that extends through a substantial portion of the first thickness; performing a second etch process using the patterned hard mask as an etch mask to extend the trench to a top surface of the isolation feature; and performing a third etch process using the patterned hard mask to extend the trench into the isolation feature, wherein the first plurality of elongated features includes a first pitch and the second plurality of elongated features includes a second pitch greater than the first pitch, wherein the first etch process and the third etch process are free of use of oxygen gas and the second etch process comprises use of oxygen gas. 10. The method of claim 9, wherein the first etch process comprises use of hydrogen bromide, carbon tetrafluoride and chlorine. 11. The method of claim 9, wherein the first etch process comprises a pressure between about 40 mTorr and about 100 mTorr. 12. The method of claim 9, wherein a ratio of the second pitch to the first pitch is between about 1.1 and about 2.0. 13. The method of claim 9, wherein the second etch process comprises a dry etch process using chlorine, hydrogen bromide, or oxygen gas. 14. The method of claim 9, wherein the third etch process comprises chlorine. 15. The method of claim 9, wherein the second etch process comprising a nitridation process to introduce nitrogen into the dielectric layer. 16. The method of claim 15, wherein the nitridation process comprises use of nitrogen gas (N2). 17. A method, comprising:
providing a workpiece comprising:
a substrate,
a plurality of semiconductor fins over the substrate, each of the plurality of semiconductor fins spaced apart from another of the plurality of the plurality of semiconductor fins by an isolation feature, and
a silicon oxide layer disposed conformally over the plurality of semiconductor fins;
depositing a gate material layer over the workpiece, the gate material layer comprising a first thickness over a top surface of the plurality of semiconductor fins; forming a patterned hard mask over the gate material layer, the patterned hard mask including a first plurality of elongated features and a second plurality of elongated features; performing a first etch process using the patterned hard mask as an etch mask to form a trench that extends through a substantial portion of the first thickness; performing a second etch process using the patterned hard mask as an etch mask to extend the trench to a top surface of the isolation feature; and performing a third etch process using the patterned hard mask to extend the trench into the isolation feature, wherein the first plurality of elongated features includes a first pitch and the second plurality of elongated features includes a second pitch that is about 1.1 times to about 2 times of the first pitch, wherein the first etch process comprises carbon tetrafluoride and is free of use of oxygen gas, wherein the third etch process is free of use of oxygen gas and hydrogen bromide and comprises chlorine. 18. The method of claim 17, wherein the first etch process further comprises use of hydrogen bromide and chlorine. 19. The method of claim 18, wherein the first etch process comprises a pressure between about 40 mTorr and about 100 mTorr. 20. The method of claim 17 wherein the second etch process comprises a nitridation process to convert a portion of the silicon oxide layer into silicon oxynitride. | 3,600 |
339,921 | 16,800,855 | 3,618 | Metal-bisphosphonate nanoparticles are disclosed. Also disclosed are pharmaceutical compositions including the metal-bisphosphonate nanoparticles, methods of preparing the metal-bisphosphonate nanoparticles and materials comprising the nanoparticles, and methods of using the compositions to treat cancer or bone-related disorders (e.g., bone-resorption-related diseases, osteoporosis, Paget's disease, and bone metastases) and as imaging agents. | 1-42. (canceled) 43. A metal-bisphosphonate nanoparticle comprising:
(a) a core comprising a multivalent metal ion-bisphosphonate complex; and (b) a coating layer surrounding at least a portion of an outer surface of the core, wherein the coating layer comprises a metal oxide, a polymer, a single lipid layer, or a lipid bilayer. 44. The metal-bisphosphonate nanoparticle of claim 43, wherein the core further comprises a non-bisphosphonate therapeutic agent or prodrug thereof and/or an imaging agent. 45. The metal-bisphosphonate nanoparticle of claim 43, wherein the multivalent metal ion is a divalent metal ion. 46. The metal-bisphosphonate nanoparticle of claim 43, wherein the multivalent metal ion is selected from the group consisting of Ca2+, Mg2+, Mn2+, Zn2+, and combinations thereof. 47. The metal-bisphosphonate nanoparticle of claim 43, wherein the bisphosphonate has a structure of Formula (I): 48. The metal-bisphosphonate nanoparticle of claim 43, wherein the bisphosphonate is selected from the group consisting of zoledronic acid, pamidronate, risedronic acid, alendronate, zeridronic acid, tiludronate, etidronate, and ibandronate. 49. The metal-bisphosphonate nanoparticle of claim 43, wherein the coating layer comprises a silica-based polymer, wherein said silica-based polymer is derivatized with a targeting agent and/or a passivating agent. 50. The metal-bisphosphonate nanoparticle of claim 43, wherein the coating layer comprises silica, cRGfK-derivatized silica, polyethylene glycol (PEG)-derivatized silica, and/or anisamide-PEG-derivatized silica. 51. The metal-bisphosphonate nanoparticle of claim 43, wherein the nanoparticle further comprises one or more additional coating layer in addition to the metal oxide, polymer, single lipid layer or lipid bilayer coating layer, wherein said one or more additional coating layer comprises a material selected from a metal oxide, a polymer, a single lipid layer, a lipid bilayer, and combinations thereof. 52. A pharmaceutical composition comprising the metal-bisphosphonate nanoparticle of claim 43 and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier. 53. A method of treating a cancer or bone-related disorder in a subject in need of treatment thereof, wherein the method comprises administering to said subject an effective amount of a metal-bisphosphonate nanoparticle of claim 43. 54-64. (canceled) 65. The metal-bisphosphonate nanoparticle of claim 43, wherein the multivalent metal ion-bisphosphonate complex is amorphous. 66. The metal-bisphosphonate nanoparticle of claim 43, wherein the coating layer is derivatized with a targeting agent and/or a passivating agent. | Metal-bisphosphonate nanoparticles are disclosed. Also disclosed are pharmaceutical compositions including the metal-bisphosphonate nanoparticles, methods of preparing the metal-bisphosphonate nanoparticles and materials comprising the nanoparticles, and methods of using the compositions to treat cancer or bone-related disorders (e.g., bone-resorption-related diseases, osteoporosis, Paget's disease, and bone metastases) and as imaging agents.1-42. (canceled) 43. A metal-bisphosphonate nanoparticle comprising:
(a) a core comprising a multivalent metal ion-bisphosphonate complex; and (b) a coating layer surrounding at least a portion of an outer surface of the core, wherein the coating layer comprises a metal oxide, a polymer, a single lipid layer, or a lipid bilayer. 44. The metal-bisphosphonate nanoparticle of claim 43, wherein the core further comprises a non-bisphosphonate therapeutic agent or prodrug thereof and/or an imaging agent. 45. The metal-bisphosphonate nanoparticle of claim 43, wherein the multivalent metal ion is a divalent metal ion. 46. The metal-bisphosphonate nanoparticle of claim 43, wherein the multivalent metal ion is selected from the group consisting of Ca2+, Mg2+, Mn2+, Zn2+, and combinations thereof. 47. The metal-bisphosphonate nanoparticle of claim 43, wherein the bisphosphonate has a structure of Formula (I): 48. The metal-bisphosphonate nanoparticle of claim 43, wherein the bisphosphonate is selected from the group consisting of zoledronic acid, pamidronate, risedronic acid, alendronate, zeridronic acid, tiludronate, etidronate, and ibandronate. 49. The metal-bisphosphonate nanoparticle of claim 43, wherein the coating layer comprises a silica-based polymer, wherein said silica-based polymer is derivatized with a targeting agent and/or a passivating agent. 50. The metal-bisphosphonate nanoparticle of claim 43, wherein the coating layer comprises silica, cRGfK-derivatized silica, polyethylene glycol (PEG)-derivatized silica, and/or anisamide-PEG-derivatized silica. 51. The metal-bisphosphonate nanoparticle of claim 43, wherein the nanoparticle further comprises one or more additional coating layer in addition to the metal oxide, polymer, single lipid layer or lipid bilayer coating layer, wherein said one or more additional coating layer comprises a material selected from a metal oxide, a polymer, a single lipid layer, a lipid bilayer, and combinations thereof. 52. A pharmaceutical composition comprising the metal-bisphosphonate nanoparticle of claim 43 and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier. 53. A method of treating a cancer or bone-related disorder in a subject in need of treatment thereof, wherein the method comprises administering to said subject an effective amount of a metal-bisphosphonate nanoparticle of claim 43. 54-64. (canceled) 65. The metal-bisphosphonate nanoparticle of claim 43, wherein the multivalent metal ion-bisphosphonate complex is amorphous. 66. The metal-bisphosphonate nanoparticle of claim 43, wherein the coating layer is derivatized with a targeting agent and/or a passivating agent. | 3,600 |
339,922 | 16,800,885 | 3,618 | A light-emitting device, includes: a semiconductor stack, including a top surface, wherein the top surface includes a first region and a second region which are coplanar; a current barrier layer formed on the first region, wherein the current barrier layer includes an insulating material; and a transparent conductive layer formed on the current barrier layer and the second region; and a first electrode formed on the transparent conductive layer; wherein the current barrier layer includes: an electrode region at a position corresponding to the first electrode, having a shape substantially the same as the first electrode; and a plurality of extension regions extending from the electrode region and not covered by the first electrode. | 1. A light-emitting device, comprising:
a semiconductor stack, comprising a top surface, wherein the top surface comprises a first region and a second region which are coplanar; a current barrier layer formed on the first region, wherein the current barrier layer comprises an insulating material; and a transparent conductive layer formed on the current barrier layer and the second region; and a first electrode formed on the transparent conductive layer; wherein the current barrier layer comprises: an electrode region at a position corresponding to the first electrode, having a shape substantially the same as the first electrode; and a plurality of extension regions extending from the electrode region and not covered by the first electrode. 2. The light-emitting device of claim 1, wherein the first electrode comprises a first electrode pad and a first extended electrode, and the electrode region of the current barrier layer is under the first electrode pad and the first extended electrode. 3. The light-emitting device of claim 2, wherein the plurality of extension regions and the first extended electrode extend toward different directions. 4. The light-emitting device of claim 1, wherein the semiconductor stack comprises four sides and the plurality of extension regions extends toward the four sides. 5. The light-emitting device of claim 1, wherein the semiconductor stack comprises a first type semiconductor layer, a second semiconductor layer and an active layer therebetween; and wherein the current barrier layer and the first electrode are formed on the second semiconductor layer. 6. The light-emitting device of claim 5, further comprising:
a second electrode formed on and electrically connecting to the first type semiconductor layer; wherein the first electrode comprises a first electrode pad and a first extended electrode; wherein the semiconductor stack comprises a first side, a second side opposite to the first side, a third side and a fourth side opposite to the third side; wherein the first electrode pad and the second electrode are near the first side and the second side, respectively; and wherein part of the plurality of extension regions extends toward the third side and the fourth side. 7. The light-emitting device of claim 6, wherein one of the plurality of extension regions extends toward the first side. 8. The light-emitting device of claim 6, wherein the first extended electrode extends toward the second side. 9. The light-emitting device of claim 6, wherein part of the plurality of extension regions extends from the electrode region which is under the first electrode pad toward at least one of the first side, the second side, the third side and the fourth side. 10. The light-emitting device of claim 1, wherein the current barrier layer has a sidewall and a bottom surface facing the first region and an angle between the sidewall and the bottom surface is between 10°-70°. 11. The light-emitting device of claim 10, wherein the transparent conductive layer is formed between the sidewall of the current barrier layer and the second region of the semiconductor stack, wherein a difference between a thickness of the transparent conductive layer at the sidewall on the current barrier layer and a thickness of the transparent conductive layer on the second region of the semiconductor stack forms a ratio not larger than 10%. 12. The light-emitting device of claim 1, wherein the current barrier layer comprises silicon oxide (SiO2), silicon nitride (SiNx) or titanium dioxide (TiO2). 13. The light-emitting device of claim 1, wherein the current barrier layer has a resistance larger than 1014 Ω-cm. 14. The light-emitting device of claim 1, wherein the transparent conductive layer contacts the second region. 15. The light-emitting device of claim 1, further comprising:
a substrate under the semiconductor stack, wherein the substrate comprises an inclined sidewall. 16. The light-emitting device of claim 15, wherein the inclined sidewall comprises a rough surface. 17. The light-emitting device of claim 1, wherein in a top view, the electrode region of the current barrier layer has a width larger than that of the first electrode. 18. The light-emitting device of claim 1, wherein an area of the first region enclosed by a contour of the electrode region of the current barrier layer is larger than an area of the first region covered by the first electrode. | A light-emitting device, includes: a semiconductor stack, including a top surface, wherein the top surface includes a first region and a second region which are coplanar; a current barrier layer formed on the first region, wherein the current barrier layer includes an insulating material; and a transparent conductive layer formed on the current barrier layer and the second region; and a first electrode formed on the transparent conductive layer; wherein the current barrier layer includes: an electrode region at a position corresponding to the first electrode, having a shape substantially the same as the first electrode; and a plurality of extension regions extending from the electrode region and not covered by the first electrode.1. A light-emitting device, comprising:
a semiconductor stack, comprising a top surface, wherein the top surface comprises a first region and a second region which are coplanar; a current barrier layer formed on the first region, wherein the current barrier layer comprises an insulating material; and a transparent conductive layer formed on the current barrier layer and the second region; and a first electrode formed on the transparent conductive layer; wherein the current barrier layer comprises: an electrode region at a position corresponding to the first electrode, having a shape substantially the same as the first electrode; and a plurality of extension regions extending from the electrode region and not covered by the first electrode. 2. The light-emitting device of claim 1, wherein the first electrode comprises a first electrode pad and a first extended electrode, and the electrode region of the current barrier layer is under the first electrode pad and the first extended electrode. 3. The light-emitting device of claim 2, wherein the plurality of extension regions and the first extended electrode extend toward different directions. 4. The light-emitting device of claim 1, wherein the semiconductor stack comprises four sides and the plurality of extension regions extends toward the four sides. 5. The light-emitting device of claim 1, wherein the semiconductor stack comprises a first type semiconductor layer, a second semiconductor layer and an active layer therebetween; and wherein the current barrier layer and the first electrode are formed on the second semiconductor layer. 6. The light-emitting device of claim 5, further comprising:
a second electrode formed on and electrically connecting to the first type semiconductor layer; wherein the first electrode comprises a first electrode pad and a first extended electrode; wherein the semiconductor stack comprises a first side, a second side opposite to the first side, a third side and a fourth side opposite to the third side; wherein the first electrode pad and the second electrode are near the first side and the second side, respectively; and wherein part of the plurality of extension regions extends toward the third side and the fourth side. 7. The light-emitting device of claim 6, wherein one of the plurality of extension regions extends toward the first side. 8. The light-emitting device of claim 6, wherein the first extended electrode extends toward the second side. 9. The light-emitting device of claim 6, wherein part of the plurality of extension regions extends from the electrode region which is under the first electrode pad toward at least one of the first side, the second side, the third side and the fourth side. 10. The light-emitting device of claim 1, wherein the current barrier layer has a sidewall and a bottom surface facing the first region and an angle between the sidewall and the bottom surface is between 10°-70°. 11. The light-emitting device of claim 10, wherein the transparent conductive layer is formed between the sidewall of the current barrier layer and the second region of the semiconductor stack, wherein a difference between a thickness of the transparent conductive layer at the sidewall on the current barrier layer and a thickness of the transparent conductive layer on the second region of the semiconductor stack forms a ratio not larger than 10%. 12. The light-emitting device of claim 1, wherein the current barrier layer comprises silicon oxide (SiO2), silicon nitride (SiNx) or titanium dioxide (TiO2). 13. The light-emitting device of claim 1, wherein the current barrier layer has a resistance larger than 1014 Ω-cm. 14. The light-emitting device of claim 1, wherein the transparent conductive layer contacts the second region. 15. The light-emitting device of claim 1, further comprising:
a substrate under the semiconductor stack, wherein the substrate comprises an inclined sidewall. 16. The light-emitting device of claim 15, wherein the inclined sidewall comprises a rough surface. 17. The light-emitting device of claim 1, wherein in a top view, the electrode region of the current barrier layer has a width larger than that of the first electrode. 18. The light-emitting device of claim 1, wherein an area of the first region enclosed by a contour of the electrode region of the current barrier layer is larger than an area of the first region covered by the first electrode. | 3,600 |
339,923 | 16,800,868 | 2,458 | A light-emitting device, includes: a semiconductor stack, including a top surface, wherein the top surface includes a first region and a second region which are coplanar; a current barrier layer formed on the first region, wherein the current barrier layer includes an insulating material; and a transparent conductive layer formed on the current barrier layer and the second region; and a first electrode formed on the transparent conductive layer; wherein the current barrier layer includes: an electrode region at a position corresponding to the first electrode, having a shape substantially the same as the first electrode; and a plurality of extension regions extending from the electrode region and not covered by the first electrode. | 1. A light-emitting device, comprising:
a semiconductor stack, comprising a top surface, wherein the top surface comprises a first region and a second region which are coplanar; a current barrier layer formed on the first region, wherein the current barrier layer comprises an insulating material; and a transparent conductive layer formed on the current barrier layer and the second region; and a first electrode formed on the transparent conductive layer; wherein the current barrier layer comprises: an electrode region at a position corresponding to the first electrode, having a shape substantially the same as the first electrode; and a plurality of extension regions extending from the electrode region and not covered by the first electrode. 2. The light-emitting device of claim 1, wherein the first electrode comprises a first electrode pad and a first extended electrode, and the electrode region of the current barrier layer is under the first electrode pad and the first extended electrode. 3. The light-emitting device of claim 2, wherein the plurality of extension regions and the first extended electrode extend toward different directions. 4. The light-emitting device of claim 1, wherein the semiconductor stack comprises four sides and the plurality of extension regions extends toward the four sides. 5. The light-emitting device of claim 1, wherein the semiconductor stack comprises a first type semiconductor layer, a second semiconductor layer and an active layer therebetween; and wherein the current barrier layer and the first electrode are formed on the second semiconductor layer. 6. The light-emitting device of claim 5, further comprising:
a second electrode formed on and electrically connecting to the first type semiconductor layer; wherein the first electrode comprises a first electrode pad and a first extended electrode; wherein the semiconductor stack comprises a first side, a second side opposite to the first side, a third side and a fourth side opposite to the third side; wherein the first electrode pad and the second electrode are near the first side and the second side, respectively; and wherein part of the plurality of extension regions extends toward the third side and the fourth side. 7. The light-emitting device of claim 6, wherein one of the plurality of extension regions extends toward the first side. 8. The light-emitting device of claim 6, wherein the first extended electrode extends toward the second side. 9. The light-emitting device of claim 6, wherein part of the plurality of extension regions extends from the electrode region which is under the first electrode pad toward at least one of the first side, the second side, the third side and the fourth side. 10. The light-emitting device of claim 1, wherein the current barrier layer has a sidewall and a bottom surface facing the first region and an angle between the sidewall and the bottom surface is between 10°-70°. 11. The light-emitting device of claim 10, wherein the transparent conductive layer is formed between the sidewall of the current barrier layer and the second region of the semiconductor stack, wherein a difference between a thickness of the transparent conductive layer at the sidewall on the current barrier layer and a thickness of the transparent conductive layer on the second region of the semiconductor stack forms a ratio not larger than 10%. 12. The light-emitting device of claim 1, wherein the current barrier layer comprises silicon oxide (SiO2), silicon nitride (SiNx) or titanium dioxide (TiO2). 13. The light-emitting device of claim 1, wherein the current barrier layer has a resistance larger than 1014 Ω-cm. 14. The light-emitting device of claim 1, wherein the transparent conductive layer contacts the second region. 15. The light-emitting device of claim 1, further comprising:
a substrate under the semiconductor stack, wherein the substrate comprises an inclined sidewall. 16. The light-emitting device of claim 15, wherein the inclined sidewall comprises a rough surface. 17. The light-emitting device of claim 1, wherein in a top view, the electrode region of the current barrier layer has a width larger than that of the first electrode. 18. The light-emitting device of claim 1, wherein an area of the first region enclosed by a contour of the electrode region of the current barrier layer is larger than an area of the first region covered by the first electrode. | A light-emitting device, includes: a semiconductor stack, including a top surface, wherein the top surface includes a first region and a second region which are coplanar; a current barrier layer formed on the first region, wherein the current barrier layer includes an insulating material; and a transparent conductive layer formed on the current barrier layer and the second region; and a first electrode formed on the transparent conductive layer; wherein the current barrier layer includes: an electrode region at a position corresponding to the first electrode, having a shape substantially the same as the first electrode; and a plurality of extension regions extending from the electrode region and not covered by the first electrode.1. A light-emitting device, comprising:
a semiconductor stack, comprising a top surface, wherein the top surface comprises a first region and a second region which are coplanar; a current barrier layer formed on the first region, wherein the current barrier layer comprises an insulating material; and a transparent conductive layer formed on the current barrier layer and the second region; and a first electrode formed on the transparent conductive layer; wherein the current barrier layer comprises: an electrode region at a position corresponding to the first electrode, having a shape substantially the same as the first electrode; and a plurality of extension regions extending from the electrode region and not covered by the first electrode. 2. The light-emitting device of claim 1, wherein the first electrode comprises a first electrode pad and a first extended electrode, and the electrode region of the current barrier layer is under the first electrode pad and the first extended electrode. 3. The light-emitting device of claim 2, wherein the plurality of extension regions and the first extended electrode extend toward different directions. 4. The light-emitting device of claim 1, wherein the semiconductor stack comprises four sides and the plurality of extension regions extends toward the four sides. 5. The light-emitting device of claim 1, wherein the semiconductor stack comprises a first type semiconductor layer, a second semiconductor layer and an active layer therebetween; and wherein the current barrier layer and the first electrode are formed on the second semiconductor layer. 6. The light-emitting device of claim 5, further comprising:
a second electrode formed on and electrically connecting to the first type semiconductor layer; wherein the first electrode comprises a first electrode pad and a first extended electrode; wherein the semiconductor stack comprises a first side, a second side opposite to the first side, a third side and a fourth side opposite to the third side; wherein the first electrode pad and the second electrode are near the first side and the second side, respectively; and wherein part of the plurality of extension regions extends toward the third side and the fourth side. 7. The light-emitting device of claim 6, wherein one of the plurality of extension regions extends toward the first side. 8. The light-emitting device of claim 6, wherein the first extended electrode extends toward the second side. 9. The light-emitting device of claim 6, wherein part of the plurality of extension regions extends from the electrode region which is under the first electrode pad toward at least one of the first side, the second side, the third side and the fourth side. 10. The light-emitting device of claim 1, wherein the current barrier layer has a sidewall and a bottom surface facing the first region and an angle between the sidewall and the bottom surface is between 10°-70°. 11. The light-emitting device of claim 10, wherein the transparent conductive layer is formed between the sidewall of the current barrier layer and the second region of the semiconductor stack, wherein a difference between a thickness of the transparent conductive layer at the sidewall on the current barrier layer and a thickness of the transparent conductive layer on the second region of the semiconductor stack forms a ratio not larger than 10%. 12. The light-emitting device of claim 1, wherein the current barrier layer comprises silicon oxide (SiO2), silicon nitride (SiNx) or titanium dioxide (TiO2). 13. The light-emitting device of claim 1, wherein the current barrier layer has a resistance larger than 1014 Ω-cm. 14. The light-emitting device of claim 1, wherein the transparent conductive layer contacts the second region. 15. The light-emitting device of claim 1, further comprising:
a substrate under the semiconductor stack, wherein the substrate comprises an inclined sidewall. 16. The light-emitting device of claim 15, wherein the inclined sidewall comprises a rough surface. 17. The light-emitting device of claim 1, wherein in a top view, the electrode region of the current barrier layer has a width larger than that of the first electrode. 18. The light-emitting device of claim 1, wherein an area of the first region enclosed by a contour of the electrode region of the current barrier layer is larger than an area of the first region covered by the first electrode. | 2,400 |
339,924 | 16,800,856 | 2,458 | Various aspects of the present disclosure generally relate to wireless communication. In some aspects, a first wireless communication device may receive, on a sidelink and from a second wireless communication device, resource reservation information associated with the second wireless communication device. The resource reservation information may identify sidelink resources that are reserved for the second wireless communication device for transmission on the sidelink. The first wireless communication device may transmit, on the sidelink, the resource reservation information to a third wireless communication device. Numerous other aspects are provided. | 1. A method of wireless communication performed by a first wireless communication device, comprising:
receiving, on a sidelink and from a second wireless communication device, resource reservation information associated with the second wireless communication device,
wherein the resource reservation information identifies sidelink resources that are reserved for the second wireless communication device for transmission on the sidelink, and
transmitting, on the sidelink, the resource reservation information to a third wireless communication device. 2. The method of claim 1, wherein transmitting the resource reservation information to the third wireless communication device comprises:
transmitting the resource reservation information along with other resource reservation information associated with the first wireless communication device. 3. The method of claim 1, wherein transmitting the resource reservation information to the third wireless communication device comprises:
transmitting the resource reservation information in part two of a two-part sidelink control information communication on a physical sidelink shared channel. 4. The method of claim 1, wherein transmitting the resource reservation information to the third wireless communication device comprises:
transmitting the resource reservation information in a medium access control control element communication along other shared data on a physical sidelink shared channel. 5. The method of claim 1, wherein transmitting the resource reservation information to the third wireless communication device comprises:
transmitting the resource reservation information in a medium access control control element communication on a physical sidelink shared channel, without other shared channel data. 6. The method of claim 1, wherein transmitting the resource reservation information to the third wireless communication device comprises:
transmitting the resource reservation information in part one of a two-part sidelink control information communication on a physical sidelink control channel. 7. The method of claim 1, wherein the resource reservation information comprises at least one of:
an indication of one or more frequency domain resources for transmission on the sidelink by the second wireless communication device, an indication of one or more time domain resources for transmission on the sidelink by the second wireless communication device, a source identifier associated with the second wireless communication device, a destination identifier associated with a destination wireless communication device for one or more sidelink communications to be transmitted on the sidelink by the second wireless communication device, a hybrid automatic repeat request identifier for the one or more sidelink communications, a zone identifier associated with the second wireless communication device, a zone identifier associated with the first wireless communication device, or a reference signal received power measurement for the second wireless communication device and generated by the first wireless communication device. 8. The method of claim 1, further comprising:
receiving, on the sidelink and from one or more fourth wireless communication devices, other resource reservation information associated with the one or more fourth wireless communication devices; and wherein transmitting the resource reservation information to the third wireless communication device comprises:
transmitting the resource reservation information along with the other resource reservation information to the third wireless communication device. 9. The method of claim 1, wherein transmitting the resource reservation information to the third wireless communication device comprises:
transmitting the resource reservation information to the third wireless communication device and to one or more fourth wireless communication devices. 10. The method of claim 1, wherein the sidelink resources are autonomously reserved by the second wireless communication device. 11. The method of claim 1, wherein the sidelink resources are allocated to the second wireless communication device by a base station. 12. The method of claim 1, wherein each of the first wireless communication device, the second wireless communication device, and the third wireless communication device is a user equipment or a road-side unit. 13. A first wireless communication device for wireless communication, comprising:
a memory; and one or more processors operatively coupled to the memory, the memory and the one or more processors configured to:
receive, on a sidelink and from a second wireless communication device, resource reservation information associated with the second wireless communication device,
wherein the resource reservation information identifies sidelink resources that are reserved for the second wireless communication device for transmission on the sidelink, and
transmit, on the sidelink, the resource reservation information to a third wireless communication device. 14. The first wireless communication device of claim 13, wherein the one or more processors, when transmitting the resource reservation information to the third wireless communication device, are configured to:
transmit the resource reservation information along with other resource reservation information associated with the first wireless communication device. 15. The first wireless communication device of claim 13, wherein the one or more processors, when transmitting the resource reservation information to the third wireless communication device, are configured to:
transmit the resource reservation information in part two of a two-part sidelink control information communication on a physical sidelink shared channel. 16. The first wireless communication device of claim 13, wherein the one or more processors, when transmitting the resource reservation information to the third wireless communication device, are configured to:
transmit the resource reservation information in a medium access control control element communication along other shared data on a physical sidelink shared channel. 17. The first wireless communication device of claim 13, wherein the one or more processors, when transmitting the resource reservation information to the third wireless communication device, are configured to:
transmit the resource reservation information in a medium access control control element communication on a physical sidelink shared channel, without other shared channel data. 18. The first wireless communication device of claim 13, wherein the one or more processors, when transmitting the resource reservation information to the third wireless communication device, are configured to:
transmit the resource reservation information in part one of a two-part sidelink control information communication on a physical sidelink control channel. 19. The first wireless communication device of claim 13, wherein the resource reservation information comprises at least one of:
an indication of one or more frequency domain resources for transmission on the sidelink by the second wireless communication device, an indication of one or more time domain resources for transmission on the sidelink by the second wireless communication device, a source identifier associated with the second wireless communication device, a destination identifier associated with a destination wireless communication device for one or more sidelink communications to be transmitted on the sidelink by the second wireless communication device, a hybrid automatic repeat request identifier for the one or more sidelink communications, a zone identifier associated with the second wireless communication device, a zone identifier associated with the first wireless communication device, or a reference signal received power measurement for the second wireless communication device and generated by the first wireless communication device. 20. The first wireless communication device of claim 13, wherein the one or more processors are further configured to:
receive, on the sidelink and from one or more fourth wireless communication devices, other resource reservation information associated with the one or more fourth wireless communication devices; and wherein the one or more processors, when transmitting the resource reservation information to the third wireless communication device, are configured to:
transmit the resource reservation information along with the other resource reservation information to the third wireless communication device. 21. The first wireless communication device of claim 13, wherein the one or more processors, when transmitting the resource reservation information to the third wireless communication device, are configured to:
transmit the resource reservation information to the third wireless communication device and to one or more fourth wireless communication devices. 22. The first wireless communication device of claim 13, wherein the sidelink resources are autonomously reserved by the second wireless communication device. 23. The first wireless communication device of claim 13, wherein the sidelink resources are allocated to the second wireless communication device by a base station. 24. The first wireless communication device of claim 13, wherein each of the first wireless communication device, the second wireless communication device, and the third wireless communication device is a user equipment or a road-side unit. 25. A non-transitory computer-readable medium storing one or more instructions for wireless communication, the one or more instructions comprising:
one or more instructions that, when executed by one or more processors of a first wireless communication device, cause the one or more processors to:
receive, on a sidelink and from a second wireless communication device, resource reservation information associated with the second wireless communication device,
wherein the resource reservation information identifies sidelink resources that are reserved for the second wireless communication device for transmission on the sidelink, and
transmit, on the sidelink, the resource reservation information to a third wireless communication device. 26. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 25, wherein the one or more instructions, that cause the one or more processors to transmit the resource reservation information to the third wireless communication device, cause the one or more processors to:
transmit the resource reservation information along with other resource reservation information associated with the first wireless communication device. 27. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 25, wherein the one or more instructions, that cause the one or more processors to transmit the resource reservation information to the third wireless communication device, cause the one or more processors to:
transmit the resource reservation information in part two of a two-part sidelink control information communication on a physical sidelink shared channel. 28. A first apparatus for wireless communication, comprising:
means for receiving, on a sidelink and from a second apparatus, resource reservation information associated with the second apparatus,
wherein the resource reservation information identifies sidelink resources that are reserved for the second apparatus for transmission on the sidelink, and
means for transmitting, on the sidelink, the resource reservation information to a third apparatus. 29. The apparatus of claim 28, wherein the means for transmitting the resource reservation information to the third apparatus comprises:
means for transmitting the resource reservation information in part two of a two-part sidelink control information communication on a physical sidelink shared channel. 30. The apparatus of claim 28, wherein the means for transmitting the resource reservation information to the third apparatus comprises:
means for transmitting the resource reservation information in part one of a two-part sidelink control information communication on a physical sidelink control channel. | Various aspects of the present disclosure generally relate to wireless communication. In some aspects, a first wireless communication device may receive, on a sidelink and from a second wireless communication device, resource reservation information associated with the second wireless communication device. The resource reservation information may identify sidelink resources that are reserved for the second wireless communication device for transmission on the sidelink. The first wireless communication device may transmit, on the sidelink, the resource reservation information to a third wireless communication device. Numerous other aspects are provided.1. A method of wireless communication performed by a first wireless communication device, comprising:
receiving, on a sidelink and from a second wireless communication device, resource reservation information associated with the second wireless communication device,
wherein the resource reservation information identifies sidelink resources that are reserved for the second wireless communication device for transmission on the sidelink, and
transmitting, on the sidelink, the resource reservation information to a third wireless communication device. 2. The method of claim 1, wherein transmitting the resource reservation information to the third wireless communication device comprises:
transmitting the resource reservation information along with other resource reservation information associated with the first wireless communication device. 3. The method of claim 1, wherein transmitting the resource reservation information to the third wireless communication device comprises:
transmitting the resource reservation information in part two of a two-part sidelink control information communication on a physical sidelink shared channel. 4. The method of claim 1, wherein transmitting the resource reservation information to the third wireless communication device comprises:
transmitting the resource reservation information in a medium access control control element communication along other shared data on a physical sidelink shared channel. 5. The method of claim 1, wherein transmitting the resource reservation information to the third wireless communication device comprises:
transmitting the resource reservation information in a medium access control control element communication on a physical sidelink shared channel, without other shared channel data. 6. The method of claim 1, wherein transmitting the resource reservation information to the third wireless communication device comprises:
transmitting the resource reservation information in part one of a two-part sidelink control information communication on a physical sidelink control channel. 7. The method of claim 1, wherein the resource reservation information comprises at least one of:
an indication of one or more frequency domain resources for transmission on the sidelink by the second wireless communication device, an indication of one or more time domain resources for transmission on the sidelink by the second wireless communication device, a source identifier associated with the second wireless communication device, a destination identifier associated with a destination wireless communication device for one or more sidelink communications to be transmitted on the sidelink by the second wireless communication device, a hybrid automatic repeat request identifier for the one or more sidelink communications, a zone identifier associated with the second wireless communication device, a zone identifier associated with the first wireless communication device, or a reference signal received power measurement for the second wireless communication device and generated by the first wireless communication device. 8. The method of claim 1, further comprising:
receiving, on the sidelink and from one or more fourth wireless communication devices, other resource reservation information associated with the one or more fourth wireless communication devices; and wherein transmitting the resource reservation information to the third wireless communication device comprises:
transmitting the resource reservation information along with the other resource reservation information to the third wireless communication device. 9. The method of claim 1, wherein transmitting the resource reservation information to the third wireless communication device comprises:
transmitting the resource reservation information to the third wireless communication device and to one or more fourth wireless communication devices. 10. The method of claim 1, wherein the sidelink resources are autonomously reserved by the second wireless communication device. 11. The method of claim 1, wherein the sidelink resources are allocated to the second wireless communication device by a base station. 12. The method of claim 1, wherein each of the first wireless communication device, the second wireless communication device, and the third wireless communication device is a user equipment or a road-side unit. 13. A first wireless communication device for wireless communication, comprising:
a memory; and one or more processors operatively coupled to the memory, the memory and the one or more processors configured to:
receive, on a sidelink and from a second wireless communication device, resource reservation information associated with the second wireless communication device,
wherein the resource reservation information identifies sidelink resources that are reserved for the second wireless communication device for transmission on the sidelink, and
transmit, on the sidelink, the resource reservation information to a third wireless communication device. 14. The first wireless communication device of claim 13, wherein the one or more processors, when transmitting the resource reservation information to the third wireless communication device, are configured to:
transmit the resource reservation information along with other resource reservation information associated with the first wireless communication device. 15. The first wireless communication device of claim 13, wherein the one or more processors, when transmitting the resource reservation information to the third wireless communication device, are configured to:
transmit the resource reservation information in part two of a two-part sidelink control information communication on a physical sidelink shared channel. 16. The first wireless communication device of claim 13, wherein the one or more processors, when transmitting the resource reservation information to the third wireless communication device, are configured to:
transmit the resource reservation information in a medium access control control element communication along other shared data on a physical sidelink shared channel. 17. The first wireless communication device of claim 13, wherein the one or more processors, when transmitting the resource reservation information to the third wireless communication device, are configured to:
transmit the resource reservation information in a medium access control control element communication on a physical sidelink shared channel, without other shared channel data. 18. The first wireless communication device of claim 13, wherein the one or more processors, when transmitting the resource reservation information to the third wireless communication device, are configured to:
transmit the resource reservation information in part one of a two-part sidelink control information communication on a physical sidelink control channel. 19. The first wireless communication device of claim 13, wherein the resource reservation information comprises at least one of:
an indication of one or more frequency domain resources for transmission on the sidelink by the second wireless communication device, an indication of one or more time domain resources for transmission on the sidelink by the second wireless communication device, a source identifier associated with the second wireless communication device, a destination identifier associated with a destination wireless communication device for one or more sidelink communications to be transmitted on the sidelink by the second wireless communication device, a hybrid automatic repeat request identifier for the one or more sidelink communications, a zone identifier associated with the second wireless communication device, a zone identifier associated with the first wireless communication device, or a reference signal received power measurement for the second wireless communication device and generated by the first wireless communication device. 20. The first wireless communication device of claim 13, wherein the one or more processors are further configured to:
receive, on the sidelink and from one or more fourth wireless communication devices, other resource reservation information associated with the one or more fourth wireless communication devices; and wherein the one or more processors, when transmitting the resource reservation information to the third wireless communication device, are configured to:
transmit the resource reservation information along with the other resource reservation information to the third wireless communication device. 21. The first wireless communication device of claim 13, wherein the one or more processors, when transmitting the resource reservation information to the third wireless communication device, are configured to:
transmit the resource reservation information to the third wireless communication device and to one or more fourth wireless communication devices. 22. The first wireless communication device of claim 13, wherein the sidelink resources are autonomously reserved by the second wireless communication device. 23. The first wireless communication device of claim 13, wherein the sidelink resources are allocated to the second wireless communication device by a base station. 24. The first wireless communication device of claim 13, wherein each of the first wireless communication device, the second wireless communication device, and the third wireless communication device is a user equipment or a road-side unit. 25. A non-transitory computer-readable medium storing one or more instructions for wireless communication, the one or more instructions comprising:
one or more instructions that, when executed by one or more processors of a first wireless communication device, cause the one or more processors to:
receive, on a sidelink and from a second wireless communication device, resource reservation information associated with the second wireless communication device,
wherein the resource reservation information identifies sidelink resources that are reserved for the second wireless communication device for transmission on the sidelink, and
transmit, on the sidelink, the resource reservation information to a third wireless communication device. 26. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 25, wherein the one or more instructions, that cause the one or more processors to transmit the resource reservation information to the third wireless communication device, cause the one or more processors to:
transmit the resource reservation information along with other resource reservation information associated with the first wireless communication device. 27. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 25, wherein the one or more instructions, that cause the one or more processors to transmit the resource reservation information to the third wireless communication device, cause the one or more processors to:
transmit the resource reservation information in part two of a two-part sidelink control information communication on a physical sidelink shared channel. 28. A first apparatus for wireless communication, comprising:
means for receiving, on a sidelink and from a second apparatus, resource reservation information associated with the second apparatus,
wherein the resource reservation information identifies sidelink resources that are reserved for the second apparatus for transmission on the sidelink, and
means for transmitting, on the sidelink, the resource reservation information to a third apparatus. 29. The apparatus of claim 28, wherein the means for transmitting the resource reservation information to the third apparatus comprises:
means for transmitting the resource reservation information in part two of a two-part sidelink control information communication on a physical sidelink shared channel. 30. The apparatus of claim 28, wherein the means for transmitting the resource reservation information to the third apparatus comprises:
means for transmitting the resource reservation information in part one of a two-part sidelink control information communication on a physical sidelink control channel. | 2,400 |
339,925 | 16,800,898 | 2,458 | An image processing system receives an image depicting a bundle of boards. The bundle of boards has a front face that is perpendicular to a long axis of boards and the image is captured at an angle relative to the long axis. The image processing system applies a homographic transformation to estimate a frontal view of the front face and identifies a plurality of divisions between rows in the estimate. For each adjacent pair of the plurality of divisions between rows, a plurality of vertical divisions is identified. The image processing system identifies a set of bounding boxes defined by pairs of adjacent divisions between rows and pairs of adjacent vertical divisions. The image processing system may filter and/or merge some bounding boxes to better match the bounding boxes to individual boards. Based on the bounding boxes, the image processing system determines the number of boards in the bundle. | 1. A computer-implemented method for an image processing system to analyze a bundle of boards, the bundle of boards having a front face that is perpendicular to a long axis of boards in the bundle, the method comprising:
receiving an image, a portion of the image depicting the bundle of boards, the image captured at an angle relative to the long axis of boards in the bundle; applying a homographic transformation to the image to estimate a frontal view of the front face, the frontal view being an appearance of the front face if viewed from a perspective parallel to the long axis of boards in the bundle; identifying a set of bounding boxes using a neural network, wherein each bounding box represents the front face of a board within the bundle of boards; and determining a number of boards in the bundle based on the set of bounding boxes. 2. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein the homographic transformation is based on corners of the bundle of boards identified using a second convolutional neural network. 3. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein the convolutional neural network was trained using training images, the training images depicting bundles of boards and labeled with bounding boxes indicating locations of front faces of boards in the training images. 4. The computer-implemented method of claim 3, wherein the bounding boxes labeling the bundles of boards in the images on which the convolutional neural network trains are downsized from their original size. 5. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein the convolutional neural network comprises a first convolutional neural network that generates a segmentation map representing boards and a second convolutional neural network that generates a segmentation map representing centers of boards. 6. The computer-implemented method of claim 5, wherein at least one of the first convolutional neural network and the second convolutional neural network is recomputed as a combination between itself and the other convolutional neural network. 7. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein the received image comprises data according to the red, green, and blue (RGB) color model. 8. A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium storing computer program instructions executable by a processor to perform operations to analyze a bundle of boards, the bundle of boards having a front face that is perpendicular to a long axis of boards in the bundle, the operations comprising:
receiving an image, a portion of the image depicting the bundle of boards, the image captured at an angle relative to the long axis of boards in the bundle; applying a homographic transformation to the image to estimate a frontal view of the front face, the frontal view being an appearance of the front face if viewed from a perspective parallel to the long axis of boards in the bundle; identifying a set of bounding boxes using a neural network, wherein each bounding box represents the front face of a board within the bundle of boards; and determining a number of boards in the bundle based on the set of bounding boxes. 9. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of claim 8, wherein the homographic transformation is based on corners of the bundle of boards identified using a second convolutional neural network. 10. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of claim 8, wherein the convolutional neural network was trained using training images, the training images depicting bundles of boards and labeled with bounding boxes indicating locations of front faces of boards in the training images. 11. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of claim 10, wherein the bounding boxes labeling the bundles of boards in the images on which the convolutional neural network trains are downsized from their original size. 12. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of claim 8, wherein the convolutional neural network comprises a first convolutional neural network that generates a segmentation map representing boards and a second convolutional neural network that generates a segmentation map representing centers of boards. 13. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of claim 12, wherein at least one of the first convolutional neural network and the second convolutional neural network is recomputed as a combination between itself and the other convolutional neural network. 14. The computer-implemented method of claim 18, wherein the received image comprises data according to the red, green, and blue (RGB) color model. 15. A system, comprising:
a processor for executing computer program instructions; and a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium storing computer program instructions executable by the processor to perform operations to analyze a bundle of boards, the bundle of boards having a front face that is perpendicular to a long axis of boards in the bundle, the operations comprising:
receiving an image, a portion of the image depicting the bundle of boards, the image captured at an angle relative to the long axis of boards in the bundle;
applying a homographic transformation to the image to estimate a frontal view of the front face, the frontal view being an appearance of the front face if viewed from a perspective parallel to the long axis of boards in the bundle;
identifying a set of bounding boxes using a neural network, wherein each bounding box represents the front face of a board within the bundle of boards; and
determining a number of boards in the bundle based on the set of bounding boxes. 16. The system of claim 15, wherein the homographic transformation is based on corners of the bundle of boards identified using a second convolutional neural network. 17. The system of claim 15, wherein the convolutional neural network was trained using training images, the training images depicting bundles of boards and labeled with bounding boxes indicating locations of front faces of boards in the training images. 18. The system of claim 17, wherein the bounding boxes labeling the bundles of boards in the images on which the convolutional neural network trains are downsized from their original size. 19. The system of claim 15, wherein the convolutional neural network comprises a first convolutional neural network that generates a segmentation map representing boards and a second convolutional neural network that generates a segmentation map representing centers of boards. 20. The system of claim 19, wherein at least one of the first convolutional neural network and the second convolutional neural network is recomputed as a combination between itself and the other convolutional neural network. | An image processing system receives an image depicting a bundle of boards. The bundle of boards has a front face that is perpendicular to a long axis of boards and the image is captured at an angle relative to the long axis. The image processing system applies a homographic transformation to estimate a frontal view of the front face and identifies a plurality of divisions between rows in the estimate. For each adjacent pair of the plurality of divisions between rows, a plurality of vertical divisions is identified. The image processing system identifies a set of bounding boxes defined by pairs of adjacent divisions between rows and pairs of adjacent vertical divisions. The image processing system may filter and/or merge some bounding boxes to better match the bounding boxes to individual boards. Based on the bounding boxes, the image processing system determines the number of boards in the bundle.1. A computer-implemented method for an image processing system to analyze a bundle of boards, the bundle of boards having a front face that is perpendicular to a long axis of boards in the bundle, the method comprising:
receiving an image, a portion of the image depicting the bundle of boards, the image captured at an angle relative to the long axis of boards in the bundle; applying a homographic transformation to the image to estimate a frontal view of the front face, the frontal view being an appearance of the front face if viewed from a perspective parallel to the long axis of boards in the bundle; identifying a set of bounding boxes using a neural network, wherein each bounding box represents the front face of a board within the bundle of boards; and determining a number of boards in the bundle based on the set of bounding boxes. 2. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein the homographic transformation is based on corners of the bundle of boards identified using a second convolutional neural network. 3. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein the convolutional neural network was trained using training images, the training images depicting bundles of boards and labeled with bounding boxes indicating locations of front faces of boards in the training images. 4. The computer-implemented method of claim 3, wherein the bounding boxes labeling the bundles of boards in the images on which the convolutional neural network trains are downsized from their original size. 5. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein the convolutional neural network comprises a first convolutional neural network that generates a segmentation map representing boards and a second convolutional neural network that generates a segmentation map representing centers of boards. 6. The computer-implemented method of claim 5, wherein at least one of the first convolutional neural network and the second convolutional neural network is recomputed as a combination between itself and the other convolutional neural network. 7. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein the received image comprises data according to the red, green, and blue (RGB) color model. 8. A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium storing computer program instructions executable by a processor to perform operations to analyze a bundle of boards, the bundle of boards having a front face that is perpendicular to a long axis of boards in the bundle, the operations comprising:
receiving an image, a portion of the image depicting the bundle of boards, the image captured at an angle relative to the long axis of boards in the bundle; applying a homographic transformation to the image to estimate a frontal view of the front face, the frontal view being an appearance of the front face if viewed from a perspective parallel to the long axis of boards in the bundle; identifying a set of bounding boxes using a neural network, wherein each bounding box represents the front face of a board within the bundle of boards; and determining a number of boards in the bundle based on the set of bounding boxes. 9. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of claim 8, wherein the homographic transformation is based on corners of the bundle of boards identified using a second convolutional neural network. 10. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of claim 8, wherein the convolutional neural network was trained using training images, the training images depicting bundles of boards and labeled with bounding boxes indicating locations of front faces of boards in the training images. 11. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of claim 10, wherein the bounding boxes labeling the bundles of boards in the images on which the convolutional neural network trains are downsized from their original size. 12. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of claim 8, wherein the convolutional neural network comprises a first convolutional neural network that generates a segmentation map representing boards and a second convolutional neural network that generates a segmentation map representing centers of boards. 13. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of claim 12, wherein at least one of the first convolutional neural network and the second convolutional neural network is recomputed as a combination between itself and the other convolutional neural network. 14. The computer-implemented method of claim 18, wherein the received image comprises data according to the red, green, and blue (RGB) color model. 15. A system, comprising:
a processor for executing computer program instructions; and a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium storing computer program instructions executable by the processor to perform operations to analyze a bundle of boards, the bundle of boards having a front face that is perpendicular to a long axis of boards in the bundle, the operations comprising:
receiving an image, a portion of the image depicting the bundle of boards, the image captured at an angle relative to the long axis of boards in the bundle;
applying a homographic transformation to the image to estimate a frontal view of the front face, the frontal view being an appearance of the front face if viewed from a perspective parallel to the long axis of boards in the bundle;
identifying a set of bounding boxes using a neural network, wherein each bounding box represents the front face of a board within the bundle of boards; and
determining a number of boards in the bundle based on the set of bounding boxes. 16. The system of claim 15, wherein the homographic transformation is based on corners of the bundle of boards identified using a second convolutional neural network. 17. The system of claim 15, wherein the convolutional neural network was trained using training images, the training images depicting bundles of boards and labeled with bounding boxes indicating locations of front faces of boards in the training images. 18. The system of claim 17, wherein the bounding boxes labeling the bundles of boards in the images on which the convolutional neural network trains are downsized from their original size. 19. The system of claim 15, wherein the convolutional neural network comprises a first convolutional neural network that generates a segmentation map representing boards and a second convolutional neural network that generates a segmentation map representing centers of boards. 20. The system of claim 19, wherein at least one of the first convolutional neural network and the second convolutional neural network is recomputed as a combination between itself and the other convolutional neural network. | 2,400 |
339,926 | 16,800,851 | 2,458 | An image processing apparatus includes: a hardware encoder that compresses captured images using a dedicated circuit; multiple software encoders that compress the captured images on a general-purpose processor, wherein each of the software encoders compresses the captured images having different total number of pixels and each having a smaller total number of pixels than a total number of pixels employed by the hardware encoder; a non-volatile memory that sequentially stores the captured images compressed by the hardware encoder; and a transmission portion that transmits, using wireless communication, the captured images compressed by the software encoders to a receiver device. | 1. An image processing apparatus comprising:
a hardware encoder that is configured to compress captured images with a dedicated circuit, the captured images being sequentially captured by an imaging device; a plurality of software encoders that is configured to compress the captured images on a general-purpose processor, wherein each of the software encoders compresses the captured images having different total number of pixels and each having a smaller total number of pixels than a total number of pixels employed by the hardware encoder; a non-volatile memory that is configured to sequentially store the captured images compressed by the hardware encoder; and a transmission portion that transmits, through wireless communication, the captured images compressed by the software encoders to a receiver device that is an external device of the image processing apparatus, wherein: the transmission portion selectively employs a type of the receiver device to which the compressed captured image is transmitted for each of the plurality of software encoders. 2. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein:
the image processing apparatus is provided on a vehicle; at least one of the software encoders compresses a captured image in a partial region of each of the captured images sequentially captured by the imaging device; and a region compressed by the at least one of the software encoders in each of the captured images sequentially captured by the imaging device is changed in accordance with a traveling state of the vehicle. 3. The image processing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein:
an imaging range of the imaging device includes at least a front of the vehicle; and the region compressed by the at least one of the software encoders is a partial region in the front of the vehicle in each of the captured images sequentially captured by the imaging device during traveling of the vehicle, and includes an area where a moving object is located in each of the captured images sequentially captured by the imaging device during a stop of the vehicle. 4. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising:
a reception portion that receives a target image request transmitted from the receiver device to which the captured image compressed by a software encoder of the software encoders has been transmitted, the target image request requesting a target image as a captured image compressed by the hardware encoder and corresponding to the captured image compressed by the corresponding software encoder, wherein: the transmission portion transmits the target image accumulated in the non-volatile memory to the receiver device that is a transmission source of the target image request in response to that the reception portion receives the target image request. 5. An image processing apparatus comprising:
a hardware encoder that is configured to compress captured images with a dedicated circuit, the captured images being sequentially captured by the imaging device; a software encoder that is configured to compress the captured images on a general-purpose processor to have a smaller total number of pixels than a total number of pixels employed by the hardware encoder; a non-volatile memory that is configured to sequentially store the captured images compressed by the hardware encoder; and a transmission portion that transmits, through wireless communication, the captured images compressed by the software encoder to a receiver device that is an external device of the image processing apparatus, wherein: the image processing apparatus is provided on a vehicle; the software encoder compresses a captured image in a partial region of each of the captured images sequentially captured by the imaging device; a region compressed by the software encoder in each of the captured images sequentially captured by the imaging device is changed in accordance with a traveling state of the vehicle; an imaging range of the imaging device includes at least a front of the vehicle; and the region compressed by the software encoder is a partial region in the front of the vehicle in each of the captured images sequentially captured by the imaging device during traveling of the vehicle, and includes an area where a moving object is located in each of the captured images sequentially captured by the imaging device during a stop of the vehicle. 6. The image processing apparatus according to claim 5, further comprising:
a reception portion that receives a target image request transmitted from the receiver device to which the captured image compressed by the software encoder has been transmitted, the target image request requesting a target image as a captured image compressed by the hardware encoder and corresponding to the captured image compressed by the software encoder, wherein: the transmission portion transmits the target image accumulated in the non-volatile memory to the receiver device that is a transmission source of the target image request in response to that the reception portion receives the target image request. 7. An image processing apparatus comprising:
a hardware encoder that is configured to compress a captured image captured by an imaging device with a dedicated circuit; a non-volatile memory that is configured to store a compressed image compressed by the hardware encoder; a general-purpose processor that includes
a first software encoder that is configured to compress the captured image to generate a first compressed image;
a second software encoder that is configured to compress the captured image to generate a second compressed image, wherein total number of pixel of the first compressed image is different from total number of pixel of the second compressed image, and each of the total numbers of pixels of the first compressed image and the second compressed image is smaller than a total number of pixels of the compressed image by the hardware encoder; and
a transmission portion that transmits, through wireless communication, the first compressed image and the second compressed image to at least two receiver devices outside the image processing apparatus, wherein: the transmission portion selects a receiver device of the receiver devices to which each of the compressed images is transmitted for each of the software encoders. | An image processing apparatus includes: a hardware encoder that compresses captured images using a dedicated circuit; multiple software encoders that compress the captured images on a general-purpose processor, wherein each of the software encoders compresses the captured images having different total number of pixels and each having a smaller total number of pixels than a total number of pixels employed by the hardware encoder; a non-volatile memory that sequentially stores the captured images compressed by the hardware encoder; and a transmission portion that transmits, using wireless communication, the captured images compressed by the software encoders to a receiver device.1. An image processing apparatus comprising:
a hardware encoder that is configured to compress captured images with a dedicated circuit, the captured images being sequentially captured by an imaging device; a plurality of software encoders that is configured to compress the captured images on a general-purpose processor, wherein each of the software encoders compresses the captured images having different total number of pixels and each having a smaller total number of pixels than a total number of pixels employed by the hardware encoder; a non-volatile memory that is configured to sequentially store the captured images compressed by the hardware encoder; and a transmission portion that transmits, through wireless communication, the captured images compressed by the software encoders to a receiver device that is an external device of the image processing apparatus, wherein: the transmission portion selectively employs a type of the receiver device to which the compressed captured image is transmitted for each of the plurality of software encoders. 2. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein:
the image processing apparatus is provided on a vehicle; at least one of the software encoders compresses a captured image in a partial region of each of the captured images sequentially captured by the imaging device; and a region compressed by the at least one of the software encoders in each of the captured images sequentially captured by the imaging device is changed in accordance with a traveling state of the vehicle. 3. The image processing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein:
an imaging range of the imaging device includes at least a front of the vehicle; and the region compressed by the at least one of the software encoders is a partial region in the front of the vehicle in each of the captured images sequentially captured by the imaging device during traveling of the vehicle, and includes an area where a moving object is located in each of the captured images sequentially captured by the imaging device during a stop of the vehicle. 4. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising:
a reception portion that receives a target image request transmitted from the receiver device to which the captured image compressed by a software encoder of the software encoders has been transmitted, the target image request requesting a target image as a captured image compressed by the hardware encoder and corresponding to the captured image compressed by the corresponding software encoder, wherein: the transmission portion transmits the target image accumulated in the non-volatile memory to the receiver device that is a transmission source of the target image request in response to that the reception portion receives the target image request. 5. An image processing apparatus comprising:
a hardware encoder that is configured to compress captured images with a dedicated circuit, the captured images being sequentially captured by the imaging device; a software encoder that is configured to compress the captured images on a general-purpose processor to have a smaller total number of pixels than a total number of pixels employed by the hardware encoder; a non-volatile memory that is configured to sequentially store the captured images compressed by the hardware encoder; and a transmission portion that transmits, through wireless communication, the captured images compressed by the software encoder to a receiver device that is an external device of the image processing apparatus, wherein: the image processing apparatus is provided on a vehicle; the software encoder compresses a captured image in a partial region of each of the captured images sequentially captured by the imaging device; a region compressed by the software encoder in each of the captured images sequentially captured by the imaging device is changed in accordance with a traveling state of the vehicle; an imaging range of the imaging device includes at least a front of the vehicle; and the region compressed by the software encoder is a partial region in the front of the vehicle in each of the captured images sequentially captured by the imaging device during traveling of the vehicle, and includes an area where a moving object is located in each of the captured images sequentially captured by the imaging device during a stop of the vehicle. 6. The image processing apparatus according to claim 5, further comprising:
a reception portion that receives a target image request transmitted from the receiver device to which the captured image compressed by the software encoder has been transmitted, the target image request requesting a target image as a captured image compressed by the hardware encoder and corresponding to the captured image compressed by the software encoder, wherein: the transmission portion transmits the target image accumulated in the non-volatile memory to the receiver device that is a transmission source of the target image request in response to that the reception portion receives the target image request. 7. An image processing apparatus comprising:
a hardware encoder that is configured to compress a captured image captured by an imaging device with a dedicated circuit; a non-volatile memory that is configured to store a compressed image compressed by the hardware encoder; a general-purpose processor that includes
a first software encoder that is configured to compress the captured image to generate a first compressed image;
a second software encoder that is configured to compress the captured image to generate a second compressed image, wherein total number of pixel of the first compressed image is different from total number of pixel of the second compressed image, and each of the total numbers of pixels of the first compressed image and the second compressed image is smaller than a total number of pixels of the compressed image by the hardware encoder; and
a transmission portion that transmits, through wireless communication, the first compressed image and the second compressed image to at least two receiver devices outside the image processing apparatus, wherein: the transmission portion selects a receiver device of the receiver devices to which each of the compressed images is transmitted for each of the software encoders. | 2,400 |
339,927 | 16,800,846 | 2,458 | Discussed herein are devices, systems, and methods for multi-image ground control point (GCP) determination. A method can include extracting, from a first image including image data of a first geographical region, a first image template, the first image template including a contiguous subset of pixels from the first image and a first pixel of the first image indicated by the GCP, predicting a first pixel location of the GCP in a second image, the second image including image data of a second geographical overlapping with the first geographical region, extracting, from the second image, a second image template, the second image template including a contiguous subset of pixels from the second image and a second pixel corresponding to the pixel location, identifying a second pixel of the second image corresponding to a highest correlation score, and adding a second pixel location of the identified pixel to the GCP. | 1. A computer-implemented method for multi-image ground control point (GCP) determination, the method comprising:
extracting, from a first image including image data of a first geographical region, a first image template, the first image template including a contiguous subset of pixels from the first image and a first pixel of the first image indicated by the GCP; predicting a first pixel location of the GCP in a second image, the second image including image data of a second geographical overlapping with the first geographical region; extracting, from the second image, a second image template, the second image template including a contiguous subset of pixels from the second image and a second pixel corresponding to the pixel location; identifying a second pixel of the second image corresponding to a highest correlation score; and adding a second pixel location of the identified pixel to the GCP. 2. The method of claim 1, further comprising determining respective correlation scores, using a normalized cross-correlation, for the first image template centered at a variety of pixels of the second image template. 3. The method of claim 2, further comprising comparing a highest score of the correlation scores to a first threshold value and discarding the second pixel location if the ratio is less than the second threshold value. 4. The method of claim 3, further comprising comparing a ratio, of the highest correlation score to a second highest correlation score, to a second threshold value and discarding the second pixel location if the ratio is less than the second threshold value. 5. The method of claim 1, wherein the first pixel is the center of the first image template. 6. The method of claim 1, wherein the second pixel is the center of the second image template. 7. The method of claim 1, further comprising warping the second image template using an affine transformation before identifying the second pixel. 8. The method of claim 7, further comprising projecting the identified second pixel to an image space of the second pixel to determine the second pixel location. 9. A non-transitory machine-readable medium including instructions that, when executed by a machine, cause a machine to perform operations for determining a multi-image ground control point (GCP), the operations comprising:
extracting, from a first image including image data of a first geographical region, a first image template, the first image template including a contiguous subset of pixels from the first image and a first pixel of the first image indicated by the GCP; predicting a first pixel location of the GCP in a second image, the second image including image data of a second geographical overlapping with the first geographical region; extracting, from the second image, a second image template, the second image template including a contiguous subset of pixels from the second image and a second pixel corresponding to the pixel location; identifying a second pixel of the second image corresponding to a highest correlation score; and adding a second pixel location of the identified pixel to the GCP. 10. The non-transitory machine-readable medium of claim 9, wherein the operations further comprise determining respective correlation scores, using a normalized cross-correlation, for the first image template centered at a variety of pixels of the second image template. 11. The non-transitory machine-readable medium of claim 10, wherein the operation further comprise comparing a highest score of the correlation scores to a first threshold value and discarding the second pixel location if the ratio is less than the second threshold value. 12. The non-transitory machine-readable medium of claim 11, wherein the operations further comprise comparing a ratio, of the highest correlation score to a second highest correlation score, to a second threshold value and discarding the second pixel location if the ratio is less than the second threshold value. 13. The non-transitory machine-readable medium of claim 9, wherein the first pixel is the center of the first image template. 14. The non-transitory machine-readable medium of claim 9, wherein the second pixel is the center of the second image template. 15. The non-transitory machine-readable medium of claim 9, wherein the operations further comprise warping the second image template using an affine transformation before identifying the second pixel. 16. The non-transitory machine-readable medium of claim 15, wherein the operations further comprise projecting the identified second pixel to an image space of the second pixel to determine the second pixel location. 17. A system comprising:
a memory including image data of first and second images of a geographical region stored thereon; processing circuitry coupled to the memory, the processing circuitry configured to: extract, from the first image, a first image template, the first image template including a contiguous subset of pixels from the first image and a first pixel of the first image indicated by the GCP; predict a first pixel location of the GCP in the second image; extract, from the second image, a second image template, the second image template including a contiguous subset of pixels from the second image and a second pixel corresponding to the pixel location; identify a second pixel of the second image corresponding to a highest correlation score; and add a second pixel location of the identified pixel to the GCP. 18. The system of claim 17, wherein the processing circuitry is further configured to determine respective correlation scores, using a normalized cross-correlation, for the first image template centered at a variety of pixels of the second image template. 19. The system of claim 17, wherein the processing circuitry is further configured to compare a highest score of the correlation scores to a first threshold value and discard the second pixel location if the ratio is less than the second threshold value. 20. The system of claim 19, wherein the processing circuitry is further configured to compare a ratio, of the highest correlation score to a second highest correlation score, to a second threshold value and discarding the second pixel location if the ratio is less than the second threshold value. | Discussed herein are devices, systems, and methods for multi-image ground control point (GCP) determination. A method can include extracting, from a first image including image data of a first geographical region, a first image template, the first image template including a contiguous subset of pixels from the first image and a first pixel of the first image indicated by the GCP, predicting a first pixel location of the GCP in a second image, the second image including image data of a second geographical overlapping with the first geographical region, extracting, from the second image, a second image template, the second image template including a contiguous subset of pixels from the second image and a second pixel corresponding to the pixel location, identifying a second pixel of the second image corresponding to a highest correlation score, and adding a second pixel location of the identified pixel to the GCP.1. A computer-implemented method for multi-image ground control point (GCP) determination, the method comprising:
extracting, from a first image including image data of a first geographical region, a first image template, the first image template including a contiguous subset of pixels from the first image and a first pixel of the first image indicated by the GCP; predicting a first pixel location of the GCP in a second image, the second image including image data of a second geographical overlapping with the first geographical region; extracting, from the second image, a second image template, the second image template including a contiguous subset of pixels from the second image and a second pixel corresponding to the pixel location; identifying a second pixel of the second image corresponding to a highest correlation score; and adding a second pixel location of the identified pixel to the GCP. 2. The method of claim 1, further comprising determining respective correlation scores, using a normalized cross-correlation, for the first image template centered at a variety of pixels of the second image template. 3. The method of claim 2, further comprising comparing a highest score of the correlation scores to a first threshold value and discarding the second pixel location if the ratio is less than the second threshold value. 4. The method of claim 3, further comprising comparing a ratio, of the highest correlation score to a second highest correlation score, to a second threshold value and discarding the second pixel location if the ratio is less than the second threshold value. 5. The method of claim 1, wherein the first pixel is the center of the first image template. 6. The method of claim 1, wherein the second pixel is the center of the second image template. 7. The method of claim 1, further comprising warping the second image template using an affine transformation before identifying the second pixel. 8. The method of claim 7, further comprising projecting the identified second pixel to an image space of the second pixel to determine the second pixel location. 9. A non-transitory machine-readable medium including instructions that, when executed by a machine, cause a machine to perform operations for determining a multi-image ground control point (GCP), the operations comprising:
extracting, from a first image including image data of a first geographical region, a first image template, the first image template including a contiguous subset of pixels from the first image and a first pixel of the first image indicated by the GCP; predicting a first pixel location of the GCP in a second image, the second image including image data of a second geographical overlapping with the first geographical region; extracting, from the second image, a second image template, the second image template including a contiguous subset of pixels from the second image and a second pixel corresponding to the pixel location; identifying a second pixel of the second image corresponding to a highest correlation score; and adding a second pixel location of the identified pixel to the GCP. 10. The non-transitory machine-readable medium of claim 9, wherein the operations further comprise determining respective correlation scores, using a normalized cross-correlation, for the first image template centered at a variety of pixels of the second image template. 11. The non-transitory machine-readable medium of claim 10, wherein the operation further comprise comparing a highest score of the correlation scores to a first threshold value and discarding the second pixel location if the ratio is less than the second threshold value. 12. The non-transitory machine-readable medium of claim 11, wherein the operations further comprise comparing a ratio, of the highest correlation score to a second highest correlation score, to a second threshold value and discarding the second pixel location if the ratio is less than the second threshold value. 13. The non-transitory machine-readable medium of claim 9, wherein the first pixel is the center of the first image template. 14. The non-transitory machine-readable medium of claim 9, wherein the second pixel is the center of the second image template. 15. The non-transitory machine-readable medium of claim 9, wherein the operations further comprise warping the second image template using an affine transformation before identifying the second pixel. 16. The non-transitory machine-readable medium of claim 15, wherein the operations further comprise projecting the identified second pixel to an image space of the second pixel to determine the second pixel location. 17. A system comprising:
a memory including image data of first and second images of a geographical region stored thereon; processing circuitry coupled to the memory, the processing circuitry configured to: extract, from the first image, a first image template, the first image template including a contiguous subset of pixels from the first image and a first pixel of the first image indicated by the GCP; predict a first pixel location of the GCP in the second image; extract, from the second image, a second image template, the second image template including a contiguous subset of pixels from the second image and a second pixel corresponding to the pixel location; identify a second pixel of the second image corresponding to a highest correlation score; and add a second pixel location of the identified pixel to the GCP. 18. The system of claim 17, wherein the processing circuitry is further configured to determine respective correlation scores, using a normalized cross-correlation, for the first image template centered at a variety of pixels of the second image template. 19. The system of claim 17, wherein the processing circuitry is further configured to compare a highest score of the correlation scores to a first threshold value and discard the second pixel location if the ratio is less than the second threshold value. 20. The system of claim 19, wherein the processing circuitry is further configured to compare a ratio, of the highest correlation score to a second highest correlation score, to a second threshold value and discarding the second pixel location if the ratio is less than the second threshold value. | 2,400 |
339,928 | 16,800,904 | 2,458 | Discussed herein are devices, systems, and methods for multi-image ground control point (GCP) determination. A method can include extracting, from a first image including image data of a first geographical region, a first image template, the first image template including a contiguous subset of pixels from the first image and a first pixel of the first image indicated by the GCP, predicting a first pixel location of the GCP in a second image, the second image including image data of a second geographical overlapping with the first geographical region, extracting, from the second image, a second image template, the second image template including a contiguous subset of pixels from the second image and a second pixel corresponding to the pixel location, identifying a second pixel of the second image corresponding to a highest correlation score, and adding a second pixel location of the identified pixel to the GCP. | 1. A computer-implemented method for multi-image ground control point (GCP) determination, the method comprising:
extracting, from a first image including image data of a first geographical region, a first image template, the first image template including a contiguous subset of pixels from the first image and a first pixel of the first image indicated by the GCP; predicting a first pixel location of the GCP in a second image, the second image including image data of a second geographical overlapping with the first geographical region; extracting, from the second image, a second image template, the second image template including a contiguous subset of pixels from the second image and a second pixel corresponding to the pixel location; identifying a second pixel of the second image corresponding to a highest correlation score; and adding a second pixel location of the identified pixel to the GCP. 2. The method of claim 1, further comprising determining respective correlation scores, using a normalized cross-correlation, for the first image template centered at a variety of pixels of the second image template. 3. The method of claim 2, further comprising comparing a highest score of the correlation scores to a first threshold value and discarding the second pixel location if the ratio is less than the second threshold value. 4. The method of claim 3, further comprising comparing a ratio, of the highest correlation score to a second highest correlation score, to a second threshold value and discarding the second pixel location if the ratio is less than the second threshold value. 5. The method of claim 1, wherein the first pixel is the center of the first image template. 6. The method of claim 1, wherein the second pixel is the center of the second image template. 7. The method of claim 1, further comprising warping the second image template using an affine transformation before identifying the second pixel. 8. The method of claim 7, further comprising projecting the identified second pixel to an image space of the second pixel to determine the second pixel location. 9. A non-transitory machine-readable medium including instructions that, when executed by a machine, cause a machine to perform operations for determining a multi-image ground control point (GCP), the operations comprising:
extracting, from a first image including image data of a first geographical region, a first image template, the first image template including a contiguous subset of pixels from the first image and a first pixel of the first image indicated by the GCP; predicting a first pixel location of the GCP in a second image, the second image including image data of a second geographical overlapping with the first geographical region; extracting, from the second image, a second image template, the second image template including a contiguous subset of pixels from the second image and a second pixel corresponding to the pixel location; identifying a second pixel of the second image corresponding to a highest correlation score; and adding a second pixel location of the identified pixel to the GCP. 10. The non-transitory machine-readable medium of claim 9, wherein the operations further comprise determining respective correlation scores, using a normalized cross-correlation, for the first image template centered at a variety of pixels of the second image template. 11. The non-transitory machine-readable medium of claim 10, wherein the operation further comprise comparing a highest score of the correlation scores to a first threshold value and discarding the second pixel location if the ratio is less than the second threshold value. 12. The non-transitory machine-readable medium of claim 11, wherein the operations further comprise comparing a ratio, of the highest correlation score to a second highest correlation score, to a second threshold value and discarding the second pixel location if the ratio is less than the second threshold value. 13. The non-transitory machine-readable medium of claim 9, wherein the first pixel is the center of the first image template. 14. The non-transitory machine-readable medium of claim 9, wherein the second pixel is the center of the second image template. 15. The non-transitory machine-readable medium of claim 9, wherein the operations further comprise warping the second image template using an affine transformation before identifying the second pixel. 16. The non-transitory machine-readable medium of claim 15, wherein the operations further comprise projecting the identified second pixel to an image space of the second pixel to determine the second pixel location. 17. A system comprising:
a memory including image data of first and second images of a geographical region stored thereon; processing circuitry coupled to the memory, the processing circuitry configured to: extract, from the first image, a first image template, the first image template including a contiguous subset of pixels from the first image and a first pixel of the first image indicated by the GCP; predict a first pixel location of the GCP in the second image; extract, from the second image, a second image template, the second image template including a contiguous subset of pixels from the second image and a second pixel corresponding to the pixel location; identify a second pixel of the second image corresponding to a highest correlation score; and add a second pixel location of the identified pixel to the GCP. 18. The system of claim 17, wherein the processing circuitry is further configured to determine respective correlation scores, using a normalized cross-correlation, for the first image template centered at a variety of pixels of the second image template. 19. The system of claim 17, wherein the processing circuitry is further configured to compare a highest score of the correlation scores to a first threshold value and discard the second pixel location if the ratio is less than the second threshold value. 20. The system of claim 19, wherein the processing circuitry is further configured to compare a ratio, of the highest correlation score to a second highest correlation score, to a second threshold value and discarding the second pixel location if the ratio is less than the second threshold value. | Discussed herein are devices, systems, and methods for multi-image ground control point (GCP) determination. A method can include extracting, from a first image including image data of a first geographical region, a first image template, the first image template including a contiguous subset of pixels from the first image and a first pixel of the first image indicated by the GCP, predicting a first pixel location of the GCP in a second image, the second image including image data of a second geographical overlapping with the first geographical region, extracting, from the second image, a second image template, the second image template including a contiguous subset of pixels from the second image and a second pixel corresponding to the pixel location, identifying a second pixel of the second image corresponding to a highest correlation score, and adding a second pixel location of the identified pixel to the GCP.1. A computer-implemented method for multi-image ground control point (GCP) determination, the method comprising:
extracting, from a first image including image data of a first geographical region, a first image template, the first image template including a contiguous subset of pixels from the first image and a first pixel of the first image indicated by the GCP; predicting a first pixel location of the GCP in a second image, the second image including image data of a second geographical overlapping with the first geographical region; extracting, from the second image, a second image template, the second image template including a contiguous subset of pixels from the second image and a second pixel corresponding to the pixel location; identifying a second pixel of the second image corresponding to a highest correlation score; and adding a second pixel location of the identified pixel to the GCP. 2. The method of claim 1, further comprising determining respective correlation scores, using a normalized cross-correlation, for the first image template centered at a variety of pixels of the second image template. 3. The method of claim 2, further comprising comparing a highest score of the correlation scores to a first threshold value and discarding the second pixel location if the ratio is less than the second threshold value. 4. The method of claim 3, further comprising comparing a ratio, of the highest correlation score to a second highest correlation score, to a second threshold value and discarding the second pixel location if the ratio is less than the second threshold value. 5. The method of claim 1, wherein the first pixel is the center of the first image template. 6. The method of claim 1, wherein the second pixel is the center of the second image template. 7. The method of claim 1, further comprising warping the second image template using an affine transformation before identifying the second pixel. 8. The method of claim 7, further comprising projecting the identified second pixel to an image space of the second pixel to determine the second pixel location. 9. A non-transitory machine-readable medium including instructions that, when executed by a machine, cause a machine to perform operations for determining a multi-image ground control point (GCP), the operations comprising:
extracting, from a first image including image data of a first geographical region, a first image template, the first image template including a contiguous subset of pixels from the first image and a first pixel of the first image indicated by the GCP; predicting a first pixel location of the GCP in a second image, the second image including image data of a second geographical overlapping with the first geographical region; extracting, from the second image, a second image template, the second image template including a contiguous subset of pixels from the second image and a second pixel corresponding to the pixel location; identifying a second pixel of the second image corresponding to a highest correlation score; and adding a second pixel location of the identified pixel to the GCP. 10. The non-transitory machine-readable medium of claim 9, wherein the operations further comprise determining respective correlation scores, using a normalized cross-correlation, for the first image template centered at a variety of pixels of the second image template. 11. The non-transitory machine-readable medium of claim 10, wherein the operation further comprise comparing a highest score of the correlation scores to a first threshold value and discarding the second pixel location if the ratio is less than the second threshold value. 12. The non-transitory machine-readable medium of claim 11, wherein the operations further comprise comparing a ratio, of the highest correlation score to a second highest correlation score, to a second threshold value and discarding the second pixel location if the ratio is less than the second threshold value. 13. The non-transitory machine-readable medium of claim 9, wherein the first pixel is the center of the first image template. 14. The non-transitory machine-readable medium of claim 9, wherein the second pixel is the center of the second image template. 15. The non-transitory machine-readable medium of claim 9, wherein the operations further comprise warping the second image template using an affine transformation before identifying the second pixel. 16. The non-transitory machine-readable medium of claim 15, wherein the operations further comprise projecting the identified second pixel to an image space of the second pixel to determine the second pixel location. 17. A system comprising:
a memory including image data of first and second images of a geographical region stored thereon; processing circuitry coupled to the memory, the processing circuitry configured to: extract, from the first image, a first image template, the first image template including a contiguous subset of pixels from the first image and a first pixel of the first image indicated by the GCP; predict a first pixel location of the GCP in the second image; extract, from the second image, a second image template, the second image template including a contiguous subset of pixels from the second image and a second pixel corresponding to the pixel location; identify a second pixel of the second image corresponding to a highest correlation score; and add a second pixel location of the identified pixel to the GCP. 18. The system of claim 17, wherein the processing circuitry is further configured to determine respective correlation scores, using a normalized cross-correlation, for the first image template centered at a variety of pixels of the second image template. 19. The system of claim 17, wherein the processing circuitry is further configured to compare a highest score of the correlation scores to a first threshold value and discard the second pixel location if the ratio is less than the second threshold value. 20. The system of claim 19, wherein the processing circuitry is further configured to compare a ratio, of the highest correlation score to a second highest correlation score, to a second threshold value and discarding the second pixel location if the ratio is less than the second threshold value. | 2,400 |
339,929 | 16,800,915 | 2,458 | An information processing apparatus, an information processing method, and a program, which make it possible for a user to listen to an audio signal more appropriately, are provided. An information processing apparatus, including: behavior recognition unit configured to recognize behavior of a user on a basis of sensing information of at least one of the user and an environment; a processing controller configured to control, on a basis of the recognized behavior of the user, signal processing with respect to at least one of an audio signal listened to by the user, a noise reduction signal, and an external sound monitor signal; and a signal processing unit configured to execute the signal processing. | 1-14. (canceled) 15. An information processing apparatus, comprising:
one or more sensors configured to measure sensing information of a user; a processor configured to perform instructions to:
recognize a behavior of the user on a basis of the sensing information, wherein the recognized behavior of the user is at least one of: stopping, walking, running, and/or being in a vehicle;
control, on a basis of the recognized behavior of the user, signal processing; and
execute the signal processing of noise reduction and external sound monitor on an audio signal. 16. The information processing apparatus according to claim 15, wherein the processor is configured to perform instructions to: recognize the behavior of the user using a machine learning algorithm that processes the sensing information. 17. The information processing apparatus according to claim 15, wherein the processor is configured to perform instructions to: generate a noise reduction signal, wherein the noise reduction signal is a signal that reduces noise included in a collected external sound. 18. The information processing apparatus according to claim 17, wherein the processor is configured to perform instructions to: control generation of the noise reduction signal on a basis of movement speed of the user. 19. The information processing apparatus according to claim 15, wherein the processor is configured to perform instructions to: control acoustic processing on the audio signal. 20. The information processing apparatus according to claim 15, wherein the processor is configured to perform instructions to: generate an external sound monitor signal including a collected external sound. 21. The information processing apparatus according to claim 20, wherein the signal processing with respect to the external sound monitor signal allows the user to hear at least a portion of the collected external sound. 22. The information processing apparatus according to claim 15, wherein the processor is configured to perform instructions to: control amplification processing on the audio signal. 23. The information processing apparatus according to claim 15, wherein the control performed on the basis of the recognized behavior of the user is settable by the user. 24. The information processing apparatus according to claim 15, wherein the processor is configured to perform instructions to: recognize the behavior of the user further based on an external sound. 25. The information processing apparatus according to claim 15, wherein the processor is configured to perform instructions to:
recognize a behavior pattern of the user on a basis of position information of the user; and control the signal processing further on the basis of the recognized behavior pattern of the user. 26. An information processing method, the method comprising:
recognizing a behavior of a user on a basis of sensing information of a sensor, wherein the recognized behavior of the user is at least one of: stopping, walking, running, and/or being in a vehicle; controlling, on a basis of the recognized behavior of the user, signal processing; and executing the signal processing of noise reduction and external sound monitor. 27. The information processing method of claim 26, wherein the recognized behavior of the user is determined by using a machine learning algorithm to process the sensing information. 28. The information processing method of claim 26, further comprising:
recognizing a behavior pattern of the user on a basis of position information of the user; and controlling the signal processing further on the basis of the recognized behavior pattern of the user. 29. The information processing method of claim 26, further comprising: generating a noise reduction signal on a basis of movement speed of the user, wherein the noise reduction signal is a signal that reduces noise included in a collected external sound. 30. The information processing method of claim 26, further comprising:
recognizing the behavior of the user further based on an external sound. 31. A computing apparatus comprising:
one or more computer readable storage media; a processing system operatively coupled with the one or more computer readable storage media; and program instructions stored on the one or more computer readable storage media that when read and executed by the processing system, direct the processing system to at least:
recognize a behavior of a user on a basis of sensing information of a sensor, wherein the recognized behavior of the user is at least one of: stopping, walking, running, and/or being in a vehicle;
control, on a basis of the recognized behavior of the user, signal processing; and
execute the signal processing of noise reduction and external sound monitor in accordance with a control from the processing controller. 32. The computing apparatus of claim 31, further comprising the program instructions that when read and executed by the processing system, direct the processing system to at least: use a machine learning algorithm to process the sensing information to recognize the behavior of the user. 33. The computing apparatus of claim 31, further comprising the program instructions that when read and executed by the processing system, direct the processing system to at least:
recognize a behavior pattern of the user on a basis of position information of the user; and control the signal processing further on the basis of the recognized behavior pattern of the user. 34. The computing apparatus of claim 31, further comprising the program instructions that when read and executed by the processing system, direct the processing system to at least: generate a noise reduction signal on a basis of movement speed of the user, wherein the noise reduction signal is a signal that reduces noise included in a collected external sound. | An information processing apparatus, an information processing method, and a program, which make it possible for a user to listen to an audio signal more appropriately, are provided. An information processing apparatus, including: behavior recognition unit configured to recognize behavior of a user on a basis of sensing information of at least one of the user and an environment; a processing controller configured to control, on a basis of the recognized behavior of the user, signal processing with respect to at least one of an audio signal listened to by the user, a noise reduction signal, and an external sound monitor signal; and a signal processing unit configured to execute the signal processing.1-14. (canceled) 15. An information processing apparatus, comprising:
one or more sensors configured to measure sensing information of a user; a processor configured to perform instructions to:
recognize a behavior of the user on a basis of the sensing information, wherein the recognized behavior of the user is at least one of: stopping, walking, running, and/or being in a vehicle;
control, on a basis of the recognized behavior of the user, signal processing; and
execute the signal processing of noise reduction and external sound monitor on an audio signal. 16. The information processing apparatus according to claim 15, wherein the processor is configured to perform instructions to: recognize the behavior of the user using a machine learning algorithm that processes the sensing information. 17. The information processing apparatus according to claim 15, wherein the processor is configured to perform instructions to: generate a noise reduction signal, wherein the noise reduction signal is a signal that reduces noise included in a collected external sound. 18. The information processing apparatus according to claim 17, wherein the processor is configured to perform instructions to: control generation of the noise reduction signal on a basis of movement speed of the user. 19. The information processing apparatus according to claim 15, wherein the processor is configured to perform instructions to: control acoustic processing on the audio signal. 20. The information processing apparatus according to claim 15, wherein the processor is configured to perform instructions to: generate an external sound monitor signal including a collected external sound. 21. The information processing apparatus according to claim 20, wherein the signal processing with respect to the external sound monitor signal allows the user to hear at least a portion of the collected external sound. 22. The information processing apparatus according to claim 15, wherein the processor is configured to perform instructions to: control amplification processing on the audio signal. 23. The information processing apparatus according to claim 15, wherein the control performed on the basis of the recognized behavior of the user is settable by the user. 24. The information processing apparatus according to claim 15, wherein the processor is configured to perform instructions to: recognize the behavior of the user further based on an external sound. 25. The information processing apparatus according to claim 15, wherein the processor is configured to perform instructions to:
recognize a behavior pattern of the user on a basis of position information of the user; and control the signal processing further on the basis of the recognized behavior pattern of the user. 26. An information processing method, the method comprising:
recognizing a behavior of a user on a basis of sensing information of a sensor, wherein the recognized behavior of the user is at least one of: stopping, walking, running, and/or being in a vehicle; controlling, on a basis of the recognized behavior of the user, signal processing; and executing the signal processing of noise reduction and external sound monitor. 27. The information processing method of claim 26, wherein the recognized behavior of the user is determined by using a machine learning algorithm to process the sensing information. 28. The information processing method of claim 26, further comprising:
recognizing a behavior pattern of the user on a basis of position information of the user; and controlling the signal processing further on the basis of the recognized behavior pattern of the user. 29. The information processing method of claim 26, further comprising: generating a noise reduction signal on a basis of movement speed of the user, wherein the noise reduction signal is a signal that reduces noise included in a collected external sound. 30. The information processing method of claim 26, further comprising:
recognizing the behavior of the user further based on an external sound. 31. A computing apparatus comprising:
one or more computer readable storage media; a processing system operatively coupled with the one or more computer readable storage media; and program instructions stored on the one or more computer readable storage media that when read and executed by the processing system, direct the processing system to at least:
recognize a behavior of a user on a basis of sensing information of a sensor, wherein the recognized behavior of the user is at least one of: stopping, walking, running, and/or being in a vehicle;
control, on a basis of the recognized behavior of the user, signal processing; and
execute the signal processing of noise reduction and external sound monitor in accordance with a control from the processing controller. 32. The computing apparatus of claim 31, further comprising the program instructions that when read and executed by the processing system, direct the processing system to at least: use a machine learning algorithm to process the sensing information to recognize the behavior of the user. 33. The computing apparatus of claim 31, further comprising the program instructions that when read and executed by the processing system, direct the processing system to at least:
recognize a behavior pattern of the user on a basis of position information of the user; and control the signal processing further on the basis of the recognized behavior pattern of the user. 34. The computing apparatus of claim 31, further comprising the program instructions that when read and executed by the processing system, direct the processing system to at least: generate a noise reduction signal on a basis of movement speed of the user, wherein the noise reduction signal is a signal that reduces noise included in a collected external sound. | 2,400 |
339,930 | 16,800,910 | 2,458 | Embodiments of a fax system with adaptive protocol selection, and methods for such a system, are disclosed herein. Embodiments of a fax system may be adapted to selectively configure the protocol (both the type of protocol or aspects of a particular protocol) used in association with the transmission or reception of a specific fax. The configuration of the protocol utilized can be based on one or more attributes associated with a sender or a destination. The fax can then be transmitted or received according to those configuration parameters. | 1. A faxing system, comprising:
a data store storing one or more entries, each entry associated with either a destination for an incoming fax or a destination for an outgoing fax and one or more communication parameters, each communication parameter having an associated value; a non-transitory computer readable medium comprising instructions for: receiving a request over a computer network, wherein the request is associated with a fax transmission relating to either an incoming fax sent from a fax server in response to receiving an incoming call over a publicly switched telephone network (PSTN) or an outgoing fax initiated by a sender to a specified destination on the PSTN, and wherein:
for a fax transmission relating to an incoming fax, determining that an entry exists in the data store corresponding to an intended recipient of the incoming fax;
for a fax transmission relating to an outgoing fax, determining that an entry exists in the data store corresponding to a specified destination on the PSTN for the outgoing fax;
determining the one or more communication parameters with associated values associated with the determined entry; facilitating the fax transmission using the associated values as initial values of the one or more communication parameters; determining a failure associated with the fax transmission according to the initial values of the one or more communication parameters; in response to determining the failure associated with the fax transmission, determining updated values of the one or more communication parameters to use for facilitating the fax transmission by replacing the initial values of the one or more communication parameters with the updated values for each of the one or more communication parameters, wherein the updated value for a respective communication parameter that replaces the initial value for the respective communication parameter is determined based on one or more parameter selection rules and the initial value for the respective communication parameter; and continuing to facilitate the fax transmission according to the updated values of the one or more communication parameters. 2. The faxing system of claim 1, wherein the one or more communication parameters are associated with a fax protocol. 3. The faxing system of claim 2, wherein the initial values relate to a first fax protocol and the updated values relate to a second fax protocol. 4. The faxing system of claim 3, further comprising updating the entry stored in the data store by replacing the initial values of the one or more communication parameters with the updated values of the one or more communication parameters. 5. The faxing system of claim 1, wherein the one or more communication parameters relate to Error Correction Mode (ECM), compression or data rate. 6. The faxing system of claim 1, wherein the one or more communication parameters relate to a fax transmission data rate, and wherein the updated value for a respective communication parameter is a slower data rate than the initial value of the respective communication parameter. 7. The faxing system of claim 1, further comprising:
determining a second failure associated with the fax transmission according to the updated values of the one or more communication parameters; and determining second updated values of the one or more communication parameters to use for facilitating the fax transmission by replacing the updated values of the one or more communication parameters with the second updated values for each of the one or more communication parameters. 8. A method, comprising:
providing a data store storing one or more entries, each entry associated with either a destination for an incoming fax or a destination for an outgoing fax and one or more communication parameters, each communication parameter having an associated value; receiving a request over a computer network, wherein the request is associated with a fax transmission relating to either an incoming fax sent from a fax server in response to receiving an incoming call over a publicly switched telephone network (PSTN) or an outgoing fax initiated by a sender to a specified destination on the PSTN, and wherein:
for a fax transmission relating to an incoming fax, determining that an entry exists in the data store corresponding to an intended recipient of the incoming fax;
for a fax transmission relating to an outgoing fax, determining that an entry exists in the data store corresponding to a specified destination on the PSTN for the outgoing fax;
determining the one or more communication parameters with associated values associated with the determined entry; facilitating the fax transmission using the associated values as initial values of the one or more communication parameters; determining a failure associated with the fax transmission according to the initial values of the one or more communication parameters; in response to determining the failure associated with the fax transmission, determining updated values of the one or more communication parameters to use for facilitating the fax transmission by replacing the initial values of the one or more communication parameters with the updated values for each of the one or more communication parameters, wherein the updated value for a respective communication parameter that replaces the initial value for the respective communication parameter is determined based on one or more parameter selection rules and the initial value for the respective communication parameter; and continuing to facilitate the fax transmission according to the updated values of the one or more communication parameters. 9. The method of claim 8, wherein the one or more communication parameters are associated with a fax protocol. 10. The method of claim 9, wherein the initial values relate to a first fax protocol and the updated values relate to a second fax protocol. 11. The method of claim 10, further comprising updating the entry stored in the data store by replacing the initial values of the one or more communication parameters with the updated values of the one or more communication parameters. 12. The method of claim 8, wherein the one or more communication parameters relate to Error Correction Mode (ECM), compression or data rate. 13. The method of claim 8, wherein the one or more communication parameters relate to a fax transmission data rate, and wherein the updated value for a respective communication parameter is a slower data rate than the initial value of the respective communication parameter. 14. The method of claim 8, further comprising:
determining a second failure associated with the fax transmission according to the updated values of the one or more communication parameters; and determining second updated values of the one or more communication parameters to use for facilitating the fax transmission by replacing the updated values of the one or more communication parameters with the second updated values for each of the one or more communication parameters. 15. A non-transitory computer readable medium, comprising instructions for:
accessing a data store storing one or more entries, each entry associated with either a destination for an incoming fax or a destination for an outgoing fax and one or more communication parameters, each communication parameter having an associated value; receiving a request over a computer network, wherein the request is associated with a fax transmission relating to either an incoming fax sent from a fax server in response to receiving an incoming call over a publicly switched telephone network (PSTN) or an outgoing fax initiated by a sender to a specified destination on the PSTN, and wherein:
for a fax transmission relating to an incoming fax, determining that an entry exists in the data store corresponding to an intended recipient of the incoming fax;
for a fax transmission relating to an outgoing fax, determining that an entry exists in the data store corresponding to a specified destination on the PSTN for the outgoing fax;
determining the one or more communication parameters with associated values associated with the determined entry; facilitating the fax transmission using the associated values as initial values of the one or more communication parameters; determining a failure associated with the fax transmission according to the initial values of the one or more communication parameters; in response to determining the failure associated with the fax transmission, determining updated values of the one or more communication parameters to use for facilitating the fax transmission by replacing the initial values of the one or more communication parameters with the updated values for each of the one or more communication parameters, wherein the updated value for a respective communication parameter that replaces the initial value for the respective communication parameter is determined based on one or more parameter selection rules and the initial value for the respective communication parameter; and continuing to facilitate the fax transmission according to the updated values of the one or more communication parameters. 16. The non-transitory computer readable medium of claim 15, wherein the one or more communication parameters are associated with a fax protocol. 17. The non-transitory computer readable medium of claim 16, wherein the initial values relate to a first fax protocol and the updated values relate to a second fax protocol. 18. The non-transitory computer readable medium of claim 15, wherein the one or more communication parameters relate to Error Correction Mode (ECM), compression or data rate. 19. The non-transitory computer readable medium of claim 15, wherein the one or more communication parameters relate to a fax transmission data rate, and wherein the updated value for a respective communication parameter is a slower data rate than the initial value of the respective communication parameter. 20. The non-transitory computer readable medium of claim 15, further comprising:
determining a second failure associated with the fax transmission according to the updated values of the one or more communication parameters; and determining second updated values of the one or more communication parameters to use for facilitating the fax transmission by replacing the updated values of the one or more communication parameters with the second updated values for each of the one or more communication parameters. | Embodiments of a fax system with adaptive protocol selection, and methods for such a system, are disclosed herein. Embodiments of a fax system may be adapted to selectively configure the protocol (both the type of protocol or aspects of a particular protocol) used in association with the transmission or reception of a specific fax. The configuration of the protocol utilized can be based on one or more attributes associated with a sender or a destination. The fax can then be transmitted or received according to those configuration parameters.1. A faxing system, comprising:
a data store storing one or more entries, each entry associated with either a destination for an incoming fax or a destination for an outgoing fax and one or more communication parameters, each communication parameter having an associated value; a non-transitory computer readable medium comprising instructions for: receiving a request over a computer network, wherein the request is associated with a fax transmission relating to either an incoming fax sent from a fax server in response to receiving an incoming call over a publicly switched telephone network (PSTN) or an outgoing fax initiated by a sender to a specified destination on the PSTN, and wherein:
for a fax transmission relating to an incoming fax, determining that an entry exists in the data store corresponding to an intended recipient of the incoming fax;
for a fax transmission relating to an outgoing fax, determining that an entry exists in the data store corresponding to a specified destination on the PSTN for the outgoing fax;
determining the one or more communication parameters with associated values associated with the determined entry; facilitating the fax transmission using the associated values as initial values of the one or more communication parameters; determining a failure associated with the fax transmission according to the initial values of the one or more communication parameters; in response to determining the failure associated with the fax transmission, determining updated values of the one or more communication parameters to use for facilitating the fax transmission by replacing the initial values of the one or more communication parameters with the updated values for each of the one or more communication parameters, wherein the updated value for a respective communication parameter that replaces the initial value for the respective communication parameter is determined based on one or more parameter selection rules and the initial value for the respective communication parameter; and continuing to facilitate the fax transmission according to the updated values of the one or more communication parameters. 2. The faxing system of claim 1, wherein the one or more communication parameters are associated with a fax protocol. 3. The faxing system of claim 2, wherein the initial values relate to a first fax protocol and the updated values relate to a second fax protocol. 4. The faxing system of claim 3, further comprising updating the entry stored in the data store by replacing the initial values of the one or more communication parameters with the updated values of the one or more communication parameters. 5. The faxing system of claim 1, wherein the one or more communication parameters relate to Error Correction Mode (ECM), compression or data rate. 6. The faxing system of claim 1, wherein the one or more communication parameters relate to a fax transmission data rate, and wherein the updated value for a respective communication parameter is a slower data rate than the initial value of the respective communication parameter. 7. The faxing system of claim 1, further comprising:
determining a second failure associated with the fax transmission according to the updated values of the one or more communication parameters; and determining second updated values of the one or more communication parameters to use for facilitating the fax transmission by replacing the updated values of the one or more communication parameters with the second updated values for each of the one or more communication parameters. 8. A method, comprising:
providing a data store storing one or more entries, each entry associated with either a destination for an incoming fax or a destination for an outgoing fax and one or more communication parameters, each communication parameter having an associated value; receiving a request over a computer network, wherein the request is associated with a fax transmission relating to either an incoming fax sent from a fax server in response to receiving an incoming call over a publicly switched telephone network (PSTN) or an outgoing fax initiated by a sender to a specified destination on the PSTN, and wherein:
for a fax transmission relating to an incoming fax, determining that an entry exists in the data store corresponding to an intended recipient of the incoming fax;
for a fax transmission relating to an outgoing fax, determining that an entry exists in the data store corresponding to a specified destination on the PSTN for the outgoing fax;
determining the one or more communication parameters with associated values associated with the determined entry; facilitating the fax transmission using the associated values as initial values of the one or more communication parameters; determining a failure associated with the fax transmission according to the initial values of the one or more communication parameters; in response to determining the failure associated with the fax transmission, determining updated values of the one or more communication parameters to use for facilitating the fax transmission by replacing the initial values of the one or more communication parameters with the updated values for each of the one or more communication parameters, wherein the updated value for a respective communication parameter that replaces the initial value for the respective communication parameter is determined based on one or more parameter selection rules and the initial value for the respective communication parameter; and continuing to facilitate the fax transmission according to the updated values of the one or more communication parameters. 9. The method of claim 8, wherein the one or more communication parameters are associated with a fax protocol. 10. The method of claim 9, wherein the initial values relate to a first fax protocol and the updated values relate to a second fax protocol. 11. The method of claim 10, further comprising updating the entry stored in the data store by replacing the initial values of the one or more communication parameters with the updated values of the one or more communication parameters. 12. The method of claim 8, wherein the one or more communication parameters relate to Error Correction Mode (ECM), compression or data rate. 13. The method of claim 8, wherein the one or more communication parameters relate to a fax transmission data rate, and wherein the updated value for a respective communication parameter is a slower data rate than the initial value of the respective communication parameter. 14. The method of claim 8, further comprising:
determining a second failure associated with the fax transmission according to the updated values of the one or more communication parameters; and determining second updated values of the one or more communication parameters to use for facilitating the fax transmission by replacing the updated values of the one or more communication parameters with the second updated values for each of the one or more communication parameters. 15. A non-transitory computer readable medium, comprising instructions for:
accessing a data store storing one or more entries, each entry associated with either a destination for an incoming fax or a destination for an outgoing fax and one or more communication parameters, each communication parameter having an associated value; receiving a request over a computer network, wherein the request is associated with a fax transmission relating to either an incoming fax sent from a fax server in response to receiving an incoming call over a publicly switched telephone network (PSTN) or an outgoing fax initiated by a sender to a specified destination on the PSTN, and wherein:
for a fax transmission relating to an incoming fax, determining that an entry exists in the data store corresponding to an intended recipient of the incoming fax;
for a fax transmission relating to an outgoing fax, determining that an entry exists in the data store corresponding to a specified destination on the PSTN for the outgoing fax;
determining the one or more communication parameters with associated values associated with the determined entry; facilitating the fax transmission using the associated values as initial values of the one or more communication parameters; determining a failure associated with the fax transmission according to the initial values of the one or more communication parameters; in response to determining the failure associated with the fax transmission, determining updated values of the one or more communication parameters to use for facilitating the fax transmission by replacing the initial values of the one or more communication parameters with the updated values for each of the one or more communication parameters, wherein the updated value for a respective communication parameter that replaces the initial value for the respective communication parameter is determined based on one or more parameter selection rules and the initial value for the respective communication parameter; and continuing to facilitate the fax transmission according to the updated values of the one or more communication parameters. 16. The non-transitory computer readable medium of claim 15, wherein the one or more communication parameters are associated with a fax protocol. 17. The non-transitory computer readable medium of claim 16, wherein the initial values relate to a first fax protocol and the updated values relate to a second fax protocol. 18. The non-transitory computer readable medium of claim 15, wherein the one or more communication parameters relate to Error Correction Mode (ECM), compression or data rate. 19. The non-transitory computer readable medium of claim 15, wherein the one or more communication parameters relate to a fax transmission data rate, and wherein the updated value for a respective communication parameter is a slower data rate than the initial value of the respective communication parameter. 20. The non-transitory computer readable medium of claim 15, further comprising:
determining a second failure associated with the fax transmission according to the updated values of the one or more communication parameters; and determining second updated values of the one or more communication parameters to use for facilitating the fax transmission by replacing the updated values of the one or more communication parameters with the second updated values for each of the one or more communication parameters. | 2,400 |
339,931 | 16,800,883 | 2,458 | Embodiments of a fax system with adaptive protocol selection, and methods for such a system, are disclosed herein. Embodiments of a fax system may be adapted to selectively configure the protocol (both the type of protocol or aspects of a particular protocol) used in association with the transmission or reception of a specific fax. The configuration of the protocol utilized can be based on one or more attributes associated with a sender or a destination. The fax can then be transmitted or received according to those configuration parameters. | 1. A faxing system, comprising:
a data store storing one or more entries, each entry associated with either a destination for an incoming fax or a destination for an outgoing fax and one or more communication parameters, each communication parameter having an associated value; a non-transitory computer readable medium comprising instructions for: receiving a request over a computer network, wherein the request is associated with a fax transmission relating to either an incoming fax sent from a fax server in response to receiving an incoming call over a publicly switched telephone network (PSTN) or an outgoing fax initiated by a sender to a specified destination on the PSTN, and wherein:
for a fax transmission relating to an incoming fax, determining that an entry exists in the data store corresponding to an intended recipient of the incoming fax;
for a fax transmission relating to an outgoing fax, determining that an entry exists in the data store corresponding to a specified destination on the PSTN for the outgoing fax;
determining the one or more communication parameters with associated values associated with the determined entry; facilitating the fax transmission using the associated values as initial values of the one or more communication parameters; determining a failure associated with the fax transmission according to the initial values of the one or more communication parameters; in response to determining the failure associated with the fax transmission, determining updated values of the one or more communication parameters to use for facilitating the fax transmission by replacing the initial values of the one or more communication parameters with the updated values for each of the one or more communication parameters, wherein the updated value for a respective communication parameter that replaces the initial value for the respective communication parameter is determined based on one or more parameter selection rules and the initial value for the respective communication parameter; and continuing to facilitate the fax transmission according to the updated values of the one or more communication parameters. 2. The faxing system of claim 1, wherein the one or more communication parameters are associated with a fax protocol. 3. The faxing system of claim 2, wherein the initial values relate to a first fax protocol and the updated values relate to a second fax protocol. 4. The faxing system of claim 3, further comprising updating the entry stored in the data store by replacing the initial values of the one or more communication parameters with the updated values of the one or more communication parameters. 5. The faxing system of claim 1, wherein the one or more communication parameters relate to Error Correction Mode (ECM), compression or data rate. 6. The faxing system of claim 1, wherein the one or more communication parameters relate to a fax transmission data rate, and wherein the updated value for a respective communication parameter is a slower data rate than the initial value of the respective communication parameter. 7. The faxing system of claim 1, further comprising:
determining a second failure associated with the fax transmission according to the updated values of the one or more communication parameters; and determining second updated values of the one or more communication parameters to use for facilitating the fax transmission by replacing the updated values of the one or more communication parameters with the second updated values for each of the one or more communication parameters. 8. A method, comprising:
providing a data store storing one or more entries, each entry associated with either a destination for an incoming fax or a destination for an outgoing fax and one or more communication parameters, each communication parameter having an associated value; receiving a request over a computer network, wherein the request is associated with a fax transmission relating to either an incoming fax sent from a fax server in response to receiving an incoming call over a publicly switched telephone network (PSTN) or an outgoing fax initiated by a sender to a specified destination on the PSTN, and wherein:
for a fax transmission relating to an incoming fax, determining that an entry exists in the data store corresponding to an intended recipient of the incoming fax;
for a fax transmission relating to an outgoing fax, determining that an entry exists in the data store corresponding to a specified destination on the PSTN for the outgoing fax;
determining the one or more communication parameters with associated values associated with the determined entry; facilitating the fax transmission using the associated values as initial values of the one or more communication parameters; determining a failure associated with the fax transmission according to the initial values of the one or more communication parameters; in response to determining the failure associated with the fax transmission, determining updated values of the one or more communication parameters to use for facilitating the fax transmission by replacing the initial values of the one or more communication parameters with the updated values for each of the one or more communication parameters, wherein the updated value for a respective communication parameter that replaces the initial value for the respective communication parameter is determined based on one or more parameter selection rules and the initial value for the respective communication parameter; and continuing to facilitate the fax transmission according to the updated values of the one or more communication parameters. 9. The method of claim 8, wherein the one or more communication parameters are associated with a fax protocol. 10. The method of claim 9, wherein the initial values relate to a first fax protocol and the updated values relate to a second fax protocol. 11. The method of claim 10, further comprising updating the entry stored in the data store by replacing the initial values of the one or more communication parameters with the updated values of the one or more communication parameters. 12. The method of claim 8, wherein the one or more communication parameters relate to Error Correction Mode (ECM), compression or data rate. 13. The method of claim 8, wherein the one or more communication parameters relate to a fax transmission data rate, and wherein the updated value for a respective communication parameter is a slower data rate than the initial value of the respective communication parameter. 14. The method of claim 8, further comprising:
determining a second failure associated with the fax transmission according to the updated values of the one or more communication parameters; and determining second updated values of the one or more communication parameters to use for facilitating the fax transmission by replacing the updated values of the one or more communication parameters with the second updated values for each of the one or more communication parameters. 15. A non-transitory computer readable medium, comprising instructions for:
accessing a data store storing one or more entries, each entry associated with either a destination for an incoming fax or a destination for an outgoing fax and one or more communication parameters, each communication parameter having an associated value; receiving a request over a computer network, wherein the request is associated with a fax transmission relating to either an incoming fax sent from a fax server in response to receiving an incoming call over a publicly switched telephone network (PSTN) or an outgoing fax initiated by a sender to a specified destination on the PSTN, and wherein:
for a fax transmission relating to an incoming fax, determining that an entry exists in the data store corresponding to an intended recipient of the incoming fax;
for a fax transmission relating to an outgoing fax, determining that an entry exists in the data store corresponding to a specified destination on the PSTN for the outgoing fax;
determining the one or more communication parameters with associated values associated with the determined entry; facilitating the fax transmission using the associated values as initial values of the one or more communication parameters; determining a failure associated with the fax transmission according to the initial values of the one or more communication parameters; in response to determining the failure associated with the fax transmission, determining updated values of the one or more communication parameters to use for facilitating the fax transmission by replacing the initial values of the one or more communication parameters with the updated values for each of the one or more communication parameters, wherein the updated value for a respective communication parameter that replaces the initial value for the respective communication parameter is determined based on one or more parameter selection rules and the initial value for the respective communication parameter; and continuing to facilitate the fax transmission according to the updated values of the one or more communication parameters. 16. The non-transitory computer readable medium of claim 15, wherein the one or more communication parameters are associated with a fax protocol. 17. The non-transitory computer readable medium of claim 16, wherein the initial values relate to a first fax protocol and the updated values relate to a second fax protocol. 18. The non-transitory computer readable medium of claim 15, wherein the one or more communication parameters relate to Error Correction Mode (ECM), compression or data rate. 19. The non-transitory computer readable medium of claim 15, wherein the one or more communication parameters relate to a fax transmission data rate, and wherein the updated value for a respective communication parameter is a slower data rate than the initial value of the respective communication parameter. 20. The non-transitory computer readable medium of claim 15, further comprising:
determining a second failure associated with the fax transmission according to the updated values of the one or more communication parameters; and determining second updated values of the one or more communication parameters to use for facilitating the fax transmission by replacing the updated values of the one or more communication parameters with the second updated values for each of the one or more communication parameters. | Embodiments of a fax system with adaptive protocol selection, and methods for such a system, are disclosed herein. Embodiments of a fax system may be adapted to selectively configure the protocol (both the type of protocol or aspects of a particular protocol) used in association with the transmission or reception of a specific fax. The configuration of the protocol utilized can be based on one or more attributes associated with a sender or a destination. The fax can then be transmitted or received according to those configuration parameters.1. A faxing system, comprising:
a data store storing one or more entries, each entry associated with either a destination for an incoming fax or a destination for an outgoing fax and one or more communication parameters, each communication parameter having an associated value; a non-transitory computer readable medium comprising instructions for: receiving a request over a computer network, wherein the request is associated with a fax transmission relating to either an incoming fax sent from a fax server in response to receiving an incoming call over a publicly switched telephone network (PSTN) or an outgoing fax initiated by a sender to a specified destination on the PSTN, and wherein:
for a fax transmission relating to an incoming fax, determining that an entry exists in the data store corresponding to an intended recipient of the incoming fax;
for a fax transmission relating to an outgoing fax, determining that an entry exists in the data store corresponding to a specified destination on the PSTN for the outgoing fax;
determining the one or more communication parameters with associated values associated with the determined entry; facilitating the fax transmission using the associated values as initial values of the one or more communication parameters; determining a failure associated with the fax transmission according to the initial values of the one or more communication parameters; in response to determining the failure associated with the fax transmission, determining updated values of the one or more communication parameters to use for facilitating the fax transmission by replacing the initial values of the one or more communication parameters with the updated values for each of the one or more communication parameters, wherein the updated value for a respective communication parameter that replaces the initial value for the respective communication parameter is determined based on one or more parameter selection rules and the initial value for the respective communication parameter; and continuing to facilitate the fax transmission according to the updated values of the one or more communication parameters. 2. The faxing system of claim 1, wherein the one or more communication parameters are associated with a fax protocol. 3. The faxing system of claim 2, wherein the initial values relate to a first fax protocol and the updated values relate to a second fax protocol. 4. The faxing system of claim 3, further comprising updating the entry stored in the data store by replacing the initial values of the one or more communication parameters with the updated values of the one or more communication parameters. 5. The faxing system of claim 1, wherein the one or more communication parameters relate to Error Correction Mode (ECM), compression or data rate. 6. The faxing system of claim 1, wherein the one or more communication parameters relate to a fax transmission data rate, and wherein the updated value for a respective communication parameter is a slower data rate than the initial value of the respective communication parameter. 7. The faxing system of claim 1, further comprising:
determining a second failure associated with the fax transmission according to the updated values of the one or more communication parameters; and determining second updated values of the one or more communication parameters to use for facilitating the fax transmission by replacing the updated values of the one or more communication parameters with the second updated values for each of the one or more communication parameters. 8. A method, comprising:
providing a data store storing one or more entries, each entry associated with either a destination for an incoming fax or a destination for an outgoing fax and one or more communication parameters, each communication parameter having an associated value; receiving a request over a computer network, wherein the request is associated with a fax transmission relating to either an incoming fax sent from a fax server in response to receiving an incoming call over a publicly switched telephone network (PSTN) or an outgoing fax initiated by a sender to a specified destination on the PSTN, and wherein:
for a fax transmission relating to an incoming fax, determining that an entry exists in the data store corresponding to an intended recipient of the incoming fax;
for a fax transmission relating to an outgoing fax, determining that an entry exists in the data store corresponding to a specified destination on the PSTN for the outgoing fax;
determining the one or more communication parameters with associated values associated with the determined entry; facilitating the fax transmission using the associated values as initial values of the one or more communication parameters; determining a failure associated with the fax transmission according to the initial values of the one or more communication parameters; in response to determining the failure associated with the fax transmission, determining updated values of the one or more communication parameters to use for facilitating the fax transmission by replacing the initial values of the one or more communication parameters with the updated values for each of the one or more communication parameters, wherein the updated value for a respective communication parameter that replaces the initial value for the respective communication parameter is determined based on one or more parameter selection rules and the initial value for the respective communication parameter; and continuing to facilitate the fax transmission according to the updated values of the one or more communication parameters. 9. The method of claim 8, wherein the one or more communication parameters are associated with a fax protocol. 10. The method of claim 9, wherein the initial values relate to a first fax protocol and the updated values relate to a second fax protocol. 11. The method of claim 10, further comprising updating the entry stored in the data store by replacing the initial values of the one or more communication parameters with the updated values of the one or more communication parameters. 12. The method of claim 8, wherein the one or more communication parameters relate to Error Correction Mode (ECM), compression or data rate. 13. The method of claim 8, wherein the one or more communication parameters relate to a fax transmission data rate, and wherein the updated value for a respective communication parameter is a slower data rate than the initial value of the respective communication parameter. 14. The method of claim 8, further comprising:
determining a second failure associated with the fax transmission according to the updated values of the one or more communication parameters; and determining second updated values of the one or more communication parameters to use for facilitating the fax transmission by replacing the updated values of the one or more communication parameters with the second updated values for each of the one or more communication parameters. 15. A non-transitory computer readable medium, comprising instructions for:
accessing a data store storing one or more entries, each entry associated with either a destination for an incoming fax or a destination for an outgoing fax and one or more communication parameters, each communication parameter having an associated value; receiving a request over a computer network, wherein the request is associated with a fax transmission relating to either an incoming fax sent from a fax server in response to receiving an incoming call over a publicly switched telephone network (PSTN) or an outgoing fax initiated by a sender to a specified destination on the PSTN, and wherein:
for a fax transmission relating to an incoming fax, determining that an entry exists in the data store corresponding to an intended recipient of the incoming fax;
for a fax transmission relating to an outgoing fax, determining that an entry exists in the data store corresponding to a specified destination on the PSTN for the outgoing fax;
determining the one or more communication parameters with associated values associated with the determined entry; facilitating the fax transmission using the associated values as initial values of the one or more communication parameters; determining a failure associated with the fax transmission according to the initial values of the one or more communication parameters; in response to determining the failure associated with the fax transmission, determining updated values of the one or more communication parameters to use for facilitating the fax transmission by replacing the initial values of the one or more communication parameters with the updated values for each of the one or more communication parameters, wherein the updated value for a respective communication parameter that replaces the initial value for the respective communication parameter is determined based on one or more parameter selection rules and the initial value for the respective communication parameter; and continuing to facilitate the fax transmission according to the updated values of the one or more communication parameters. 16. The non-transitory computer readable medium of claim 15, wherein the one or more communication parameters are associated with a fax protocol. 17. The non-transitory computer readable medium of claim 16, wherein the initial values relate to a first fax protocol and the updated values relate to a second fax protocol. 18. The non-transitory computer readable medium of claim 15, wherein the one or more communication parameters relate to Error Correction Mode (ECM), compression or data rate. 19. The non-transitory computer readable medium of claim 15, wherein the one or more communication parameters relate to a fax transmission data rate, and wherein the updated value for a respective communication parameter is a slower data rate than the initial value of the respective communication parameter. 20. The non-transitory computer readable medium of claim 15, further comprising:
determining a second failure associated with the fax transmission according to the updated values of the one or more communication parameters; and determining second updated values of the one or more communication parameters to use for facilitating the fax transmission by replacing the updated values of the one or more communication parameters with the second updated values for each of the one or more communication parameters. | 2,400 |
339,932 | 16,800,911 | 2,458 | The present disclosure generally relates to evaluating communication workflows comprised of tasks using machine-learning techniques. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to systems and methods for generating a prediction of a task outcome of a communication workflow, generating a recommendation of one or more tasks to add to a partial communication workflow to complete the communication workflow, and generating a vector representation of a communication workflow. | 1. A computer-implemented method comprising:
accessing a communication workflow including one or more tasks arranged in a sequential order, the communication workflow being configured to facilitate interactions with a set of user devices, each task of the one or more tasks including executable code that, upon execution, performs a function associated with the set of user devices, and the communication workflow being associated with one or more parameters that characterize each task of the one or more tasks of the communication workflow; defining a tree structure of the communication workflow, the tree structure including a plurality of nodes and one or more stages, wherein two nodes of the plurality of nodes of the tree structure are connected by at least one stage of the one or more stages, and wherein each task of the one or more tasks of the communication workflow corresponds to a node of the plurality of nodes or a stage of the one or more stages; inputting the tree structure into a machine-learning model, the inputting of the tree structure into the machine-learning model resulting in generating one or more rooted sub-trees for each node or stage of the tree structure of the communication workflow; and generating, as an output of the machine-learning model, a vector representation of the tree structure of the communication workflow, the vector representation being learned using the one or more rooted sub-trees of each node or stage of the tree structure. 2. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, further comprising:
accessing a set of previously-executed communication workflows; defining a tree structure for each previously-executed communication workflow of the set of previously-executed communication workflows; inputting the tree structure of each previously-executed communication workflow of the set of previously-executed communication workflows into the machine-learning model; generating a vector representation representing the tree structure of each previously-executed communication workflow of the set of previously-executed communication workflows; and storing the vector representation of each previously-executed communication workflow in a training data set. 3. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein the vector representation of the tree structure is generated without evaluating a vector representation of an individual node of the plurality of nodes or of an individual stage of the one or more stages of the tree structure. 4. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein each node of the plurality of nodes and each stage of the one or more stages of the tree structure is associated with metadata used to characterize the task or a portion of the communication workflow. 5. The computer-implemented method of claim 4, wherein the metadata associated with each node or stage represents a function performed by the task associated with the node or stage, respectively. 6. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein the machine-learning model is a neural network configured to learn embeddings of the tree structure of the communication workflow. 7. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, further comprising:
extracting one or more rooted partial tree structures for each node of the plurality of nodes or each stage of the one or more stages of the tree structure of the communication workflow, each rooted partial tree structure of the one or more rooted partial tree structure including a set of nodes one or more hops away from the node or stage; and training the machine-learning model using the one or more rooted partial tree structures. 8. A system, comprising:
one or more processors; and a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium containing instructions which, when executed on the one or more processors, cause the one or more processors to perform operations including:
accessing a communication workflow including one or more tasks arranged in a sequential order, the communication workflow being configured to facilitate interactions with a set of user devices, each task of the one or more tasks including executable code that, upon execution, performs a function associated with the set of user devices, and the communication workflow being associated with one or more parameters that characterize each task of the one or more tasks of the communication workflow;
defining a tree structure of the communication workflow, the tree structure including a plurality of nodes and one or more stages, wherein two nodes of the plurality of nodes of the tree structure are connected by at least one stage of the one or more stages, and wherein each task of the one or more tasks of the communication workflow corresponds to a node of the plurality of nodes or a stage of the one or more stages;
inputting the tree structure into a machine-learning model, the inputting of the tree structure into the machine-learning model resulting in generating one or more rooted sub-trees for each node or stage of the tree structure of the communication workflow; and
generating, as an output of the machine-learning model, a vector representation of the tree structure of the communication workflow, the vector representation being learned using the one or more rooted sub-trees of each node or stage of the tree structure. 9. The system of claim 8, wherein the operations further comprise:
accessing a set of previously-executed communication workflows; defining a tree structure for each previously-executed communication workflow of the set of previously-executed communication workflows; inputting the tree structure of each previously-executed communication workflow of the set of previously-executed communication workflows into the machine-learning model; generating a vector representation representing the tree structure of each previously-executed communication workflow of the set of previously-executed communication workflows; and storing the vector representation of each previously-executed communication workflow in a training data set. 10. The system of claim 8, wherein the vector representation of the tree structure is generated without evaluating a vector representation of an individual node of the plurality of nodes or of an individual stage of the one or more stages of the tree structure. 11. The system of claim 8, wherein each node of the plurality of nodes and each stage of the one or more stages of the tree structure is associated with metadata used to characterize the task or a portion of the communication workflow. 12. The system of claim 11, wherein the metadata associated with each node or stage represents a function performed by the task associated with the node or stage, respectively. 13. The system of claim 8, wherein the machine-learning model is a neural network configured to learn embeddings of the tree structure of the communication workflow. 14. The system of claim 8, wherein the operations further comprise:
extracting one or more rooted partial tree structures for each node of the plurality of nodes or each stage of the one or more stages of the tree structure of the communication workflow, each rooted partial tree structure of the one or more rooted partial tree structure including a set of nodes one or more hops away from the node or stage; and training the machine-learning model using the one or more rooted partial tree structures. 15. A computer-program product tangibly embodied in a non-transitory machine-readable storage medium, including instructions configured to cause a processing apparatus to perform operations including:
accessing a communication workflow including one or more tasks arranged in a sequential order, the communication workflow being configured to facilitate interactions with a set of user devices, each task of the one or more tasks including executable code that, upon execution, performs a function associated with the set of user devices, and the communication workflow being associated with one or more parameters that characterize each task of the one or more tasks of the communication workflow; defining a tree structure of the communication workflow, the tree structure including a plurality of nodes and one or more stages, wherein two nodes of the plurality of nodes of the tree structure are connected by at least one stage of the one or more stages, and wherein each task of the one or more tasks of the communication workflow corresponds to a node of the plurality of nodes or a stage of the one or more stages; inputting the tree structure into a machine-learning model, the inputting of the tree structure into the machine-learning model resulting in generating one or more rooted sub-trees for each node or stage of the tree structure of the communication workflow; and generating, as an output of the machine-learning model, a vector representation of the tree structure of the communication workflow, the vector representation being learned using the one or more rooted sub-trees of each node or stage of the tree structure. 16. The non-transitory machine-readable storage medium of claim 15, wherein the operations further comprise:
accessing a set of previously-executed communication workflows; defining a tree structure for each previously-executed communication workflow of the set of previously-executed communication workflows; inputting the tree structure of each previously-executed communication workflow of the set of previously-executed communication workflows into the machine-learning model; generating a vector representation representing the tree structure of each previously-executed communication workflow of the set of previously-executed communication workflows; and storing the vector representation of each previously-executed communication workflow in a training data set. 17. The non-transitory machine-readable storage medium of claim 15, wherein the vector representation of the tree structure is generated without evaluating a vector representation of an individual node of the plurality of nodes or of an individual stage of the one or more stages of the tree structure. 18. The non-transitory machine-readable storage medium of claim 15, wherein each node of the plurality of nodes and each stage of the one or more stages of the tree structure is associated with metadata used to characterize the task or a portion of the communication workflow. 19. The non-transitory machine-readable storage medium of claim 18, wherein the metadata associated with each node or stage represents a function performed by the task associated with the node or stage, respectively. 20. The non-transitory machine-readable storage medium of claim 15, wherein the machine-learning model is a neural network configured to learn embeddings of the tree structure of the communication workflow. | The present disclosure generally relates to evaluating communication workflows comprised of tasks using machine-learning techniques. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to systems and methods for generating a prediction of a task outcome of a communication workflow, generating a recommendation of one or more tasks to add to a partial communication workflow to complete the communication workflow, and generating a vector representation of a communication workflow.1. A computer-implemented method comprising:
accessing a communication workflow including one or more tasks arranged in a sequential order, the communication workflow being configured to facilitate interactions with a set of user devices, each task of the one or more tasks including executable code that, upon execution, performs a function associated with the set of user devices, and the communication workflow being associated with one or more parameters that characterize each task of the one or more tasks of the communication workflow; defining a tree structure of the communication workflow, the tree structure including a plurality of nodes and one or more stages, wherein two nodes of the plurality of nodes of the tree structure are connected by at least one stage of the one or more stages, and wherein each task of the one or more tasks of the communication workflow corresponds to a node of the plurality of nodes or a stage of the one or more stages; inputting the tree structure into a machine-learning model, the inputting of the tree structure into the machine-learning model resulting in generating one or more rooted sub-trees for each node or stage of the tree structure of the communication workflow; and generating, as an output of the machine-learning model, a vector representation of the tree structure of the communication workflow, the vector representation being learned using the one or more rooted sub-trees of each node or stage of the tree structure. 2. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, further comprising:
accessing a set of previously-executed communication workflows; defining a tree structure for each previously-executed communication workflow of the set of previously-executed communication workflows; inputting the tree structure of each previously-executed communication workflow of the set of previously-executed communication workflows into the machine-learning model; generating a vector representation representing the tree structure of each previously-executed communication workflow of the set of previously-executed communication workflows; and storing the vector representation of each previously-executed communication workflow in a training data set. 3. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein the vector representation of the tree structure is generated without evaluating a vector representation of an individual node of the plurality of nodes or of an individual stage of the one or more stages of the tree structure. 4. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein each node of the plurality of nodes and each stage of the one or more stages of the tree structure is associated with metadata used to characterize the task or a portion of the communication workflow. 5. The computer-implemented method of claim 4, wherein the metadata associated with each node or stage represents a function performed by the task associated with the node or stage, respectively. 6. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein the machine-learning model is a neural network configured to learn embeddings of the tree structure of the communication workflow. 7. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, further comprising:
extracting one or more rooted partial tree structures for each node of the plurality of nodes or each stage of the one or more stages of the tree structure of the communication workflow, each rooted partial tree structure of the one or more rooted partial tree structure including a set of nodes one or more hops away from the node or stage; and training the machine-learning model using the one or more rooted partial tree structures. 8. A system, comprising:
one or more processors; and a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium containing instructions which, when executed on the one or more processors, cause the one or more processors to perform operations including:
accessing a communication workflow including one or more tasks arranged in a sequential order, the communication workflow being configured to facilitate interactions with a set of user devices, each task of the one or more tasks including executable code that, upon execution, performs a function associated with the set of user devices, and the communication workflow being associated with one or more parameters that characterize each task of the one or more tasks of the communication workflow;
defining a tree structure of the communication workflow, the tree structure including a plurality of nodes and one or more stages, wherein two nodes of the plurality of nodes of the tree structure are connected by at least one stage of the one or more stages, and wherein each task of the one or more tasks of the communication workflow corresponds to a node of the plurality of nodes or a stage of the one or more stages;
inputting the tree structure into a machine-learning model, the inputting of the tree structure into the machine-learning model resulting in generating one or more rooted sub-trees for each node or stage of the tree structure of the communication workflow; and
generating, as an output of the machine-learning model, a vector representation of the tree structure of the communication workflow, the vector representation being learned using the one or more rooted sub-trees of each node or stage of the tree structure. 9. The system of claim 8, wherein the operations further comprise:
accessing a set of previously-executed communication workflows; defining a tree structure for each previously-executed communication workflow of the set of previously-executed communication workflows; inputting the tree structure of each previously-executed communication workflow of the set of previously-executed communication workflows into the machine-learning model; generating a vector representation representing the tree structure of each previously-executed communication workflow of the set of previously-executed communication workflows; and storing the vector representation of each previously-executed communication workflow in a training data set. 10. The system of claim 8, wherein the vector representation of the tree structure is generated without evaluating a vector representation of an individual node of the plurality of nodes or of an individual stage of the one or more stages of the tree structure. 11. The system of claim 8, wherein each node of the plurality of nodes and each stage of the one or more stages of the tree structure is associated with metadata used to characterize the task or a portion of the communication workflow. 12. The system of claim 11, wherein the metadata associated with each node or stage represents a function performed by the task associated with the node or stage, respectively. 13. The system of claim 8, wherein the machine-learning model is a neural network configured to learn embeddings of the tree structure of the communication workflow. 14. The system of claim 8, wherein the operations further comprise:
extracting one or more rooted partial tree structures for each node of the plurality of nodes or each stage of the one or more stages of the tree structure of the communication workflow, each rooted partial tree structure of the one or more rooted partial tree structure including a set of nodes one or more hops away from the node or stage; and training the machine-learning model using the one or more rooted partial tree structures. 15. A computer-program product tangibly embodied in a non-transitory machine-readable storage medium, including instructions configured to cause a processing apparatus to perform operations including:
accessing a communication workflow including one or more tasks arranged in a sequential order, the communication workflow being configured to facilitate interactions with a set of user devices, each task of the one or more tasks including executable code that, upon execution, performs a function associated with the set of user devices, and the communication workflow being associated with one or more parameters that characterize each task of the one or more tasks of the communication workflow; defining a tree structure of the communication workflow, the tree structure including a plurality of nodes and one or more stages, wherein two nodes of the plurality of nodes of the tree structure are connected by at least one stage of the one or more stages, and wherein each task of the one or more tasks of the communication workflow corresponds to a node of the plurality of nodes or a stage of the one or more stages; inputting the tree structure into a machine-learning model, the inputting of the tree structure into the machine-learning model resulting in generating one or more rooted sub-trees for each node or stage of the tree structure of the communication workflow; and generating, as an output of the machine-learning model, a vector representation of the tree structure of the communication workflow, the vector representation being learned using the one or more rooted sub-trees of each node or stage of the tree structure. 16. The non-transitory machine-readable storage medium of claim 15, wherein the operations further comprise:
accessing a set of previously-executed communication workflows; defining a tree structure for each previously-executed communication workflow of the set of previously-executed communication workflows; inputting the tree structure of each previously-executed communication workflow of the set of previously-executed communication workflows into the machine-learning model; generating a vector representation representing the tree structure of each previously-executed communication workflow of the set of previously-executed communication workflows; and storing the vector representation of each previously-executed communication workflow in a training data set. 17. The non-transitory machine-readable storage medium of claim 15, wherein the vector representation of the tree structure is generated without evaluating a vector representation of an individual node of the plurality of nodes or of an individual stage of the one or more stages of the tree structure. 18. The non-transitory machine-readable storage medium of claim 15, wherein each node of the plurality of nodes and each stage of the one or more stages of the tree structure is associated with metadata used to characterize the task or a portion of the communication workflow. 19. The non-transitory machine-readable storage medium of claim 18, wherein the metadata associated with each node or stage represents a function performed by the task associated with the node or stage, respectively. 20. The non-transitory machine-readable storage medium of claim 15, wherein the machine-learning model is a neural network configured to learn embeddings of the tree structure of the communication workflow. | 2,400 |
339,933 | 16,800,907 | 2,458 | The present disclosure generally relates to evaluating communication workflows comprised of tasks using machine-learning techniques. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to systems and methods for generating a prediction of a task outcome of a communication workflow, generating a recommendation of one or more tasks to add to a partial communication workflow to complete the communication workflow, and generating a vector representation of a communication workflow. | 1. A computer-implemented method comprising:
providing an interface that enables a user to define a communication workflow, the communication workflow being configurable to include a set of tasks that facilitate interactions with a set of user devices, and each task of the set of tasks including executable code that, upon execution, performs a function associated with the set of user devices; receiving, at the interface, input corresponding to a selection of one or more tasks from the set of tasks, the one or more tasks defining a partial communication workflow, the partial communication workflow being associated with one or more parameters that characterize each task of the one or more tasks of the partial communication workflow; identifying a structure of the partial communication workflow, the structure of the partial communication workflow being represented by one or more nodes and/or one or more stages, wherein each task of the one or more tasks of the partial communication workflow corresponds to a node of the one or more nodes or a stage of the one or more stages; generating a composite feature vector representing the partial communication workflow, the composite feature vector being generated using a feature vector of each task of the one or more tasks of the communication workflow, and the feature vector of each task of the one or more tasks being generated by executing one or more machine-learning techniques using the one or more parameters that characterize the task; accessing a set of previously-executed partial communication workflows, each previously-executed partial communication workflow of the set of previously-executed partial communication workflows being represented by a structure, a composite feature vector, and a task outcome; selecting a subset of the set of previously-executed partial communication workflows, the subset of previously-executed partial communication workflows sharing a same structure with the partial communication workflow; determining, from the subset of previously-executed partial communication workflows, one or more previously-executed partial communication workflows that are similar to the partial communication workflow, the similarity being based on a comparison between the composite feature vector of each previously-executed partial communication workflow of the subset and the composite feature vector of the partial communication workflow; generating an output for completing the partial communication workflow, the output including one or more recommended tasks that complete the partial communication workflow, the one or more recommended tasks being selected from one or more remaining tasks of a previously-executed partial communication workflow of the one or more previously-executed partial communication workflows that share the same structure with the partial communication workflow and that are determined to be similar to the partial communication workflow, and the selection being based on the task outcome of the one or more previously-executed partial communication workflows that share the same structure with the partial communication workflow and that are determined to be similar to the partial communication workflow; and displaying the output on the interface. 2. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein comparing the composite feature vector of each previously-executed partial communication workflow, from the subset of previous-executed partial communication workflows sharing a same structure with the partial communication workflow, with the composite feature vector of the partial communication workflow includes:
calculating, for each previously-executed partial communication workflow, a distance between the composite feature vector of the previously-executed partial communication workflow and the composite feature vector of the partial communication workflow in a domain space; and comparing the distance with a threshold value, wherein when the distance is equal to or less than the threshold value, then the previously-executed partial communication workflow is determined to be similar to the partial communication workflow, and wherein when the distance is larger than the threshold value, then the previously-executed partial communication workflow is determined to not be similar to the partial communication workflow. 3. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, further comprising:
ordering the one or more previously-executed partial communication workflows that share the same structure as the partial communication workflow and that are determined to be similar to the partial communication workflow, by arranging the one or more previously-executed partial communication workflows from a highest task outcome to a lowest task outcome. 4. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, further comprising:
receiving additional input at the interface, the additional input corresponding to a selection of the one or more recommended tasks to complete the partial communication workflow; and in response to receiving the additional input, adding the one or more recommended tasks to the one or more tasks in a sequential order to represent a complete communication workflow. 5. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, further comprising:
receiving additional input at the interface, the additional input corresponding to a selection of at least one recommended task of the one or more recommended tasks and at least one task that is not included in the one or more recommended tasks, the selection of the at least one recommended task and the at least one task that is not included in the one or more recommended tasks completing the partial communication workflow; and in response to receiving the additional input, adding the at least one recommended task and the at least one task that is not included in the one or more recommended tasks to the one or more tasks in a sequential order to represent a complete communication workflow. 6. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein a partial or complete communication workflow is defined by a list including metadata describing:
the structure of the communication workflow; each task included in the communication workflow; and each feature vector representing a task of the set of tasks included in the communication workflow. 7. The computer-implemented method of claim 6, further comprising:
parsing through the list of metadata to perform one or more functions. 8. A system, comprising:
one or more processors; and a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium containing instructions which, when executed on the one or more processors, cause the one or more processors to perform operations including:
providing an interface that enables a user to define a communication workflow, the communication workflow being configurable to include a set of tasks that facilitate interactions with a set of user devices, and each task of the set of tasks including executable code that, upon execution, performs a function associated with the set of user devices;
receiving, at the interface, input corresponding to a selection of one or more tasks from the set of tasks, the one or more tasks defining a partial communication workflow, the partial communication workflow being associated with one or more parameters that characterize each task of the one or more tasks of the partial communication workflow;
identifying a structure of the partial communication workflow, the structure of the partial communication workflow being represented by one or more nodes and/or one or more stages, wherein each task of the one or more tasks of the partial communication workflow corresponds to a node of the one or more nodes or a stage of the one or more stages;
generating a composite feature vector representing the partial communication workflow, the composite feature vector being generated using a feature vector of each task of the one or more tasks of the communication workflow, and the feature vector of each task of the one or more tasks being generated by executing one or more machine-learning techniques using the one or more parameters that characterize the task;
accessing a set of previously-executed partial communication workflows, each previously-executed partial communication workflow of the set of previously-executed partial communication workflows being represented by a structure, a composite feature vector, and a task outcome;
selecting a subset of the set of previously-executed partial communication workflows, the subset of previously-executed partial communication workflows sharing a same structure with the partial communication workflow;
determining, from the subset of previously-executed partial communication workflows, one or more previously-executed partial communication workflows that are similar to the partial communication workflow, the similarity being based on a comparison between the composite feature vector of each previously-executed partial communication workflow of the subset and the composite feature vector of the partial communication workflow;
generating an output for completing the partial communication workflow, the output including one or more recommended tasks that complete the partial communication workflow, the one or more recommended tasks being selected from one or more remaining tasks of a previously-executed partial communication workflow of the one or more previously-executed partial communication workflows that share the same structure with the partial communication workflow and that are determined to be similar to the partial communication workflow, and the selection being based on the task outcome of the one or more previously-executed partial communication workflows that share the same structure with the partial communication workflow and that are determined to be similar to the partial communication workflow; and
displaying the output on the interface. 9. The system of claim 8, wherein comparing the composite feature vector of each previously-executed partial communication workflow, from the subset of previous-executed partial communication workflows sharing a same structure with the partial communication workflow, with the composite feature vector of the partial communication workflow includes:
calculating, for each previously-executed partial communication workflow, a distance between the composite feature vector of the previously-executed partial communication workflow and the composite feature vector of the partial communication workflow in a domain space; and comparing the distance with a threshold value, wherein when the distance is equal to or less than the threshold value, then the previously-executed partial communication workflow is determined to be similar to the partial communication workflow, and wherein when the distance is larger than the threshold value, then the previously-executed partial communication workflow is determined to not be similar to the partial communication workflow. 10. The system of claim 8, wherein the operations further comprise:
ordering the one or more previously-executed partial communication workflows that share the same structure as the partial communication workflow and that are determined to be similar to the partial communication workflow, by arranging the one or more previously-executed partial communication workflows from a highest task outcome to a lowest task outcome. 11. The system of claim 8, wherein the operations further comprise:
receiving additional input at the interface, the additional input corresponding to a selection of the one or more recommended tasks to complete the partial communication workflow; and in response to receiving the additional input, adding the one or more recommended tasks to the one or more tasks in a sequential order to represent a complete communication workflow. 12. The system of claim 8, wherein the operations further comprise:
receiving additional input at the interface, the additional input corresponding to a selection of at least one recommended task of the one or more recommended tasks and at least one task that is not included in the one or more recommended tasks, the selection of the at least one recommended task and the at least one task that is not included in the one or more recommended tasks completing the partial communication workflow; and in response to receiving the additional input, adding the at least one recommended task and the at least one task that is not included in the one or more recommended tasks to the one or more tasks in a sequential order to represent a complete communication workflow. 13. The system of claim 8, wherein a partial or complete communication workflow is defined by a list including metadata describing:
the structure of the communication workflow; each task included in the communication workflow; and each feature vector representing a task of the set of tasks included in the communication workflow. 14. The system of claim 13, wherein the operations further comprise:
parsing through the list of metadata to perform one or more functions. 15. A computer-program product tangibly embodied in a non-transitory machine-readable storage medium, including instructions configured to cause a processing apparatus to perform operations including:
providing an interface that enables a user to define a communication workflow, the communication workflow being configurable to include a set of tasks that facilitate interactions with a set of user devices, and each task of the set of tasks including executable code that, upon execution, performs a function associated with the set of user devices; receiving, at the interface, input corresponding to a selection of one or more tasks from the set of tasks, the one or more tasks defining a partial communication workflow, the partial communication workflow being associated with one or more parameters that characterize each task of the one or more tasks of the partial communication workflow; identifying a structure of the partial communication workflow, the structure of the partial communication workflow being represented by one or more nodes and/or one or more stages, wherein each task of the one or more tasks of the partial communication workflow corresponds to a node of the one or more nodes or a stage of the one or more stages; generating a composite feature vector representing the partial communication workflow, the composite feature vector being generated using a feature vector of each task of the one or more tasks of the communication workflow, and the feature vector of each task of the one or more tasks being generated by executing one or more machine-learning techniques using the one or more parameters that characterize the task; accessing a set of previously-executed partial communication workflows, each previously-executed partial communication workflow of the set of previously-executed partial communication workflows being represented by a structure, a composite feature vector, and a task outcome; selecting a subset of the set of previously-executed partial communication workflows, the subset of previously-executed partial communication workflows sharing a same structure with the partial communication workflow; determining, from the subset of previously-executed partial communication workflows, one or more previously-executed partial communication workflows that are similar to the partial communication workflow, the similarity being based on a comparison between the composite feature vector of each previously-executed partial communication workflow of the subset and the composite feature vector of the partial communication workflow; generating an output for completing the partial communication workflow, the output including one or more recommended tasks that complete the partial communication workflow, the one or more recommended tasks being selected from one or more remaining tasks of a previously-executed partial communication workflow of the one or more previously-executed partial communication workflows that share the same structure with the partial communication workflow and that are determined to be similar to the partial communication workflow, and the selection being based on the task outcome of the one or more previously-executed partial communication workflows that share the same structure with the partial communication workflow and that are determined to be similar to the partial communication workflow; and displaying the output on the interface. 16. The non-transitory machine-readable storage medium of claim 15, wherein comparing the composite feature vector of each previously-executed partial communication workflow, from the subset of previous-executed partial communication workflows sharing a same structure with the partial communication workflow, with the composite feature vector of the partial communication workflow includes:
calculating, for each previously-executed partial communication workflow, a distance between the composite feature vector of the previously-executed partial communication workflow and the composite feature vector of the partial communication workflow in a domain space; and comparing the distance with a threshold value, wherein when the distance is equal to or less than the threshold value, then the previously-executed partial communication workflow is determined to be similar to the partial communication workflow, and wherein when the distance is larger than the threshold value, then the previously-executed partial communication workflow is determined to not be similar to the partial communication workflow. 17. The non-transitory machine-readable storage medium of claim 15, wherein the operations further comprise:
ordering the one or more previously-executed partial communication workflows that share the same structure as the partial communication workflow and that are determined to be similar to the partial communication workflow, by arranging the one or more previously-executed partial communication workflows from a highest task outcome to a lowest task outcome. 18. The non-transitory machine-readable storage medium of claim 15, wherein the operations further comprise:
receiving additional input at the interface, the additional input corresponding to a selection of the one or more recommended tasks to complete the partial communication workflow; and in response to receiving the additional input, adding the one or more recommended tasks to the one or more tasks in a sequential order to represent a complete communication workflow. 19. The non-transitory machine-readable storage medium of claim 15, wherein the operations further comprise:
receiving additional input at the interface, the additional input corresponding to a selection of at least one recommended task of the one or more recommended tasks and at least one task that is not included in the one or more recommended tasks, the selection of the at least one recommended task and the at least one task that is not included in the one or more recommended tasks completing the partial communication workflow; and in response to receiving the additional input, adding the at least one recommended task and the at least one task that is not included in the one or more recommended tasks to the one or more tasks in a sequential order to represent a complete communication workflow. 20. The non-transitory machine-readable storage medium of claim 15, wherein a partial or complete communication workflow is defined by a list including metadata describing:
the structure of the communication workflow; each task included in the communication workflow; and each feature vector representing a task of the set of tasks included in the communication workflow. | The present disclosure generally relates to evaluating communication workflows comprised of tasks using machine-learning techniques. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to systems and methods for generating a prediction of a task outcome of a communication workflow, generating a recommendation of one or more tasks to add to a partial communication workflow to complete the communication workflow, and generating a vector representation of a communication workflow.1. A computer-implemented method comprising:
providing an interface that enables a user to define a communication workflow, the communication workflow being configurable to include a set of tasks that facilitate interactions with a set of user devices, and each task of the set of tasks including executable code that, upon execution, performs a function associated with the set of user devices; receiving, at the interface, input corresponding to a selection of one or more tasks from the set of tasks, the one or more tasks defining a partial communication workflow, the partial communication workflow being associated with one or more parameters that characterize each task of the one or more tasks of the partial communication workflow; identifying a structure of the partial communication workflow, the structure of the partial communication workflow being represented by one or more nodes and/or one or more stages, wherein each task of the one or more tasks of the partial communication workflow corresponds to a node of the one or more nodes or a stage of the one or more stages; generating a composite feature vector representing the partial communication workflow, the composite feature vector being generated using a feature vector of each task of the one or more tasks of the communication workflow, and the feature vector of each task of the one or more tasks being generated by executing one or more machine-learning techniques using the one or more parameters that characterize the task; accessing a set of previously-executed partial communication workflows, each previously-executed partial communication workflow of the set of previously-executed partial communication workflows being represented by a structure, a composite feature vector, and a task outcome; selecting a subset of the set of previously-executed partial communication workflows, the subset of previously-executed partial communication workflows sharing a same structure with the partial communication workflow; determining, from the subset of previously-executed partial communication workflows, one or more previously-executed partial communication workflows that are similar to the partial communication workflow, the similarity being based on a comparison between the composite feature vector of each previously-executed partial communication workflow of the subset and the composite feature vector of the partial communication workflow; generating an output for completing the partial communication workflow, the output including one or more recommended tasks that complete the partial communication workflow, the one or more recommended tasks being selected from one or more remaining tasks of a previously-executed partial communication workflow of the one or more previously-executed partial communication workflows that share the same structure with the partial communication workflow and that are determined to be similar to the partial communication workflow, and the selection being based on the task outcome of the one or more previously-executed partial communication workflows that share the same structure with the partial communication workflow and that are determined to be similar to the partial communication workflow; and displaying the output on the interface. 2. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein comparing the composite feature vector of each previously-executed partial communication workflow, from the subset of previous-executed partial communication workflows sharing a same structure with the partial communication workflow, with the composite feature vector of the partial communication workflow includes:
calculating, for each previously-executed partial communication workflow, a distance between the composite feature vector of the previously-executed partial communication workflow and the composite feature vector of the partial communication workflow in a domain space; and comparing the distance with a threshold value, wherein when the distance is equal to or less than the threshold value, then the previously-executed partial communication workflow is determined to be similar to the partial communication workflow, and wherein when the distance is larger than the threshold value, then the previously-executed partial communication workflow is determined to not be similar to the partial communication workflow. 3. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, further comprising:
ordering the one or more previously-executed partial communication workflows that share the same structure as the partial communication workflow and that are determined to be similar to the partial communication workflow, by arranging the one or more previously-executed partial communication workflows from a highest task outcome to a lowest task outcome. 4. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, further comprising:
receiving additional input at the interface, the additional input corresponding to a selection of the one or more recommended tasks to complete the partial communication workflow; and in response to receiving the additional input, adding the one or more recommended tasks to the one or more tasks in a sequential order to represent a complete communication workflow. 5. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, further comprising:
receiving additional input at the interface, the additional input corresponding to a selection of at least one recommended task of the one or more recommended tasks and at least one task that is not included in the one or more recommended tasks, the selection of the at least one recommended task and the at least one task that is not included in the one or more recommended tasks completing the partial communication workflow; and in response to receiving the additional input, adding the at least one recommended task and the at least one task that is not included in the one or more recommended tasks to the one or more tasks in a sequential order to represent a complete communication workflow. 6. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein a partial or complete communication workflow is defined by a list including metadata describing:
the structure of the communication workflow; each task included in the communication workflow; and each feature vector representing a task of the set of tasks included in the communication workflow. 7. The computer-implemented method of claim 6, further comprising:
parsing through the list of metadata to perform one or more functions. 8. A system, comprising:
one or more processors; and a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium containing instructions which, when executed on the one or more processors, cause the one or more processors to perform operations including:
providing an interface that enables a user to define a communication workflow, the communication workflow being configurable to include a set of tasks that facilitate interactions with a set of user devices, and each task of the set of tasks including executable code that, upon execution, performs a function associated with the set of user devices;
receiving, at the interface, input corresponding to a selection of one or more tasks from the set of tasks, the one or more tasks defining a partial communication workflow, the partial communication workflow being associated with one or more parameters that characterize each task of the one or more tasks of the partial communication workflow;
identifying a structure of the partial communication workflow, the structure of the partial communication workflow being represented by one or more nodes and/or one or more stages, wherein each task of the one or more tasks of the partial communication workflow corresponds to a node of the one or more nodes or a stage of the one or more stages;
generating a composite feature vector representing the partial communication workflow, the composite feature vector being generated using a feature vector of each task of the one or more tasks of the communication workflow, and the feature vector of each task of the one or more tasks being generated by executing one or more machine-learning techniques using the one or more parameters that characterize the task;
accessing a set of previously-executed partial communication workflows, each previously-executed partial communication workflow of the set of previously-executed partial communication workflows being represented by a structure, a composite feature vector, and a task outcome;
selecting a subset of the set of previously-executed partial communication workflows, the subset of previously-executed partial communication workflows sharing a same structure with the partial communication workflow;
determining, from the subset of previously-executed partial communication workflows, one or more previously-executed partial communication workflows that are similar to the partial communication workflow, the similarity being based on a comparison between the composite feature vector of each previously-executed partial communication workflow of the subset and the composite feature vector of the partial communication workflow;
generating an output for completing the partial communication workflow, the output including one or more recommended tasks that complete the partial communication workflow, the one or more recommended tasks being selected from one or more remaining tasks of a previously-executed partial communication workflow of the one or more previously-executed partial communication workflows that share the same structure with the partial communication workflow and that are determined to be similar to the partial communication workflow, and the selection being based on the task outcome of the one or more previously-executed partial communication workflows that share the same structure with the partial communication workflow and that are determined to be similar to the partial communication workflow; and
displaying the output on the interface. 9. The system of claim 8, wherein comparing the composite feature vector of each previously-executed partial communication workflow, from the subset of previous-executed partial communication workflows sharing a same structure with the partial communication workflow, with the composite feature vector of the partial communication workflow includes:
calculating, for each previously-executed partial communication workflow, a distance between the composite feature vector of the previously-executed partial communication workflow and the composite feature vector of the partial communication workflow in a domain space; and comparing the distance with a threshold value, wherein when the distance is equal to or less than the threshold value, then the previously-executed partial communication workflow is determined to be similar to the partial communication workflow, and wherein when the distance is larger than the threshold value, then the previously-executed partial communication workflow is determined to not be similar to the partial communication workflow. 10. The system of claim 8, wherein the operations further comprise:
ordering the one or more previously-executed partial communication workflows that share the same structure as the partial communication workflow and that are determined to be similar to the partial communication workflow, by arranging the one or more previously-executed partial communication workflows from a highest task outcome to a lowest task outcome. 11. The system of claim 8, wherein the operations further comprise:
receiving additional input at the interface, the additional input corresponding to a selection of the one or more recommended tasks to complete the partial communication workflow; and in response to receiving the additional input, adding the one or more recommended tasks to the one or more tasks in a sequential order to represent a complete communication workflow. 12. The system of claim 8, wherein the operations further comprise:
receiving additional input at the interface, the additional input corresponding to a selection of at least one recommended task of the one or more recommended tasks and at least one task that is not included in the one or more recommended tasks, the selection of the at least one recommended task and the at least one task that is not included in the one or more recommended tasks completing the partial communication workflow; and in response to receiving the additional input, adding the at least one recommended task and the at least one task that is not included in the one or more recommended tasks to the one or more tasks in a sequential order to represent a complete communication workflow. 13. The system of claim 8, wherein a partial or complete communication workflow is defined by a list including metadata describing:
the structure of the communication workflow; each task included in the communication workflow; and each feature vector representing a task of the set of tasks included in the communication workflow. 14. The system of claim 13, wherein the operations further comprise:
parsing through the list of metadata to perform one or more functions. 15. A computer-program product tangibly embodied in a non-transitory machine-readable storage medium, including instructions configured to cause a processing apparatus to perform operations including:
providing an interface that enables a user to define a communication workflow, the communication workflow being configurable to include a set of tasks that facilitate interactions with a set of user devices, and each task of the set of tasks including executable code that, upon execution, performs a function associated with the set of user devices; receiving, at the interface, input corresponding to a selection of one or more tasks from the set of tasks, the one or more tasks defining a partial communication workflow, the partial communication workflow being associated with one or more parameters that characterize each task of the one or more tasks of the partial communication workflow; identifying a structure of the partial communication workflow, the structure of the partial communication workflow being represented by one or more nodes and/or one or more stages, wherein each task of the one or more tasks of the partial communication workflow corresponds to a node of the one or more nodes or a stage of the one or more stages; generating a composite feature vector representing the partial communication workflow, the composite feature vector being generated using a feature vector of each task of the one or more tasks of the communication workflow, and the feature vector of each task of the one or more tasks being generated by executing one or more machine-learning techniques using the one or more parameters that characterize the task; accessing a set of previously-executed partial communication workflows, each previously-executed partial communication workflow of the set of previously-executed partial communication workflows being represented by a structure, a composite feature vector, and a task outcome; selecting a subset of the set of previously-executed partial communication workflows, the subset of previously-executed partial communication workflows sharing a same structure with the partial communication workflow; determining, from the subset of previously-executed partial communication workflows, one or more previously-executed partial communication workflows that are similar to the partial communication workflow, the similarity being based on a comparison between the composite feature vector of each previously-executed partial communication workflow of the subset and the composite feature vector of the partial communication workflow; generating an output for completing the partial communication workflow, the output including one or more recommended tasks that complete the partial communication workflow, the one or more recommended tasks being selected from one or more remaining tasks of a previously-executed partial communication workflow of the one or more previously-executed partial communication workflows that share the same structure with the partial communication workflow and that are determined to be similar to the partial communication workflow, and the selection being based on the task outcome of the one or more previously-executed partial communication workflows that share the same structure with the partial communication workflow and that are determined to be similar to the partial communication workflow; and displaying the output on the interface. 16. The non-transitory machine-readable storage medium of claim 15, wherein comparing the composite feature vector of each previously-executed partial communication workflow, from the subset of previous-executed partial communication workflows sharing a same structure with the partial communication workflow, with the composite feature vector of the partial communication workflow includes:
calculating, for each previously-executed partial communication workflow, a distance between the composite feature vector of the previously-executed partial communication workflow and the composite feature vector of the partial communication workflow in a domain space; and comparing the distance with a threshold value, wherein when the distance is equal to or less than the threshold value, then the previously-executed partial communication workflow is determined to be similar to the partial communication workflow, and wherein when the distance is larger than the threshold value, then the previously-executed partial communication workflow is determined to not be similar to the partial communication workflow. 17. The non-transitory machine-readable storage medium of claim 15, wherein the operations further comprise:
ordering the one or more previously-executed partial communication workflows that share the same structure as the partial communication workflow and that are determined to be similar to the partial communication workflow, by arranging the one or more previously-executed partial communication workflows from a highest task outcome to a lowest task outcome. 18. The non-transitory machine-readable storage medium of claim 15, wherein the operations further comprise:
receiving additional input at the interface, the additional input corresponding to a selection of the one or more recommended tasks to complete the partial communication workflow; and in response to receiving the additional input, adding the one or more recommended tasks to the one or more tasks in a sequential order to represent a complete communication workflow. 19. The non-transitory machine-readable storage medium of claim 15, wherein the operations further comprise:
receiving additional input at the interface, the additional input corresponding to a selection of at least one recommended task of the one or more recommended tasks and at least one task that is not included in the one or more recommended tasks, the selection of the at least one recommended task and the at least one task that is not included in the one or more recommended tasks completing the partial communication workflow; and in response to receiving the additional input, adding the at least one recommended task and the at least one task that is not included in the one or more recommended tasks to the one or more tasks in a sequential order to represent a complete communication workflow. 20. The non-transitory machine-readable storage medium of claim 15, wherein a partial or complete communication workflow is defined by a list including metadata describing:
the structure of the communication workflow; each task included in the communication workflow; and each feature vector representing a task of the set of tasks included in the communication workflow. | 2,400 |
339,934 | 16,800,913 | 2,458 | A first master receives a first virtual address in a virtual memory, the first virtual address in the virtual memory corresponding, according to a mapping function, to a first physical address of a first physical memory bank which is to be accessed by the first master. The first master accesses the first physical address to perform a first memory operation in the first memory bank. A second master receives a second virtual address in a virtual memory, the second virtual address in the virtual memory corresponding, according to the mapping function, to a second physical address of a second physical memory bank which is to be accessed by the second master. Concurrently with access by the first master to the first physical address, the second master accesses the second physical address to perform a second memory operation in the second physical memory bank. | 1. A method for improving memory access in a data storage system, the method comprising:
receiving, at a first master, a first virtual address in a virtual memory, the first virtual address in the virtual memory corresponding, according to a mapping function, to a first physical address of a first physical memory bank which is to be accessed by the first master; accessing, by the first master, the first physical address to perform a first read operation to read a first portion of a data unit stored in the first physical memory bank at the first physical address, or to perform a first write operation to write the first portion of the data unit to the first physical memory bank at the first physical address; receiving, at a second master, a second virtual address in a virtual memory, the second virtual address in the virtual memory corresponding, according to the mapping function, to a second physical address of a second physical memory bank which is to be accessed by the second master; and concurrently with access by the first master to the first physical address, accessing, by the second master, the second physical address to perform a second read operation to read a second portion of the data unit stored in the second physical memory bank at the second physical address, or to perform a second write operation to write the second portion of the data unit to the second physical memory bank at the second physical address. 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the mapping function maps the first virtual address in the virtual memory associated with the first portion of the data unit to the first physical address of the first physical memory bank associated with the first portion of the data unit and maps the second virtual address in the virtual memory associated with the second portion of the data unit to the second physical address in the second physical memory bank associated with the second portion of the data unit. 3. The method of claim 1, wherein the first virtual address in the virtual memory associated with the first portion of the data unit and the second virtual address in the virtual memory associated with the second portion of the data unit are associated with consecutive rows in the virtual memory and the first physical address in the first physical memory bank and the first physical address in the second physical memory bank identify consecutive memory banks. 4. The method of claim 1, wherein the mapping function maps the first virtual address in the virtual memory associated with the first portion of the data unit to the first physical address based on an a logical exclusive OR (XOR) operation on bits of the first virtual address in the virtual memory associated with the first portion of the data unit, an output of the logical XOR operation identifying the first physical memory bank associated with the first portion of the data unit. 5. The method of claim 4, wherein the data unit is 32 bytes, the first virtual address in the virtual memory associated with the first portion of the data unit is 23 bits represented by a variable Address where bit 22 is a most significant bit and bit 0 is a least significant bit, and the logical XOR operation is bits 12 to 9 of the Address XORed with bits 8 to 5 of the Address to identify the first physical memory bank associated with the first portion of the data unit. 6. The method of claim 1, wherein the first master accesses a portion of the first physical memory bank based on the first physical address or the second master accesses a portion of the second physical memory bank based on the second physical address. 7. The method of claim 1, wherein the first physical memory bank and the second physical memory bank are a same memory bank, the method further comprising arbitrating access by the first master and the second master to the first physical memory bank and the second physical memory bank. 8. The method of claim 1, wherein the first physical memory bank and the second physical memory bank are each single port memory banks. 9. The method of claim 1, wherein the mapping function is a mapping table which maps virtual addresses of the virtual memory to physical addresses of physical memory banks, the mapping table shared by the first master and the second master. 10. The method of claim 1, wherein the concurrent access by the first master and the second master is within a clock cycle. 11. A storage system comprising:
a first memory bank; a second memory bank; a first master configured to:
receive a first virtual address in a virtual memory, the first virtual address in the virtual memory corresponding, according to a mapping function, to a first physical address of a first physical memory bank which is to be accessed by the first master;
access the first physical address to perform a first read operation to read a first portion of a data unit stored in the first physical memory bank at the first physical address, or to perform a first write operation to write the first portion of the data unit to the first physical memory bank at the first physical address;
a second master configured to:
receive a second virtual address in a virtual memory, the second virtual address in the virtual memory corresponding, according to the mapping function, to a second physical address of a second physical memory bank which is to be accessed by the second master;
concurrently with access by the first master to the first physical address, access the second physical address to perform a second read operation to read a second portion of the data unit stored in the second physical memory bank at the second physical address, or to perform a second write operation to write the second portion of the data unit to the second physical memory bank at the second physical address. 12. The storage system of claim 11, wherein the virtual memory and the memory banks are configured with contiguous addresses. 13. The storage system of claim 11, wherein the first virtual address in the virtual memory associated with the first portion of the data unit and the second virtual address in the virtual memory associated with the second portion of the data unit are associated with consecutive rows in the virtual memory, and wherein the first physical address accessed by the first master and the second physical address accessed by the second master are associated with consecutive memory banks. 14. The storage system of claim 11, wherein the first master is configured to map the first virtual address in the virtual memory associated with the first portion of the data unit to the first physical address based on an a logical exclusive OR (XOR) operation on bits of the first virtual address in the virtual memory associated with the first portion of the data unit, an output of the logical XOR operation identifying the first memory bank associated with the first portion of the data unit. 15. The storage system of claim 14, wherein the data unit is 32 bytes, the first virtual address in the virtual memory associated with the first portion of the data unit is 23 bits represented by a variable Address where bit 22 is a most significant bit and bit 0 is a least significant bit, and the logical XOR operation is bits 12 to 9 of the Address XORed with bits 8 to 5 of the Address to identify the first physical memory bank associated with the first portion of the data unit. 16. The storage system of claim 11, wherein the first master is configured to access the first physical address and the second master is configured to access the second physical address concurrently in a clock cycle. 17. The storage system of claim 11, wherein the first memory bank and the second memory bank are a same memory bank, the storage system further comprising an arbitrator configured to arbitrate access to the first physical memory bank and the second physical memory bank. 18. The storage system of claim 11, wherein the first physical memory bank and the second physical memory bank are single port memory banks. 19. The storage system of claim 11, wherein the mapping function is a mapping table which maps virtual addresses of the virtual memory to physical addresses of memory banks, the mapping table shared by the first master and the second master. 20. The storage system of claim 11, wherein the first master is configured to access a portion of the first memory bank based on the first physical address or the second master is configured to access a portion of the second memory bank based on the second physical address. | A first master receives a first virtual address in a virtual memory, the first virtual address in the virtual memory corresponding, according to a mapping function, to a first physical address of a first physical memory bank which is to be accessed by the first master. The first master accesses the first physical address to perform a first memory operation in the first memory bank. A second master receives a second virtual address in a virtual memory, the second virtual address in the virtual memory corresponding, according to the mapping function, to a second physical address of a second physical memory bank which is to be accessed by the second master. Concurrently with access by the first master to the first physical address, the second master accesses the second physical address to perform a second memory operation in the second physical memory bank.1. A method for improving memory access in a data storage system, the method comprising:
receiving, at a first master, a first virtual address in a virtual memory, the first virtual address in the virtual memory corresponding, according to a mapping function, to a first physical address of a first physical memory bank which is to be accessed by the first master; accessing, by the first master, the first physical address to perform a first read operation to read a first portion of a data unit stored in the first physical memory bank at the first physical address, or to perform a first write operation to write the first portion of the data unit to the first physical memory bank at the first physical address; receiving, at a second master, a second virtual address in a virtual memory, the second virtual address in the virtual memory corresponding, according to the mapping function, to a second physical address of a second physical memory bank which is to be accessed by the second master; and concurrently with access by the first master to the first physical address, accessing, by the second master, the second physical address to perform a second read operation to read a second portion of the data unit stored in the second physical memory bank at the second physical address, or to perform a second write operation to write the second portion of the data unit to the second physical memory bank at the second physical address. 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the mapping function maps the first virtual address in the virtual memory associated with the first portion of the data unit to the first physical address of the first physical memory bank associated with the first portion of the data unit and maps the second virtual address in the virtual memory associated with the second portion of the data unit to the second physical address in the second physical memory bank associated with the second portion of the data unit. 3. The method of claim 1, wherein the first virtual address in the virtual memory associated with the first portion of the data unit and the second virtual address in the virtual memory associated with the second portion of the data unit are associated with consecutive rows in the virtual memory and the first physical address in the first physical memory bank and the first physical address in the second physical memory bank identify consecutive memory banks. 4. The method of claim 1, wherein the mapping function maps the first virtual address in the virtual memory associated with the first portion of the data unit to the first physical address based on an a logical exclusive OR (XOR) operation on bits of the first virtual address in the virtual memory associated with the first portion of the data unit, an output of the logical XOR operation identifying the first physical memory bank associated with the first portion of the data unit. 5. The method of claim 4, wherein the data unit is 32 bytes, the first virtual address in the virtual memory associated with the first portion of the data unit is 23 bits represented by a variable Address where bit 22 is a most significant bit and bit 0 is a least significant bit, and the logical XOR operation is bits 12 to 9 of the Address XORed with bits 8 to 5 of the Address to identify the first physical memory bank associated with the first portion of the data unit. 6. The method of claim 1, wherein the first master accesses a portion of the first physical memory bank based on the first physical address or the second master accesses a portion of the second physical memory bank based on the second physical address. 7. The method of claim 1, wherein the first physical memory bank and the second physical memory bank are a same memory bank, the method further comprising arbitrating access by the first master and the second master to the first physical memory bank and the second physical memory bank. 8. The method of claim 1, wherein the first physical memory bank and the second physical memory bank are each single port memory banks. 9. The method of claim 1, wherein the mapping function is a mapping table which maps virtual addresses of the virtual memory to physical addresses of physical memory banks, the mapping table shared by the first master and the second master. 10. The method of claim 1, wherein the concurrent access by the first master and the second master is within a clock cycle. 11. A storage system comprising:
a first memory bank; a second memory bank; a first master configured to:
receive a first virtual address in a virtual memory, the first virtual address in the virtual memory corresponding, according to a mapping function, to a first physical address of a first physical memory bank which is to be accessed by the first master;
access the first physical address to perform a first read operation to read a first portion of a data unit stored in the first physical memory bank at the first physical address, or to perform a first write operation to write the first portion of the data unit to the first physical memory bank at the first physical address;
a second master configured to:
receive a second virtual address in a virtual memory, the second virtual address in the virtual memory corresponding, according to the mapping function, to a second physical address of a second physical memory bank which is to be accessed by the second master;
concurrently with access by the first master to the first physical address, access the second physical address to perform a second read operation to read a second portion of the data unit stored in the second physical memory bank at the second physical address, or to perform a second write operation to write the second portion of the data unit to the second physical memory bank at the second physical address. 12. The storage system of claim 11, wherein the virtual memory and the memory banks are configured with contiguous addresses. 13. The storage system of claim 11, wherein the first virtual address in the virtual memory associated with the first portion of the data unit and the second virtual address in the virtual memory associated with the second portion of the data unit are associated with consecutive rows in the virtual memory, and wherein the first physical address accessed by the first master and the second physical address accessed by the second master are associated with consecutive memory banks. 14. The storage system of claim 11, wherein the first master is configured to map the first virtual address in the virtual memory associated with the first portion of the data unit to the first physical address based on an a logical exclusive OR (XOR) operation on bits of the first virtual address in the virtual memory associated with the first portion of the data unit, an output of the logical XOR operation identifying the first memory bank associated with the first portion of the data unit. 15. The storage system of claim 14, wherein the data unit is 32 bytes, the first virtual address in the virtual memory associated with the first portion of the data unit is 23 bits represented by a variable Address where bit 22 is a most significant bit and bit 0 is a least significant bit, and the logical XOR operation is bits 12 to 9 of the Address XORed with bits 8 to 5 of the Address to identify the first physical memory bank associated with the first portion of the data unit. 16. The storage system of claim 11, wherein the first master is configured to access the first physical address and the second master is configured to access the second physical address concurrently in a clock cycle. 17. The storage system of claim 11, wherein the first memory bank and the second memory bank are a same memory bank, the storage system further comprising an arbitrator configured to arbitrate access to the first physical memory bank and the second physical memory bank. 18. The storage system of claim 11, wherein the first physical memory bank and the second physical memory bank are single port memory banks. 19. The storage system of claim 11, wherein the mapping function is a mapping table which maps virtual addresses of the virtual memory to physical addresses of memory banks, the mapping table shared by the first master and the second master. 20. The storage system of claim 11, wherein the first master is configured to access a portion of the first memory bank based on the first physical address or the second master is configured to access a portion of the second memory bank based on the second physical address. | 2,400 |
339,935 | 16,800,921 | 2,458 | Some embodiments are directed to a positive displacement pump having an eccentric piston, comprising a tube having a first end and a second end that is terminated by a cylinder secured to a delivery zone, the tube including an intake opening and a delivery opening, a drive shaft extending between the transmission zone and the tube, a piston arranged in the delivery zone and mounted in a sliding manner at the end of the shaft, being pressed against the cylinder by an elastic presser so as to prevent fluid displacement between the tube and the delivery zone when the pump is dry, and the elastic presser is provided to press the piston against the cylinder when the pump is running under load. | 1. A positive displacement pump having an eccentric piston, comprising:
a tube having a first end secured to a transmission zone and a second end that is terminated by a cylinder secured to a delivery zone, the tube comprising an intake opening and the delivery zone including a delivery opening, a drive shaft extending between the transmission zone and the tube with one end situated by the cylinder, and a piston arranged in the delivery zone and mounted in a sliding manner at the end of the shaft, being pressed against the cylinder by an elastic presser so as to prevent fluid displacement between the tube and the delivery zone when the pump is dry, wherein the elastic presser is designed to press the piston against the cylinder when the pump is running under load, and in that the elastic presser include at least one spring mounted at the end of the piston, the direction of the return force of the spring forming a non-zero angle with a straight line (A) passing through the two points of contact between the piston and the cylinder when the pump is dry. 2. The positive displacement pump having an eccentric piston according to claim 1, wherein the angle is between 1 and 30°. 3. The positive displacement pump having an eccentric piston according to claim 1, wherein the elastic presser further includes a first portion of the drive shaft, the cross-sectional area of which is less than the cross-sectional areas of the adjacent portions so as to be able to deform elastically during the rotation of the drive shaft. 4. The positive displacement pump having an eccentric piston according to the preceding claim 3, wherein the first portion forms a flexible strip. 5. The positive displacement pump having an eccentric piston according to either of claim 3, wherein the cross-sectional area of the first portion is rectangular. 6. The positive displacement pump having an eccentric piston according to claim 1, wherein the piston carries out an orbital movement within the cylinder when the pump is running. 7. The positive displacement pump having an eccentric piston according to claim 1, wherein the cylinder is delimited by two circular walls with different diameters, the diameter of the piston being between these two diameters. 8. The positive displacement pump having an eccentric piston according to claim 1, wherein the cylinder is provided with a wall for isolating the intake opening and the delivery zone. 9. The positive displacement pump having an eccentric piston according to claim 8, wherein the skirt of the piston is interrupted in line with the wall. | Some embodiments are directed to a positive displacement pump having an eccentric piston, comprising a tube having a first end and a second end that is terminated by a cylinder secured to a delivery zone, the tube including an intake opening and a delivery opening, a drive shaft extending between the transmission zone and the tube, a piston arranged in the delivery zone and mounted in a sliding manner at the end of the shaft, being pressed against the cylinder by an elastic presser so as to prevent fluid displacement between the tube and the delivery zone when the pump is dry, and the elastic presser is provided to press the piston against the cylinder when the pump is running under load.1. A positive displacement pump having an eccentric piston, comprising:
a tube having a first end secured to a transmission zone and a second end that is terminated by a cylinder secured to a delivery zone, the tube comprising an intake opening and the delivery zone including a delivery opening, a drive shaft extending between the transmission zone and the tube with one end situated by the cylinder, and a piston arranged in the delivery zone and mounted in a sliding manner at the end of the shaft, being pressed against the cylinder by an elastic presser so as to prevent fluid displacement between the tube and the delivery zone when the pump is dry, wherein the elastic presser is designed to press the piston against the cylinder when the pump is running under load, and in that the elastic presser include at least one spring mounted at the end of the piston, the direction of the return force of the spring forming a non-zero angle with a straight line (A) passing through the two points of contact between the piston and the cylinder when the pump is dry. 2. The positive displacement pump having an eccentric piston according to claim 1, wherein the angle is between 1 and 30°. 3. The positive displacement pump having an eccentric piston according to claim 1, wherein the elastic presser further includes a first portion of the drive shaft, the cross-sectional area of which is less than the cross-sectional areas of the adjacent portions so as to be able to deform elastically during the rotation of the drive shaft. 4. The positive displacement pump having an eccentric piston according to the preceding claim 3, wherein the first portion forms a flexible strip. 5. The positive displacement pump having an eccentric piston according to either of claim 3, wherein the cross-sectional area of the first portion is rectangular. 6. The positive displacement pump having an eccentric piston according to claim 1, wherein the piston carries out an orbital movement within the cylinder when the pump is running. 7. The positive displacement pump having an eccentric piston according to claim 1, wherein the cylinder is delimited by two circular walls with different diameters, the diameter of the piston being between these two diameters. 8. The positive displacement pump having an eccentric piston according to claim 1, wherein the cylinder is provided with a wall for isolating the intake opening and the delivery zone. 9. The positive displacement pump having an eccentric piston according to claim 8, wherein the skirt of the piston is interrupted in line with the wall. | 2,400 |
339,936 | 16,800,906 | 2,458 | calculating a three-dimensional position of the tracking target relative to the radar array from the target range, first target angle, and target composite angle. | 1. A method for Doppler-enhanced radar tracking comprises:
transmitting a probe signal; receiving a reflected probe signal at a radar array in response to reflection of the probe signal by a tracking target, wherein the tracking target and radar array are connected by a target vector; wherein the radar array comprises a first plurality of radar elements positioned along a first radar axis; calculating a target range from the reflected probe signal; calculating a first target angle between a first reference vector and a first projected target vector from the reflected probe signal; wherein the first projected target vector is the target vector projected into a first reference plane, the first reference plane containing both of the first radar axis and the first reference vector; calculating a target composite angle from the reflected probe signal; wherein the target composite angle is an angle between the target vector and a composite reference vector; and calculating a three-dimensional position of the tracking target relative to the radar array from the target range, first target angle, and target composite angle. | calculating a three-dimensional position of the tracking target relative to the radar array from the target range, first target angle, and target composite angle.1. A method for Doppler-enhanced radar tracking comprises:
transmitting a probe signal; receiving a reflected probe signal at a radar array in response to reflection of the probe signal by a tracking target, wherein the tracking target and radar array are connected by a target vector; wherein the radar array comprises a first plurality of radar elements positioned along a first radar axis; calculating a target range from the reflected probe signal; calculating a first target angle between a first reference vector and a first projected target vector from the reflected probe signal; wherein the first projected target vector is the target vector projected into a first reference plane, the first reference plane containing both of the first radar axis and the first reference vector; calculating a target composite angle from the reflected probe signal; wherein the target composite angle is an angle between the target vector and a composite reference vector; and calculating a three-dimensional position of the tracking target relative to the radar array from the target range, first target angle, and target composite angle. | 2,400 |
339,937 | 16,800,938 | 2,458 | Methods for the rapid detection of the presence or absence of Mycoplasma genitalium (MG) in a biological or non-biological sample are described. The methods can include performing an amplifying step, a hybridizing step, and a detecting step. Furthermore, primers, probes targeting the target MG gene, along with kits are provided that are designed for the detection of MG. | 1. A method of detecting Mycoplasma genitalium (MG) in a sample, the method comprising:
performing an amplifying step by the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) comprising contacting the sample with a set of target MG gene primers to produce an amplification product if a target MG gene nucleic acid is present in the sample; performing a hybridizing step comprising contacting the amplification product with one or more detectable target MG gene probes; and detecting the presence or absence of the amplification product, wherein the presence of the amplification product is indicative of the presence of MG in the sample and wherein the absence of the amplification product is indicative of the absence of MG in the sample; wherein the set of target MG gene primers and the one or more detectable target MG gene probes amplify and detect region A of the mgpB gene (mgpB); and wherein the set of target MG gene primers comprise a first primer consisting of a first oligonucleotide sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NOs: 29-35, and a second primer consisting of a second oligonucleotide sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NOs: 36-41; and 2. The method of claim 1, wherein:
the hybridizing step comprises contacting the amplification product with the detectable target MG gene probe that is labeled with a donor fluorescent moiety and a corresponding acceptor moiety; and the detecting step comprises detecting the presence or absence of fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) between the donor fluorescent moiety and the acceptor moiety of the probe, wherein the presence or absence of fluorescence is indicative of the presence or absence of MG in the sample. 3. The method of claim 2, wherein said amplifying step employs a polymerase enzyme having 5′ to 3′ nuclease activity. 4. The method of claim 2, wherein the donor fluorescent moiety and the corresponding acceptor moiety are within no more than 8-20 nucleotides of each other on the probe. 5. The method of claim 2, wherein the acceptor moiety is a quencher. 6. The method of claim 1, wherein the first oligonucleotide sequence is selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NOs: 34-35, the second oligonucleotide sequence is selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NOs: 40-41, and the third oligonucleotide sequence is selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NOs: 45-46. 7. A kit for detecting a nucleic acid of Mycoplasma genitalium (MG) comprising:
a first primer consisting of a first oligonucleotide sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NOs: 29-35, or a complement thereof; a second primer consisting of a second oligonucleotide sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NOs: 36-41, or a complement thereof; and a fluorescently detectably labeled probe comprising a third oligonucleotide sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NOs: 42-46, or a complement, the detectably labeled probe configured to hybridize to an amplicon generated by the first primer and the second primer. 8. The kit of claim 7, wherein the third detectably labeled oligonucleotide sequence comprises a donor fluorescent moiety and a corresponding acceptor moiety. 9. The kit of claim 8, wherein the acceptor moiety is a quencher. 10. The kit of claim 7, further comprising at least one of nucleoside triphosphates, nucleic acid polymerase, and buffers necessary for the function of the nucleic acid polymerase. 11. The kit of claim 7, wherein at least one of the first, second, and third oligonucleotides comprises at least one modified nucleotide. 12. The kit of claim 7, wherein the first oligonucleotide sequence is selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NOs: 34-35, the second oligonucleotide sequence is selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NOs: 40-41, and the third oligonucleotide sequence is selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NOs: 45-46. | Methods for the rapid detection of the presence or absence of Mycoplasma genitalium (MG) in a biological or non-biological sample are described. The methods can include performing an amplifying step, a hybridizing step, and a detecting step. Furthermore, primers, probes targeting the target MG gene, along with kits are provided that are designed for the detection of MG.1. A method of detecting Mycoplasma genitalium (MG) in a sample, the method comprising:
performing an amplifying step by the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) comprising contacting the sample with a set of target MG gene primers to produce an amplification product if a target MG gene nucleic acid is present in the sample; performing a hybridizing step comprising contacting the amplification product with one or more detectable target MG gene probes; and detecting the presence or absence of the amplification product, wherein the presence of the amplification product is indicative of the presence of MG in the sample and wherein the absence of the amplification product is indicative of the absence of MG in the sample; wherein the set of target MG gene primers and the one or more detectable target MG gene probes amplify and detect region A of the mgpB gene (mgpB); and wherein the set of target MG gene primers comprise a first primer consisting of a first oligonucleotide sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NOs: 29-35, and a second primer consisting of a second oligonucleotide sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NOs: 36-41; and 2. The method of claim 1, wherein:
the hybridizing step comprises contacting the amplification product with the detectable target MG gene probe that is labeled with a donor fluorescent moiety and a corresponding acceptor moiety; and the detecting step comprises detecting the presence or absence of fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) between the donor fluorescent moiety and the acceptor moiety of the probe, wherein the presence or absence of fluorescence is indicative of the presence or absence of MG in the sample. 3. The method of claim 2, wherein said amplifying step employs a polymerase enzyme having 5′ to 3′ nuclease activity. 4. The method of claim 2, wherein the donor fluorescent moiety and the corresponding acceptor moiety are within no more than 8-20 nucleotides of each other on the probe. 5. The method of claim 2, wherein the acceptor moiety is a quencher. 6. The method of claim 1, wherein the first oligonucleotide sequence is selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NOs: 34-35, the second oligonucleotide sequence is selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NOs: 40-41, and the third oligonucleotide sequence is selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NOs: 45-46. 7. A kit for detecting a nucleic acid of Mycoplasma genitalium (MG) comprising:
a first primer consisting of a first oligonucleotide sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NOs: 29-35, or a complement thereof; a second primer consisting of a second oligonucleotide sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NOs: 36-41, or a complement thereof; and a fluorescently detectably labeled probe comprising a third oligonucleotide sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NOs: 42-46, or a complement, the detectably labeled probe configured to hybridize to an amplicon generated by the first primer and the second primer. 8. The kit of claim 7, wherein the third detectably labeled oligonucleotide sequence comprises a donor fluorescent moiety and a corresponding acceptor moiety. 9. The kit of claim 8, wherein the acceptor moiety is a quencher. 10. The kit of claim 7, further comprising at least one of nucleoside triphosphates, nucleic acid polymerase, and buffers necessary for the function of the nucleic acid polymerase. 11. The kit of claim 7, wherein at least one of the first, second, and third oligonucleotides comprises at least one modified nucleotide. 12. The kit of claim 7, wherein the first oligonucleotide sequence is selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NOs: 34-35, the second oligonucleotide sequence is selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NOs: 40-41, and the third oligonucleotide sequence is selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NOs: 45-46. | 2,400 |
339,938 | 16,800,899 | 2,458 | Disclosed herein is an apparatus that includes: first and second wiring patterns extending in a first direction, first and second transistors arranged adjacent to each other, and third to sixth wiring patterns extending in a second direction. The third wiring pattern is connected between the first wiring pattern and one of source/drain regions of the first transistor, the fourth wiring pattern is connected between the second wiring pattern and other of source/drain regions of the first transistor, the fifth wiring pattern is connected to one of source/drain regions of the second transistor, the fifth wiring pattern overlapping with the first wiring pattern, the sixth wiring pattern is connected to other of source/drain regions of the second transistor, the sixth wiring pattern overlapping with the second wiring pattern. The third and fourth wiring patterns are greater in width in the first direction than the fifth and sixth wiring patterns. | 1. An apparatus comprising:
first and second wiring patterns in a first wiring layer extending in a first direction; a plurality of transistors arranged in the first direction between the first and second wiring patterns, the plurality of transistors including first and second transistors arranged adjacent to each other; and third, fourth, fifth, and sixth wiring patterns in a second wiring layer extending in a second direction crossing the first direction, wherein the third wiring pattern is electrically connected between the first wiring pattern and one of source/drain regions of the first transistor, wherein the fourth wiring pattern is electrically connected between the second wiring pattern and other of source/drain regions of the first transistor, wherein the fifth wiring pattern is electrically connected to one of source/drain regions of the second transistor, the fifth wiring pattern overlapping with the first wiring pattern, wherein the sixth wiring pattern is electrically connected to other of source/drain regions of the second transistor, the sixth wiring pattern overlapping with the second wiring pattern, and wherein the third and fourth wiring patterns are greater in width in the first direction than the fifth and sixth wiring patterns. 2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the fifth wiring pattern is electrically isolated from the first wiring pattern. 3. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising seventh and eighth wiring patterns extending in the second direction,
wherein the plurality of transistors further includes a third transistor arranged adjacent to the second transistor such that the second transistor is arranged between the first and third transistors, wherein the seventh wiring pattern is electrically connected to one of source/drain regions of the third transistor, the seventh wiring pattern overlapping with the first wiring pattern, wherein the eighth wiring pattern is electrically connected to other of source/drain regions of the third transistor, the eighth wiring pattern overlapping with the second wiring pattern, and wherein the third and fourth wiring patterns are greater in width in the first direction than the seventh and eighth wiring patterns. 4. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the seventh and eighth wiring patterns are greater in width in the first direction than the fifth and sixth wiring patterns. 5. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the seventh wiring pattern is electrically isolated from the first wiring pattern. 6. The apparatus of claim 3,
wherein the fourth and fifth wiring patterns are arranged adjacent to each other with a first space, wherein the sixth and seventh wiring patterns are arranged adjacent to each other with a second space, and wherein the first space is narrower than the second space. 7. The apparatus of claim 6,
wherein the other of source/drain regions of the first transistor and the one of source/drain regions of the second transistor are arranged adjacent to each other with a third space, and wherein the first space is narrower than the third space. 8. The apparatus of claim 7,
wherein the other of source/drain regions of the second transistor and the one of source/drain regions of the third transistor are arranged adjacent to each other with a fourth space, and wherein the fourth space is narrower than the second space. 9. The apparatus of claim 3,
wherein the other of source/drain regions of the first transistor and the one of source/drain regions of the second transistor are arranged adjacent to each other with a third space, wherein the other of source/drain regions of the second transistor and the one of source/drain regions of the third transistor are arranged adjacent to each other with a fourth space, and wherein the fourth space is narrower than the third space. 10. The apparatus of claim 9, further comprising a diffusion region that applying a fixed potential to a semiconductor substrate,
wherein the diffusion region is arranged adjacent to the first transistor such that the first transistor is arranged between the diffusion region and the second transistor. 11. The apparatus of claim 10,
wherein the diffusion region and the one of source/drain regions of the first transistor are arranged adjacent to each other with a fifth space, and wherein the fourth space is narrower than the fifth space. 12. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first wiring pattern is electrically connected to an external data I/O terminal. 13. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the third, fourth, fifth, and sixth wiring patterns comprise different metal material from the first and second wiring patterns. 14. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein a first material of each of the first and second wiring patterns in the first wiring layer has a lower resistance value than a second material of each of the third, fourth, fifth and sixth wiring patterns in the second wiring layer. 15. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the third, fourth, fifth, and sixth wiring patterns comprise tungsten. 16. An apparatus comprising:
first, second, and third transistors arranged in a first direction such that the second transistor is arranged between the first and third transistor; a power supply pattern extending in the first direction; first, second, third, fourth, fifth, and sixth wiring patterns extending in a second direction crossing the first direction, wherein the first, third, and fifth wiring patterns are electrically connected to one of source/drain regions of the first, second, and third transistors, respectively, wherein the second, fourth, and sixth wiring patterns are electrically connected between the power supply pattern and other of source/drain regions of the first, second, and third transistors, respectively, wherein the second and third wiring patterns are arranged adjacent to each other with a first space, wherein the fourth and fifth wiring patterns are arranged adjacent to each other with a second space, wherein the other of source/drain regions of the first transistor and the one of source/drain regions of the second transistor are arranged adjacent to each other with a third space, wherein the other of source/drain regions of the second transistor and the one of source/drain regions of the third transistor are arranged adjacent to each other with a fourth space, wherein the first space is narrower than the second space, and wherein the fourth space is narrower than the third space. 17. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein the first space is narrower than the third space. 18. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein the fourth space is narrower than the second space. 19. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein the first and second wiring patterns are greater in width in the first direction than the third, fourth, fifth and sixth wiring patterns. 20. An apparatus comprising:
first, second, and third transistors arranged in a first direction such that the second transistor is arranged between the first and third transistor; a power supply pattern extending in the first direction; first, second, third, fourth, fifth, and sixth wiring patterns extending in a second direction crossing the first direction, wherein the first, third, and fifth wiring patterns are electrically connected to one of source/drain regions of the first, second, and third transistors, respectively, wherein the second, fourth, and sixth wiring patterns are electrically connected between the power supply pattern and other of source/drain regions of the first, second, and third transistors, respectively, wherein the second and third wiring patterns are arranged adjacent to each other with a first space, wherein the fourth and fifth wiring patterns are arranged adjacent to each other with a second space, wherein the other of source/drain regions of the first transistor and the one of source/drain regions of the second transistor are arranged adjacent to each other with a third space, wherein the other of source/drain regions of the second transistor and the one of source/drain regions of the third transistor are arranged adjacent to each other with a fourth space, wherein the first space is narrower than the third space, and wherein the fourth space is narrower than the second space. 21. The apparatus of claim 20, wherein the first and second wiring patterns are greater in width in the first direction than the third, fourth, fifth and sixth wiring patterns. | Disclosed herein is an apparatus that includes: first and second wiring patterns extending in a first direction, first and second transistors arranged adjacent to each other, and third to sixth wiring patterns extending in a second direction. The third wiring pattern is connected between the first wiring pattern and one of source/drain regions of the first transistor, the fourth wiring pattern is connected between the second wiring pattern and other of source/drain regions of the first transistor, the fifth wiring pattern is connected to one of source/drain regions of the second transistor, the fifth wiring pattern overlapping with the first wiring pattern, the sixth wiring pattern is connected to other of source/drain regions of the second transistor, the sixth wiring pattern overlapping with the second wiring pattern. The third and fourth wiring patterns are greater in width in the first direction than the fifth and sixth wiring patterns.1. An apparatus comprising:
first and second wiring patterns in a first wiring layer extending in a first direction; a plurality of transistors arranged in the first direction between the first and second wiring patterns, the plurality of transistors including first and second transistors arranged adjacent to each other; and third, fourth, fifth, and sixth wiring patterns in a second wiring layer extending in a second direction crossing the first direction, wherein the third wiring pattern is electrically connected between the first wiring pattern and one of source/drain regions of the first transistor, wherein the fourth wiring pattern is electrically connected between the second wiring pattern and other of source/drain regions of the first transistor, wherein the fifth wiring pattern is electrically connected to one of source/drain regions of the second transistor, the fifth wiring pattern overlapping with the first wiring pattern, wherein the sixth wiring pattern is electrically connected to other of source/drain regions of the second transistor, the sixth wiring pattern overlapping with the second wiring pattern, and wherein the third and fourth wiring patterns are greater in width in the first direction than the fifth and sixth wiring patterns. 2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the fifth wiring pattern is electrically isolated from the first wiring pattern. 3. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising seventh and eighth wiring patterns extending in the second direction,
wherein the plurality of transistors further includes a third transistor arranged adjacent to the second transistor such that the second transistor is arranged between the first and third transistors, wherein the seventh wiring pattern is electrically connected to one of source/drain regions of the third transistor, the seventh wiring pattern overlapping with the first wiring pattern, wherein the eighth wiring pattern is electrically connected to other of source/drain regions of the third transistor, the eighth wiring pattern overlapping with the second wiring pattern, and wherein the third and fourth wiring patterns are greater in width in the first direction than the seventh and eighth wiring patterns. 4. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the seventh and eighth wiring patterns are greater in width in the first direction than the fifth and sixth wiring patterns. 5. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the seventh wiring pattern is electrically isolated from the first wiring pattern. 6. The apparatus of claim 3,
wherein the fourth and fifth wiring patterns are arranged adjacent to each other with a first space, wherein the sixth and seventh wiring patterns are arranged adjacent to each other with a second space, and wherein the first space is narrower than the second space. 7. The apparatus of claim 6,
wherein the other of source/drain regions of the first transistor and the one of source/drain regions of the second transistor are arranged adjacent to each other with a third space, and wherein the first space is narrower than the third space. 8. The apparatus of claim 7,
wherein the other of source/drain regions of the second transistor and the one of source/drain regions of the third transistor are arranged adjacent to each other with a fourth space, and wherein the fourth space is narrower than the second space. 9. The apparatus of claim 3,
wherein the other of source/drain regions of the first transistor and the one of source/drain regions of the second transistor are arranged adjacent to each other with a third space, wherein the other of source/drain regions of the second transistor and the one of source/drain regions of the third transistor are arranged adjacent to each other with a fourth space, and wherein the fourth space is narrower than the third space. 10. The apparatus of claim 9, further comprising a diffusion region that applying a fixed potential to a semiconductor substrate,
wherein the diffusion region is arranged adjacent to the first transistor such that the first transistor is arranged between the diffusion region and the second transistor. 11. The apparatus of claim 10,
wherein the diffusion region and the one of source/drain regions of the first transistor are arranged adjacent to each other with a fifth space, and wherein the fourth space is narrower than the fifth space. 12. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first wiring pattern is electrically connected to an external data I/O terminal. 13. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the third, fourth, fifth, and sixth wiring patterns comprise different metal material from the first and second wiring patterns. 14. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein a first material of each of the first and second wiring patterns in the first wiring layer has a lower resistance value than a second material of each of the third, fourth, fifth and sixth wiring patterns in the second wiring layer. 15. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the third, fourth, fifth, and sixth wiring patterns comprise tungsten. 16. An apparatus comprising:
first, second, and third transistors arranged in a first direction such that the second transistor is arranged between the first and third transistor; a power supply pattern extending in the first direction; first, second, third, fourth, fifth, and sixth wiring patterns extending in a second direction crossing the first direction, wherein the first, third, and fifth wiring patterns are electrically connected to one of source/drain regions of the first, second, and third transistors, respectively, wherein the second, fourth, and sixth wiring patterns are electrically connected between the power supply pattern and other of source/drain regions of the first, second, and third transistors, respectively, wherein the second and third wiring patterns are arranged adjacent to each other with a first space, wherein the fourth and fifth wiring patterns are arranged adjacent to each other with a second space, wherein the other of source/drain regions of the first transistor and the one of source/drain regions of the second transistor are arranged adjacent to each other with a third space, wherein the other of source/drain regions of the second transistor and the one of source/drain regions of the third transistor are arranged adjacent to each other with a fourth space, wherein the first space is narrower than the second space, and wherein the fourth space is narrower than the third space. 17. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein the first space is narrower than the third space. 18. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein the fourth space is narrower than the second space. 19. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein the first and second wiring patterns are greater in width in the first direction than the third, fourth, fifth and sixth wiring patterns. 20. An apparatus comprising:
first, second, and third transistors arranged in a first direction such that the second transistor is arranged between the first and third transistor; a power supply pattern extending in the first direction; first, second, third, fourth, fifth, and sixth wiring patterns extending in a second direction crossing the first direction, wherein the first, third, and fifth wiring patterns are electrically connected to one of source/drain regions of the first, second, and third transistors, respectively, wherein the second, fourth, and sixth wiring patterns are electrically connected between the power supply pattern and other of source/drain regions of the first, second, and third transistors, respectively, wherein the second and third wiring patterns are arranged adjacent to each other with a first space, wherein the fourth and fifth wiring patterns are arranged adjacent to each other with a second space, wherein the other of source/drain regions of the first transistor and the one of source/drain regions of the second transistor are arranged adjacent to each other with a third space, wherein the other of source/drain regions of the second transistor and the one of source/drain regions of the third transistor are arranged adjacent to each other with a fourth space, wherein the first space is narrower than the third space, and wherein the fourth space is narrower than the second space. 21. The apparatus of claim 20, wherein the first and second wiring patterns are greater in width in the first direction than the third, fourth, fifth and sixth wiring patterns. | 2,400 |
339,939 | 16,800,889 | 2,458 | Disclosed herein is an apparatus that includes: first and second wiring patterns extending in a first direction, first and second transistors arranged adjacent to each other, and third to sixth wiring patterns extending in a second direction. The third wiring pattern is connected between the first wiring pattern and one of source/drain regions of the first transistor, the fourth wiring pattern is connected between the second wiring pattern and other of source/drain regions of the first transistor, the fifth wiring pattern is connected to one of source/drain regions of the second transistor, the fifth wiring pattern overlapping with the first wiring pattern, the sixth wiring pattern is connected to other of source/drain regions of the second transistor, the sixth wiring pattern overlapping with the second wiring pattern. The third and fourth wiring patterns are greater in width in the first direction than the fifth and sixth wiring patterns. | 1. An apparatus comprising:
first and second wiring patterns in a first wiring layer extending in a first direction; a plurality of transistors arranged in the first direction between the first and second wiring patterns, the plurality of transistors including first and second transistors arranged adjacent to each other; and third, fourth, fifth, and sixth wiring patterns in a second wiring layer extending in a second direction crossing the first direction, wherein the third wiring pattern is electrically connected between the first wiring pattern and one of source/drain regions of the first transistor, wherein the fourth wiring pattern is electrically connected between the second wiring pattern and other of source/drain regions of the first transistor, wherein the fifth wiring pattern is electrically connected to one of source/drain regions of the second transistor, the fifth wiring pattern overlapping with the first wiring pattern, wherein the sixth wiring pattern is electrically connected to other of source/drain regions of the second transistor, the sixth wiring pattern overlapping with the second wiring pattern, and wherein the third and fourth wiring patterns are greater in width in the first direction than the fifth and sixth wiring patterns. 2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the fifth wiring pattern is electrically isolated from the first wiring pattern. 3. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising seventh and eighth wiring patterns extending in the second direction,
wherein the plurality of transistors further includes a third transistor arranged adjacent to the second transistor such that the second transistor is arranged between the first and third transistors, wherein the seventh wiring pattern is electrically connected to one of source/drain regions of the third transistor, the seventh wiring pattern overlapping with the first wiring pattern, wherein the eighth wiring pattern is electrically connected to other of source/drain regions of the third transistor, the eighth wiring pattern overlapping with the second wiring pattern, and wherein the third and fourth wiring patterns are greater in width in the first direction than the seventh and eighth wiring patterns. 4. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the seventh and eighth wiring patterns are greater in width in the first direction than the fifth and sixth wiring patterns. 5. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the seventh wiring pattern is electrically isolated from the first wiring pattern. 6. The apparatus of claim 3,
wherein the fourth and fifth wiring patterns are arranged adjacent to each other with a first space, wherein the sixth and seventh wiring patterns are arranged adjacent to each other with a second space, and wherein the first space is narrower than the second space. 7. The apparatus of claim 6,
wherein the other of source/drain regions of the first transistor and the one of source/drain regions of the second transistor are arranged adjacent to each other with a third space, and wherein the first space is narrower than the third space. 8. The apparatus of claim 7,
wherein the other of source/drain regions of the second transistor and the one of source/drain regions of the third transistor are arranged adjacent to each other with a fourth space, and wherein the fourth space is narrower than the second space. 9. The apparatus of claim 3,
wherein the other of source/drain regions of the first transistor and the one of source/drain regions of the second transistor are arranged adjacent to each other with a third space, wherein the other of source/drain regions of the second transistor and the one of source/drain regions of the third transistor are arranged adjacent to each other with a fourth space, and wherein the fourth space is narrower than the third space. 10. The apparatus of claim 9, further comprising a diffusion region that applying a fixed potential to a semiconductor substrate,
wherein the diffusion region is arranged adjacent to the first transistor such that the first transistor is arranged between the diffusion region and the second transistor. 11. The apparatus of claim 10,
wherein the diffusion region and the one of source/drain regions of the first transistor are arranged adjacent to each other with a fifth space, and wherein the fourth space is narrower than the fifth space. 12. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first wiring pattern is electrically connected to an external data I/O terminal. 13. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the third, fourth, fifth, and sixth wiring patterns comprise different metal material from the first and second wiring patterns. 14. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein a first material of each of the first and second wiring patterns in the first wiring layer has a lower resistance value than a second material of each of the third, fourth, fifth and sixth wiring patterns in the second wiring layer. 15. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the third, fourth, fifth, and sixth wiring patterns comprise tungsten. 16. An apparatus comprising:
first, second, and third transistors arranged in a first direction such that the second transistor is arranged between the first and third transistor; a power supply pattern extending in the first direction; first, second, third, fourth, fifth, and sixth wiring patterns extending in a second direction crossing the first direction, wherein the first, third, and fifth wiring patterns are electrically connected to one of source/drain regions of the first, second, and third transistors, respectively, wherein the second, fourth, and sixth wiring patterns are electrically connected between the power supply pattern and other of source/drain regions of the first, second, and third transistors, respectively, wherein the second and third wiring patterns are arranged adjacent to each other with a first space, wherein the fourth and fifth wiring patterns are arranged adjacent to each other with a second space, wherein the other of source/drain regions of the first transistor and the one of source/drain regions of the second transistor are arranged adjacent to each other with a third space, wherein the other of source/drain regions of the second transistor and the one of source/drain regions of the third transistor are arranged adjacent to each other with a fourth space, wherein the first space is narrower than the second space, and wherein the fourth space is narrower than the third space. 17. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein the first space is narrower than the third space. 18. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein the fourth space is narrower than the second space. 19. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein the first and second wiring patterns are greater in width in the first direction than the third, fourth, fifth and sixth wiring patterns. 20. An apparatus comprising:
first, second, and third transistors arranged in a first direction such that the second transistor is arranged between the first and third transistor; a power supply pattern extending in the first direction; first, second, third, fourth, fifth, and sixth wiring patterns extending in a second direction crossing the first direction, wherein the first, third, and fifth wiring patterns are electrically connected to one of source/drain regions of the first, second, and third transistors, respectively, wherein the second, fourth, and sixth wiring patterns are electrically connected between the power supply pattern and other of source/drain regions of the first, second, and third transistors, respectively, wherein the second and third wiring patterns are arranged adjacent to each other with a first space, wherein the fourth and fifth wiring patterns are arranged adjacent to each other with a second space, wherein the other of source/drain regions of the first transistor and the one of source/drain regions of the second transistor are arranged adjacent to each other with a third space, wherein the other of source/drain regions of the second transistor and the one of source/drain regions of the third transistor are arranged adjacent to each other with a fourth space, wherein the first space is narrower than the third space, and wherein the fourth space is narrower than the second space. 21. The apparatus of claim 20, wherein the first and second wiring patterns are greater in width in the first direction than the third, fourth, fifth and sixth wiring patterns. | Disclosed herein is an apparatus that includes: first and second wiring patterns extending in a first direction, first and second transistors arranged adjacent to each other, and third to sixth wiring patterns extending in a second direction. The third wiring pattern is connected between the first wiring pattern and one of source/drain regions of the first transistor, the fourth wiring pattern is connected between the second wiring pattern and other of source/drain regions of the first transistor, the fifth wiring pattern is connected to one of source/drain regions of the second transistor, the fifth wiring pattern overlapping with the first wiring pattern, the sixth wiring pattern is connected to other of source/drain regions of the second transistor, the sixth wiring pattern overlapping with the second wiring pattern. The third and fourth wiring patterns are greater in width in the first direction than the fifth and sixth wiring patterns.1. An apparatus comprising:
first and second wiring patterns in a first wiring layer extending in a first direction; a plurality of transistors arranged in the first direction between the first and second wiring patterns, the plurality of transistors including first and second transistors arranged adjacent to each other; and third, fourth, fifth, and sixth wiring patterns in a second wiring layer extending in a second direction crossing the first direction, wherein the third wiring pattern is electrically connected between the first wiring pattern and one of source/drain regions of the first transistor, wherein the fourth wiring pattern is electrically connected between the second wiring pattern and other of source/drain regions of the first transistor, wherein the fifth wiring pattern is electrically connected to one of source/drain regions of the second transistor, the fifth wiring pattern overlapping with the first wiring pattern, wherein the sixth wiring pattern is electrically connected to other of source/drain regions of the second transistor, the sixth wiring pattern overlapping with the second wiring pattern, and wherein the third and fourth wiring patterns are greater in width in the first direction than the fifth and sixth wiring patterns. 2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the fifth wiring pattern is electrically isolated from the first wiring pattern. 3. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising seventh and eighth wiring patterns extending in the second direction,
wherein the plurality of transistors further includes a third transistor arranged adjacent to the second transistor such that the second transistor is arranged between the first and third transistors, wherein the seventh wiring pattern is electrically connected to one of source/drain regions of the third transistor, the seventh wiring pattern overlapping with the first wiring pattern, wherein the eighth wiring pattern is electrically connected to other of source/drain regions of the third transistor, the eighth wiring pattern overlapping with the second wiring pattern, and wherein the third and fourth wiring patterns are greater in width in the first direction than the seventh and eighth wiring patterns. 4. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the seventh and eighth wiring patterns are greater in width in the first direction than the fifth and sixth wiring patterns. 5. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the seventh wiring pattern is electrically isolated from the first wiring pattern. 6. The apparatus of claim 3,
wherein the fourth and fifth wiring patterns are arranged adjacent to each other with a first space, wherein the sixth and seventh wiring patterns are arranged adjacent to each other with a second space, and wherein the first space is narrower than the second space. 7. The apparatus of claim 6,
wherein the other of source/drain regions of the first transistor and the one of source/drain regions of the second transistor are arranged adjacent to each other with a third space, and wherein the first space is narrower than the third space. 8. The apparatus of claim 7,
wherein the other of source/drain regions of the second transistor and the one of source/drain regions of the third transistor are arranged adjacent to each other with a fourth space, and wherein the fourth space is narrower than the second space. 9. The apparatus of claim 3,
wherein the other of source/drain regions of the first transistor and the one of source/drain regions of the second transistor are arranged adjacent to each other with a third space, wherein the other of source/drain regions of the second transistor and the one of source/drain regions of the third transistor are arranged adjacent to each other with a fourth space, and wherein the fourth space is narrower than the third space. 10. The apparatus of claim 9, further comprising a diffusion region that applying a fixed potential to a semiconductor substrate,
wherein the diffusion region is arranged adjacent to the first transistor such that the first transistor is arranged between the diffusion region and the second transistor. 11. The apparatus of claim 10,
wherein the diffusion region and the one of source/drain regions of the first transistor are arranged adjacent to each other with a fifth space, and wherein the fourth space is narrower than the fifth space. 12. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first wiring pattern is electrically connected to an external data I/O terminal. 13. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the third, fourth, fifth, and sixth wiring patterns comprise different metal material from the first and second wiring patterns. 14. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein a first material of each of the first and second wiring patterns in the first wiring layer has a lower resistance value than a second material of each of the third, fourth, fifth and sixth wiring patterns in the second wiring layer. 15. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the third, fourth, fifth, and sixth wiring patterns comprise tungsten. 16. An apparatus comprising:
first, second, and third transistors arranged in a first direction such that the second transistor is arranged between the first and third transistor; a power supply pattern extending in the first direction; first, second, third, fourth, fifth, and sixth wiring patterns extending in a second direction crossing the first direction, wherein the first, third, and fifth wiring patterns are electrically connected to one of source/drain regions of the first, second, and third transistors, respectively, wherein the second, fourth, and sixth wiring patterns are electrically connected between the power supply pattern and other of source/drain regions of the first, second, and third transistors, respectively, wherein the second and third wiring patterns are arranged adjacent to each other with a first space, wherein the fourth and fifth wiring patterns are arranged adjacent to each other with a second space, wherein the other of source/drain regions of the first transistor and the one of source/drain regions of the second transistor are arranged adjacent to each other with a third space, wherein the other of source/drain regions of the second transistor and the one of source/drain regions of the third transistor are arranged adjacent to each other with a fourth space, wherein the first space is narrower than the second space, and wherein the fourth space is narrower than the third space. 17. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein the first space is narrower than the third space. 18. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein the fourth space is narrower than the second space. 19. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein the first and second wiring patterns are greater in width in the first direction than the third, fourth, fifth and sixth wiring patterns. 20. An apparatus comprising:
first, second, and third transistors arranged in a first direction such that the second transistor is arranged between the first and third transistor; a power supply pattern extending in the first direction; first, second, third, fourth, fifth, and sixth wiring patterns extending in a second direction crossing the first direction, wherein the first, third, and fifth wiring patterns are electrically connected to one of source/drain regions of the first, second, and third transistors, respectively, wherein the second, fourth, and sixth wiring patterns are electrically connected between the power supply pattern and other of source/drain regions of the first, second, and third transistors, respectively, wherein the second and third wiring patterns are arranged adjacent to each other with a first space, wherein the fourth and fifth wiring patterns are arranged adjacent to each other with a second space, wherein the other of source/drain regions of the first transistor and the one of source/drain regions of the second transistor are arranged adjacent to each other with a third space, wherein the other of source/drain regions of the second transistor and the one of source/drain regions of the third transistor are arranged adjacent to each other with a fourth space, wherein the first space is narrower than the third space, and wherein the fourth space is narrower than the second space. 21. The apparatus of claim 20, wherein the first and second wiring patterns are greater in width in the first direction than the third, fourth, fifth and sixth wiring patterns. | 2,400 |
339,940 | 16,800,756 | 2,458 | A blockchain node receives a service request, where the service request comprises one or more data types and respective service data corresponding to the one or more data types that are stored in a blockchain. At least one of a service type or identification information is determined corresponding to the service request. The service request is parsed to obtain each data type of the service request and service data corresponding to each data type. Based on a mapping relationship between a data type and service data, the service data that is obtained through parsing in a relational database corresponding to the blockchain node is stored. | 1. A computer-implemented method, comprising:
receiving, by a blockchain node, a service request, the service request comprising one or more data types and respective service data corresponding to the one or more data types that are stored in a blockchain; determining a service type corresponding to the service request; parsing the service request to obtain each data type of the service request and service data corresponding to each data type; determining that no relational database has been created to correspond to the service type; creating a relational database to correspond to the service type; and storing the service data that is obtained through parsing in the relational database. 2. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein parsing the service request to obtain each data type of the service request and service data corresponding to each data type comprises parsing the service request according to a data storage format specified by a smart contract of the blockchain. 3. The computer-implemented method of claim 2, further comprising:
processing the smart contract to determine the service type and the one or more data types defined by the smart contract; and creating, in the relational database, a database table corresponding to the service type having one or more columns corresponding respectively to the one or more data types defined in the smart contract. 4. The computer-implemented method of claim 2, further comprising:
processing the smart contract to determine identification information corresponding to the service request; and creating, in the relational database, a database table corresponding to the identification information corresponding to the service request. 5. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, further comprising:
receiving a request for information about service data having a data type stored in the blockchain; querying the relational database to obtain service data matching the data type; and providing the service data matching the data type in response to the request. 6. The computer-implemented method of claim 5, wherein the request for information about service data is a request to execute a smart contract on a consensus network. 7. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, further comprising:
converting, based on a predetermined data format, each data type that comprised in the service request and the service data corresponding to each data type, to obtain a data sequence; performing consensus procedure on the service request by using a consensus network; and storing the data sequence in the blockchain corresponding to the blockchain node after a consensus is achieved on the service request. 8. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, further comprising converting, based on a predetermined statement format, at least one of each data type, the service data corresponding to each data type, the service type, or identification information obtained through parsing, to obtain a data storage statement for the relational database, and
wherein storing the service data in the relational database comprises executing the data storage statement. 9. The computer-implemented method of claim 8, wherein the predetermined statement format comprises an identification information field and a service type field. 10. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein the service request comprises a service data query request. 11. The computer-implemented method of claim 4, wherein the identification information comprises a user public key or a user identity. 12. A non-transitory, computer-readable medium storing one or more instructions executable by a computer system to perform operations comprising:
receiving, by a blockchain node, a service request, the service request comprising one or more data types and respective service data corresponding to the one or more data types that are stored in a blockchain; determining a service type corresponding to the service request; parsing the service request to obtain each data type of the service request and service data corresponding to each data type; determining that no relational database has been created to correspond to the service type; creating a relational database to correspond to the service type; and storing the service data that is obtained through parsing in the relational database. 13. A computer-implemented system, comprising:
one or more computers; and one or more computer memory devices interoperably coupled with the one or more computers and having tangible, non-transitory, machine-readable media storing one or more instructions that, when executed by the one or more computers, perform one or more operations comprising: receiving, by a blockchain node, a service request, the service request comprising one or more data types and respective service data corresponding to the one or more data types that are stored in a blockchain; determining a service type corresponding to the service request; parsing the service request to obtain each data type of the service request and service data corresponding to each data type; determining that no relational database has been created to correspond to the service type; creating a relational database to correspond to the service type; and storing the service data that is obtained through parsing in the relational database. 14. The computer-implemented system of claim 13, wherein parsing the service request to obtain each data type of the service request and service data corresponding to each data type comprises parsing the service request according to a data storage format specified by a smart contract of the blockchain. 15. The computer-implemented system of claim 14, further comprising:
processing the smart contract to determine the service type and the one or more data types defined by the smart contract; and creating, in the relational database, a database table corresponding to the service type having one or more columns corresponding respectively to the one or more data types defined in the smart contract. 16. The computer-implemented system of claim 14, further comprising:
processing the smart contract to determine identification information corresponding to the service request; and creating, in the relational database, a database table corresponding to the identification information corresponding to the service request. 17. The computer-implemented system of claim 13, further comprising:
receiving a request for information about service data having a data type stored in the blockchain; querying the relational database to obtain service data matching the data type; and providing the service data matching the data type in response to the request. 18. The computer-implemented system of claim 17, wherein the request for information about service data is a request to execute a smart contract on a consensus network. 19. The computer-implemented system of claim 13, further comprising:
converting, based on a predetermined data format, each data type that comprised in the service request and the service data corresponding to each data type, to obtain a data sequence; performing consensus procedure on the service request by using a consensus network; and storing the data sequence in the blockchain corresponding to the blockchain node after a consensus is achieved on the service request. 20. The computer-implemented system of claim 13, further comprising converting, based on a predetermined statement format, at least one of each data type, the service data corresponding to each data type, the service type, or identification information obtained through parsing, to obtain a data storage statement for the relational database, and
wherein storing the service data in the relational database comprises executing the data storage statement. | A blockchain node receives a service request, where the service request comprises one or more data types and respective service data corresponding to the one or more data types that are stored in a blockchain. At least one of a service type or identification information is determined corresponding to the service request. The service request is parsed to obtain each data type of the service request and service data corresponding to each data type. Based on a mapping relationship between a data type and service data, the service data that is obtained through parsing in a relational database corresponding to the blockchain node is stored.1. A computer-implemented method, comprising:
receiving, by a blockchain node, a service request, the service request comprising one or more data types and respective service data corresponding to the one or more data types that are stored in a blockchain; determining a service type corresponding to the service request; parsing the service request to obtain each data type of the service request and service data corresponding to each data type; determining that no relational database has been created to correspond to the service type; creating a relational database to correspond to the service type; and storing the service data that is obtained through parsing in the relational database. 2. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein parsing the service request to obtain each data type of the service request and service data corresponding to each data type comprises parsing the service request according to a data storage format specified by a smart contract of the blockchain. 3. The computer-implemented method of claim 2, further comprising:
processing the smart contract to determine the service type and the one or more data types defined by the smart contract; and creating, in the relational database, a database table corresponding to the service type having one or more columns corresponding respectively to the one or more data types defined in the smart contract. 4. The computer-implemented method of claim 2, further comprising:
processing the smart contract to determine identification information corresponding to the service request; and creating, in the relational database, a database table corresponding to the identification information corresponding to the service request. 5. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, further comprising:
receiving a request for information about service data having a data type stored in the blockchain; querying the relational database to obtain service data matching the data type; and providing the service data matching the data type in response to the request. 6. The computer-implemented method of claim 5, wherein the request for information about service data is a request to execute a smart contract on a consensus network. 7. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, further comprising:
converting, based on a predetermined data format, each data type that comprised in the service request and the service data corresponding to each data type, to obtain a data sequence; performing consensus procedure on the service request by using a consensus network; and storing the data sequence in the blockchain corresponding to the blockchain node after a consensus is achieved on the service request. 8. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, further comprising converting, based on a predetermined statement format, at least one of each data type, the service data corresponding to each data type, the service type, or identification information obtained through parsing, to obtain a data storage statement for the relational database, and
wherein storing the service data in the relational database comprises executing the data storage statement. 9. The computer-implemented method of claim 8, wherein the predetermined statement format comprises an identification information field and a service type field. 10. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein the service request comprises a service data query request. 11. The computer-implemented method of claim 4, wherein the identification information comprises a user public key or a user identity. 12. A non-transitory, computer-readable medium storing one or more instructions executable by a computer system to perform operations comprising:
receiving, by a blockchain node, a service request, the service request comprising one or more data types and respective service data corresponding to the one or more data types that are stored in a blockchain; determining a service type corresponding to the service request; parsing the service request to obtain each data type of the service request and service data corresponding to each data type; determining that no relational database has been created to correspond to the service type; creating a relational database to correspond to the service type; and storing the service data that is obtained through parsing in the relational database. 13. A computer-implemented system, comprising:
one or more computers; and one or more computer memory devices interoperably coupled with the one or more computers and having tangible, non-transitory, machine-readable media storing one or more instructions that, when executed by the one or more computers, perform one or more operations comprising: receiving, by a blockchain node, a service request, the service request comprising one or more data types and respective service data corresponding to the one or more data types that are stored in a blockchain; determining a service type corresponding to the service request; parsing the service request to obtain each data type of the service request and service data corresponding to each data type; determining that no relational database has been created to correspond to the service type; creating a relational database to correspond to the service type; and storing the service data that is obtained through parsing in the relational database. 14. The computer-implemented system of claim 13, wherein parsing the service request to obtain each data type of the service request and service data corresponding to each data type comprises parsing the service request according to a data storage format specified by a smart contract of the blockchain. 15. The computer-implemented system of claim 14, further comprising:
processing the smart contract to determine the service type and the one or more data types defined by the smart contract; and creating, in the relational database, a database table corresponding to the service type having one or more columns corresponding respectively to the one or more data types defined in the smart contract. 16. The computer-implemented system of claim 14, further comprising:
processing the smart contract to determine identification information corresponding to the service request; and creating, in the relational database, a database table corresponding to the identification information corresponding to the service request. 17. The computer-implemented system of claim 13, further comprising:
receiving a request for information about service data having a data type stored in the blockchain; querying the relational database to obtain service data matching the data type; and providing the service data matching the data type in response to the request. 18. The computer-implemented system of claim 17, wherein the request for information about service data is a request to execute a smart contract on a consensus network. 19. The computer-implemented system of claim 13, further comprising:
converting, based on a predetermined data format, each data type that comprised in the service request and the service data corresponding to each data type, to obtain a data sequence; performing consensus procedure on the service request by using a consensus network; and storing the data sequence in the blockchain corresponding to the blockchain node after a consensus is achieved on the service request. 20. The computer-implemented system of claim 13, further comprising converting, based on a predetermined statement format, at least one of each data type, the service data corresponding to each data type, the service type, or identification information obtained through parsing, to obtain a data storage statement for the relational database, and
wherein storing the service data in the relational database comprises executing the data storage statement. | 2,400 |
339,941 | 16,800,909 | 2,458 | The present invention includes: a first decoder that outputs mutually different two voltages as first and second selection voltages based on a first bit group of a digital data signal in a first selection state, and outputs one or both of the two voltages as the first and the second selection voltages in a second selection state; a second decoder that outputs mutually different two voltages as third and fourth selection voltages based on a second bit group of the digital data signal in the first selection state and outputs one voltage based on the second bit group as the third and the fourth selection voltages in the second selection state; and an amplifier circuit that averages a combination of the first and the second selection voltages or the third and the fourth selection voltages with predetermined weighting ratios and outputs the averaged voltage. | 1. A digital-to-analog converter circuit comprising:
a reference voltage generation circuit that generates a plurality of reference voltages having mutually different voltage values and outputs a first reference voltage group corresponding to a first range and a second reference voltage group corresponding to a second range from the plurality of reference voltages; a first decoder that receives a first bit group in a digital data signal of t (t is an integer of 2 or more) bits, selects two reference voltages including an overlap from the first reference voltage group based on the first bit group, and outputs the respective two reference voltages as first and second selection voltages, the digital data signal including the first bit group and a second bit group; a second decoder that receives the second bit group in the digital data signal, selects two reference voltages including an overlap from the second reference voltage group based on the second bit group, and outputs the respective two reference voltages as third and fourth selection voltages; and an amplifier circuit that outputs a voltage as an output voltage, the voltage being obtained by averaging a plurality of voltages with predetermined weighting ratios and amplifying the averaged voltage, the plurality of voltages being each the first selection voltage or the second selection voltage, or the plurality of voltages being each the third selection voltage or the fourth selection voltage, wherein the first and the second decoders receive a control signal that instructs to set to any one of a first selection state and a second selection state, the first decoder selects mutually different two reference voltages from the first reference voltage group based on the first bit group and outputs the respective two reference voltages as the first and the second selection voltages when the first decoder is set to the first selection state, and the first decoder selects two reference voltages including an overlap from the first reference voltage group based on the first bit group and outputs the respective two reference voltages as the first and the second selection voltages when the first decoder is set to the second selection state, and the second decoder selects mutually different two reference voltages from the second reference voltage group based on the second bit group and outputs the respective two reference voltages as the third and the fourth selection voltages when the second decoder is set to the first selection state, and the second decoder selects one reference voltage from the second reference voltage group based on the second bit group and outputs the one voltage as the third and the fourth selection voltages when the second decoder is set to the second selection state. 2. The digital-to-analog converter circuit according to claim 1, wherein
the amplifier circuit includes first to N-th (N is an integer of 2 or more) input terminals, the amplifier circuit receives the N selection voltages that are each the first selection voltage or the second selection voltage or the N selection voltages that are each the third selection voltage or the fourth selection voltage by the first to N-th input terminals, the amplifier circuit outputs a voltage as the output voltage, and the voltage is obtained by averaging the N selection voltages with a weighting ratio set to each of the first to N-th input terminals and amplifying the averaged voltage, the first decoder supplies the first selection voltage to m (m is positive number of 1 or more) terminals among the first to N-th terminals and supplies the second selection voltage to remaining (N−m) terminals among the first to N-th terminals when the first decoder is set to the first selection state, and the first decoder supplies the first selection voltage or the second selection voltage to each of the first to N-th terminals when the first decoder is set to the second selection state, and the second decoder supplies the third selection voltage to m terminals among the first to N-th terminals and supplies the fourth selection voltage to remaining (N−m) terminals among the first to N-th terminals when the second decoder is set to the first selection state, and the second decoder supplies the third selection voltage or the fourth selection voltage to each of the first to N-th terminals when the second decoder is set to the second selection state. 3. The digital-to-analog converter circuit according to claim 1, wherein
the first and the second decoders are set to the first selection state over a first-period in a predetermined data period for every data period, and set to the second selection state over a second-period after the first-period. 4. The digital-to-analog converter circuit according to claim 2, wherein
the second bit group is further divided into first and second sub-bit groups, the second decoder includes:
a first sub-decoder that selects mutually different two reference voltages from the second reference voltage group based on the first sub-bit group, and outputs the respective two reference voltages as two selection voltages; and
a second sub-decoder that selectively supplies one of or both the two selection voltages output from the first sub-decoder to each of the first to N-th terminals of the amplifier circuit as the third and the fourth selection voltages based on the second sub-bit group. 5. The digital-to-analog converter circuit according to claim 4, wherein
the second bit group is divided into the first sub-bit group, the second sub-bit group, and a third sub-bit group, and the second decoder includes a filter circuit disposed between an output of the second sub-decoder and the first to N-th terminals, and the filter circuit cuts off a connection between the output of the second sub-decoder and the first to N-th terminals based on the third sub-bit group. 6. The digital-to-analog converter circuit according to claim 2, wherein
a ratio of a sum of weightings set to the m input terminals among the first to N-th input terminals of the amplifier circuit to a sum of weightings set to the (N−m) input terminals is 1:1. 7. The digital-to-analog converter circuit according to claim 2, wherein
the amplifier circuit outputs a voltage of ½ of a sum of the two selection voltages output from the first decoder or the second decoder as the output voltage when the first decoder and the second decoder are set to the first selection state. 8. The digital-to-analog converter circuit according to claim 1, wherein
the amplifier circuit includes a differential stage circuit that includes a plurality of differential pairs of an identical conductivity type, a current mirror circuit commonly connected to output ports of the plurality of differential pairs, and an amplifier stage circuit that outputs the output voltage via an output port, the plurality of differential pairs each have one input port that constitutes the input terminal of the amplifier circuit, and the plurality of differential pairs each have the other input port feedback-connected to the output port, and the amplifier stage circuit receives at least one voltage of the output ports of the plurality of differential pairs and a connection point pair of the current mirror circuit to generate the output voltage corresponding to the voltage. 9. The digital-to-analog converter circuit according to claim 1, wherein
the respective reference voltages belonging to the first reference voltage group corresponding to the first range does not overlap the reference voltages belonging to the second reference voltage group corresponding to the second range excluding the reference voltage at each boundary of both ranges. 10. The digital-to-analog converter circuit according to claim 4, wherein
the first sub-bit group included in the second bit group is a high-order bit group in the t bits, and the second sub-bit group included in the second bit group is a low-order bit group. 11. The digital-to-analog converter circuit according to claim 1, wherein
the first decoder selects one reference voltage based on the first bit group and a reference voltage having a voltage value higher or lower than a voltage value of the one reference voltage by one stage from the first reference voltage group, and outputs the respective reference voltages as the first and the second selection voltages when the first decoder is set to the first selection state, and the second decoder selects one reference voltage based on the second bit group and a reference voltage having a voltage value higher or lower than a voltage value of the one reference voltage by one stage from the second reference voltage group, and outputs the respective reference voltages as the third and the fourth selection voltages when the second decoder is set to the first selection state. 12. A data driver comprising
a digital-to-analog converter unit that receives a video data signal and converts the video data signal into a driving voltage to supply the driving voltage to a display device, the video data signal indicating a luminance level by t (t is an integer of 2 or more) bits including a first bit group and a second bit group, the driving voltage having a voltage value with a magnitude corresponding to the luminance level, wherein the digital-to-analog converter unit includes:
a reference voltage generation circuit that generates a plurality of reference voltages having mutually different voltage values and outputs the plurality of reference voltages as a first reference voltage group corresponding to a first range and a second reference voltage group corresponding to a second range of the plurality of reference voltages;
a first decoder that selects two reference voltages including an overlap from the first reference voltage group based on the first bit group in the video data signal, and outputs the respective two reference voltages as first and second selection voltages;
a second decoder that selects two reference voltages including an overlap from the second reference voltage group based on the second bit group in the video data signal, and outputs the respective two reference voltages as third and fourth selection voltages; and
an amplifier circuit that outputs a voltage as the driving voltage, the voltage being obtained by averaging a plurality of voltages with predetermined weighting ratios and amplifying the averaged voltage, the plurality of voltages being each the first selection voltage or the second selection voltage, or the plurality of voltages being each the third selection voltage or the fourth selection voltage, wherein
the first and the second decoders receive a control signal that instructs to set to any one of a first selection state and a second selection state, the first decoder selects mutually different two reference voltages from the first reference voltage group based on the first bit group and outputs the respective two reference voltages as the first and the second selection voltages when the first decoder is set to the first selection state, and the first decoder selects two reference voltages including an overlap from the first reference voltage group based on the first bit group and outputs the respective two reference voltages as the first and the second selection voltages when the first decoder is set to the second selection state, and the second decoder selects mutually different two reference voltages from the second reference voltage group based on the second bit group and outputs the respective two reference voltages as the third and the fourth selection voltages when the second decoder is set to the first selection state, and the second decoder selects one reference voltage from the second reference voltage group based on the second bit group and outputs the one voltage as the third and the fourth selection voltages when the second decoder is set to the second selection state. 13. The data driver according to claim 12, wherein
the amplifier circuit includes first to N-th (N is an integer of 2 or more) input terminals, the amplifier circuit receives the N selection voltages that are each the first selection voltage or the second selection voltage or the N selection voltages that are each the third selection voltage or the fourth selection voltage by the first to N-th input terminals, the amplifier circuit outputs a voltage as the output voltage, and the voltage is obtained by averaging the N selection voltages with a weighting ratio set to each of the first to N-th input terminals and amplifying the averaged voltage, the first decoder supplies the first selection voltage to m (m is positive number of 1 or more) terminals among the first to N-th terminals and supplies the second selection voltage to remaining (N−m) terminals among the first to N-th terminals when the first decoder is set to the first selection state, and the first decoder supplies the first selection voltage or the second selection voltage to each of the first to N-th terminals when the first decoder is set to the second selection state, and the second decoder supplies the third selection voltage to m terminals among the first to N-th terminals and supplies the fourth selection voltage to remaining (N−m) terminals among the first to N-th terminals when the second decoder is set to the first selection state, and the second decoder supplies the third selection voltage or the fourth selection voltage to each of the first to N-th terminals when the second decoder is set to the second selection state. 14. The data driver according to claim 12, wherein
the first and the second decoders are set to the first selection state over a first-period in a predetermined data period for every data period, and set to the second selection state over a second-period after the first-period. | The present invention includes: a first decoder that outputs mutually different two voltages as first and second selection voltages based on a first bit group of a digital data signal in a first selection state, and outputs one or both of the two voltages as the first and the second selection voltages in a second selection state; a second decoder that outputs mutually different two voltages as third and fourth selection voltages based on a second bit group of the digital data signal in the first selection state and outputs one voltage based on the second bit group as the third and the fourth selection voltages in the second selection state; and an amplifier circuit that averages a combination of the first and the second selection voltages or the third and the fourth selection voltages with predetermined weighting ratios and outputs the averaged voltage.1. A digital-to-analog converter circuit comprising:
a reference voltage generation circuit that generates a plurality of reference voltages having mutually different voltage values and outputs a first reference voltage group corresponding to a first range and a second reference voltage group corresponding to a second range from the plurality of reference voltages; a first decoder that receives a first bit group in a digital data signal of t (t is an integer of 2 or more) bits, selects two reference voltages including an overlap from the first reference voltage group based on the first bit group, and outputs the respective two reference voltages as first and second selection voltages, the digital data signal including the first bit group and a second bit group; a second decoder that receives the second bit group in the digital data signal, selects two reference voltages including an overlap from the second reference voltage group based on the second bit group, and outputs the respective two reference voltages as third and fourth selection voltages; and an amplifier circuit that outputs a voltage as an output voltage, the voltage being obtained by averaging a plurality of voltages with predetermined weighting ratios and amplifying the averaged voltage, the plurality of voltages being each the first selection voltage or the second selection voltage, or the plurality of voltages being each the third selection voltage or the fourth selection voltage, wherein the first and the second decoders receive a control signal that instructs to set to any one of a first selection state and a second selection state, the first decoder selects mutually different two reference voltages from the first reference voltage group based on the first bit group and outputs the respective two reference voltages as the first and the second selection voltages when the first decoder is set to the first selection state, and the first decoder selects two reference voltages including an overlap from the first reference voltage group based on the first bit group and outputs the respective two reference voltages as the first and the second selection voltages when the first decoder is set to the second selection state, and the second decoder selects mutually different two reference voltages from the second reference voltage group based on the second bit group and outputs the respective two reference voltages as the third and the fourth selection voltages when the second decoder is set to the first selection state, and the second decoder selects one reference voltage from the second reference voltage group based on the second bit group and outputs the one voltage as the third and the fourth selection voltages when the second decoder is set to the second selection state. 2. The digital-to-analog converter circuit according to claim 1, wherein
the amplifier circuit includes first to N-th (N is an integer of 2 or more) input terminals, the amplifier circuit receives the N selection voltages that are each the first selection voltage or the second selection voltage or the N selection voltages that are each the third selection voltage or the fourth selection voltage by the first to N-th input terminals, the amplifier circuit outputs a voltage as the output voltage, and the voltage is obtained by averaging the N selection voltages with a weighting ratio set to each of the first to N-th input terminals and amplifying the averaged voltage, the first decoder supplies the first selection voltage to m (m is positive number of 1 or more) terminals among the first to N-th terminals and supplies the second selection voltage to remaining (N−m) terminals among the first to N-th terminals when the first decoder is set to the first selection state, and the first decoder supplies the first selection voltage or the second selection voltage to each of the first to N-th terminals when the first decoder is set to the second selection state, and the second decoder supplies the third selection voltage to m terminals among the first to N-th terminals and supplies the fourth selection voltage to remaining (N−m) terminals among the first to N-th terminals when the second decoder is set to the first selection state, and the second decoder supplies the third selection voltage or the fourth selection voltage to each of the first to N-th terminals when the second decoder is set to the second selection state. 3. The digital-to-analog converter circuit according to claim 1, wherein
the first and the second decoders are set to the first selection state over a first-period in a predetermined data period for every data period, and set to the second selection state over a second-period after the first-period. 4. The digital-to-analog converter circuit according to claim 2, wherein
the second bit group is further divided into first and second sub-bit groups, the second decoder includes:
a first sub-decoder that selects mutually different two reference voltages from the second reference voltage group based on the first sub-bit group, and outputs the respective two reference voltages as two selection voltages; and
a second sub-decoder that selectively supplies one of or both the two selection voltages output from the first sub-decoder to each of the first to N-th terminals of the amplifier circuit as the third and the fourth selection voltages based on the second sub-bit group. 5. The digital-to-analog converter circuit according to claim 4, wherein
the second bit group is divided into the first sub-bit group, the second sub-bit group, and a third sub-bit group, and the second decoder includes a filter circuit disposed between an output of the second sub-decoder and the first to N-th terminals, and the filter circuit cuts off a connection between the output of the second sub-decoder and the first to N-th terminals based on the third sub-bit group. 6. The digital-to-analog converter circuit according to claim 2, wherein
a ratio of a sum of weightings set to the m input terminals among the first to N-th input terminals of the amplifier circuit to a sum of weightings set to the (N−m) input terminals is 1:1. 7. The digital-to-analog converter circuit according to claim 2, wherein
the amplifier circuit outputs a voltage of ½ of a sum of the two selection voltages output from the first decoder or the second decoder as the output voltage when the first decoder and the second decoder are set to the first selection state. 8. The digital-to-analog converter circuit according to claim 1, wherein
the amplifier circuit includes a differential stage circuit that includes a plurality of differential pairs of an identical conductivity type, a current mirror circuit commonly connected to output ports of the plurality of differential pairs, and an amplifier stage circuit that outputs the output voltage via an output port, the plurality of differential pairs each have one input port that constitutes the input terminal of the amplifier circuit, and the plurality of differential pairs each have the other input port feedback-connected to the output port, and the amplifier stage circuit receives at least one voltage of the output ports of the plurality of differential pairs and a connection point pair of the current mirror circuit to generate the output voltage corresponding to the voltage. 9. The digital-to-analog converter circuit according to claim 1, wherein
the respective reference voltages belonging to the first reference voltage group corresponding to the first range does not overlap the reference voltages belonging to the second reference voltage group corresponding to the second range excluding the reference voltage at each boundary of both ranges. 10. The digital-to-analog converter circuit according to claim 4, wherein
the first sub-bit group included in the second bit group is a high-order bit group in the t bits, and the second sub-bit group included in the second bit group is a low-order bit group. 11. The digital-to-analog converter circuit according to claim 1, wherein
the first decoder selects one reference voltage based on the first bit group and a reference voltage having a voltage value higher or lower than a voltage value of the one reference voltage by one stage from the first reference voltage group, and outputs the respective reference voltages as the first and the second selection voltages when the first decoder is set to the first selection state, and the second decoder selects one reference voltage based on the second bit group and a reference voltage having a voltage value higher or lower than a voltage value of the one reference voltage by one stage from the second reference voltage group, and outputs the respective reference voltages as the third and the fourth selection voltages when the second decoder is set to the first selection state. 12. A data driver comprising
a digital-to-analog converter unit that receives a video data signal and converts the video data signal into a driving voltage to supply the driving voltage to a display device, the video data signal indicating a luminance level by t (t is an integer of 2 or more) bits including a first bit group and a second bit group, the driving voltage having a voltage value with a magnitude corresponding to the luminance level, wherein the digital-to-analog converter unit includes:
a reference voltage generation circuit that generates a plurality of reference voltages having mutually different voltage values and outputs the plurality of reference voltages as a first reference voltage group corresponding to a first range and a second reference voltage group corresponding to a second range of the plurality of reference voltages;
a first decoder that selects two reference voltages including an overlap from the first reference voltage group based on the first bit group in the video data signal, and outputs the respective two reference voltages as first and second selection voltages;
a second decoder that selects two reference voltages including an overlap from the second reference voltage group based on the second bit group in the video data signal, and outputs the respective two reference voltages as third and fourth selection voltages; and
an amplifier circuit that outputs a voltage as the driving voltage, the voltage being obtained by averaging a plurality of voltages with predetermined weighting ratios and amplifying the averaged voltage, the plurality of voltages being each the first selection voltage or the second selection voltage, or the plurality of voltages being each the third selection voltage or the fourth selection voltage, wherein
the first and the second decoders receive a control signal that instructs to set to any one of a first selection state and a second selection state, the first decoder selects mutually different two reference voltages from the first reference voltage group based on the first bit group and outputs the respective two reference voltages as the first and the second selection voltages when the first decoder is set to the first selection state, and the first decoder selects two reference voltages including an overlap from the first reference voltage group based on the first bit group and outputs the respective two reference voltages as the first and the second selection voltages when the first decoder is set to the second selection state, and the second decoder selects mutually different two reference voltages from the second reference voltage group based on the second bit group and outputs the respective two reference voltages as the third and the fourth selection voltages when the second decoder is set to the first selection state, and the second decoder selects one reference voltage from the second reference voltage group based on the second bit group and outputs the one voltage as the third and the fourth selection voltages when the second decoder is set to the second selection state. 13. The data driver according to claim 12, wherein
the amplifier circuit includes first to N-th (N is an integer of 2 or more) input terminals, the amplifier circuit receives the N selection voltages that are each the first selection voltage or the second selection voltage or the N selection voltages that are each the third selection voltage or the fourth selection voltage by the first to N-th input terminals, the amplifier circuit outputs a voltage as the output voltage, and the voltage is obtained by averaging the N selection voltages with a weighting ratio set to each of the first to N-th input terminals and amplifying the averaged voltage, the first decoder supplies the first selection voltage to m (m is positive number of 1 or more) terminals among the first to N-th terminals and supplies the second selection voltage to remaining (N−m) terminals among the first to N-th terminals when the first decoder is set to the first selection state, and the first decoder supplies the first selection voltage or the second selection voltage to each of the first to N-th terminals when the first decoder is set to the second selection state, and the second decoder supplies the third selection voltage to m terminals among the first to N-th terminals and supplies the fourth selection voltage to remaining (N−m) terminals among the first to N-th terminals when the second decoder is set to the first selection state, and the second decoder supplies the third selection voltage or the fourth selection voltage to each of the first to N-th terminals when the second decoder is set to the second selection state. 14. The data driver according to claim 12, wherein
the first and the second decoders are set to the first selection state over a first-period in a predetermined data period for every data period, and set to the second selection state over a second-period after the first-period. | 2,400 |
339,942 | 16,800,864 | 2,458 | A device for processing video data includes a memory configured to store video data and one or more processors implemented in circuitry. The one or more processors are configured to obtain unfiltered reference samples for an area of a picture of the video data. The one or more processors are configured to disable intra-reference sample smoothing of the unfiltered reference samples for chroma samples in a YUV 4:2:0 format and in a YUV 4:4:4 format. The one or more processors are further configured to generate, using intra-prediction, chroma samples of a predicted block for a block of the picture based on the unfiltered reference samples when generating the chroma components in the YUV 4:2:0 format and when generating the chroma components in the YUV 4:4:4 format. | 1. A method of processing video data, the method comprising:
obtaining, by one or more processors implemented in circuitry, unfiltered reference samples for an area of a picture, wherein the one or more processors are configured to disable intra-reference sample smoothing of the unfiltered reference samples for chroma samples in a YUV 4:2:0 format and in a YUV 4:4:4 format; and generating, by the one or more processors, using intra-prediction, chroma samples of a predicted block for a block of the picture based on the unfiltered reference samples when generating the chroma components in the YUV 4:2:0 format and when generating the chroma components in the YUV 4:4:4 format. 2. The method of claim 1, further comprising, in response to determining to enable intra-reference sample smoothing for generating luma samples:
performing, by the one or more processors, one or more filter operations on the unfiltered reference samples to generate filtered reference samples; and generating, by the one or more processors, using intra-prediction, luma samples for the block of the picture based on the filtered reference samples. 3. The method of claim 2, wherein performing the one or more filter operations comprises performing one or more deblocking operations on the unfiltered reference samples. 4. The method of claim 1, comprising:
decoding, by the one or more processors, a residual block for the block of video data; and combining, by the one or more processors, the predicted block and the residual block to decode an unfiltered reconstructed block for the block of video data. 5. The method of claim 4, further comprising storing, by the one or more processors, the unfiltered reconstructed block at a decoded picture buffer. 6. The method of claim 4, further comprising:
generating, by the one or more processors, a filtered reconstructed block for the block of video data, wherein generating the filtered reconstructed block comprises performing one or more filter operations on the unfiltered reconstructed block; and storing, by the one or more processors, the filtered reconstructed block at a decoded picture buffer. 7. The method of claim 1, comprising:
generating, by the one or more processors, a residual block for the block of video data based on differences between the block of video data and the predicted block; and encoding, by the one or more processors, the residual block. 8. The method of claim 7, further comprising:
combining, by the one or more processors, the predicted block and the residual block to decode an unfiltered reconstructed block for the block of video data; and storing, by the one or more processors, the unfiltered reconstructed block at a decoded picture buffer. 9. The method of claim 7, further comprising:
combining, by the one or more processors, the predicted block and the residual block to decode an unfiltered reconstructed block for the block of video data; generating, by the one or more processors, a filtered reconstructed block for the block of video data, wherein generating the filtered reconstructed block comprises performing one or more filter operations on the unfiltered reconstructed block; and storing, by the one or more processors, the filtered reconstructed block at a decoded picture buffer. 10. A device for processing video data, the device comprising:
a memory configured to store video data; and one or more processors implemented in circuitry and configured to:
obtain unfiltered reference samples for an area of a picture of the video data, wherein the one or more processors are configured to disable intra-reference sample smoothing of the unfiltered reference samples for chroma samples in a YUV 4:2:0 format and in a YUV 4:4:4 format; and
generate, using intra-prediction, chroma samples of a predicted block for a block of the picture based on the unfiltered reference samples when generating the chroma components in the YUV 4:2:0 format and when generating the chroma components in the YUV 4:4:4 format. 11. The device of claim 10, wherein the one or more processors are further configured to, in response to determining to enable intra-reference sample smoothing for generating luma samples:
perform one or more filter operations on the unfiltered reference samples to generate filtered reference samples; and generate, using intra-prediction, luma samples for the block of the picture based on the filtered reference samples. 12. The device of claim 11, wherein, to perform the one or more filter operations, the one or more processors are configured to perform one or more deblocking operations on the unfiltered reference samples. 13. The device of claim 10, wherein the one or more processors are further configured to:
decode a residual block for the block of video data; and combine the predicted block and the residual block to decode an unfiltered reconstructed block for the block of video data. 14. The device of claim 13, wherein the one or more processors are further configured to store the unfiltered reconstructed block at a decoded picture buffer. 15. The device of claim 13, wherein the one or more processors are further configured to:
generate a filtered reconstructed block for the block of video data, wherein generating the filtered reconstructed block comprises performing one or more filter operations on the unfiltered reconstructed block; and store the filtered reconstructed block at a decoded picture buffer. 16. The device of claim 10, wherein the one or more processors are further configured to:
generate a residual block for the block of video data based on differences between the block of video data and the predicted block; and encode the residual block. 17. The device of claim 16, wherein the one or more processors are further configured to:
combine the predicted block and the residual block to decode an unfiltered reconstructed block for the block of video data; and store the unfiltered reconstructed block at a decoded picture buffer. 18. The device of claim 16, wherein the one or more processors are further configured to:
combine the predicted block and the residual block to decode an unfiltered reconstructed block for the block of video data; generate a filtered reconstructed block for the block of video data, wherein generating the filtered reconstructed block comprises performing one or more filter operations on the unfiltered reconstructed block; and store the filtered reconstructed block at a decoded picture buffer. 19. The device of claim 10, wherein the device comprises one or more of a camera, a computer, a mobile device, a broadcast receiver device, or a set-top box. 20. A computer-readable storage medium having stored thereon instructions that, when executed, cause one or more processors to:
obtain unfiltered reference samples for an area of a picture of the video data, wherein the instructions further cause the one or more processors to disable intra-reference sample smoothing of the unfiltered reference samples for chroma samples in a YUV 4:2:0 format and in a YUV 4:4:4 format; and generate, using intra-prediction, chroma samples of a predicted block for a block of the picture based on the unfiltered reference samples when generating the chroma components in the YUV 4:2:0 format and when generating the chroma components in the YUV 4:4:4 format. 21. A device for coding video data, the device comprising:
means for obtaining unfiltered reference samples for an area of a picture; and means for generating, using intra-prediction, chroma samples of a predicted block for a block of the picture based on the unfiltered reference samples when generating the chroma components in a YUV 4:2:0 format and when generating the chroma components in a YUV 4:4:4 format. | A device for processing video data includes a memory configured to store video data and one or more processors implemented in circuitry. The one or more processors are configured to obtain unfiltered reference samples for an area of a picture of the video data. The one or more processors are configured to disable intra-reference sample smoothing of the unfiltered reference samples for chroma samples in a YUV 4:2:0 format and in a YUV 4:4:4 format. The one or more processors are further configured to generate, using intra-prediction, chroma samples of a predicted block for a block of the picture based on the unfiltered reference samples when generating the chroma components in the YUV 4:2:0 format and when generating the chroma components in the YUV 4:4:4 format.1. A method of processing video data, the method comprising:
obtaining, by one or more processors implemented in circuitry, unfiltered reference samples for an area of a picture, wherein the one or more processors are configured to disable intra-reference sample smoothing of the unfiltered reference samples for chroma samples in a YUV 4:2:0 format and in a YUV 4:4:4 format; and generating, by the one or more processors, using intra-prediction, chroma samples of a predicted block for a block of the picture based on the unfiltered reference samples when generating the chroma components in the YUV 4:2:0 format and when generating the chroma components in the YUV 4:4:4 format. 2. The method of claim 1, further comprising, in response to determining to enable intra-reference sample smoothing for generating luma samples:
performing, by the one or more processors, one or more filter operations on the unfiltered reference samples to generate filtered reference samples; and generating, by the one or more processors, using intra-prediction, luma samples for the block of the picture based on the filtered reference samples. 3. The method of claim 2, wherein performing the one or more filter operations comprises performing one or more deblocking operations on the unfiltered reference samples. 4. The method of claim 1, comprising:
decoding, by the one or more processors, a residual block for the block of video data; and combining, by the one or more processors, the predicted block and the residual block to decode an unfiltered reconstructed block for the block of video data. 5. The method of claim 4, further comprising storing, by the one or more processors, the unfiltered reconstructed block at a decoded picture buffer. 6. The method of claim 4, further comprising:
generating, by the one or more processors, a filtered reconstructed block for the block of video data, wherein generating the filtered reconstructed block comprises performing one or more filter operations on the unfiltered reconstructed block; and storing, by the one or more processors, the filtered reconstructed block at a decoded picture buffer. 7. The method of claim 1, comprising:
generating, by the one or more processors, a residual block for the block of video data based on differences between the block of video data and the predicted block; and encoding, by the one or more processors, the residual block. 8. The method of claim 7, further comprising:
combining, by the one or more processors, the predicted block and the residual block to decode an unfiltered reconstructed block for the block of video data; and storing, by the one or more processors, the unfiltered reconstructed block at a decoded picture buffer. 9. The method of claim 7, further comprising:
combining, by the one or more processors, the predicted block and the residual block to decode an unfiltered reconstructed block for the block of video data; generating, by the one or more processors, a filtered reconstructed block for the block of video data, wherein generating the filtered reconstructed block comprises performing one or more filter operations on the unfiltered reconstructed block; and storing, by the one or more processors, the filtered reconstructed block at a decoded picture buffer. 10. A device for processing video data, the device comprising:
a memory configured to store video data; and one or more processors implemented in circuitry and configured to:
obtain unfiltered reference samples for an area of a picture of the video data, wherein the one or more processors are configured to disable intra-reference sample smoothing of the unfiltered reference samples for chroma samples in a YUV 4:2:0 format and in a YUV 4:4:4 format; and
generate, using intra-prediction, chroma samples of a predicted block for a block of the picture based on the unfiltered reference samples when generating the chroma components in the YUV 4:2:0 format and when generating the chroma components in the YUV 4:4:4 format. 11. The device of claim 10, wherein the one or more processors are further configured to, in response to determining to enable intra-reference sample smoothing for generating luma samples:
perform one or more filter operations on the unfiltered reference samples to generate filtered reference samples; and generate, using intra-prediction, luma samples for the block of the picture based on the filtered reference samples. 12. The device of claim 11, wherein, to perform the one or more filter operations, the one or more processors are configured to perform one or more deblocking operations on the unfiltered reference samples. 13. The device of claim 10, wherein the one or more processors are further configured to:
decode a residual block for the block of video data; and combine the predicted block and the residual block to decode an unfiltered reconstructed block for the block of video data. 14. The device of claim 13, wherein the one or more processors are further configured to store the unfiltered reconstructed block at a decoded picture buffer. 15. The device of claim 13, wherein the one or more processors are further configured to:
generate a filtered reconstructed block for the block of video data, wherein generating the filtered reconstructed block comprises performing one or more filter operations on the unfiltered reconstructed block; and store the filtered reconstructed block at a decoded picture buffer. 16. The device of claim 10, wherein the one or more processors are further configured to:
generate a residual block for the block of video data based on differences between the block of video data and the predicted block; and encode the residual block. 17. The device of claim 16, wherein the one or more processors are further configured to:
combine the predicted block and the residual block to decode an unfiltered reconstructed block for the block of video data; and store the unfiltered reconstructed block at a decoded picture buffer. 18. The device of claim 16, wherein the one or more processors are further configured to:
combine the predicted block and the residual block to decode an unfiltered reconstructed block for the block of video data; generate a filtered reconstructed block for the block of video data, wherein generating the filtered reconstructed block comprises performing one or more filter operations on the unfiltered reconstructed block; and store the filtered reconstructed block at a decoded picture buffer. 19. The device of claim 10, wherein the device comprises one or more of a camera, a computer, a mobile device, a broadcast receiver device, or a set-top box. 20. A computer-readable storage medium having stored thereon instructions that, when executed, cause one or more processors to:
obtain unfiltered reference samples for an area of a picture of the video data, wherein the instructions further cause the one or more processors to disable intra-reference sample smoothing of the unfiltered reference samples for chroma samples in a YUV 4:2:0 format and in a YUV 4:4:4 format; and generate, using intra-prediction, chroma samples of a predicted block for a block of the picture based on the unfiltered reference samples when generating the chroma components in the YUV 4:2:0 format and when generating the chroma components in the YUV 4:4:4 format. 21. A device for coding video data, the device comprising:
means for obtaining unfiltered reference samples for an area of a picture; and means for generating, using intra-prediction, chroma samples of a predicted block for a block of the picture based on the unfiltered reference samples when generating the chroma components in a YUV 4:2:0 format and when generating the chroma components in a YUV 4:4:4 format. | 2,400 |
339,943 | 16,800,912 | 2,458 | A propulsion device and a single-rotor unmanned aerial vehicle are provided. The propulsion device includes a duct, a main rotor, and at least two grid wings. The main rotor is located in the duct and is configured to drive fluid to flow in the duct to generate power. The at least two grid wings are located on a side of the main rotor, and a grid wing has a plurality of grid walls spaced apart and extended along an axial direction of the duct. Two side edges of a predetermined cross section of each grid wall have different shapes to generate a lift force under a pressure difference of the fluid flowing through the grid wing. The grid wing is configured to form a torque opposite to a torque of the main rotor under the lift force. | 1. A propulsion device, comprising:
a duct, a main rotor, and at least two grid wings, wherein:
the main rotor is located in the duct and is configured to drive fluid to flow in the duct to generate power,
the at least two grid wings are located on a side of the main rotor, and a grid wing comprises a plurality of grid walls spaced apart and extended along an axial direction of the duct,
two side edges of a predetermined cross section of each grid wall have different shapes to generate a lift force under a pressure difference of the fluid flowing through the grid wing, and
the grid wing is configured to form a torque opposite to a torque of the main rotor under the lift force. 2. The propulsion device according to claim 1, wherein:
the axial direction of the duct is located in the predetermined cross section of a grid wall. 3. The propulsion device according to claim 2, wherein:
the at least two grid wings are located between an axial center of the duct and an inner wall of the duct, and are arranged centro-symmetrically with respect to the axial center. 4. The propulsion device according to claim 3, further including:
a connection structure, wherein the connection structure comprises an axial body suspended over a position of the axis center of the duct, and the least two grid wings are located between the axial body and the inner wall of the duct. 5. The propulsion device according to claim 4, wherein:
the connection structure comprises a connection arm connected between the axial body and the duct. 6. The propulsion device according to claim 4, wherein:
one or more of the axial body and the inner wall of the duct are connected to the grid wing. 7. The propulsion device according to claim 4, wherein:
a rotation axis of the main rotor is connected to the axial body, and the main rotor is located between the axial body and the grid wing. 8. The propulsion device according to claim 2, wherein:
the grid wing is rotatably disposed in the duct, and a rotation axis of the grid wing has a direction perpendicular to the axial direction of the duct. 9. The propulsion device according to claim 8, wherein:
a quantity of the at least two grid wings is three or more, and. the three or more grid wings are located in a same plane perpendicular to the axial direction of the duct. 10. The propulsion device according to claim 9, wherein:
a quantity of the at least two grid wings is four, and the four grid wings are mutually oppositely disposed in the duct with respect to the axis center of the duct, and are arranged in four mutually orthogonal directions in the plane, respectively. 11. The propulsion device according to claim 10, wherein:
the four grid wings comprise one or more pairs of grid wings that are capable of rotating with respect to the plane, to enable the lift force of the grid wing to have a direction having an angle with respect to the plane, when the four grid wings comprise one pair of grid wings that are capable of rotating with respect to the plane, the propulsion device rotates around a first axis, and the first axis is parallel to a rotation axis of the grid wing, and when the four grid wings comprise two pairs of grid wings that are capable of rotating with respect to the plane, the propulsion device rotates around the axis direction of the duct under a difference between the torque generated by the four grid wings and the torque of the main rotor. 12. The propulsion device according to claim 8, further including:
a grid wing driver for driving the grid wing to rotate to different angles. 13. The propulsion device according to claim 1, wherein:
the two side edges of the predetermined cross section of a grid wall each has a convex arc shape, and the two side edges have different radians to enable the fluid flowing through the grid wing to generate a pressure difference on the two side edges. 14. The propulsion device according to claim 13, wherein:
the two side edges comprise a first edge and a second edge, a convex direction of the first edge is the same as a rotation direction of the main rotor, a convex direction of the second edge is opposite to the rotation direction of the main rotor, and the first edge has a radian greater than the second edge. 15. The propulsion device according to claim 1, wherein:
the plurality of grid walls in each grid wing are arranged parallel to each other along the axial direction of the duct. 16. The propulsion device according to claim 15, wherein:
each grid wing comprises three or more grid walls that are arranged parallel to each other. 17. The propulsion device according to claim 1, wherein:
the plurality of grid walls in each grid wing are arranged obliquely with respect to a radial direction of the duct, and the plurality of grid walls in each grid wing are staggered with each other. 18. The propulsion device according to claim 17, wherein:
the plurality of grid walls in each grid wing comprises a plurality of first grid walls arranged parallel to each other along a first direction, and a plurality of second grid walls arranged parallel to each other along a second direction, the plurality of first grid walls and the plurality of second grid walls are staggered with each other, and the first direction is different from the second direction. 19. The propulsion device according to claim 18, wherein:
the first direction is perpendicular to the second direction. 20. A single-rotor unmanned aerial vehicle, comprising:
a body and a propulsion device, wherein the propulsion device comprises: a duct, a main rotor, and at least two grid wings, wherein:
the main rotor is located in the duct and is configured to drive fluid to flow in the duct to generate power,
the at least two grid wings are located on a side of the main rotor, and a grid wing comprises a plurality of grid walls spaced apart and extended along an axial direction of the duct,
two side edges of a predetermined cross section of each grid wall have different shapes to generate a lift force under a pressure difference of the fluid flowing through the grid wing, and
the grid wing is configured to form a torque opposite to a torque of the main rotor under the lift force. | A propulsion device and a single-rotor unmanned aerial vehicle are provided. The propulsion device includes a duct, a main rotor, and at least two grid wings. The main rotor is located in the duct and is configured to drive fluid to flow in the duct to generate power. The at least two grid wings are located on a side of the main rotor, and a grid wing has a plurality of grid walls spaced apart and extended along an axial direction of the duct. Two side edges of a predetermined cross section of each grid wall have different shapes to generate a lift force under a pressure difference of the fluid flowing through the grid wing. The grid wing is configured to form a torque opposite to a torque of the main rotor under the lift force.1. A propulsion device, comprising:
a duct, a main rotor, and at least two grid wings, wherein:
the main rotor is located in the duct and is configured to drive fluid to flow in the duct to generate power,
the at least two grid wings are located on a side of the main rotor, and a grid wing comprises a plurality of grid walls spaced apart and extended along an axial direction of the duct,
two side edges of a predetermined cross section of each grid wall have different shapes to generate a lift force under a pressure difference of the fluid flowing through the grid wing, and
the grid wing is configured to form a torque opposite to a torque of the main rotor under the lift force. 2. The propulsion device according to claim 1, wherein:
the axial direction of the duct is located in the predetermined cross section of a grid wall. 3. The propulsion device according to claim 2, wherein:
the at least two grid wings are located between an axial center of the duct and an inner wall of the duct, and are arranged centro-symmetrically with respect to the axial center. 4. The propulsion device according to claim 3, further including:
a connection structure, wherein the connection structure comprises an axial body suspended over a position of the axis center of the duct, and the least two grid wings are located between the axial body and the inner wall of the duct. 5. The propulsion device according to claim 4, wherein:
the connection structure comprises a connection arm connected between the axial body and the duct. 6. The propulsion device according to claim 4, wherein:
one or more of the axial body and the inner wall of the duct are connected to the grid wing. 7. The propulsion device according to claim 4, wherein:
a rotation axis of the main rotor is connected to the axial body, and the main rotor is located between the axial body and the grid wing. 8. The propulsion device according to claim 2, wherein:
the grid wing is rotatably disposed in the duct, and a rotation axis of the grid wing has a direction perpendicular to the axial direction of the duct. 9. The propulsion device according to claim 8, wherein:
a quantity of the at least two grid wings is three or more, and. the three or more grid wings are located in a same plane perpendicular to the axial direction of the duct. 10. The propulsion device according to claim 9, wherein:
a quantity of the at least two grid wings is four, and the four grid wings are mutually oppositely disposed in the duct with respect to the axis center of the duct, and are arranged in four mutually orthogonal directions in the plane, respectively. 11. The propulsion device according to claim 10, wherein:
the four grid wings comprise one or more pairs of grid wings that are capable of rotating with respect to the plane, to enable the lift force of the grid wing to have a direction having an angle with respect to the plane, when the four grid wings comprise one pair of grid wings that are capable of rotating with respect to the plane, the propulsion device rotates around a first axis, and the first axis is parallel to a rotation axis of the grid wing, and when the four grid wings comprise two pairs of grid wings that are capable of rotating with respect to the plane, the propulsion device rotates around the axis direction of the duct under a difference between the torque generated by the four grid wings and the torque of the main rotor. 12. The propulsion device according to claim 8, further including:
a grid wing driver for driving the grid wing to rotate to different angles. 13. The propulsion device according to claim 1, wherein:
the two side edges of the predetermined cross section of a grid wall each has a convex arc shape, and the two side edges have different radians to enable the fluid flowing through the grid wing to generate a pressure difference on the two side edges. 14. The propulsion device according to claim 13, wherein:
the two side edges comprise a first edge and a second edge, a convex direction of the first edge is the same as a rotation direction of the main rotor, a convex direction of the second edge is opposite to the rotation direction of the main rotor, and the first edge has a radian greater than the second edge. 15. The propulsion device according to claim 1, wherein:
the plurality of grid walls in each grid wing are arranged parallel to each other along the axial direction of the duct. 16. The propulsion device according to claim 15, wherein:
each grid wing comprises three or more grid walls that are arranged parallel to each other. 17. The propulsion device according to claim 1, wherein:
the plurality of grid walls in each grid wing are arranged obliquely with respect to a radial direction of the duct, and the plurality of grid walls in each grid wing are staggered with each other. 18. The propulsion device according to claim 17, wherein:
the plurality of grid walls in each grid wing comprises a plurality of first grid walls arranged parallel to each other along a first direction, and a plurality of second grid walls arranged parallel to each other along a second direction, the plurality of first grid walls and the plurality of second grid walls are staggered with each other, and the first direction is different from the second direction. 19. The propulsion device according to claim 18, wherein:
the first direction is perpendicular to the second direction. 20. A single-rotor unmanned aerial vehicle, comprising:
a body and a propulsion device, wherein the propulsion device comprises: a duct, a main rotor, and at least two grid wings, wherein:
the main rotor is located in the duct and is configured to drive fluid to flow in the duct to generate power,
the at least two grid wings are located on a side of the main rotor, and a grid wing comprises a plurality of grid walls spaced apart and extended along an axial direction of the duct,
two side edges of a predetermined cross section of each grid wall have different shapes to generate a lift force under a pressure difference of the fluid flowing through the grid wing, and
the grid wing is configured to form a torque opposite to a torque of the main rotor under the lift force. | 2,400 |
339,944 | 16,800,890 | 2,458 | Presented herein are methods, systems, and apparatus for single analyte detection or multiplexed analyte detection based on amplified luminescent proximity homogeneous assay (“alpha”) technology, but using hollow polymer fiber optics doped with ‘acceptor bead’ dye (e.g., thioxene, anthracene, rubrene, and/or lanthanide chelates) or ‘donor bead’ dye (e.g., phthalocyanine) that carry a signal generated by the dopant via singlet oxygen channeling. | 1-70. (canceled) 71. A method for detecting and/or quantifying one or more analytes of interest in a sample, the method comprising:
introducing a sample solution into the interior of a hollow polymer optic fiber, the solution comprising the one or more analytes of interest and donor particles, the donor particles comprising (i) a donor dye composition that releases singlet oxygen when illuminated with excitation light, and (ii) a particle binding partner that binds to at least one particular analyte of the one or more analytes of interest, wherein the hollow polymer optic fiber comprises (i) an acceptor dye composition that accepts singlet oxygen and as a consequence emits light and (ii) a fiber binding partner that binds to the at least one particular analyte; conducting excitation light through the hollow polymer optic fiber; and detecting emission light traveling through the hollow polymer optic fiber, the emission light produced via singlet oxygen channeling, thereby detecting and/or quantifying the at least one particular analyte of interest in the sample. 72. The method of claim 71, comprising introducing a sample solution into the interiors of a plurality of hollow polymer optic fibers of a bundle of hollow polymer optic fibers, wherein each hollow polymer optic fiber is doped with a corresponding acceptor dye composition and comprises a corresponding fiber binding partner. 73. The method of claim 72, wherein each of a plurality of hollow polymer optic fibers of the bundle has a different fiber binding partner conjugated to its interior surface. 74. The method of claim 73, wherein:
a first hollow polymer optic fiber of the bundle is doped with a first acceptor dye composition having a first emission wavelength, a second hollow polymer optic fiber of the bundle is doped with a second acceptor dye composition having a second emission wavelength that is different from the first emission wavelength, the first hollow polymer optic fiber of the bundle has a first fiber binding partner conjugated to its interior surface, and the second hollow polymer optic fiber of the bundle has a second fiber binding partner conjugated to its interior surface, the second fiber binding partner different from the first fiber binding partner. 75. The method of claim 74, comprising distinguishably detecting light having a wavelength corresponding to the first emission wavelength and light having a wavelength corresponding the second emission wavelength. 76. The method of claim 74, comprising:
introducing into the sample solution a first donor particle comprising a donor dye composition and a first particle binding partner, wherein the first particle binding partner binds to a first analyte to which the first fiber binding partner also binds; introducing into the sample solution a second donor particle comprising a donor dye composition and a second particle binding partner, wherein the second particle binding partner binds to a second analyte to which the second fiber binding partner also binds; introducing the sample solution comprising the first donor particle and second donor particle into interiors of the hollow polymer optic fibers of the bundle of hollow polymer optic fibers. 77. The method of claim 72, comprising:
(a) introducing into the sample solution a first donor particle comprising a first donor dye composition and a first particle binding partner, wherein the first particle binding partner binds to a first analyte; (b) introducing into the sample solution a second donor particle comprising a second donor dye composition and a second particle binding partner, wherein the second particle binding partner binds to a second analyte; (c) introducing the sample solution comprising the first donor particle and second donor particle into interiors of the hollow polymer optic fibers of the bundle, wherein:
a first hollow polymer optic fiber of the bundle has a first fiber binding partner conjugated to its interior surface,
a second hollow polymer optic fiber of the bundle has a second fiber binding partner conjugated to its interior surface, the second binding partner different from the first binding partner,
the first fiber binding partner binds to the first analyte, and
the second fiber binding partner binds to the second analyte;
(d) illuminating the fiber bundle with excitation light having a first wavelength corresponding to an excitation wavelength of the first donor dye composition and detecting resultant emission light; and (e) illuminating the fiber bundle with excitation light having a second wavelength corresponding to an excitation wavelength of the second donor dye composition and detecting resultant emission light. 78. A method for detecting and/or quantifying one or more analytes of interest in a sample, the method comprising:
introducing a sample solution into the interior of a hollow polymer optic fiber, the solution comprising one or more analytes of interest and acceptor particles, the acceptor particles comprising (i) an acceptor dye composition that accepts singlet oxygen and as a consequence emits light and (ii) a particle binding partner that binds to at least one particular analyte of the one or more analytes of interest, wherein the hollow polymer optic fiber comprises (i) a donor dye composition that releases singlet oxygen when illuminated with excitation light and (ii) a fiber binding partner that binds to the at least one particular analyte; conducting excitation light through the hollow polymer optic fiber; and detecting emission light traveling through the hollow polymer optic fiber, the emission light produced via singlet oxygen channeling, thereby detecting and/or quantifying the at least one particular analyte of interest in the sample. 79. The method of claim 78, comprising introducing a sample solution into the interiors of a plurality of hollow polymer optic fibers of a bundle of hollow polymer optic fibers, wherein each hollow polymer optic fiber is doped with a corresponding donor dye composition and comprises a corresponding fiber binding partner. 80. The method of claim 79, wherein each of a plurality of hollow polymer optic fibers of the bundle of hollow polymer optic fibers has a different fiber binding partner conjugated to its interior surface. 81. The method of claim 79, comprising:
introducing into the sample solution a first acceptor particle comprising a first acceptor dye composition and a first particle binding partner, wherein the first acceptor dye composition has a first emission wavelength; introducing into the sample solution a second acceptor particle comprising a second acceptor dye composition and a second particle binding partner, wherein the second acceptor dye composition has a second emission wavelength that is different from the first emission wavelength, and the second particle binding partner is different from the first particle binding; introducing the sample solution comprising the first acceptor particle and second acceptor particle into interiors of the hollow polymer optic fibers of the bundle, wherein:
one or more hollow polymer optic fibers of the bundle have a first fiber binding partner conjugated to an interior surface, wherein the first fiber binding partner binds to a first analyte to which the first particle binding partner also binds, and
one or more hollow polymer optic fibers of the bundle have a second fiber binding partner conjugated to an interior surface, wherein the second fiber binding partner binds to a second analyte to which the second particle binding partner also binds. 82. The method of claim 81, comprising distinguishably detecting light having a wavelength corresponding to the first emission wavelength and light having a wavelength corresponding to the second emission wavelength. 83. The method of claim 79, comprising:
(a) introducing into the sample solution a first acceptor particle comprising a first particle binding partner, wherein the first particle binding partner binds to a first analyte; (b) introducing into the sample solution a second acceptor particle comprising a second particle binding partner, wherein the second particle binding partner binds to a second analyte; (c) introducing the sample solution comprising the first acceptor particle and second acceptor particle into interiors of the hollow polymer optic fibers of the bundle, wherein:
a first hollow polymer optic fiber of the bundle is doped with a first donor dye composition and has a first fiber binding partner conjugated to its interior surface,
a second hollow polymer optic fiber of the bundle is doped with a second donor dye composition and has a second fiber binding partner conjugated to its interior surface, the second binding partner different from the first binding partner,
the first fiber binding partner binds to the first analyte,
the second fiber binding partner binds to the second analyte,
(d) illuminating the fiber bundle with excitation light having a first wavelength corresponding to an excitation wavelength of the first donor dye composition and detecting resultant emission light; and (e) illuminating the fiber bundle with excitation light having a second wavelength corresponding to an excitation wavelength of the second donor dye composition and detecting resultant emission light. 84. The method of claim 71, wherein introducing the sample solution into the interior of the hollow polymer optic fiber comprises immersing the hollow polymer optic fiber into the sample solution such that the sample solution is drawn into the interior of the hollow polymer optic fiber via capillary action. 85. The method of claim 71, wherein the particle binding partner binds to at least a first analyte of the one or more analytes of interest and the fiber binding partner also binds to the first analyte. 86. The method of claim 71, wherein the hollow polymer optic fiber comprises multiple discrete portions along its length, each of which portions has a different concentration of the fiber binding partner conjugated to its interior surface for achieving a variety of levels of sensitivity of measurement of the at least one particular analyte of interest. 87. The method of claim 71, wherein the hollow polymer optic fiber comprises multiple discrete portions along its length, each of which portions has a different fiber binding partner conjugated to its interior surface. 88-92. (canceled) 93. The method of claim 78, wherein introducing the sample solution into the interior of the hollow polymer optic fiber comprises immersing the hollow polymer optic fiber into the sample solution such that the sample solution is drawn into the interior of the hollow polymer optic fiber via capillary action. 94. The method of claim 78, wherein the particle binding partner binds to at least a first analyte of the one or more analytes of interest and the fiber binding partner also binds to the first analyte. 95. The method of claim 78, wherein the hollow polymer optic fiber comprises multiple discrete portions along its length, each of which portions has a different concentration of the fiber binding partner conjugated to its interior surface for achieving a variety of levels of sensitivity of measurement of the at least one particular analyte of interest. 96. The method of claim 78, wherein the hollow polymer optic fiber comprises multiple discrete portions along its length, each of which portions has a different fiber binding partner conjugated to its interior surface. | Presented herein are methods, systems, and apparatus for single analyte detection or multiplexed analyte detection based on amplified luminescent proximity homogeneous assay (“alpha”) technology, but using hollow polymer fiber optics doped with ‘acceptor bead’ dye (e.g., thioxene, anthracene, rubrene, and/or lanthanide chelates) or ‘donor bead’ dye (e.g., phthalocyanine) that carry a signal generated by the dopant via singlet oxygen channeling.1-70. (canceled) 71. A method for detecting and/or quantifying one or more analytes of interest in a sample, the method comprising:
introducing a sample solution into the interior of a hollow polymer optic fiber, the solution comprising the one or more analytes of interest and donor particles, the donor particles comprising (i) a donor dye composition that releases singlet oxygen when illuminated with excitation light, and (ii) a particle binding partner that binds to at least one particular analyte of the one or more analytes of interest, wherein the hollow polymer optic fiber comprises (i) an acceptor dye composition that accepts singlet oxygen and as a consequence emits light and (ii) a fiber binding partner that binds to the at least one particular analyte; conducting excitation light through the hollow polymer optic fiber; and detecting emission light traveling through the hollow polymer optic fiber, the emission light produced via singlet oxygen channeling, thereby detecting and/or quantifying the at least one particular analyte of interest in the sample. 72. The method of claim 71, comprising introducing a sample solution into the interiors of a plurality of hollow polymer optic fibers of a bundle of hollow polymer optic fibers, wherein each hollow polymer optic fiber is doped with a corresponding acceptor dye composition and comprises a corresponding fiber binding partner. 73. The method of claim 72, wherein each of a plurality of hollow polymer optic fibers of the bundle has a different fiber binding partner conjugated to its interior surface. 74. The method of claim 73, wherein:
a first hollow polymer optic fiber of the bundle is doped with a first acceptor dye composition having a first emission wavelength, a second hollow polymer optic fiber of the bundle is doped with a second acceptor dye composition having a second emission wavelength that is different from the first emission wavelength, the first hollow polymer optic fiber of the bundle has a first fiber binding partner conjugated to its interior surface, and the second hollow polymer optic fiber of the bundle has a second fiber binding partner conjugated to its interior surface, the second fiber binding partner different from the first fiber binding partner. 75. The method of claim 74, comprising distinguishably detecting light having a wavelength corresponding to the first emission wavelength and light having a wavelength corresponding the second emission wavelength. 76. The method of claim 74, comprising:
introducing into the sample solution a first donor particle comprising a donor dye composition and a first particle binding partner, wherein the first particle binding partner binds to a first analyte to which the first fiber binding partner also binds; introducing into the sample solution a second donor particle comprising a donor dye composition and a second particle binding partner, wherein the second particle binding partner binds to a second analyte to which the second fiber binding partner also binds; introducing the sample solution comprising the first donor particle and second donor particle into interiors of the hollow polymer optic fibers of the bundle of hollow polymer optic fibers. 77. The method of claim 72, comprising:
(a) introducing into the sample solution a first donor particle comprising a first donor dye composition and a first particle binding partner, wherein the first particle binding partner binds to a first analyte; (b) introducing into the sample solution a second donor particle comprising a second donor dye composition and a second particle binding partner, wherein the second particle binding partner binds to a second analyte; (c) introducing the sample solution comprising the first donor particle and second donor particle into interiors of the hollow polymer optic fibers of the bundle, wherein:
a first hollow polymer optic fiber of the bundle has a first fiber binding partner conjugated to its interior surface,
a second hollow polymer optic fiber of the bundle has a second fiber binding partner conjugated to its interior surface, the second binding partner different from the first binding partner,
the first fiber binding partner binds to the first analyte, and
the second fiber binding partner binds to the second analyte;
(d) illuminating the fiber bundle with excitation light having a first wavelength corresponding to an excitation wavelength of the first donor dye composition and detecting resultant emission light; and (e) illuminating the fiber bundle with excitation light having a second wavelength corresponding to an excitation wavelength of the second donor dye composition and detecting resultant emission light. 78. A method for detecting and/or quantifying one or more analytes of interest in a sample, the method comprising:
introducing a sample solution into the interior of a hollow polymer optic fiber, the solution comprising one or more analytes of interest and acceptor particles, the acceptor particles comprising (i) an acceptor dye composition that accepts singlet oxygen and as a consequence emits light and (ii) a particle binding partner that binds to at least one particular analyte of the one or more analytes of interest, wherein the hollow polymer optic fiber comprises (i) a donor dye composition that releases singlet oxygen when illuminated with excitation light and (ii) a fiber binding partner that binds to the at least one particular analyte; conducting excitation light through the hollow polymer optic fiber; and detecting emission light traveling through the hollow polymer optic fiber, the emission light produced via singlet oxygen channeling, thereby detecting and/or quantifying the at least one particular analyte of interest in the sample. 79. The method of claim 78, comprising introducing a sample solution into the interiors of a plurality of hollow polymer optic fibers of a bundle of hollow polymer optic fibers, wherein each hollow polymer optic fiber is doped with a corresponding donor dye composition and comprises a corresponding fiber binding partner. 80. The method of claim 79, wherein each of a plurality of hollow polymer optic fibers of the bundle of hollow polymer optic fibers has a different fiber binding partner conjugated to its interior surface. 81. The method of claim 79, comprising:
introducing into the sample solution a first acceptor particle comprising a first acceptor dye composition and a first particle binding partner, wherein the first acceptor dye composition has a first emission wavelength; introducing into the sample solution a second acceptor particle comprising a second acceptor dye composition and a second particle binding partner, wherein the second acceptor dye composition has a second emission wavelength that is different from the first emission wavelength, and the second particle binding partner is different from the first particle binding; introducing the sample solution comprising the first acceptor particle and second acceptor particle into interiors of the hollow polymer optic fibers of the bundle, wherein:
one or more hollow polymer optic fibers of the bundle have a first fiber binding partner conjugated to an interior surface, wherein the first fiber binding partner binds to a first analyte to which the first particle binding partner also binds, and
one or more hollow polymer optic fibers of the bundle have a second fiber binding partner conjugated to an interior surface, wherein the second fiber binding partner binds to a second analyte to which the second particle binding partner also binds. 82. The method of claim 81, comprising distinguishably detecting light having a wavelength corresponding to the first emission wavelength and light having a wavelength corresponding to the second emission wavelength. 83. The method of claim 79, comprising:
(a) introducing into the sample solution a first acceptor particle comprising a first particle binding partner, wherein the first particle binding partner binds to a first analyte; (b) introducing into the sample solution a second acceptor particle comprising a second particle binding partner, wherein the second particle binding partner binds to a second analyte; (c) introducing the sample solution comprising the first acceptor particle and second acceptor particle into interiors of the hollow polymer optic fibers of the bundle, wherein:
a first hollow polymer optic fiber of the bundle is doped with a first donor dye composition and has a first fiber binding partner conjugated to its interior surface,
a second hollow polymer optic fiber of the bundle is doped with a second donor dye composition and has a second fiber binding partner conjugated to its interior surface, the second binding partner different from the first binding partner,
the first fiber binding partner binds to the first analyte,
the second fiber binding partner binds to the second analyte,
(d) illuminating the fiber bundle with excitation light having a first wavelength corresponding to an excitation wavelength of the first donor dye composition and detecting resultant emission light; and (e) illuminating the fiber bundle with excitation light having a second wavelength corresponding to an excitation wavelength of the second donor dye composition and detecting resultant emission light. 84. The method of claim 71, wherein introducing the sample solution into the interior of the hollow polymer optic fiber comprises immersing the hollow polymer optic fiber into the sample solution such that the sample solution is drawn into the interior of the hollow polymer optic fiber via capillary action. 85. The method of claim 71, wherein the particle binding partner binds to at least a first analyte of the one or more analytes of interest and the fiber binding partner also binds to the first analyte. 86. The method of claim 71, wherein the hollow polymer optic fiber comprises multiple discrete portions along its length, each of which portions has a different concentration of the fiber binding partner conjugated to its interior surface for achieving a variety of levels of sensitivity of measurement of the at least one particular analyte of interest. 87. The method of claim 71, wherein the hollow polymer optic fiber comprises multiple discrete portions along its length, each of which portions has a different fiber binding partner conjugated to its interior surface. 88-92. (canceled) 93. The method of claim 78, wherein introducing the sample solution into the interior of the hollow polymer optic fiber comprises immersing the hollow polymer optic fiber into the sample solution such that the sample solution is drawn into the interior of the hollow polymer optic fiber via capillary action. 94. The method of claim 78, wherein the particle binding partner binds to at least a first analyte of the one or more analytes of interest and the fiber binding partner also binds to the first analyte. 95. The method of claim 78, wherein the hollow polymer optic fiber comprises multiple discrete portions along its length, each of which portions has a different concentration of the fiber binding partner conjugated to its interior surface for achieving a variety of levels of sensitivity of measurement of the at least one particular analyte of interest. 96. The method of claim 78, wherein the hollow polymer optic fiber comprises multiple discrete portions along its length, each of which portions has a different fiber binding partner conjugated to its interior surface. | 2,400 |
339,945 | 16,800,887 | 2,458 | When user equipment (UE) is to be handed over, the network and/or the UE determines a best beam for the UE's interactions with the target cell before the handover is completed. One or more additional next best beams may also be determined. The network (e.g., the target cell) allocates one or more uplink (UL) grants that corresponds to the best beam. Via a current cell, the UE receives the one or more UL grants from the network pertaining to communications between the UE and the target cell. The UE determines whether any beams of the one or more UL grants satisfy beam criteria. The beam criteria may include 1) an allocated beam being the current best beam or 2) an allocated beam being within a strength threshold of the current best beam. If the criteria is not satisfied, the UE initiates another handover type (e.g., a RACH-based handover). | 1. An electronic device, comprising:
a network interface configured to interface with a cellular network; a memory storing instructions; a processor configured to execute the instructions, wherein, when the instructions are executed, are configured to cause the processor to:
receive a plurality of uplink (UL) grants, wherein each of the plurality of UL grants corresponds to one of a plurality of respective beams from a target cell of the cellular network to the electronic device, wherein the plurality of UL grants are received as part of a handover from a current cell to the target cell;
perform handover to the target cell;
after the handover, determine whether a strongest beam of the plurality of beams satisfies a criteria for communication between the electronic device and the target cell; and
in response to determining that the strongest beam does not satisfy the criteria, initiate a random access channel (RACH)-based handover to update which of the plurality of beams to use for the communication between the electronic device and the target cell. 2. The electronic device of claim 1, wherein receiving the UL grants comprises receiving the UL grants from the current cell. 3. The electronic device of claim 2, wherein the UL grants are allocated by the target cell. 4. The electronic device of claim 1, wherein determining whether a strongest beam satisfies the criteria, comprises measuring beams of the target cell via the network interface to determine whether a new best beam exists, wherein the measured beams comprise the plurality of beams. 5. The electronic device of claim 4, wherein, when no new best beam exists, the instructions are configured to cause the processor to continue using the strongest beam to communicate with the target cell via the network interface when the criteria has been satisfied by the strongest beam, wherein the strongest beam is the best beam in the allocated plurality of beams. 6. The electronic device of claim 4, wherein, when the new best beam exists, the instructions are configured to cause the processor to:
determine whether the new best beam corresponds to one of the plurality of UL grants; and when the new best beam corresponds to one of the plurality of UL grants, switch communications to the new best beam from the strongest beam for communications with the target cell via the network interface, wherein the criteria is satisfied when the new best beam corresponds to the one of the plurality of UL grants, and the criteria is not satisfied when the new best beam does not correspond to the one of the plurality of UL grants. 7. The electronic device of claim 4, wherein the instructions are configured to cause the processor to:
determine whether the strongest beam is within a strength threshold of the new best beam; and when the strongest beam is within the strength threshold, identify that the criteria has been satisfied and utilize the strongest beam to communicate with the target cell via the network interface. 8. The electronic device of claim 7, wherein the strongest beam comprises an allocated best beam that was the best beam at the time of allocation of the plurality of beams. 9. The electronic device of claim 7, wherein the strength threshold is defined by the cellular network in a signal received by the electronic device via the network interface. 10. The electronic device of claim 7, wherein the strength threshold is defined by the electronic device. 11. The electronic device of claim 7, wherein the strength threshold is set to a value indicated by a radio performance and protocol and radio resource management standard. 12. The electronic device of claim 1, wherein the instructions are configured to cause the processor, via the network interface, to measure beams of the target cell before the handover, wherein the beams comprise the plurality of beams. 13. The electronic device of claim 12, wherein the instructions are configured to cause the processor to a send a measurement, via the network interface, report to the current cell regarding the measurement of the beams of the target cell, wherein the beams comprise the plurality of beams. 14. The electronic device of claim 1, wherein the strongest beam comprises an allocated best beam that was the best beam at the time of allocation of the plurality of beams. 15. A method, comprising:
using a network interface of an electronic device, measuring a target cell of a cellular network, wherein the target cell is a cell of the cellular network to which the electronic device is to be handed over; sending, via the network interface, a measurement report to a current cell of the cellular network; receiving, via the current cell and the network interface, an uplink (UL) grant corresponding to a beam to be used in communication between the electronic device and the target cell; performing handover using the beam; determining whether the beam is within a strength threshold of a post-handover best beam; and when the beam is not within the strength threshold of a post-handover best beam, using a random access channel (RACH) to complete the handover and to update to the post-handover best beam for communications between the electronic device and the target cell. 16. The method of claim 15, wherein measuring the target cell comprises using a synchronization signal block (SSB) or a channel state information reference signal (CSI-RS). 17. The method of claim 15, comprising, after the handover, measuring the target cell to obtain the post-handover best beam. 18. The method of claim 15, wherein the strength threshold comprises a number of decibels. 19. The method of claim 15, wherein the strength threshold comprises 0.0 decibels to cause using the RACH to complete the handover unless the beam remains the best beam after the handover. 20. Tangible, non-transitory, and computer-readable medium having stored thereon instructions, that when executed, are configured to cause one or more processors to:
receive an indication that a user equipment (UE) is to be handed over from a current cell to a target cell; before completing the handover, determine a best beam for communication between the UE and the target cell; allocate a plurality of uplink (UL) grants, wherein the UL grants correspond to the best beam and one or more next best beams; and cause the plurality of UL grants to be sent to the UE via the current cell. | When user equipment (UE) is to be handed over, the network and/or the UE determines a best beam for the UE's interactions with the target cell before the handover is completed. One or more additional next best beams may also be determined. The network (e.g., the target cell) allocates one or more uplink (UL) grants that corresponds to the best beam. Via a current cell, the UE receives the one or more UL grants from the network pertaining to communications between the UE and the target cell. The UE determines whether any beams of the one or more UL grants satisfy beam criteria. The beam criteria may include 1) an allocated beam being the current best beam or 2) an allocated beam being within a strength threshold of the current best beam. If the criteria is not satisfied, the UE initiates another handover type (e.g., a RACH-based handover).1. An electronic device, comprising:
a network interface configured to interface with a cellular network; a memory storing instructions; a processor configured to execute the instructions, wherein, when the instructions are executed, are configured to cause the processor to:
receive a plurality of uplink (UL) grants, wherein each of the plurality of UL grants corresponds to one of a plurality of respective beams from a target cell of the cellular network to the electronic device, wherein the plurality of UL grants are received as part of a handover from a current cell to the target cell;
perform handover to the target cell;
after the handover, determine whether a strongest beam of the plurality of beams satisfies a criteria for communication between the electronic device and the target cell; and
in response to determining that the strongest beam does not satisfy the criteria, initiate a random access channel (RACH)-based handover to update which of the plurality of beams to use for the communication between the electronic device and the target cell. 2. The electronic device of claim 1, wherein receiving the UL grants comprises receiving the UL grants from the current cell. 3. The electronic device of claim 2, wherein the UL grants are allocated by the target cell. 4. The electronic device of claim 1, wherein determining whether a strongest beam satisfies the criteria, comprises measuring beams of the target cell via the network interface to determine whether a new best beam exists, wherein the measured beams comprise the plurality of beams. 5. The electronic device of claim 4, wherein, when no new best beam exists, the instructions are configured to cause the processor to continue using the strongest beam to communicate with the target cell via the network interface when the criteria has been satisfied by the strongest beam, wherein the strongest beam is the best beam in the allocated plurality of beams. 6. The electronic device of claim 4, wherein, when the new best beam exists, the instructions are configured to cause the processor to:
determine whether the new best beam corresponds to one of the plurality of UL grants; and when the new best beam corresponds to one of the plurality of UL grants, switch communications to the new best beam from the strongest beam for communications with the target cell via the network interface, wherein the criteria is satisfied when the new best beam corresponds to the one of the plurality of UL grants, and the criteria is not satisfied when the new best beam does not correspond to the one of the plurality of UL grants. 7. The electronic device of claim 4, wherein the instructions are configured to cause the processor to:
determine whether the strongest beam is within a strength threshold of the new best beam; and when the strongest beam is within the strength threshold, identify that the criteria has been satisfied and utilize the strongest beam to communicate with the target cell via the network interface. 8. The electronic device of claim 7, wherein the strongest beam comprises an allocated best beam that was the best beam at the time of allocation of the plurality of beams. 9. The electronic device of claim 7, wherein the strength threshold is defined by the cellular network in a signal received by the electronic device via the network interface. 10. The electronic device of claim 7, wherein the strength threshold is defined by the electronic device. 11. The electronic device of claim 7, wherein the strength threshold is set to a value indicated by a radio performance and protocol and radio resource management standard. 12. The electronic device of claim 1, wherein the instructions are configured to cause the processor, via the network interface, to measure beams of the target cell before the handover, wherein the beams comprise the plurality of beams. 13. The electronic device of claim 12, wherein the instructions are configured to cause the processor to a send a measurement, via the network interface, report to the current cell regarding the measurement of the beams of the target cell, wherein the beams comprise the plurality of beams. 14. The electronic device of claim 1, wherein the strongest beam comprises an allocated best beam that was the best beam at the time of allocation of the plurality of beams. 15. A method, comprising:
using a network interface of an electronic device, measuring a target cell of a cellular network, wherein the target cell is a cell of the cellular network to which the electronic device is to be handed over; sending, via the network interface, a measurement report to a current cell of the cellular network; receiving, via the current cell and the network interface, an uplink (UL) grant corresponding to a beam to be used in communication between the electronic device and the target cell; performing handover using the beam; determining whether the beam is within a strength threshold of a post-handover best beam; and when the beam is not within the strength threshold of a post-handover best beam, using a random access channel (RACH) to complete the handover and to update to the post-handover best beam for communications between the electronic device and the target cell. 16. The method of claim 15, wherein measuring the target cell comprises using a synchronization signal block (SSB) or a channel state information reference signal (CSI-RS). 17. The method of claim 15, comprising, after the handover, measuring the target cell to obtain the post-handover best beam. 18. The method of claim 15, wherein the strength threshold comprises a number of decibels. 19. The method of claim 15, wherein the strength threshold comprises 0.0 decibels to cause using the RACH to complete the handover unless the beam remains the best beam after the handover. 20. Tangible, non-transitory, and computer-readable medium having stored thereon instructions, that when executed, are configured to cause one or more processors to:
receive an indication that a user equipment (UE) is to be handed over from a current cell to a target cell; before completing the handover, determine a best beam for communication between the UE and the target cell; allocate a plurality of uplink (UL) grants, wherein the UL grants correspond to the best beam and one or more next best beams; and cause the plurality of UL grants to be sent to the UE via the current cell. | 2,400 |
339,946 | 16,800,926 | 2,458 | An underlayment that meets underlayment requirements and provides thermal insulation is disclosed. The underlayment includes a core material and an upper emittance layer having an exterior surface. An upper reinforcement layer is positioned between the upper emittance layer and the core material. A first encapsulation layer is positioned between the upper emittance layer and the upper reinforcement layer. A second encapsulation layer is positioned between the upper reinforcement layer and the core material. The underlayment includes a lower emittance layer having an exterior surface. A lower reinforcement layer is positioned between the lower emittance layer and the core material. A third encapsulation layer is positioned between the lower emittance layer and the lower reinforcement layer. A fourth encapsulation layer is positioned between the lower reinforcement layer and the core material. | 1-18. (canceled) 19. A method of manufacturing an underlayment with thermal insulation, the method comprising:
assembling an upper foil laminate including an upper low-emittance reflective layer having an exterior surface, an upper scrim layer, a first encapsulation layer between the upper low-emittance reflective layer and the upper scrim layer, and a second encapsulation layer on a side of the upper scrim layer opposite the first encapsulation layer; assembling a lower foil laminate including a lower low-emittance reflective layer having an exterior surface, a lower scrim layer, a third encapsulation layer between the lower low-emittance reflective layer and the lower scrim layer, and a fourth encapsulation layer on a side of the lower scrim layer opposite the third encapsulation layer; placing the upper foil laminate over an insulating layer that includes a closed-cell foam core material; placing the lower foil laminate under the insulating layer; and laminating the upper foil laminate, the insulating layer, and the lower foil laminate together to form the underlayment, wherein the underlayment has a total thickness ranging from about ⅛ inches to about 7/32 inches, and wherein the underlayment has an R-value of between about 0.5 and about 1. 20. The method of claim 19, wherein the insulating layer includes closed cell polyethylene foam, polyolefin, or both. 21. The method of claim 19, wherein the upper scrim layer and the lower scrim layer are made of fiberglass or plastic material. 22. The method of claim 19, wherein the upper scrim layer and the lower scrim layer are each in one of a 2×2, 5×5, 8×8, tri D, or Diamond pattern. 23. The method of claim 19, wherein each of the encapsulation layers includes polyethylene. 24. The method of claim 19, wherein the upper low-emittance reflective layer and the lower low-emittance reflective layer each include aluminum. 25. The method of claim 19, wherein the exterior surface of the upper low-emittance reflective layer is configured to be positioned either (i) directly adjacent to and in contact with an underside of a roof covering (ii) adjacent to the underside of the roof covering and separated from the underside of the roof covering by only an airspace. 26. The method of claim 25, wherein the exterior surface of the upper low-emittance reflective layer forms an upper outermost exterior surface of the underlayment, and the exterior surface of the lower low-emittance reflective layer forms a lower outermost exterior surface of the underlayment. 27. The method of claim 19, wherein the upper low-emittance reflective layer and the lower low-emittance reflective layer each have an emissivity rating of at least about 85%. 28. A method of insulating a roofing assembly, comprising:
providing an underlayment, the underlayment including:
an insulating layer including closed-cell foam core material;
an upper low-emittance reflective layer;
an upper scrim layer between the upper low-emittance reflective layer and the foam core material;
a lower low-emittance reflective layer; and
a lower scrim layer between the lower low-emittance reflective layer and the foam core material, the underlayment having a thickness ranging from about ⅛ inches to about 7/32 inches, and an R-value of between about 0.5 and about 1;
securing the underlayment to a roof deck of a roofing assembly, such that the lower low-emittance reflective layer of the underlayment contacts the roof deck; and installing a roof covering of the roofing assembly on the underlayment (i) such that the upper low emittance reflective layer of the underlayment contacts the roof covering, or (ii) such that the upper low emittance reflective layer of the underlayment is positioned adjacent to the roof covering and is separated from the roof covering by only an airspace. 29. The method of claim 28, wherein the underlayment has a thickness of ⅛ inches. 30. The method of claim 29, wherein the roofing assembly has a 0.5-inch reflective airspace, and wherein the underlayment in combination with the roofing assembly has an R-value of 3. 31. The method of claim 29, wherein the roofing assembly has a 0.75-inch reflective airspace, and wherein the underlayment in combination with the roofing assembly has an R-value of 4. 32. The method of claim 29, wherein the roofing assembly has a 1.5-inch reflective airspace, and wherein the underlayment in combination with the roofing assembly has an R-value of 6.1. 33. The method of claim 29, wherein the roofing assembly has a 3.5-inch reflective airspace, and wherein the underlayment in combination with the roofing assembly has an R-value of 8.7. 34. The method of claim 28, wherein the underlayment has a thickness of 7/32 inches. 35. The method of claim 34, wherein the roofing assembly has a 0.5-inch reflective airspace, and wherein the underlayment in combination with the roofing assembly has an R-value of 3.5. 36. The method of claim 34, wherein the roofing assembly has a 0.75-inch reflective airspace, and wherein the underlayment in combination with the roofing assembly has an R-value of 4.5. 37. The method of claim 34, wherein the roofing assembly has a 1.5-inch reflective airspace, and wherein the underlayment in combination with the roofing assembly has an R-value of 6.6. 38. The method of claim 34, wherein the roofing assembly has a 3.5-inch reflective airspace, and wherein the underlayment in combination with the roofing assembly has an R-value of 9.2. | An underlayment that meets underlayment requirements and provides thermal insulation is disclosed. The underlayment includes a core material and an upper emittance layer having an exterior surface. An upper reinforcement layer is positioned between the upper emittance layer and the core material. A first encapsulation layer is positioned between the upper emittance layer and the upper reinforcement layer. A second encapsulation layer is positioned between the upper reinforcement layer and the core material. The underlayment includes a lower emittance layer having an exterior surface. A lower reinforcement layer is positioned between the lower emittance layer and the core material. A third encapsulation layer is positioned between the lower emittance layer and the lower reinforcement layer. A fourth encapsulation layer is positioned between the lower reinforcement layer and the core material.1-18. (canceled) 19. A method of manufacturing an underlayment with thermal insulation, the method comprising:
assembling an upper foil laminate including an upper low-emittance reflective layer having an exterior surface, an upper scrim layer, a first encapsulation layer between the upper low-emittance reflective layer and the upper scrim layer, and a second encapsulation layer on a side of the upper scrim layer opposite the first encapsulation layer; assembling a lower foil laminate including a lower low-emittance reflective layer having an exterior surface, a lower scrim layer, a third encapsulation layer between the lower low-emittance reflective layer and the lower scrim layer, and a fourth encapsulation layer on a side of the lower scrim layer opposite the third encapsulation layer; placing the upper foil laminate over an insulating layer that includes a closed-cell foam core material; placing the lower foil laminate under the insulating layer; and laminating the upper foil laminate, the insulating layer, and the lower foil laminate together to form the underlayment, wherein the underlayment has a total thickness ranging from about ⅛ inches to about 7/32 inches, and wherein the underlayment has an R-value of between about 0.5 and about 1. 20. The method of claim 19, wherein the insulating layer includes closed cell polyethylene foam, polyolefin, or both. 21. The method of claim 19, wherein the upper scrim layer and the lower scrim layer are made of fiberglass or plastic material. 22. The method of claim 19, wherein the upper scrim layer and the lower scrim layer are each in one of a 2×2, 5×5, 8×8, tri D, or Diamond pattern. 23. The method of claim 19, wherein each of the encapsulation layers includes polyethylene. 24. The method of claim 19, wherein the upper low-emittance reflective layer and the lower low-emittance reflective layer each include aluminum. 25. The method of claim 19, wherein the exterior surface of the upper low-emittance reflective layer is configured to be positioned either (i) directly adjacent to and in contact with an underside of a roof covering (ii) adjacent to the underside of the roof covering and separated from the underside of the roof covering by only an airspace. 26. The method of claim 25, wherein the exterior surface of the upper low-emittance reflective layer forms an upper outermost exterior surface of the underlayment, and the exterior surface of the lower low-emittance reflective layer forms a lower outermost exterior surface of the underlayment. 27. The method of claim 19, wherein the upper low-emittance reflective layer and the lower low-emittance reflective layer each have an emissivity rating of at least about 85%. 28. A method of insulating a roofing assembly, comprising:
providing an underlayment, the underlayment including:
an insulating layer including closed-cell foam core material;
an upper low-emittance reflective layer;
an upper scrim layer between the upper low-emittance reflective layer and the foam core material;
a lower low-emittance reflective layer; and
a lower scrim layer between the lower low-emittance reflective layer and the foam core material, the underlayment having a thickness ranging from about ⅛ inches to about 7/32 inches, and an R-value of between about 0.5 and about 1;
securing the underlayment to a roof deck of a roofing assembly, such that the lower low-emittance reflective layer of the underlayment contacts the roof deck; and installing a roof covering of the roofing assembly on the underlayment (i) such that the upper low emittance reflective layer of the underlayment contacts the roof covering, or (ii) such that the upper low emittance reflective layer of the underlayment is positioned adjacent to the roof covering and is separated from the roof covering by only an airspace. 29. The method of claim 28, wherein the underlayment has a thickness of ⅛ inches. 30. The method of claim 29, wherein the roofing assembly has a 0.5-inch reflective airspace, and wherein the underlayment in combination with the roofing assembly has an R-value of 3. 31. The method of claim 29, wherein the roofing assembly has a 0.75-inch reflective airspace, and wherein the underlayment in combination with the roofing assembly has an R-value of 4. 32. The method of claim 29, wherein the roofing assembly has a 1.5-inch reflective airspace, and wherein the underlayment in combination with the roofing assembly has an R-value of 6.1. 33. The method of claim 29, wherein the roofing assembly has a 3.5-inch reflective airspace, and wherein the underlayment in combination with the roofing assembly has an R-value of 8.7. 34. The method of claim 28, wherein the underlayment has a thickness of 7/32 inches. 35. The method of claim 34, wherein the roofing assembly has a 0.5-inch reflective airspace, and wherein the underlayment in combination with the roofing assembly has an R-value of 3.5. 36. The method of claim 34, wherein the roofing assembly has a 0.75-inch reflective airspace, and wherein the underlayment in combination with the roofing assembly has an R-value of 4.5. 37. The method of claim 34, wherein the roofing assembly has a 1.5-inch reflective airspace, and wherein the underlayment in combination with the roofing assembly has an R-value of 6.6. 38. The method of claim 34, wherein the roofing assembly has a 3.5-inch reflective airspace, and wherein the underlayment in combination with the roofing assembly has an R-value of 9.2. | 2,400 |
339,947 | 16,800,941 | 2,458 | An apparatus and method for medical procedures are provided. The apparatus includes a base, a member having first and second ends, and a curved support configured to support a robotic arm. The method involves adjusting a member to position a curved support configured to support a robotic arm, positioning the robotic arm at a location on the curved support, and adjusting the robotic arm in accordance with a non-surgical adjustment such that the robotic instrument is within range of a target area. | 1. (canceled) 2. A robotic surgery apparatus for performing a surgical procedure, the apparatus comprising:
a base unit comprising a plurality of wheels to facilitate movement of the robotic surgery apparatus, one or more of the plurality of wheels being selectively lockable to lock a position of the base unit; a support arm assembly having a proximal end coupled to the base unit and extending to a distal end; a robotic arm operatively coupled to the support arm assembly, an angular orientation of the robotic arm relative to the support arm being adjustable; and a robotic instrument movably coupled to the robotic arm, the robotic instrument configured to move relative to the robotic arm, the robotic arm is configured to support and position the robotic instrument according to multiple surgical degrees of freedom. 3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein each of the plurality of wheels is selectively lockable to lock the position of the base unit. 4. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the support arm is pivotally connected to the base. 5. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the support comprises a first portion and a second portion, the first portion pivotally connected to the second portion. 6. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the support arm is rotatably connected to the base. 7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the support arm has five degrees of freedom. 8. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the support arm is configured to support the robotic arm at different heights relative to the base unit. 9. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the support arm is configured to support the robotic arm at different angles relative to the base unit. 10. The apparatus of claim 2, further comprising a locking mechanism configured to lock a degree of freedom of the support arm relative to the base unit. 11. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the locking mechanism is electromechanically controlled. 12. A robotic surgery apparatus for performing a surgical procedure, the apparatus comprising:
a base unit comprising a plurality of wheels to facilitate movement of the robotic surgery apparatus, one or more of the plurality of wheels being selectively lockable to lock a position of the base unit; a support arm assembly having a proximal end coupled to the base unit and extending to a distal end, the support arm assembly having one or more portions that together define at least three degrees of freedom; a robotic arm operatively coupled to the support arm assembly, an angular orientation of the robotic arm relative to the support arm being adjustable; and a robotic instrument movably coupled to the robotic arm, the robotic instrument configured to move relative to the robotic arm, the robotic arm configured to support and position the robotic instrument according to multiple surgical degrees of freedom. 13. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the support arm assembly is configured to electromagnetically lock the at least three degrees of freedom to fix an orientation of the support arm assembly. 14. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein each of the plurality of wheels is selectively lockable to lock the position of the base unit. 15. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the support arm is pivotally connected to the base. 16. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the support comprises a first portion and a second portion, the first portion pivotally connected to the second portion. 17. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the support arm is rotatably connected to the base. 18. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the support arm has five degrees of freedom. 19. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the support arm is configured to support the robotic arm at different heights relative to the base unit. 20. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the support arm is configured to support the robotic arm at different angles relative to the base unit. 21. The apparatus of claim 12, further comprising a locking mechanism configured to lock at least one degree of freedom of the support arm relative to the base unit. 22. The apparatus of claim 21, wherein the locking mechanism is electromechanically controlled. | An apparatus and method for medical procedures are provided. The apparatus includes a base, a member having first and second ends, and a curved support configured to support a robotic arm. The method involves adjusting a member to position a curved support configured to support a robotic arm, positioning the robotic arm at a location on the curved support, and adjusting the robotic arm in accordance with a non-surgical adjustment such that the robotic instrument is within range of a target area.1. (canceled) 2. A robotic surgery apparatus for performing a surgical procedure, the apparatus comprising:
a base unit comprising a plurality of wheels to facilitate movement of the robotic surgery apparatus, one or more of the plurality of wheels being selectively lockable to lock a position of the base unit; a support arm assembly having a proximal end coupled to the base unit and extending to a distal end; a robotic arm operatively coupled to the support arm assembly, an angular orientation of the robotic arm relative to the support arm being adjustable; and a robotic instrument movably coupled to the robotic arm, the robotic instrument configured to move relative to the robotic arm, the robotic arm is configured to support and position the robotic instrument according to multiple surgical degrees of freedom. 3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein each of the plurality of wheels is selectively lockable to lock the position of the base unit. 4. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the support arm is pivotally connected to the base. 5. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the support comprises a first portion and a second portion, the first portion pivotally connected to the second portion. 6. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the support arm is rotatably connected to the base. 7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the support arm has five degrees of freedom. 8. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the support arm is configured to support the robotic arm at different heights relative to the base unit. 9. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the support arm is configured to support the robotic arm at different angles relative to the base unit. 10. The apparatus of claim 2, further comprising a locking mechanism configured to lock a degree of freedom of the support arm relative to the base unit. 11. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the locking mechanism is electromechanically controlled. 12. A robotic surgery apparatus for performing a surgical procedure, the apparatus comprising:
a base unit comprising a plurality of wheels to facilitate movement of the robotic surgery apparatus, one or more of the plurality of wheels being selectively lockable to lock a position of the base unit; a support arm assembly having a proximal end coupled to the base unit and extending to a distal end, the support arm assembly having one or more portions that together define at least three degrees of freedom; a robotic arm operatively coupled to the support arm assembly, an angular orientation of the robotic arm relative to the support arm being adjustable; and a robotic instrument movably coupled to the robotic arm, the robotic instrument configured to move relative to the robotic arm, the robotic arm configured to support and position the robotic instrument according to multiple surgical degrees of freedom. 13. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the support arm assembly is configured to electromagnetically lock the at least three degrees of freedom to fix an orientation of the support arm assembly. 14. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein each of the plurality of wheels is selectively lockable to lock the position of the base unit. 15. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the support arm is pivotally connected to the base. 16. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the support comprises a first portion and a second portion, the first portion pivotally connected to the second portion. 17. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the support arm is rotatably connected to the base. 18. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the support arm has five degrees of freedom. 19. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the support arm is configured to support the robotic arm at different heights relative to the base unit. 20. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the support arm is configured to support the robotic arm at different angles relative to the base unit. 21. The apparatus of claim 12, further comprising a locking mechanism configured to lock at least one degree of freedom of the support arm relative to the base unit. 22. The apparatus of claim 21, wherein the locking mechanism is electromechanically controlled. | 2,400 |
339,948 | 16,800,914 | 2,458 | Provided are techniques for collecting capacity data of virtual machines by leveraging agent data. A list of one or more virtual machines for which capacity data is to be retrieved is obtain from an asset server, where the one or more virtual machines are identified using a licensing measurement. Infrastructure data and hypervisor data are obtained from an infrastructure server. For each of the one or more virtual machines, the infrastructure data and the hypervisor data are used to request, from a capacity scanner on each of the one or more virtual machines, capacity data for that virtual machine. The capacity data for each of the one or more virtual machines is sent to the asset server, and the asset server performs load balancing of software that is to be executed on the one or more virtual machines using the capacity data. | 1. A computer-implemented method, comprising operations for:
obtaining, from an asset server, a list of one or more virtual machines for which capacity data is to be retrieved, wherein the one or more virtual machines are identified using a licensing measurement; obtaining infrastructure data and hypervisor data from an infrastructure server; for each of the one or more virtual machines, using the infrastructure data and the hypervisor data to request, from a capacity scanner on each of the one or more virtual machines, capacity data for that virtual machine; and sending, to the asset server, the capacity data for each of the one or more virtual machines, wherein the asset server performs load balancing of software that is to be executed on the one or more virtual machines using the capacity data. 2. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein one or more agents of the infrastructure server are deployed on the virtual machines to obtain the infrastructure data. 3. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein the infrastructure data includes, for each of the virtual machines, a Unique Universal Identifier (UUID) of that virtual machine and an indicator of which virtual center server is a location of that virtual machine. 4. The computer-implemented method of claim 3, wherein the UUID is verified by checking one or more of a plurality of virtual center servers. 5. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein the licensing measurement is associated with a customer and identifies the one or more virtual machines that are licensed by that customer. 6. The computer-implemented method of claim 5, wherein the virtual machines are registered on the infrastructure server. 7. A computer program product, the computer program product comprising a computer readable storage medium having program code embodied therewith, the program code executable by at least one processor to perform operations for:
obtaining, from an asset server, a list of one or more virtual machines for which capacity data is to be retrieved, wherein the one or more virtual machines are identified using a licensing measurement; obtaining infrastructure data and hypervisor data from an infrastructure server; for each of the one or more virtual machines, using the infrastructure data and the hypervisor data to request, from a capacity scanner on each of the one or more virtual machines, capacity data for that virtual machine; and sending, to the asset server, the capacity data for each of the one or more virtual machines, wherein the asset server performs load balancing of software that is to be executed on the one or more virtual machines using the capacity data. 8. The computer program product of claim 7, wherein one or more agents of the infrastructure server are deployed on the virtual machines to obtain the infrastructure data. 9. The computer program product of claim 7, wherein the infrastructure data includes, for each of the virtual machines, a Unique Universal Identifier (UUID) of that virtual machine and an indicator of which virtual center server is a location of that virtual machine. 10. The computer program product of claim 9, wherein the UUID is verified by checking one or more of a plurality of virtual center servers. 11. The computer program product of claim 7, wherein the licensing measurement is associated with a customer and identifies the one or more virtual machines that are licensed by that customer. 12. The computer program product of claim 11, wherein the virtual machines are registered on the infrastructure server. 13. A computer system, comprising:
one or more processors, one or more computer-readable memories and one or more computer-readable, tangible storage devices; and program instructions, stored on at least one of the one or more computer-readable, tangible storage devices for execution by at least one of the one or more processors via at least one of the one or more memories, to perform operations comprising: obtaining, from an asset server, a list of one or more virtual machines for which capacity data is to be retrieved, wherein the one or more virtual machines are identified using a licensing measurement; obtaining infrastructure data and hypervisor data from an infrastructure server; for each of the one or more virtual machines, using the infrastructure data and the hypervisor data to request, from a capacity scanner on each of the one or more virtual machines, capacity data for that virtual machine; and sending, to the asset server, the capacity data for each of the one or more virtual machines, wherein the asset server performs load balancing of software that is to be executed on the one or more virtual machines using the capacity data. 14. The computer system of claim 13, wherein one or more agents of the infrastructure server are deployed on the virtual machines to obtain the infrastructure data. 15. The computer system of claim 13, wherein the infrastructure data includes, for each of the virtual machines, a Unique Universal Identifier (UUID) of that virtual machine and an indicator of which virtual center server is a location of that virtual machine. 16. The computer system of claim 15, wherein the UUID is verified by checking one or more of a plurality of virtual center servers. 17. The computer system of claim 13, wherein the licensing measurement is associated with a customer and identifies the one or more virtual machines that are licensed by that customer. 18. The computer system of claim 17, wherein the virtual machines are registered on the infrastructure server. | Provided are techniques for collecting capacity data of virtual machines by leveraging agent data. A list of one or more virtual machines for which capacity data is to be retrieved is obtain from an asset server, where the one or more virtual machines are identified using a licensing measurement. Infrastructure data and hypervisor data are obtained from an infrastructure server. For each of the one or more virtual machines, the infrastructure data and the hypervisor data are used to request, from a capacity scanner on each of the one or more virtual machines, capacity data for that virtual machine. The capacity data for each of the one or more virtual machines is sent to the asset server, and the asset server performs load balancing of software that is to be executed on the one or more virtual machines using the capacity data.1. A computer-implemented method, comprising operations for:
obtaining, from an asset server, a list of one or more virtual machines for which capacity data is to be retrieved, wherein the one or more virtual machines are identified using a licensing measurement; obtaining infrastructure data and hypervisor data from an infrastructure server; for each of the one or more virtual machines, using the infrastructure data and the hypervisor data to request, from a capacity scanner on each of the one or more virtual machines, capacity data for that virtual machine; and sending, to the asset server, the capacity data for each of the one or more virtual machines, wherein the asset server performs load balancing of software that is to be executed on the one or more virtual machines using the capacity data. 2. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein one or more agents of the infrastructure server are deployed on the virtual machines to obtain the infrastructure data. 3. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein the infrastructure data includes, for each of the virtual machines, a Unique Universal Identifier (UUID) of that virtual machine and an indicator of which virtual center server is a location of that virtual machine. 4. The computer-implemented method of claim 3, wherein the UUID is verified by checking one or more of a plurality of virtual center servers. 5. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein the licensing measurement is associated with a customer and identifies the one or more virtual machines that are licensed by that customer. 6. The computer-implemented method of claim 5, wherein the virtual machines are registered on the infrastructure server. 7. A computer program product, the computer program product comprising a computer readable storage medium having program code embodied therewith, the program code executable by at least one processor to perform operations for:
obtaining, from an asset server, a list of one or more virtual machines for which capacity data is to be retrieved, wherein the one or more virtual machines are identified using a licensing measurement; obtaining infrastructure data and hypervisor data from an infrastructure server; for each of the one or more virtual machines, using the infrastructure data and the hypervisor data to request, from a capacity scanner on each of the one or more virtual machines, capacity data for that virtual machine; and sending, to the asset server, the capacity data for each of the one or more virtual machines, wherein the asset server performs load balancing of software that is to be executed on the one or more virtual machines using the capacity data. 8. The computer program product of claim 7, wherein one or more agents of the infrastructure server are deployed on the virtual machines to obtain the infrastructure data. 9. The computer program product of claim 7, wherein the infrastructure data includes, for each of the virtual machines, a Unique Universal Identifier (UUID) of that virtual machine and an indicator of which virtual center server is a location of that virtual machine. 10. The computer program product of claim 9, wherein the UUID is verified by checking one or more of a plurality of virtual center servers. 11. The computer program product of claim 7, wherein the licensing measurement is associated with a customer and identifies the one or more virtual machines that are licensed by that customer. 12. The computer program product of claim 11, wherein the virtual machines are registered on the infrastructure server. 13. A computer system, comprising:
one or more processors, one or more computer-readable memories and one or more computer-readable, tangible storage devices; and program instructions, stored on at least one of the one or more computer-readable, tangible storage devices for execution by at least one of the one or more processors via at least one of the one or more memories, to perform operations comprising: obtaining, from an asset server, a list of one or more virtual machines for which capacity data is to be retrieved, wherein the one or more virtual machines are identified using a licensing measurement; obtaining infrastructure data and hypervisor data from an infrastructure server; for each of the one or more virtual machines, using the infrastructure data and the hypervisor data to request, from a capacity scanner on each of the one or more virtual machines, capacity data for that virtual machine; and sending, to the asset server, the capacity data for each of the one or more virtual machines, wherein the asset server performs load balancing of software that is to be executed on the one or more virtual machines using the capacity data. 14. The computer system of claim 13, wherein one or more agents of the infrastructure server are deployed on the virtual machines to obtain the infrastructure data. 15. The computer system of claim 13, wherein the infrastructure data includes, for each of the virtual machines, a Unique Universal Identifier (UUID) of that virtual machine and an indicator of which virtual center server is a location of that virtual machine. 16. The computer system of claim 15, wherein the UUID is verified by checking one or more of a plurality of virtual center servers. 17. The computer system of claim 13, wherein the licensing measurement is associated with a customer and identifies the one or more virtual machines that are licensed by that customer. 18. The computer system of claim 17, wherein the virtual machines are registered on the infrastructure server. | 2,400 |
339,949 | 16,800,902 | 2,458 | Provided are techniques for collecting capacity data of virtual machines by leveraging agent data. A list of one or more virtual machines for which capacity data is to be retrieved is obtain from an asset server, where the one or more virtual machines are identified using a licensing measurement. Infrastructure data and hypervisor data are obtained from an infrastructure server. For each of the one or more virtual machines, the infrastructure data and the hypervisor data are used to request, from a capacity scanner on each of the one or more virtual machines, capacity data for that virtual machine. The capacity data for each of the one or more virtual machines is sent to the asset server, and the asset server performs load balancing of software that is to be executed on the one or more virtual machines using the capacity data. | 1. A computer-implemented method, comprising operations for:
obtaining, from an asset server, a list of one or more virtual machines for which capacity data is to be retrieved, wherein the one or more virtual machines are identified using a licensing measurement; obtaining infrastructure data and hypervisor data from an infrastructure server; for each of the one or more virtual machines, using the infrastructure data and the hypervisor data to request, from a capacity scanner on each of the one or more virtual machines, capacity data for that virtual machine; and sending, to the asset server, the capacity data for each of the one or more virtual machines, wherein the asset server performs load balancing of software that is to be executed on the one or more virtual machines using the capacity data. 2. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein one or more agents of the infrastructure server are deployed on the virtual machines to obtain the infrastructure data. 3. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein the infrastructure data includes, for each of the virtual machines, a Unique Universal Identifier (UUID) of that virtual machine and an indicator of which virtual center server is a location of that virtual machine. 4. The computer-implemented method of claim 3, wherein the UUID is verified by checking one or more of a plurality of virtual center servers. 5. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein the licensing measurement is associated with a customer and identifies the one or more virtual machines that are licensed by that customer. 6. The computer-implemented method of claim 5, wherein the virtual machines are registered on the infrastructure server. 7. A computer program product, the computer program product comprising a computer readable storage medium having program code embodied therewith, the program code executable by at least one processor to perform operations for:
obtaining, from an asset server, a list of one or more virtual machines for which capacity data is to be retrieved, wherein the one or more virtual machines are identified using a licensing measurement; obtaining infrastructure data and hypervisor data from an infrastructure server; for each of the one or more virtual machines, using the infrastructure data and the hypervisor data to request, from a capacity scanner on each of the one or more virtual machines, capacity data for that virtual machine; and sending, to the asset server, the capacity data for each of the one or more virtual machines, wherein the asset server performs load balancing of software that is to be executed on the one or more virtual machines using the capacity data. 8. The computer program product of claim 7, wherein one or more agents of the infrastructure server are deployed on the virtual machines to obtain the infrastructure data. 9. The computer program product of claim 7, wherein the infrastructure data includes, for each of the virtual machines, a Unique Universal Identifier (UUID) of that virtual machine and an indicator of which virtual center server is a location of that virtual machine. 10. The computer program product of claim 9, wherein the UUID is verified by checking one or more of a plurality of virtual center servers. 11. The computer program product of claim 7, wherein the licensing measurement is associated with a customer and identifies the one or more virtual machines that are licensed by that customer. 12. The computer program product of claim 11, wherein the virtual machines are registered on the infrastructure server. 13. A computer system, comprising:
one or more processors, one or more computer-readable memories and one or more computer-readable, tangible storage devices; and program instructions, stored on at least one of the one or more computer-readable, tangible storage devices for execution by at least one of the one or more processors via at least one of the one or more memories, to perform operations comprising: obtaining, from an asset server, a list of one or more virtual machines for which capacity data is to be retrieved, wherein the one or more virtual machines are identified using a licensing measurement; obtaining infrastructure data and hypervisor data from an infrastructure server; for each of the one or more virtual machines, using the infrastructure data and the hypervisor data to request, from a capacity scanner on each of the one or more virtual machines, capacity data for that virtual machine; and sending, to the asset server, the capacity data for each of the one or more virtual machines, wherein the asset server performs load balancing of software that is to be executed on the one or more virtual machines using the capacity data. 14. The computer system of claim 13, wherein one or more agents of the infrastructure server are deployed on the virtual machines to obtain the infrastructure data. 15. The computer system of claim 13, wherein the infrastructure data includes, for each of the virtual machines, a Unique Universal Identifier (UUID) of that virtual machine and an indicator of which virtual center server is a location of that virtual machine. 16. The computer system of claim 15, wherein the UUID is verified by checking one or more of a plurality of virtual center servers. 17. The computer system of claim 13, wherein the licensing measurement is associated with a customer and identifies the one or more virtual machines that are licensed by that customer. 18. The computer system of claim 17, wherein the virtual machines are registered on the infrastructure server. | Provided are techniques for collecting capacity data of virtual machines by leveraging agent data. A list of one or more virtual machines for which capacity data is to be retrieved is obtain from an asset server, where the one or more virtual machines are identified using a licensing measurement. Infrastructure data and hypervisor data are obtained from an infrastructure server. For each of the one or more virtual machines, the infrastructure data and the hypervisor data are used to request, from a capacity scanner on each of the one or more virtual machines, capacity data for that virtual machine. The capacity data for each of the one or more virtual machines is sent to the asset server, and the asset server performs load balancing of software that is to be executed on the one or more virtual machines using the capacity data.1. A computer-implemented method, comprising operations for:
obtaining, from an asset server, a list of one or more virtual machines for which capacity data is to be retrieved, wherein the one or more virtual machines are identified using a licensing measurement; obtaining infrastructure data and hypervisor data from an infrastructure server; for each of the one or more virtual machines, using the infrastructure data and the hypervisor data to request, from a capacity scanner on each of the one or more virtual machines, capacity data for that virtual machine; and sending, to the asset server, the capacity data for each of the one or more virtual machines, wherein the asset server performs load balancing of software that is to be executed on the one or more virtual machines using the capacity data. 2. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein one or more agents of the infrastructure server are deployed on the virtual machines to obtain the infrastructure data. 3. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein the infrastructure data includes, for each of the virtual machines, a Unique Universal Identifier (UUID) of that virtual machine and an indicator of which virtual center server is a location of that virtual machine. 4. The computer-implemented method of claim 3, wherein the UUID is verified by checking one or more of a plurality of virtual center servers. 5. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein the licensing measurement is associated with a customer and identifies the one or more virtual machines that are licensed by that customer. 6. The computer-implemented method of claim 5, wherein the virtual machines are registered on the infrastructure server. 7. A computer program product, the computer program product comprising a computer readable storage medium having program code embodied therewith, the program code executable by at least one processor to perform operations for:
obtaining, from an asset server, a list of one or more virtual machines for which capacity data is to be retrieved, wherein the one or more virtual machines are identified using a licensing measurement; obtaining infrastructure data and hypervisor data from an infrastructure server; for each of the one or more virtual machines, using the infrastructure data and the hypervisor data to request, from a capacity scanner on each of the one or more virtual machines, capacity data for that virtual machine; and sending, to the asset server, the capacity data for each of the one or more virtual machines, wherein the asset server performs load balancing of software that is to be executed on the one or more virtual machines using the capacity data. 8. The computer program product of claim 7, wherein one or more agents of the infrastructure server are deployed on the virtual machines to obtain the infrastructure data. 9. The computer program product of claim 7, wherein the infrastructure data includes, for each of the virtual machines, a Unique Universal Identifier (UUID) of that virtual machine and an indicator of which virtual center server is a location of that virtual machine. 10. The computer program product of claim 9, wherein the UUID is verified by checking one or more of a plurality of virtual center servers. 11. The computer program product of claim 7, wherein the licensing measurement is associated with a customer and identifies the one or more virtual machines that are licensed by that customer. 12. The computer program product of claim 11, wherein the virtual machines are registered on the infrastructure server. 13. A computer system, comprising:
one or more processors, one or more computer-readable memories and one or more computer-readable, tangible storage devices; and program instructions, stored on at least one of the one or more computer-readable, tangible storage devices for execution by at least one of the one or more processors via at least one of the one or more memories, to perform operations comprising: obtaining, from an asset server, a list of one or more virtual machines for which capacity data is to be retrieved, wherein the one or more virtual machines are identified using a licensing measurement; obtaining infrastructure data and hypervisor data from an infrastructure server; for each of the one or more virtual machines, using the infrastructure data and the hypervisor data to request, from a capacity scanner on each of the one or more virtual machines, capacity data for that virtual machine; and sending, to the asset server, the capacity data for each of the one or more virtual machines, wherein the asset server performs load balancing of software that is to be executed on the one or more virtual machines using the capacity data. 14. The computer system of claim 13, wherein one or more agents of the infrastructure server are deployed on the virtual machines to obtain the infrastructure data. 15. The computer system of claim 13, wherein the infrastructure data includes, for each of the virtual machines, a Unique Universal Identifier (UUID) of that virtual machine and an indicator of which virtual center server is a location of that virtual machine. 16. The computer system of claim 15, wherein the UUID is verified by checking one or more of a plurality of virtual center servers. 17. The computer system of claim 13, wherein the licensing measurement is associated with a customer and identifies the one or more virtual machines that are licensed by that customer. 18. The computer system of claim 17, wherein the virtual machines are registered on the infrastructure server. | 2,400 |
339,950 | 16,800,903 | 2,458 | A method of treating, preventing, or delaying the progression of Type 1 diabetes mellitus by administering an effective amount of a fusion protein composition comprising a T-cell co-stimulation antagonist and a portion of an immunoglobulin molecule and an effective amount of a Type 1 diabetes autoantigen. The method includes, for example, administering a cytotoxic T-lymphocyte-associated antigen 4 (CTLA4) molecule and a Type 1 diabetes autoantigen. Pharmaceutical compositions are also provided herewith. | 1.-19. (canceled) 20. A method of treating diabetes mellitus in a subject comprising administering preproinsulin to the subject. 21. The method of claim 20, further comprising administering a T-cell antagonist to the subject. 22. The method of claim 21, wherein the T-cell antagonist comprises a cytotoxic T-lymphocyte-associated antigen 4 (CTLA4) fusion protein. 23. The method of claim 22, wherein the CTLA4 fusion protein is abatacept. 24. The method of claim 22, wherein the preproinsulin and CTLA4 fusion protein are administered in the same composition. 25. The method of claim 22, wherein the preproinsulin and CTLA4 fusion protein are administered in separate compositions. 26. The method of claim 25, wherein the preproinsulin and CTLA4 fusion protein are administered simultaneously. 27. The method of claim 25, wherein the preproinsulin and CTLA4 fusion protein are administered sequentially. 28. The method of claim 25, wherein the CTLA4 fusion protein is administered intravenously or subcutaneously. 29. The method of claim 28, wherein the preproinsulin is administered intramuscularly. 30. The method of claim 29, comprising administering from about 250 mg to about 2,000 mg of the CTLA4 fusion protein. 31. The method of claim 30, comprising administering from about 0.5 to about 10 mg of the preproinsulin. 32. The method of claim 20, wherein the preproinsulin is administered in an oil based carrier. 33. The method of claim 32, wherein the oil based carrier is a water-in-oil emulsion. 34. The method of claim 33, wherein the water-in-oil emulsions comprises from 30-70% oil by weight. 35. The method of claim 34, wherein the oil based carrier comprises mannide oleate. 36. The method of claim 35, wherein the preproinsulin and carrier are present in a composition in about a 50/50 w/w ratio. 37. The method of claim 36, wherein the oil based carrier comprises IFA or Mantanide ISA. 38. The method of claim 31, wherein the preproinsulin is administered in a water-in-oil emulsion comprising mannide oleate. 39. The method of claim 38, wherein the preproinsulin and emulsion are present in a composition in about a 50/50 w/w ratio. | A method of treating, preventing, or delaying the progression of Type 1 diabetes mellitus by administering an effective amount of a fusion protein composition comprising a T-cell co-stimulation antagonist and a portion of an immunoglobulin molecule and an effective amount of a Type 1 diabetes autoantigen. The method includes, for example, administering a cytotoxic T-lymphocyte-associated antigen 4 (CTLA4) molecule and a Type 1 diabetes autoantigen. Pharmaceutical compositions are also provided herewith.1.-19. (canceled) 20. A method of treating diabetes mellitus in a subject comprising administering preproinsulin to the subject. 21. The method of claim 20, further comprising administering a T-cell antagonist to the subject. 22. The method of claim 21, wherein the T-cell antagonist comprises a cytotoxic T-lymphocyte-associated antigen 4 (CTLA4) fusion protein. 23. The method of claim 22, wherein the CTLA4 fusion protein is abatacept. 24. The method of claim 22, wherein the preproinsulin and CTLA4 fusion protein are administered in the same composition. 25. The method of claim 22, wherein the preproinsulin and CTLA4 fusion protein are administered in separate compositions. 26. The method of claim 25, wherein the preproinsulin and CTLA4 fusion protein are administered simultaneously. 27. The method of claim 25, wherein the preproinsulin and CTLA4 fusion protein are administered sequentially. 28. The method of claim 25, wherein the CTLA4 fusion protein is administered intravenously or subcutaneously. 29. The method of claim 28, wherein the preproinsulin is administered intramuscularly. 30. The method of claim 29, comprising administering from about 250 mg to about 2,000 mg of the CTLA4 fusion protein. 31. The method of claim 30, comprising administering from about 0.5 to about 10 mg of the preproinsulin. 32. The method of claim 20, wherein the preproinsulin is administered in an oil based carrier. 33. The method of claim 32, wherein the oil based carrier is a water-in-oil emulsion. 34. The method of claim 33, wherein the water-in-oil emulsions comprises from 30-70% oil by weight. 35. The method of claim 34, wherein the oil based carrier comprises mannide oleate. 36. The method of claim 35, wherein the preproinsulin and carrier are present in a composition in about a 50/50 w/w ratio. 37. The method of claim 36, wherein the oil based carrier comprises IFA or Mantanide ISA. 38. The method of claim 31, wherein the preproinsulin is administered in a water-in-oil emulsion comprising mannide oleate. 39. The method of claim 38, wherein the preproinsulin and emulsion are present in a composition in about a 50/50 w/w ratio. | 2,400 |
339,951 | 16,800,929 | 2,458 | A modular rack system and method includes a rack having plural electrical interfaces, and plural module panels configured to mate with the electrical interfaces of the rack. The module panels have one or more of a common exterior size or a common exterior shape. At least two of the module panels have different internal electrical components configured to perform different operations. The rack is configured to be conductively coupled with a power delivery system of a vehicle and the module panels are configured to modify electric current prior to the electric current being supplied to the power delivery system of the vehicle. | 1. A modular rack system comprising:
a rack having plural electrical interfaces; and plural module panels configured to mate with the electrical interfaces of the rack, the module panels having one or more of a common exterior size or a common exterior shape, at least two of the module panels having different internal electrical components configured to perform different operations, wherein the rack is configured to be conductively coupled with a power delivery system of a vehicle and the module panels are configured to modify electric current prior to the electric current being supplied to the power delivery system of the vehicle. 2. The modular rack system of claim 1, wherein the internal electrical component of at least one of the module panels includes a switch of an inverter and the internal electrical component of at least another of the module panels includes a diode of a rectifier. 3. The modular rack system of claim 1, further comprising a controller configured to be conductively coupled with the rack and to control operation of the internal electrical components of the module panels. 4. The modular rack system of claim 3, wherein the module panels include connectors configured to mate with the electrical interfaces of the rack, and the controller is configured to identify the internal electrical components of each of the module panels based on a strap mode of the connectors of the module panels. 5. The modular rack system of claim 1, wherein the rack is configured to receive and mate with one or more additional module panels to expand an operative capability of the module panels previously coupled with the rack. 6. The modular rack system of claim 1, wherein the rack is configured to swap out at least a first module panel of the module panels with a different, second module panel to change an operative capability of the module panels previously coupled with the rack. 7. The modular rack system of claim 1, further comprising heat sink interfaces coupled with the rack and shaped to thermally couple with any of the module panels. 8. The modular rack system of claim 1, wherein the internal electrical components of the module panels coupled with the rack include one or more inverters configured to convert a direct current into an alternating current for powering one or more traction motors of the vehicle, and
the rack is configured to receive one or more additional module panels having one or more inverters to convert the direct current into the alternating current for powering one or more additional traction motors of the vehicle. 9. The modular rack system of claim 1, wherein the one or more inverters comprise at least two inverters, wherein the one or more traction motions comprise at least two traction motors, wherein the one or more additional module panels comprises at least two additional module panels, and wherein the one or more additional traction motors comprise at least two traction motors. 10. A modular rack method comprising:
mating plural module panels with electrical interfaces of a rack, the module panels having one or more of a common exterior size or a common exterior shape, at least two of the module panels having different internal electrical components configured to perform different operations, conductively coupling the rack with a power delivery system of a vehicle; and modifying, by the module panels, electric current prior to the electric current being supplied to the power delivery system of the vehicle. 11. The modular rack method of claim 10, wherein the internal electrical component of at least one of the module panels includes a switch of an inverter and the internal electrical component of at least another of the module panels includes a diode of a rectifier. 12. The modular rack method of claim 10, further comprising:
conductively coupling a controller with the rack; and controlling, by the controller, operation of the internal electrical components of the module panels. 13. The modular rack method of claim 12, further comprising:
mating connectors of the module panels with the electrical interfaces of the rack; and identifying, by the controller, the internal electrical components of each of the module panels based on a strap mode of the connectors of the module panels. 14. The modular rack method of claim 10, further comprising receiving and mating, by the rack, one or more additional module panels to expand an operative capability of the module panels previously coupled with the rack. 15. The modular rack method of claim 10, further comprising:
swapping out, from the rack, at least a first module panel of the module panels with a different, second module panel; and changing an operative capability of the module panels previously coupled with the rack due to said swapping out. 16. The modular rack method of claim 10, further comprising:
coupling heat sink interfaces with the rack; and thermally coupling the heat sink interface with one or more of the module panels. 17. The modular rack method of claim 10, wherein the internal electrical components of the module panels coupled with the rack include one or more inverters configured to convert a direct current into an alternating current for powering one or more traction motors of the vehicle, and wherein the modular rack method further comprises receiving, by the rack, one or more additional module panels having one or more inverters to convert the direct current into the alternating current for powering one or more additional traction motors of the vehicle. 18. The modular rack method of claim 10, wherein the one or more inverters comprise at least two inverters, wherein the one or more traction motions comprise at least two traction motors, wherein the one or more additional module panels comprises at least two additional module panels, and wherein the one or more additional traction motors comprise at least two traction motors. 19. A vehicle comprising:
a power delivery system; and a modular rack system including:
a rack having plural electrical interfaces; and
plural module panels configured to mate with the electrical interfaces of the rack, the module panels having one or more of a common exterior size or a common exterior shape, at least two of the module panels having different internal electrical components configured to perform different operations, wherein the rack is conductively coupled with the power delivery system of the vehicle and the module panels are configured to modify electric current prior to the electric current being supplied to the power delivery system of the vehicle; and
a controller conductively coupled with the rack, wherein the controller is configured to control operation of the internal electrical components of the module panels. 20. The vehicle of claim 19, wherein the module panels include connectors configured to mate with the electrical interfaces of the rack, and the controller is configured to identify the internal electrical components of each of the module panels based on a strap mode of the connectors of the module panels. | A modular rack system and method includes a rack having plural electrical interfaces, and plural module panels configured to mate with the electrical interfaces of the rack. The module panels have one or more of a common exterior size or a common exterior shape. At least two of the module panels have different internal electrical components configured to perform different operations. The rack is configured to be conductively coupled with a power delivery system of a vehicle and the module panels are configured to modify electric current prior to the electric current being supplied to the power delivery system of the vehicle.1. A modular rack system comprising:
a rack having plural electrical interfaces; and plural module panels configured to mate with the electrical interfaces of the rack, the module panels having one or more of a common exterior size or a common exterior shape, at least two of the module panels having different internal electrical components configured to perform different operations, wherein the rack is configured to be conductively coupled with a power delivery system of a vehicle and the module panels are configured to modify electric current prior to the electric current being supplied to the power delivery system of the vehicle. 2. The modular rack system of claim 1, wherein the internal electrical component of at least one of the module panels includes a switch of an inverter and the internal electrical component of at least another of the module panels includes a diode of a rectifier. 3. The modular rack system of claim 1, further comprising a controller configured to be conductively coupled with the rack and to control operation of the internal electrical components of the module panels. 4. The modular rack system of claim 3, wherein the module panels include connectors configured to mate with the electrical interfaces of the rack, and the controller is configured to identify the internal electrical components of each of the module panels based on a strap mode of the connectors of the module panels. 5. The modular rack system of claim 1, wherein the rack is configured to receive and mate with one or more additional module panels to expand an operative capability of the module panels previously coupled with the rack. 6. The modular rack system of claim 1, wherein the rack is configured to swap out at least a first module panel of the module panels with a different, second module panel to change an operative capability of the module panels previously coupled with the rack. 7. The modular rack system of claim 1, further comprising heat sink interfaces coupled with the rack and shaped to thermally couple with any of the module panels. 8. The modular rack system of claim 1, wherein the internal electrical components of the module panels coupled with the rack include one or more inverters configured to convert a direct current into an alternating current for powering one or more traction motors of the vehicle, and
the rack is configured to receive one or more additional module panels having one or more inverters to convert the direct current into the alternating current for powering one or more additional traction motors of the vehicle. 9. The modular rack system of claim 1, wherein the one or more inverters comprise at least two inverters, wherein the one or more traction motions comprise at least two traction motors, wherein the one or more additional module panels comprises at least two additional module panels, and wherein the one or more additional traction motors comprise at least two traction motors. 10. A modular rack method comprising:
mating plural module panels with electrical interfaces of a rack, the module panels having one or more of a common exterior size or a common exterior shape, at least two of the module panels having different internal electrical components configured to perform different operations, conductively coupling the rack with a power delivery system of a vehicle; and modifying, by the module panels, electric current prior to the electric current being supplied to the power delivery system of the vehicle. 11. The modular rack method of claim 10, wherein the internal electrical component of at least one of the module panels includes a switch of an inverter and the internal electrical component of at least another of the module panels includes a diode of a rectifier. 12. The modular rack method of claim 10, further comprising:
conductively coupling a controller with the rack; and controlling, by the controller, operation of the internal electrical components of the module panels. 13. The modular rack method of claim 12, further comprising:
mating connectors of the module panels with the electrical interfaces of the rack; and identifying, by the controller, the internal electrical components of each of the module panels based on a strap mode of the connectors of the module panels. 14. The modular rack method of claim 10, further comprising receiving and mating, by the rack, one or more additional module panels to expand an operative capability of the module panels previously coupled with the rack. 15. The modular rack method of claim 10, further comprising:
swapping out, from the rack, at least a first module panel of the module panels with a different, second module panel; and changing an operative capability of the module panels previously coupled with the rack due to said swapping out. 16. The modular rack method of claim 10, further comprising:
coupling heat sink interfaces with the rack; and thermally coupling the heat sink interface with one or more of the module panels. 17. The modular rack method of claim 10, wherein the internal electrical components of the module panels coupled with the rack include one or more inverters configured to convert a direct current into an alternating current for powering one or more traction motors of the vehicle, and wherein the modular rack method further comprises receiving, by the rack, one or more additional module panels having one or more inverters to convert the direct current into the alternating current for powering one or more additional traction motors of the vehicle. 18. The modular rack method of claim 10, wherein the one or more inverters comprise at least two inverters, wherein the one or more traction motions comprise at least two traction motors, wherein the one or more additional module panels comprises at least two additional module panels, and wherein the one or more additional traction motors comprise at least two traction motors. 19. A vehicle comprising:
a power delivery system; and a modular rack system including:
a rack having plural electrical interfaces; and
plural module panels configured to mate with the electrical interfaces of the rack, the module panels having one or more of a common exterior size or a common exterior shape, at least two of the module panels having different internal electrical components configured to perform different operations, wherein the rack is conductively coupled with the power delivery system of the vehicle and the module panels are configured to modify electric current prior to the electric current being supplied to the power delivery system of the vehicle; and
a controller conductively coupled with the rack, wherein the controller is configured to control operation of the internal electrical components of the module panels. 20. The vehicle of claim 19, wherein the module panels include connectors configured to mate with the electrical interfaces of the rack, and the controller is configured to identify the internal electrical components of each of the module panels based on a strap mode of the connectors of the module panels. | 2,400 |
339,952 | 16,800,917 | 2,458 | A battery-operated communication device for temporary hands-free voice interaction may include a microphone that is configured to receive sound and a processor that is communicatively coupled to the microphone and is configured to receive a first trigger to enable hands-free operation, initiate hands-free operation, receive audio input using the microphone, compare a portion of the audio input to one or more predetermined audio commands, determine whether the portion corresponds to a matching command of the predetermined audio commands, and process the matching command based on a determination that the portion corresponds to the matching command. The first trigger may correspond to a remote user request, an event location, a location condition, or any combination of a remote user request, event location, and location condition. | 1. A method for temporary hands-free voice interaction, comprising:
receiving a first trigger to enable hands-free operation, the first trigger corresponding to:
a first remote user request;
a first event condition; or
a first location condition;
initiating the hands-free operation after the receipt of the first trigger; receiving audio input after the initiation of the hands-free operation; comparing at least a first portion of the audio input to one or more predetermined audio commands; determining whether the first portion of the audio input compared to the one or more predetermined audio commands corresponds to a matching command of the one or more predetermined audio commands; and processing the matching command based on a determination that the first portion of the audio input corresponds to the matching command. 2. The method of claim 1, further comprising:
assigning a temporary wake word to a device, wherein the temporary wake word is unique to the device; comparing at least a second portion of the audio input to the temporary wake word, wherein the second portion precedes the first portion in the audio input; and determining whether the second portion of the audio input corresponds to the temporary wake word based on the comparison between the second portion of the audio input and the temporary wake word, wherein the comparison of the first portion of the audio input to the one or more predetermined audio commands is based on a determination that the second portion of the audio input corresponds to the temporary wake word. 3. The method of claim 1, further comprising:
outputting a notification for the hands-free operation after the receiving of the first trigger to enable the hands-free operation; receiving a review indication of the hands-free operation in response to the notification for the hands-free operation, wherein:
the review indication corresponds to an approval or a rejection to initiate the hands-free operation;
the initiating of the hands-free operation is based on the approval to initiate the hands-free operation; and
the receiving of the audio input is enabled by the hands-free operation listening for the audio input. 4. The method of claim 1, wherein:
the first trigger corresponds to the first remote user request; and the first remote user request represents the hands-free operation being enabled by a dispatcher for:
a user;
all users assigned to an incident; or
all users assigned to a role for the incident. 5. The method of claim 1, wherein:
the first trigger corresponds to the first event condition; and the first event condition represents the hands-free operation being enabled by a change in:
a state of a vehicle corresponding to a user;
a status of the user; or
a state of the user. 6. The method of claim 1, wherein:
the first trigger corresponds to the first location condition; the first location condition represents an arrival of a user on a location of an incident; and the first location condition operable to be provided by:
a location of the user corresponding to the location of the incident;
the arrival of the user on the location of the incident before a second user; or
a dispatcher. 7. The method of claim 1, further comprising:
exiting the hands-free operation based on:
determining that an inactivity period for receiving audio input has expired; or
receiving a second trigger to disable the hands-free operation, the second trigger corresponding to:
a second remote user request;
a second event condition; or
a second location condition. 8. The method of claim 1, further comprising:
limiting the one or more predetermined audio commands to a subset of the one or more predetermined audio commands, wherein the comparing of at least the first portion of the audio input to the one or more predetermined audio commands does not compare the first portion to the one or more predetermined audio commands not found in the subset of the one or more predetermined audio commands. 9. The method of claim 2, further comprising:
outputting a temporary wake word notification of the assigned temporary wake word; receiving, in response to the temporary wake word notification, an approval of the assigned temporary wake word or a rejection of the assigned temporary wake word; and assigning another temporary wake word to the device in response to the receipt of the rejection of the assigned temporary wake word. 10. The method of claim 2, further comprising:
outputting a wake word expiration notification based on a determination that a temporary wake word period has expired; assigning a new temporary wake word to the device; and outputting a new wake word notification for a new temporary wake word, the new wake word notification provided by:
a voice announcement;
audio tone; or
visual indication. 11. A battery-operated communication device for temporary hands-free voice interaction, comprising:
a microphone configured to receive sound; a processor communicatively coupled to the microphone, the processor configured to:
receive a first trigger to enable hands-free operation, the first trigger corresponding to:
a first remote user request;
a first event condition; or
a first location condition;
initiate the hands-free operation after the receipt of the first trigger;
receive audio input using the microphone, the receipt of the audio input after the initiation of the hands-free operation;
compare at least a first portion of the audio input to one or more predetermined audio commands;
determine whether the first portion of the audio input compared to the one or more predetermined audio commands corresponds to a matching command of the one or more predetermined audio commands; and
process the matching command based on a determination that the first portion of the audio input corresponds to the matching command. 12. The battery-operated communication device of claim 11, wherein the processor is further configured to:
assign a temporary wake word to a user, wherein the temporary wake word is unique to the user; compare at least a second portion of the audio input to the temporary wake word, wherein the second portion precedes the first portion in the audio input; and determine whether the second portion of the audio input corresponds to the temporary wake word based on the comparison between the second portion of the audio input and the temporary wake word, wherein the comparison of the first portion of the audio input to the one or more predetermined audio commands is based on a determination that the second portion of the audio input corresponds to the temporary wake word. 13. The battery-operated communication device of claim 11, wherein the processor is further configured to:
output a notification for the hands-free operation after the receipt of the first trigger to enable the hands-free operation; receive a review indication of the hands-free operation in response to the notification for the hands-free operation, wherein:
the review indication corresponds to an approval or rejection to initiate the hands-free operation;
the initiation of the hands-free operation is based on the approval to initiate the hands-free operation; and
the receipt of the audio input using the microphone is enabled by the hands-free operation listening for the audio input. 14. The battery-operated communication device of claim 11, wherein:
the first trigger corresponds to the first remote user request; the first remote user request represents the hands-free operation being enabled by a dispatcher for:
a user;
all users assigned to an incident; or
all users assigned to a role for the incident. 15. The battery-operated communication device of claim 11, wherein:
the first trigger corresponds to the first event condition; and the first event condition represents the hands-free operation being enabled by a change in:
a state of a vehicle;
a status of a user; or
a state of the user. 16. The battery-operated communication device of claim 11, wherein:
the first trigger corresponds to the first location condition; the first location condition represents an arrival of a user on a location of an incident, wherein the first location condition is indicated by:
a location of the user matching the location of the incident;
the arrival of the user on the location of the incident before a second user; or
a dispatcher. 17. The battery-operated communication device of claim 11, wherein the processor is further configured to:
exit the hands-free operation based on:
a determination that an inactivity period for receiving audio input has expired; or
receipt of a second trigger to disable the hands-free operation, the second trigger corresponding to:
a second remote user request;
a second event condition; or
a second location condition. 18. The battery-operated communication device of claim 11, wherein:
the processor is further configured to limit the one or more predetermined audio commands to a subset of the predetermined audio commands; and the comparison of at least the first portion of the audio input to the one or more predetermined audio commands does not compare the first portion to the one or more predetermined audio commands not found in the subset of the one or more predetermined audio commands. 19. The battery-operated communication device of claim 12, wherein the processor is further configured to:
output a temporary wake word notification of the assigned temporary wake word; receive, in response to the temporary wake word notification, an approval of the assigned temporary wake word or a rejection of the assigned temporary wake word; and assign another temporary wake word to the user in response to the receipt of the rejection of the assigned temporary wake word. 20. The battery-operated communication device of claim 12, further comprising:
a display configured to output video, the display communicatively coupled to the processor; a speaker configured to output sound, the speaker communicatively coupled to the processor, wherein the processor is further configured to:
output a wake word expiration notification based on a determination that a temporary wake word period has expired;
assign a new temporary wake word to the user; and
output a new wake word notification for a new temporary wake word, the new wake word notification provided by:
a voice announcement using the speaker;
an audio tone using the speaker; or
a visual indication using the display. | A battery-operated communication device for temporary hands-free voice interaction may include a microphone that is configured to receive sound and a processor that is communicatively coupled to the microphone and is configured to receive a first trigger to enable hands-free operation, initiate hands-free operation, receive audio input using the microphone, compare a portion of the audio input to one or more predetermined audio commands, determine whether the portion corresponds to a matching command of the predetermined audio commands, and process the matching command based on a determination that the portion corresponds to the matching command. The first trigger may correspond to a remote user request, an event location, a location condition, or any combination of a remote user request, event location, and location condition.1. A method for temporary hands-free voice interaction, comprising:
receiving a first trigger to enable hands-free operation, the first trigger corresponding to:
a first remote user request;
a first event condition; or
a first location condition;
initiating the hands-free operation after the receipt of the first trigger; receiving audio input after the initiation of the hands-free operation; comparing at least a first portion of the audio input to one or more predetermined audio commands; determining whether the first portion of the audio input compared to the one or more predetermined audio commands corresponds to a matching command of the one or more predetermined audio commands; and processing the matching command based on a determination that the first portion of the audio input corresponds to the matching command. 2. The method of claim 1, further comprising:
assigning a temporary wake word to a device, wherein the temporary wake word is unique to the device; comparing at least a second portion of the audio input to the temporary wake word, wherein the second portion precedes the first portion in the audio input; and determining whether the second portion of the audio input corresponds to the temporary wake word based on the comparison between the second portion of the audio input and the temporary wake word, wherein the comparison of the first portion of the audio input to the one or more predetermined audio commands is based on a determination that the second portion of the audio input corresponds to the temporary wake word. 3. The method of claim 1, further comprising:
outputting a notification for the hands-free operation after the receiving of the first trigger to enable the hands-free operation; receiving a review indication of the hands-free operation in response to the notification for the hands-free operation, wherein:
the review indication corresponds to an approval or a rejection to initiate the hands-free operation;
the initiating of the hands-free operation is based on the approval to initiate the hands-free operation; and
the receiving of the audio input is enabled by the hands-free operation listening for the audio input. 4. The method of claim 1, wherein:
the first trigger corresponds to the first remote user request; and the first remote user request represents the hands-free operation being enabled by a dispatcher for:
a user;
all users assigned to an incident; or
all users assigned to a role for the incident. 5. The method of claim 1, wherein:
the first trigger corresponds to the first event condition; and the first event condition represents the hands-free operation being enabled by a change in:
a state of a vehicle corresponding to a user;
a status of the user; or
a state of the user. 6. The method of claim 1, wherein:
the first trigger corresponds to the first location condition; the first location condition represents an arrival of a user on a location of an incident; and the first location condition operable to be provided by:
a location of the user corresponding to the location of the incident;
the arrival of the user on the location of the incident before a second user; or
a dispatcher. 7. The method of claim 1, further comprising:
exiting the hands-free operation based on:
determining that an inactivity period for receiving audio input has expired; or
receiving a second trigger to disable the hands-free operation, the second trigger corresponding to:
a second remote user request;
a second event condition; or
a second location condition. 8. The method of claim 1, further comprising:
limiting the one or more predetermined audio commands to a subset of the one or more predetermined audio commands, wherein the comparing of at least the first portion of the audio input to the one or more predetermined audio commands does not compare the first portion to the one or more predetermined audio commands not found in the subset of the one or more predetermined audio commands. 9. The method of claim 2, further comprising:
outputting a temporary wake word notification of the assigned temporary wake word; receiving, in response to the temporary wake word notification, an approval of the assigned temporary wake word or a rejection of the assigned temporary wake word; and assigning another temporary wake word to the device in response to the receipt of the rejection of the assigned temporary wake word. 10. The method of claim 2, further comprising:
outputting a wake word expiration notification based on a determination that a temporary wake word period has expired; assigning a new temporary wake word to the device; and outputting a new wake word notification for a new temporary wake word, the new wake word notification provided by:
a voice announcement;
audio tone; or
visual indication. 11. A battery-operated communication device for temporary hands-free voice interaction, comprising:
a microphone configured to receive sound; a processor communicatively coupled to the microphone, the processor configured to:
receive a first trigger to enable hands-free operation, the first trigger corresponding to:
a first remote user request;
a first event condition; or
a first location condition;
initiate the hands-free operation after the receipt of the first trigger;
receive audio input using the microphone, the receipt of the audio input after the initiation of the hands-free operation;
compare at least a first portion of the audio input to one or more predetermined audio commands;
determine whether the first portion of the audio input compared to the one or more predetermined audio commands corresponds to a matching command of the one or more predetermined audio commands; and
process the matching command based on a determination that the first portion of the audio input corresponds to the matching command. 12. The battery-operated communication device of claim 11, wherein the processor is further configured to:
assign a temporary wake word to a user, wherein the temporary wake word is unique to the user; compare at least a second portion of the audio input to the temporary wake word, wherein the second portion precedes the first portion in the audio input; and determine whether the second portion of the audio input corresponds to the temporary wake word based on the comparison between the second portion of the audio input and the temporary wake word, wherein the comparison of the first portion of the audio input to the one or more predetermined audio commands is based on a determination that the second portion of the audio input corresponds to the temporary wake word. 13. The battery-operated communication device of claim 11, wherein the processor is further configured to:
output a notification for the hands-free operation after the receipt of the first trigger to enable the hands-free operation; receive a review indication of the hands-free operation in response to the notification for the hands-free operation, wherein:
the review indication corresponds to an approval or rejection to initiate the hands-free operation;
the initiation of the hands-free operation is based on the approval to initiate the hands-free operation; and
the receipt of the audio input using the microphone is enabled by the hands-free operation listening for the audio input. 14. The battery-operated communication device of claim 11, wherein:
the first trigger corresponds to the first remote user request; the first remote user request represents the hands-free operation being enabled by a dispatcher for:
a user;
all users assigned to an incident; or
all users assigned to a role for the incident. 15. The battery-operated communication device of claim 11, wherein:
the first trigger corresponds to the first event condition; and the first event condition represents the hands-free operation being enabled by a change in:
a state of a vehicle;
a status of a user; or
a state of the user. 16. The battery-operated communication device of claim 11, wherein:
the first trigger corresponds to the first location condition; the first location condition represents an arrival of a user on a location of an incident, wherein the first location condition is indicated by:
a location of the user matching the location of the incident;
the arrival of the user on the location of the incident before a second user; or
a dispatcher. 17. The battery-operated communication device of claim 11, wherein the processor is further configured to:
exit the hands-free operation based on:
a determination that an inactivity period for receiving audio input has expired; or
receipt of a second trigger to disable the hands-free operation, the second trigger corresponding to:
a second remote user request;
a second event condition; or
a second location condition. 18. The battery-operated communication device of claim 11, wherein:
the processor is further configured to limit the one or more predetermined audio commands to a subset of the predetermined audio commands; and the comparison of at least the first portion of the audio input to the one or more predetermined audio commands does not compare the first portion to the one or more predetermined audio commands not found in the subset of the one or more predetermined audio commands. 19. The battery-operated communication device of claim 12, wherein the processor is further configured to:
output a temporary wake word notification of the assigned temporary wake word; receive, in response to the temporary wake word notification, an approval of the assigned temporary wake word or a rejection of the assigned temporary wake word; and assign another temporary wake word to the user in response to the receipt of the rejection of the assigned temporary wake word. 20. The battery-operated communication device of claim 12, further comprising:
a display configured to output video, the display communicatively coupled to the processor; a speaker configured to output sound, the speaker communicatively coupled to the processor, wherein the processor is further configured to:
output a wake word expiration notification based on a determination that a temporary wake word period has expired;
assign a new temporary wake word to the user; and
output a new wake word notification for a new temporary wake word, the new wake word notification provided by:
a voice announcement using the speaker;
an audio tone using the speaker; or
a visual indication using the display. | 2,400 |
339,953 | 16,800,927 | 2,458 | A golf club head is manufactured to form a cavity where the striking face of the golf club is secured to the sole and upper portion of the golf club head. A weighted composite is manipulated into a predetermined location within the cavity. The composite contains an adhesive which secures the composite within the cavity. | 1. A method of manufacturing a golf club head, the method comprising:
forming a golf club head comprising a sole, an upper portion, and a striking face secured to at least one of the sole and the upper portion, wherein the sole, the upper portion and the striking face at least partially define a cavity; introducing into the cavity a composite comprising an adhesive constituent and a weight constituent; and manipulating the composite so as to dispose the composite in a predetermined location within the cavity. 2. The method of claim 1, wherein manipulating the composite comprises orienting the golf club head in a predetermined orientation. 3. The method of claim 1, wherein the adhesive constituent comprises a hot melt adhesive. 4. The method of claim 3, wherein introducing the composite comprises introducing the composite when the adhesive constituent is in a substantially flowable state. 5. The method of claim 3, wherein introducing the composite comprises introducing the composite when the adhesive constituent is in a substantially solid state. 6. The method of claim 5, wherein manipulating the composite comprises applying a heat energy to the composite. 7. The method of claim 6, wherein the heat energy comprises at least one of convection, conduction, induction, and ultrasound. 8. The method of claim 1, wherein the weight constituent comprises a magnetic material. 9. The method of claim 3, wherein manipulating the composite comprises at least one of orientating the golf club head in a predetermined orientation, applying a heat energy to the composite, and applying a magnetic force to the composite. 10. The method of claim 9, wherein manipulating the composite comprises:
applying the magnetic force to the composite; orientating the golf club head in the predetermined orientation; and applying the heat energy to the composite, wherein the heat energy is applied after at least one of applying the magnetic force to the composite and orientating the golf club head in the predetermined orientation. 11. The method of claim 10, further comprising adjusting a direction of application of the magnetic force, wherein the adjustment changes a location of the weight constituent within the cavity. 12. The method of claim 1, further comprising setting the composite in the predetermined location. 13. The method of claim 12, wherein setting the composite in the predetermined location comprises terminating the manipulation of the composite. 14. A golf club head comprising:
a sole positioned on a bottom side of the golf club head; a striking face positioned toward the front of the golf club head and attached to at least a portion of the sole; an upper portion positioned on a top side of the golf club head such that a cavity is formed between the sole, the striking face, and the upper portion; and a composite disposed in the cavity, wherein the composite comprises an adhesive constituent and a weight constituent. 15. The golf club head of claim 14, wherein the adhesive constituent comprises a viscosity of about 4,125 cP (mPa·s) at 300° F., and a viscosity of about 2010 cP (MPa·s) at 350° F. 16. The golf club head of claim 14, wherein the weight constituent comprises at least one of a powder, a ball, a flake, and a cube. 17. The golf club head of claim 14, wherein the weight constituent comprises at least one of a magnet and a metal. 18. The golf club head of claim 14, wherein the composite comprises an adhesive constituent to weight constituent weight ratio of about 1:1. 19. The golf club head of claim 14, wherein the adhesive constituent is tacky. 20. The golf club head of claim 14, wherein the composite is disposed proximate a rear portion of the sole. | A golf club head is manufactured to form a cavity where the striking face of the golf club is secured to the sole and upper portion of the golf club head. A weighted composite is manipulated into a predetermined location within the cavity. The composite contains an adhesive which secures the composite within the cavity.1. A method of manufacturing a golf club head, the method comprising:
forming a golf club head comprising a sole, an upper portion, and a striking face secured to at least one of the sole and the upper portion, wherein the sole, the upper portion and the striking face at least partially define a cavity; introducing into the cavity a composite comprising an adhesive constituent and a weight constituent; and manipulating the composite so as to dispose the composite in a predetermined location within the cavity. 2. The method of claim 1, wherein manipulating the composite comprises orienting the golf club head in a predetermined orientation. 3. The method of claim 1, wherein the adhesive constituent comprises a hot melt adhesive. 4. The method of claim 3, wherein introducing the composite comprises introducing the composite when the adhesive constituent is in a substantially flowable state. 5. The method of claim 3, wherein introducing the composite comprises introducing the composite when the adhesive constituent is in a substantially solid state. 6. The method of claim 5, wherein manipulating the composite comprises applying a heat energy to the composite. 7. The method of claim 6, wherein the heat energy comprises at least one of convection, conduction, induction, and ultrasound. 8. The method of claim 1, wherein the weight constituent comprises a magnetic material. 9. The method of claim 3, wherein manipulating the composite comprises at least one of orientating the golf club head in a predetermined orientation, applying a heat energy to the composite, and applying a magnetic force to the composite. 10. The method of claim 9, wherein manipulating the composite comprises:
applying the magnetic force to the composite; orientating the golf club head in the predetermined orientation; and applying the heat energy to the composite, wherein the heat energy is applied after at least one of applying the magnetic force to the composite and orientating the golf club head in the predetermined orientation. 11. The method of claim 10, further comprising adjusting a direction of application of the magnetic force, wherein the adjustment changes a location of the weight constituent within the cavity. 12. The method of claim 1, further comprising setting the composite in the predetermined location. 13. The method of claim 12, wherein setting the composite in the predetermined location comprises terminating the manipulation of the composite. 14. A golf club head comprising:
a sole positioned on a bottom side of the golf club head; a striking face positioned toward the front of the golf club head and attached to at least a portion of the sole; an upper portion positioned on a top side of the golf club head such that a cavity is formed between the sole, the striking face, and the upper portion; and a composite disposed in the cavity, wherein the composite comprises an adhesive constituent and a weight constituent. 15. The golf club head of claim 14, wherein the adhesive constituent comprises a viscosity of about 4,125 cP (mPa·s) at 300° F., and a viscosity of about 2010 cP (MPa·s) at 350° F. 16. The golf club head of claim 14, wherein the weight constituent comprises at least one of a powder, a ball, a flake, and a cube. 17. The golf club head of claim 14, wherein the weight constituent comprises at least one of a magnet and a metal. 18. The golf club head of claim 14, wherein the composite comprises an adhesive constituent to weight constituent weight ratio of about 1:1. 19. The golf club head of claim 14, wherein the adhesive constituent is tacky. 20. The golf club head of claim 14, wherein the composite is disposed proximate a rear portion of the sole. | 2,400 |
339,954 | 16,800,923 | 2,458 | The present disclosure is directed to a leadframe having a recess in a body of the leadframe to collect glue overflowing from the manufacturing process of coupling a semiconductor die to the leadframe. The recess extends beneath an edge of the semiconductor die so that any tendency of the glue to adhere to the semiconductor die is counteracted by a tendency of the glue to adhere to a wall of the recess and at least partially fill the volume of the recess. In addition, the recess for collecting adhesive may also form a mold lock on an edge of the leadframe, the mold lock providing a more durable connection between the leadframe and an encapsulant during physical and temperature stresses. | 1. A leadframe, comprising:
a monolithic die pad having a first portion and a second portion laterally enveloping the central portion, the first portion having a first height, the second portion extending from the first portion toward an edge of the monolithic die pad and continuously having a second height that is lower than the first height; and a plurality of leads adjacent to the monolithic die pad. 2. The leadframe of claim 1, wherein the monolithic die pad includes a third portion that is more proximal to the edge of the die pad than the second portion. 3. The leadframe of claim 2, wherein the third portion has a third height that is substantially same as the first height of the first portion. 4. The leadframe of claim 2, wherein the third portion includes the edge of the die pad, and includes an overhang portion at the edge of the die pad. 5. The leadframe of claim 4, wherein the third portion includes a recess portion under the overhang portion. 6. The leadframe of claim 5, wherein the recess portion is rounded. 7. A device, comprising:
a monolithic die pad having a first portion and a second portion surrounding the central portion, the first portion having a first height, the second portion extending from the first portion toward an edge of the die pad and continuously having a second height that is lower than the first height; a plurality of leads adjacent to the monolithic die pad; and a semiconductor die over the monolithic die pad, an edge of the semiconductor die protruding laterally beyond the first portion of the monolithic die pad and overlapping the second portion of the monolithic die pad. 8. The device of claim 7, wherein the third portion of the monolithic die pad protrudes laterally beyond the semiconductor die. 9. The device of claim 8, wherein the third portion of the monolithic die pad completely protrudes beyond the semiconductor die 10. The device of claim 7, comprising an adhesive coupling between the semiconductor die and the first portion of the monolithic die pad. 11. The device of claim 10, wherein the adhesive encapsulates a border line between the first portion and the second portion of the monolithic die pad. 12. A semiconductor package, comprising:
a monolithic die pad having a central portion, a peripheral portion laterally enveloping the central portion, and a trench portion between the central portion and the peripheral portion; and a plurality of leads adjacent to the monolithic die pad. 13. The semiconductor package of claim 12, wherein the peripheral portion and the central portion have substantially a same height. 14. The semiconductor package of claim 12, wherein the peripheral portion includes an overhang portion pointing toward a lead of the plurality of leads. 15. The semiconductor package of claim 14, wherein the peripheral portion includes a recess portion under the overhang portion. 16. The semiconductor package of claim 15, wherein the recess portion is rounded. 17. The semiconductor package of claim 12, wherein the peripheral portion includes a merlon portion and a crenel portion. 18. The semiconductor package of claim 12, comprising a semiconductor die positioned over the central portion, an edge of the semiconductor die overlapping the trench portion. 19. The semiconductor package of claim 18, comprising adhesive between the semiconductor die and the central portion, the adhesive extending into the trench portion. 20. The semiconductor package of claim 19, wherein the peripheral portion is free of the adhesive. | The present disclosure is directed to a leadframe having a recess in a body of the leadframe to collect glue overflowing from the manufacturing process of coupling a semiconductor die to the leadframe. The recess extends beneath an edge of the semiconductor die so that any tendency of the glue to adhere to the semiconductor die is counteracted by a tendency of the glue to adhere to a wall of the recess and at least partially fill the volume of the recess. In addition, the recess for collecting adhesive may also form a mold lock on an edge of the leadframe, the mold lock providing a more durable connection between the leadframe and an encapsulant during physical and temperature stresses.1. A leadframe, comprising:
a monolithic die pad having a first portion and a second portion laterally enveloping the central portion, the first portion having a first height, the second portion extending from the first portion toward an edge of the monolithic die pad and continuously having a second height that is lower than the first height; and a plurality of leads adjacent to the monolithic die pad. 2. The leadframe of claim 1, wherein the monolithic die pad includes a third portion that is more proximal to the edge of the die pad than the second portion. 3. The leadframe of claim 2, wherein the third portion has a third height that is substantially same as the first height of the first portion. 4. The leadframe of claim 2, wherein the third portion includes the edge of the die pad, and includes an overhang portion at the edge of the die pad. 5. The leadframe of claim 4, wherein the third portion includes a recess portion under the overhang portion. 6. The leadframe of claim 5, wherein the recess portion is rounded. 7. A device, comprising:
a monolithic die pad having a first portion and a second portion surrounding the central portion, the first portion having a first height, the second portion extending from the first portion toward an edge of the die pad and continuously having a second height that is lower than the first height; a plurality of leads adjacent to the monolithic die pad; and a semiconductor die over the monolithic die pad, an edge of the semiconductor die protruding laterally beyond the first portion of the monolithic die pad and overlapping the second portion of the monolithic die pad. 8. The device of claim 7, wherein the third portion of the monolithic die pad protrudes laterally beyond the semiconductor die. 9. The device of claim 8, wherein the third portion of the monolithic die pad completely protrudes beyond the semiconductor die 10. The device of claim 7, comprising an adhesive coupling between the semiconductor die and the first portion of the monolithic die pad. 11. The device of claim 10, wherein the adhesive encapsulates a border line between the first portion and the second portion of the monolithic die pad. 12. A semiconductor package, comprising:
a monolithic die pad having a central portion, a peripheral portion laterally enveloping the central portion, and a trench portion between the central portion and the peripheral portion; and a plurality of leads adjacent to the monolithic die pad. 13. The semiconductor package of claim 12, wherein the peripheral portion and the central portion have substantially a same height. 14. The semiconductor package of claim 12, wherein the peripheral portion includes an overhang portion pointing toward a lead of the plurality of leads. 15. The semiconductor package of claim 14, wherein the peripheral portion includes a recess portion under the overhang portion. 16. The semiconductor package of claim 15, wherein the recess portion is rounded. 17. The semiconductor package of claim 12, wherein the peripheral portion includes a merlon portion and a crenel portion. 18. The semiconductor package of claim 12, comprising a semiconductor die positioned over the central portion, an edge of the semiconductor die overlapping the trench portion. 19. The semiconductor package of claim 18, comprising adhesive between the semiconductor die and the central portion, the adhesive extending into the trench portion. 20. The semiconductor package of claim 19, wherein the peripheral portion is free of the adhesive. | 2,400 |
339,955 | 16,800,908 | 2,458 | An improved X-ray source is disclosed. The improved X-ray source has an enclosure, electron guns, a first set of address lines extending through the enclosure, a second set of address lines extending through the enclosure, and nodes defined by the intersection of the first and second set of address lines. Each of the electron guns is coupled to one of the nodes such that a state of each electron gun is uniquely controlled by modulating a state of one of the first set of address lines and one of the second set of address lines. | 1. An X-ray source comprising:
an X-ray tube comprising:
a vacuum tube;
a first plurality of wires extending in a first direction through the vacuum tube;
a second plurality of wires extending in a second direction through the vacuum tube, wherein the first plurality of wires and second plurality of wires intersect to form a plurality of nodes; and
a plurality of electron guns enclosed in the vacuum tube, wherein each of the plurality of electron guns is in electrical communication with at least one of the plurality of nodes; and
a controller configured to modulate a state of one or more of the plurality of nodes to thereby activate or deactivate a corresponding one or more of the plurality of electron guns. 2. The X-ray source of claim 1, wherein each of the first plurality of wires intersects one of the second plurality of wires perpendicularly. 3. The X-ray source of claim 1, wherein the state of one of the plurality of nodes comprises at least one of on or off. 4. The X-ray source of claim 3, wherein, when the controller turns a state of one of the plurality of nodes to on, one of the plurality of electron guns in electrical communication with the one of the plurality of nodes is activated. 5. The X-ray source of claim 3, wherein, when the controller turns a state of one of the plurality of nodes to off, one of the plurality of electron guns in electrical communication with the one of the plurality of nodes is deactivated. 6. The X-ray source of claim 1 further comprising a plurality of feed throughs in the vacuum tube, wherein each of the plurality of feed throughs is configured to receive and pass into the vacuum tube one or more of the first plurality of wires or the second plurality of wires. 7. The X-ray source of claim 1, wherein the controller further comprises a first plurality of switches configured to control a state of each of the first plurality of wires, wherein said first plurality of switches is positioned outside the vacuum tube. 8. The X-ray source of claim 7, wherein the controller further comprises a second plurality of switches configured to control a state of each of the second plurality of wires, wherein said second plurality of switches is positioned outside the vacuum tube. 9. The X-ray source of claim 1, wherein the controller modulates a state of one of the plurality of nodes by closing a first switch in electrical communication with a first wire of the first plurality of wires and closing a second switch in electrical communication with a second wire of the second plurality of wires, wherein the first wire and second wire define one of the plurality of nodes. 10. The X-ray source of claim 1, wherein the controller modulates a state of one of the plurality of nodes by opening a first switch in electrical communication with a first wire of the first plurality of wires and opening a second switch in electrical communication with a second wire of the second plurality of wires, wherein the first wire and second wire define one of the plurality of nodes. 11. The X-ray source of claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of electron guns is coupled to one or more AND gates, wherein each of the one or more AND gates comprises a first diode, a second diode and a resistor, and wherein each of the one or more AND gates is positioned inside the vacuum tube. 12. The X-ray source of claim 1, wherein a total number of the first plurality of wires is between 2 and 200 and a total number of the second plurality of wires is between 2 and 200. 13. The X-ray source of claim 12, wherein a total number of the plurality of nodes is between 4 and 4000 and a total number of the plurality of electron guns is equal to the total number of the plurality of nodes. 14. The X-ray source of claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of electron guns is uniquely controlled by only one of the plurality of nodes. 15. An X-ray source comprising:
an enclosure; a plurality of electron guns enclosed in the enclosure; a first set of one or more wires extending in a first direction through the enclosure; a first plurality of switches, wherein each switch of the first plurality of switches is in electrical communication with at least one wire of the first set of one or more wires and, is configured to uniquely control said at least one wire of the first set of one or more wires; a second set of one or more wires extending in a second direction through the enclosure, wherein each wire of the first set of one or more wires and each wire of the second set of one or more wires intersect to form a plurality of nodes; and a second plurality of switches, wherein each switch of the second plurality of switches is in electrical communication with at least one wire of the second set of one or more wires and is configured to uniquely control said at least one wire of the second set of one or more wires and wherein each of the plurality of electron guns is in electrical communication with one of the plurality of nodes such that each of the plurality of electron guns is configured to activate or deactivate based on a state of one of the plurality of nodes. 16. The X-ray source of claim 15, wherein each wire of the first set of one or more wires intersects each wire of the second set of one or more wires perpendicularly. 17. The X-ray source of claim 15, wherein the state of one of the plurality of nodes comprises at least one of on or off. 18. The X-ray source of claim 15, wherein the state of one of the plurality of nodes consists of on or off. 19. The X-ray source of claim 18, wherein, when the state of one of the plurality of nodes is on, one of the plurality of electron guns uniquely modulated by said one of the plurality of nodes is activated. 20. The X-ray source of claim 18, wherein, when the state of one of the plurality of nodes is off, one of the plurality of electron guns uniquely modulated by said one of the plurality of nodes is deactivated. 21. The X-ray source of claim 15, further comprising a plurality of feed throughs in the enclosure, wherein each of the plurality of feed throughs is configured to receive and pass into the enclosure one or more of the first set of one or more wires or the second set of one or more wires. 22. The X-ray source of claim 15, wherein each of the first plurality of switches and the second plurality of switches are positioned outside the enclosure. 23. The X-ray source of claim 15, wherein the state of one of the plurality of nodes is modulated by closing a switch of the first plurality switches in electrical communication with a first wire of the first set of one or more wires and closing a switch of the second plurality of switches in electrical communication with a second wire of the second set of one or more wires, wherein the first wire of the first set of one or more wires and the second wire of the second set of one or more wires together define the one of the plurality of nodes. 24. The X-ray source of claim 15, wherein the state of one of the plurality of nodes is modulated by opening a switch of the first plurality switches in electrical communication with a first wire of the first set of one or more wires and opening a switch of the second plurality of switches in electrical communication with a second wire of the second set of one or more wires, wherein the first wire of the first set of one or more wires and the second wire of the second set of one or more wires together define the one of the plurality of nodes. 25. The X-ray source of claim 15, wherein each of the plurality of electron guns is coupled to one or more AND gates, wherein each of the one or more AND gates comprises a first diode, a second diode and a resistor, and wherein each of the one or more AND gates is positioned inside the enclosure. 26. The X-ray source of claim 15, wherein a total number of the first set of one or more wires is between 2 and 200 and a total number of the second set of one or more wires is between 2 and 200. 27. The X-ray source of claim 26, wherein a total number of the plurality of nodes is between 4 and 4000 and a total number of the plurality of electron guns is equal to the total number of the plurality of nodes. 28. The X-ray source of claim 15, wherein the enclosure has an internal pressure level below atmospheric pressure. 29. The X-ray source of claim 15, wherein the enclosure has an internal pressure level below 1 atm. 30. An X-ray source comprising:
a vacuum housing; a plurality of electron guns; a plurality of modules, wherein each of the plurality of modules comprises one or more of the plurality of electron guns and wherein the plurality of modules are placed end-to-end to form a continuous locus of the plurality of electron guns within the vacuum housing; a first plurality of address lines extending through the vacuum housing; a second plurality of address lines extending through the vacuum housing, wherein the first plurality of address lines and the second plurality of address lines intersect at a plurality of nodes, wherein each of the plurality of electron guns is in electrical communication with one of the plurality of nodes such that a state of each of the plurality of electron guns is uniquely controlled by one of the first plurality of address lines and one of the second plurality of address lines; a first multi-pin vacuum feed-through containing the first plurality of address lines; and a second multi-pin vacuum feed-through containing the second plurality of address lines. 31. The X-ray source of claim 30, wherein the state of each of the plurality of electron guns comprises on or off. 32. The X-ray source of claim 30, wherein the first plurality of address lines comprise a ‘m’ number of address lines, the second plurality of address lines comprise a ‘n’ number of address lines, the plurality of nodes comprise ‘n×m’ nodes and the plurality of electron guns comprise ‘n×m’ electron guns. 33. The X-ray source of claim 32, wherein m=24 and n=32. 34. The X-ray source of claim 30, wherein the first multi-pin vacuum feed-through contains a ‘m’ number of address lines and the second multi-pin vacuum feed-through contains a ‘n’ number of address lines such that ‘n+m’ number of feed-throughs penetrate a wall of the vacuum housing. 35. The X-ray source of claim 34, wherein m=24 and n=32. 36. The X-ray source of claim 30, wherein each of the plurality of modules has associated common grid support electrodes. 37. The X-ray source of claim 30, wherein each of the first plurality of address lines is coupled to one of a first plurality of switches and each of the second plurality of address lines is coupled to one of a second plurality of switches and wherein the first plurality of switches and the second plurality of switches are positioned outside the vacuum housing. 38. The X-ray source of claim 37, wherein an electron gun of the plurality of electron guns is uniquely activated by closing one of the first plurality of switches and one of the second plurality of switches respectively coupled to one of the first plurality of address lines and one of the second plurality of address lines associated with said electron gun. 39. The X-ray source of claim 30, wherein each of the plurality of electron guns is connected to one of a plurality of AND gates, wherein each of the plurality of AND gates are positioned within the vacuum housing, and wherein each of the plurality of AND gates is controlled by modulating a state of one of the first plurality of address lines and one of the second plurality of address lines. 40. The X-ray source of claim 39, wherein each of the plurality of AND gates comprises a first diode, a second diode and a resistor. 41. The X-ray source of claim 30, wherein a total number of the first plurality of address lines is between 2 and 200 and a total number of the second plurality of address lines is between 2 and 200. 42. The X-ray source of claim 30, wherein a total number of the plurality of nodes is between 4 and 4000 and a total number of the plurality of electron guns is equal to the total number of the plurality of nodes. | An improved X-ray source is disclosed. The improved X-ray source has an enclosure, electron guns, a first set of address lines extending through the enclosure, a second set of address lines extending through the enclosure, and nodes defined by the intersection of the first and second set of address lines. Each of the electron guns is coupled to one of the nodes such that a state of each electron gun is uniquely controlled by modulating a state of one of the first set of address lines and one of the second set of address lines.1. An X-ray source comprising:
an X-ray tube comprising:
a vacuum tube;
a first plurality of wires extending in a first direction through the vacuum tube;
a second plurality of wires extending in a second direction through the vacuum tube, wherein the first plurality of wires and second plurality of wires intersect to form a plurality of nodes; and
a plurality of electron guns enclosed in the vacuum tube, wherein each of the plurality of electron guns is in electrical communication with at least one of the plurality of nodes; and
a controller configured to modulate a state of one or more of the plurality of nodes to thereby activate or deactivate a corresponding one or more of the plurality of electron guns. 2. The X-ray source of claim 1, wherein each of the first plurality of wires intersects one of the second plurality of wires perpendicularly. 3. The X-ray source of claim 1, wherein the state of one of the plurality of nodes comprises at least one of on or off. 4. The X-ray source of claim 3, wherein, when the controller turns a state of one of the plurality of nodes to on, one of the plurality of electron guns in electrical communication with the one of the plurality of nodes is activated. 5. The X-ray source of claim 3, wherein, when the controller turns a state of one of the plurality of nodes to off, one of the plurality of electron guns in electrical communication with the one of the plurality of nodes is deactivated. 6. The X-ray source of claim 1 further comprising a plurality of feed throughs in the vacuum tube, wherein each of the plurality of feed throughs is configured to receive and pass into the vacuum tube one or more of the first plurality of wires or the second plurality of wires. 7. The X-ray source of claim 1, wherein the controller further comprises a first plurality of switches configured to control a state of each of the first plurality of wires, wherein said first plurality of switches is positioned outside the vacuum tube. 8. The X-ray source of claim 7, wherein the controller further comprises a second plurality of switches configured to control a state of each of the second plurality of wires, wherein said second plurality of switches is positioned outside the vacuum tube. 9. The X-ray source of claim 1, wherein the controller modulates a state of one of the plurality of nodes by closing a first switch in electrical communication with a first wire of the first plurality of wires and closing a second switch in electrical communication with a second wire of the second plurality of wires, wherein the first wire and second wire define one of the plurality of nodes. 10. The X-ray source of claim 1, wherein the controller modulates a state of one of the plurality of nodes by opening a first switch in electrical communication with a first wire of the first plurality of wires and opening a second switch in electrical communication with a second wire of the second plurality of wires, wherein the first wire and second wire define one of the plurality of nodes. 11. The X-ray source of claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of electron guns is coupled to one or more AND gates, wherein each of the one or more AND gates comprises a first diode, a second diode and a resistor, and wherein each of the one or more AND gates is positioned inside the vacuum tube. 12. The X-ray source of claim 1, wherein a total number of the first plurality of wires is between 2 and 200 and a total number of the second plurality of wires is between 2 and 200. 13. The X-ray source of claim 12, wherein a total number of the plurality of nodes is between 4 and 4000 and a total number of the plurality of electron guns is equal to the total number of the plurality of nodes. 14. The X-ray source of claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of electron guns is uniquely controlled by only one of the plurality of nodes. 15. An X-ray source comprising:
an enclosure; a plurality of electron guns enclosed in the enclosure; a first set of one or more wires extending in a first direction through the enclosure; a first plurality of switches, wherein each switch of the first plurality of switches is in electrical communication with at least one wire of the first set of one or more wires and, is configured to uniquely control said at least one wire of the first set of one or more wires; a second set of one or more wires extending in a second direction through the enclosure, wherein each wire of the first set of one or more wires and each wire of the second set of one or more wires intersect to form a plurality of nodes; and a second plurality of switches, wherein each switch of the second plurality of switches is in electrical communication with at least one wire of the second set of one or more wires and is configured to uniquely control said at least one wire of the second set of one or more wires and wherein each of the plurality of electron guns is in electrical communication with one of the plurality of nodes such that each of the plurality of electron guns is configured to activate or deactivate based on a state of one of the plurality of nodes. 16. The X-ray source of claim 15, wherein each wire of the first set of one or more wires intersects each wire of the second set of one or more wires perpendicularly. 17. The X-ray source of claim 15, wherein the state of one of the plurality of nodes comprises at least one of on or off. 18. The X-ray source of claim 15, wherein the state of one of the plurality of nodes consists of on or off. 19. The X-ray source of claim 18, wherein, when the state of one of the plurality of nodes is on, one of the plurality of electron guns uniquely modulated by said one of the plurality of nodes is activated. 20. The X-ray source of claim 18, wherein, when the state of one of the plurality of nodes is off, one of the plurality of electron guns uniquely modulated by said one of the plurality of nodes is deactivated. 21. The X-ray source of claim 15, further comprising a plurality of feed throughs in the enclosure, wherein each of the plurality of feed throughs is configured to receive and pass into the enclosure one or more of the first set of one or more wires or the second set of one or more wires. 22. The X-ray source of claim 15, wherein each of the first plurality of switches and the second plurality of switches are positioned outside the enclosure. 23. The X-ray source of claim 15, wherein the state of one of the plurality of nodes is modulated by closing a switch of the first plurality switches in electrical communication with a first wire of the first set of one or more wires and closing a switch of the second plurality of switches in electrical communication with a second wire of the second set of one or more wires, wherein the first wire of the first set of one or more wires and the second wire of the second set of one or more wires together define the one of the plurality of nodes. 24. The X-ray source of claim 15, wherein the state of one of the plurality of nodes is modulated by opening a switch of the first plurality switches in electrical communication with a first wire of the first set of one or more wires and opening a switch of the second plurality of switches in electrical communication with a second wire of the second set of one or more wires, wherein the first wire of the first set of one or more wires and the second wire of the second set of one or more wires together define the one of the plurality of nodes. 25. The X-ray source of claim 15, wherein each of the plurality of electron guns is coupled to one or more AND gates, wherein each of the one or more AND gates comprises a first diode, a second diode and a resistor, and wherein each of the one or more AND gates is positioned inside the enclosure. 26. The X-ray source of claim 15, wherein a total number of the first set of one or more wires is between 2 and 200 and a total number of the second set of one or more wires is between 2 and 200. 27. The X-ray source of claim 26, wherein a total number of the plurality of nodes is between 4 and 4000 and a total number of the plurality of electron guns is equal to the total number of the plurality of nodes. 28. The X-ray source of claim 15, wherein the enclosure has an internal pressure level below atmospheric pressure. 29. The X-ray source of claim 15, wherein the enclosure has an internal pressure level below 1 atm. 30. An X-ray source comprising:
a vacuum housing; a plurality of electron guns; a plurality of modules, wherein each of the plurality of modules comprises one or more of the plurality of electron guns and wherein the plurality of modules are placed end-to-end to form a continuous locus of the plurality of electron guns within the vacuum housing; a first plurality of address lines extending through the vacuum housing; a second plurality of address lines extending through the vacuum housing, wherein the first plurality of address lines and the second plurality of address lines intersect at a plurality of nodes, wherein each of the plurality of electron guns is in electrical communication with one of the plurality of nodes such that a state of each of the plurality of electron guns is uniquely controlled by one of the first plurality of address lines and one of the second plurality of address lines; a first multi-pin vacuum feed-through containing the first plurality of address lines; and a second multi-pin vacuum feed-through containing the second plurality of address lines. 31. The X-ray source of claim 30, wherein the state of each of the plurality of electron guns comprises on or off. 32. The X-ray source of claim 30, wherein the first plurality of address lines comprise a ‘m’ number of address lines, the second plurality of address lines comprise a ‘n’ number of address lines, the plurality of nodes comprise ‘n×m’ nodes and the plurality of electron guns comprise ‘n×m’ electron guns. 33. The X-ray source of claim 32, wherein m=24 and n=32. 34. The X-ray source of claim 30, wherein the first multi-pin vacuum feed-through contains a ‘m’ number of address lines and the second multi-pin vacuum feed-through contains a ‘n’ number of address lines such that ‘n+m’ number of feed-throughs penetrate a wall of the vacuum housing. 35. The X-ray source of claim 34, wherein m=24 and n=32. 36. The X-ray source of claim 30, wherein each of the plurality of modules has associated common grid support electrodes. 37. The X-ray source of claim 30, wherein each of the first plurality of address lines is coupled to one of a first plurality of switches and each of the second plurality of address lines is coupled to one of a second plurality of switches and wherein the first plurality of switches and the second plurality of switches are positioned outside the vacuum housing. 38. The X-ray source of claim 37, wherein an electron gun of the plurality of electron guns is uniquely activated by closing one of the first plurality of switches and one of the second plurality of switches respectively coupled to one of the first plurality of address lines and one of the second plurality of address lines associated with said electron gun. 39. The X-ray source of claim 30, wherein each of the plurality of electron guns is connected to one of a plurality of AND gates, wherein each of the plurality of AND gates are positioned within the vacuum housing, and wherein each of the plurality of AND gates is controlled by modulating a state of one of the first plurality of address lines and one of the second plurality of address lines. 40. The X-ray source of claim 39, wherein each of the plurality of AND gates comprises a first diode, a second diode and a resistor. 41. The X-ray source of claim 30, wherein a total number of the first plurality of address lines is between 2 and 200 and a total number of the second plurality of address lines is between 2 and 200. 42. The X-ray source of claim 30, wherein a total number of the plurality of nodes is between 4 and 4000 and a total number of the plurality of electron guns is equal to the total number of the plurality of nodes. | 2,400 |
339,956 | 16,800,930 | 2,458 | A rideshare vehicle utilization supporting system supports matching of a rideshare vehicle and a user. The rideshare vehicle utilization supporting system includes: a rideshare vehicle management unit that manages a ridesharing plan of the rideshare vehicle within a retrieval target area; a predetermined rideshare vehicle extraction unit that extracts a predetermined rideshare vehicle, the predetermined rideshare vehicle being the rideshare vehicle for which the ridesharing plan within the retrieval target area in a retrieval target time zone is already determined by the rideshare vehicle management unit; and a predetermined ridesharing route guide unit that makes a display unit visually recognized by the user display a predetermined ridesharing route guide screen for which a predetermined ridesharing route of the predetermined rideshare vehicle is superimposed on a map of the retrieval target area. | 1. A rideshare vehicle utilization supporting system that supports matching of a rideshare vehicle and a user who desires to utilize the rideshare vehicle, the rideshare vehicle utilization supporting system comprising:
a rideshare vehicle management unit that manages a ridesharing plan of the rideshare vehicle within a prescribed retrieval target area; a predetermined rideshare vehicle extraction unit that extracts a predetermined rideshare vehicle, the predetermined rideshare vehicle being the rideshare vehicle for which the ridesharing plan within the retrieval target area in a prescribed retrieval target time zone is already determined by the rideshare vehicle management unit; and a predetermined ridesharing route guide unit that makes a display unit visually recognized by the user display a predetermined ridesharing route guide screen for which a predetermined ridesharing route of the predetermined rideshare vehicle is superimposed on a map of the retrieval target area. 2. The rideshare vehicle utilization supporting system according to claim 1,
wherein the predetermined rideshare vehicle extraction unit extracts only the predetermined rideshare vehicle which is the rideshare vehicle with a vacant seat remaining. 3. The rideshare vehicle utilization supporting system according to claim 1, comprising:
a desired get-on time recognition unit that recognizes a desired time for the user to get on the rideshare vehicle; and a retrieval target time zone setting unit that sets a prescribed time zone including the desired get-on time as the retrieval target time zone. 4. The rideshare vehicle utilization supporting system according to claim 1, comprising
a retrieval target time zone setting unit that sets the retrieval target time zone according to a specification of the user. 5. The rideshare vehicle utilization supporting system according to claim 1, comprising
a desired get-on/get-off spot recognition unit that recognizes a desired get-on spot to the rideshare vehicle and a desired get-off spot from the rideshare vehicle for the user, wherein the predetermined rideshare vehicle extraction unit extracts only the predetermined rideshare vehicle which is the rideshare vehicle for which getting on in a prescribed get-on area including the desired get-on spot is possible and also getting off in a prescribed get-off area including the desired get-off spot is possible. 6. The rideshare vehicle utilization supporting system according to claim 1, comprising
a desired use condition recognition unit that recognizes a desired use condition including a use condition of a compartment of the rideshare vehicle or a condition of a passenger of the rideshare vehicle desired by the user, wherein the predetermined rideshare vehicle extraction unit extracts only the predetermined rideshare vehicle which is the rideshare vehicle coinciding with the desired use condition. 7. The rideshare vehicle utilization supporting system according to claim 1,
wherein the predetermined ridesharing route guide unit makes the display unit display the predetermined ridesharing route guide screen displaying a reservation status display portion indicating a count of established reservations or a reservation establishment degree of the rideshare vehicle in the retrieval target area for each time zone. 8. A rideshare vehicle utilization supporting method executed by a computer to support matching of a rideshare vehicle and a user who desires to utilize the rideshare vehicle, the rideshare vehicle utilization supporting method comprising:
a rideshare vehicle management step in which the computer manages a ridesharing plan of the rideshare vehicle within a prescribed retrieval target area; a predetermined rideshare vehicle extraction step in which the computer extracts a predetermined rideshare vehicle, the predetermined rideshare vehicle being the rideshare vehicle for which the ridesharing plan within the retrieval target area in a prescribed retrieval target time zone is already determined by the rideshare vehicle management step; and a predetermined ridesharing route guide step in which the computer makes a display unit visually recognized by the user display a predetermined ridesharing route guide screen for which a predetermined ridesharing route of the predetermined rideshare vehicle is superimposed on a map of the retrieval target area. | A rideshare vehicle utilization supporting system supports matching of a rideshare vehicle and a user. The rideshare vehicle utilization supporting system includes: a rideshare vehicle management unit that manages a ridesharing plan of the rideshare vehicle within a retrieval target area; a predetermined rideshare vehicle extraction unit that extracts a predetermined rideshare vehicle, the predetermined rideshare vehicle being the rideshare vehicle for which the ridesharing plan within the retrieval target area in a retrieval target time zone is already determined by the rideshare vehicle management unit; and a predetermined ridesharing route guide unit that makes a display unit visually recognized by the user display a predetermined ridesharing route guide screen for which a predetermined ridesharing route of the predetermined rideshare vehicle is superimposed on a map of the retrieval target area.1. A rideshare vehicle utilization supporting system that supports matching of a rideshare vehicle and a user who desires to utilize the rideshare vehicle, the rideshare vehicle utilization supporting system comprising:
a rideshare vehicle management unit that manages a ridesharing plan of the rideshare vehicle within a prescribed retrieval target area; a predetermined rideshare vehicle extraction unit that extracts a predetermined rideshare vehicle, the predetermined rideshare vehicle being the rideshare vehicle for which the ridesharing plan within the retrieval target area in a prescribed retrieval target time zone is already determined by the rideshare vehicle management unit; and a predetermined ridesharing route guide unit that makes a display unit visually recognized by the user display a predetermined ridesharing route guide screen for which a predetermined ridesharing route of the predetermined rideshare vehicle is superimposed on a map of the retrieval target area. 2. The rideshare vehicle utilization supporting system according to claim 1,
wherein the predetermined rideshare vehicle extraction unit extracts only the predetermined rideshare vehicle which is the rideshare vehicle with a vacant seat remaining. 3. The rideshare vehicle utilization supporting system according to claim 1, comprising:
a desired get-on time recognition unit that recognizes a desired time for the user to get on the rideshare vehicle; and a retrieval target time zone setting unit that sets a prescribed time zone including the desired get-on time as the retrieval target time zone. 4. The rideshare vehicle utilization supporting system according to claim 1, comprising
a retrieval target time zone setting unit that sets the retrieval target time zone according to a specification of the user. 5. The rideshare vehicle utilization supporting system according to claim 1, comprising
a desired get-on/get-off spot recognition unit that recognizes a desired get-on spot to the rideshare vehicle and a desired get-off spot from the rideshare vehicle for the user, wherein the predetermined rideshare vehicle extraction unit extracts only the predetermined rideshare vehicle which is the rideshare vehicle for which getting on in a prescribed get-on area including the desired get-on spot is possible and also getting off in a prescribed get-off area including the desired get-off spot is possible. 6. The rideshare vehicle utilization supporting system according to claim 1, comprising
a desired use condition recognition unit that recognizes a desired use condition including a use condition of a compartment of the rideshare vehicle or a condition of a passenger of the rideshare vehicle desired by the user, wherein the predetermined rideshare vehicle extraction unit extracts only the predetermined rideshare vehicle which is the rideshare vehicle coinciding with the desired use condition. 7. The rideshare vehicle utilization supporting system according to claim 1,
wherein the predetermined ridesharing route guide unit makes the display unit display the predetermined ridesharing route guide screen displaying a reservation status display portion indicating a count of established reservations or a reservation establishment degree of the rideshare vehicle in the retrieval target area for each time zone. 8. A rideshare vehicle utilization supporting method executed by a computer to support matching of a rideshare vehicle and a user who desires to utilize the rideshare vehicle, the rideshare vehicle utilization supporting method comprising:
a rideshare vehicle management step in which the computer manages a ridesharing plan of the rideshare vehicle within a prescribed retrieval target area; a predetermined rideshare vehicle extraction step in which the computer extracts a predetermined rideshare vehicle, the predetermined rideshare vehicle being the rideshare vehicle for which the ridesharing plan within the retrieval target area in a prescribed retrieval target time zone is already determined by the rideshare vehicle management step; and a predetermined ridesharing route guide step in which the computer makes a display unit visually recognized by the user display a predetermined ridesharing route guide screen for which a predetermined ridesharing route of the predetermined rideshare vehicle is superimposed on a map of the retrieval target area. | 2,400 |
339,957 | 16,800,840 | 2,458 | A method for treating a subject having a medical conditions associated with inflammation and/or an unwanted immune response, and said subject does not have an alpha1-antitrypsin (AAT) deficiency, wherein the method includes administering genetically modified mesenchymal stem cells to the subject, wherein said genetically modified mesenchymal stem cells include an exogenous nucleic acid including (i) an Alpha-1 antitrypsin (AAT) encoding region operably linked to (ii) a promoter or promoter/enhancer combination. | 1. A method for treating a subject having a medical conditions associated with inflammation and/or an unwanted immune response, and said subject does not have an alpha1-antitrypsin (AAT) deficiency, wherein the method comprises administering genetically modified mesenchymal stem cells to the subject, wherein said genetically modified mesenchymal stem cells comprise an exogenous nucleic acid comprising (i) an Alpha-1 antitrypsin (AAT) encoding region operably linked to (ii) a promoter or promoter/enhancer combination. 2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the exogenous nucleic acid comprises a viral vector. 3. The method according to claim 2, wherein the viral vector is a retroviral vector. 4. The method according to claim 1, wherein the promoter or promoter/enhancer combination is a constitutive promoter. 5. The method according to claim 4, wherein the constitutive promoter is a short form of the human EEF1A1 eukaryotic translation elongation factor 1 alpha 1 promoter (EFS), a human phosphoglycerate kinase promoter (PGK), or a human EEF1A1 eukaryotic translation elongation factor 1 alpha 1 promoter (EF1alpha). 6. The method according to claim 1, wherein said promoter or promoter/enhancer combination is an inducible promoter. 7. The method according to claim 6, wherein the promoter is inducible upon differentiation of said cell post-administration. 8. The method according to claim 6, wherein the promoter is an inflammation-specific promoter. 9. The method according to claim 6, wherein the promoter is the Tie2, HSP70 or RANTES promoter. 10. The method according to claim 1, wherein a therapeutically effective number of genetically modified mesenchymal stem cells according to claim 1 are introduced into the bloodstream of the subject. 11. The method according to claim 10, wherein the medical condition associated with inflammation and/or an unwanted immune response is a lung disease. 12. The method according to claim 11, wherein said lung disease is a respiratory disease. 13. The method according to claim 11, wherein the lung disease is acute lung injury, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) including chronic bronchitis, emphysema, bronchiectasis and bronchiolitis, acute respiratory distress syndrome, asthma, sarcoidosis, hypersensitivity pneumonitis and/or pulmonary fibrosis. 14. The method according to claim 11, wherein said therapeutically effective number of genetically modified cells are introduced to the lung of the subject by inhalation, optionally in combination with introduction of said cells into the bloodstream of the subject. 15. The method according to claim 10, wherein the medical condition associated with inflammation and/or an unwanted immune response is gout. 16. The method according to claim 1, wherein the medical condition associated with inflammation and/or an unwanted immune response is chronic fibrosis. 17. The method according to claim 10, wherein the inflammatory disease is of the kidney, liver and/or colon of the subject. 18. The method according to claim 10, wherein the medical condition associated with inflammation and/or an unwanted immune response is an inflammatory disease selected from the group consisting of vasculitis, nephritis, inflammatory bowel disease, rheumatoid arthritis and Graft versus Host disease. 19. The method according to claim 10, wherein the medical condition associated with inflammation and/or an unwanted immune response is an autoimmune disease. 20. The method according to claim 19, wherein the autoimmune disease is diabetes Type 1. 21. The method according to claim 10, wherein the therapeutically effective number of genetically modified mesenchymal stem cells is introduced into the bloodstream of the subject via intravenous injection. 22. The method according to claim 11, wherein the lung disease is an inflammatory disease of the lung. 23. The method according to claim 16, wherein the chronic fibrosis is of the kidney, liver and/or colon of the subject. | A method for treating a subject having a medical conditions associated with inflammation and/or an unwanted immune response, and said subject does not have an alpha1-antitrypsin (AAT) deficiency, wherein the method includes administering genetically modified mesenchymal stem cells to the subject, wherein said genetically modified mesenchymal stem cells include an exogenous nucleic acid including (i) an Alpha-1 antitrypsin (AAT) encoding region operably linked to (ii) a promoter or promoter/enhancer combination.1. A method for treating a subject having a medical conditions associated with inflammation and/or an unwanted immune response, and said subject does not have an alpha1-antitrypsin (AAT) deficiency, wherein the method comprises administering genetically modified mesenchymal stem cells to the subject, wherein said genetically modified mesenchymal stem cells comprise an exogenous nucleic acid comprising (i) an Alpha-1 antitrypsin (AAT) encoding region operably linked to (ii) a promoter or promoter/enhancer combination. 2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the exogenous nucleic acid comprises a viral vector. 3. The method according to claim 2, wherein the viral vector is a retroviral vector. 4. The method according to claim 1, wherein the promoter or promoter/enhancer combination is a constitutive promoter. 5. The method according to claim 4, wherein the constitutive promoter is a short form of the human EEF1A1 eukaryotic translation elongation factor 1 alpha 1 promoter (EFS), a human phosphoglycerate kinase promoter (PGK), or a human EEF1A1 eukaryotic translation elongation factor 1 alpha 1 promoter (EF1alpha). 6. The method according to claim 1, wherein said promoter or promoter/enhancer combination is an inducible promoter. 7. The method according to claim 6, wherein the promoter is inducible upon differentiation of said cell post-administration. 8. The method according to claim 6, wherein the promoter is an inflammation-specific promoter. 9. The method according to claim 6, wherein the promoter is the Tie2, HSP70 or RANTES promoter. 10. The method according to claim 1, wherein a therapeutically effective number of genetically modified mesenchymal stem cells according to claim 1 are introduced into the bloodstream of the subject. 11. The method according to claim 10, wherein the medical condition associated with inflammation and/or an unwanted immune response is a lung disease. 12. The method according to claim 11, wherein said lung disease is a respiratory disease. 13. The method according to claim 11, wherein the lung disease is acute lung injury, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) including chronic bronchitis, emphysema, bronchiectasis and bronchiolitis, acute respiratory distress syndrome, asthma, sarcoidosis, hypersensitivity pneumonitis and/or pulmonary fibrosis. 14. The method according to claim 11, wherein said therapeutically effective number of genetically modified cells are introduced to the lung of the subject by inhalation, optionally in combination with introduction of said cells into the bloodstream of the subject. 15. The method according to claim 10, wherein the medical condition associated with inflammation and/or an unwanted immune response is gout. 16. The method according to claim 1, wherein the medical condition associated with inflammation and/or an unwanted immune response is chronic fibrosis. 17. The method according to claim 10, wherein the inflammatory disease is of the kidney, liver and/or colon of the subject. 18. The method according to claim 10, wherein the medical condition associated with inflammation and/or an unwanted immune response is an inflammatory disease selected from the group consisting of vasculitis, nephritis, inflammatory bowel disease, rheumatoid arthritis and Graft versus Host disease. 19. The method according to claim 10, wherein the medical condition associated with inflammation and/or an unwanted immune response is an autoimmune disease. 20. The method according to claim 19, wherein the autoimmune disease is diabetes Type 1. 21. The method according to claim 10, wherein the therapeutically effective number of genetically modified mesenchymal stem cells is introduced into the bloodstream of the subject via intravenous injection. 22. The method according to claim 11, wherein the lung disease is an inflammatory disease of the lung. 23. The method according to claim 16, wherein the chronic fibrosis is of the kidney, liver and/or colon of the subject. | 2,400 |
339,958 | 16,800,918 | 2,458 | The application relates to a method for monitoring the condition of at least one component of a wind turbine which is loaded during the operation of the wind turbine. In the method, a first temperature of a first loaded component of the wind turbine is sensed. The method further involves sensing of at least one further temperature of a further loaded component of the wind turbine. The first loaded component and the further loaded component have a thermal coupling to each other, and a damage of at least one of the loaded components is detected based on the sensed first temperature and the sensed further temperature and at least one admissibility criterion in an evaluation step. | 1. A method for monitoring the condition of at least one component of a wind turbine which is loaded during the operation of the wind turbine, comprising
sensing of a first temperature of a first loaded component of the wind turbine, sensing of at least one further temperature of a further loaded component of the wind turbine, wherein the first loaded component and the further loaded component have a thermal coupling to each other, wherein a thermal coupling exists if the first component and the second component experience at least a similar mechanical and/or electrical load, and detecting a damage of at least one of the loaded components based on the sensed first temperature and the sensed further temperature and at least one admissibility criterion in an evaluation step. 2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the method further comprises
determining a differential temperature by forming the difference between the sensed first temperature and the sensed further temperature, wherein a damage of at least one of the loaded components is detected in the evaluation step based on the formed differential temperature and the at least one admissibility criterion. 3. The method according to claim 1, wherein the at least one admissibility criterion comprises at least one reference temperature, in particular a differential reference temperature, of at least one reference wind turbine. 4. The method according to claim 2, wherein
the sensing of a first temperature comprises the sensing of a first temperature profile during a specific time period, the sensing of a further temperature comprises the sensing of a further temperature profile during a specific time period, and determining a differential temperature comprises determining a differential temperature profile by forming the difference between the sensed first temperature profile and the sensed further temperature profile. 5. The method according to claim 4, wherein the method comprises
sensing the power generated by the wind turbine while sensing the first temperature profile and the further temperature profile, wherein in the evaluation step temperature values of the differential temperature profile of at least one predeterminable time interval are assigned to the associated power values of the generated power during the time interval. 6. The method according to claim 5, wherein
in the evaluation step at least one temperature extremum is determined from the temperature values assigned to the associated power values for the at least one predeterminable time interval, and the admissibility criterion is at least one reference temperature extremum of a differential reference temperature of at least one reference wind turbine 7. The method according to claim 6, wherein
in the evaluation step, a plurality of temperature extremes from a correspondingly plurality of time intervals are evaluated, wherein the evaluating comprises in particular the detecting of changes in temperature extremes, in particular increases in temperature extremes. 8. The method according to claim 2, wherein in the evaluation step, upon a detection of a damage of a loaded component by evaluating the sign of the change in the differential temperature, the loaded component from the two loaded components is identified which has the damage. 9. The method according to claim 1, wherein
the first and the further loaded component are each a mechanically loaded component, in particular a rotor bearing, generator bearing or transmission bearing, 10. A monitoring system for monitoring the condition of at least one component of a wind turbine which is loaded during the operation of the wind turbine, comprising:
at least one temperature sensing device, configured to sense a first temperature of a first loaded component of the wind turbine, wherein the temperature sensing device is configured to sense at least one further temperature of a further loaded component of the wind turbine, wherein the first loaded component and the further loaded component have a thermal coupling to each other, wherein a thermal coupling exists if the first component and the second component experience at least a similar mechanical and/or electrical load and the monitoring system comprises at least one evaluation device configured to detect a damage of at least one of the loaded components based on the first temperature and the further temperature and at least one admissibility criterion in an evaluation step. | The application relates to a method for monitoring the condition of at least one component of a wind turbine which is loaded during the operation of the wind turbine. In the method, a first temperature of a first loaded component of the wind turbine is sensed. The method further involves sensing of at least one further temperature of a further loaded component of the wind turbine. The first loaded component and the further loaded component have a thermal coupling to each other, and a damage of at least one of the loaded components is detected based on the sensed first temperature and the sensed further temperature and at least one admissibility criterion in an evaluation step.1. A method for monitoring the condition of at least one component of a wind turbine which is loaded during the operation of the wind turbine, comprising
sensing of a first temperature of a first loaded component of the wind turbine, sensing of at least one further temperature of a further loaded component of the wind turbine, wherein the first loaded component and the further loaded component have a thermal coupling to each other, wherein a thermal coupling exists if the first component and the second component experience at least a similar mechanical and/or electrical load, and detecting a damage of at least one of the loaded components based on the sensed first temperature and the sensed further temperature and at least one admissibility criterion in an evaluation step. 2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the method further comprises
determining a differential temperature by forming the difference between the sensed first temperature and the sensed further temperature, wherein a damage of at least one of the loaded components is detected in the evaluation step based on the formed differential temperature and the at least one admissibility criterion. 3. The method according to claim 1, wherein the at least one admissibility criterion comprises at least one reference temperature, in particular a differential reference temperature, of at least one reference wind turbine. 4. The method according to claim 2, wherein
the sensing of a first temperature comprises the sensing of a first temperature profile during a specific time period, the sensing of a further temperature comprises the sensing of a further temperature profile during a specific time period, and determining a differential temperature comprises determining a differential temperature profile by forming the difference between the sensed first temperature profile and the sensed further temperature profile. 5. The method according to claim 4, wherein the method comprises
sensing the power generated by the wind turbine while sensing the first temperature profile and the further temperature profile, wherein in the evaluation step temperature values of the differential temperature profile of at least one predeterminable time interval are assigned to the associated power values of the generated power during the time interval. 6. The method according to claim 5, wherein
in the evaluation step at least one temperature extremum is determined from the temperature values assigned to the associated power values for the at least one predeterminable time interval, and the admissibility criterion is at least one reference temperature extremum of a differential reference temperature of at least one reference wind turbine 7. The method according to claim 6, wherein
in the evaluation step, a plurality of temperature extremes from a correspondingly plurality of time intervals are evaluated, wherein the evaluating comprises in particular the detecting of changes in temperature extremes, in particular increases in temperature extremes. 8. The method according to claim 2, wherein in the evaluation step, upon a detection of a damage of a loaded component by evaluating the sign of the change in the differential temperature, the loaded component from the two loaded components is identified which has the damage. 9. The method according to claim 1, wherein
the first and the further loaded component are each a mechanically loaded component, in particular a rotor bearing, generator bearing or transmission bearing, 10. A monitoring system for monitoring the condition of at least one component of a wind turbine which is loaded during the operation of the wind turbine, comprising:
at least one temperature sensing device, configured to sense a first temperature of a first loaded component of the wind turbine, wherein the temperature sensing device is configured to sense at least one further temperature of a further loaded component of the wind turbine, wherein the first loaded component and the further loaded component have a thermal coupling to each other, wherein a thermal coupling exists if the first component and the second component experience at least a similar mechanical and/or electrical load and the monitoring system comprises at least one evaluation device configured to detect a damage of at least one of the loaded components based on the first temperature and the further temperature and at least one admissibility criterion in an evaluation step. | 2,400 |
339,959 | 16,800,920 | 2,458 | An electronic device such as a desktop computer may have a housing with a conductive housing wall and a display mounted to the housing opposite the conductive housing wall. A conductive tongue may extend through an opening in the housing wall to secure the housing to a hinge barrel on a desktop stand. A slot antenna may be formed from a slot element in the conductive tongue. The antenna may be fed by a flexible printed circuit coupled across the slot element or by a feed printed circuit in the housing that is coupled to the conductive tongue by a conductive screw. A conductive sleeve may be placed over the conductive tongue. The stand may be replaced with a mounting bracket. | 1. An electronic device configured to be mounted to a stand having a hinge barrel, the electronic device comprising:
a housing having a conductive housing wall, wherein the conductive housing wall comprises an opening; a display mounted to the housing opposite the conductive housing wall; a conductive structure that protrudes through the opening, wherein the conductive structure has a first end within the housing and an opposing second end that is configured to be coupled to the hinge barrel of the stand; and an antenna in the conductive structure. 2. The electronic device of claim 1, wherein the antenna comprises a slot antenna having a radiating slot element in the conductive structure. 3. The electronic device of claim 2, further comprising:
an additional slot antenna having an additional radiating slot element in the conductive structure. 4. The electronic device of claim 3, wherein the conductive structure has opposing first and second edges that extend in parallel from the first end to the second end, the radiating slot element has an open end at the first edge, and the additional radiating slot element has an open end at the second edge. 5. The electronic device of claim 2, wherein the radiating slot element has a first electromagnetic mode configured to radiate in a first frequency band and a second electromagnetic mode configured to radiate in a second frequency band that is higher than the first frequency band. 6. The electronic device of claim 5, wherein the first frequency band comprises a 2.4 GHz wireless local area network (WLAN) band and the second frequency band comprises a 5 GHz WLAN band. 7. The electronic device of claim 5, further comprising:
a capacitor coupled across the radiating slot element, wherein the capacitor is configured to tune both the first and second electromagnetic modes. 8. The electronic device of claim 2, further comprising:
a conductive sleeve having a cavity, the conductive structure being mounted within the cavity, and the conductive sleeve having a dielectric antenna window aligned with the radiating slot element. 9. The electronic device of claim 2, wherein the conductive structure comprises:
a support plate at the first end and coupled to an interior surface of the conductive housing wall; and a conductive tongue that extends from the support plate to the second end, wherein the conductive tongue protrudes through the opening, the slot radiating element being located in the conductive tongue. 10. The electronic device of claim 9, wherein the conductive tongue has a first surface, the conductive tongue has a second surface opposite the first surface, and the slot element extends from the first surface to the second surface. 11. The electronic device of claim 10, further comprising a first dielectric cover layer on the first surface and a second dielectric cover layer on the second surface. 12. The electronic device of claim 9, wherein the conductive structure and the housing are rotatable with respect to the stand about a hinge axis when the second end of the conductive structure is coupled to the hinge barrel, the hinge axis extending through the conductive tongue. 13. The electronic device of claim 9, further comprising:
a printed circuit having ground traces and signal traces, wherein the ground traces are electrically coupled to the support plate; a transmission line having a ground conductor coupled to the ground traces and having a signal conductor coupled to the signal traces; and a conductive screw having a head portion coupled to the signal traces and having a tip coupled to the conductive tongue at a side of the radiating slot element opposite the conductive housing wall, wherein the conductive screw has a shaft portion that extends from the head portion, through an opening in the printed circuit, through the opening in the conductive housing wall, and through an opening in the conductive tongue to the side of the radiating slot element opposite the conductive housing wall. 14. Apparatus comprising:
a stand having a base portion configured to rest on a surface and having a neck portion extending from the base portion; a hinge barrel on the neck portion of the stand; a housing having a conductive housing wall with an opening; a display mounted to the housing opposite the conductive housing wall; a conductive tongue that protrudes through the opening in the conductive housing wall, wherein the conductive tongue is coupled to the hinge barrel, the conductive tongue and the housing being rotatable with respect to the stand about a hinge axis running through the hinge barrel; and a slot antenna having a slot element in the conductive tongue. 15. The apparatus of claim 14, further comprising:
a flexible printed circuit that bridges the slot element; ground traces on the flexible printed circuit that are coupled to the conductive tongue at a first side of the slot element; and signal traces on the flexible printed circuit that are coupled to the conductive tongue at a second side of the slot element, the ground traces and the signal traces being configured to feed radio-frequency signals for the slot antenna. 16. The apparatus of claim 14, further comprising:
a conductive sleeve having a cavity, wherein the conductive tongue is located within the cavity; and a dielectric antenna window in the conductive sleeve and aligned with the slot element. 17. The apparatus of claim 16, further comprising:
a dielectric liner interposed between the flexible printed circuit and the conductive sleeve. 18. The apparatus of claim 17, further comprising:
a notch in the conductive tongue and configured to receive the flexible printed circuit. 19. An electronic device comprising:
a housing having a conductive housing wall that forms a first face of the electronic device, wherein the conductive housing wall comprises an opening; a display mounted to the housing, wherein the display forms a second face of the electronic device opposite the conductive housing wall; a mounting bracket coupled to the conductive housing wall, wherein the mounting bracket is separated from the conductive housing wall by a cavity; a conductive structure having a support plate coupled to the conductive housing wall at an interior of the housing and having a conductive tongue, wherein the conductive tongue extends from the support plate and protrudes through the opening and into the cavity; and a slot antenna having a slot element in the conductive tongue. 20. The electronic device of claim 19, wherein the mounting bracket comprises a flat display mounting interface (FDMI) compliant mounting bracket. | An electronic device such as a desktop computer may have a housing with a conductive housing wall and a display mounted to the housing opposite the conductive housing wall. A conductive tongue may extend through an opening in the housing wall to secure the housing to a hinge barrel on a desktop stand. A slot antenna may be formed from a slot element in the conductive tongue. The antenna may be fed by a flexible printed circuit coupled across the slot element or by a feed printed circuit in the housing that is coupled to the conductive tongue by a conductive screw. A conductive sleeve may be placed over the conductive tongue. The stand may be replaced with a mounting bracket.1. An electronic device configured to be mounted to a stand having a hinge barrel, the electronic device comprising:
a housing having a conductive housing wall, wherein the conductive housing wall comprises an opening; a display mounted to the housing opposite the conductive housing wall; a conductive structure that protrudes through the opening, wherein the conductive structure has a first end within the housing and an opposing second end that is configured to be coupled to the hinge barrel of the stand; and an antenna in the conductive structure. 2. The electronic device of claim 1, wherein the antenna comprises a slot antenna having a radiating slot element in the conductive structure. 3. The electronic device of claim 2, further comprising:
an additional slot antenna having an additional radiating slot element in the conductive structure. 4. The electronic device of claim 3, wherein the conductive structure has opposing first and second edges that extend in parallel from the first end to the second end, the radiating slot element has an open end at the first edge, and the additional radiating slot element has an open end at the second edge. 5. The electronic device of claim 2, wherein the radiating slot element has a first electromagnetic mode configured to radiate in a first frequency band and a second electromagnetic mode configured to radiate in a second frequency band that is higher than the first frequency band. 6. The electronic device of claim 5, wherein the first frequency band comprises a 2.4 GHz wireless local area network (WLAN) band and the second frequency band comprises a 5 GHz WLAN band. 7. The electronic device of claim 5, further comprising:
a capacitor coupled across the radiating slot element, wherein the capacitor is configured to tune both the first and second electromagnetic modes. 8. The electronic device of claim 2, further comprising:
a conductive sleeve having a cavity, the conductive structure being mounted within the cavity, and the conductive sleeve having a dielectric antenna window aligned with the radiating slot element. 9. The electronic device of claim 2, wherein the conductive structure comprises:
a support plate at the first end and coupled to an interior surface of the conductive housing wall; and a conductive tongue that extends from the support plate to the second end, wherein the conductive tongue protrudes through the opening, the slot radiating element being located in the conductive tongue. 10. The electronic device of claim 9, wherein the conductive tongue has a first surface, the conductive tongue has a second surface opposite the first surface, and the slot element extends from the first surface to the second surface. 11. The electronic device of claim 10, further comprising a first dielectric cover layer on the first surface and a second dielectric cover layer on the second surface. 12. The electronic device of claim 9, wherein the conductive structure and the housing are rotatable with respect to the stand about a hinge axis when the second end of the conductive structure is coupled to the hinge barrel, the hinge axis extending through the conductive tongue. 13. The electronic device of claim 9, further comprising:
a printed circuit having ground traces and signal traces, wherein the ground traces are electrically coupled to the support plate; a transmission line having a ground conductor coupled to the ground traces and having a signal conductor coupled to the signal traces; and a conductive screw having a head portion coupled to the signal traces and having a tip coupled to the conductive tongue at a side of the radiating slot element opposite the conductive housing wall, wherein the conductive screw has a shaft portion that extends from the head portion, through an opening in the printed circuit, through the opening in the conductive housing wall, and through an opening in the conductive tongue to the side of the radiating slot element opposite the conductive housing wall. 14. Apparatus comprising:
a stand having a base portion configured to rest on a surface and having a neck portion extending from the base portion; a hinge barrel on the neck portion of the stand; a housing having a conductive housing wall with an opening; a display mounted to the housing opposite the conductive housing wall; a conductive tongue that protrudes through the opening in the conductive housing wall, wherein the conductive tongue is coupled to the hinge barrel, the conductive tongue and the housing being rotatable with respect to the stand about a hinge axis running through the hinge barrel; and a slot antenna having a slot element in the conductive tongue. 15. The apparatus of claim 14, further comprising:
a flexible printed circuit that bridges the slot element; ground traces on the flexible printed circuit that are coupled to the conductive tongue at a first side of the slot element; and signal traces on the flexible printed circuit that are coupled to the conductive tongue at a second side of the slot element, the ground traces and the signal traces being configured to feed radio-frequency signals for the slot antenna. 16. The apparatus of claim 14, further comprising:
a conductive sleeve having a cavity, wherein the conductive tongue is located within the cavity; and a dielectric antenna window in the conductive sleeve and aligned with the slot element. 17. The apparatus of claim 16, further comprising:
a dielectric liner interposed between the flexible printed circuit and the conductive sleeve. 18. The apparatus of claim 17, further comprising:
a notch in the conductive tongue and configured to receive the flexible printed circuit. 19. An electronic device comprising:
a housing having a conductive housing wall that forms a first face of the electronic device, wherein the conductive housing wall comprises an opening; a display mounted to the housing, wherein the display forms a second face of the electronic device opposite the conductive housing wall; a mounting bracket coupled to the conductive housing wall, wherein the mounting bracket is separated from the conductive housing wall by a cavity; a conductive structure having a support plate coupled to the conductive housing wall at an interior of the housing and having a conductive tongue, wherein the conductive tongue extends from the support plate and protrudes through the opening and into the cavity; and a slot antenna having a slot element in the conductive tongue. 20. The electronic device of claim 19, wherein the mounting bracket comprises a flat display mounting interface (FDMI) compliant mounting bracket. | 2,400 |
339,960 | 16,800,925 | 2,458 | A method for production of a female embossing tool intended for embossing a sheet element: provide a female embossing tool with an outer layer made of a material with shape-memory type properties, and the outer face of the layer has no recesses; provide a male embossing tool with an outer face with at least one protuberance corresponding to at least one desired embossing relief that is to be formed on the sheet element after embossing; and cooperation of the male embossing tool with the female embossing tool such that the outer layer of the female embossing tool undergoes a plastic deformation which creates at least one recess of a shape complementary to the protuberance(s) of the male embossing tool. | 1. A female embossing tool for sheet elements configured to form packagings, the female embossing tool comprising:
an outer layer comprised of a material with shape-memory type properties. 2. The female embossing tool according to claim 1, wherein the material is selected from at least one of shape-memory metal alloys and polymer materials with shape-memory type properties. 3. The female embossing tool according to claim 1, wherein the tool is flat and forms a tool for a platen press. 4. The female embossing tool according to claim 1, wherein the tool has a cylindrical outer revolution face on which the material is located such that the tool forms a rotating female embossing tool on the outer revolution face. | A method for production of a female embossing tool intended for embossing a sheet element: provide a female embossing tool with an outer layer made of a material with shape-memory type properties, and the outer face of the layer has no recesses; provide a male embossing tool with an outer face with at least one protuberance corresponding to at least one desired embossing relief that is to be formed on the sheet element after embossing; and cooperation of the male embossing tool with the female embossing tool such that the outer layer of the female embossing tool undergoes a plastic deformation which creates at least one recess of a shape complementary to the protuberance(s) of the male embossing tool.1. A female embossing tool for sheet elements configured to form packagings, the female embossing tool comprising:
an outer layer comprised of a material with shape-memory type properties. 2. The female embossing tool according to claim 1, wherein the material is selected from at least one of shape-memory metal alloys and polymer materials with shape-memory type properties. 3. The female embossing tool according to claim 1, wherein the tool is flat and forms a tool for a platen press. 4. The female embossing tool according to claim 1, wherein the tool has a cylindrical outer revolution face on which the material is located such that the tool forms a rotating female embossing tool on the outer revolution face. | 2,400 |
339,961 | 16,800,931 | 2,458 | A vehicle drivetrain includes a driveshaft, a driveshaft joint and a boot. The driveshaft joint is configured to be coupled to an end of the driveshaft. The boot is disposed over the driveshaft joint. The boot has an inner wall and an outer wall. The inner and outer walls are separated by an empty space. | 1. A vehicle drivetrain comprising:
a driveshaft; a driveshaft joint configured to be coupled to an end of the driveshaft; and a boot disposed over the driveshaft joint, the boot having an inner wall and an outer wall, the inner and outer walls being separated by an empty space. 2. The vehicle drivetrain according to claim 1, further comprising
a longstem configured to be supported to a vehicle transmission, the driveshaft joint being coupled to an end of the longstem. 3. The vehicle drivetrain according to claim 2, wherein
the driveshaft is a barshaft, the driveshaft joint being disposed between the longstem and the barshaft. 4. The vehicle drivetrain according to claim 1, wherein
the outer wall of the boot includes one or more openings to enable air exchange between the empty space and an exterior environment of the boot. 5. The vehicle drivetrain according to claim 1, wherein
the boot includes a first seal disposed between the inner and outer walls at a first end of the boot. 6. The vehicle drivetrain according to claim 5, wherein
the boot further includes a second seal disposed between the inner and outer walls at a second end of the boot. 7. The vehicle drivetrain according to claim 6, further comprising
a first fastener coupling the boot to the driveshaft joint at the first end of the boot. 8. The vehicle drivetrain according to claim 7, further comprising
a second fastener coupling the boot to the barshaft at the second end of the boot. 9. The vehicle drivetrain according to claim 7, wherein
the boot includes a first depression at the first end for receiving the first fastener. 10. The vehicle drivetrain according to claim 8, wherein
the boot includes a second depression at the second end for receiving the second fastener. 11. A boot for a driveshaft joint of a vehicle drivetrain, comprising:
an inner wall and an outer wall, the inner and outer walls being separated by an empty space. 12. The boot according to claim 11, wherein
the inner and outer walls are elastic. 13. The boot according to claim 11, wherein
the outer wall includes one or more openings to enable air exchange between the empty space and an exterior environment of the boot. 14. The boot according to claim 11, wherein
the boot is configured to be fixed to the driveshaft joint driveshaft at a first end of the boot, and is configured to be fixed to a driveshaft of the drivetrain at a second end of the boot. 15. The boot according to claim 14, wherein
the inner and outer walls include a plurality of annular folds extending between the first and second ends. 16. The boot according to claim 15, further comprising
a first seal disposed between the inner and outer walls at a first end of the boot. 17. The boot according to claim 16, further comprising
a second seal disposed between the inner and outer walls at a second end of the boot. 18. The boot according to claim 16, wherein
the outer wall includes first depression at the first end for receiving a first fastener that couples the boot to the driveshaft joint. 19. The boot according to claim 18, wherein
the outer wall includes a second depression at the second end for receiving a second fastener that couples the boot to the driveshaft. | A vehicle drivetrain includes a driveshaft, a driveshaft joint and a boot. The driveshaft joint is configured to be coupled to an end of the driveshaft. The boot is disposed over the driveshaft joint. The boot has an inner wall and an outer wall. The inner and outer walls are separated by an empty space.1. A vehicle drivetrain comprising:
a driveshaft; a driveshaft joint configured to be coupled to an end of the driveshaft; and a boot disposed over the driveshaft joint, the boot having an inner wall and an outer wall, the inner and outer walls being separated by an empty space. 2. The vehicle drivetrain according to claim 1, further comprising
a longstem configured to be supported to a vehicle transmission, the driveshaft joint being coupled to an end of the longstem. 3. The vehicle drivetrain according to claim 2, wherein
the driveshaft is a barshaft, the driveshaft joint being disposed between the longstem and the barshaft. 4. The vehicle drivetrain according to claim 1, wherein
the outer wall of the boot includes one or more openings to enable air exchange between the empty space and an exterior environment of the boot. 5. The vehicle drivetrain according to claim 1, wherein
the boot includes a first seal disposed between the inner and outer walls at a first end of the boot. 6. The vehicle drivetrain according to claim 5, wherein
the boot further includes a second seal disposed between the inner and outer walls at a second end of the boot. 7. The vehicle drivetrain according to claim 6, further comprising
a first fastener coupling the boot to the driveshaft joint at the first end of the boot. 8. The vehicle drivetrain according to claim 7, further comprising
a second fastener coupling the boot to the barshaft at the second end of the boot. 9. The vehicle drivetrain according to claim 7, wherein
the boot includes a first depression at the first end for receiving the first fastener. 10. The vehicle drivetrain according to claim 8, wherein
the boot includes a second depression at the second end for receiving the second fastener. 11. A boot for a driveshaft joint of a vehicle drivetrain, comprising:
an inner wall and an outer wall, the inner and outer walls being separated by an empty space. 12. The boot according to claim 11, wherein
the inner and outer walls are elastic. 13. The boot according to claim 11, wherein
the outer wall includes one or more openings to enable air exchange between the empty space and an exterior environment of the boot. 14. The boot according to claim 11, wherein
the boot is configured to be fixed to the driveshaft joint driveshaft at a first end of the boot, and is configured to be fixed to a driveshaft of the drivetrain at a second end of the boot. 15. The boot according to claim 14, wherein
the inner and outer walls include a plurality of annular folds extending between the first and second ends. 16. The boot according to claim 15, further comprising
a first seal disposed between the inner and outer walls at a first end of the boot. 17. The boot according to claim 16, further comprising
a second seal disposed between the inner and outer walls at a second end of the boot. 18. The boot according to claim 16, wherein
the outer wall includes first depression at the first end for receiving a first fastener that couples the boot to the driveshaft joint. 19. The boot according to claim 18, wherein
the outer wall includes a second depression at the second end for receiving a second fastener that couples the boot to the driveshaft. | 2,400 |
339,962 | 16,800,924 | 2,458 | Copies of a distributed ledger with multiple blocks are stored on multiple computing devices. A first computing device coming into proximity with a particular object triggers generation of a new block to the distributed ledger, the new block identifying changes to an inventory of objects of the object type and including a hash of a previous block of the distributed ledger. The new block is optionally verified before it is appended onto the distributed ledger and transmitted out to each of the multiple computing devices so that each copy of the distributed ledger includes the new block. | 1. A method of tracking of manufacturing via a distributed ledger stored at each of a plurality of computing devices of a distributed computing architecture, the method comprising:
storing the distributed ledger associated with a plurality of objects of a first object type, the distributed ledger including a plurality of blocks; receiving an indication of proximity between a first computing device and a first object of the plurality of objects of the first object type, wherein the indication of proximity between the first computing device and the first object identifies the first object type; generating a new block automatically in response to receiving the indication of proximity, wherein the new block includes one or more transactions identifying one or more changes in an inventory of the plurality of objects of the first object type at each of a plurality of manufacturing stages, the one or more changes including a change of the first object from a first manufacturing stage of the plurality of manufacturing stages to a second manufacturing stage of the plurality of manufacturing stages, wherein the new block includes a new block header that includes a hash of a prior block of the distributed ledger; and appending the new block to the plurality of blocks of the distributed ledger. 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the indication of proximity also identifies the change of the first object from the first manufacturing stage to the second manufacturing stage. 3. The method of claim 1, wherein the indication of proximity also identifies a location of the first object. 4. The method of claim 3, wherein the new block identifies the location of the first object. 5. The method of claim 3, further comprising identifying the change of the first object from the first manufacturing stage to the second manufacturing stage based on the location. 6. The method of claim 1, wherein the second manufacturing stage corresponds to completion of manufacturing. 7. The method of claim 1, wherein the second manufacturing stage corresponds to shipping. 8. The method of claim 1, wherein the second manufacturing stage corresponds to a customization. 9. The method of claim 1, further comprising transmitting the new block to one or more of the plurality of computing devices such that each of the plurality of computing devices append the new block to a respective copy of the distributed ledger. 10. The method of claim 1, wherein the indication of proximity includes a code received by the first computing device from an information medium corresponding to the first object, and further comprising verifying the indication of proximity based on the code matching a corresponding code in a verification database. 11. The method of claim 10, wherein the new block is appended to the plurality of blocks of the distributed ledger automatically in response to verification of the indication of proximity. 12. The method of claim 1, wherein the indication of proximity between the first object and the first computing device includes an indication that the first computing device received a wireless communication from wireless communication circuitry corresponding to the object. 13. The method of claim 1, wherein the indication of proximity between the first object and the first computing device includes an indication that a camera of the first computing device captured an image corresponding to the first object. 14. The method of claim 10, wherein the image is of an optical glyph corresponding to the first object. 15. A distributed computing system that includes a plurality of computing devices each storing a distributed ledger, the distributed computing system comprising:
a memory storing instructions and the distributed ledger associated with a plurality of objects of a first object type, wherein the distributed ledger includes a plurality of blocks; a network communication transceiver that receives an indication of proximity to a first object of the plurality of objects of the first object type, wherein the indication of proximity identifies the first object type; and one or more processors executing the instructions, wherein execution of the instructions by the one or more processors:
generates a new block automatically in response to receiving the indication of proximity, wherein the new block includes one or more transactions identifying one or more changes in an inventory of the plurality of objects of the first object type at each of a plurality of manufacturing stages, the one or more changes including a change of the first object from a first manufacturing stage of the plurality of manufacturing stages to a second manufacturing stage of the plurality of manufacturing stages, wherein the new block includes a new block header that includes a hash of a prior block of the distributed ledger, and
appends the new block to the plurality of blocks of the distributed ledger. 16. The distributed computing system of claim 15, wherein the indication of proximity also identifies the change of the first object from the first manufacturing stage to the second manufacturing stage. 17. The distributed computing system of claim 15, wherein the indication of proximity also identifies a location of the first object. 18. The distributed computing system of claim 17, wherein the new block includes information that is based on the location of the first object. 19. A method of tracking of an object via a distributed network architecture that includes a plurality of computing devices, the method comprising:
storing a distributed ledger associated with a plurality of objects of a first object type, the distributed ledger including a plurality of blocks at each of the plurality of computing devices; receiving an indication of proximity between a first computing device and a first object of the plurality of objects of the first object type, wherein the indication of proximity identifies the first object type; transmitting a request to at least one of the plurality of computing devices to add a new block to the distributed ledger automatically in response to receiving the indication of proximity, the new block including one or more transactions identifying one or more one or more changes in an inventory of the plurality of objects of the first object type at each of a plurality of manufacturing stages, the one or more changes including a change of the first object from a first manufacturing stage of the plurality of manufacturing stages to a second manufacturing stage of the plurality of manufacturing stages; receiving the new block; and appending the new block to the plurality of blocks of the distributed ledger. 20. The method of claim 19, wherein the new block includes a new block header that includes a hash of a prior block of the distributed ledger. | Copies of a distributed ledger with multiple blocks are stored on multiple computing devices. A first computing device coming into proximity with a particular object triggers generation of a new block to the distributed ledger, the new block identifying changes to an inventory of objects of the object type and including a hash of a previous block of the distributed ledger. The new block is optionally verified before it is appended onto the distributed ledger and transmitted out to each of the multiple computing devices so that each copy of the distributed ledger includes the new block.1. A method of tracking of manufacturing via a distributed ledger stored at each of a plurality of computing devices of a distributed computing architecture, the method comprising:
storing the distributed ledger associated with a plurality of objects of a first object type, the distributed ledger including a plurality of blocks; receiving an indication of proximity between a first computing device and a first object of the plurality of objects of the first object type, wherein the indication of proximity between the first computing device and the first object identifies the first object type; generating a new block automatically in response to receiving the indication of proximity, wherein the new block includes one or more transactions identifying one or more changes in an inventory of the plurality of objects of the first object type at each of a plurality of manufacturing stages, the one or more changes including a change of the first object from a first manufacturing stage of the plurality of manufacturing stages to a second manufacturing stage of the plurality of manufacturing stages, wherein the new block includes a new block header that includes a hash of a prior block of the distributed ledger; and appending the new block to the plurality of blocks of the distributed ledger. 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the indication of proximity also identifies the change of the first object from the first manufacturing stage to the second manufacturing stage. 3. The method of claim 1, wherein the indication of proximity also identifies a location of the first object. 4. The method of claim 3, wherein the new block identifies the location of the first object. 5. The method of claim 3, further comprising identifying the change of the first object from the first manufacturing stage to the second manufacturing stage based on the location. 6. The method of claim 1, wherein the second manufacturing stage corresponds to completion of manufacturing. 7. The method of claim 1, wherein the second manufacturing stage corresponds to shipping. 8. The method of claim 1, wherein the second manufacturing stage corresponds to a customization. 9. The method of claim 1, further comprising transmitting the new block to one or more of the plurality of computing devices such that each of the plurality of computing devices append the new block to a respective copy of the distributed ledger. 10. The method of claim 1, wherein the indication of proximity includes a code received by the first computing device from an information medium corresponding to the first object, and further comprising verifying the indication of proximity based on the code matching a corresponding code in a verification database. 11. The method of claim 10, wherein the new block is appended to the plurality of blocks of the distributed ledger automatically in response to verification of the indication of proximity. 12. The method of claim 1, wherein the indication of proximity between the first object and the first computing device includes an indication that the first computing device received a wireless communication from wireless communication circuitry corresponding to the object. 13. The method of claim 1, wherein the indication of proximity between the first object and the first computing device includes an indication that a camera of the first computing device captured an image corresponding to the first object. 14. The method of claim 10, wherein the image is of an optical glyph corresponding to the first object. 15. A distributed computing system that includes a plurality of computing devices each storing a distributed ledger, the distributed computing system comprising:
a memory storing instructions and the distributed ledger associated with a plurality of objects of a first object type, wherein the distributed ledger includes a plurality of blocks; a network communication transceiver that receives an indication of proximity to a first object of the plurality of objects of the first object type, wherein the indication of proximity identifies the first object type; and one or more processors executing the instructions, wherein execution of the instructions by the one or more processors:
generates a new block automatically in response to receiving the indication of proximity, wherein the new block includes one or more transactions identifying one or more changes in an inventory of the plurality of objects of the first object type at each of a plurality of manufacturing stages, the one or more changes including a change of the first object from a first manufacturing stage of the plurality of manufacturing stages to a second manufacturing stage of the plurality of manufacturing stages, wherein the new block includes a new block header that includes a hash of a prior block of the distributed ledger, and
appends the new block to the plurality of blocks of the distributed ledger. 16. The distributed computing system of claim 15, wherein the indication of proximity also identifies the change of the first object from the first manufacturing stage to the second manufacturing stage. 17. The distributed computing system of claim 15, wherein the indication of proximity also identifies a location of the first object. 18. The distributed computing system of claim 17, wherein the new block includes information that is based on the location of the first object. 19. A method of tracking of an object via a distributed network architecture that includes a plurality of computing devices, the method comprising:
storing a distributed ledger associated with a plurality of objects of a first object type, the distributed ledger including a plurality of blocks at each of the plurality of computing devices; receiving an indication of proximity between a first computing device and a first object of the plurality of objects of the first object type, wherein the indication of proximity identifies the first object type; transmitting a request to at least one of the plurality of computing devices to add a new block to the distributed ledger automatically in response to receiving the indication of proximity, the new block including one or more transactions identifying one or more one or more changes in an inventory of the plurality of objects of the first object type at each of a plurality of manufacturing stages, the one or more changes including a change of the first object from a first manufacturing stage of the plurality of manufacturing stages to a second manufacturing stage of the plurality of manufacturing stages; receiving the new block; and appending the new block to the plurality of blocks of the distributed ledger. 20. The method of claim 19, wherein the new block includes a new block header that includes a hash of a prior block of the distributed ledger. | 2,400 |
339,963 | 16,800,959 | 2,458 | A method of collecting vehicle parking data includes preprocessing images of a parking area, identifying a vehicle in a parking spot shown in one or more of the images, and detecting a vehicle change in the parking spot in the images collected at different times. | 1. A vehicle parking data collection system comprising:
an image preprocessing system configured to produce a tiled, orthorectified orthomosaic of images corresponding to a parking area from a plurality of overlapping images of the parking area; a vehicle identification system configured to identify a vehicle in a parking spot of the parking area shown in one or more of the images; and a change detection system configured to detect a vehicle change in the parking spot of the parking area in the images collected at different times. 2. The vehicle parking data collection system of claim 1, further comprising an image conditioning system configured to condition the overlapping images of the parking area for at least one of image preprocessing, vehicle identification, and change detection. 3. The vehicle parking data collection system of claim 2, wherein the image conditioning system is configured to determine colorimetrics after the overlapping images are collected. 4. The vehicle parking data collection system of claim 2, wherein the image conditioning system is configured to format transcode. 5. The vehicle parking data collection system of claim 1, further comprising an image masking system configured to mask non-parking areas. 6. The vehicle parking data collection system of claim 1, further comprising an image enhancement system configured to put polygons around parking areas and to put centroids in parking spots. 7. The vehicle parking data collection system of claim 1, further comprising an aerial vehicle including an imaging system configured to collect the plurality of overlapping images of the parking area. 8. The vehicle parking data collection system of claim 7, further comprising an imaging system calibration system configured to calibrate the imaging system and a lens of the imaging system. 9. The vehicle parking data collection system of claim 7, wherein the imaging system is configured to equalize colorimetrics during image collection of temporally different images of the same parking area. 10. The vehicle parking data collection system of claim 7, wherein the imaging system is configured to filter light during image collection. 11. The vehicle parking data collection system of claim 7, wherein the imaging system is configured to determine orientation relative to a projected coordinate system. 12. The vehicle parking data collection system of claim 1, wherein the image preprocessing system is configured to stitch together the overlapping images, orthorectify the stitched images, and orthomosaic tile the orthorectified stitched images. 13. The vehicle parking data collection system of claim 1, wherein the vehicle identification system includes a neural network trained to identify vehicles in the images by segmenting pixels of an image containing a vehicle portion into segments representing a single vehicle. 14. The vehicle parking data collection system of claim 13, wherein the vehicle identification system is configured to verify vehicle identification by the neural network based on a number of pixels in a segment representing a vehicle. 15. The vehicle parking data collection system of claim 1, wherein the change detection system is configured to compare segments from temporally different images of the same parking spot. 16. The vehicle parking data collection system of claim 15, wherein comparing segments includes comparing at least one of pixel colors, segment centers, and vehicle orientation. 17. A method of collecting vehicle parking data comprising:
preprocessing images of a parking area to produce a tiled, orthorectified orthomosaic of the images; identifying a vehicle in a parking spot of the parking area shown in one or more of the images; and detecting a vehicle change in the parking spot of the parking area in the images collected at different times. 18. The method of collecting vehicle parking data of claim 17, further comprising conditioning the images for at least one of image preprocessing, vehicle identification, and change detection. 19. The method of collecting vehicle parking data of claim 18, wherein conditioning the images includes determining ex situ colorimetrics, determining ex situ colorimetric comprising taking a series of color readings of the images, producing an average reading, applying the average reading to the images, applying readings taken from a spectrally neutral WBC recorded under incident shadow during collection of the images to a luminance node restricted to lowest ends of a waveform in each image, and removing a color temperature dissonance cast by shadows onto vehicles at different times of day. 20. The method of collecting vehicle parking data of claim 19, wherein determining ex situ colorimetrics further comprises verifying tint balance by using the readings of the spectrally neutral WBC to measure a green and a magenta tint balance in order to normalize an x and y axis of a color white point scale. 21. The method of collecting vehicle parking data of claim 19, wherein determining ex situ colorimetrics further comprises using an image of a standardized color calibration chart recorded during collection of the images corresponding to the parking area to calibrate each color channel, and to determine an accurate representation of color. 22. The method of collecting vehicle parking data of claim 19, wherein determining ex situ colorimetrics further comprises reducing chromatic noise to reduce erratic pixel coloration inherent in an on-board image processor. 23. The method of collecting vehicle parking data of claim 18, wherein conditioning the images includes formatting transcode. 24. The method of collecting vehicle parking data of claim 17, further comprising masking non-parking areas. 25. The method of collecting vehicle parking data of claim 17, further comprising enhancing the images to place polygons around parking areas and centroids in parking spots. 26. The method of collecting vehicle parking data of claim 17, further comprising an aerial vehicle including an imaging system collecting images of the parking area. 27. The method of collecting vehicle parking data of claim 26, wherein the aerial vehicle collects images of the parking area at different times to produce different temporal batches of images. 28. The method of collecting vehicle parking data of claim 26, further comprising initializing the imaging system and a lens of the imaging system. 29. The method of collecting vehicle parking data of claim 28, wherein initializing the imaging system and the lens of the imaging system further comprises determining a geometry of the lens. 30. The method of collecting vehicle parking data of claim 28, wherein initializing the imaging system and the lens of the imaging system further comprises building a tonal range profile. 31. The method of collecting vehicle parking data of claim 30, wherein building the tonal range profile further comprises taking multiple images of calibration charts under a standardized and consistent illuminate, and determining characteristics of the imaging system using basal imaging system settings. 32. The method of collecting vehicle parking data of claim 30, wherein building the tonal range profile includes taking multiple images of the same chart using a different ISO setting for each of the multiple images, and using every available ISO setting available within the imaging system. 33. The method of collecting vehicle parking data of claim 28, wherein initializing the imaging system and the lens of the imaging system further comprises adjusting system color tuning. 34. The method of collecting vehicle parking data of claim 26, wherein the imaging system equalizes colorimetrics during image collection of temporally different images of the same parking area. 35. The method of collecting vehicle parking data of claim 34, wherein equalizing colorimetrics includes balancing color temperature. 36. The method of collecting vehicle parking data of claim 35, wherein balancing color temperature includes capturing a first image of a color temperature balance calibration chart in direct sunlight and capturing a second image of the balance calibration chart in shadow, and adjusting color temperature in the images corresponding to a parking area based on a comparison with the first and second images. 37. The method of collecting vehicle parking data of claim 36, wherein balancing color temperature occurs immediately before and immediately after collecting images corresponding to a parking area. 38. The method of collecting vehicle parking data of claim 34, wherein equalizing colorimetrics includes determining black balance. 39. The method of collecting vehicle parking data of claim 38, wherein determining a black balance comprises, after a color temperature reading is recorded and imprinted onto an image processor, and after the imaging system is at operating temperature in an imaging environment, minimizing an iris of the imaging system, covering a lens of the imaging system, reducing an exposure index to a desired setting in order to achieve an absolute minimum exposure value, using a resulting analog to digital converter signal as a reference for true black, and optimizing a signal to noise ratio compensation through a low noise amplifier. 40. The method of collecting vehicle parking data of claim 34, wherein equalizing colorimetrics comprises recording a white and tint balance reference. 41. The method of claim 40, wherein recording the white and tint balance reference comprises capturing a first image of a spectrally neutral white balance card in direct sunlight and capturing a second image of the spectrally neutral white balance chart in shadow, and determining tint settings based on the first and second images. 42. The method of collecting vehicle parking data of claim 34, wherein equalizing colorimetrics comprises determining a color calibration reference. 43. The method of collecting vehicle parking data of claim 42, wherein determining a color calibration reference comprises recording an image of a certified color calibration chart while collecting the images corresponding to the parking area. 44. The method of collecting vehicle parking data of claim 26, wherein the imaging system filters light during image collection. 45. The method of collecting vehicle parking data of claim 26, wherein the imaging system determines orientation relative to a projected coordinate system. 46. The method of collecting vehicle parking data of claim 17, wherein preprocessing images comprises stitching together the overlapping images, orthorectifying the stitched images, and orthomosaic tiling the orthorectified stitched images. 47. The method of collecting vehicle parking data of claim 17, wherein identifying vehicles comprises a neural network identifying vehicles in the images by segmenting pixels of an image containing a vehicle portion into segments representing a single vehicle. 48. The method of collecting vehicle parking data of claim 17, wherein identifying vehicles comprises verifying vehicle identification by a neural network based on a number of pixels in a segment representing a vehicle. 49. The method of collecting vehicle parking data of claim 17, wherein detecting vehicle change includes comparing segments from temporally different images of the same parking spot. 50. The method of collecting vehicle parking data of claim 40, wherein comparing segments includes comparing at least one selected from a group consisting of number of pixels for each vehicle, average pixel colors, segment centers, and vehicle orientation. | A method of collecting vehicle parking data includes preprocessing images of a parking area, identifying a vehicle in a parking spot shown in one or more of the images, and detecting a vehicle change in the parking spot in the images collected at different times.1. A vehicle parking data collection system comprising:
an image preprocessing system configured to produce a tiled, orthorectified orthomosaic of images corresponding to a parking area from a plurality of overlapping images of the parking area; a vehicle identification system configured to identify a vehicle in a parking spot of the parking area shown in one or more of the images; and a change detection system configured to detect a vehicle change in the parking spot of the parking area in the images collected at different times. 2. The vehicle parking data collection system of claim 1, further comprising an image conditioning system configured to condition the overlapping images of the parking area for at least one of image preprocessing, vehicle identification, and change detection. 3. The vehicle parking data collection system of claim 2, wherein the image conditioning system is configured to determine colorimetrics after the overlapping images are collected. 4. The vehicle parking data collection system of claim 2, wherein the image conditioning system is configured to format transcode. 5. The vehicle parking data collection system of claim 1, further comprising an image masking system configured to mask non-parking areas. 6. The vehicle parking data collection system of claim 1, further comprising an image enhancement system configured to put polygons around parking areas and to put centroids in parking spots. 7. The vehicle parking data collection system of claim 1, further comprising an aerial vehicle including an imaging system configured to collect the plurality of overlapping images of the parking area. 8. The vehicle parking data collection system of claim 7, further comprising an imaging system calibration system configured to calibrate the imaging system and a lens of the imaging system. 9. The vehicle parking data collection system of claim 7, wherein the imaging system is configured to equalize colorimetrics during image collection of temporally different images of the same parking area. 10. The vehicle parking data collection system of claim 7, wherein the imaging system is configured to filter light during image collection. 11. The vehicle parking data collection system of claim 7, wherein the imaging system is configured to determine orientation relative to a projected coordinate system. 12. The vehicle parking data collection system of claim 1, wherein the image preprocessing system is configured to stitch together the overlapping images, orthorectify the stitched images, and orthomosaic tile the orthorectified stitched images. 13. The vehicle parking data collection system of claim 1, wherein the vehicle identification system includes a neural network trained to identify vehicles in the images by segmenting pixels of an image containing a vehicle portion into segments representing a single vehicle. 14. The vehicle parking data collection system of claim 13, wherein the vehicle identification system is configured to verify vehicle identification by the neural network based on a number of pixels in a segment representing a vehicle. 15. The vehicle parking data collection system of claim 1, wherein the change detection system is configured to compare segments from temporally different images of the same parking spot. 16. The vehicle parking data collection system of claim 15, wherein comparing segments includes comparing at least one of pixel colors, segment centers, and vehicle orientation. 17. A method of collecting vehicle parking data comprising:
preprocessing images of a parking area to produce a tiled, orthorectified orthomosaic of the images; identifying a vehicle in a parking spot of the parking area shown in one or more of the images; and detecting a vehicle change in the parking spot of the parking area in the images collected at different times. 18. The method of collecting vehicle parking data of claim 17, further comprising conditioning the images for at least one of image preprocessing, vehicle identification, and change detection. 19. The method of collecting vehicle parking data of claim 18, wherein conditioning the images includes determining ex situ colorimetrics, determining ex situ colorimetric comprising taking a series of color readings of the images, producing an average reading, applying the average reading to the images, applying readings taken from a spectrally neutral WBC recorded under incident shadow during collection of the images to a luminance node restricted to lowest ends of a waveform in each image, and removing a color temperature dissonance cast by shadows onto vehicles at different times of day. 20. The method of collecting vehicle parking data of claim 19, wherein determining ex situ colorimetrics further comprises verifying tint balance by using the readings of the spectrally neutral WBC to measure a green and a magenta tint balance in order to normalize an x and y axis of a color white point scale. 21. The method of collecting vehicle parking data of claim 19, wherein determining ex situ colorimetrics further comprises using an image of a standardized color calibration chart recorded during collection of the images corresponding to the parking area to calibrate each color channel, and to determine an accurate representation of color. 22. The method of collecting vehicle parking data of claim 19, wherein determining ex situ colorimetrics further comprises reducing chromatic noise to reduce erratic pixel coloration inherent in an on-board image processor. 23. The method of collecting vehicle parking data of claim 18, wherein conditioning the images includes formatting transcode. 24. The method of collecting vehicle parking data of claim 17, further comprising masking non-parking areas. 25. The method of collecting vehicle parking data of claim 17, further comprising enhancing the images to place polygons around parking areas and centroids in parking spots. 26. The method of collecting vehicle parking data of claim 17, further comprising an aerial vehicle including an imaging system collecting images of the parking area. 27. The method of collecting vehicle parking data of claim 26, wherein the aerial vehicle collects images of the parking area at different times to produce different temporal batches of images. 28. The method of collecting vehicle parking data of claim 26, further comprising initializing the imaging system and a lens of the imaging system. 29. The method of collecting vehicle parking data of claim 28, wherein initializing the imaging system and the lens of the imaging system further comprises determining a geometry of the lens. 30. The method of collecting vehicle parking data of claim 28, wherein initializing the imaging system and the lens of the imaging system further comprises building a tonal range profile. 31. The method of collecting vehicle parking data of claim 30, wherein building the tonal range profile further comprises taking multiple images of calibration charts under a standardized and consistent illuminate, and determining characteristics of the imaging system using basal imaging system settings. 32. The method of collecting vehicle parking data of claim 30, wherein building the tonal range profile includes taking multiple images of the same chart using a different ISO setting for each of the multiple images, and using every available ISO setting available within the imaging system. 33. The method of collecting vehicle parking data of claim 28, wherein initializing the imaging system and the lens of the imaging system further comprises adjusting system color tuning. 34. The method of collecting vehicle parking data of claim 26, wherein the imaging system equalizes colorimetrics during image collection of temporally different images of the same parking area. 35. The method of collecting vehicle parking data of claim 34, wherein equalizing colorimetrics includes balancing color temperature. 36. The method of collecting vehicle parking data of claim 35, wherein balancing color temperature includes capturing a first image of a color temperature balance calibration chart in direct sunlight and capturing a second image of the balance calibration chart in shadow, and adjusting color temperature in the images corresponding to a parking area based on a comparison with the first and second images. 37. The method of collecting vehicle parking data of claim 36, wherein balancing color temperature occurs immediately before and immediately after collecting images corresponding to a parking area. 38. The method of collecting vehicle parking data of claim 34, wherein equalizing colorimetrics includes determining black balance. 39. The method of collecting vehicle parking data of claim 38, wherein determining a black balance comprises, after a color temperature reading is recorded and imprinted onto an image processor, and after the imaging system is at operating temperature in an imaging environment, minimizing an iris of the imaging system, covering a lens of the imaging system, reducing an exposure index to a desired setting in order to achieve an absolute minimum exposure value, using a resulting analog to digital converter signal as a reference for true black, and optimizing a signal to noise ratio compensation through a low noise amplifier. 40. The method of collecting vehicle parking data of claim 34, wherein equalizing colorimetrics comprises recording a white and tint balance reference. 41. The method of claim 40, wherein recording the white and tint balance reference comprises capturing a first image of a spectrally neutral white balance card in direct sunlight and capturing a second image of the spectrally neutral white balance chart in shadow, and determining tint settings based on the first and second images. 42. The method of collecting vehicle parking data of claim 34, wherein equalizing colorimetrics comprises determining a color calibration reference. 43. The method of collecting vehicle parking data of claim 42, wherein determining a color calibration reference comprises recording an image of a certified color calibration chart while collecting the images corresponding to the parking area. 44. The method of collecting vehicle parking data of claim 26, wherein the imaging system filters light during image collection. 45. The method of collecting vehicle parking data of claim 26, wherein the imaging system determines orientation relative to a projected coordinate system. 46. The method of collecting vehicle parking data of claim 17, wherein preprocessing images comprises stitching together the overlapping images, orthorectifying the stitched images, and orthomosaic tiling the orthorectified stitched images. 47. The method of collecting vehicle parking data of claim 17, wherein identifying vehicles comprises a neural network identifying vehicles in the images by segmenting pixels of an image containing a vehicle portion into segments representing a single vehicle. 48. The method of collecting vehicle parking data of claim 17, wherein identifying vehicles comprises verifying vehicle identification by a neural network based on a number of pixels in a segment representing a vehicle. 49. The method of collecting vehicle parking data of claim 17, wherein detecting vehicle change includes comparing segments from temporally different images of the same parking spot. 50. The method of collecting vehicle parking data of claim 40, wherein comparing segments includes comparing at least one selected from a group consisting of number of pixels for each vehicle, average pixel colors, segment centers, and vehicle orientation. | 2,400 |
339,964 | 16,800,945 | 2,458 | A module panel and method include an exterior housing, at least one heat sink disposed in the housing, a power delivery circuit disposed in the housing and coupled to one side of the at least one heat sink, and a controller circuit disposed in the housing and coupled to an opposite side of the at least one heat sink. The power delivery circuit operates using one or more different voltages than the controller circuit. | 1. A module panel comprising:
an exterior housing; at least one heat sink disposed in the housing; a power delivery circuit disposed in the housing and coupled to one side of the at least one heat sink; and a controller circuit disposed in the housing and coupled to an opposite side of the at least one heat sink, wherein the power delivery circuit operates using one or more different voltages than the controller circuit. 2. The module panel of claim 1, wherein the at least one heat sink comprises:
a first heat sink proximate to the power delivery circuit; and a second heat sink proximate to the controller circuit. 3. The module panel of claim 1, wherein the housing includes one or more connectors conductively coupled with the power delivery circuit and with the controller circuit, the one or more connectors configured to interchangeably mate with any of plural electrical interfaces of a rack in a modular rack system such that the housing is interchangeable in the rack with one or more other module panels having one or more electronic circuits that perform another function. 4. The module panel of claim 3, wherein the housing is formed from a non-conductive material. 5. The module panel of claim 4, wherein no conductive path exists between the housing and a weldment or another enclosure of the modular rack system while the housing is coupled with the rack of the modular rack system. 6. The module panel of claim 1, wherein the housing includes ports through which air flows through the housing along a flow direction, and the at least one heat sink includes several fins spaced apart from each other in directions that are orthogonal to the flow direction. 7. The module panel of claim 1, wherein the at least one heat sink is formed from a bimetallic material. 8. The module panel of claim 7, wherein the at least one heat sink is formed from a plate elongated in orthogonal directions of a plane that is parallel to the circuits, and the at least one heat sink includes elongated, spaced-apart fins projecting from the plate, the plate formed from a first metal, the fins formed from a different, second metal. 9. The module panel of claim 1, wherein the power delivery circuit operates using greater voltages than the controller circuit. 10. The module panel of claim 9, wherein the power delivery circuit is disposed vertically above the controller circuit. 11. The module panel of claim 1, wherein the power delivery circuit is configured to change an electric current supplied to a traction system of a vehicle and the controller circuit is configured to control operation of the power delivery circuit. 12. The module panel of claim 1, wherein the housing is formed from a composite material. 13. The module panel of claim 12, wherein the housing is formed from a polymer shell having one or more connector channels and metal support liners disposed inside the one or more connector channels. 14. The module panel of claim 12, wherein the composite material from which the housing is formed is thermally conductive but electrically insulative. 15. The module panel of claim 1, wherein the housing is formed from a non-metallic material. 16. The module panel of claim 1, wherein the module panel is configured to mate with one or more electrical interfaces of a rack that is conductively coupled with a power delivery system of a vehicle. 17. The module panel of claim 1, further comprising an inverter having a switch. 18. The module panel of claim 1, further comprising a rectifier having a diode. 19. A method comprising:
disposing at least one heat sink in a housing of a module panel; disposing a power delivery circuit in the housing; coupling the power delivery circuit to one side of the at least one heat sink; disposing a controller circuit in the housing; coupling the controller circuit to an opposite side of the at least one heat sink; using one or more first voltages to operate the power delivery circuit; and using one more second voltages that differ from the first voltages to operate the controller circuit. 20. The method of claim 19, wherein the at least one heat sink comprises:
a first heat sink proximate to the power delivery circuit; and a second heat sink proximate to the controller circuit. | A module panel and method include an exterior housing, at least one heat sink disposed in the housing, a power delivery circuit disposed in the housing and coupled to one side of the at least one heat sink, and a controller circuit disposed in the housing and coupled to an opposite side of the at least one heat sink. The power delivery circuit operates using one or more different voltages than the controller circuit.1. A module panel comprising:
an exterior housing; at least one heat sink disposed in the housing; a power delivery circuit disposed in the housing and coupled to one side of the at least one heat sink; and a controller circuit disposed in the housing and coupled to an opposite side of the at least one heat sink, wherein the power delivery circuit operates using one or more different voltages than the controller circuit. 2. The module panel of claim 1, wherein the at least one heat sink comprises:
a first heat sink proximate to the power delivery circuit; and a second heat sink proximate to the controller circuit. 3. The module panel of claim 1, wherein the housing includes one or more connectors conductively coupled with the power delivery circuit and with the controller circuit, the one or more connectors configured to interchangeably mate with any of plural electrical interfaces of a rack in a modular rack system such that the housing is interchangeable in the rack with one or more other module panels having one or more electronic circuits that perform another function. 4. The module panel of claim 3, wherein the housing is formed from a non-conductive material. 5. The module panel of claim 4, wherein no conductive path exists between the housing and a weldment or another enclosure of the modular rack system while the housing is coupled with the rack of the modular rack system. 6. The module panel of claim 1, wherein the housing includes ports through which air flows through the housing along a flow direction, and the at least one heat sink includes several fins spaced apart from each other in directions that are orthogonal to the flow direction. 7. The module panel of claim 1, wherein the at least one heat sink is formed from a bimetallic material. 8. The module panel of claim 7, wherein the at least one heat sink is formed from a plate elongated in orthogonal directions of a plane that is parallel to the circuits, and the at least one heat sink includes elongated, spaced-apart fins projecting from the plate, the plate formed from a first metal, the fins formed from a different, second metal. 9. The module panel of claim 1, wherein the power delivery circuit operates using greater voltages than the controller circuit. 10. The module panel of claim 9, wherein the power delivery circuit is disposed vertically above the controller circuit. 11. The module panel of claim 1, wherein the power delivery circuit is configured to change an electric current supplied to a traction system of a vehicle and the controller circuit is configured to control operation of the power delivery circuit. 12. The module panel of claim 1, wherein the housing is formed from a composite material. 13. The module panel of claim 12, wherein the housing is formed from a polymer shell having one or more connector channels and metal support liners disposed inside the one or more connector channels. 14. The module panel of claim 12, wherein the composite material from which the housing is formed is thermally conductive but electrically insulative. 15. The module panel of claim 1, wherein the housing is formed from a non-metallic material. 16. The module panel of claim 1, wherein the module panel is configured to mate with one or more electrical interfaces of a rack that is conductively coupled with a power delivery system of a vehicle. 17. The module panel of claim 1, further comprising an inverter having a switch. 18. The module panel of claim 1, further comprising a rectifier having a diode. 19. A method comprising:
disposing at least one heat sink in a housing of a module panel; disposing a power delivery circuit in the housing; coupling the power delivery circuit to one side of the at least one heat sink; disposing a controller circuit in the housing; coupling the controller circuit to an opposite side of the at least one heat sink; using one or more first voltages to operate the power delivery circuit; and using one more second voltages that differ from the first voltages to operate the controller circuit. 20. The method of claim 19, wherein the at least one heat sink comprises:
a first heat sink proximate to the power delivery circuit; and a second heat sink proximate to the controller circuit. | 2,400 |
339,965 | 16,800,942 | 2,458 | The method is applied to an SDN network, where the SDN network includes one target computing apparatus and a plurality of openflow switches. The target computing apparatus communicates with the plurality of openflow switches. The method includes: receiving, by the target computing apparatus, a first bridge protocol data unit (BPDU) packet sent by a first openflow switch, where the first BPDU packet carries a device identifier and a port identifier; generating, by the target computing apparatus, a feedback packet based on the first BPDU packet, where the feedback packet includes spanning tree protocol information of a conventional switching device, and carries the port identifier; and sending, by the target computing apparatus, the feedback packet to the first openflow switch based on the device identifier. | 1. A packet processing method, wherein the method is applied to a software-defined networking (SDN) network, the SDN network comprises target computing apparatus and a plurality of openflow switches, and the target computing apparatus communicates with the plurality of openflow switches, the method comprising:
receiving, by the target computing apparatus, a first bridge protocol data unit (BPDU) packet sent by a first openflow switch, wherein the first BPDU packet carries a device identifier and a port identifier, the device identifier is used to indicate the first openflow switch, the port identifier is used to indicate a port that is on the first openflow switch and that receives a second BPDU packet, the second BPDU packet is from a conventional switching device outside the SDN network, the first BPDU packet is obtained by adding the device identifier and the port identifier to the second BPDU packet, the second BPDU packet is used to compute spanning tree protocol information of the conventional switching device, and the plurality of openflow switches comprise the first openflow switch; generating, by the target computing apparatus, a feedback packet based on the first BPDU packet, wherein the feedback packet comprises the spanning tree protocol information of the conventional switching device, and carries the port identifier; and sending, by the target computing apparatus, the feedback packet to the first openflow switch based on the device identifier. 2. The packet processing method according to claim 1, wherein
the feedback packet further comprises a bridge identifier of the target computing apparatus, and the bridge identifier is a unique identifier of the target computing apparatus. 3. The packet processing method according to claim 1, wherein
the SDN network further comprises an SDN controller, and the SDN controller comprises the target computing apparatus. 4. A target computing apparatus, wherein the target computing apparatus is included in a software-defined networking (SDN) network, the SDN network comprises the target computing apparatus and a plurality of openflow switches, and the target computing apparatus communicates with the plurality of openflow switches, and the target computing apparatus comprises:
a memory configured to store a computer program instruction; and a processor configured to read the computer program instruction to perform: receiving a first BPDU packet sent by a first openflow switch, wherein the first bridge protocol data unit (BPDU) packet carries a device identifier and a port identifier, the device identifier is used to indicate the first openflow switch, the port identifier is used to indicate a port that is on the first openflow switch and that receives a second BPDU packet, the second BPDU packet is from a conventional switching device outside the SDN network, the first BPDU packet is obtained by adding the device identifier and the port identifier to the second BPDU packet, the second BPDU packet is used to compute spanning tree protocol information of the conventional switching device, and the plurality of openflow switches comprise the first openflow switch; generating a feedback packet based on the first BPDU packet, wherein the feedback packet comprises the spanning tree protocol information of the conventional switching device, and the feedback packet carries the port identifier; and sending the feedback packet to the first openflow switch based on the device identifier. 5. The target computing apparatus according to claim 4, wherein
the feedback packet further comprises a bridge identifier of the target computing apparatus, and the bridge identifier is a unique identifier of the target computing apparatus. 6. The target computing apparatus according to claim 4, wherein
the SDN network further comprises an SDN controller, and the SDN controller comprises the target computing apparatus. 7. An openflow switch, wherein the openflow switch is included in a software-defined networking (SDN) network, the SDN network comprises a target computing apparatus and a plurality of openflow switches, and the target computing apparatus communicates with the plurality of openflow switches, and the openflow switch comprises:
a memory configured to store a computer program instruction; and a processor configured to read the computer program instruction to perform: receiving a second BPDU packet sent by a conventional switching device outside the SDN; sending a first bridge protocol data unit (BPDU) packet to the target computing apparatus, wherein the first BPDU packet carries a device identifier and a port identifier, the device identifier is used to indicate the openflow switch, the port identifier is used to indicate a port that is on the openflow switch and that receives the second BPDU packet, the first BPDU packet is obtained by adding the device identifier and the port identifier to the second BPDU packet, and the second BPDU packet is used to compute spanning tree protocol information of the conventional switching device; receiving a feedback packet sent by the target computing apparatus, wherein the feedback packet is generated by the target computing apparatus based on the first BPDU packet and comprises the spanning tree protocol information of the conventional switching device and carries the port identifier; and sending the feedback packet to the conventional switching device through the port corresponding to the port identifier. 8. The openflow switch according to claim 7, wherein
the feedback packet further comprises a bridge identifier of the target computing apparatus, and the bridge identifier is a unique identifier of the target computing apparatus. 9. The openflow switch according to claim 7, wherein
the SDN network further comprises an SDN controller, and the SDN controller comprises the target computing apparatus. | The method is applied to an SDN network, where the SDN network includes one target computing apparatus and a plurality of openflow switches. The target computing apparatus communicates with the plurality of openflow switches. The method includes: receiving, by the target computing apparatus, a first bridge protocol data unit (BPDU) packet sent by a first openflow switch, where the first BPDU packet carries a device identifier and a port identifier; generating, by the target computing apparatus, a feedback packet based on the first BPDU packet, where the feedback packet includes spanning tree protocol information of a conventional switching device, and carries the port identifier; and sending, by the target computing apparatus, the feedback packet to the first openflow switch based on the device identifier.1. A packet processing method, wherein the method is applied to a software-defined networking (SDN) network, the SDN network comprises target computing apparatus and a plurality of openflow switches, and the target computing apparatus communicates with the plurality of openflow switches, the method comprising:
receiving, by the target computing apparatus, a first bridge protocol data unit (BPDU) packet sent by a first openflow switch, wherein the first BPDU packet carries a device identifier and a port identifier, the device identifier is used to indicate the first openflow switch, the port identifier is used to indicate a port that is on the first openflow switch and that receives a second BPDU packet, the second BPDU packet is from a conventional switching device outside the SDN network, the first BPDU packet is obtained by adding the device identifier and the port identifier to the second BPDU packet, the second BPDU packet is used to compute spanning tree protocol information of the conventional switching device, and the plurality of openflow switches comprise the first openflow switch; generating, by the target computing apparatus, a feedback packet based on the first BPDU packet, wherein the feedback packet comprises the spanning tree protocol information of the conventional switching device, and carries the port identifier; and sending, by the target computing apparatus, the feedback packet to the first openflow switch based on the device identifier. 2. The packet processing method according to claim 1, wherein
the feedback packet further comprises a bridge identifier of the target computing apparatus, and the bridge identifier is a unique identifier of the target computing apparatus. 3. The packet processing method according to claim 1, wherein
the SDN network further comprises an SDN controller, and the SDN controller comprises the target computing apparatus. 4. A target computing apparatus, wherein the target computing apparatus is included in a software-defined networking (SDN) network, the SDN network comprises the target computing apparatus and a plurality of openflow switches, and the target computing apparatus communicates with the plurality of openflow switches, and the target computing apparatus comprises:
a memory configured to store a computer program instruction; and a processor configured to read the computer program instruction to perform: receiving a first BPDU packet sent by a first openflow switch, wherein the first bridge protocol data unit (BPDU) packet carries a device identifier and a port identifier, the device identifier is used to indicate the first openflow switch, the port identifier is used to indicate a port that is on the first openflow switch and that receives a second BPDU packet, the second BPDU packet is from a conventional switching device outside the SDN network, the first BPDU packet is obtained by adding the device identifier and the port identifier to the second BPDU packet, the second BPDU packet is used to compute spanning tree protocol information of the conventional switching device, and the plurality of openflow switches comprise the first openflow switch; generating a feedback packet based on the first BPDU packet, wherein the feedback packet comprises the spanning tree protocol information of the conventional switching device, and the feedback packet carries the port identifier; and sending the feedback packet to the first openflow switch based on the device identifier. 5. The target computing apparatus according to claim 4, wherein
the feedback packet further comprises a bridge identifier of the target computing apparatus, and the bridge identifier is a unique identifier of the target computing apparatus. 6. The target computing apparatus according to claim 4, wherein
the SDN network further comprises an SDN controller, and the SDN controller comprises the target computing apparatus. 7. An openflow switch, wherein the openflow switch is included in a software-defined networking (SDN) network, the SDN network comprises a target computing apparatus and a plurality of openflow switches, and the target computing apparatus communicates with the plurality of openflow switches, and the openflow switch comprises:
a memory configured to store a computer program instruction; and a processor configured to read the computer program instruction to perform: receiving a second BPDU packet sent by a conventional switching device outside the SDN; sending a first bridge protocol data unit (BPDU) packet to the target computing apparatus, wherein the first BPDU packet carries a device identifier and a port identifier, the device identifier is used to indicate the openflow switch, the port identifier is used to indicate a port that is on the openflow switch and that receives the second BPDU packet, the first BPDU packet is obtained by adding the device identifier and the port identifier to the second BPDU packet, and the second BPDU packet is used to compute spanning tree protocol information of the conventional switching device; receiving a feedback packet sent by the target computing apparatus, wherein the feedback packet is generated by the target computing apparatus based on the first BPDU packet and comprises the spanning tree protocol information of the conventional switching device and carries the port identifier; and sending the feedback packet to the conventional switching device through the port corresponding to the port identifier. 8. The openflow switch according to claim 7, wherein
the feedback packet further comprises a bridge identifier of the target computing apparatus, and the bridge identifier is a unique identifier of the target computing apparatus. 9. The openflow switch according to claim 7, wherein
the SDN network further comprises an SDN controller, and the SDN controller comprises the target computing apparatus. | 2,400 |
339,966 | 16,800,970 | 3,791 | Devices and methods for sizing valve apertures and luminal organs. In at least one embodiment of a device for obtaining measurements within a luminal organ of the present disclosure, the device comprises an elongated body having a distal end and at least two electrodes positioned at the distal end of the elongated body or to a portion of the device distal tot the distal end of the elongated body, the device configured to obtain data sufficient to determine a dimensional measurement within the mammalian luminal organ when positioned and operated therein. | 1. A device for obtaining measurements within a mammalian luminal organ, comprising:
an elongated body having a distal end; and at least two electrodes positioned at the distal end of the elongated body or to a portion of the device distal tot the distal end of the elongated body; the device configured to obtain data sufficient to determine a dimensional measurement within the mammalian luminal organ when positioned and operated therein. | Devices and methods for sizing valve apertures and luminal organs. In at least one embodiment of a device for obtaining measurements within a luminal organ of the present disclosure, the device comprises an elongated body having a distal end and at least two electrodes positioned at the distal end of the elongated body or to a portion of the device distal tot the distal end of the elongated body, the device configured to obtain data sufficient to determine a dimensional measurement within the mammalian luminal organ when positioned and operated therein.1. A device for obtaining measurements within a mammalian luminal organ, comprising:
an elongated body having a distal end; and at least two electrodes positioned at the distal end of the elongated body or to a portion of the device distal tot the distal end of the elongated body; the device configured to obtain data sufficient to determine a dimensional measurement within the mammalian luminal organ when positioned and operated therein. | 3,700 |
339,967 | 16,800,975 | 1,796 | The present disclosure relates to modified conical centrifuge tubes and related methods. | 1. A modified conical centrifuge tube, comprising a screw-on cap with a small nib protruding from the interior of the cap. 2. A modified conical centrifuge tube, comprising a small nib protruding from the exterior of the centrifuge tube. 3. The tube of claim 1, wherein the tube is sterile, and the tube comprises a small nib protruding from the exterior of the centrifuge tube. 4. The tube of claim 1, wherein the tube is not sterile. 5. The tube of claim 1, wherein the tube comprises Polypropylene Polyethylene (PET), Polyallomer (PA) or Polycarbonate (PC) material. 6. The tube of claim 1, wherein the most distal point in the interior of the cap is two (2) millimeters away from the interior side of the cap. 7. The tube of claim 1, wherein the most distal point of the small nib protruding from the exterior of the centrifuge tube is two (2) millimeters away from the exterior side of the tube. | The present disclosure relates to modified conical centrifuge tubes and related methods.1. A modified conical centrifuge tube, comprising a screw-on cap with a small nib protruding from the interior of the cap. 2. A modified conical centrifuge tube, comprising a small nib protruding from the exterior of the centrifuge tube. 3. The tube of claim 1, wherein the tube is sterile, and the tube comprises a small nib protruding from the exterior of the centrifuge tube. 4. The tube of claim 1, wherein the tube is not sterile. 5. The tube of claim 1, wherein the tube comprises Polypropylene Polyethylene (PET), Polyallomer (PA) or Polycarbonate (PC) material. 6. The tube of claim 1, wherein the most distal point in the interior of the cap is two (2) millimeters away from the interior side of the cap. 7. The tube of claim 1, wherein the most distal point of the small nib protruding from the exterior of the centrifuge tube is two (2) millimeters away from the exterior side of the tube. | 1,700 |
339,968 | 16,800,950 | 1,796 | The present disclosure discloses a system and a method. In an example implantation, the system and the method can generate, at a discriminator, a plurality of image patches from an image, determine a plurality of routing coefficients within a capsule network based on the plurality of image patches, generate a prediction indicating whether the image is synthetic or sourced from a real distribution based on the plurality of routing coefficients, and update one or more weights of a generator based on the prediction, wherein the generator is connected to the discriminator. | 1. A system comprising a computer including a processor and a memory, the memory including instructions such that the processor is programmed to:
generate, at a discriminator, a plurality of image patches from an image; determine a plurality of routing coefficients within a capsule network based on the plurality of image patches; generate a prediction indicating whether the image is synthetic or sourced from a real distribution based on the plurality of routing coefficients; and update one or more weights of a generator based on the prediction, wherein the generator is connected to the discriminator. 2. The system of claim 1, wherein the image is generated by the generator. 3. The system of claim 2, wherein the image is based on a simulated image. 4. The system of claim 3, wherein the simulated image is generated by a gaming engine. 5. The system of claim 3, wherein the simulated image depicts a plurality of objects. 6. The system of claim 5, wherein the image depicts the plurality of objects corresponding to an image view of the simulated image. 7. The system of claim 1, wherein each routing coefficient of the plurality of routing coefficients corresponds to routes between capsule layers of the capsule network. 8. A system comprising a computer including a processor and a memory, the memory including instructions such that the processor is programmed to:
generate, at a discriminator, a plurality of image patches from a synthetic image; determine a plurality of routing coefficients within a capsule network based on the plurality of image patches; generate a predicition indicating whether the synthetic image is synthetic or sourced from a real distribution based on the plurality of routing coefficients; and update one or more weights of a generator based on the prediction, wherein the generator is connected to the discriminator. 9. The system of claim 8, wherein the synthetic image is generated by the generator. 10. The system of claim 9, wherein the synthetic image is based on a simulated image. 11. The system of claim 10, wherein the simulated image is generated by a gaming engine. 12. The system of claim 10, wherein the simulated image depicts a plurality of objects. 13. The system of claim 12, wherein the image depicts the plurality of objects corresponding to an image view of the simulated image. 14. The system of claim 8, wherein each routing coefficient of the plurality of routing coefficients corresponds to routes between capsule layers of the capsule network. 15. A method comprising:
generating, at a discriminator, a plurality of image patches from an image; determining a plurality of routing coefficients within a capsule network based on the plurality of image patches; generating a prediction indicating whether the image is synthetic or sourced from a real distribution based on the plurality of routing coefficients; and updating one or more weights of a generator based on the prediction, wherein the generator is connected to the discriminator. 16. The method of claim 15, further comprising generating the image at the generator. 17. The method of claim 16, wherein the image is based on a simulated image. 18. The method of claim 17, wherein the simulated image is generated by a gaming engine. 19. The method of claim 17, wherein the simulated image depicts a plurality of objects. 20. The method of claim 15, wherein each routing coefficient of the plurality of routing coefficients corresponds to routes between capsule layers of the capsule network. | The present disclosure discloses a system and a method. In an example implantation, the system and the method can generate, at a discriminator, a plurality of image patches from an image, determine a plurality of routing coefficients within a capsule network based on the plurality of image patches, generate a prediction indicating whether the image is synthetic or sourced from a real distribution based on the plurality of routing coefficients, and update one or more weights of a generator based on the prediction, wherein the generator is connected to the discriminator.1. A system comprising a computer including a processor and a memory, the memory including instructions such that the processor is programmed to:
generate, at a discriminator, a plurality of image patches from an image; determine a plurality of routing coefficients within a capsule network based on the plurality of image patches; generate a prediction indicating whether the image is synthetic or sourced from a real distribution based on the plurality of routing coefficients; and update one or more weights of a generator based on the prediction, wherein the generator is connected to the discriminator. 2. The system of claim 1, wherein the image is generated by the generator. 3. The system of claim 2, wherein the image is based on a simulated image. 4. The system of claim 3, wherein the simulated image is generated by a gaming engine. 5. The system of claim 3, wherein the simulated image depicts a plurality of objects. 6. The system of claim 5, wherein the image depicts the plurality of objects corresponding to an image view of the simulated image. 7. The system of claim 1, wherein each routing coefficient of the plurality of routing coefficients corresponds to routes between capsule layers of the capsule network. 8. A system comprising a computer including a processor and a memory, the memory including instructions such that the processor is programmed to:
generate, at a discriminator, a plurality of image patches from a synthetic image; determine a plurality of routing coefficients within a capsule network based on the plurality of image patches; generate a predicition indicating whether the synthetic image is synthetic or sourced from a real distribution based on the plurality of routing coefficients; and update one or more weights of a generator based on the prediction, wherein the generator is connected to the discriminator. 9. The system of claim 8, wherein the synthetic image is generated by the generator. 10. The system of claim 9, wherein the synthetic image is based on a simulated image. 11. The system of claim 10, wherein the simulated image is generated by a gaming engine. 12. The system of claim 10, wherein the simulated image depicts a plurality of objects. 13. The system of claim 12, wherein the image depicts the plurality of objects corresponding to an image view of the simulated image. 14. The system of claim 8, wherein each routing coefficient of the plurality of routing coefficients corresponds to routes between capsule layers of the capsule network. 15. A method comprising:
generating, at a discriminator, a plurality of image patches from an image; determining a plurality of routing coefficients within a capsule network based on the plurality of image patches; generating a prediction indicating whether the image is synthetic or sourced from a real distribution based on the plurality of routing coefficients; and updating one or more weights of a generator based on the prediction, wherein the generator is connected to the discriminator. 16. The method of claim 15, further comprising generating the image at the generator. 17. The method of claim 16, wherein the image is based on a simulated image. 18. The method of claim 17, wherein the simulated image is generated by a gaming engine. 19. The method of claim 17, wherein the simulated image depicts a plurality of objects. 20. The method of claim 15, wherein each routing coefficient of the plurality of routing coefficients corresponds to routes between capsule layers of the capsule network. | 1,700 |
339,969 | 16,800,955 | 1,796 | A rod tightening tool includes an elongated member, a clamping assembly and a wrench attachment end. The elongated member has a semi-hollow interior and defines an opening at one end thereof providing access to the semi-hollow interior. The elongated member has a slot formed along a portion thereof that extends to the semi-hollow interior. The clamping assembly has a first member and a second member. The first member is installed for sliding movement along an exterior surface of the elongated member. The second member is installed to the first member such that the first and second members clamp to the elongated member. The wrench attachment end is fixedly attached to the elongated member. | 1. A rod tightening tool, comprising
an elongated member having a semi-hollow interior and defining an opening at one end thereof providing access to the semi-hollow interior, the elongated member having a slot formed along a portion thereof that extends to the semi-hollow interior; a clamping assembly having a first member and a second member, the first member installed for sliding movement along an exterior surface of the elongated member, the second member being installed to the first member such that the first and second members clamp to the elongated member; and a wrench attachment end fixedly attached to the elongated member. 2. The rod tightening tool according to claim 1, wherein
the semi-hollow interior of the elongated member is dimensioned to receive an elongated rod therein such that the clamping assembly clamps the elongated member to the elongated rod. 3. The rod tightening tool according to claim 1, wherein
the slot of the elongated member has a first width proximate the opening in the absence of clamping force by the clamping assembly and with clamping force being applied by the clamping assembly to the elongated member, the width of the slot proximate the opening is reduced to a second width is narrower than the first width. 4. The rod tightening tool according to claim 1, wherein
the elongated member has an overall cylindrical shape, and the first member of the clamping assembly has an annular shape with a central opening dimensioned to receive and slide along the elongated member in the absence of clamping force from the clamping assembly. 5. The rod tightening tool according to claim 4, wherein
the first member of the clamping assembly includes a radially extending opening that extends from an outer surface of the first member to the central opening, the radially extending opening being dimensioned to receive the second member. 6. The rod tightening tool according to claim 5, wherein
the radially extending opening includes internal mechanical threads, and the second member includes external mechanical threads that mate and thread into the internal mechanical threads of the radially extending opening of the first member of the clamping assembly. 7. The rod tightening tool according to claim 1, wherein
the wrench attachment end is configured to receive a wrench for applying torque to the elongated member. 8. The rod tightening tool according to claim 7, wherein
the wrench attachment end has a hexagonal shape. 9. The rod tightening tool according to claim 1, wherein
the elongated member includes a recess that extends around the outer surface of the elongated member proximate the opening, with a retaining member installed to the recess. 10. The rod tightening tool according to claim 9, wherein
the retaining member is made of an elastic material. 11. The rod tightening tool according to claim 9, wherein
the retaining member is an elastic C-type ring that includes a gap. 12. The rod tightening tool according to claim 9, wherein
the retaining member is dimensioned and positioned to stop sliding movement of the clamping member proximate the opening. 13. The rod tightening tool according to claim 1, wherein
the slot of the elongated member includes a pair of slots defined along opposite sides of the elongated member parallel to one another. 14. A rod tightening tool, comprising
an elongated member having a first end, a second end and a cylindrically shaped outer surface that defines a semi-hollow interior with an opening at the first end thereof, the elongated member having a slot formed along a portion thereof that extends to the semi-hollow interior and the opening; a clamping assembly having a first member and a second member, the first member having a central opening dimensioned to receive the elongated member such that the first member is slidable along the cylindrical surface, the second member being installed to the first member such that the first and second members clamp to the elongated member; and a wrench attachment end fixedly attached to the second end of the elongated member. 15. The rod tightening tool according to claim 14, wherein
the semi-hollow interior of the elongated member is dimensioned to receive an elongated rod therein such that the clamping assembly clamps the elongated member to the elongated rod. 16. The rod tightening tool according to claim 14, wherein
the first member of the clamping assembly includes a radially extending opening that extends from an outer surface of the first member to the central opening, the radially extending opening being dimensioned to receive the second member. 17. The rod tightening tool according to claim 16, wherein
the radially extending opening includes internal mechanical threads, and the second member includes external mechanical threads that mate and thread into the internal mechanical threads of the radially extending opening of the first member of the clamping assembly. 18. The rod tightening tool according to claim 14, wherein
the wrench attachment end has a hexagonal shape configured to receive a wrench for applying torque to the elongated member. 19. The rod tightening tool according to claim 14, wherein
the elongated member includes a recess that extends around the outer surface of the elongated member proximate the opening, with a retaining member installed to the recess. 20. The rod tightening tool according to claim 19, wherein
the retaining member is made of an elastic material and is dimensioned and positioned to stop sliding movement of the clamping member proximate the opening. | A rod tightening tool includes an elongated member, a clamping assembly and a wrench attachment end. The elongated member has a semi-hollow interior and defines an opening at one end thereof providing access to the semi-hollow interior. The elongated member has a slot formed along a portion thereof that extends to the semi-hollow interior. The clamping assembly has a first member and a second member. The first member is installed for sliding movement along an exterior surface of the elongated member. The second member is installed to the first member such that the first and second members clamp to the elongated member. The wrench attachment end is fixedly attached to the elongated member.1. A rod tightening tool, comprising
an elongated member having a semi-hollow interior and defining an opening at one end thereof providing access to the semi-hollow interior, the elongated member having a slot formed along a portion thereof that extends to the semi-hollow interior; a clamping assembly having a first member and a second member, the first member installed for sliding movement along an exterior surface of the elongated member, the second member being installed to the first member such that the first and second members clamp to the elongated member; and a wrench attachment end fixedly attached to the elongated member. 2. The rod tightening tool according to claim 1, wherein
the semi-hollow interior of the elongated member is dimensioned to receive an elongated rod therein such that the clamping assembly clamps the elongated member to the elongated rod. 3. The rod tightening tool according to claim 1, wherein
the slot of the elongated member has a first width proximate the opening in the absence of clamping force by the clamping assembly and with clamping force being applied by the clamping assembly to the elongated member, the width of the slot proximate the opening is reduced to a second width is narrower than the first width. 4. The rod tightening tool according to claim 1, wherein
the elongated member has an overall cylindrical shape, and the first member of the clamping assembly has an annular shape with a central opening dimensioned to receive and slide along the elongated member in the absence of clamping force from the clamping assembly. 5. The rod tightening tool according to claim 4, wherein
the first member of the clamping assembly includes a radially extending opening that extends from an outer surface of the first member to the central opening, the radially extending opening being dimensioned to receive the second member. 6. The rod tightening tool according to claim 5, wherein
the radially extending opening includes internal mechanical threads, and the second member includes external mechanical threads that mate and thread into the internal mechanical threads of the radially extending opening of the first member of the clamping assembly. 7. The rod tightening tool according to claim 1, wherein
the wrench attachment end is configured to receive a wrench for applying torque to the elongated member. 8. The rod tightening tool according to claim 7, wherein
the wrench attachment end has a hexagonal shape. 9. The rod tightening tool according to claim 1, wherein
the elongated member includes a recess that extends around the outer surface of the elongated member proximate the opening, with a retaining member installed to the recess. 10. The rod tightening tool according to claim 9, wherein
the retaining member is made of an elastic material. 11. The rod tightening tool according to claim 9, wherein
the retaining member is an elastic C-type ring that includes a gap. 12. The rod tightening tool according to claim 9, wherein
the retaining member is dimensioned and positioned to stop sliding movement of the clamping member proximate the opening. 13. The rod tightening tool according to claim 1, wherein
the slot of the elongated member includes a pair of slots defined along opposite sides of the elongated member parallel to one another. 14. A rod tightening tool, comprising
an elongated member having a first end, a second end and a cylindrically shaped outer surface that defines a semi-hollow interior with an opening at the first end thereof, the elongated member having a slot formed along a portion thereof that extends to the semi-hollow interior and the opening; a clamping assembly having a first member and a second member, the first member having a central opening dimensioned to receive the elongated member such that the first member is slidable along the cylindrical surface, the second member being installed to the first member such that the first and second members clamp to the elongated member; and a wrench attachment end fixedly attached to the second end of the elongated member. 15. The rod tightening tool according to claim 14, wherein
the semi-hollow interior of the elongated member is dimensioned to receive an elongated rod therein such that the clamping assembly clamps the elongated member to the elongated rod. 16. The rod tightening tool according to claim 14, wherein
the first member of the clamping assembly includes a radially extending opening that extends from an outer surface of the first member to the central opening, the radially extending opening being dimensioned to receive the second member. 17. The rod tightening tool according to claim 16, wherein
the radially extending opening includes internal mechanical threads, and the second member includes external mechanical threads that mate and thread into the internal mechanical threads of the radially extending opening of the first member of the clamping assembly. 18. The rod tightening tool according to claim 14, wherein
the wrench attachment end has a hexagonal shape configured to receive a wrench for applying torque to the elongated member. 19. The rod tightening tool according to claim 14, wherein
the elongated member includes a recess that extends around the outer surface of the elongated member proximate the opening, with a retaining member installed to the recess. 20. The rod tightening tool according to claim 19, wherein
the retaining member is made of an elastic material and is dimensioned and positioned to stop sliding movement of the clamping member proximate the opening. | 1,700 |
339,970 | 16,800,940 | 1,796 | Aspects are provided for retaining components of an assembly to a support, including additively manufactured (AM) parts of a vehicle chassis to an assembly table. A cartridge for securing the component to the assembly table is provided which includes a housing including at least one compartment, an adhesive disposed within the at least one compartment, a fastener removably attached to the assembly table, and a membrane lid enclosing an opening of the housing. The membrane lid is configured to receive a protruding member from the component such that the protruding member becomes adhered to the adhesive upon penetrating the membrane lid. The cartridge thus allows the component to be quickly retained in any selected position while constraining movement of the component along six degrees of freedom, thereby allowing AM and non-AM parts to be securely retained to accommodate strict tolerance and precise fit between the components of the assembly. | 1. A cartridge for securing a component of an assembly to a support, the cartridge comprising:
a housing including at least one compartment; an adhesive within the at least one compartment; a fastener connected to the housing and removably attached to the support; and a membrane lid enclosing an opening of the housing and configured to receive a protruding member from the component such that the protruding member becomes adhered to the adhesive upon penetrating the membrane lid. 2. The cartridge of claim 1, wherein the component comprises at least a part, a sub-assembly, or an assembly of a chassis. 3. The cartridge of claim 1, wherein the assembly is within a vertical assembly cell. 4. The cartridge of claim 1, wherein the adhesive comprises a low-viscosity, quick set adhesive. 5. The cartridge of claim 1, wherein the at least one compartment comprises a first compartment and a second compartment, wherein the adhesive is a two-part adhesive comprising a resin and a hardener, and wherein the resin is disposed within the first compartment and the hardener is disposed within the second compartment. 6. The cartridge of claim 5, further comprising a divider disposed between and separating the first compartment and the second compartment, the divider forming a seal against the housing. 7. The cartridge of claim 6, wherein the divider comprises a film sheathing, and wherein the resin and the hardener are configured to mix upon breakage of the film sheathing by the protruding member of the component. 8. The cartridge of claim 6, wherein the divider includes a plurality of orifices, and wherein the resin and the hardener are configured to mix through the plurality of orifices upon displacement of the divider by the protruding member of the component. 9. The cartridge of claim 6, wherein the divider is pressurized to allow the resin and the hardener to volatilely mix upon breakage of the divider. 10. The cartridge of claim 6, further comprising at least one divider guide disposed within the at least one compartment for holding the divider in place within the housing. 11. The cartridge of claim 1, wherein the component is constrained in movement along six degrees of freedom when inserted into the at least one compartment. 12. The cartridge of claim 1, wherein the protruding member includes saw-tooth edges configured to grip and form a seal against the membrane lid. 13. A vehicle chassis assembly comprising:
a chassis comprising a plurality of components, each component including a protruding member; and a plurality of cartridges for individually securing each component to a support, each cartridge comprising:
a housing including at least one compartment;
an adhesive within the at least one compartment;
a fastener connected to the housing and removably attached to the support; and
a membrane lid enclosing an opening of the housing and configured to receive a protruding member from the component such that the protruding member becomes adhered to the adhesive upon penetrating the membrane lid. 14. The vehicle chassis assembly of claim 13, wherein the chassis is within a vertical assembly cell. 15. The vehicle chassis assembly of claim 13, wherein the at least one compartment comprises a first compartment and a second compartment, wherein the adhesive is a two-part adhesive comprising a resin and a hardener, and wherein the resin is disposed within the first compartment and the hardener is disposed within the second compartment. 16. The vehicle chassis assembly of claim 15, further comprising a divider disposed between and separating the first compartment and the second compartment, the divider forming a seal against the housing. 17. The vehicle chassis assembly of claim 16, wherein the divider comprises a film sheathing, and wherein the resin and the hardener are configured to mix upon breakage of the film sheathing by the protruding member of the component. 18. The vehicle chassis assembly of claim 16, wherein the divider includes a plurality of orifices, and wherein the resin and the hardener are configured to mix through the plurality of orifices upon displacement of the divider by the protruding member of the component. 19. A method of securing a component of an assembly to a support, the method comprising:
attaching a cartridge to the support, the cartridge comprising:
a housing including at least one compartment;
an adhesive within the at least one compartment;
a membrane lid enclosing an opening of the housing; and
a fastener connected to the housing for removable attachment to the support;
inserting a protruding member of the component into the cartridge; and retaining the protruding member in the cartridge using the adhesive. 20. The method of claim 19, wherein the at least one compartment comprises a first compartment and a second compartment, wherein the adhesive is a two-part adhesive comprising a resin and a hardener, wherein the resin is disposed within the first compartment and the hardener is disposed within the second compartment, and wherein the retaining comprises:
breaking or displacing a divider with the protruding member of the component, the divider disposed between and separating the first compartment and the second compartment; and mixing the resin and the hardener upon breaking or displacing the divider. | Aspects are provided for retaining components of an assembly to a support, including additively manufactured (AM) parts of a vehicle chassis to an assembly table. A cartridge for securing the component to the assembly table is provided which includes a housing including at least one compartment, an adhesive disposed within the at least one compartment, a fastener removably attached to the assembly table, and a membrane lid enclosing an opening of the housing. The membrane lid is configured to receive a protruding member from the component such that the protruding member becomes adhered to the adhesive upon penetrating the membrane lid. The cartridge thus allows the component to be quickly retained in any selected position while constraining movement of the component along six degrees of freedom, thereby allowing AM and non-AM parts to be securely retained to accommodate strict tolerance and precise fit between the components of the assembly.1. A cartridge for securing a component of an assembly to a support, the cartridge comprising:
a housing including at least one compartment; an adhesive within the at least one compartment; a fastener connected to the housing and removably attached to the support; and a membrane lid enclosing an opening of the housing and configured to receive a protruding member from the component such that the protruding member becomes adhered to the adhesive upon penetrating the membrane lid. 2. The cartridge of claim 1, wherein the component comprises at least a part, a sub-assembly, or an assembly of a chassis. 3. The cartridge of claim 1, wherein the assembly is within a vertical assembly cell. 4. The cartridge of claim 1, wherein the adhesive comprises a low-viscosity, quick set adhesive. 5. The cartridge of claim 1, wherein the at least one compartment comprises a first compartment and a second compartment, wherein the adhesive is a two-part adhesive comprising a resin and a hardener, and wherein the resin is disposed within the first compartment and the hardener is disposed within the second compartment. 6. The cartridge of claim 5, further comprising a divider disposed between and separating the first compartment and the second compartment, the divider forming a seal against the housing. 7. The cartridge of claim 6, wherein the divider comprises a film sheathing, and wherein the resin and the hardener are configured to mix upon breakage of the film sheathing by the protruding member of the component. 8. The cartridge of claim 6, wherein the divider includes a plurality of orifices, and wherein the resin and the hardener are configured to mix through the plurality of orifices upon displacement of the divider by the protruding member of the component. 9. The cartridge of claim 6, wherein the divider is pressurized to allow the resin and the hardener to volatilely mix upon breakage of the divider. 10. The cartridge of claim 6, further comprising at least one divider guide disposed within the at least one compartment for holding the divider in place within the housing. 11. The cartridge of claim 1, wherein the component is constrained in movement along six degrees of freedom when inserted into the at least one compartment. 12. The cartridge of claim 1, wherein the protruding member includes saw-tooth edges configured to grip and form a seal against the membrane lid. 13. A vehicle chassis assembly comprising:
a chassis comprising a plurality of components, each component including a protruding member; and a plurality of cartridges for individually securing each component to a support, each cartridge comprising:
a housing including at least one compartment;
an adhesive within the at least one compartment;
a fastener connected to the housing and removably attached to the support; and
a membrane lid enclosing an opening of the housing and configured to receive a protruding member from the component such that the protruding member becomes adhered to the adhesive upon penetrating the membrane lid. 14. The vehicle chassis assembly of claim 13, wherein the chassis is within a vertical assembly cell. 15. The vehicle chassis assembly of claim 13, wherein the at least one compartment comprises a first compartment and a second compartment, wherein the adhesive is a two-part adhesive comprising a resin and a hardener, and wherein the resin is disposed within the first compartment and the hardener is disposed within the second compartment. 16. The vehicle chassis assembly of claim 15, further comprising a divider disposed between and separating the first compartment and the second compartment, the divider forming a seal against the housing. 17. The vehicle chassis assembly of claim 16, wherein the divider comprises a film sheathing, and wherein the resin and the hardener are configured to mix upon breakage of the film sheathing by the protruding member of the component. 18. The vehicle chassis assembly of claim 16, wherein the divider includes a plurality of orifices, and wherein the resin and the hardener are configured to mix through the plurality of orifices upon displacement of the divider by the protruding member of the component. 19. A method of securing a component of an assembly to a support, the method comprising:
attaching a cartridge to the support, the cartridge comprising:
a housing including at least one compartment;
an adhesive within the at least one compartment;
a membrane lid enclosing an opening of the housing; and
a fastener connected to the housing for removable attachment to the support;
inserting a protruding member of the component into the cartridge; and retaining the protruding member in the cartridge using the adhesive. 20. The method of claim 19, wherein the at least one compartment comprises a first compartment and a second compartment, wherein the adhesive is a two-part adhesive comprising a resin and a hardener, wherein the resin is disposed within the first compartment and the hardener is disposed within the second compartment, and wherein the retaining comprises:
breaking or displacing a divider with the protruding member of the component, the divider disposed between and separating the first compartment and the second compartment; and mixing the resin and the hardener upon breaking or displacing the divider. | 1,700 |
339,971 | 16,800,937 | 1,796 | A game service platform server for providing a game service platform includes: a game association module to allow a first user device of a first user to access each of a plurality of games provided by the game service platform server; and a friend management module to: receive a service request from the first user device to access a game, associated with account information of a social network service (SNS) subscribed by the first user; inquire an acquaintance list of the first user to determine whether SNS acquaintances of the first user have joined the game; register, automatically, an SNS acquaintance as a game friend of the first user in response to a determination that the SNS acquaintance has joined the game; and transmit, to the first user device, game group information including results of the determination for each of the SNS acquaintances of the user. | 1. A game service platform server, configured to provide a game service platform in connection with a first user device of a first user, and a game server, comprising:
a game association module configured to allow the first user device to access each of a plurality of games provided by the game service platform server; and a friend management module configured to:
receive a service request over a communication network to access a game of the plurality of games from the first user device, the service request being associated with account information of a social network service (SNS) subscribed by the first user;
inquire an acquaintance list, which contains SNS acquaintances of the first user for the SNS, to determine whether SNS acquaintances of the first user have joined the game;
register, automatically, an SNS acquaintance as a game friend of the first user in response to a determination that the SNS acquaintance has joined the game; and
transmit, to the first user device, game group information comprising results of determining whether SNS acquaintances of the user have joined the game for each of the SNS acquaintances of the user. 2. The game service platform server of claim 1, the game group information comprises a first group of the SNS acquaintances, wherein each of the first group of the SNS acquaintances has joined the requested game. 3. The game service platform server of claim 1 further comprising an SMS transmission processing unit configured to transmit an invitation message to an SNS acquaintance who has not joined the game. 4. The game service platform server of claim 3, wherein the invitation message comprises a direct link to a page for installation of the game. 5. The game service platform server of claim 1, the first user device is configured to receive a score of the game friend. 6. The game service platform server of claim 1, the first user device is configured to display a ranking of the automatically registered game friend. 7. The game service platform server of claim 1, further comprising a member management module configured to:
receive, from the first user device, a request to access the game service platform server; determine whether the first user is a subscriber of the game service platform; and authorize execution of a game service platform software installed on the first user device, wherein the game association module is configured to transmit, to the first user device, a game list including the game provided in association with the game service platform server in response to the first user being determined as a subscriber of the game service platform. | A game service platform server for providing a game service platform includes: a game association module to allow a first user device of a first user to access each of a plurality of games provided by the game service platform server; and a friend management module to: receive a service request from the first user device to access a game, associated with account information of a social network service (SNS) subscribed by the first user; inquire an acquaintance list of the first user to determine whether SNS acquaintances of the first user have joined the game; register, automatically, an SNS acquaintance as a game friend of the first user in response to a determination that the SNS acquaintance has joined the game; and transmit, to the first user device, game group information including results of the determination for each of the SNS acquaintances of the user.1. A game service platform server, configured to provide a game service platform in connection with a first user device of a first user, and a game server, comprising:
a game association module configured to allow the first user device to access each of a plurality of games provided by the game service platform server; and a friend management module configured to:
receive a service request over a communication network to access a game of the plurality of games from the first user device, the service request being associated with account information of a social network service (SNS) subscribed by the first user;
inquire an acquaintance list, which contains SNS acquaintances of the first user for the SNS, to determine whether SNS acquaintances of the first user have joined the game;
register, automatically, an SNS acquaintance as a game friend of the first user in response to a determination that the SNS acquaintance has joined the game; and
transmit, to the first user device, game group information comprising results of determining whether SNS acquaintances of the user have joined the game for each of the SNS acquaintances of the user. 2. The game service platform server of claim 1, the game group information comprises a first group of the SNS acquaintances, wherein each of the first group of the SNS acquaintances has joined the requested game. 3. The game service platform server of claim 1 further comprising an SMS transmission processing unit configured to transmit an invitation message to an SNS acquaintance who has not joined the game. 4. The game service platform server of claim 3, wherein the invitation message comprises a direct link to a page for installation of the game. 5. The game service platform server of claim 1, the first user device is configured to receive a score of the game friend. 6. The game service platform server of claim 1, the first user device is configured to display a ranking of the automatically registered game friend. 7. The game service platform server of claim 1, further comprising a member management module configured to:
receive, from the first user device, a request to access the game service platform server; determine whether the first user is a subscriber of the game service platform; and authorize execution of a game service platform software installed on the first user device, wherein the game association module is configured to transmit, to the first user device, a game list including the game provided in association with the game service platform server in response to the first user being determined as a subscriber of the game service platform. | 1,700 |
339,972 | 16,800,958 | 1,797 | A method and apparatus of determining the condition of a bulk tissue sample, by: positioning a bulk tissue sample between a pair of induction coils (or antennae); passing a spectrum of alternating current (or voltage) through a first of the induction coils (or antennae); measuring spectrum of alternating current (or voltage) produced in the second of the induction coils (or antennae); and comparing the phase shift between the spectrum of alternating currents (or voltages) in the first and second induction coils (or antennae), thereby determining the condition of the bulk tissue sample. | 1. A method of determining the condition of a bulk tissue sample, comprising:
positioning a bulk tissue sample between a pair of induction coils or antennae; passing a spectrum of alternating current or voltage through a first of the induction coils or antennae; measuring a spectrum of alternating current or voltage produced in the second of the induction coils or antennae; and comparing the phase shift between the spectrum of alternating currents or voltages in the first and second induction coils or antennae, thereby determining the condition of the bulk tissue sample. 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the first and second induction coils or antennae do not contact the bulk tissue sample. 3. The method of claim 1, wherein determining the condition of the bulk tissue sample comprises:
detecting at least one condition from the group consisting of edema, ischemia, bleeding, dehydration, water accumulation in the bulk tissue sample, extravasation, and disease. 4. The method of claim 1, wherein the bulk tissue sample is selected from the group consisting of brain tissue, lung tissue, heart tissue, muscle tissue, skin tissue, kidney tissue, cornea tissue, liver tissue, abdomen tissue, head tissue, leg tissue, arm tissue, pelvis tissue, chest tissue or trunk tissue. 5. The method of claim 1, wherein the frequency of the spectrum of alternating current is between 10 kHz and 10 GHz. 6. The method of claim 1, wherein the frequency of the spectrum of alternating current is between 1 MHz and 10 GHz. 7. The method of claim 1, wherein determining the condition of the bulk tissue sample comprises detecting edema, ischemia, dehydration, extravasation, in the tissue sample, and wherein the spectrum of frequency of the alternating current is between 100 kHz to 10 GHz. 8. The method of claim 1, wherein determining the condition of the bulk tissue sample comprises detecting interperitoneal bleeding in the tissue sample, and wherein the spectrum of frequency of the alternating current is between 100 kHz to 10 GHz. 9. A method of determining changes in the condition of a bulk tissue sample over time, comprising:
positioning a bulk tissue sample between a pair of induction coils or antennae; passing a spectrum of alternating current or voltage through a first of the induction coils or antennae; measuring a spectrum of alternating current or voltage produced in the second of the induction coils or antennae; and comparing the phase shift between the spectrum of alternating currents or voltages in the first and second induction coils or antennae over time, thereby determining a change in the condition of the bulk tissue sample over time. 10. The method of claim 9, wherein the first and second induction coils or antennae do not contact the bulk tissue sample. 11. The method of claim 9, wherein determining the change in the condition of the bulk tissue sample over time comprises:
detecting a change over time in at least one condition from the group consisting of edema, ischemia, bleeding, dehydration, water accumulation in the bulk tissue sample, extravasation, and disease. 12. The method of claim 9, wherein the bulk tissue sample is selected from the group consisting of brain tissue, lung tissue, heart tissue, muscle tissue, skin tissue, kidney tissue, cornea tissue, liver tissue, abdomen tissue, head tissue, leg tissue, arm tissue, pelvis tissue, chest tissue or trunk tissue. 13. An apparatus for determining the condition of a bulk tissue sample, comprising:
a first induction coil or antenna; a second induction coil or antenna; an alternating current power supply connected to the first induction coil or antenna, the alternating current power supply configured to generate a spectrum of currents or voltages in the first induction coil or antenna; and a measurement system connected to the second induction coil or antenna, wherein the measurement system is configured to measure a phase shift difference in the spectrum of currents or voltages between the first and second induction coils or antennae when the first and second induction coils or antennae are positioned on opposite sides of a tissue sample. 14. The apparatus of claim 13, further comprising:
a system to compare the phase shift between the alternating currents or voltages in the first and second induction coils or antennae to determine the condition of the bulk tissue sample. 15. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the alternating current power supply produces a spectrum of alternating currents with a frequency between 10 kHz and 10 GHz. 16. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the alternating current power supply produces a spectrum of alternating currents with a frequency between 1 MHz and 10 GHz. 17. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the system to determine the condition of the bulk tissue sample comprises:
a system configured to detect at least one of edema, ischemia, bleeding, dehydration, water accumulation in the bulk tissue sample, extravasation, and disease by analysis of the phase shift difference in the currents between the pair of induction coils or antennae. 18. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the alternating current power supply comprises:
a function generator configured to generate an alternating current in the first induction coil or antenna having a frequency that changes in pre-programmed steps. 19. The apparatus of claim 18, wherein the function generator supplies an excitation signal of approximately 20 mA in the range of 1 to 8.5 MHz at pre-programmed steps. 20. The apparatus of claim 13, further comprising:
a first differential receiving amplifier connected to the first induction coil or antenna; and a second differential receiving amplifier connected to the second induction coil or antenna. 21.-22. (canceled) | A method and apparatus of determining the condition of a bulk tissue sample, by: positioning a bulk tissue sample between a pair of induction coils (or antennae); passing a spectrum of alternating current (or voltage) through a first of the induction coils (or antennae); measuring spectrum of alternating current (or voltage) produced in the second of the induction coils (or antennae); and comparing the phase shift between the spectrum of alternating currents (or voltages) in the first and second induction coils (or antennae), thereby determining the condition of the bulk tissue sample.1. A method of determining the condition of a bulk tissue sample, comprising:
positioning a bulk tissue sample between a pair of induction coils or antennae; passing a spectrum of alternating current or voltage through a first of the induction coils or antennae; measuring a spectrum of alternating current or voltage produced in the second of the induction coils or antennae; and comparing the phase shift between the spectrum of alternating currents or voltages in the first and second induction coils or antennae, thereby determining the condition of the bulk tissue sample. 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the first and second induction coils or antennae do not contact the bulk tissue sample. 3. The method of claim 1, wherein determining the condition of the bulk tissue sample comprises:
detecting at least one condition from the group consisting of edema, ischemia, bleeding, dehydration, water accumulation in the bulk tissue sample, extravasation, and disease. 4. The method of claim 1, wherein the bulk tissue sample is selected from the group consisting of brain tissue, lung tissue, heart tissue, muscle tissue, skin tissue, kidney tissue, cornea tissue, liver tissue, abdomen tissue, head tissue, leg tissue, arm tissue, pelvis tissue, chest tissue or trunk tissue. 5. The method of claim 1, wherein the frequency of the spectrum of alternating current is between 10 kHz and 10 GHz. 6. The method of claim 1, wherein the frequency of the spectrum of alternating current is between 1 MHz and 10 GHz. 7. The method of claim 1, wherein determining the condition of the bulk tissue sample comprises detecting edema, ischemia, dehydration, extravasation, in the tissue sample, and wherein the spectrum of frequency of the alternating current is between 100 kHz to 10 GHz. 8. The method of claim 1, wherein determining the condition of the bulk tissue sample comprises detecting interperitoneal bleeding in the tissue sample, and wherein the spectrum of frequency of the alternating current is between 100 kHz to 10 GHz. 9. A method of determining changes in the condition of a bulk tissue sample over time, comprising:
positioning a bulk tissue sample between a pair of induction coils or antennae; passing a spectrum of alternating current or voltage through a first of the induction coils or antennae; measuring a spectrum of alternating current or voltage produced in the second of the induction coils or antennae; and comparing the phase shift between the spectrum of alternating currents or voltages in the first and second induction coils or antennae over time, thereby determining a change in the condition of the bulk tissue sample over time. 10. The method of claim 9, wherein the first and second induction coils or antennae do not contact the bulk tissue sample. 11. The method of claim 9, wherein determining the change in the condition of the bulk tissue sample over time comprises:
detecting a change over time in at least one condition from the group consisting of edema, ischemia, bleeding, dehydration, water accumulation in the bulk tissue sample, extravasation, and disease. 12. The method of claim 9, wherein the bulk tissue sample is selected from the group consisting of brain tissue, lung tissue, heart tissue, muscle tissue, skin tissue, kidney tissue, cornea tissue, liver tissue, abdomen tissue, head tissue, leg tissue, arm tissue, pelvis tissue, chest tissue or trunk tissue. 13. An apparatus for determining the condition of a bulk tissue sample, comprising:
a first induction coil or antenna; a second induction coil or antenna; an alternating current power supply connected to the first induction coil or antenna, the alternating current power supply configured to generate a spectrum of currents or voltages in the first induction coil or antenna; and a measurement system connected to the second induction coil or antenna, wherein the measurement system is configured to measure a phase shift difference in the spectrum of currents or voltages between the first and second induction coils or antennae when the first and second induction coils or antennae are positioned on opposite sides of a tissue sample. 14. The apparatus of claim 13, further comprising:
a system to compare the phase shift between the alternating currents or voltages in the first and second induction coils or antennae to determine the condition of the bulk tissue sample. 15. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the alternating current power supply produces a spectrum of alternating currents with a frequency between 10 kHz and 10 GHz. 16. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the alternating current power supply produces a spectrum of alternating currents with a frequency between 1 MHz and 10 GHz. 17. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the system to determine the condition of the bulk tissue sample comprises:
a system configured to detect at least one of edema, ischemia, bleeding, dehydration, water accumulation in the bulk tissue sample, extravasation, and disease by analysis of the phase shift difference in the currents between the pair of induction coils or antennae. 18. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the alternating current power supply comprises:
a function generator configured to generate an alternating current in the first induction coil or antenna having a frequency that changes in pre-programmed steps. 19. The apparatus of claim 18, wherein the function generator supplies an excitation signal of approximately 20 mA in the range of 1 to 8.5 MHz at pre-programmed steps. 20. The apparatus of claim 13, further comprising:
a first differential receiving amplifier connected to the first induction coil or antenna; and a second differential receiving amplifier connected to the second induction coil or antenna. 21.-22. (canceled) | 1,700 |
339,973 | 16,800,954 | 1,797 | A method and apparatus of determining the condition of a bulk tissue sample, by: positioning a bulk tissue sample between a pair of induction coils (or antennae); passing a spectrum of alternating current (or voltage) through a first of the induction coils (or antennae); measuring spectrum of alternating current (or voltage) produced in the second of the induction coils (or antennae); and comparing the phase shift between the spectrum of alternating currents (or voltages) in the first and second induction coils (or antennae), thereby determining the condition of the bulk tissue sample. | 1. A method of determining the condition of a bulk tissue sample, comprising:
positioning a bulk tissue sample between a pair of induction coils or antennae; passing a spectrum of alternating current or voltage through a first of the induction coils or antennae; measuring a spectrum of alternating current or voltage produced in the second of the induction coils or antennae; and comparing the phase shift between the spectrum of alternating currents or voltages in the first and second induction coils or antennae, thereby determining the condition of the bulk tissue sample. 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the first and second induction coils or antennae do not contact the bulk tissue sample. 3. The method of claim 1, wherein determining the condition of the bulk tissue sample comprises:
detecting at least one condition from the group consisting of edema, ischemia, bleeding, dehydration, water accumulation in the bulk tissue sample, extravasation, and disease. 4. The method of claim 1, wherein the bulk tissue sample is selected from the group consisting of brain tissue, lung tissue, heart tissue, muscle tissue, skin tissue, kidney tissue, cornea tissue, liver tissue, abdomen tissue, head tissue, leg tissue, arm tissue, pelvis tissue, chest tissue or trunk tissue. 5. The method of claim 1, wherein the frequency of the spectrum of alternating current is between 10 kHz and 10 GHz. 6. The method of claim 1, wherein the frequency of the spectrum of alternating current is between 1 MHz and 10 GHz. 7. The method of claim 1, wherein determining the condition of the bulk tissue sample comprises detecting edema, ischemia, dehydration, extravasation, in the tissue sample, and wherein the spectrum of frequency of the alternating current is between 100 kHz to 10 GHz. 8. The method of claim 1, wherein determining the condition of the bulk tissue sample comprises detecting interperitoneal bleeding in the tissue sample, and wherein the spectrum of frequency of the alternating current is between 100 kHz to 10 GHz. 9. A method of determining changes in the condition of a bulk tissue sample over time, comprising:
positioning a bulk tissue sample between a pair of induction coils or antennae; passing a spectrum of alternating current or voltage through a first of the induction coils or antennae; measuring a spectrum of alternating current or voltage produced in the second of the induction coils or antennae; and comparing the phase shift between the spectrum of alternating currents or voltages in the first and second induction coils or antennae over time, thereby determining a change in the condition of the bulk tissue sample over time. 10. The method of claim 9, wherein the first and second induction coils or antennae do not contact the bulk tissue sample. 11. The method of claim 9, wherein determining the change in the condition of the bulk tissue sample over time comprises:
detecting a change over time in at least one condition from the group consisting of edema, ischemia, bleeding, dehydration, water accumulation in the bulk tissue sample, extravasation, and disease. 12. The method of claim 9, wherein the bulk tissue sample is selected from the group consisting of brain tissue, lung tissue, heart tissue, muscle tissue, skin tissue, kidney tissue, cornea tissue, liver tissue, abdomen tissue, head tissue, leg tissue, arm tissue, pelvis tissue, chest tissue or trunk tissue. 13. An apparatus for determining the condition of a bulk tissue sample, comprising:
a first induction coil or antenna; a second induction coil or antenna; an alternating current power supply connected to the first induction coil or antenna, the alternating current power supply configured to generate a spectrum of currents or voltages in the first induction coil or antenna; and a measurement system connected to the second induction coil or antenna, wherein the measurement system is configured to measure a phase shift difference in the spectrum of currents or voltages between the first and second induction coils or antennae when the first and second induction coils or antennae are positioned on opposite sides of a tissue sample. 14. The apparatus of claim 13, further comprising:
a system to compare the phase shift between the alternating currents or voltages in the first and second induction coils or antennae to determine the condition of the bulk tissue sample. 15. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the alternating current power supply produces a spectrum of alternating currents with a frequency between 10 kHz and 10 GHz. 16. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the alternating current power supply produces a spectrum of alternating currents with a frequency between 1 MHz and 10 GHz. 17. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the system to determine the condition of the bulk tissue sample comprises:
a system configured to detect at least one of edema, ischemia, bleeding, dehydration, water accumulation in the bulk tissue sample, extravasation, and disease by analysis of the phase shift difference in the currents between the pair of induction coils or antennae. 18. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the alternating current power supply comprises:
a function generator configured to generate an alternating current in the first induction coil or antenna having a frequency that changes in pre-programmed steps. 19. The apparatus of claim 18, wherein the function generator supplies an excitation signal of approximately 20 mA in the range of 1 to 8.5 MHz at pre-programmed steps. 20. The apparatus of claim 13, further comprising:
a first differential receiving amplifier connected to the first induction coil or antenna; and a second differential receiving amplifier connected to the second induction coil or antenna. 21.-22. (canceled) | A method and apparatus of determining the condition of a bulk tissue sample, by: positioning a bulk tissue sample between a pair of induction coils (or antennae); passing a spectrum of alternating current (or voltage) through a first of the induction coils (or antennae); measuring spectrum of alternating current (or voltage) produced in the second of the induction coils (or antennae); and comparing the phase shift between the spectrum of alternating currents (or voltages) in the first and second induction coils (or antennae), thereby determining the condition of the bulk tissue sample.1. A method of determining the condition of a bulk tissue sample, comprising:
positioning a bulk tissue sample between a pair of induction coils or antennae; passing a spectrum of alternating current or voltage through a first of the induction coils or antennae; measuring a spectrum of alternating current or voltage produced in the second of the induction coils or antennae; and comparing the phase shift between the spectrum of alternating currents or voltages in the first and second induction coils or antennae, thereby determining the condition of the bulk tissue sample. 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the first and second induction coils or antennae do not contact the bulk tissue sample. 3. The method of claim 1, wherein determining the condition of the bulk tissue sample comprises:
detecting at least one condition from the group consisting of edema, ischemia, bleeding, dehydration, water accumulation in the bulk tissue sample, extravasation, and disease. 4. The method of claim 1, wherein the bulk tissue sample is selected from the group consisting of brain tissue, lung tissue, heart tissue, muscle tissue, skin tissue, kidney tissue, cornea tissue, liver tissue, abdomen tissue, head tissue, leg tissue, arm tissue, pelvis tissue, chest tissue or trunk tissue. 5. The method of claim 1, wherein the frequency of the spectrum of alternating current is between 10 kHz and 10 GHz. 6. The method of claim 1, wherein the frequency of the spectrum of alternating current is between 1 MHz and 10 GHz. 7. The method of claim 1, wherein determining the condition of the bulk tissue sample comprises detecting edema, ischemia, dehydration, extravasation, in the tissue sample, and wherein the spectrum of frequency of the alternating current is between 100 kHz to 10 GHz. 8. The method of claim 1, wherein determining the condition of the bulk tissue sample comprises detecting interperitoneal bleeding in the tissue sample, and wherein the spectrum of frequency of the alternating current is between 100 kHz to 10 GHz. 9. A method of determining changes in the condition of a bulk tissue sample over time, comprising:
positioning a bulk tissue sample between a pair of induction coils or antennae; passing a spectrum of alternating current or voltage through a first of the induction coils or antennae; measuring a spectrum of alternating current or voltage produced in the second of the induction coils or antennae; and comparing the phase shift between the spectrum of alternating currents or voltages in the first and second induction coils or antennae over time, thereby determining a change in the condition of the bulk tissue sample over time. 10. The method of claim 9, wherein the first and second induction coils or antennae do not contact the bulk tissue sample. 11. The method of claim 9, wherein determining the change in the condition of the bulk tissue sample over time comprises:
detecting a change over time in at least one condition from the group consisting of edema, ischemia, bleeding, dehydration, water accumulation in the bulk tissue sample, extravasation, and disease. 12. The method of claim 9, wherein the bulk tissue sample is selected from the group consisting of brain tissue, lung tissue, heart tissue, muscle tissue, skin tissue, kidney tissue, cornea tissue, liver tissue, abdomen tissue, head tissue, leg tissue, arm tissue, pelvis tissue, chest tissue or trunk tissue. 13. An apparatus for determining the condition of a bulk tissue sample, comprising:
a first induction coil or antenna; a second induction coil or antenna; an alternating current power supply connected to the first induction coil or antenna, the alternating current power supply configured to generate a spectrum of currents or voltages in the first induction coil or antenna; and a measurement system connected to the second induction coil or antenna, wherein the measurement system is configured to measure a phase shift difference in the spectrum of currents or voltages between the first and second induction coils or antennae when the first and second induction coils or antennae are positioned on opposite sides of a tissue sample. 14. The apparatus of claim 13, further comprising:
a system to compare the phase shift between the alternating currents or voltages in the first and second induction coils or antennae to determine the condition of the bulk tissue sample. 15. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the alternating current power supply produces a spectrum of alternating currents with a frequency between 10 kHz and 10 GHz. 16. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the alternating current power supply produces a spectrum of alternating currents with a frequency between 1 MHz and 10 GHz. 17. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the system to determine the condition of the bulk tissue sample comprises:
a system configured to detect at least one of edema, ischemia, bleeding, dehydration, water accumulation in the bulk tissue sample, extravasation, and disease by analysis of the phase shift difference in the currents between the pair of induction coils or antennae. 18. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the alternating current power supply comprises:
a function generator configured to generate an alternating current in the first induction coil or antenna having a frequency that changes in pre-programmed steps. 19. The apparatus of claim 18, wherein the function generator supplies an excitation signal of approximately 20 mA in the range of 1 to 8.5 MHz at pre-programmed steps. 20. The apparatus of claim 13, further comprising:
a first differential receiving amplifier connected to the first induction coil or antenna; and a second differential receiving amplifier connected to the second induction coil or antenna. 21.-22. (canceled) | 1,700 |
339,974 | 16,800,967 | 1,797 | An imaging device including: a photoelectric converter that generates a signal charge by photoelectric conversion of light; a semiconductor substrate that includes a first semiconductor layer containing an impurity of a first conductivity type and an impurity of a second conductivity type different from the first conductivity type; and a first transistor that includes, as a source or a drain, a first impurity region of the second conductivity type in the first semiconductor layer. The first semiconductor layer includes: a charge accumulation region that is an impurity region of the second conductivity type, the charge accumulation region being configured to accumulate the signal charge; and a blocking structure that is located between the charge accumulation region and the first transistor, and the blocking structure includes a second impurity region of the second conductivity type. | 1. An imaging device, comprising:
a photoelectric converter that generates a signal charge by photoelectric conversion of light; a semiconductor substrate that includes a first semiconductor layer containing an impurity of a first conductivity type and an impurity of a second conductivity type different from the first conductivity type; and a first transistor that includes, as a source or a drain, a first impurity region of the second conductivity type in the first semiconductor layer, wherein the first semiconductor layer includes:
a charge accumulation region that is an impurity region of the second conductivity type, the charge accumulation region being configured to accumulate the signal charge; and
a blocking structure that is located between the charge accumulation region and the first transistor, and
the blocking structure includes a second impurity region of the second conductivity type. 2. The imaging device according to claim 1, wherein a part of the second impurity region is located on a surface of the first semiconductor layer. 3. The imaging device according to claim 1, wherein the blocking structure includes a third impurity region between the second impurity region and the charge accumulation region. 4. The imaging device according to claim 3, wherein the third impurity region is an impurity region of the first conductivity type. 5. The imaging device according to claim 4, wherein at a surface of the first semiconductor layer, the second impurity region and the third impurity region are arranged in that order in a first direction from the first impurity region toward the charge accumulation region. 6. The imaging device according to claim 1, wherein
the semiconductor substrate includes
a supporting substrate including an impurity of the first conductivity type, and
a second semiconductor layer that is located between the supporting substrate and the first semiconductor layer, the second semiconductor layer including an impurity of the second conductivity type. 7. The imaging device according to claim 6, wherein
the semiconductor substrate further includes a third semiconductor layer that is located between the first semiconductor layer and the second semiconductor layer, the third semiconductor layer including an impurity of the first conductivity type, the third semiconductor layer has an opening that overlaps the second impurity region in a plan view, and a concentration of impurity of the first conductivity type in a region located in the opening is lower than a concentration of impurity of the first conductivity type in the third semiconductor layer. 8. The imaging device according to claim 1, further comprising a voltage supply circuit configured to apply, to the second impurity region, a first voltage that is inverse bias with regard to the first semiconductor layer, or a second voltage that is a same voltage as the first semiconductor layer, in a period in which the signal charge is accumulated in the charge accumulation region. 9. The imaging device according to claim 8, wherein a third voltage that is different from the first voltage, or the second voltage that is 0 V, is applied to the third impurity region via the first semiconductor layer, in the period. 10. The imaging device according to claim 9, wherein the third voltage is less than the first voltage. 11. The imaging device according to claim 8, wherein a same voltage is applied to the second impurity region and the second semiconductor layer in the period. 12. The imaging device according to claim 1, further comprising:
a second transistor including the charge accumulation region as one of a source and a drain, wherein a same voltage is applied to the second impurity region and the other of the source and the drain of the second transistor. 13. The imaging device according to claim 1, wherein the second impurity region does not constitute a transistor. 14. The imaging device according to claim 1, wherein the first transistor include a gate coupled to the photoelectric converter. 15. The imaging device according to claim 4, wherein the blocking structure includes a fourth impurity region between the first impurity region and the second impurity region. 16. The imaging device according to claim 15, wherein the fourth impurity region is an impurity region of the first conductivity type. | An imaging device including: a photoelectric converter that generates a signal charge by photoelectric conversion of light; a semiconductor substrate that includes a first semiconductor layer containing an impurity of a first conductivity type and an impurity of a second conductivity type different from the first conductivity type; and a first transistor that includes, as a source or a drain, a first impurity region of the second conductivity type in the first semiconductor layer. The first semiconductor layer includes: a charge accumulation region that is an impurity region of the second conductivity type, the charge accumulation region being configured to accumulate the signal charge; and a blocking structure that is located between the charge accumulation region and the first transistor, and the blocking structure includes a second impurity region of the second conductivity type.1. An imaging device, comprising:
a photoelectric converter that generates a signal charge by photoelectric conversion of light; a semiconductor substrate that includes a first semiconductor layer containing an impurity of a first conductivity type and an impurity of a second conductivity type different from the first conductivity type; and a first transistor that includes, as a source or a drain, a first impurity region of the second conductivity type in the first semiconductor layer, wherein the first semiconductor layer includes:
a charge accumulation region that is an impurity region of the second conductivity type, the charge accumulation region being configured to accumulate the signal charge; and
a blocking structure that is located between the charge accumulation region and the first transistor, and
the blocking structure includes a second impurity region of the second conductivity type. 2. The imaging device according to claim 1, wherein a part of the second impurity region is located on a surface of the first semiconductor layer. 3. The imaging device according to claim 1, wherein the blocking structure includes a third impurity region between the second impurity region and the charge accumulation region. 4. The imaging device according to claim 3, wherein the third impurity region is an impurity region of the first conductivity type. 5. The imaging device according to claim 4, wherein at a surface of the first semiconductor layer, the second impurity region and the third impurity region are arranged in that order in a first direction from the first impurity region toward the charge accumulation region. 6. The imaging device according to claim 1, wherein
the semiconductor substrate includes
a supporting substrate including an impurity of the first conductivity type, and
a second semiconductor layer that is located between the supporting substrate and the first semiconductor layer, the second semiconductor layer including an impurity of the second conductivity type. 7. The imaging device according to claim 6, wherein
the semiconductor substrate further includes a third semiconductor layer that is located between the first semiconductor layer and the second semiconductor layer, the third semiconductor layer including an impurity of the first conductivity type, the third semiconductor layer has an opening that overlaps the second impurity region in a plan view, and a concentration of impurity of the first conductivity type in a region located in the opening is lower than a concentration of impurity of the first conductivity type in the third semiconductor layer. 8. The imaging device according to claim 1, further comprising a voltage supply circuit configured to apply, to the second impurity region, a first voltage that is inverse bias with regard to the first semiconductor layer, or a second voltage that is a same voltage as the first semiconductor layer, in a period in which the signal charge is accumulated in the charge accumulation region. 9. The imaging device according to claim 8, wherein a third voltage that is different from the first voltage, or the second voltage that is 0 V, is applied to the third impurity region via the first semiconductor layer, in the period. 10. The imaging device according to claim 9, wherein the third voltage is less than the first voltage. 11. The imaging device according to claim 8, wherein a same voltage is applied to the second impurity region and the second semiconductor layer in the period. 12. The imaging device according to claim 1, further comprising:
a second transistor including the charge accumulation region as one of a source and a drain, wherein a same voltage is applied to the second impurity region and the other of the source and the drain of the second transistor. 13. The imaging device according to claim 1, wherein the second impurity region does not constitute a transistor. 14. The imaging device according to claim 1, wherein the first transistor include a gate coupled to the photoelectric converter. 15. The imaging device according to claim 4, wherein the blocking structure includes a fourth impurity region between the first impurity region and the second impurity region. 16. The imaging device according to claim 15, wherein the fourth impurity region is an impurity region of the first conductivity type. | 1,700 |
339,975 | 16,800,956 | 1,797 | Robotic devices are provided that can be operated in an autonomous mode. In various embodiments, the devices comprise lighting elements that are capable of displaying information to humans within a robotic environment. A variety of future and near-future actions are expressed through different operations and sequences of the lighting elements. The lighting elements further enable the device to express a current status. | 1. A floor cleaning device capable of autonomous operations and operable to communicate with nearby persons, the device comprising:
a chassis comprising a front, a back, a lower surface, a front surface adjacent the front, an upper surface, a rear surface located behind a center point of the chassis, a left surface, and a right surface; a platform provided laterally between the left surface and the right surface and wherein the platform is operable to receive a user when the device is selectively operated in a non-autonomous or semi-autonomous mode; a powered drive-wheel operable to convey the device; a plurality of multi-colored lights, and wherein at least one of the plurality of multi-colored lights is operable to be illuminated in a manner that corresponds to at least one of an upcoming action and a current status of the device; a controller operable to cause at least some of the plurality of multi-colored lights to perform different functions; and wherein the plurality of multi-colored lights and the controller are operable to produce a unique identifier for each of: an upcoming action of the device, an error status, a task-completion status, a current action of the device, and a warning indication. 2. The robotic floor cleaning device of claim 1, wherein at least one of the plurality of multi-colored lights comprises a light emitting diode. 3. The robotic floor cleaning device of claim 1, wherein the plurality of multi-colored lights is powered by an on-board battery. 4. The robotic floor cleaning device of claim 1, further comprising at least one light pipe for guiding and reflecting light. 5. The robotic floor cleaning device of claim 1, wherein the upcoming action of the device comprises a change in direction of travel of the device. 6. The robotic floor cleaning device of claim 1, wherein the error status comprises an unexpected presence of a human on the device. 7. The robotic floor cleaning device of claim 1, wherein the warning indication comprises an emitted light intensity that is greater than an emitted light intensity for the upcoming action of the device, the error status, the task-completion status, and the current action of the device. 8. A floor cleaning device capable of autonomous operations and operable to communicate with nearby persons, the device comprising:
a chassis comprising a front, a back, a lower surface, a front surface adjacent the front, an upper surface, a rear surface located behind a center point of the chassis, a left surface, and a right surface; a powered drive-wheel operable to convey the device; a plurality of lighting elements distributed about the chassis, and wherein at least one of the plurality of lighting elements is operable to be illuminated in a manner that corresponds to at least one of an upcoming action and a current status of the device; a controller operable to cause at least some of the lighting elements to perform different functions; and wherein the plurality of lighting elements and the controller are operable to produce a unique identifier for at least one of: an upcoming action of the device, an error status, a task-completion status, a current action of the device, and a warning indication. 9. The robotic floor cleaning device of claim 8, wherein at least one of the plurality of lighting elements comprises a light emitting diode. 10. The robotic floor cleaning device of claim 8, wherein the plurality of lighting elements is powered by an on-board battery. 11. The robotic floor cleaning device of claim 8, further comprising at least one light pipe for guiding and reflecting light. 12. The robotic floor cleaning device of claim 8, wherein the upcoming action of the device comprises a change in direction of travel of the device. 13. The robotic floor cleaning device of claim 8, wherein the error status comprises an unexpected presence of a human on the device. 14. The robotic floor cleaning device of claim 8, wherein the warning indication comprises an emitted light intensity that is greater than an emitted light intensity for the upcoming action of the device, the error status, the task-completion status, and the current action of the device. 15. A method of operating a robotic floor cleaning device for interaction with persons in a robotic environment, the method comprising:
providing a device having a chassis comprising a front, a back, a lower surface, a front surface adjacent the front, an upper surface, a rear surface located behind a center point of the chassis, a left surface, and a right surface; a plurality of lighting elements operable to be illuminated in a manner that corresponds to at least one of an upcoming action and a current status of the device; a controller operable to cause at least some of the plurality of lighting elements to perform different functions; and producing a first unique identifier from at least one of the plurality of lighting elements for an upcoming action of the device; producing a second unique identifier from at least one of the plurality of lighting elements for an error status; producing a third unique identifier from at least one of the plurality of lighting elements for a task-completion status; and producing a fourth unique identifier from at least one of the plurality of lighting elements for a current action of the device. 16. The method of claim 15, wherein the first unique identifier comprises a flashing light on one of the left and the right surfaces of the device. 17. The method of claim 15, wherein the second unique identifier comprises a flashing light in a wavelength range of 600-750 nanometers. 18. The method of claim 15, wherein the third unique identifier comprises a light in a wavelength range of 380-570 nanometers. 19. The method of claim 15, wherein the fourth unique identifier comprises a flashing light with a frequency of less than 1.0 Hz. 20. The method of claim 15, further comprising a fifth unique identifier that comprises a flashing light with an intensity that is greater than an intensity of the first, second, third and fourth unique identifiers, and wherein the fifth unique identifier comprises a light in the wavelength range of 570-750 nanometers. | Robotic devices are provided that can be operated in an autonomous mode. In various embodiments, the devices comprise lighting elements that are capable of displaying information to humans within a robotic environment. A variety of future and near-future actions are expressed through different operations and sequences of the lighting elements. The lighting elements further enable the device to express a current status.1. A floor cleaning device capable of autonomous operations and operable to communicate with nearby persons, the device comprising:
a chassis comprising a front, a back, a lower surface, a front surface adjacent the front, an upper surface, a rear surface located behind a center point of the chassis, a left surface, and a right surface; a platform provided laterally between the left surface and the right surface and wherein the platform is operable to receive a user when the device is selectively operated in a non-autonomous or semi-autonomous mode; a powered drive-wheel operable to convey the device; a plurality of multi-colored lights, and wherein at least one of the plurality of multi-colored lights is operable to be illuminated in a manner that corresponds to at least one of an upcoming action and a current status of the device; a controller operable to cause at least some of the plurality of multi-colored lights to perform different functions; and wherein the plurality of multi-colored lights and the controller are operable to produce a unique identifier for each of: an upcoming action of the device, an error status, a task-completion status, a current action of the device, and a warning indication. 2. The robotic floor cleaning device of claim 1, wherein at least one of the plurality of multi-colored lights comprises a light emitting diode. 3. The robotic floor cleaning device of claim 1, wherein the plurality of multi-colored lights is powered by an on-board battery. 4. The robotic floor cleaning device of claim 1, further comprising at least one light pipe for guiding and reflecting light. 5. The robotic floor cleaning device of claim 1, wherein the upcoming action of the device comprises a change in direction of travel of the device. 6. The robotic floor cleaning device of claim 1, wherein the error status comprises an unexpected presence of a human on the device. 7. The robotic floor cleaning device of claim 1, wherein the warning indication comprises an emitted light intensity that is greater than an emitted light intensity for the upcoming action of the device, the error status, the task-completion status, and the current action of the device. 8. A floor cleaning device capable of autonomous operations and operable to communicate with nearby persons, the device comprising:
a chassis comprising a front, a back, a lower surface, a front surface adjacent the front, an upper surface, a rear surface located behind a center point of the chassis, a left surface, and a right surface; a powered drive-wheel operable to convey the device; a plurality of lighting elements distributed about the chassis, and wherein at least one of the plurality of lighting elements is operable to be illuminated in a manner that corresponds to at least one of an upcoming action and a current status of the device; a controller operable to cause at least some of the lighting elements to perform different functions; and wherein the plurality of lighting elements and the controller are operable to produce a unique identifier for at least one of: an upcoming action of the device, an error status, a task-completion status, a current action of the device, and a warning indication. 9. The robotic floor cleaning device of claim 8, wherein at least one of the plurality of lighting elements comprises a light emitting diode. 10. The robotic floor cleaning device of claim 8, wherein the plurality of lighting elements is powered by an on-board battery. 11. The robotic floor cleaning device of claim 8, further comprising at least one light pipe for guiding and reflecting light. 12. The robotic floor cleaning device of claim 8, wherein the upcoming action of the device comprises a change in direction of travel of the device. 13. The robotic floor cleaning device of claim 8, wherein the error status comprises an unexpected presence of a human on the device. 14. The robotic floor cleaning device of claim 8, wherein the warning indication comprises an emitted light intensity that is greater than an emitted light intensity for the upcoming action of the device, the error status, the task-completion status, and the current action of the device. 15. A method of operating a robotic floor cleaning device for interaction with persons in a robotic environment, the method comprising:
providing a device having a chassis comprising a front, a back, a lower surface, a front surface adjacent the front, an upper surface, a rear surface located behind a center point of the chassis, a left surface, and a right surface; a plurality of lighting elements operable to be illuminated in a manner that corresponds to at least one of an upcoming action and a current status of the device; a controller operable to cause at least some of the plurality of lighting elements to perform different functions; and producing a first unique identifier from at least one of the plurality of lighting elements for an upcoming action of the device; producing a second unique identifier from at least one of the plurality of lighting elements for an error status; producing a third unique identifier from at least one of the plurality of lighting elements for a task-completion status; and producing a fourth unique identifier from at least one of the plurality of lighting elements for a current action of the device. 16. The method of claim 15, wherein the first unique identifier comprises a flashing light on one of the left and the right surfaces of the device. 17. The method of claim 15, wherein the second unique identifier comprises a flashing light in a wavelength range of 600-750 nanometers. 18. The method of claim 15, wherein the third unique identifier comprises a light in a wavelength range of 380-570 nanometers. 19. The method of claim 15, wherein the fourth unique identifier comprises a flashing light with a frequency of less than 1.0 Hz. 20. The method of claim 15, further comprising a fifth unique identifier that comprises a flashing light with an intensity that is greater than an intensity of the first, second, third and fourth unique identifiers, and wherein the fifth unique identifier comprises a light in the wavelength range of 570-750 nanometers. | 1,700 |
339,976 | 16,800,957 | 3,641 | Robotic devices are provided that can be operated in an autonomous mode. In various embodiments, the devices comprise lighting elements that are capable of displaying information to humans within a robotic environment. A variety of future and near-future actions are expressed through different operations and sequences of the lighting elements. The lighting elements further enable the device to express a current status. | 1. A floor cleaning device capable of autonomous operations and operable to communicate with nearby persons, the device comprising:
a chassis comprising a front, a back, a lower surface, a front surface adjacent the front, an upper surface, a rear surface located behind a center point of the chassis, a left surface, and a right surface; a platform provided laterally between the left surface and the right surface and wherein the platform is operable to receive a user when the device is selectively operated in a non-autonomous or semi-autonomous mode; a powered drive-wheel operable to convey the device; a plurality of multi-colored lights, and wherein at least one of the plurality of multi-colored lights is operable to be illuminated in a manner that corresponds to at least one of an upcoming action and a current status of the device; a controller operable to cause at least some of the plurality of multi-colored lights to perform different functions; and wherein the plurality of multi-colored lights and the controller are operable to produce a unique identifier for each of: an upcoming action of the device, an error status, a task-completion status, a current action of the device, and a warning indication. 2. The robotic floor cleaning device of claim 1, wherein at least one of the plurality of multi-colored lights comprises a light emitting diode. 3. The robotic floor cleaning device of claim 1, wherein the plurality of multi-colored lights is powered by an on-board battery. 4. The robotic floor cleaning device of claim 1, further comprising at least one light pipe for guiding and reflecting light. 5. The robotic floor cleaning device of claim 1, wherein the upcoming action of the device comprises a change in direction of travel of the device. 6. The robotic floor cleaning device of claim 1, wherein the error status comprises an unexpected presence of a human on the device. 7. The robotic floor cleaning device of claim 1, wherein the warning indication comprises an emitted light intensity that is greater than an emitted light intensity for the upcoming action of the device, the error status, the task-completion status, and the current action of the device. 8. A floor cleaning device capable of autonomous operations and operable to communicate with nearby persons, the device comprising:
a chassis comprising a front, a back, a lower surface, a front surface adjacent the front, an upper surface, a rear surface located behind a center point of the chassis, a left surface, and a right surface; a powered drive-wheel operable to convey the device; a plurality of lighting elements distributed about the chassis, and wherein at least one of the plurality of lighting elements is operable to be illuminated in a manner that corresponds to at least one of an upcoming action and a current status of the device; a controller operable to cause at least some of the lighting elements to perform different functions; and wherein the plurality of lighting elements and the controller are operable to produce a unique identifier for at least one of: an upcoming action of the device, an error status, a task-completion status, a current action of the device, and a warning indication. 9. The robotic floor cleaning device of claim 8, wherein at least one of the plurality of lighting elements comprises a light emitting diode. 10. The robotic floor cleaning device of claim 8, wherein the plurality of lighting elements is powered by an on-board battery. 11. The robotic floor cleaning device of claim 8, further comprising at least one light pipe for guiding and reflecting light. 12. The robotic floor cleaning device of claim 8, wherein the upcoming action of the device comprises a change in direction of travel of the device. 13. The robotic floor cleaning device of claim 8, wherein the error status comprises an unexpected presence of a human on the device. 14. The robotic floor cleaning device of claim 8, wherein the warning indication comprises an emitted light intensity that is greater than an emitted light intensity for the upcoming action of the device, the error status, the task-completion status, and the current action of the device. 15. A method of operating a robotic floor cleaning device for interaction with persons in a robotic environment, the method comprising:
providing a device having a chassis comprising a front, a back, a lower surface, a front surface adjacent the front, an upper surface, a rear surface located behind a center point of the chassis, a left surface, and a right surface; a plurality of lighting elements operable to be illuminated in a manner that corresponds to at least one of an upcoming action and a current status of the device; a controller operable to cause at least some of the plurality of lighting elements to perform different functions; and producing a first unique identifier from at least one of the plurality of lighting elements for an upcoming action of the device; producing a second unique identifier from at least one of the plurality of lighting elements for an error status; producing a third unique identifier from at least one of the plurality of lighting elements for a task-completion status; and producing a fourth unique identifier from at least one of the plurality of lighting elements for a current action of the device. 16. The method of claim 15, wherein the first unique identifier comprises a flashing light on one of the left and the right surfaces of the device. 17. The method of claim 15, wherein the second unique identifier comprises a flashing light in a wavelength range of 600-750 nanometers. 18. The method of claim 15, wherein the third unique identifier comprises a light in a wavelength range of 380-570 nanometers. 19. The method of claim 15, wherein the fourth unique identifier comprises a flashing light with a frequency of less than 1.0 Hz. 20. The method of claim 15, further comprising a fifth unique identifier that comprises a flashing light with an intensity that is greater than an intensity of the first, second, third and fourth unique identifiers, and wherein the fifth unique identifier comprises a light in the wavelength range of 570-750 nanometers. | Robotic devices are provided that can be operated in an autonomous mode. In various embodiments, the devices comprise lighting elements that are capable of displaying information to humans within a robotic environment. A variety of future and near-future actions are expressed through different operations and sequences of the lighting elements. The lighting elements further enable the device to express a current status.1. A floor cleaning device capable of autonomous operations and operable to communicate with nearby persons, the device comprising:
a chassis comprising a front, a back, a lower surface, a front surface adjacent the front, an upper surface, a rear surface located behind a center point of the chassis, a left surface, and a right surface; a platform provided laterally between the left surface and the right surface and wherein the platform is operable to receive a user when the device is selectively operated in a non-autonomous or semi-autonomous mode; a powered drive-wheel operable to convey the device; a plurality of multi-colored lights, and wherein at least one of the plurality of multi-colored lights is operable to be illuminated in a manner that corresponds to at least one of an upcoming action and a current status of the device; a controller operable to cause at least some of the plurality of multi-colored lights to perform different functions; and wherein the plurality of multi-colored lights and the controller are operable to produce a unique identifier for each of: an upcoming action of the device, an error status, a task-completion status, a current action of the device, and a warning indication. 2. The robotic floor cleaning device of claim 1, wherein at least one of the plurality of multi-colored lights comprises a light emitting diode. 3. The robotic floor cleaning device of claim 1, wherein the plurality of multi-colored lights is powered by an on-board battery. 4. The robotic floor cleaning device of claim 1, further comprising at least one light pipe for guiding and reflecting light. 5. The robotic floor cleaning device of claim 1, wherein the upcoming action of the device comprises a change in direction of travel of the device. 6. The robotic floor cleaning device of claim 1, wherein the error status comprises an unexpected presence of a human on the device. 7. The robotic floor cleaning device of claim 1, wherein the warning indication comprises an emitted light intensity that is greater than an emitted light intensity for the upcoming action of the device, the error status, the task-completion status, and the current action of the device. 8. A floor cleaning device capable of autonomous operations and operable to communicate with nearby persons, the device comprising:
a chassis comprising a front, a back, a lower surface, a front surface adjacent the front, an upper surface, a rear surface located behind a center point of the chassis, a left surface, and a right surface; a powered drive-wheel operable to convey the device; a plurality of lighting elements distributed about the chassis, and wherein at least one of the plurality of lighting elements is operable to be illuminated in a manner that corresponds to at least one of an upcoming action and a current status of the device; a controller operable to cause at least some of the lighting elements to perform different functions; and wherein the plurality of lighting elements and the controller are operable to produce a unique identifier for at least one of: an upcoming action of the device, an error status, a task-completion status, a current action of the device, and a warning indication. 9. The robotic floor cleaning device of claim 8, wherein at least one of the plurality of lighting elements comprises a light emitting diode. 10. The robotic floor cleaning device of claim 8, wherein the plurality of lighting elements is powered by an on-board battery. 11. The robotic floor cleaning device of claim 8, further comprising at least one light pipe for guiding and reflecting light. 12. The robotic floor cleaning device of claim 8, wherein the upcoming action of the device comprises a change in direction of travel of the device. 13. The robotic floor cleaning device of claim 8, wherein the error status comprises an unexpected presence of a human on the device. 14. The robotic floor cleaning device of claim 8, wherein the warning indication comprises an emitted light intensity that is greater than an emitted light intensity for the upcoming action of the device, the error status, the task-completion status, and the current action of the device. 15. A method of operating a robotic floor cleaning device for interaction with persons in a robotic environment, the method comprising:
providing a device having a chassis comprising a front, a back, a lower surface, a front surface adjacent the front, an upper surface, a rear surface located behind a center point of the chassis, a left surface, and a right surface; a plurality of lighting elements operable to be illuminated in a manner that corresponds to at least one of an upcoming action and a current status of the device; a controller operable to cause at least some of the plurality of lighting elements to perform different functions; and producing a first unique identifier from at least one of the plurality of lighting elements for an upcoming action of the device; producing a second unique identifier from at least one of the plurality of lighting elements for an error status; producing a third unique identifier from at least one of the plurality of lighting elements for a task-completion status; and producing a fourth unique identifier from at least one of the plurality of lighting elements for a current action of the device. 16. The method of claim 15, wherein the first unique identifier comprises a flashing light on one of the left and the right surfaces of the device. 17. The method of claim 15, wherein the second unique identifier comprises a flashing light in a wavelength range of 600-750 nanometers. 18. The method of claim 15, wherein the third unique identifier comprises a light in a wavelength range of 380-570 nanometers. 19. The method of claim 15, wherein the fourth unique identifier comprises a flashing light with a frequency of less than 1.0 Hz. 20. The method of claim 15, further comprising a fifth unique identifier that comprises a flashing light with an intensity that is greater than an intensity of the first, second, third and fourth unique identifiers, and wherein the fifth unique identifier comprises a light in the wavelength range of 570-750 nanometers. | 3,600 |
339,977 | 16,800,962 | 2,872 | A stereoscopic vision optical system includes a first lens group having a negative refractive power, disposed nearest to an object, a second lens group having a positive refractive power, and a rear-side lens group having a positive refractive power. The rear-side lens group includes a first rear group and a second rear group. The optical axis of the first lens group, an optical axis of the first rear group, and an optical axis of the second rear group is positioned on the same plane. The optical axis of the first lens group is positioned between the optical axis of the first rear group and the optical axis of the second rear group, and the following conditional expression (1) is satisfied: | 1. A stereoscopic vision optical system, comprising in order from an object side to an image side:
a first lens group having a negative refractive power, disposed nearest to an object; a second lens group having a positive refractive power, and a rear-side lens group having a positive refractive power, wherein the rear-side lens group includes a first rear group and a second rear group, the first lens group and the second lens group are aligned in a straight line, an optical axis of the first lens group and an optical axis of the second lens group coincide with the straight line, the optical axis of the first lens group, an optical axis of the first rear group, and an optical axis of the second rear group are positioned on the same plane, the optical axis of the first lens group is positioned between the optical axis of the first rear group and the optical axis of the second rear group, and the following conditional expression (1) is satisfied:
0.08≤((−L/2)×(f1/f2))×(1/WD)≤0.25 (1)
where, L denotes a distance between the optical axis of the first rear group and the optical axis of the second rear group, WD denotes a distance between an object best position and a surface nearest to the object of the first lens group, f1 denotes a focal length of the first lens group, f2 denotes a focal length of the second lens group, and the object best position is an object position conjugate with the most focused position on an image plane. 2. A stereoscopic vision optical system, comprising in order from an object side to an image side:
a first lens group having a negative refractive power, disposed nearest to an object; a second lens group having a positive refractive power, and a rear-side lens group having a positive refractive power, wherein the rear-side lens group includes a first rear group and a second rear group, the first lens group and the second lens group are aligned in a straight line, an optical axis of the first lens group and an optical axis of the second lens group coincide with the straight line, the optical axis of the first lens group, an optical axis of the first rear group, and an optical axis of the second rear group are positioned on the same plane, the optical axis of the first lens group is positioned between the optical axis of the first rear group and the optical axis of the second rear group, the second lens group or the rear-side lens group includes a movable lens, and focusing is carried out by moving the movable lens parallel to the optical axis of the first lens group, and both in a case of being focused to an object at a far point and in a case of being focused to an object at a near point, the following conditional expression (2) is satisfied:
0.025≤((−L/2)×(f1/f2))×(1/WD′)≤0.25 (2)
where, L denotes a distance between the optical axis of the first rear group and the optical axis of the second rear group, WD′ denotes a distance between an object best position and a surface nearest to the object of the first lens group, f1 denotes a focal length of the first lens group, f2 denotes a focal length of the second lens group, and the object best position is an object position conjugate with the most focused position on an image plane. 3. The stereoscopic vision optical system according to claim 2, wherein
the rear-side lens group includes the movable lens, and the movable lens is a lens positioned nearest to the object in the first rear group and a lens positioned nearest to the object in the second rear group. 4. The stereoscopic vision optical system according to claim 2, wherein the second lens group includes the movable lens. 5. The stereoscopic vision optical system according to claim 4, wherein the following conditional expression (3) is satisfied:
−0.001≤1/f12w≤0.01 (3)
where, f12w denotes a combined focal length of the first lens group and the second lens group at the time of a far-point observation, and the far-point observation is an observation in a state of being focused to the object at the far point. 6. An endoscope comprising:
a stereoscopic vision optical system according to claim 2; and an image sensor which captures an optical image formed by the stereoscopic vision optical system. 7. The endoscope according to claim 6, wherein
the rear-side lens group includes a movable lens, and the movable lens is a lens positioned nearest to the object in the first rear group and a lens positioned nearest to the object in the second rear group. 8. The endoscope according to claim 6, wherein the second lens group includes a movable lens. 9. The endoscope according to claim 8, wherein the following conditional expression (3) is satisfied:
−0.001≤1/f12w≤0.01 (3)
where, f12w denotes a combined focal length of the first lens group and the second lens group at the time of a far-point observation, and the far point observation is an observation in a state of being focused to the object at the far point. | A stereoscopic vision optical system includes a first lens group having a negative refractive power, disposed nearest to an object, a second lens group having a positive refractive power, and a rear-side lens group having a positive refractive power. The rear-side lens group includes a first rear group and a second rear group. The optical axis of the first lens group, an optical axis of the first rear group, and an optical axis of the second rear group is positioned on the same plane. The optical axis of the first lens group is positioned between the optical axis of the first rear group and the optical axis of the second rear group, and the following conditional expression (1) is satisfied:1. A stereoscopic vision optical system, comprising in order from an object side to an image side:
a first lens group having a negative refractive power, disposed nearest to an object; a second lens group having a positive refractive power, and a rear-side lens group having a positive refractive power, wherein the rear-side lens group includes a first rear group and a second rear group, the first lens group and the second lens group are aligned in a straight line, an optical axis of the first lens group and an optical axis of the second lens group coincide with the straight line, the optical axis of the first lens group, an optical axis of the first rear group, and an optical axis of the second rear group are positioned on the same plane, the optical axis of the first lens group is positioned between the optical axis of the first rear group and the optical axis of the second rear group, and the following conditional expression (1) is satisfied:
0.08≤((−L/2)×(f1/f2))×(1/WD)≤0.25 (1)
where, L denotes a distance between the optical axis of the first rear group and the optical axis of the second rear group, WD denotes a distance between an object best position and a surface nearest to the object of the first lens group, f1 denotes a focal length of the first lens group, f2 denotes a focal length of the second lens group, and the object best position is an object position conjugate with the most focused position on an image plane. 2. A stereoscopic vision optical system, comprising in order from an object side to an image side:
a first lens group having a negative refractive power, disposed nearest to an object; a second lens group having a positive refractive power, and a rear-side lens group having a positive refractive power, wherein the rear-side lens group includes a first rear group and a second rear group, the first lens group and the second lens group are aligned in a straight line, an optical axis of the first lens group and an optical axis of the second lens group coincide with the straight line, the optical axis of the first lens group, an optical axis of the first rear group, and an optical axis of the second rear group are positioned on the same plane, the optical axis of the first lens group is positioned between the optical axis of the first rear group and the optical axis of the second rear group, the second lens group or the rear-side lens group includes a movable lens, and focusing is carried out by moving the movable lens parallel to the optical axis of the first lens group, and both in a case of being focused to an object at a far point and in a case of being focused to an object at a near point, the following conditional expression (2) is satisfied:
0.025≤((−L/2)×(f1/f2))×(1/WD′)≤0.25 (2)
where, L denotes a distance between the optical axis of the first rear group and the optical axis of the second rear group, WD′ denotes a distance between an object best position and a surface nearest to the object of the first lens group, f1 denotes a focal length of the first lens group, f2 denotes a focal length of the second lens group, and the object best position is an object position conjugate with the most focused position on an image plane. 3. The stereoscopic vision optical system according to claim 2, wherein
the rear-side lens group includes the movable lens, and the movable lens is a lens positioned nearest to the object in the first rear group and a lens positioned nearest to the object in the second rear group. 4. The stereoscopic vision optical system according to claim 2, wherein the second lens group includes the movable lens. 5. The stereoscopic vision optical system according to claim 4, wherein the following conditional expression (3) is satisfied:
−0.001≤1/f12w≤0.01 (3)
where, f12w denotes a combined focal length of the first lens group and the second lens group at the time of a far-point observation, and the far-point observation is an observation in a state of being focused to the object at the far point. 6. An endoscope comprising:
a stereoscopic vision optical system according to claim 2; and an image sensor which captures an optical image formed by the stereoscopic vision optical system. 7. The endoscope according to claim 6, wherein
the rear-side lens group includes a movable lens, and the movable lens is a lens positioned nearest to the object in the first rear group and a lens positioned nearest to the object in the second rear group. 8. The endoscope according to claim 6, wherein the second lens group includes a movable lens. 9. The endoscope according to claim 8, wherein the following conditional expression (3) is satisfied:
−0.001≤1/f12w≤0.01 (3)
where, f12w denotes a combined focal length of the first lens group and the second lens group at the time of a far-point observation, and the far point observation is an observation in a state of being focused to the object at the far point. | 2,800 |
339,978 | 16,800,960 | 2,872 | A system and method for time division multiplexing using different radio access technologies is disclosed. In one embodiment, a method performed by a first communication node includes: identifying a time division multiplex pattern that associates a plurality of time domain resources with: one of an uplink signal and a downlink signal, and one of at least two radio access technologies; receiving the uplink signal using at least one first associated time domain resource; and transmitting the downlink signal using at least one second associated time domain resource, wherein the plurality of time domain resources are sequential, and wherein at least one first and second associated time domain resources are associated with different radio access technologies. | 1. A method performed by a first communication node, the method comprising:
identifying a time division multiplex pattern that associates a plurality of time domain resources with:
one of an uplink signal and a downlink signal, and
one of at least two radio access technologies;
receiving the uplink signal using at least one first associated time domain resource; and transmitting the downlink signal using at least one second associated time domain resource, wherein the plurality of time domain resources are sequential, and wherein at least one first and second associated time domain resources are associated with different radio access technologies. 2. The method of claim 1, comprising:
receiving the uplink signal using the at least one first associated time domain resource at a first frequency; and transmitting the downlink signal using the at least one second associated time domain resource at a second frequency higher than the first frequency. 3. The method of claim 2, wherein the first frequency is 1.8 gigahertz and the second frequency is 3.5 gigahertz. 4. The method of claim 1, wherein the at least two radio access technologies comprise long term evolution (LTE) and 5G new radio (NR), and
wherein the plurality of time domain resources comprise at least one of: frames, subframes, slots, mini-slots, and symbols. 5. The method of claim 1, wherein the time division multiplex pattern is identified in accordance with a priority rule. 6. The method of claim 1, further comprising:
identifying the time division multiplex pattern in accordance with a priority rule, wherein the priority rule is based on at least one of:
a size of information for encoding in the time domain resources,
whether the information is produced in reply to a received signal, and
an identity of a group of devices ascribed to the first communication node. 7. The method of claim 1, wherein the time division multiplex pattern associates a first set of time domain resources in a predefined manner, and a second set of time domain resources in accordance with a priority rule. 8. The method of claim 1, wherein the time division multiplex pattern is at least one of:
received by a second communication node, retrieved from a local data store associated with the first communication node, and identified by a received channel state information signal. 9. The method of claim 1, wherein scheduling a hybrid automatic repeat request (HARD) timing of a LTE frequency division duplex (FDD) downlink carrier is determined according to a downlink (DL) reference uplink/downlink (UL/DL) configuration defined for a LTE FDD secondary cell (SCell) in a LTE time domain duplex (TDD) FDD carrier aggregation (CA) with a LTE TDD primary cell (PCell). 10. A method performed by a first communication node, the method comprising:
identifying a time division multiplex pattern that associates a plurality of time domain resources with:
one of an uplink signal and a downlink signal, and
one of at least two radio access technologies;
transmitting the uplink signal using at least one first associated time domain resource; and receiving the downlink signal using at least one second associated time domain resource, wherein the plurality of time domain resources are sequential, and wherein at least one first and second associated time domain resources are associated with different radio access technologies. 11. The method of claim 10, comprising:
transmitting the uplink signal using the at least one first associated time domain resource at a first frequency; and receiving the downlink signal using the at least one second associated time domain resource at a second frequency higher than the first frequency. 12. The method of claim 11, wherein the first frequency is 1.8 gigahertz and the second frequency is 3.5 gigahertz. 13. The method of claim 10, wherein the at least two radio access technologies comprise long term evolution (LTE) and 5G new radio (NR), and
wherein the plurality of time domain resources comprise at least one of: frames, subframes, slots, mini-slots, and symbols. 14. The method of claim 10, wherein the time division multiplex pattern is identified in accordance with a priority rule. 15. The method of claim 10, further comprising:
identifying the time division multiplex pattern in accordance with a priority rule, wherein the priority rule is based on at least one of:
a size of information for encoding in the time domain resources,
whether the information is produced in reply to a received signal, and
an identity of a group of devices ascribed to the first communication node. 16. The method of claim 10, wherein the time division multiplex pattern associates a first set of time domain resources in a predefined manner, and a second set of time domain resources in accordance with a priority rule. 17. The method of claim 10, wherein the time division multiplex pattern is at least one of:
received by a second communication node, retrieved from a local data store associated with the first communication node, and identified by a received channel state information signal. 18. The method of claim 10, wherein scheduling a hybrid automatic repeat request (HARQ) timing of a LTE frequency division duplex (FDD) downlink carrier is determined according to a downlink (DL) reference uplink/downlink (UL/DL) configuration defined for a LTE FDD secondary cell (SCell) in a LTE time domain duplex (TDD) FDD carrier aggregation (CA) with a LTE TDD primary cell (PCell). 19. A computing device configured to carry out the method of any one of claims 1 through 18. 20. A non-transitory computer-readable medium having stored thereon computer-executable instructions for carrying out any one of claims 1 through 18. | A system and method for time division multiplexing using different radio access technologies is disclosed. In one embodiment, a method performed by a first communication node includes: identifying a time division multiplex pattern that associates a plurality of time domain resources with: one of an uplink signal and a downlink signal, and one of at least two radio access technologies; receiving the uplink signal using at least one first associated time domain resource; and transmitting the downlink signal using at least one second associated time domain resource, wherein the plurality of time domain resources are sequential, and wherein at least one first and second associated time domain resources are associated with different radio access technologies.1. A method performed by a first communication node, the method comprising:
identifying a time division multiplex pattern that associates a plurality of time domain resources with:
one of an uplink signal and a downlink signal, and
one of at least two radio access technologies;
receiving the uplink signal using at least one first associated time domain resource; and transmitting the downlink signal using at least one second associated time domain resource, wherein the plurality of time domain resources are sequential, and wherein at least one first and second associated time domain resources are associated with different radio access technologies. 2. The method of claim 1, comprising:
receiving the uplink signal using the at least one first associated time domain resource at a first frequency; and transmitting the downlink signal using the at least one second associated time domain resource at a second frequency higher than the first frequency. 3. The method of claim 2, wherein the first frequency is 1.8 gigahertz and the second frequency is 3.5 gigahertz. 4. The method of claim 1, wherein the at least two radio access technologies comprise long term evolution (LTE) and 5G new radio (NR), and
wherein the plurality of time domain resources comprise at least one of: frames, subframes, slots, mini-slots, and symbols. 5. The method of claim 1, wherein the time division multiplex pattern is identified in accordance with a priority rule. 6. The method of claim 1, further comprising:
identifying the time division multiplex pattern in accordance with a priority rule, wherein the priority rule is based on at least one of:
a size of information for encoding in the time domain resources,
whether the information is produced in reply to a received signal, and
an identity of a group of devices ascribed to the first communication node. 7. The method of claim 1, wherein the time division multiplex pattern associates a first set of time domain resources in a predefined manner, and a second set of time domain resources in accordance with a priority rule. 8. The method of claim 1, wherein the time division multiplex pattern is at least one of:
received by a second communication node, retrieved from a local data store associated with the first communication node, and identified by a received channel state information signal. 9. The method of claim 1, wherein scheduling a hybrid automatic repeat request (HARD) timing of a LTE frequency division duplex (FDD) downlink carrier is determined according to a downlink (DL) reference uplink/downlink (UL/DL) configuration defined for a LTE FDD secondary cell (SCell) in a LTE time domain duplex (TDD) FDD carrier aggregation (CA) with a LTE TDD primary cell (PCell). 10. A method performed by a first communication node, the method comprising:
identifying a time division multiplex pattern that associates a plurality of time domain resources with:
one of an uplink signal and a downlink signal, and
one of at least two radio access technologies;
transmitting the uplink signal using at least one first associated time domain resource; and receiving the downlink signal using at least one second associated time domain resource, wherein the plurality of time domain resources are sequential, and wherein at least one first and second associated time domain resources are associated with different radio access technologies. 11. The method of claim 10, comprising:
transmitting the uplink signal using the at least one first associated time domain resource at a first frequency; and receiving the downlink signal using the at least one second associated time domain resource at a second frequency higher than the first frequency. 12. The method of claim 11, wherein the first frequency is 1.8 gigahertz and the second frequency is 3.5 gigahertz. 13. The method of claim 10, wherein the at least two radio access technologies comprise long term evolution (LTE) and 5G new radio (NR), and
wherein the plurality of time domain resources comprise at least one of: frames, subframes, slots, mini-slots, and symbols. 14. The method of claim 10, wherein the time division multiplex pattern is identified in accordance with a priority rule. 15. The method of claim 10, further comprising:
identifying the time division multiplex pattern in accordance with a priority rule, wherein the priority rule is based on at least one of:
a size of information for encoding in the time domain resources,
whether the information is produced in reply to a received signal, and
an identity of a group of devices ascribed to the first communication node. 16. The method of claim 10, wherein the time division multiplex pattern associates a first set of time domain resources in a predefined manner, and a second set of time domain resources in accordance with a priority rule. 17. The method of claim 10, wherein the time division multiplex pattern is at least one of:
received by a second communication node, retrieved from a local data store associated with the first communication node, and identified by a received channel state information signal. 18. The method of claim 10, wherein scheduling a hybrid automatic repeat request (HARQ) timing of a LTE frequency division duplex (FDD) downlink carrier is determined according to a downlink (DL) reference uplink/downlink (UL/DL) configuration defined for a LTE FDD secondary cell (SCell) in a LTE time domain duplex (TDD) FDD carrier aggregation (CA) with a LTE TDD primary cell (PCell). 19. A computing device configured to carry out the method of any one of claims 1 through 18. 20. A non-transitory computer-readable medium having stored thereon computer-executable instructions for carrying out any one of claims 1 through 18. | 2,800 |
339,979 | 16,800,884 | 2,872 | A communication by a particular user within a digital collaboration is determined as related to a particular business entity. A relationship between one or more additional business entities and the particular business entity is identified from one or more business models. The communication is associated with the additional business entities based on the relationship. | 1. (canceled) 2. A system for interactive or communication access comprising:
at least one processor; and memory including instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the at least one processor to perform operations to:
generate a link expression data structure that interconnects a set of plan models associated with an organization;
generate a discussion user interface element of a graphical user interface for a model view for a plan model of the set of plan models; the discussion user interface element corresponding with the plan model, wherein generating the discussion user interface is based on a collaboration framework for facilitating discussion of the plan model, and wherein the discussion user interface element includes controls that correspond to a set of interactive user interface elements for facilitating a digital collaboration;
grant access to interact with a subset of user communications to a set of users based on the set of users being related to one or more business entities related to the plan model, wherein the subset of user communications corresponds to the plan model, wherein the access to interact is facilitated by propagation of the subset of user communications to the set of users by the link expression data structure, and wherein the propagation facilitates the digital col laboration between the set of users across domains within the organization;
receive an indication from a user of the set of users, via an interactive user interface element of the set of interactive user interface elements, that content of a selected user communication represents one of a risk or an opportunity to the organization; and
grant access to the selected user communication to a second set of users based on a tag created by a control of the of the set of controls based on the indication and an association between the plan model and another plan model identified from the link expression data structure, wherein the tag indicates an association between an entity of the organization and the user communication. 3. The system of claim 2, the memory further comprising instructions that cause the at least one processor to perform operations to:
identify a software model to model the business entity; and define an association between the indication and the software model. 4. The system of claim 3, wherein the software model comprises a plan model modeling a business plan corresponding to the business entity. 5. The system of claim 2, wherein the business entity comprises at least one of a market segment, a product category, a product, a brand, or a business unit. 6. The system of claim 2, the memory further comprising instructions that cause the at least one processor to perform operations to:
identify a relationship between the business entity and another business entity, wherein the relationship is defined in the plan model; and further associate the indication with the other business entity based on the relationship. 7. The system of claim 2, wherein the discussion user interface element is implemented on a discussion board platform. 8. The system of claim 2, wherein the discussion user interface element is transmitted for display within a social networking platform. 9. At least one machine-readable medium including instructions for interactive communication access that, when executed by at least one processor, cause the at least one processor to perform operations to:
generate a link expression data structure that interconnects a set of plan models associated with an organization; generate a discussion user interface element of a graphical user interface for a model view for a plan model of the set of plan models, the discussion user interface element corresponding with the plan model, wherein generating the discussion user interface is based on a collaboration framework for facilitating discussion of the plan model, and wherein the discussion user interface element includes controls that correspond to a set of interactive user interface elements for facilitating a digital collaboration; grant access to interact with a subset of user communications to a set of users based on the set of users being related to one or more business entities related to the plan model, wherein the subset of user communications corresponds to the plan model, wherein the access to interact is facilitated by propagation of the subset of user communications to the set of users by the link expression data structure, and wherein the propagation facilitates the digital collaboration between the set of users across domains within the organization; receive an indication from a user of the set of users, via an interactive user interface element of the set of interactive user interface elements, that content of a selected user communication represents one of a risk or an opportunity to the organization; and grant access to the selected user communication to a second set of users based on a tag created by a control of the of the set of controls based on the indication and an association between the plan model and another plan model identified from the link expression data structure, wherein the tag indicates an association between an entity of the organization and the user communication. 10. The at least one machine-readable medium of claim 9, further comprising instructions that cause the at least one processor to perform operations to:
identify a software model to model the business entity; and define an association between the indication and the software model. 11. The at least one machine-readable medium of claim 10, wherein the software model comprises a plan model modeling a business plan corresponding to the business entity. 12. The at least one machine-readable medium of claim 9, wherein the business entity, comprises at least one of a market segment, a product category, a product, a brand; or a business unit. 13. The at least one machine-readable medium of claim 9, further comprising instructions that cause the at least one processor to perform operations to:
identify a relationship between the business entity and another business entity, wherein the relationship is defined in the plan model; and further associate the indication with the other business entity based on the relationship. 14. The at least one machine-readable medium of claim 9, wherein the discussion user interface element is implemented on a discussion board platform. 15. The at least one machine-readable medium of claim 9, wherein the discussion user interface element is transmitted for display within a social networking platform. 16. A method performed by processing circuitry of a computing device, the method comprising:
generating a link expression data structure that interconnects a set of plan models associated with an organization; generating a discussion user interface element of a graphical user interface for a model view for a plan model of the set of plan models, the discussion user interface element corresponding with the plan model, wherein generating the discussion user interface is based on a collaboration framework for facilitating discussion of the plan model; and wherein the discussion user interface element includes controls that correspond to a set of interactive user interface elements for facilitating a digital collaboration; granting access to interact with a subset of user communications to a set of users based on the set of users being related to one or more business entities related to the plan model, wherein the subset of user communications corresponds to the plan model, wherein the access to interact is facilitated by propagation of the subset of user communications to the set of users by the link expression data structure, and wherein the propagation facilitates the digital collaboration between the set of users across domains within the organization; receiving an indication from a user of the set of users, via an interactive user interface element of the set of interactive user interface elements, that content of a selected user communication represents one of a risk or an opportunity to the organization; and granting access to the selected user communication to a second set of users based on a tag created by a control of the of the set of controls based on the indication and an association between the plan model and another plan model identified from the link expression data structure, wherein the tag indicates an association between an entity of the organization and the user communication. 17. The method of claim 16, further comprising:
identifying a software model to model the business entity; and defining an association between the indication and the software model. 18. The method of claim 17, wherein the software model comprises a plan model modeling a business plan corresponding to the business entity. 19. The method of claim 16, wherein the business entity comprises at least one of a market segment, a product category, a product, a brand, or a business unit. 20. The method of claim 16, further comprising:
identifying a relationship between the business entity and another business entity, wherein the relationship is defined in the plan model; further associating the indication with the other business entity based on the relationship. 21. The method of claim 16, wherein the discussion user interface element is implemented on a discussion board platform. | A communication by a particular user within a digital collaboration is determined as related to a particular business entity. A relationship between one or more additional business entities and the particular business entity is identified from one or more business models. The communication is associated with the additional business entities based on the relationship.1. (canceled) 2. A system for interactive or communication access comprising:
at least one processor; and memory including instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the at least one processor to perform operations to:
generate a link expression data structure that interconnects a set of plan models associated with an organization;
generate a discussion user interface element of a graphical user interface for a model view for a plan model of the set of plan models; the discussion user interface element corresponding with the plan model, wherein generating the discussion user interface is based on a collaboration framework for facilitating discussion of the plan model, and wherein the discussion user interface element includes controls that correspond to a set of interactive user interface elements for facilitating a digital collaboration;
grant access to interact with a subset of user communications to a set of users based on the set of users being related to one or more business entities related to the plan model, wherein the subset of user communications corresponds to the plan model, wherein the access to interact is facilitated by propagation of the subset of user communications to the set of users by the link expression data structure, and wherein the propagation facilitates the digital col laboration between the set of users across domains within the organization;
receive an indication from a user of the set of users, via an interactive user interface element of the set of interactive user interface elements, that content of a selected user communication represents one of a risk or an opportunity to the organization; and
grant access to the selected user communication to a second set of users based on a tag created by a control of the of the set of controls based on the indication and an association between the plan model and another plan model identified from the link expression data structure, wherein the tag indicates an association between an entity of the organization and the user communication. 3. The system of claim 2, the memory further comprising instructions that cause the at least one processor to perform operations to:
identify a software model to model the business entity; and define an association between the indication and the software model. 4. The system of claim 3, wherein the software model comprises a plan model modeling a business plan corresponding to the business entity. 5. The system of claim 2, wherein the business entity comprises at least one of a market segment, a product category, a product, a brand, or a business unit. 6. The system of claim 2, the memory further comprising instructions that cause the at least one processor to perform operations to:
identify a relationship between the business entity and another business entity, wherein the relationship is defined in the plan model; and further associate the indication with the other business entity based on the relationship. 7. The system of claim 2, wherein the discussion user interface element is implemented on a discussion board platform. 8. The system of claim 2, wherein the discussion user interface element is transmitted for display within a social networking platform. 9. At least one machine-readable medium including instructions for interactive communication access that, when executed by at least one processor, cause the at least one processor to perform operations to:
generate a link expression data structure that interconnects a set of plan models associated with an organization; generate a discussion user interface element of a graphical user interface for a model view for a plan model of the set of plan models, the discussion user interface element corresponding with the plan model, wherein generating the discussion user interface is based on a collaboration framework for facilitating discussion of the plan model, and wherein the discussion user interface element includes controls that correspond to a set of interactive user interface elements for facilitating a digital collaboration; grant access to interact with a subset of user communications to a set of users based on the set of users being related to one or more business entities related to the plan model, wherein the subset of user communications corresponds to the plan model, wherein the access to interact is facilitated by propagation of the subset of user communications to the set of users by the link expression data structure, and wherein the propagation facilitates the digital collaboration between the set of users across domains within the organization; receive an indication from a user of the set of users, via an interactive user interface element of the set of interactive user interface elements, that content of a selected user communication represents one of a risk or an opportunity to the organization; and grant access to the selected user communication to a second set of users based on a tag created by a control of the of the set of controls based on the indication and an association between the plan model and another plan model identified from the link expression data structure, wherein the tag indicates an association between an entity of the organization and the user communication. 10. The at least one machine-readable medium of claim 9, further comprising instructions that cause the at least one processor to perform operations to:
identify a software model to model the business entity; and define an association between the indication and the software model. 11. The at least one machine-readable medium of claim 10, wherein the software model comprises a plan model modeling a business plan corresponding to the business entity. 12. The at least one machine-readable medium of claim 9, wherein the business entity, comprises at least one of a market segment, a product category, a product, a brand; or a business unit. 13. The at least one machine-readable medium of claim 9, further comprising instructions that cause the at least one processor to perform operations to:
identify a relationship between the business entity and another business entity, wherein the relationship is defined in the plan model; and further associate the indication with the other business entity based on the relationship. 14. The at least one machine-readable medium of claim 9, wherein the discussion user interface element is implemented on a discussion board platform. 15. The at least one machine-readable medium of claim 9, wherein the discussion user interface element is transmitted for display within a social networking platform. 16. A method performed by processing circuitry of a computing device, the method comprising:
generating a link expression data structure that interconnects a set of plan models associated with an organization; generating a discussion user interface element of a graphical user interface for a model view for a plan model of the set of plan models, the discussion user interface element corresponding with the plan model, wherein generating the discussion user interface is based on a collaboration framework for facilitating discussion of the plan model; and wherein the discussion user interface element includes controls that correspond to a set of interactive user interface elements for facilitating a digital collaboration; granting access to interact with a subset of user communications to a set of users based on the set of users being related to one or more business entities related to the plan model, wherein the subset of user communications corresponds to the plan model, wherein the access to interact is facilitated by propagation of the subset of user communications to the set of users by the link expression data structure, and wherein the propagation facilitates the digital collaboration between the set of users across domains within the organization; receiving an indication from a user of the set of users, via an interactive user interface element of the set of interactive user interface elements, that content of a selected user communication represents one of a risk or an opportunity to the organization; and granting access to the selected user communication to a second set of users based on a tag created by a control of the of the set of controls based on the indication and an association between the plan model and another plan model identified from the link expression data structure, wherein the tag indicates an association between an entity of the organization and the user communication. 17. The method of claim 16, further comprising:
identifying a software model to model the business entity; and defining an association between the indication and the software model. 18. The method of claim 17, wherein the software model comprises a plan model modeling a business plan corresponding to the business entity. 19. The method of claim 16, wherein the business entity comprises at least one of a market segment, a product category, a product, a brand, or a business unit. 20. The method of claim 16, further comprising:
identifying a relationship between the business entity and another business entity, wherein the relationship is defined in the plan model; further associating the indication with the other business entity based on the relationship. 21. The method of claim 16, wherein the discussion user interface element is implemented on a discussion board platform. | 2,800 |
339,980 | 16,800,951 | 2,872 | An optical filter may reduce the frequency and/or severity of photophobic responses or for modulating circadian cycles by controlling light exposure to cells in the human eye in certain wavelengths, such as 480 nm and 590 nm, and a visual spectral response of the human eye. The optical filter may disrupt the isomerization of melanopsin in the human eye reducing the availability of the active isoform, whereas the attenuation of light weighted across the action potential spectrum of the active isoform attenuates the phototransduction cascade leading to photophobic responses. Embodiments of an optical filter are described. In one embodiment an optical filter may be configured to transmit less than a first amount of light in certain wavelengths, and to transmit more than a second amount of light weighted across the visual spectral response. Methods of use and methods of manufacturing optical filters are also described. | 1. An apparatus for modulating or reducing photophobic responses by controlling exposure of cells in a human eye to light having a predetermined wavelength, the apparatus comprising:
an optical filter configured to transmit less than a first amount of light at about the predetermined wavelength and to transmit more than a second amount of light weighted across a visual spectral response. | An optical filter may reduce the frequency and/or severity of photophobic responses or for modulating circadian cycles by controlling light exposure to cells in the human eye in certain wavelengths, such as 480 nm and 590 nm, and a visual spectral response of the human eye. The optical filter may disrupt the isomerization of melanopsin in the human eye reducing the availability of the active isoform, whereas the attenuation of light weighted across the action potential spectrum of the active isoform attenuates the phototransduction cascade leading to photophobic responses. Embodiments of an optical filter are described. In one embodiment an optical filter may be configured to transmit less than a first amount of light in certain wavelengths, and to transmit more than a second amount of light weighted across the visual spectral response. Methods of use and methods of manufacturing optical filters are also described.1. An apparatus for modulating or reducing photophobic responses by controlling exposure of cells in a human eye to light having a predetermined wavelength, the apparatus comprising:
an optical filter configured to transmit less than a first amount of light at about the predetermined wavelength and to transmit more than a second amount of light weighted across a visual spectral response. | 2,800 |
339,981 | 16,800,936 | 2,872 | An optical filter may reduce the frequency and/or severity of photophobic responses or for modulating circadian cycles by controlling light exposure to cells in the human eye in certain wavelengths, such as 480 nm and 590 nm, and a visual spectral response of the human eye. The optical filter may disrupt the isomerization of melanopsin in the human eye reducing the availability of the active isoform, whereas the attenuation of light weighted across the action potential spectrum of the active isoform attenuates the phototransduction cascade leading to photophobic responses. Embodiments of an optical filter are described. In one embodiment an optical filter may be configured to transmit less than a first amount of light in certain wavelengths, and to transmit more than a second amount of light weighted across the visual spectral response. Methods of use and methods of manufacturing optical filters are also described. | 1. An apparatus for modulating or reducing photophobic responses by controlling exposure of cells in a human eye to light having a predetermined wavelength, the apparatus comprising:
an optical filter configured to transmit less than a first amount of light at about the predetermined wavelength and to transmit more than a second amount of light weighted across a visual spectral response. | An optical filter may reduce the frequency and/or severity of photophobic responses or for modulating circadian cycles by controlling light exposure to cells in the human eye in certain wavelengths, such as 480 nm and 590 nm, and a visual spectral response of the human eye. The optical filter may disrupt the isomerization of melanopsin in the human eye reducing the availability of the active isoform, whereas the attenuation of light weighted across the action potential spectrum of the active isoform attenuates the phototransduction cascade leading to photophobic responses. Embodiments of an optical filter are described. In one embodiment an optical filter may be configured to transmit less than a first amount of light in certain wavelengths, and to transmit more than a second amount of light weighted across the visual spectral response. Methods of use and methods of manufacturing optical filters are also described.1. An apparatus for modulating or reducing photophobic responses by controlling exposure of cells in a human eye to light having a predetermined wavelength, the apparatus comprising:
an optical filter configured to transmit less than a first amount of light at about the predetermined wavelength and to transmit more than a second amount of light weighted across a visual spectral response. | 2,800 |
339,982 | 16,800,946 | 2,872 | A detector may be provided with a sensing element or an array of sensing elements, each of the sensing elements may have a corresponding gain element. A substrate may be provided having a sensing element and a gain element integrated together. The gain element may include a section in which, along a direction perpendicular to an incidence direction of an electron beam, a region of first conductivity is provided adjacent to a region of second conductivity, and a region of third conductivity may be provided adjacent to the region of second conductivity. The sensing element may include a section in which, along the incidence direction, a region of fourth conductivity is provided adjacent to an intrinsic region of the substrate, and the region of second conductivity may be provided adjacent to the intrinsic region. | 1. A detector for a charged particle beam apparatus, the detector comprising:
a sensing element; and a gain element, wherein the sensing element and the gain element are aligned in a first direction, and the gain element includes a section in which, along a second direction perpendicular to the first direction, a region of first conductivity is provided adjacent to a region of second conductivity, and a region of third conductivity is provided adjacent to the region of second conductivity, the region of second conductivity being interposed between the region of first conductivity and the region of third conductivity. 2. The detector of claim 1, wherein the sensing element comprises a first layer including a region of fourth conductivity. 3. The detector of claim 2, wherein the sensing element includes a section in which, along the first direction, the region of fourth conductivity is provided adjacent to an intrinsic region, and the region of second conductivity is provided adjacent to the intrinsic region. 4. The detector of claim 3, wherein the region of second conductivity protrudes beyond the region of first conductivity and into the intrinsic region. 5. The detector of claim 1, wherein the region of third conductivity is of the same conductivity type as the first conductivity and is more conductive than the region of first conductivity. 6. The detector of claim 1, wherein
the region of first conductivity is an n+ semiconductor, the region of second conductivity a p+ semiconductor, and the region of third conductivity is an n+++ semiconductor. 7. The detector of claim 1, wherein
the region of first conductivity is a p+ semiconductor, the region of second conductivity an n+ semiconductor, and the region of third conductivity is a p+++ semiconductor. 8. The detector of claim 1, wherein the gain element is a bipolar junction transistor. 9. The detector claim 2, wherein the region of fourth conductivity is of the same conductivity type as the first conductivity and is more conductive than the region of first conductivity and is less conductive than the region of third conductivity. 10. The detector claim 2, wherein the region of fourth conductivity is an n++ semiconductor. 11. The detector claim 2, wherein the region of fourth conductivity is a p++ semiconductor. 11. The detector of claim 1, wherein the gain element is one of a plurality of gain elements included in the detector. 13. A method comprising:
forming a sensing element in a substrate; and forming a gain element in the substrate, wherein the sensing element and the gain element are aligned in a first direction, and the gain element includes a section in which, along a second direction perpendicular to the first direction, a region of first conductivity is provided adjacent to a region of second conductivity, and a region of third conductivity is provided adjacent to the region of second conductivity, the region of second conductivity being interposed between the region of first conductivity and the region of third conductivity. 14. The method of claim 13, wherein forming the sensing element and forming the gain element comprises semiconductor doping. 15. The method of claim 13, wherein forming the gain element comprises:
implanting the region of second conductivity into the region of first conductivity to a depth greater than a depth of the region of first conductivity. | A detector may be provided with a sensing element or an array of sensing elements, each of the sensing elements may have a corresponding gain element. A substrate may be provided having a sensing element and a gain element integrated together. The gain element may include a section in which, along a direction perpendicular to an incidence direction of an electron beam, a region of first conductivity is provided adjacent to a region of second conductivity, and a region of third conductivity may be provided adjacent to the region of second conductivity. The sensing element may include a section in which, along the incidence direction, a region of fourth conductivity is provided adjacent to an intrinsic region of the substrate, and the region of second conductivity may be provided adjacent to the intrinsic region.1. A detector for a charged particle beam apparatus, the detector comprising:
a sensing element; and a gain element, wherein the sensing element and the gain element are aligned in a first direction, and the gain element includes a section in which, along a second direction perpendicular to the first direction, a region of first conductivity is provided adjacent to a region of second conductivity, and a region of third conductivity is provided adjacent to the region of second conductivity, the region of second conductivity being interposed between the region of first conductivity and the region of third conductivity. 2. The detector of claim 1, wherein the sensing element comprises a first layer including a region of fourth conductivity. 3. The detector of claim 2, wherein the sensing element includes a section in which, along the first direction, the region of fourth conductivity is provided adjacent to an intrinsic region, and the region of second conductivity is provided adjacent to the intrinsic region. 4. The detector of claim 3, wherein the region of second conductivity protrudes beyond the region of first conductivity and into the intrinsic region. 5. The detector of claim 1, wherein the region of third conductivity is of the same conductivity type as the first conductivity and is more conductive than the region of first conductivity. 6. The detector of claim 1, wherein
the region of first conductivity is an n+ semiconductor, the region of second conductivity a p+ semiconductor, and the region of third conductivity is an n+++ semiconductor. 7. The detector of claim 1, wherein
the region of first conductivity is a p+ semiconductor, the region of second conductivity an n+ semiconductor, and the region of third conductivity is a p+++ semiconductor. 8. The detector of claim 1, wherein the gain element is a bipolar junction transistor. 9. The detector claim 2, wherein the region of fourth conductivity is of the same conductivity type as the first conductivity and is more conductive than the region of first conductivity and is less conductive than the region of third conductivity. 10. The detector claim 2, wherein the region of fourth conductivity is an n++ semiconductor. 11. The detector claim 2, wherein the region of fourth conductivity is a p++ semiconductor. 11. The detector of claim 1, wherein the gain element is one of a plurality of gain elements included in the detector. 13. A method comprising:
forming a sensing element in a substrate; and forming a gain element in the substrate, wherein the sensing element and the gain element are aligned in a first direction, and the gain element includes a section in which, along a second direction perpendicular to the first direction, a region of first conductivity is provided adjacent to a region of second conductivity, and a region of third conductivity is provided adjacent to the region of second conductivity, the region of second conductivity being interposed between the region of first conductivity and the region of third conductivity. 14. The method of claim 13, wherein forming the sensing element and forming the gain element comprises semiconductor doping. 15. The method of claim 13, wherein forming the gain element comprises:
implanting the region of second conductivity into the region of first conductivity to a depth greater than a depth of the region of first conductivity. | 2,800 |
339,983 | 16,800,928 | 2,872 | The present disclosure relates to a filter. The filter includes a porous element, a compression element and a housing. At least a portion of the porous element is coated with an alkylsilyl coating. The compression element is configured to receive the porous element thereby forming an assembly. The housing has an opening formed therein. The opening is configured to receive the assembly. The assembly is retained within the opening when the assembly is received therein. | 1-27. (canceled) 28. A chromatographic column for separating analytes in a sample, the chromatographic column comprising:
a column body having an interior surface, at least a portion of the interior surface coated with an alkylsilyl coating; and a filter configured to connect to the column, the filter comprising
a porous element, at least a portion of the porous element coated with the alkylsilyl coating;
a compression element configured to receive the porous element thereby forming an assembly; and
a housing having an opening formed therein, the opening configured to receive the assembly,
wherein the assembly is retained within the opening when the assembly is received therein; and wherein the alkylsilyl coating is undamaged when the filter is connected to the column body. 29-35. (canceled) 36. The chromatographic column of claim 28, wherein the alkylsilyl coating has the Formula I: 37. The chromatographic column of claim 36, wherein X is (C2-C10)alkyl. 38. The chromatographic column of claim 36, wherein X is ethyl. 39. The chromatographic column of claim 36, wherein R1, R2, R3, R4, R5, and R6 are each methoxy or chloro. 40. The chromatographic column of claim 36, wherein the alkylsilyl coating of Formula I is bis(trichlorosilyl)ethane or bis(trimethoxysilyl)ethane. 41. The chromatographic column of claim 36, further comprising a second alkylsilyl coating in direct contact with the alkylsilyl coating of Formula I, the second alkylsilyl coating having the Formula II: 42. The chromatographic column of claim 41, wherein y is an integer from 2 to 9. 43. The chromatographic column of claim 41, wherein y is 9, R10 is methyl, and R7, R8, and R9 are each methoxy, ethoxy or chloro. 44-46. (canceled) 47. The chromatographic column of claim 41, wherein the alkylsilyl coating of Formula I is bis(trichlorosilyl)ethane or bis(trimethoxysilyl)ethane and the alkylsilyl coating of Formula II is (3-glycidyloxypropyl)trimethoxysilane followed by hydrolysis. 48-50. (canceled) 51. The chromatographic column of claim 36, further comprising a alkylsilyl coating having the Formula III in direct contact with the alkylsilyl coating of Formula I, 52. (canceled) 53. The chromatographic column of claim 51, wherein the alkylsilyl coating of Formula I is bis(trichlorosilyl)ethane or bis(trimethoxysilyl)ethane and the alkylsilyl coating of Formula III is bis(trichlorosilyl)ethane or bis(trimethoxysilyl)ethane. 54. An assembly for a chromatographic system, the assembly comprising:
tubing having a first end, a second end and an interior surface coated with an alkylsilyl coating; and a ferrule comprised of a plastic or elastomeric material having a first end, a second end and an opening formed therein from the first end to the second end, the ferrule positioned at the first end of the tubing with the tubing positioned in the opening of the ferrule, wherein the ferrule has a surface coated with the alkylsilyl coating. 55. The assembly of claim 54, wherein the alkylsilyl coating is undamaged when the assembly is connected to a chromatographic component. 56. The assembly of claim 55, wherein the chromatographic component is an injection needle, a sample loop, pre-heater tube, or a detector flow cell component. 57-60. (canceled) 61. The assembly of claim 54, wherein the alkylsilyl coating has the Formula I: 62. The assembly of claim 61, wherein X is (C2-C10)alkyl. 63. The assembly of claim 61, wherein X is ethyl. 64. The assembly of claim 61, wherein R1, R2, R3, R4, R5, and R6 are each methoxy or chloro. 65. (canceled) 66. The assembly of claim 61, further comprising a second alkylsilyl coating in direct contact with the alkylsilyl coating of Formula I, the second alkylsilyl coating having the Formula II: 67. The assembly of claim 66, wherein y is an integer from 2 to 9. 68. The assembly of claim 66, wherein y is 9, R10 is methyl, and R7, R8, and R9 are each methoxy, ethoxy or chloro. 69-71. (canceled) 72. The assembly of claim 66, wherein the alkylsilyl coating of Formula I is bis(trichlorosilyl)ethane or bis(trimethoxysilyl)ethane and the alkylsilyl coating of Formula II is (3-glycidyloxypropyl)trimethoxysilane followed by hydrolysis. 73-75. (canceled) 76. The assembly of claim 61, further comprising a alkylsilyl coating having the Formula III in direct contact with the alkylsilyl coating of Formula I, 77. (canceled) 78. The assembly of claim 76, wherein the alkylsilyl coating of Formula I is bis(trichlorosilyl)ethane or bis(trimethoxysilyl)ethane and the alkylsilyl coating of Formula III is bis(trichlorosilyl)ethane or bis(trimethoxysilyl)ethane. 79-81. (canceled) | The present disclosure relates to a filter. The filter includes a porous element, a compression element and a housing. At least a portion of the porous element is coated with an alkylsilyl coating. The compression element is configured to receive the porous element thereby forming an assembly. The housing has an opening formed therein. The opening is configured to receive the assembly. The assembly is retained within the opening when the assembly is received therein.1-27. (canceled) 28. A chromatographic column for separating analytes in a sample, the chromatographic column comprising:
a column body having an interior surface, at least a portion of the interior surface coated with an alkylsilyl coating; and a filter configured to connect to the column, the filter comprising
a porous element, at least a portion of the porous element coated with the alkylsilyl coating;
a compression element configured to receive the porous element thereby forming an assembly; and
a housing having an opening formed therein, the opening configured to receive the assembly,
wherein the assembly is retained within the opening when the assembly is received therein; and wherein the alkylsilyl coating is undamaged when the filter is connected to the column body. 29-35. (canceled) 36. The chromatographic column of claim 28, wherein the alkylsilyl coating has the Formula I: 37. The chromatographic column of claim 36, wherein X is (C2-C10)alkyl. 38. The chromatographic column of claim 36, wherein X is ethyl. 39. The chromatographic column of claim 36, wherein R1, R2, R3, R4, R5, and R6 are each methoxy or chloro. 40. The chromatographic column of claim 36, wherein the alkylsilyl coating of Formula I is bis(trichlorosilyl)ethane or bis(trimethoxysilyl)ethane. 41. The chromatographic column of claim 36, further comprising a second alkylsilyl coating in direct contact with the alkylsilyl coating of Formula I, the second alkylsilyl coating having the Formula II: 42. The chromatographic column of claim 41, wherein y is an integer from 2 to 9. 43. The chromatographic column of claim 41, wherein y is 9, R10 is methyl, and R7, R8, and R9 are each methoxy, ethoxy or chloro. 44-46. (canceled) 47. The chromatographic column of claim 41, wherein the alkylsilyl coating of Formula I is bis(trichlorosilyl)ethane or bis(trimethoxysilyl)ethane and the alkylsilyl coating of Formula II is (3-glycidyloxypropyl)trimethoxysilane followed by hydrolysis. 48-50. (canceled) 51. The chromatographic column of claim 36, further comprising a alkylsilyl coating having the Formula III in direct contact with the alkylsilyl coating of Formula I, 52. (canceled) 53. The chromatographic column of claim 51, wherein the alkylsilyl coating of Formula I is bis(trichlorosilyl)ethane or bis(trimethoxysilyl)ethane and the alkylsilyl coating of Formula III is bis(trichlorosilyl)ethane or bis(trimethoxysilyl)ethane. 54. An assembly for a chromatographic system, the assembly comprising:
tubing having a first end, a second end and an interior surface coated with an alkylsilyl coating; and a ferrule comprised of a plastic or elastomeric material having a first end, a second end and an opening formed therein from the first end to the second end, the ferrule positioned at the first end of the tubing with the tubing positioned in the opening of the ferrule, wherein the ferrule has a surface coated with the alkylsilyl coating. 55. The assembly of claim 54, wherein the alkylsilyl coating is undamaged when the assembly is connected to a chromatographic component. 56. The assembly of claim 55, wherein the chromatographic component is an injection needle, a sample loop, pre-heater tube, or a detector flow cell component. 57-60. (canceled) 61. The assembly of claim 54, wherein the alkylsilyl coating has the Formula I: 62. The assembly of claim 61, wherein X is (C2-C10)alkyl. 63. The assembly of claim 61, wherein X is ethyl. 64. The assembly of claim 61, wherein R1, R2, R3, R4, R5, and R6 are each methoxy or chloro. 65. (canceled) 66. The assembly of claim 61, further comprising a second alkylsilyl coating in direct contact with the alkylsilyl coating of Formula I, the second alkylsilyl coating having the Formula II: 67. The assembly of claim 66, wherein y is an integer from 2 to 9. 68. The assembly of claim 66, wherein y is 9, R10 is methyl, and R7, R8, and R9 are each methoxy, ethoxy or chloro. 69-71. (canceled) 72. The assembly of claim 66, wherein the alkylsilyl coating of Formula I is bis(trichlorosilyl)ethane or bis(trimethoxysilyl)ethane and the alkylsilyl coating of Formula II is (3-glycidyloxypropyl)trimethoxysilane followed by hydrolysis. 73-75. (canceled) 76. The assembly of claim 61, further comprising a alkylsilyl coating having the Formula III in direct contact with the alkylsilyl coating of Formula I, 77. (canceled) 78. The assembly of claim 76, wherein the alkylsilyl coating of Formula I is bis(trichlorosilyl)ethane or bis(trimethoxysilyl)ethane and the alkylsilyl coating of Formula III is bis(trichlorosilyl)ethane or bis(trimethoxysilyl)ethane. 79-81. (canceled) | 2,800 |
339,984 | 16,800,922 | 2,872 | Systems and methods for automated segmentation of anatomical structures (e.g., heart). Convolutional neural networks (CNNs) may be employed to autonomously segment parts of an anatomical structure represented by image data, such as 3D MRI data. The CNN utilizes two paths, a contracting path and an expanding path. In at least some implementations, the expanding path includes fewer convolution operations than the contracting path. Systems and methods also autonomously calculate an image intensity threshold that differentiates blood from papillary and trabeculae muscles in the interior of an endocardium contour, and autonomously apply the image intensity threshold to define a contour or mask that describes the boundary of the papillary and trabeculae muscles. Systems and methods also calculate contours or masks delineating the endocardium and epicardium using the trained CNN model, and anatomically localize pathologies or functional characteristics of the myocardial muscle using the calculated contours or masks. | 1-20. (canceled) 21. A computer-implemented machine learning method, comprising:
training a fully convolutional neural network (CNN) model to generate a trained CNN model for segmenting an anatomical structure based, at least in part, on a plurality of images, wherein each of a subset of the plurality of images includes at least one label which identifies a region of a particular part of the anatomical structure depicted in the image, the trained CNN model comprising an expanding path that includes a plurality of convolutional layers and a plurality of upsampling layers, wherein each upsampling layer is preceded by at least one convolutional layer and comprises a fixed upsampling operation without a learned kernel and a convolution operation with a learned kernel, and the convolution operation is preceded by the fixed upsampling operation and succeeded by a concatenation of feature maps; and storing the trained CNN model in a nontransitory processor-readable storage medium. 22. The method of claim 21, wherein training the CNN model further comprises selecting the CNN model based, at least in part, on validation accuracy of the CNN model. 23. The method of claim 22, further comprising performing a random search over hyperparameters associated with a set of CNN models to determine a highest validation accuracy. 24. The method of claim 23, wherein the hyperparameters describe at least one of a model, training of the model, training data to use, or data augmentation to use during training. 25. The method of claim 21, wherein the concatenation of feature maps is based, at least in part, on a skip connection from another path of the trained CNN model. 26. The method of claim 25, wherein the another path is a contracting path that includes a plurality of convolutional layers and a plurality of pooling layers. 27. The method of claim 26, wherein the number of pooling layers in the contracting path equals the number of upsampling layers in the expanding path. 28. A computer-readable medium storing contents that, when executed by one or more processors, cause the one or more processors to perform actions comprising:
training a fully convolutional neural network (CNN) model to generate a trained CNN model for segmenting an anatomical structure based, at least in part, on a plurality of images, wherein each of a subset of the plurality of images includes at least one label which identifies at least a portion of the anatomical structure depicted in the image, the trained CNN model comprising an expanding path that includes a plurality of convolutional layers and a plurality of upsampling layers, wherein each upsampling layer is preceded by at least one convolutional layer and comprises a fixed upsampling operation without a learned kernel and a convolution operation with a learned kernel, and the convolution operation is preceded by the fixed upsampling operation and succeeded by a concatenation of feature maps; and storing the trained CNN model. 29. The computer-readable medium of claim 28, wherein the trained CNN model further includes skip connections between layers in the expanding path and another path of the trained CNN model. 30. The computer-readable medium of claim 29, wherein the skip connections are residual connections that add or subtract values of feature maps. 31. The computer-readable medium of claim 29, wherein the concatenation of feature maps is based on at least one of the skip connections. 32. The computer-readable medium of claim 28, wherein training the CNN model further comprises selecting the CNN model based, at least in part, on validation accuracy of the CNN model. 33. The computer-readable medium of claim 32, wherein the actions further comprise performing a random search over hyperparameters associated with a set of CNN models to determine a highest validation accuracy. 34. The computer-readable medium of claim 33, wherein the hyperparameters describe at least one of a model, training of the model, training data to use, or data augmentation to use during training. 35. A system, comprising:
at least one processor; and memory storing contents that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the system to:
train a fully convolutional neural network (CNN) model to generate a trained CNN model for segmenting an anatomical structure based, at least in part, on a plurality of images, wherein each of a subset of the plurality of images includes at least one label which identifies at least a portion of the anatomical structure depicted in the image, the trained CNN model comprising an expanding path that includes a plurality of convolutional layers and a plurality of upsampling layers, wherein each upsampling layer is preceded by at least one convolutional layer and comprises a fixed upsampling operation without a learned kernel and a convolution operation with a learned kernel, and the convolution operation is preceded by the fixed upsampling operation and succeeded by a concatenation of feature maps; and
store the trained CNN model. 36. The system of claim 35, wherein to train the CNN model, the contents further cause the system to select the CNN model based, at least in part, on validation accuracy of the CNN model. 37. The system of claim 36, wherein the contents further cause the system to perform a random search over hyperparameters associated with a set of CNN models to determine a highest validation accuracy. 38. The system of claim 37, wherein the hyperparameters describe at least one of a model, training of the model, training data to use, or data augmentation to use during training. 39. The system of claim 35, wherein each upsampling layer halves the number of feature maps and doubles the spatial resolution. 40. The system of claim 39, wherein the trained CNN model further comprises a same number of pooling layers as the upsampling layers and wherein each pooling layer doubles the number of feature maps and halves the spatial resolution. | Systems and methods for automated segmentation of anatomical structures (e.g., heart). Convolutional neural networks (CNNs) may be employed to autonomously segment parts of an anatomical structure represented by image data, such as 3D MRI data. The CNN utilizes two paths, a contracting path and an expanding path. In at least some implementations, the expanding path includes fewer convolution operations than the contracting path. Systems and methods also autonomously calculate an image intensity threshold that differentiates blood from papillary and trabeculae muscles in the interior of an endocardium contour, and autonomously apply the image intensity threshold to define a contour or mask that describes the boundary of the papillary and trabeculae muscles. Systems and methods also calculate contours or masks delineating the endocardium and epicardium using the trained CNN model, and anatomically localize pathologies or functional characteristics of the myocardial muscle using the calculated contours or masks.1-20. (canceled) 21. A computer-implemented machine learning method, comprising:
training a fully convolutional neural network (CNN) model to generate a trained CNN model for segmenting an anatomical structure based, at least in part, on a plurality of images, wherein each of a subset of the plurality of images includes at least one label which identifies a region of a particular part of the anatomical structure depicted in the image, the trained CNN model comprising an expanding path that includes a plurality of convolutional layers and a plurality of upsampling layers, wherein each upsampling layer is preceded by at least one convolutional layer and comprises a fixed upsampling operation without a learned kernel and a convolution operation with a learned kernel, and the convolution operation is preceded by the fixed upsampling operation and succeeded by a concatenation of feature maps; and storing the trained CNN model in a nontransitory processor-readable storage medium. 22. The method of claim 21, wherein training the CNN model further comprises selecting the CNN model based, at least in part, on validation accuracy of the CNN model. 23. The method of claim 22, further comprising performing a random search over hyperparameters associated with a set of CNN models to determine a highest validation accuracy. 24. The method of claim 23, wherein the hyperparameters describe at least one of a model, training of the model, training data to use, or data augmentation to use during training. 25. The method of claim 21, wherein the concatenation of feature maps is based, at least in part, on a skip connection from another path of the trained CNN model. 26. The method of claim 25, wherein the another path is a contracting path that includes a plurality of convolutional layers and a plurality of pooling layers. 27. The method of claim 26, wherein the number of pooling layers in the contracting path equals the number of upsampling layers in the expanding path. 28. A computer-readable medium storing contents that, when executed by one or more processors, cause the one or more processors to perform actions comprising:
training a fully convolutional neural network (CNN) model to generate a trained CNN model for segmenting an anatomical structure based, at least in part, on a plurality of images, wherein each of a subset of the plurality of images includes at least one label which identifies at least a portion of the anatomical structure depicted in the image, the trained CNN model comprising an expanding path that includes a plurality of convolutional layers and a plurality of upsampling layers, wherein each upsampling layer is preceded by at least one convolutional layer and comprises a fixed upsampling operation without a learned kernel and a convolution operation with a learned kernel, and the convolution operation is preceded by the fixed upsampling operation and succeeded by a concatenation of feature maps; and storing the trained CNN model. 29. The computer-readable medium of claim 28, wherein the trained CNN model further includes skip connections between layers in the expanding path and another path of the trained CNN model. 30. The computer-readable medium of claim 29, wherein the skip connections are residual connections that add or subtract values of feature maps. 31. The computer-readable medium of claim 29, wherein the concatenation of feature maps is based on at least one of the skip connections. 32. The computer-readable medium of claim 28, wherein training the CNN model further comprises selecting the CNN model based, at least in part, on validation accuracy of the CNN model. 33. The computer-readable medium of claim 32, wherein the actions further comprise performing a random search over hyperparameters associated with a set of CNN models to determine a highest validation accuracy. 34. The computer-readable medium of claim 33, wherein the hyperparameters describe at least one of a model, training of the model, training data to use, or data augmentation to use during training. 35. A system, comprising:
at least one processor; and memory storing contents that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the system to:
train a fully convolutional neural network (CNN) model to generate a trained CNN model for segmenting an anatomical structure based, at least in part, on a plurality of images, wherein each of a subset of the plurality of images includes at least one label which identifies at least a portion of the anatomical structure depicted in the image, the trained CNN model comprising an expanding path that includes a plurality of convolutional layers and a plurality of upsampling layers, wherein each upsampling layer is preceded by at least one convolutional layer and comprises a fixed upsampling operation without a learned kernel and a convolution operation with a learned kernel, and the convolution operation is preceded by the fixed upsampling operation and succeeded by a concatenation of feature maps; and
store the trained CNN model. 36. The system of claim 35, wherein to train the CNN model, the contents further cause the system to select the CNN model based, at least in part, on validation accuracy of the CNN model. 37. The system of claim 36, wherein the contents further cause the system to perform a random search over hyperparameters associated with a set of CNN models to determine a highest validation accuracy. 38. The system of claim 37, wherein the hyperparameters describe at least one of a model, training of the model, training data to use, or data augmentation to use during training. 39. The system of claim 35, wherein each upsampling layer halves the number of feature maps and doubles the spatial resolution. 40. The system of claim 39, wherein the trained CNN model further comprises a same number of pooling layers as the upsampling layers and wherein each pooling layer doubles the number of feature maps and halves the spatial resolution. | 2,800 |
339,985 | 16,800,943 | 3,657 | A vehicle shock absorber has a body extending between a first end and a second end. Translation of a primary shaft within an interior cavity of the body communicates a first volume of fluid within the interior cavity to a secondary reservoir where it increases pressure in a gas cavity therein. The primary shaft has an annular member engaged thereon which contacts a bump shaft slidably located in an opening at the first end of the body. The contact of the annular member translates the bump shaft within the interior cavity to cause communication of a secondary volume of the fluid to the secondary reservoir. | 1. A vehicle shock absorber comprising:
a body having a first end and a second end; an interior cavity running axially within said body in between an opening at said first end and said second end opposite said first end; a bump shaft in a sealed engagement within said opening, said bump shaft having an extending portion projecting a distance away from said opening to a first end of said bump shaft; said bump shaft having a second end positioned within said interior cavity; said bump shaft having a passage therethrough running coaxial to said interior cavity; a primary shaft in a translating engagement through said passage, said primary shaft having a first end opposite a second end; a valved seal located at said second end of said primary shaft, said valved seal being in sealed engagement with a wall surface of said interior cavity; said interior cavity in-between said valved seal and said second end of said body defining a compression chamber; said interior cavity in-between said valved seal and said second end of said bump shaft defining a rebound chamber; said compression chamber and said rebound chamber both having fluid therein; a secondary reservoir having a first end and a second end and having an axial chamber therein; said axial chamber having a dividing piston in sealed engagement therein; a first portion of said axial chamber between said first end of said secondary reservoir and a first side surface of said dividing piston defining a fluid chamber; said fluid chamber being filled with said fluid; a second portion of said axial chamber positioned between a second side surface of said dividing piston and said second end of said secondary reservoir defining a gas cavity; said gas cavity filled with gas; a passage communicating between said compression chamber and said fluid chamber; a translation of said primary shaft toward said second end of said body communicating a first volume of said fluid within said compression chamber through said passage into said fluid chamber; communication of said first volume of said fluid to said fluid chamber generating a first force to translate said dividing piston toward said second end of said fluid reservoir to thereby cause a first increase in gas pressure in said gas within said gas cavity; and whereby said first increase in pressure in said gas biases said dividing piston toward said first end of said secondary reservoir and impart a piston force to said fluid within said fluid chamber to thereby force said first volume of said fluid to return to said compression chamber. 2. The vehicle shock absorber of claim 1, additionally comprising:
said bump shaft in a sealed engagement within said opening being translatable therein from a first position with said extending portion projecting said distance away from said opening, so a second position having said first end of said bump shaft at or adjacent said opening; an annular member engaged to said primary shaft at a position thereon in-between said opening and said first end thereof; said translation of said primary shaft toward said second end of said body causing a contact of said annular member against said first end of said bump shaft; said contact of said annular member with said first end of said bump shaft imparting a translation of said bump shaft toward said second end of said body; said translation of said bump shaft communicating a second volume of said fluid through said passage into said fluid chamber; said communication of said second volume of said fluid in combination with said first volume of said fluid communicated to said fluid chamber generating an increased said force to translate said dividing piston toward said second end of said fluid reservoir to thereby cause a secondary increase in pressure in said gas within said gas cavity; and said first increase in pressure and said secondary increase in pressure combining to bias said gas against said dividing piston toward said first end of said secondary reservoir and thereby impart a combined piston force of the sum of said first increase in pressure and said secondary increase in pressure to force said first volume of said fluid and said secondary volume of said fluid to return to said compression chamber. 3. The vehicle shock absorber of claim 1, additionally comprising:
a compression fluid circuit communicating fluid between said compression chamber and said rebound chamber during said translation of said primary shaft toward said second end of said body; a rebound fluid circuit communicating fluid between said rebound chamber and said compression chamber during a secondary translation of said primary shaft in a direction toward said first end of said body; a first rate of fluid flowing through said compression fluid circuit imparting a dampening of movement of said primary shaft during said translation thereof toward said second end; and a second rate of fluid flowing through said rebound fluid circuit imparting a dampening of movement of said primary shaft during said translation thereof toward said first end of said body. 4. The vehicle shock absorber of claim 2, additionally comprising:
a compression fluid circuit communicating fluid between said compression chamber and said rebound chamber during said translation of said primary shaft toward said second end of said body; a rebound fluid circuit communicating fluid between said rebound chamber and said compression chamber during a secondary translation of said primary shaft in a direction toward said first end of said body; a first rate of fluid flowing through said compression fluid circuit imparting a dampening of movement of said primary shaft during said translation thereof toward said second end; and a second rate of fluid flowing through said rebound fluid circuit imparting a dampening of movement of said primary shaft during said translation thereof toward said first end of said body. 5. The vehicle shock absorber of claim 3, additionally comprising:
a compression valve engaged with said compression fluid circuit, said compression valve controlling a volume of said fluid communicating through said compression circuit; and a rebound valve engaged with said rebound fluid circuit, said rebound valve controlling a volume of said fluid communicating through said rebound circuit. 6. The vehicle shock absorber of claim 4, additionally comprising:
a compression valve engaged with said compression fluid circuit, said compression valve controlling a volume of said fluid communicating through said compression circuit; and a rebound valve engaged with said rebound fluid circuit, said rebound valve controlling a volume of said fluid communicating through said rebound circuit. | A vehicle shock absorber has a body extending between a first end and a second end. Translation of a primary shaft within an interior cavity of the body communicates a first volume of fluid within the interior cavity to a secondary reservoir where it increases pressure in a gas cavity therein. The primary shaft has an annular member engaged thereon which contacts a bump shaft slidably located in an opening at the first end of the body. The contact of the annular member translates the bump shaft within the interior cavity to cause communication of a secondary volume of the fluid to the secondary reservoir.1. A vehicle shock absorber comprising:
a body having a first end and a second end; an interior cavity running axially within said body in between an opening at said first end and said second end opposite said first end; a bump shaft in a sealed engagement within said opening, said bump shaft having an extending portion projecting a distance away from said opening to a first end of said bump shaft; said bump shaft having a second end positioned within said interior cavity; said bump shaft having a passage therethrough running coaxial to said interior cavity; a primary shaft in a translating engagement through said passage, said primary shaft having a first end opposite a second end; a valved seal located at said second end of said primary shaft, said valved seal being in sealed engagement with a wall surface of said interior cavity; said interior cavity in-between said valved seal and said second end of said body defining a compression chamber; said interior cavity in-between said valved seal and said second end of said bump shaft defining a rebound chamber; said compression chamber and said rebound chamber both having fluid therein; a secondary reservoir having a first end and a second end and having an axial chamber therein; said axial chamber having a dividing piston in sealed engagement therein; a first portion of said axial chamber between said first end of said secondary reservoir and a first side surface of said dividing piston defining a fluid chamber; said fluid chamber being filled with said fluid; a second portion of said axial chamber positioned between a second side surface of said dividing piston and said second end of said secondary reservoir defining a gas cavity; said gas cavity filled with gas; a passage communicating between said compression chamber and said fluid chamber; a translation of said primary shaft toward said second end of said body communicating a first volume of said fluid within said compression chamber through said passage into said fluid chamber; communication of said first volume of said fluid to said fluid chamber generating a first force to translate said dividing piston toward said second end of said fluid reservoir to thereby cause a first increase in gas pressure in said gas within said gas cavity; and whereby said first increase in pressure in said gas biases said dividing piston toward said first end of said secondary reservoir and impart a piston force to said fluid within said fluid chamber to thereby force said first volume of said fluid to return to said compression chamber. 2. The vehicle shock absorber of claim 1, additionally comprising:
said bump shaft in a sealed engagement within said opening being translatable therein from a first position with said extending portion projecting said distance away from said opening, so a second position having said first end of said bump shaft at or adjacent said opening; an annular member engaged to said primary shaft at a position thereon in-between said opening and said first end thereof; said translation of said primary shaft toward said second end of said body causing a contact of said annular member against said first end of said bump shaft; said contact of said annular member with said first end of said bump shaft imparting a translation of said bump shaft toward said second end of said body; said translation of said bump shaft communicating a second volume of said fluid through said passage into said fluid chamber; said communication of said second volume of said fluid in combination with said first volume of said fluid communicated to said fluid chamber generating an increased said force to translate said dividing piston toward said second end of said fluid reservoir to thereby cause a secondary increase in pressure in said gas within said gas cavity; and said first increase in pressure and said secondary increase in pressure combining to bias said gas against said dividing piston toward said first end of said secondary reservoir and thereby impart a combined piston force of the sum of said first increase in pressure and said secondary increase in pressure to force said first volume of said fluid and said secondary volume of said fluid to return to said compression chamber. 3. The vehicle shock absorber of claim 1, additionally comprising:
a compression fluid circuit communicating fluid between said compression chamber and said rebound chamber during said translation of said primary shaft toward said second end of said body; a rebound fluid circuit communicating fluid between said rebound chamber and said compression chamber during a secondary translation of said primary shaft in a direction toward said first end of said body; a first rate of fluid flowing through said compression fluid circuit imparting a dampening of movement of said primary shaft during said translation thereof toward said second end; and a second rate of fluid flowing through said rebound fluid circuit imparting a dampening of movement of said primary shaft during said translation thereof toward said first end of said body. 4. The vehicle shock absorber of claim 2, additionally comprising:
a compression fluid circuit communicating fluid between said compression chamber and said rebound chamber during said translation of said primary shaft toward said second end of said body; a rebound fluid circuit communicating fluid between said rebound chamber and said compression chamber during a secondary translation of said primary shaft in a direction toward said first end of said body; a first rate of fluid flowing through said compression fluid circuit imparting a dampening of movement of said primary shaft during said translation thereof toward said second end; and a second rate of fluid flowing through said rebound fluid circuit imparting a dampening of movement of said primary shaft during said translation thereof toward said first end of said body. 5. The vehicle shock absorber of claim 3, additionally comprising:
a compression valve engaged with said compression fluid circuit, said compression valve controlling a volume of said fluid communicating through said compression circuit; and a rebound valve engaged with said rebound fluid circuit, said rebound valve controlling a volume of said fluid communicating through said rebound circuit. 6. The vehicle shock absorber of claim 4, additionally comprising:
a compression valve engaged with said compression fluid circuit, said compression valve controlling a volume of said fluid communicating through said compression circuit; and a rebound valve engaged with said rebound fluid circuit, said rebound valve controlling a volume of said fluid communicating through said rebound circuit. | 3,600 |
339,986 | 16,800,973 | 3,657 | A hydraulic system may include a reservoir of hydraulic fluid, a hydraulic pump, a directional control valve, a hydraulic work loop, a bypass valve, and a hydraulic motor, as well as a plurality of hydraulic conduits interconnecting such components. When excessive hydraulic backpressures are encountered, the system may employ one or more bypass valves and one or more bypass conduits to automatically, and in an on-demand manner, return some or all of the hydraulic fluid from the hydraulic motor to the hydraulic reservoir without the hydraulic fluid passing through flow constrictions causing the excessive hydraulic backpressures. | 1. A method of operating a piece of heavy equipment including a track-type tractor, comprising:
using the piece of heavy equipment to do mechanical work; switching a position of a directional control valve to allow a hydraulic fluid to flow from a hydraulic pump through the directional control valve; pumping the hydraulic fluid from a reservoir of the hydraulic fluid, through the directional control valve a first time, through a work loop, through the directional control valve a second time, and back to the reservoir; and in response to a hydraulic backpressure created by a flow constriction exceeding a threshold pressure, switching a bypass valve to an open position to allow the hydraulic fluid to flow through the bypass valve and back to the reservoir without passing through the flow constriction. 2. The method of claim 1 wherein using the piece of heavy equipment to do mechanical work includes driving the piece of heavy equipment to do mechanical work. 3. The method of claim 1 wherein using the piece of heavy equipment to do mechanical work includes using the piece of heavy equipment to move a load. 4. The method of claim 1 wherein the piece of heavy equipment is a bulldozer. 5. (canceled) 6. The method of claim 1 wherein the piece of heavy equipment is a track-type tractor-based pipelayer. 7. The method of claim 1 wherein the threshold pressure is at least 100 psi. 8. (canceled) 9. A method of operating a skidder comprising:
using the skidder to do mechanical work; switching a position of a directional control valve to allow a hydraulic fluid to flow from a hydraulic pump through the directional control valve; pumping the hydraulic fluid from a reservoir of the hydraulic fluid, through the directional control valve a first time, through a hydraulic actuator, through the directional control valve a second time, and back to the reservoir; and in response to a hydraulic backpressure created by a flow constriction exceeding a threshold pressure, switching a bypass valve to an open position to allow the hydraulic fluid to flow from the hydraulic actuator, through the bypass valve, and back to the reservoir without passing through the flow constriction. 10. The method of claim 9 wherein the skidder is a wheel skidder. 11. The method of claim 9 wherein the skidder is a track skidder. 12-24. (canceled) 25. A piece of heavy equipment comprising:
a track-type tractor; a reservoir of hydraulic fluid; a hydraulic pump; a hydraulic directional control valve; a hydraulic bypass valve; a hydraulic actuator; a first hydraulic conduit that hydraulically couples the hydraulic pump to the reservoir; a second hydraulic conduit that hydraulically couples the hydraulic pump to the directional control valve; a third hydraulic conduit that hydraulically couples the directional control valve to the reservoir; a fourth hydraulic conduit that hydraulically couples the directional control valve to the hydraulic actuator; a fifth hydraulic conduit that hydraulically couples the directional control valve to the hydraulic actuator; a sixth hydraulic conduit that hydraulically couples either the third hydraulic conduit or the fourth hydraulic conduit to the bypass valve; and a bypass conduit that hydraulically couples the bypass valve to the reservoir. 26. The piece of heavy equipment of claim 25, further comprising a winch mechanically coupled to be driven by the hydraulic actuator. 27. The piece of heavy equipment of claim 26, wherein the winch includes a break-away component. 28. The piece of heavy equipment of claim 25, wherein when the hydraulic actuator is in operation, the fourth hydraulic conduit is downstream of the hydraulic actuator and the fifth hydraulic conduit is upstream of the hydraulic actuator. 29. The piece of heavy equipment of claim 25, further comprising:
a flow constriction in either the third hydraulic conduit or the fourth hydraulic conduit; wherein the sixth hydraulic conduit is hydraulically coupled to the third hydraulic conduit or to the fourth hydraulic conduit at a joint that is downstream of the hydraulic actuator; and wherein the flow constriction is downstream of the joint. 30. A skidder comprising:
a reservoir of hydraulic fluid; a hydraulic pump; a hydraulic directional control valve; a hydraulic bypass valve; a hydraulic actuator; a mechanical device mechanically coupled to be driven by the hydraulic actuator; a first hydraulic conduit that hydraulically couples the hydraulic pump to the reservoir; a second hydraulic conduit that hydraulically couples the hydraulic pump to the directional control valve; a third hydraulic conduit that hydraulically couples the directional control valve to the reservoir; a fourth hydraulic conduit that hydraulically couples the directional control valve to the hydraulic actuator; a fifth hydraulic conduit that hydraulically couples the directional control valve to the hydraulic actuator; a sixth hydraulic conduit that hydraulically couples either the third hydraulic conduit or the fourth hydraulic conduit to the bypass valve; and a bypass conduit that hydraulically couples the bypass valve to the reservoir. 31. The skidder of claim 30 wherein the mechanical device is a winch. 32. The skidder of claim 31, wherein the winch includes a break-away component. 33. The skidder of claim 30, wherein when the hydraulic actuator is in operation, the fourth hydraulic conduit is downstream of the hydraulic actuator and the fifth hydraulic conduit is upstream of the hydraulic actuator. 34. The skidder of claim 30, further comprising:
a flow constriction in either the third hydraulic conduit or the fourth hydraulic conduit; wherein the sixth hydraulic conduit is hydraulically coupled to the third hydraulic conduit or to the fourth hydraulic conduit at a joint that is downstream of the hydraulic actuator; and wherein the flow constriction is downstream of the joint. 35-59. (canceled) | A hydraulic system may include a reservoir of hydraulic fluid, a hydraulic pump, a directional control valve, a hydraulic work loop, a bypass valve, and a hydraulic motor, as well as a plurality of hydraulic conduits interconnecting such components. When excessive hydraulic backpressures are encountered, the system may employ one or more bypass valves and one or more bypass conduits to automatically, and in an on-demand manner, return some or all of the hydraulic fluid from the hydraulic motor to the hydraulic reservoir without the hydraulic fluid passing through flow constrictions causing the excessive hydraulic backpressures.1. A method of operating a piece of heavy equipment including a track-type tractor, comprising:
using the piece of heavy equipment to do mechanical work; switching a position of a directional control valve to allow a hydraulic fluid to flow from a hydraulic pump through the directional control valve; pumping the hydraulic fluid from a reservoir of the hydraulic fluid, through the directional control valve a first time, through a work loop, through the directional control valve a second time, and back to the reservoir; and in response to a hydraulic backpressure created by a flow constriction exceeding a threshold pressure, switching a bypass valve to an open position to allow the hydraulic fluid to flow through the bypass valve and back to the reservoir without passing through the flow constriction. 2. The method of claim 1 wherein using the piece of heavy equipment to do mechanical work includes driving the piece of heavy equipment to do mechanical work. 3. The method of claim 1 wherein using the piece of heavy equipment to do mechanical work includes using the piece of heavy equipment to move a load. 4. The method of claim 1 wherein the piece of heavy equipment is a bulldozer. 5. (canceled) 6. The method of claim 1 wherein the piece of heavy equipment is a track-type tractor-based pipelayer. 7. The method of claim 1 wherein the threshold pressure is at least 100 psi. 8. (canceled) 9. A method of operating a skidder comprising:
using the skidder to do mechanical work; switching a position of a directional control valve to allow a hydraulic fluid to flow from a hydraulic pump through the directional control valve; pumping the hydraulic fluid from a reservoir of the hydraulic fluid, through the directional control valve a first time, through a hydraulic actuator, through the directional control valve a second time, and back to the reservoir; and in response to a hydraulic backpressure created by a flow constriction exceeding a threshold pressure, switching a bypass valve to an open position to allow the hydraulic fluid to flow from the hydraulic actuator, through the bypass valve, and back to the reservoir without passing through the flow constriction. 10. The method of claim 9 wherein the skidder is a wheel skidder. 11. The method of claim 9 wherein the skidder is a track skidder. 12-24. (canceled) 25. A piece of heavy equipment comprising:
a track-type tractor; a reservoir of hydraulic fluid; a hydraulic pump; a hydraulic directional control valve; a hydraulic bypass valve; a hydraulic actuator; a first hydraulic conduit that hydraulically couples the hydraulic pump to the reservoir; a second hydraulic conduit that hydraulically couples the hydraulic pump to the directional control valve; a third hydraulic conduit that hydraulically couples the directional control valve to the reservoir; a fourth hydraulic conduit that hydraulically couples the directional control valve to the hydraulic actuator; a fifth hydraulic conduit that hydraulically couples the directional control valve to the hydraulic actuator; a sixth hydraulic conduit that hydraulically couples either the third hydraulic conduit or the fourth hydraulic conduit to the bypass valve; and a bypass conduit that hydraulically couples the bypass valve to the reservoir. 26. The piece of heavy equipment of claim 25, further comprising a winch mechanically coupled to be driven by the hydraulic actuator. 27. The piece of heavy equipment of claim 26, wherein the winch includes a break-away component. 28. The piece of heavy equipment of claim 25, wherein when the hydraulic actuator is in operation, the fourth hydraulic conduit is downstream of the hydraulic actuator and the fifth hydraulic conduit is upstream of the hydraulic actuator. 29. The piece of heavy equipment of claim 25, further comprising:
a flow constriction in either the third hydraulic conduit or the fourth hydraulic conduit; wherein the sixth hydraulic conduit is hydraulically coupled to the third hydraulic conduit or to the fourth hydraulic conduit at a joint that is downstream of the hydraulic actuator; and wherein the flow constriction is downstream of the joint. 30. A skidder comprising:
a reservoir of hydraulic fluid; a hydraulic pump; a hydraulic directional control valve; a hydraulic bypass valve; a hydraulic actuator; a mechanical device mechanically coupled to be driven by the hydraulic actuator; a first hydraulic conduit that hydraulically couples the hydraulic pump to the reservoir; a second hydraulic conduit that hydraulically couples the hydraulic pump to the directional control valve; a third hydraulic conduit that hydraulically couples the directional control valve to the reservoir; a fourth hydraulic conduit that hydraulically couples the directional control valve to the hydraulic actuator; a fifth hydraulic conduit that hydraulically couples the directional control valve to the hydraulic actuator; a sixth hydraulic conduit that hydraulically couples either the third hydraulic conduit or the fourth hydraulic conduit to the bypass valve; and a bypass conduit that hydraulically couples the bypass valve to the reservoir. 31. The skidder of claim 30 wherein the mechanical device is a winch. 32. The skidder of claim 31, wherein the winch includes a break-away component. 33. The skidder of claim 30, wherein when the hydraulic actuator is in operation, the fourth hydraulic conduit is downstream of the hydraulic actuator and the fifth hydraulic conduit is upstream of the hydraulic actuator. 34. The skidder of claim 30, further comprising:
a flow constriction in either the third hydraulic conduit or the fourth hydraulic conduit; wherein the sixth hydraulic conduit is hydraulically coupled to the third hydraulic conduit or to the fourth hydraulic conduit at a joint that is downstream of the hydraulic actuator; and wherein the flow constriction is downstream of the joint. 35-59. (canceled) | 3,600 |
339,987 | 16,800,989 | 3,657 | A matter conveyance system is located within a catheter and transports thrombus from a proximal portion of the catheter to a distal end of the catheter. In one example, the matter conveyance system is a screw or helix that rotates to cause movement of the thrombus. | 1. A biological conveyance system comprising:
a catheter having a lumen extending therethrough; an elongated screw having a proximal end and a distal end, the elongated screw positioned within the lumen of the catheter; the elongated screw having a helical shape formed from a plurality of loops and a throughway extending between the distal end of the elongated screw and the proximal end of the elongated screw; the throughway being formed entirely from and within an interior diameter of each of the plurality of loops and forming a passage that is continuous between the proximal end and the distal end of the elongated screw; a guidewire lumen fixed within an entire length of the elongated screw; and a rotational mechanism linked to the elongated screw and configured to rotate the elongated screw so as to proximally retract the biological material fixed within a patient. 2. The biological conveyance system of claim 1, wherein the guidewire lumen is affixed to the interior diameter of each of the plurality of loops of the elongated screw. 3. The biological conveyance system of claim 1, wherein the rotational mechanism is coupled to the proximal end of the elongated screw. 4. The biological conveyance system of claim 1, further comprising a hemostasis valve coupled to a proximal end of the catheter, the hemostasis valve having an aspiration port configured for aspiration of the biological matter within the valve. 5. The biological conveyance system of claim 4, further comprising an introducer sleeve located within the hemostasis valve. 6. The biological conveyance system of claim 5, wherein the introducer sleeve has a plurality of slots exposing an interior of the introducer sleeve with an exterior of the introducer sleeve. 7. The biological conveyance system of claim 6, wherein the plurality of slots are located adjacent to the aspiration port, such that the aspiration port is in communication with the interior of the introducer sleeve to thereby aspirate the biological material from the interior of the introducer sleeve. 8. A thrombus transport system comprising:
a catheter having a lumen extending therethrough; an elongated helical member positioned within the catheter lumen; the elongated helical member having a plurality of loops having an inner surface that entirely form a throughway that extends along an entire length of the elongated helical member; a rotation mechanism linked to the elongated helical member so as to cause rotation of the elongated helical member; and a guidewire lumen fixed within an entire length of the throughway of the elongated helical member so as to allow passage of a guidewire through the elongated helical member. 9. The biological conveyance system of claim 8, wherein the guidewire lumen is affixed to the interior diameter of each of the plurality of loops of the elongated screw. 10. The biological conveyance system of claim 8, wherein the rotational mechanism is coupled to the proximal end of the elongated screw. 11. The biological conveyance system of claim 8, further comprising a hemostasis valve at a proximal end of the catheter, the hemostasis valve having an aspiration port configured for aspiration of the biological matter within the valve. 12. The biological conveyance system of claim 11, further comprising an introducer sleeve located within the hemostasis valve. 13. The biological conveyance system of claim 12, wherein the introducer sleeve has a plurality of slots exposing an interior of the introducer sleeve with an exterior of the introducer sleeve. 14. The biological conveyance system of claim 13, wherein the plurality of slots are located adjacent to the aspiration port, such that the aspiration port is in communication with the interior of the introducer sleeve to thereby aspirate the biological material from the interior of the introducer sleeve. 15. A material transport system comprising:
a catheter having a lumen extending therethrough; an elongated helical member rotatably positioned within the catheter lumen; the elongated helical member having a plurality of loops having an inner region that entirely form a throughway that extends along an entire length of the elongated helical member; a guidewire lumen fixed within an entire length of the throughway of the elongated helical member so as to allow passage of a guidewire through the elongated helical member; and a rotation mechanism operatively connected to the elongated helical member so as to rotate the elongated helical member in order to proximally retract material from a distal section of the catheter to a proximal section of the catheter. 16. The material transport system of claim 15, wherein the guidewire lumen is affixed to the interior region of each of the plurality of loops of the elongated screw. 17. The material transport system of claim 15, wherein the elongated helical member is a metallic screw. 18. The material transport system of claim 15, wherein the elongated helical member is an auger. 19. The material transport system of claim 15, wherein the elongated helical member further comprises a proximal shaft. 20. The material transport system of claim 19, wherein the proximal shaft of the elongated helical member is coupled to the rotation mechanism. | A matter conveyance system is located within a catheter and transports thrombus from a proximal portion of the catheter to a distal end of the catheter. In one example, the matter conveyance system is a screw or helix that rotates to cause movement of the thrombus.1. A biological conveyance system comprising:
a catheter having a lumen extending therethrough; an elongated screw having a proximal end and a distal end, the elongated screw positioned within the lumen of the catheter; the elongated screw having a helical shape formed from a plurality of loops and a throughway extending between the distal end of the elongated screw and the proximal end of the elongated screw; the throughway being formed entirely from and within an interior diameter of each of the plurality of loops and forming a passage that is continuous between the proximal end and the distal end of the elongated screw; a guidewire lumen fixed within an entire length of the elongated screw; and a rotational mechanism linked to the elongated screw and configured to rotate the elongated screw so as to proximally retract the biological material fixed within a patient. 2. The biological conveyance system of claim 1, wherein the guidewire lumen is affixed to the interior diameter of each of the plurality of loops of the elongated screw. 3. The biological conveyance system of claim 1, wherein the rotational mechanism is coupled to the proximal end of the elongated screw. 4. The biological conveyance system of claim 1, further comprising a hemostasis valve coupled to a proximal end of the catheter, the hemostasis valve having an aspiration port configured for aspiration of the biological matter within the valve. 5. The biological conveyance system of claim 4, further comprising an introducer sleeve located within the hemostasis valve. 6. The biological conveyance system of claim 5, wherein the introducer sleeve has a plurality of slots exposing an interior of the introducer sleeve with an exterior of the introducer sleeve. 7. The biological conveyance system of claim 6, wherein the plurality of slots are located adjacent to the aspiration port, such that the aspiration port is in communication with the interior of the introducer sleeve to thereby aspirate the biological material from the interior of the introducer sleeve. 8. A thrombus transport system comprising:
a catheter having a lumen extending therethrough; an elongated helical member positioned within the catheter lumen; the elongated helical member having a plurality of loops having an inner surface that entirely form a throughway that extends along an entire length of the elongated helical member; a rotation mechanism linked to the elongated helical member so as to cause rotation of the elongated helical member; and a guidewire lumen fixed within an entire length of the throughway of the elongated helical member so as to allow passage of a guidewire through the elongated helical member. 9. The biological conveyance system of claim 8, wherein the guidewire lumen is affixed to the interior diameter of each of the plurality of loops of the elongated screw. 10. The biological conveyance system of claim 8, wherein the rotational mechanism is coupled to the proximal end of the elongated screw. 11. The biological conveyance system of claim 8, further comprising a hemostasis valve at a proximal end of the catheter, the hemostasis valve having an aspiration port configured for aspiration of the biological matter within the valve. 12. The biological conveyance system of claim 11, further comprising an introducer sleeve located within the hemostasis valve. 13. The biological conveyance system of claim 12, wherein the introducer sleeve has a plurality of slots exposing an interior of the introducer sleeve with an exterior of the introducer sleeve. 14. The biological conveyance system of claim 13, wherein the plurality of slots are located adjacent to the aspiration port, such that the aspiration port is in communication with the interior of the introducer sleeve to thereby aspirate the biological material from the interior of the introducer sleeve. 15. A material transport system comprising:
a catheter having a lumen extending therethrough; an elongated helical member rotatably positioned within the catheter lumen; the elongated helical member having a plurality of loops having an inner region that entirely form a throughway that extends along an entire length of the elongated helical member; a guidewire lumen fixed within an entire length of the throughway of the elongated helical member so as to allow passage of a guidewire through the elongated helical member; and a rotation mechanism operatively connected to the elongated helical member so as to rotate the elongated helical member in order to proximally retract material from a distal section of the catheter to a proximal section of the catheter. 16. The material transport system of claim 15, wherein the guidewire lumen is affixed to the interior region of each of the plurality of loops of the elongated screw. 17. The material transport system of claim 15, wherein the elongated helical member is a metallic screw. 18. The material transport system of claim 15, wherein the elongated helical member is an auger. 19. The material transport system of claim 15, wherein the elongated helical member further comprises a proximal shaft. 20. The material transport system of claim 19, wherein the proximal shaft of the elongated helical member is coupled to the rotation mechanism. | 3,600 |
339,988 | 16,800,978 | 3,657 | Various methods and systems are provided for tracking a biopsy target across one or more images. In one example, a method includes determining a position of a biopsy target in a selected image of a patient based on an image registration process with a reference image of the patient, and displaying a graphical representation of the position of the biopsy target on the selected image. | 1. A method, comprising:
determining a position of a biopsy target in a selected image of a patient based on an image registration process with a reference image of the patient; and displaying a graphical representation of the position of the biopsy target on the selected image. 2. The method of claim 1, further comprising receiving a user input indicating the position of the biopsy target in a contrast-enhanced, dual energy image. 3. The method of claim 2, wherein the selected image is a non-contrast enhanced image, and further comprising receiving a user input requesting a switch from contrast-enhanced imaging to non-contrast enhanced imaging, and acquiring the selected image in response to the request. 4. The method of claim 2, wherein determining the position of the biopsy target in the selected image based on the image registration process with the reference image comprises:
tagging the position of the biopsy target in the reference image with a marker, wherein the reference image is a low energy image used to generate the dual energy image; and determining the position of the biopsy target in the selected image based on the position of the marker in the reference image, via the image registration process. 5. The method of claim 4, wherein the image registration process comprises:
selecting a plurality of control points in the reference image, calculating a local shift vector for each control point relative to a corresponding control point in the selected image, interpolating each pixel of the selected image based on each local shift vector to generate a motion vector field, and determining the position of the marker in the selected image based on the motion vector field. 6. The method of claim 4, further comprising segmenting the dual energy image to identify a contour of the biopsy target, and wherein the marker is the contour. 7. The method of claim 1, further comprising acquiring one or more additional images between acquisition of the reference image and acquisition of the selected image. 8. A method, comprising:
receiving an indication of a location of a biopsy target in a contrast-enhanced, dual energy image; tagging the location with a marker in a reference dataset used to generate the dual energy image; annotating a subsequent image with the marker, a location of the marker in the subsequent image determined via an image registration process with the reference dataset; and outputting the annotated subsequent image for display on a display device. 9. The method of claim 8, wherein the reference dataset is a first low energy image and wherein the subsequent image is a second low energy image. 10. The method of claim 9, further comprising determining the location of the marker in the second low energy image via the image registration process with the first low energy image by:
selecting a plurality of control points in the first low energy image, calculating a local shift vector for each control point relative to a corresponding control point in the second low energy image, interpolating each pixel of the second low energy image based on each local shift vector to generate a motion vector field, and determining the location of the marker in the second low energy image based on the motion vector field. 11. The method of claim 9, wherein the second low energy image is acquired after acquisition of the first low energy image, and further comprising acquiring one or more additional low energy images between acquisition of the first low energy image and acquisition of the second low energy image. 12. The method of claim 8, wherein tagging the location with the marker comprises segmenting the reference dataset to determine a border of the biopsy target, and wherein annotating the subsequent image with the marker comprises annotating the subsequent image with the border. 13. The method of claim 8, wherein receiving the indication of the location of the biopsy target comprises receiving the indication of the location of the biopsy target via a user input entered while the dual energy image is displayed on the display device. 14. The method of claim 8, wherein the reference dataset is a first 3D volume and the dual energy image is a first reconstructed slice of the first 3D volume, and wherein the subsequent image is a second reconstructed slice of a subsequent, second 3D volume. 15. An imaging system, comprising:
an x-ray source in communication with a detector; a display device; and a computing device connected in communication with the display device and the detector, the computing device including a processor and non-transitory memory storing instructions executable by the processor to:
acquire, with the x-ray source and detector, a first low energy image of a patient and a first high energy image of the patient;
recombine the first low energy image and the second high energy image to generate a dual energy image;
output the dual energy image for display on the display device;
receive a user input indicating a location of a biopsy target on the dual energy image;
acquire, with the x-ray source and detector, a second low energy image of the patient;
determine a position of the biopsy target in the second low image based on an image registration process with the first low energy image; and
display, on the display device, the second low energy image and a graphical representation of the position of the biopsy target on the second low energy image. 16. The imaging system of claim 15, wherein the instructions are further executable by the processor to, upon receiving the user input, segment the dual energy image to determine a border of the biopsy target; and
wherein the graphical representation includes the determined border of the biopsy target. 17. The imaging system of claim 15, wherein the instructions are executable by the processor to perform the image registration process with the first low energy image and the second low energy image by:
selecting a plurality of control points in the first low energy image, calculating a local shift vector for each control point relative to a corresponding control point in the second low energy image, interpolating each pixel of the second low energy image based on each local shift vector to generate a motion vector field; and determining the location of the biopsy target in the second low energy image based on the motion vector field. 18. The imaging system of claim 17, wherein interpolating each pixel of the second low energy image based on each local shift vector to generate the motion vector field comprises performing a first interpolation based on each local shift vector to generate a respective motion vector for each pixel. 19. The imaging system of claim 18, wherein determining the location of the biopsy target in the second low energy image based on the motion vector field comprises performing a second interpolation based on each motion vector to determine the location of the biopsy target in the second low energy image. 20. The imaging system of claim 15, wherein the instructions are executable by the processor to determine a position of the biopsy target in any additional low energy images of the patient based on an image registration process with the first low energy image. | Various methods and systems are provided for tracking a biopsy target across one or more images. In one example, a method includes determining a position of a biopsy target in a selected image of a patient based on an image registration process with a reference image of the patient, and displaying a graphical representation of the position of the biopsy target on the selected image.1. A method, comprising:
determining a position of a biopsy target in a selected image of a patient based on an image registration process with a reference image of the patient; and displaying a graphical representation of the position of the biopsy target on the selected image. 2. The method of claim 1, further comprising receiving a user input indicating the position of the biopsy target in a contrast-enhanced, dual energy image. 3. The method of claim 2, wherein the selected image is a non-contrast enhanced image, and further comprising receiving a user input requesting a switch from contrast-enhanced imaging to non-contrast enhanced imaging, and acquiring the selected image in response to the request. 4. The method of claim 2, wherein determining the position of the biopsy target in the selected image based on the image registration process with the reference image comprises:
tagging the position of the biopsy target in the reference image with a marker, wherein the reference image is a low energy image used to generate the dual energy image; and determining the position of the biopsy target in the selected image based on the position of the marker in the reference image, via the image registration process. 5. The method of claim 4, wherein the image registration process comprises:
selecting a plurality of control points in the reference image, calculating a local shift vector for each control point relative to a corresponding control point in the selected image, interpolating each pixel of the selected image based on each local shift vector to generate a motion vector field, and determining the position of the marker in the selected image based on the motion vector field. 6. The method of claim 4, further comprising segmenting the dual energy image to identify a contour of the biopsy target, and wherein the marker is the contour. 7. The method of claim 1, further comprising acquiring one or more additional images between acquisition of the reference image and acquisition of the selected image. 8. A method, comprising:
receiving an indication of a location of a biopsy target in a contrast-enhanced, dual energy image; tagging the location with a marker in a reference dataset used to generate the dual energy image; annotating a subsequent image with the marker, a location of the marker in the subsequent image determined via an image registration process with the reference dataset; and outputting the annotated subsequent image for display on a display device. 9. The method of claim 8, wherein the reference dataset is a first low energy image and wherein the subsequent image is a second low energy image. 10. The method of claim 9, further comprising determining the location of the marker in the second low energy image via the image registration process with the first low energy image by:
selecting a plurality of control points in the first low energy image, calculating a local shift vector for each control point relative to a corresponding control point in the second low energy image, interpolating each pixel of the second low energy image based on each local shift vector to generate a motion vector field, and determining the location of the marker in the second low energy image based on the motion vector field. 11. The method of claim 9, wherein the second low energy image is acquired after acquisition of the first low energy image, and further comprising acquiring one or more additional low energy images between acquisition of the first low energy image and acquisition of the second low energy image. 12. The method of claim 8, wherein tagging the location with the marker comprises segmenting the reference dataset to determine a border of the biopsy target, and wherein annotating the subsequent image with the marker comprises annotating the subsequent image with the border. 13. The method of claim 8, wherein receiving the indication of the location of the biopsy target comprises receiving the indication of the location of the biopsy target via a user input entered while the dual energy image is displayed on the display device. 14. The method of claim 8, wherein the reference dataset is a first 3D volume and the dual energy image is a first reconstructed slice of the first 3D volume, and wherein the subsequent image is a second reconstructed slice of a subsequent, second 3D volume. 15. An imaging system, comprising:
an x-ray source in communication with a detector; a display device; and a computing device connected in communication with the display device and the detector, the computing device including a processor and non-transitory memory storing instructions executable by the processor to:
acquire, with the x-ray source and detector, a first low energy image of a patient and a first high energy image of the patient;
recombine the first low energy image and the second high energy image to generate a dual energy image;
output the dual energy image for display on the display device;
receive a user input indicating a location of a biopsy target on the dual energy image;
acquire, with the x-ray source and detector, a second low energy image of the patient;
determine a position of the biopsy target in the second low image based on an image registration process with the first low energy image; and
display, on the display device, the second low energy image and a graphical representation of the position of the biopsy target on the second low energy image. 16. The imaging system of claim 15, wherein the instructions are further executable by the processor to, upon receiving the user input, segment the dual energy image to determine a border of the biopsy target; and
wherein the graphical representation includes the determined border of the biopsy target. 17. The imaging system of claim 15, wherein the instructions are executable by the processor to perform the image registration process with the first low energy image and the second low energy image by:
selecting a plurality of control points in the first low energy image, calculating a local shift vector for each control point relative to a corresponding control point in the second low energy image, interpolating each pixel of the second low energy image based on each local shift vector to generate a motion vector field; and determining the location of the biopsy target in the second low energy image based on the motion vector field. 18. The imaging system of claim 17, wherein interpolating each pixel of the second low energy image based on each local shift vector to generate the motion vector field comprises performing a first interpolation based on each local shift vector to generate a respective motion vector for each pixel. 19. The imaging system of claim 18, wherein determining the location of the biopsy target in the second low energy image based on the motion vector field comprises performing a second interpolation based on each motion vector to determine the location of the biopsy target in the second low energy image. 20. The imaging system of claim 15, wherein the instructions are executable by the processor to determine a position of the biopsy target in any additional low energy images of the patient based on an image registration process with the first low energy image. | 3,600 |
339,989 | 16,800,974 | 3,657 | Various methods and systems are provided for tracking a biopsy target across one or more images. In one example, a method includes determining a position of a biopsy target in a selected image of a patient based on an image registration process with a reference image of the patient, and displaying a graphical representation of the position of the biopsy target on the selected image. | 1. A method, comprising:
determining a position of a biopsy target in a selected image of a patient based on an image registration process with a reference image of the patient; and displaying a graphical representation of the position of the biopsy target on the selected image. 2. The method of claim 1, further comprising receiving a user input indicating the position of the biopsy target in a contrast-enhanced, dual energy image. 3. The method of claim 2, wherein the selected image is a non-contrast enhanced image, and further comprising receiving a user input requesting a switch from contrast-enhanced imaging to non-contrast enhanced imaging, and acquiring the selected image in response to the request. 4. The method of claim 2, wherein determining the position of the biopsy target in the selected image based on the image registration process with the reference image comprises:
tagging the position of the biopsy target in the reference image with a marker, wherein the reference image is a low energy image used to generate the dual energy image; and determining the position of the biopsy target in the selected image based on the position of the marker in the reference image, via the image registration process. 5. The method of claim 4, wherein the image registration process comprises:
selecting a plurality of control points in the reference image, calculating a local shift vector for each control point relative to a corresponding control point in the selected image, interpolating each pixel of the selected image based on each local shift vector to generate a motion vector field, and determining the position of the marker in the selected image based on the motion vector field. 6. The method of claim 4, further comprising segmenting the dual energy image to identify a contour of the biopsy target, and wherein the marker is the contour. 7. The method of claim 1, further comprising acquiring one or more additional images between acquisition of the reference image and acquisition of the selected image. 8. A method, comprising:
receiving an indication of a location of a biopsy target in a contrast-enhanced, dual energy image; tagging the location with a marker in a reference dataset used to generate the dual energy image; annotating a subsequent image with the marker, a location of the marker in the subsequent image determined via an image registration process with the reference dataset; and outputting the annotated subsequent image for display on a display device. 9. The method of claim 8, wherein the reference dataset is a first low energy image and wherein the subsequent image is a second low energy image. 10. The method of claim 9, further comprising determining the location of the marker in the second low energy image via the image registration process with the first low energy image by:
selecting a plurality of control points in the first low energy image, calculating a local shift vector for each control point relative to a corresponding control point in the second low energy image, interpolating each pixel of the second low energy image based on each local shift vector to generate a motion vector field, and determining the location of the marker in the second low energy image based on the motion vector field. 11. The method of claim 9, wherein the second low energy image is acquired after acquisition of the first low energy image, and further comprising acquiring one or more additional low energy images between acquisition of the first low energy image and acquisition of the second low energy image. 12. The method of claim 8, wherein tagging the location with the marker comprises segmenting the reference dataset to determine a border of the biopsy target, and wherein annotating the subsequent image with the marker comprises annotating the subsequent image with the border. 13. The method of claim 8, wherein receiving the indication of the location of the biopsy target comprises receiving the indication of the location of the biopsy target via a user input entered while the dual energy image is displayed on the display device. 14. The method of claim 8, wherein the reference dataset is a first 3D volume and the dual energy image is a first reconstructed slice of the first 3D volume, and wherein the subsequent image is a second reconstructed slice of a subsequent, second 3D volume. 15. An imaging system, comprising:
an x-ray source in communication with a detector; a display device; and a computing device connected in communication with the display device and the detector, the computing device including a processor and non-transitory memory storing instructions executable by the processor to:
acquire, with the x-ray source and detector, a first low energy image of a patient and a first high energy image of the patient;
recombine the first low energy image and the second high energy image to generate a dual energy image;
output the dual energy image for display on the display device;
receive a user input indicating a location of a biopsy target on the dual energy image;
acquire, with the x-ray source and detector, a second low energy image of the patient;
determine a position of the biopsy target in the second low image based on an image registration process with the first low energy image; and
display, on the display device, the second low energy image and a graphical representation of the position of the biopsy target on the second low energy image. 16. The imaging system of claim 15, wherein the instructions are further executable by the processor to, upon receiving the user input, segment the dual energy image to determine a border of the biopsy target; and
wherein the graphical representation includes the determined border of the biopsy target. 17. The imaging system of claim 15, wherein the instructions are executable by the processor to perform the image registration process with the first low energy image and the second low energy image by:
selecting a plurality of control points in the first low energy image, calculating a local shift vector for each control point relative to a corresponding control point in the second low energy image, interpolating each pixel of the second low energy image based on each local shift vector to generate a motion vector field; and determining the location of the biopsy target in the second low energy image based on the motion vector field. 18. The imaging system of claim 17, wherein interpolating each pixel of the second low energy image based on each local shift vector to generate the motion vector field comprises performing a first interpolation based on each local shift vector to generate a respective motion vector for each pixel. 19. The imaging system of claim 18, wherein determining the location of the biopsy target in the second low energy image based on the motion vector field comprises performing a second interpolation based on each motion vector to determine the location of the biopsy target in the second low energy image. 20. The imaging system of claim 15, wherein the instructions are executable by the processor to determine a position of the biopsy target in any additional low energy images of the patient based on an image registration process with the first low energy image. | Various methods and systems are provided for tracking a biopsy target across one or more images. In one example, a method includes determining a position of a biopsy target in a selected image of a patient based on an image registration process with a reference image of the patient, and displaying a graphical representation of the position of the biopsy target on the selected image.1. A method, comprising:
determining a position of a biopsy target in a selected image of a patient based on an image registration process with a reference image of the patient; and displaying a graphical representation of the position of the biopsy target on the selected image. 2. The method of claim 1, further comprising receiving a user input indicating the position of the biopsy target in a contrast-enhanced, dual energy image. 3. The method of claim 2, wherein the selected image is a non-contrast enhanced image, and further comprising receiving a user input requesting a switch from contrast-enhanced imaging to non-contrast enhanced imaging, and acquiring the selected image in response to the request. 4. The method of claim 2, wherein determining the position of the biopsy target in the selected image based on the image registration process with the reference image comprises:
tagging the position of the biopsy target in the reference image with a marker, wherein the reference image is a low energy image used to generate the dual energy image; and determining the position of the biopsy target in the selected image based on the position of the marker in the reference image, via the image registration process. 5. The method of claim 4, wherein the image registration process comprises:
selecting a plurality of control points in the reference image, calculating a local shift vector for each control point relative to a corresponding control point in the selected image, interpolating each pixel of the selected image based on each local shift vector to generate a motion vector field, and determining the position of the marker in the selected image based on the motion vector field. 6. The method of claim 4, further comprising segmenting the dual energy image to identify a contour of the biopsy target, and wherein the marker is the contour. 7. The method of claim 1, further comprising acquiring one or more additional images between acquisition of the reference image and acquisition of the selected image. 8. A method, comprising:
receiving an indication of a location of a biopsy target in a contrast-enhanced, dual energy image; tagging the location with a marker in a reference dataset used to generate the dual energy image; annotating a subsequent image with the marker, a location of the marker in the subsequent image determined via an image registration process with the reference dataset; and outputting the annotated subsequent image for display on a display device. 9. The method of claim 8, wherein the reference dataset is a first low energy image and wherein the subsequent image is a second low energy image. 10. The method of claim 9, further comprising determining the location of the marker in the second low energy image via the image registration process with the first low energy image by:
selecting a plurality of control points in the first low energy image, calculating a local shift vector for each control point relative to a corresponding control point in the second low energy image, interpolating each pixel of the second low energy image based on each local shift vector to generate a motion vector field, and determining the location of the marker in the second low energy image based on the motion vector field. 11. The method of claim 9, wherein the second low energy image is acquired after acquisition of the first low energy image, and further comprising acquiring one or more additional low energy images between acquisition of the first low energy image and acquisition of the second low energy image. 12. The method of claim 8, wherein tagging the location with the marker comprises segmenting the reference dataset to determine a border of the biopsy target, and wherein annotating the subsequent image with the marker comprises annotating the subsequent image with the border. 13. The method of claim 8, wherein receiving the indication of the location of the biopsy target comprises receiving the indication of the location of the biopsy target via a user input entered while the dual energy image is displayed on the display device. 14. The method of claim 8, wherein the reference dataset is a first 3D volume and the dual energy image is a first reconstructed slice of the first 3D volume, and wherein the subsequent image is a second reconstructed slice of a subsequent, second 3D volume. 15. An imaging system, comprising:
an x-ray source in communication with a detector; a display device; and a computing device connected in communication with the display device and the detector, the computing device including a processor and non-transitory memory storing instructions executable by the processor to:
acquire, with the x-ray source and detector, a first low energy image of a patient and a first high energy image of the patient;
recombine the first low energy image and the second high energy image to generate a dual energy image;
output the dual energy image for display on the display device;
receive a user input indicating a location of a biopsy target on the dual energy image;
acquire, with the x-ray source and detector, a second low energy image of the patient;
determine a position of the biopsy target in the second low image based on an image registration process with the first low energy image; and
display, on the display device, the second low energy image and a graphical representation of the position of the biopsy target on the second low energy image. 16. The imaging system of claim 15, wherein the instructions are further executable by the processor to, upon receiving the user input, segment the dual energy image to determine a border of the biopsy target; and
wherein the graphical representation includes the determined border of the biopsy target. 17. The imaging system of claim 15, wherein the instructions are executable by the processor to perform the image registration process with the first low energy image and the second low energy image by:
selecting a plurality of control points in the first low energy image, calculating a local shift vector for each control point relative to a corresponding control point in the second low energy image, interpolating each pixel of the second low energy image based on each local shift vector to generate a motion vector field; and determining the location of the biopsy target in the second low energy image based on the motion vector field. 18. The imaging system of claim 17, wherein interpolating each pixel of the second low energy image based on each local shift vector to generate the motion vector field comprises performing a first interpolation based on each local shift vector to generate a respective motion vector for each pixel. 19. The imaging system of claim 18, wherein determining the location of the biopsy target in the second low energy image based on the motion vector field comprises performing a second interpolation based on each motion vector to determine the location of the biopsy target in the second low energy image. 20. The imaging system of claim 15, wherein the instructions are executable by the processor to determine a position of the biopsy target in any additional low energy images of the patient based on an image registration process with the first low energy image. | 3,600 |
339,990 | 16,800,961 | 3,657 | A spray drying process and apparatus for drying a spray dryable liquid composition to a spray dried powder is described, in which the spray dryable liquid composition contains no carrier. The spray dryable liquid composition is processed at a solids concentration not exceeding 80% by weight, based on total weight of the spray dryable liquid composition, being atomized to generate an atomized spray of liquid particles of the spray dryable liquid composition into a spray drying chamber, in which the atomized spray is contacted with a stream of drying fluid flowed at temperature not exceeding 100° C. into the spray drying chamber, to form the spray dried powder. | 1. A spray drying process for drying a spray dryable liquid composition to a spray dried powder, wherein the spray dryable liquid composition contains no carrier, the process comprising:
providing the spray dryable liquid composition at a solids concentration of at least 45% by weight but not exceeding 80% by weight, based on total weight of the spray dryable liquid composition; atomizing the spray dryable liquid composition to generate an atomized spray of liquid particles of the spray dryable liquid composition into a spray drying chamber; flowing a stream of drying fluid at a temperature not exceeding 100° C. into the spray drying chamber for flow through the spray drying chamber, to contact the spray of liquid particles therein for drying of the liquid particles to form the spray dried powder; and discharging from the spray drying chamber effluent drying fluid and the spray dried powder dried by contact with the drying fluid in the spray drying chamber, wherein said atomizing is carried out so that the atomized spray of liquid particles of the spray dryable liquid composition comprise droplets of the spray dryable liquid composition having a droplet size in a range of from 10 to 300 μm. 2. The process of claim 1, wherein the spray dryable liquid composition comprises at least one product material selected from the group consisting of food materials, beverage materials, fragrance materials, pigment materials, flavor materials, pharmaceutical materials, therapeutic materials, medication materials, homeopathic materials, biological materials, probiotic materials, construction materials, formulating materials, and mixtures, blends, composites, and combinations of two or more different materials of the foregoing. 3. The process of claim 1, wherein the spray dryable liquid composition comprises at least one product material selected from the group consisting of apple juice, tea, coffee, pear juice, amino acids, fruit purees, pectin, beef broths, gelatin, pharmaceutical products, beet juice, grape juice, pineapple juice, betacyclodextran, lime juice, skim milk, carrageenan, liquid egg, sugars, cheese whey, beers, low alcohol beer, vegetable juices, chicken broth, mango juice, whey protein, citrus juice, orange juice, and whole milk. 4. The process of claim 1, wherein the spray dryable liquid composition comprises a juice. 5. The process of claim 1, wherein the spray dryable liquid composition comprises an alcoholic spirit, mash mixture, or pot liquor. 6. The process of claim 1, wherein the spray dryable liquid composition comprises a comestible or beverage or a precursor thereof. 7. The process of claim 1, wherein the spray dryable liquid composition comprises coffee. 8. The process of claim 1, wherein the spray dryable liquid composition comprises tea. 9. The process of claim 1, wherein the temperature of the stream of drying fluid flowed into the spray drying chamber is below at least one of 100° C., 99° C., 98° C., 95° C., 90° C., 85° C., 80° C., 75° C., 70° C., 65° C., 60° C., 55° C., 50° C., 45° C., 40° C., 30° C., 25° C., 22° C., 20° C., 18° C., 16° C., 15° C., 14° C., 13° C., 12° C., 11° C., and 10° C., and said temperature is above freezing point of the liquid in the spray dryable liquid composition. 10. The process of claim 1, wherein the temperature of the stream of drying fluid flowed into the spray drying chamber is in a range in which the lower end point of the range is any one of 0° C., 1° C., 2° C., 3° C., 4° C., 5° C., 6° C., 7° C., 8° C., 9° C., 10° C., 11° C., 12° C., 13° C., 14° C., 15° C., 16° C., 18° C., 20° C., 22° C., and 25° C., and in which the upper end point of the range is greater than the lower end point of the range, and is any one of 10° C., 11° C., 12° C., 13° C., 14° C., 15° C., 16° C., 18° C., 20° C., 22° C., 25° C., 30° C., 40° C., 45° C., 50° C. 55° C., 60° C., 65° C., 70° C., 75° C., 80° C., 85° C., 90° C., 95° C., 98° C., 99° C., or 100° C. 11. The process of claim 1, wherein the spray dryable liquid composition has a viscosity in a range of from 50 to 5000 mPa-s, and a solids concentration in a range of from 45% to 75% by weight, based on total weight of the spray dryable liquid composition. 12. The process of claim 1, wherein amount of liquid in the spray dried powder discharged from the spray drying chamber is below at least one of 10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1, 0.5 and 0.1 wt. % liquid, based on total weight of the spray dried powder. 13. The process of claim 1, the spray dryable liquid composition comprises at least one food, beverage, or flavor product material. 14. The process of claim 1, further comprising generating localized turbulence at multiple loci in the spray drying chamber, to enhance drying of the spray dryable liquid composition in the spray drying chamber. 15. The process of claim 14, wherein said spray drying chamber comprises an outer wall enclosing an interior volume of the spray drying chamber, and said multiple loci comprise an outer wall region of the interior volume of the spray drying chamber. 16. The process of claim 14, wherein said spray drying chamber comprises an interior volume, and said multiple loci comprise a central region of the interior volume of the spray drying chamber. 17. The process of claim 14, wherein said spray drying chamber comprises an outer wall enclosing an interior volume of the spray drying chamber, and said multiple loci comprise (i) an outer wall region of the interior volume of the spray drying chamber and (ii) a central region of the interior volume of the spray drying chamber. 18. The process of claim 14, wherein said generating localized turbulence at multiple loci in the spray drying chamber comprises injecting auxiliary drying fluid at said multiple loci to generate said localized turbulence. 19. The process of claim 18, wherein each of said drying fluid and said auxiliary drying fluid comprises air, oxygen, oxygen-enriched air, or nitrogen. 20. The process of claim 18, wherein each of (i) the stream of drying fluid flowed into the spray drying chamber and (ii) the auxiliary drying fluid injected at said multiple loci has a relative humidity in a range in which the lower end point of the range is any one of 10−4%, 10−3%, 10−2%, 10−1%, 1%, 1.5%, or 2%, and in which the upper end point of the range is greater than the lower end point of the range, and is any one of 35%, 30%, 20%, 15%, 12%, 10%, 8%, 6%, 5%, 4%, 3%, 2.5%, 2%, 1.8%, 1.6%, 1.5%, 1.4%, 1.3%, 1.2%, 1.1%, 1.0%, 0.9%, 0.8%, 0.7%, 0.6%, 0.5%, 0.4%, 0.3%, 0.2%, 0.1%, 0.05%, 0.02%, 0.01%, or 0.05%. | A spray drying process and apparatus for drying a spray dryable liquid composition to a spray dried powder is described, in which the spray dryable liquid composition contains no carrier. The spray dryable liquid composition is processed at a solids concentration not exceeding 80% by weight, based on total weight of the spray dryable liquid composition, being atomized to generate an atomized spray of liquid particles of the spray dryable liquid composition into a spray drying chamber, in which the atomized spray is contacted with a stream of drying fluid flowed at temperature not exceeding 100° C. into the spray drying chamber, to form the spray dried powder.1. A spray drying process for drying a spray dryable liquid composition to a spray dried powder, wherein the spray dryable liquid composition contains no carrier, the process comprising:
providing the spray dryable liquid composition at a solids concentration of at least 45% by weight but not exceeding 80% by weight, based on total weight of the spray dryable liquid composition; atomizing the spray dryable liquid composition to generate an atomized spray of liquid particles of the spray dryable liquid composition into a spray drying chamber; flowing a stream of drying fluid at a temperature not exceeding 100° C. into the spray drying chamber for flow through the spray drying chamber, to contact the spray of liquid particles therein for drying of the liquid particles to form the spray dried powder; and discharging from the spray drying chamber effluent drying fluid and the spray dried powder dried by contact with the drying fluid in the spray drying chamber, wherein said atomizing is carried out so that the atomized spray of liquid particles of the spray dryable liquid composition comprise droplets of the spray dryable liquid composition having a droplet size in a range of from 10 to 300 μm. 2. The process of claim 1, wherein the spray dryable liquid composition comprises at least one product material selected from the group consisting of food materials, beverage materials, fragrance materials, pigment materials, flavor materials, pharmaceutical materials, therapeutic materials, medication materials, homeopathic materials, biological materials, probiotic materials, construction materials, formulating materials, and mixtures, blends, composites, and combinations of two or more different materials of the foregoing. 3. The process of claim 1, wherein the spray dryable liquid composition comprises at least one product material selected from the group consisting of apple juice, tea, coffee, pear juice, amino acids, fruit purees, pectin, beef broths, gelatin, pharmaceutical products, beet juice, grape juice, pineapple juice, betacyclodextran, lime juice, skim milk, carrageenan, liquid egg, sugars, cheese whey, beers, low alcohol beer, vegetable juices, chicken broth, mango juice, whey protein, citrus juice, orange juice, and whole milk. 4. The process of claim 1, wherein the spray dryable liquid composition comprises a juice. 5. The process of claim 1, wherein the spray dryable liquid composition comprises an alcoholic spirit, mash mixture, or pot liquor. 6. The process of claim 1, wherein the spray dryable liquid composition comprises a comestible or beverage or a precursor thereof. 7. The process of claim 1, wherein the spray dryable liquid composition comprises coffee. 8. The process of claim 1, wherein the spray dryable liquid composition comprises tea. 9. The process of claim 1, wherein the temperature of the stream of drying fluid flowed into the spray drying chamber is below at least one of 100° C., 99° C., 98° C., 95° C., 90° C., 85° C., 80° C., 75° C., 70° C., 65° C., 60° C., 55° C., 50° C., 45° C., 40° C., 30° C., 25° C., 22° C., 20° C., 18° C., 16° C., 15° C., 14° C., 13° C., 12° C., 11° C., and 10° C., and said temperature is above freezing point of the liquid in the spray dryable liquid composition. 10. The process of claim 1, wherein the temperature of the stream of drying fluid flowed into the spray drying chamber is in a range in which the lower end point of the range is any one of 0° C., 1° C., 2° C., 3° C., 4° C., 5° C., 6° C., 7° C., 8° C., 9° C., 10° C., 11° C., 12° C., 13° C., 14° C., 15° C., 16° C., 18° C., 20° C., 22° C., and 25° C., and in which the upper end point of the range is greater than the lower end point of the range, and is any one of 10° C., 11° C., 12° C., 13° C., 14° C., 15° C., 16° C., 18° C., 20° C., 22° C., 25° C., 30° C., 40° C., 45° C., 50° C. 55° C., 60° C., 65° C., 70° C., 75° C., 80° C., 85° C., 90° C., 95° C., 98° C., 99° C., or 100° C. 11. The process of claim 1, wherein the spray dryable liquid composition has a viscosity in a range of from 50 to 5000 mPa-s, and a solids concentration in a range of from 45% to 75% by weight, based on total weight of the spray dryable liquid composition. 12. The process of claim 1, wherein amount of liquid in the spray dried powder discharged from the spray drying chamber is below at least one of 10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1, 0.5 and 0.1 wt. % liquid, based on total weight of the spray dried powder. 13. The process of claim 1, the spray dryable liquid composition comprises at least one food, beverage, or flavor product material. 14. The process of claim 1, further comprising generating localized turbulence at multiple loci in the spray drying chamber, to enhance drying of the spray dryable liquid composition in the spray drying chamber. 15. The process of claim 14, wherein said spray drying chamber comprises an outer wall enclosing an interior volume of the spray drying chamber, and said multiple loci comprise an outer wall region of the interior volume of the spray drying chamber. 16. The process of claim 14, wherein said spray drying chamber comprises an interior volume, and said multiple loci comprise a central region of the interior volume of the spray drying chamber. 17. The process of claim 14, wherein said spray drying chamber comprises an outer wall enclosing an interior volume of the spray drying chamber, and said multiple loci comprise (i) an outer wall region of the interior volume of the spray drying chamber and (ii) a central region of the interior volume of the spray drying chamber. 18. The process of claim 14, wherein said generating localized turbulence at multiple loci in the spray drying chamber comprises injecting auxiliary drying fluid at said multiple loci to generate said localized turbulence. 19. The process of claim 18, wherein each of said drying fluid and said auxiliary drying fluid comprises air, oxygen, oxygen-enriched air, or nitrogen. 20. The process of claim 18, wherein each of (i) the stream of drying fluid flowed into the spray drying chamber and (ii) the auxiliary drying fluid injected at said multiple loci has a relative humidity in a range in which the lower end point of the range is any one of 10−4%, 10−3%, 10−2%, 10−1%, 1%, 1.5%, or 2%, and in which the upper end point of the range is greater than the lower end point of the range, and is any one of 35%, 30%, 20%, 15%, 12%, 10%, 8%, 6%, 5%, 4%, 3%, 2.5%, 2%, 1.8%, 1.6%, 1.5%, 1.4%, 1.3%, 1.2%, 1.1%, 1.0%, 0.9%, 0.8%, 0.7%, 0.6%, 0.5%, 0.4%, 0.3%, 0.2%, 0.1%, 0.05%, 0.02%, 0.01%, or 0.05%. | 3,600 |
339,991 | 16,800,939 | 3,657 | A spray drying process and apparatus for drying a spray dryable liquid composition to a spray dried powder is described, in which the spray dryable liquid composition contains no carrier. The spray dryable liquid composition is processed at a solids concentration not exceeding 80% by weight, based on total weight of the spray dryable liquid composition, being atomized to generate an atomized spray of liquid particles of the spray dryable liquid composition into a spray drying chamber, in which the atomized spray is contacted with a stream of drying fluid flowed at temperature not exceeding 100° C. into the spray drying chamber, to form the spray dried powder. | 1. A spray drying process for drying a spray dryable liquid composition to a spray dried powder, wherein the spray dryable liquid composition contains no carrier, the process comprising:
providing the spray dryable liquid composition at a solids concentration of at least 45% by weight but not exceeding 80% by weight, based on total weight of the spray dryable liquid composition; atomizing the spray dryable liquid composition to generate an atomized spray of liquid particles of the spray dryable liquid composition into a spray drying chamber; flowing a stream of drying fluid at a temperature not exceeding 100° C. into the spray drying chamber for flow through the spray drying chamber, to contact the spray of liquid particles therein for drying of the liquid particles to form the spray dried powder; and discharging from the spray drying chamber effluent drying fluid and the spray dried powder dried by contact with the drying fluid in the spray drying chamber, wherein said atomizing is carried out so that the atomized spray of liquid particles of the spray dryable liquid composition comprise droplets of the spray dryable liquid composition having a droplet size in a range of from 10 to 300 μm. 2. The process of claim 1, wherein the spray dryable liquid composition comprises at least one product material selected from the group consisting of food materials, beverage materials, fragrance materials, pigment materials, flavor materials, pharmaceutical materials, therapeutic materials, medication materials, homeopathic materials, biological materials, probiotic materials, construction materials, formulating materials, and mixtures, blends, composites, and combinations of two or more different materials of the foregoing. 3. The process of claim 1, wherein the spray dryable liquid composition comprises at least one product material selected from the group consisting of apple juice, tea, coffee, pear juice, amino acids, fruit purees, pectin, beef broths, gelatin, pharmaceutical products, beet juice, grape juice, pineapple juice, betacyclodextran, lime juice, skim milk, carrageenan, liquid egg, sugars, cheese whey, beers, low alcohol beer, vegetable juices, chicken broth, mango juice, whey protein, citrus juice, orange juice, and whole milk. 4. The process of claim 1, wherein the spray dryable liquid composition comprises a juice. 5. The process of claim 1, wherein the spray dryable liquid composition comprises an alcoholic spirit, mash mixture, or pot liquor. 6. The process of claim 1, wherein the spray dryable liquid composition comprises a comestible or beverage or a precursor thereof. 7. The process of claim 1, wherein the spray dryable liquid composition comprises coffee. 8. The process of claim 1, wherein the spray dryable liquid composition comprises tea. 9. The process of claim 1, wherein the temperature of the stream of drying fluid flowed into the spray drying chamber is below at least one of 100° C., 99° C., 98° C., 95° C., 90° C., 85° C., 80° C., 75° C., 70° C., 65° C., 60° C., 55° C., 50° C., 45° C., 40° C., 30° C., 25° C., 22° C., 20° C., 18° C., 16° C., 15° C., 14° C., 13° C., 12° C., 11° C., and 10° C., and said temperature is above freezing point of the liquid in the spray dryable liquid composition. 10. The process of claim 1, wherein the temperature of the stream of drying fluid flowed into the spray drying chamber is in a range in which the lower end point of the range is any one of 0° C., 1° C., 2° C., 3° C., 4° C., 5° C., 6° C., 7° C., 8° C., 9° C., 10° C., 11° C., 12° C., 13° C., 14° C., 15° C., 16° C., 18° C., 20° C., 22° C., and 25° C., and in which the upper end point of the range is greater than the lower end point of the range, and is any one of 10° C., 11° C., 12° C., 13° C., 14° C., 15° C., 16° C., 18° C., 20° C., 22° C., 25° C., 30° C., 40° C., 45° C., 50° C. 55° C., 60° C., 65° C., 70° C., 75° C., 80° C., 85° C., 90° C., 95° C., 98° C., 99° C., or 100° C. 11. The process of claim 1, wherein the spray dryable liquid composition has a viscosity in a range of from 50 to 5000 mPa-s, and a solids concentration in a range of from 45% to 75% by weight, based on total weight of the spray dryable liquid composition. 12. The process of claim 1, wherein amount of liquid in the spray dried powder discharged from the spray drying chamber is below at least one of 10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1, 0.5 and 0.1 wt. % liquid, based on total weight of the spray dried powder. 13. The process of claim 1, the spray dryable liquid composition comprises at least one food, beverage, or flavor product material. 14. The process of claim 1, further comprising generating localized turbulence at multiple loci in the spray drying chamber, to enhance drying of the spray dryable liquid composition in the spray drying chamber. 15. The process of claim 14, wherein said spray drying chamber comprises an outer wall enclosing an interior volume of the spray drying chamber, and said multiple loci comprise an outer wall region of the interior volume of the spray drying chamber. 16. The process of claim 14, wherein said spray drying chamber comprises an interior volume, and said multiple loci comprise a central region of the interior volume of the spray drying chamber. 17. The process of claim 14, wherein said spray drying chamber comprises an outer wall enclosing an interior volume of the spray drying chamber, and said multiple loci comprise (i) an outer wall region of the interior volume of the spray drying chamber and (ii) a central region of the interior volume of the spray drying chamber. 18. The process of claim 14, wherein said generating localized turbulence at multiple loci in the spray drying chamber comprises injecting auxiliary drying fluid at said multiple loci to generate said localized turbulence. 19. The process of claim 18, wherein each of said drying fluid and said auxiliary drying fluid comprises air, oxygen, oxygen-enriched air, or nitrogen. 20. The process of claim 18, wherein each of (i) the stream of drying fluid flowed into the spray drying chamber and (ii) the auxiliary drying fluid injected at said multiple loci has a relative humidity in a range in which the lower end point of the range is any one of 10−4%, 10−3%, 10−2%, 10−1%, 1%, 1.5%, or 2%, and in which the upper end point of the range is greater than the lower end point of the range, and is any one of 35%, 30%, 20%, 15%, 12%, 10%, 8%, 6%, 5%, 4%, 3%, 2.5%, 2%, 1.8%, 1.6%, 1.5%, 1.4%, 1.3%, 1.2%, 1.1%, 1.0%, 0.9%, 0.8%, 0.7%, 0.6%, 0.5%, 0.4%, 0.3%, 0.2%, 0.1%, 0.05%, 0.02%, 0.01%, or 0.05%. | A spray drying process and apparatus for drying a spray dryable liquid composition to a spray dried powder is described, in which the spray dryable liquid composition contains no carrier. The spray dryable liquid composition is processed at a solids concentration not exceeding 80% by weight, based on total weight of the spray dryable liquid composition, being atomized to generate an atomized spray of liquid particles of the spray dryable liquid composition into a spray drying chamber, in which the atomized spray is contacted with a stream of drying fluid flowed at temperature not exceeding 100° C. into the spray drying chamber, to form the spray dried powder.1. A spray drying process for drying a spray dryable liquid composition to a spray dried powder, wherein the spray dryable liquid composition contains no carrier, the process comprising:
providing the spray dryable liquid composition at a solids concentration of at least 45% by weight but not exceeding 80% by weight, based on total weight of the spray dryable liquid composition; atomizing the spray dryable liquid composition to generate an atomized spray of liquid particles of the spray dryable liquid composition into a spray drying chamber; flowing a stream of drying fluid at a temperature not exceeding 100° C. into the spray drying chamber for flow through the spray drying chamber, to contact the spray of liquid particles therein for drying of the liquid particles to form the spray dried powder; and discharging from the spray drying chamber effluent drying fluid and the spray dried powder dried by contact with the drying fluid in the spray drying chamber, wherein said atomizing is carried out so that the atomized spray of liquid particles of the spray dryable liquid composition comprise droplets of the spray dryable liquid composition having a droplet size in a range of from 10 to 300 μm. 2. The process of claim 1, wherein the spray dryable liquid composition comprises at least one product material selected from the group consisting of food materials, beverage materials, fragrance materials, pigment materials, flavor materials, pharmaceutical materials, therapeutic materials, medication materials, homeopathic materials, biological materials, probiotic materials, construction materials, formulating materials, and mixtures, blends, composites, and combinations of two or more different materials of the foregoing. 3. The process of claim 1, wherein the spray dryable liquid composition comprises at least one product material selected from the group consisting of apple juice, tea, coffee, pear juice, amino acids, fruit purees, pectin, beef broths, gelatin, pharmaceutical products, beet juice, grape juice, pineapple juice, betacyclodextran, lime juice, skim milk, carrageenan, liquid egg, sugars, cheese whey, beers, low alcohol beer, vegetable juices, chicken broth, mango juice, whey protein, citrus juice, orange juice, and whole milk. 4. The process of claim 1, wherein the spray dryable liquid composition comprises a juice. 5. The process of claim 1, wherein the spray dryable liquid composition comprises an alcoholic spirit, mash mixture, or pot liquor. 6. The process of claim 1, wherein the spray dryable liquid composition comprises a comestible or beverage or a precursor thereof. 7. The process of claim 1, wherein the spray dryable liquid composition comprises coffee. 8. The process of claim 1, wherein the spray dryable liquid composition comprises tea. 9. The process of claim 1, wherein the temperature of the stream of drying fluid flowed into the spray drying chamber is below at least one of 100° C., 99° C., 98° C., 95° C., 90° C., 85° C., 80° C., 75° C., 70° C., 65° C., 60° C., 55° C., 50° C., 45° C., 40° C., 30° C., 25° C., 22° C., 20° C., 18° C., 16° C., 15° C., 14° C., 13° C., 12° C., 11° C., and 10° C., and said temperature is above freezing point of the liquid in the spray dryable liquid composition. 10. The process of claim 1, wherein the temperature of the stream of drying fluid flowed into the spray drying chamber is in a range in which the lower end point of the range is any one of 0° C., 1° C., 2° C., 3° C., 4° C., 5° C., 6° C., 7° C., 8° C., 9° C., 10° C., 11° C., 12° C., 13° C., 14° C., 15° C., 16° C., 18° C., 20° C., 22° C., and 25° C., and in which the upper end point of the range is greater than the lower end point of the range, and is any one of 10° C., 11° C., 12° C., 13° C., 14° C., 15° C., 16° C., 18° C., 20° C., 22° C., 25° C., 30° C., 40° C., 45° C., 50° C. 55° C., 60° C., 65° C., 70° C., 75° C., 80° C., 85° C., 90° C., 95° C., 98° C., 99° C., or 100° C. 11. The process of claim 1, wherein the spray dryable liquid composition has a viscosity in a range of from 50 to 5000 mPa-s, and a solids concentration in a range of from 45% to 75% by weight, based on total weight of the spray dryable liquid composition. 12. The process of claim 1, wherein amount of liquid in the spray dried powder discharged from the spray drying chamber is below at least one of 10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1, 0.5 and 0.1 wt. % liquid, based on total weight of the spray dried powder. 13. The process of claim 1, the spray dryable liquid composition comprises at least one food, beverage, or flavor product material. 14. The process of claim 1, further comprising generating localized turbulence at multiple loci in the spray drying chamber, to enhance drying of the spray dryable liquid composition in the spray drying chamber. 15. The process of claim 14, wherein said spray drying chamber comprises an outer wall enclosing an interior volume of the spray drying chamber, and said multiple loci comprise an outer wall region of the interior volume of the spray drying chamber. 16. The process of claim 14, wherein said spray drying chamber comprises an interior volume, and said multiple loci comprise a central region of the interior volume of the spray drying chamber. 17. The process of claim 14, wherein said spray drying chamber comprises an outer wall enclosing an interior volume of the spray drying chamber, and said multiple loci comprise (i) an outer wall region of the interior volume of the spray drying chamber and (ii) a central region of the interior volume of the spray drying chamber. 18. The process of claim 14, wherein said generating localized turbulence at multiple loci in the spray drying chamber comprises injecting auxiliary drying fluid at said multiple loci to generate said localized turbulence. 19. The process of claim 18, wherein each of said drying fluid and said auxiliary drying fluid comprises air, oxygen, oxygen-enriched air, or nitrogen. 20. The process of claim 18, wherein each of (i) the stream of drying fluid flowed into the spray drying chamber and (ii) the auxiliary drying fluid injected at said multiple loci has a relative humidity in a range in which the lower end point of the range is any one of 10−4%, 10−3%, 10−2%, 10−1%, 1%, 1.5%, or 2%, and in which the upper end point of the range is greater than the lower end point of the range, and is any one of 35%, 30%, 20%, 15%, 12%, 10%, 8%, 6%, 5%, 4%, 3%, 2.5%, 2%, 1.8%, 1.6%, 1.5%, 1.4%, 1.3%, 1.2%, 1.1%, 1.0%, 0.9%, 0.8%, 0.7%, 0.6%, 0.5%, 0.4%, 0.3%, 0.2%, 0.1%, 0.05%, 0.02%, 0.01%, or 0.05%. | 3,600 |
339,992 | 16,800,976 | 3,657 | Methods and controllers for coordinating firing fraction transitions that occur in conjunction with transmission shifts are described. In some embodiments, when a transmission shift to a target gear is expected, a target firing fraction is determined that is desired for use after the shift has completed. In selected circumstances, the change to the target firing fraction is initiated prior to the shift to the target gear. The transition to the target firing fraction preferably completes before an inertia/speed phase of the shift. In other embodiments, the engine transitions to all cylinder operation or other suitable transitional firing fraction in response to an expected transmission shift. After the shift completes, a transition is made to a target firing fraction. The described approaches are well suited for use during skip fire or other cylinder output level modulation operation of the engine and are particularly beneficial during up-shifts. | 1. A method of managing a powertrain having an internal combustion engine and a transmission during power-on up-shift transmission gear changes, the internal combustion engine being configured to operate in a skip fire operating mode, the method comprising:
receiving an indication of a proposed gear change indicative of an intent to up-shift from a first transmission gear to a second transmission gear while the engine is operating at a first firing fraction that is less than one, the first transmission gear being a current operational gear and the second transmission gear being higher than the first transmission gear; transitioning from the first firing fraction to a firing fraction of one after receiving the indication of a proposed gear change; implementing a power-on up-shift in response to the indication of the proposed gear change, the power-on up-shift including a torque phase and an inertia phase that follows the torque phase, wherein the transition to the firing fraction of one is completed before entering the inertia phase of the power-on up-shift; and after completing the power-on up-shift, transitioning from the firing fraction of one to a second firing fraction suitable for use in the second transmission gear, the second firing fraction being a skip fire firing fraction. 2. A method as recited in claim 1 further comprising delaying the implementation of the power-on up-shift until after completion of the transition from the first effective firing fraction to the firing fraction of one. 3. A method as recited in claim 1 wherein the change to the firing fraction of one overlaps at least a portion of at least one of a fill phase and a torque phase of the gear shift. 4. A method as recited in claim 1 wherein the powertrain has an associated transmission control unit that controls operation of the transmission and an associated engine control unit that controls operation of the engine, and wherein the indication of the proposed gear change is generated by the transmission control unit and received by the engine control unit, the method further comprising:
sending a hold shift instruction from the engine control unit to the transmission control unit when it is determined that the first firing fraction is not suitable for use after the gear change is completed; and
sending a shift OK instruction from the engine control unit to the transmission control unit after a designated delay or after the change to the firing fraction of one is completed; and
wherein the transmission control unit does not permit a gear shift to occur in the time period between the receipt of the hold shift instruction and the receipt of the shift OK instruction. 5. A method as recited in claim 1 further comprising setting a gear shift in progress indicator to a gear shift in progress state in response to the receipt of the indication of the proposed gear change and releasing the gear shift in progress indicator after the shift from the first transmission gear to the second transmission gear has been completed, wherein the transition to the second firing fraction is not permitted while the gear shift in progress indicator is in the gear shift in progress state. 6. A powertrain controller configured to implement the method of claim 1, the powertrain controller comprising an engine control unit and a transmission control unit, wherein:
the indication of the proposed gear change is provided by the transmission control unit and the transmission control unit controls the shift from the first transmission gear to the second transmission gear; and the engine control unit is capable of directing skip fire operation of the engine, the engine control unit being configured to receive the indication of the proposed gear change, determine the second firing fraction and direct the change to the second firing fraction. 7. A method of managing a powertrain having an internal combustion engine and a transmission during power-on up-shift transmission gear changes, the internal combustion engine being configured to operate in a skip fire operating mode, the method comprising:
receiving an indication of a proposed gear change indicative of an intent to up-shift from a first transmission gear to a second transmission gear while the engine is operating at a firing fraction of one, the first transmission gear being a current operational gear and the second transmission gear being higher than the first transmission gear; implementing a power-on up-shift in response to the indication of the proposed gear change, the power-on up-shift including a torque phase and an inertia phase that follows the torque phase; in response to the indication of the proposed gear change, preventing any firing fraction transition from initiating until after completion of the inertia phase of the power-on up-shift; and after completing the power-on up-shift, transitioning from the firing fraction of one to a second firing fraction suitable for use in the second transmission gear, the second firing fraction being a skip fire firing fraction. 8. A method as recited in claim 7 further comprising setting a gear shift in progress indicator to a gear shift in progress state in response to the receipt of the indication of the proposed gear change and releasing the gear shift in progress indicator after the shift from the first transmission gear to the second transmission gear has been completed, wherein the transition to the second firing fraction is not permitted while the gear shift in progress indicator is in the gear shift in progress state. 9. A powertrain controller configured to implement the method of claim 7, the powertrain controller comprising an engine control unit and a transmission control unit, wherein:
the indication of the proposed gear change is provided by the transmission control unit and the transmission control unit controls the shift from the first transmission gear to the second transmission gear; and the engine control unit is capable of directing skip fire operation of the engine, the engine control unit being configured to receive the indication of the proposed gear change, determine the second firing fraction and direct the change to the second firing fraction. 10. A method of managing a powertrain having an internal combustion engine and a transmission during transmission gear changes, the internal combustion engine being configured to operate in a skip fire or other cylinder output level modulation operating mode, the method comprising:
receiving an indication of a proposed gear change indicative of an intent to shift from a first transmission gear to a second transmission gear, the first transmission gear being a current operational gear; in response to the indication of the proposed gear change, determining whether a first effective firing fraction that is a current operational effective firing fraction is suitable for use during the transmission shift; and implementing the shift, wherein when it is determined that the current operational effective firing fraction is suitable for use during the transmission shift, the shift is implemented while maintaining the current operational effective firing fraction throughout the shift; and when it is determined that the current operational effective firing fraction is not suitable for use during the transmission shift, transitioning to a second effective firing fraction that is suitable for use during the shift before an inertia phase of the shift is initiated. 11. A method as recited in claim 10 further comprising, after completing the shift, transitioning to a third effective firing fraction that is suitable for use in the second transmission gear, the third effective firing fraction being a skip fire or other cylinder output level modulation firing fraction. 12. A method as recited in claim 11 wherein the shift is a power-on up-shift. 13. A method as recited in claim 11 performed during skip fire operation of the engine, whereby the first and third effective firing fractions are skip fire firing fractions. 14. A method as recited in claim 11 performed during cylinder output level modulation operation of the engine. 15. A method as recited in claim 10 wherein the change to the second effective firing fraction overlaps at least a portion of at least one of a fill phase and a torque phase of the gear shift. 16. A method as recited in claim 10 further comprising completing the change to the second effective firing fraction before beginning the gear shift. 17. A method as recited in claim 10 wherein the powertrain has an associated transmission control unit that controls operation of the transmission and an associated engine control unit that controls operation of the engine, and wherein the indication of the proposed gear change is generated by the transmission control unit and received by the engine control unit, the method further comprising:
sending a hold shift instruction from the engine control unit to the transmission control unit when it is determined that the current operating effective firing fraction is not suitable for use after the gear change is completed; and
sending a shift OK instruction from the engine control unit to the transmission control unit after a designated delay or after the change to the second effective firing fraction is completed; and
wherein the transmission control unit does not permit a gear shift to occur in the time period between the receipt of the hold shift instruction and the receipt of the shift OK instruction. 18. A powertrain controller configured to implement the method of claim 10, the powertrain controller comprising an engine control unit and a transmission control unit, wherein:
the indication of the proposed gear change is provided by the transmission control unit and the transmission control unit controls the shift from the first transmission gear to the second transmission gear; and the engine control unit is capable of directing skip fire or other cylinder output level modulation operation of the engine, the engine control unit being configured to receive the indication of the proposed gear change, determine the second firing fraction and direct the change to the second firing fraction. | Methods and controllers for coordinating firing fraction transitions that occur in conjunction with transmission shifts are described. In some embodiments, when a transmission shift to a target gear is expected, a target firing fraction is determined that is desired for use after the shift has completed. In selected circumstances, the change to the target firing fraction is initiated prior to the shift to the target gear. The transition to the target firing fraction preferably completes before an inertia/speed phase of the shift. In other embodiments, the engine transitions to all cylinder operation or other suitable transitional firing fraction in response to an expected transmission shift. After the shift completes, a transition is made to a target firing fraction. The described approaches are well suited for use during skip fire or other cylinder output level modulation operation of the engine and are particularly beneficial during up-shifts.1. A method of managing a powertrain having an internal combustion engine and a transmission during power-on up-shift transmission gear changes, the internal combustion engine being configured to operate in a skip fire operating mode, the method comprising:
receiving an indication of a proposed gear change indicative of an intent to up-shift from a first transmission gear to a second transmission gear while the engine is operating at a first firing fraction that is less than one, the first transmission gear being a current operational gear and the second transmission gear being higher than the first transmission gear; transitioning from the first firing fraction to a firing fraction of one after receiving the indication of a proposed gear change; implementing a power-on up-shift in response to the indication of the proposed gear change, the power-on up-shift including a torque phase and an inertia phase that follows the torque phase, wherein the transition to the firing fraction of one is completed before entering the inertia phase of the power-on up-shift; and after completing the power-on up-shift, transitioning from the firing fraction of one to a second firing fraction suitable for use in the second transmission gear, the second firing fraction being a skip fire firing fraction. 2. A method as recited in claim 1 further comprising delaying the implementation of the power-on up-shift until after completion of the transition from the first effective firing fraction to the firing fraction of one. 3. A method as recited in claim 1 wherein the change to the firing fraction of one overlaps at least a portion of at least one of a fill phase and a torque phase of the gear shift. 4. A method as recited in claim 1 wherein the powertrain has an associated transmission control unit that controls operation of the transmission and an associated engine control unit that controls operation of the engine, and wherein the indication of the proposed gear change is generated by the transmission control unit and received by the engine control unit, the method further comprising:
sending a hold shift instruction from the engine control unit to the transmission control unit when it is determined that the first firing fraction is not suitable for use after the gear change is completed; and
sending a shift OK instruction from the engine control unit to the transmission control unit after a designated delay or after the change to the firing fraction of one is completed; and
wherein the transmission control unit does not permit a gear shift to occur in the time period between the receipt of the hold shift instruction and the receipt of the shift OK instruction. 5. A method as recited in claim 1 further comprising setting a gear shift in progress indicator to a gear shift in progress state in response to the receipt of the indication of the proposed gear change and releasing the gear shift in progress indicator after the shift from the first transmission gear to the second transmission gear has been completed, wherein the transition to the second firing fraction is not permitted while the gear shift in progress indicator is in the gear shift in progress state. 6. A powertrain controller configured to implement the method of claim 1, the powertrain controller comprising an engine control unit and a transmission control unit, wherein:
the indication of the proposed gear change is provided by the transmission control unit and the transmission control unit controls the shift from the first transmission gear to the second transmission gear; and the engine control unit is capable of directing skip fire operation of the engine, the engine control unit being configured to receive the indication of the proposed gear change, determine the second firing fraction and direct the change to the second firing fraction. 7. A method of managing a powertrain having an internal combustion engine and a transmission during power-on up-shift transmission gear changes, the internal combustion engine being configured to operate in a skip fire operating mode, the method comprising:
receiving an indication of a proposed gear change indicative of an intent to up-shift from a first transmission gear to a second transmission gear while the engine is operating at a firing fraction of one, the first transmission gear being a current operational gear and the second transmission gear being higher than the first transmission gear; implementing a power-on up-shift in response to the indication of the proposed gear change, the power-on up-shift including a torque phase and an inertia phase that follows the torque phase; in response to the indication of the proposed gear change, preventing any firing fraction transition from initiating until after completion of the inertia phase of the power-on up-shift; and after completing the power-on up-shift, transitioning from the firing fraction of one to a second firing fraction suitable for use in the second transmission gear, the second firing fraction being a skip fire firing fraction. 8. A method as recited in claim 7 further comprising setting a gear shift in progress indicator to a gear shift in progress state in response to the receipt of the indication of the proposed gear change and releasing the gear shift in progress indicator after the shift from the first transmission gear to the second transmission gear has been completed, wherein the transition to the second firing fraction is not permitted while the gear shift in progress indicator is in the gear shift in progress state. 9. A powertrain controller configured to implement the method of claim 7, the powertrain controller comprising an engine control unit and a transmission control unit, wherein:
the indication of the proposed gear change is provided by the transmission control unit and the transmission control unit controls the shift from the first transmission gear to the second transmission gear; and the engine control unit is capable of directing skip fire operation of the engine, the engine control unit being configured to receive the indication of the proposed gear change, determine the second firing fraction and direct the change to the second firing fraction. 10. A method of managing a powertrain having an internal combustion engine and a transmission during transmission gear changes, the internal combustion engine being configured to operate in a skip fire or other cylinder output level modulation operating mode, the method comprising:
receiving an indication of a proposed gear change indicative of an intent to shift from a first transmission gear to a second transmission gear, the first transmission gear being a current operational gear; in response to the indication of the proposed gear change, determining whether a first effective firing fraction that is a current operational effective firing fraction is suitable for use during the transmission shift; and implementing the shift, wherein when it is determined that the current operational effective firing fraction is suitable for use during the transmission shift, the shift is implemented while maintaining the current operational effective firing fraction throughout the shift; and when it is determined that the current operational effective firing fraction is not suitable for use during the transmission shift, transitioning to a second effective firing fraction that is suitable for use during the shift before an inertia phase of the shift is initiated. 11. A method as recited in claim 10 further comprising, after completing the shift, transitioning to a third effective firing fraction that is suitable for use in the second transmission gear, the third effective firing fraction being a skip fire or other cylinder output level modulation firing fraction. 12. A method as recited in claim 11 wherein the shift is a power-on up-shift. 13. A method as recited in claim 11 performed during skip fire operation of the engine, whereby the first and third effective firing fractions are skip fire firing fractions. 14. A method as recited in claim 11 performed during cylinder output level modulation operation of the engine. 15. A method as recited in claim 10 wherein the change to the second effective firing fraction overlaps at least a portion of at least one of a fill phase and a torque phase of the gear shift. 16. A method as recited in claim 10 further comprising completing the change to the second effective firing fraction before beginning the gear shift. 17. A method as recited in claim 10 wherein the powertrain has an associated transmission control unit that controls operation of the transmission and an associated engine control unit that controls operation of the engine, and wherein the indication of the proposed gear change is generated by the transmission control unit and received by the engine control unit, the method further comprising:
sending a hold shift instruction from the engine control unit to the transmission control unit when it is determined that the current operating effective firing fraction is not suitable for use after the gear change is completed; and
sending a shift OK instruction from the engine control unit to the transmission control unit after a designated delay or after the change to the second effective firing fraction is completed; and
wherein the transmission control unit does not permit a gear shift to occur in the time period between the receipt of the hold shift instruction and the receipt of the shift OK instruction. 18. A powertrain controller configured to implement the method of claim 10, the powertrain controller comprising an engine control unit and a transmission control unit, wherein:
the indication of the proposed gear change is provided by the transmission control unit and the transmission control unit controls the shift from the first transmission gear to the second transmission gear; and the engine control unit is capable of directing skip fire or other cylinder output level modulation operation of the engine, the engine control unit being configured to receive the indication of the proposed gear change, determine the second firing fraction and direct the change to the second firing fraction. | 3,600 |
339,993 | 16,800,977 | 3,657 | An electro-optic modulator comprises a resonator comprising a first waveguide having a first end and second end; a first grating at the first end; and a second grating at the second end. An input channel is in communication with the resonator, and comprises a second waveguide having a first end and second end; an input port at the first end; a third grating at the second end; and a first coupler configured to couple light between the second waveguide and the first waveguide. An output channel is in communication with the resonator, and comprises a third waveguide having a first end and second end; an all-pass filter at the first end; a readout port at the second end; and a second coupler configured to couple light between the first and third waveguides. The all-pass filter is configured to adjust a coupling strength between the second coupler and the readout port. | 1. An electro-optic modulator, comprising:
a resonator comprising:
a first waveguide having a first end and an opposite second end;
a first grating at the first end of the first waveguide; and
a second grating at the second end of the first waveguide;
an input channel in optical communication with the resonator, the input channel comprising:
a second waveguide having a first end and an opposite second end;
an input port at the first end of the second waveguide;
a third grating at the second end of the second waveguide; and
a first coupler located along the second waveguide and configured to couple light between the second waveguide and the first waveguide of the resonator; and
an output channel in optical communication with the resonator, the output channel comprising:
a third waveguide having a first end and an opposite second end;
an all-pass filter at the first end of the third waveguide;
a readout port at the second end of the third waveguide; and
a second coupler located along the third waveguide and configured to couple light between the first waveguide of the resonator and the third waveguide;
wherein the all-pass filter is configured to adjust a coupling strength between the second coupler and the readout port. 2. The electro-optic modulator of claim 1, wherein at least one of the first grating, the second grating, and the third grating are a Bragg grating. 3. The electro-optic modulator of claim 1, wherein at least one of the first waveguide, the second waveguide, and the third waveguide comprise an electro-optic material. 4. The electro-optic modulator of claim 4, wherein the electro-optic material comprises lithium niobate, lithium tantalate, barium titanate, rubidium titanyl phosphate, potassium titanyl phosphate, or combinations thereof. 5. The electro-optic modulator of claim 1, wherein the all-pass filter comprises:
one or more Bragg gratings; and a pair of modulation electrodes on respective opposing sides of the one or more Bragg gratings; wherein the modulation electrodes are configured to apply a voltage across the third waveguide. 6. The electro-optic modulator of claim 5, wherein a tunable coupler portion of the electro-optic modulator includes:
a Bragg resonator formed by the one or more Bragg gratings and the modulation electrodes; the second coupler along the third waveguide; and a portion of the first waveguide with the first grating. 7. The electro-optic modulator of claim 6, wherein the resonator is a high-Q resonator. 8. The electro-optic modulator of claim 7, wherein when an optical signal is coupled into the high-Q resonator, the tunable coupler portion containing the Bragg resonator controls the optical signal at the readout port, by modulating the optical signal coupling out of the high-Q resonator. 9. The electro-optic modulator of claim 1, further comprising a sensor coupled to the readout port, wherein the sensor is configured to measure optical data output at the readout port. 10. The electro-optic modulator of claim 1, wherein the resonator, the input channel, and the output channel are arranged in substantially parallel rows with respect to each other on a substrate. 11. The electro-optic modulator of claim 1, wherein the electro-optic modulator is implemented in a photonics chip. 12. The electro-optic modulator of claim 11, wherein the photonics chip is implemented in a cryogenic platform. 13. The electro-optic modulator of claim 11, wherein the photonics chip is implemented for precision timing via an atomic clock. 14. The electro-optic modulator of claim 11, wherein the photonics chip is implemented in an inertial sensing platform. 15. The electro-optic modulator of claim 11, wherein the photonics chip is implemented as a component in a fiber optic gyroscope. 16. A method of operating the electro-optic modulator of claim 1, the method comprising:
injecting a light beam through the input port into the second waveguide of the input channel; coupling a portion of the light beam from the second waveguide into the resonator by the first coupler; and oscillating the portion of the light beam in the resonator between the first grating and the second grating along the first waveguide; wherein the portion of the light beam in the resonator oscillates until escaping through the first coupler, dissipating through random variance, or escaping through the second coupler into the output channel; wherein the portion of the light beam escaping through the second coupler into the output channel travels towards the all-pass filter or towards the readout port; wherein the all pass filter is configured to shift a resonant response of the electro-optic modulator to thereby modulate the portion of the light beam in the output channel to produce a reflection-based readout signal. 17. A system that implements the electro-optic modulator of claim 1, the system comprising:
a housing; a photonics chip within the housing, wherein the electro-optic modulator is coupled to the photonics chip; a set of input electronics outside of the housing and in operative communication with the all-pass filter in the output channel of the electro-optic modulator; a set of input optics outside of the housing and configured to provide input optical signals to the input channel of the electro-optic modulator; and one or more output detectors outside of the housing and in optical communication with the output channel of the electro-optic modulator; wherein the all pass filter is configured to shift a resonant response of the electro-optic modulator to thereby modulate the input optical signals interacting with the electro-optic modulator to produce reflection-based optical readout signals; wherein the reflection-based optical readout signals are sent to the one or more output detectors from the output channel for conversion of the optical readout signals to electrical signals. 18. The system of claim 17, wherein the housing comprises a cryogenic refrigerator. 19. The system of claim 17, wherein the set of input optics provides the input optical signals through an optical circulator outside of the housing. | An electro-optic modulator comprises a resonator comprising a first waveguide having a first end and second end; a first grating at the first end; and a second grating at the second end. An input channel is in communication with the resonator, and comprises a second waveguide having a first end and second end; an input port at the first end; a third grating at the second end; and a first coupler configured to couple light between the second waveguide and the first waveguide. An output channel is in communication with the resonator, and comprises a third waveguide having a first end and second end; an all-pass filter at the first end; a readout port at the second end; and a second coupler configured to couple light between the first and third waveguides. The all-pass filter is configured to adjust a coupling strength between the second coupler and the readout port.1. An electro-optic modulator, comprising:
a resonator comprising:
a first waveguide having a first end and an opposite second end;
a first grating at the first end of the first waveguide; and
a second grating at the second end of the first waveguide;
an input channel in optical communication with the resonator, the input channel comprising:
a second waveguide having a first end and an opposite second end;
an input port at the first end of the second waveguide;
a third grating at the second end of the second waveguide; and
a first coupler located along the second waveguide and configured to couple light between the second waveguide and the first waveguide of the resonator; and
an output channel in optical communication with the resonator, the output channel comprising:
a third waveguide having a first end and an opposite second end;
an all-pass filter at the first end of the third waveguide;
a readout port at the second end of the third waveguide; and
a second coupler located along the third waveguide and configured to couple light between the first waveguide of the resonator and the third waveguide;
wherein the all-pass filter is configured to adjust a coupling strength between the second coupler and the readout port. 2. The electro-optic modulator of claim 1, wherein at least one of the first grating, the second grating, and the third grating are a Bragg grating. 3. The electro-optic modulator of claim 1, wherein at least one of the first waveguide, the second waveguide, and the third waveguide comprise an electro-optic material. 4. The electro-optic modulator of claim 4, wherein the electro-optic material comprises lithium niobate, lithium tantalate, barium titanate, rubidium titanyl phosphate, potassium titanyl phosphate, or combinations thereof. 5. The electro-optic modulator of claim 1, wherein the all-pass filter comprises:
one or more Bragg gratings; and a pair of modulation electrodes on respective opposing sides of the one or more Bragg gratings; wherein the modulation electrodes are configured to apply a voltage across the third waveguide. 6. The electro-optic modulator of claim 5, wherein a tunable coupler portion of the electro-optic modulator includes:
a Bragg resonator formed by the one or more Bragg gratings and the modulation electrodes; the second coupler along the third waveguide; and a portion of the first waveguide with the first grating. 7. The electro-optic modulator of claim 6, wherein the resonator is a high-Q resonator. 8. The electro-optic modulator of claim 7, wherein when an optical signal is coupled into the high-Q resonator, the tunable coupler portion containing the Bragg resonator controls the optical signal at the readout port, by modulating the optical signal coupling out of the high-Q resonator. 9. The electro-optic modulator of claim 1, further comprising a sensor coupled to the readout port, wherein the sensor is configured to measure optical data output at the readout port. 10. The electro-optic modulator of claim 1, wherein the resonator, the input channel, and the output channel are arranged in substantially parallel rows with respect to each other on a substrate. 11. The electro-optic modulator of claim 1, wherein the electro-optic modulator is implemented in a photonics chip. 12. The electro-optic modulator of claim 11, wherein the photonics chip is implemented in a cryogenic platform. 13. The electro-optic modulator of claim 11, wherein the photonics chip is implemented for precision timing via an atomic clock. 14. The electro-optic modulator of claim 11, wherein the photonics chip is implemented in an inertial sensing platform. 15. The electro-optic modulator of claim 11, wherein the photonics chip is implemented as a component in a fiber optic gyroscope. 16. A method of operating the electro-optic modulator of claim 1, the method comprising:
injecting a light beam through the input port into the second waveguide of the input channel; coupling a portion of the light beam from the second waveguide into the resonator by the first coupler; and oscillating the portion of the light beam in the resonator between the first grating and the second grating along the first waveguide; wherein the portion of the light beam in the resonator oscillates until escaping through the first coupler, dissipating through random variance, or escaping through the second coupler into the output channel; wherein the portion of the light beam escaping through the second coupler into the output channel travels towards the all-pass filter or towards the readout port; wherein the all pass filter is configured to shift a resonant response of the electro-optic modulator to thereby modulate the portion of the light beam in the output channel to produce a reflection-based readout signal. 17. A system that implements the electro-optic modulator of claim 1, the system comprising:
a housing; a photonics chip within the housing, wherein the electro-optic modulator is coupled to the photonics chip; a set of input electronics outside of the housing and in operative communication with the all-pass filter in the output channel of the electro-optic modulator; a set of input optics outside of the housing and configured to provide input optical signals to the input channel of the electro-optic modulator; and one or more output detectors outside of the housing and in optical communication with the output channel of the electro-optic modulator; wherein the all pass filter is configured to shift a resonant response of the electro-optic modulator to thereby modulate the input optical signals interacting with the electro-optic modulator to produce reflection-based optical readout signals; wherein the reflection-based optical readout signals are sent to the one or more output detectors from the output channel for conversion of the optical readout signals to electrical signals. 18. The system of claim 17, wherein the housing comprises a cryogenic refrigerator. 19. The system of claim 17, wherein the set of input optics provides the input optical signals through an optical circulator outside of the housing. | 3,600 |
339,994 | 16,800,981 | 3,657 | A clock circuit includes a latch circuit, a memory state latch circuit, a memory state trigger circuit and a clock trigger circuit. The latch circuit is configured to latch an enable signal, and to generate a latch output signal based on a first clock signal. The memory state latch circuit is coupled to the latch circuit, and generates an output clock signal responsive to a first control signal. The memory state trigger circuit is coupled to the memory state latch circuit, and adjusts the output clock signal responsive to the latch output signal or a reset signal. The clock trigger circuit is coupled to the latch circuit and the memory state trigger circuit by a first node, configured to generate the first clock signal responsive to a second clock signal, and configured to control the latch circuit and the memory state trigger circuit based on the first clock signal. | 1. A clock circuit, comprising:
a latch circuit configured to latch an enable signal, and to generate a latch output signal based on at least a first clock signal; a memory state latch circuit coupled to the latch circuit, and configured to generate an output clock signal responsive to a first control signal; a memory state trigger circuit coupled to at least the memory state latch circuit, and configured to adjust the output clock signal responsive to at least the latch output signal or a reset signal; and a clock trigger circuit coupled to the latch circuit and the memory state trigger circuit by a first node, configured to generate the first clock signal responsive to a second clock signal, and configured to control the latch circuit and the memory state trigger circuit based on at least the first clock signal, the first clock signal being inverted from the second clock signal. 2. The clock circuit of claim 1, wherein the clock trigger circuit comprises:
a first P-type transistor having a source coupled with a first voltage supply, a gate of the first P-type transistor is configured to receive the second clock signal, and a drain of the first P-type transistor is coupled with at least the latch circuit and the memory state trigger circuit by the first node; and a first N-type transistor having a gate configured to receive the second clock signal, a source of the first N-type transistor is coupled with a second voltage supply different from the first voltage supply, and a drain of the first N-type transistor is coupled with the latch circuit, the memory state trigger circuit and the drain of the first P-type transistor by the first node. 3. The clock circuit of claim 1, wherein the memory state trigger circuit comprises:
a first N-type transistor having a source coupled with the first node, a gate of the first N-type transistor being configured to receive the latch output signal, and being coupled to the latch circuit by a second node, and a drain of the first N-type transistor being coupled with at least a third node of the memory state trigger circuit; and a first P-type transistor having a source coupled with at least a fourth node of the memory state trigger circuit, a gate of the first P-type transistor being configured to receive the second clock signal, and a drain of the first P-type transistor being coupled with at least the drain of the first N-type transistor by the third node of the memory state trigger circuit. 4. The clock circuit of claim 3, wherein the memory state trigger circuit further comprises:
a second P-type transistor having a source coupled with at least the source of the first P-type transistor by the fourth node of the memory state trigger circuit, a gate of the second P-type transistor being configured to receive the latch output signal, and a drain of the second P-type transistor being coupled with at least the drain of the first N-type transistor and the drain of the first P-type transistor by the third node of the memory state trigger circuit. 5. The clock circuit of claim 4, wherein the memory state trigger circuit further comprises:
a second N-type transistor having a source coupled with the memory state latch circuit, a gate of the second N-type transistor being configured to receive the reset signal, and a drain of the second N-type transistor being coupled with at least the drain of the first N-type transistor, the drain of the first P-type transistor and the drain of the second P-type transistor by the third node of the memory state trigger circuit; and a third P-type transistor having a source coupled with a first voltage supply, a gate of the third P-type transistor being configured to receive the reset signal and one of the following configurations:
a drain of the third P-type transistor being coupled with the drain of the second N-type transistor, the drain of the first N-type transistor, the drain of the first P-type transistor and the drain of the second P-type transistor by the third node of the memory state trigger circuit; or
the drain of the third P-type transistor being coupled with the source of the first P-type transistor and the source of the second P-type transistor by the fourth node of the memory state trigger circuit. 6. The clock circuit of claim 1, wherein the memory state latch circuit comprises:
a first P-type transistor having a source coupled with a first voltage supply, a drain of the first P-type transistor being coupled with a second node of the memory state trigger circuit, and a gate of the first P-type transistor being configured to receive the first control signal; and a first N-type transistor having a source coupled with a second voltage supply different from the first voltage supply, a drain of the first N-type transistor being coupled with a third node of the memory state trigger circuit, and a gate of the first N-type transistor being configured to receive the first control signal, and the gate of the first N-type transistor and the gate of the first P-type transistor being coupled together. 7. The clock circuit of claim 6, wherein the memory state latch circuit further comprises:
a first inverter having an input terminal and an output terminal,
the input terminal of the first inverter being configured to receive the output clock signal, and being coupled to the third node of the memory state trigger circuit; and
the output terminal of the first inverter being coupled with the gate of the first P-type transistor and the gate of the first N-type transistor, and being configured to output the first control signal responsive to the output clock signal, the first control signal being inverted from the output clock signal. 8. The clock circuit of claim 7, further comprising:
a second inverter having an input terminal and an output terminal,
the input terminal of the second inverter being configured to receive the first control signal, and being coupled to the output terminal of the first inverter, the gate of the first P-type transistor and the gate of the first N-type transistor; and
the output terminal of the second inverter being coupled with, and being configured to output a second control signal, the second control signal being a delayed version of the output clock signal. 9. A clock circuit, comprising:
a latch circuit configured to latch an enable signal, and to generate a latch output signal based on at least a first clock signal; a memory state latch circuit coupled to the latch circuit, and configured to generate an output clock signal responsive to a control signal; a memory state trigger circuit coupled to at least the memory state latch circuit, and configured to adjust an output clock signal responsive to at least the latch output signal; a clock trigger circuit coupled to the latch circuit and the memory state trigger circuit by a first node, configured to generate the first clock signal responsive to a second clock signal and a third clock signal, and configured to control the latch circuit and the memory state trigger circuit based on at least the first clock signal, the first clock signal being inverted from the second clock signal; and a level shifter circuit coupled to the memory state trigger circuit and the clock trigger circuit, and configured to generate the third clock signal from the second clock signal. 10. The clock circuit of claim 9, wherein the clock trigger circuit comprises:
a first P-type transistor having a drain, a source coupled with a first voltage supply, and a gate of the first P-type transistor configured to receive the first clock signal; a second P-type transistor having a drain, a source coupled with the drain of the first P-type transistor, and a gate of the second P-type transistor configured to receive the second clock signal; a first N-type transistor having a drain, a source coupled with a second voltage supply different from the first voltage supply, and a gate of the first N-type transistor configured to receive the first clock signal; and a second N-type transistor having a drain, a source coupled with at least the second voltage supply, a gate of the second N-type transistor configured to receive the second clock signal, wherein each of the drain of the second N-type transistor, the drain of the first N-type transistor, the drain of the second P-type transistor, the latch circuit, the memory state trigger circuit, and the first node are coupled together. 11. The clock circuit of claim 9, wherein the latch circuit comprises:
an OR logic gate comprising:
a first input terminal of the OR logic gate being configured to receive the first clock signal, and being coupled to the memory state trigger circuit and the clock trigger circuit by the first node;
a second input terminal of the OR logic gate being configured to receive the first latch output signal, and being coupled to the memory state trigger circuit by a second node; and
an output terminal of the OR logic gate being configured to output an OR output signal based on the latch output signal and the first clock signal. 12. The clock circuit of claim 11, wherein the latch circuit further comprises:
a NAND logic gate comprising:
a first input terminal of the NAND logic gate being coupled to the output terminal of the OR logic gate, the first input terminal of the NAND logic gate being configured to receive the OR output signal;
a second input terminal of the NAND logic gate being configured to receive an inverted control signal inverted from the control signal; and
an output terminal of the NAND logic gate being configured to output a first NAND output signal based on the inverted control signal and the OR output signal. 13. The clock circuit of claim 12, wherein the latch circuit further comprises:
a NOR logic gate comprising:
a first input terminal of the NOR logic gate being configured to receive the enable signal;
a second input terminal of the NOR logic gate being coupled to the output terminal of the NAND logic gate, and being configured to receive the first NAND output signal; and
an output terminal of the NOR logic gate being configured to output the latch output signal based on the enable signal and the first NAND output signal, the output terminal of the NOR logic gate being coupled to the memory state trigger circuit by the second node, and the NOR logic gate being configured to set a voltage of the second node, the voltage of the second node corresponding to the latch output signal. 14. The clock circuit of claim 9, wherein the memory state trigger circuit comprises:
a first N-type transistor having a source coupled with the first node, a gate of the first N-type transistor being configured to receive the latch output signal, and being coupled to the latch circuit by a second node, and a drain of the first N-type transistor being coupled with at least a third node of the memory state trigger circuit; and a first P-type transistor having a source, a gate configured to receive the first clock signal, and a drain of the first P-type transistor being coupled with at least the drain of the first N-type transistor by the third node of the memory state trigger circuit. 15. The clock circuit of claim 14, wherein the memory state trigger circuit further comprises:
a second P-type transistor having a source coupled with at least a fourth node of the memory state trigger circuit, a gate of the second P-type transistor being configured to receive the second clock signal, and a drain of the second P-type transistor being coupled with the source of the first P-type transistor; and a third P-type transistor having a source being coupled with at least the source of the second P-type transistor by the fourth node of the memory state trigger circuit, a gate of the third P-type transistor being configured to receive the latch output signal, and a drain of the third P-type transistor being coupled with at least the drain of the first N-type transistor and the drain of the first P-type transistor by the third node of the memory state trigger circuit. 16. The clock circuit of claim 15, wherein the memory state trigger circuit further comprises:
a second N-type transistor having a source coupled with the memory state latch circuit, a gate of the second N-type transistor being configured to receive a reset signal, and a drain of the second N-type transistor being coupled with at least the drain of the first N-type transistor, the drain of the first P-type transistor and the drain of the second P-type transistor by the third node of the memory state trigger circuit; and a fourth P-type transistor having a source coupled with a first voltage supply, a gate of the fourth P-type transistor being configured to receive the reset signal, and one of the following configurations:
a drain of the fourth P-type transistor being coupled with the drain of the second N-type transistor, the drain of the first N-type transistor, the drain of the first P-type transistor and the drain of the second P-type transistor by the third node of the memory state trigger circuit; or
the drain of the fourth P-type transistor being coupled with the source of the second P-type transistor and the source of the third P-type transistor by the fourth node of the memory state trigger circuit. 17. A method of operating a clock circuit, the method comprising:
causing, by a latch circuit, a latch output signal to transition from a first voltage level to a second voltage level different from the first voltage level; causing a clock trigger circuit to pull a first node from the second voltage level to the first voltage level in response to a transition of a first clock signal from the first voltage level to the second voltage level and a transition of a second clock signal from the first voltage level to a third voltage level different from the second voltage level, the first clock signal having a first voltage swing, the second clock signal having a second voltage swing different from the first voltage swing, the pulling of the first node thereby causing a first control signal of the clock trigger circuit to transition from the second voltage level to the first voltage level, the clock trigger circuit being coupled to at least an input of the latch circuit or an input of a memory state trigger circuit by the first node, and the first control signal being fed back from the clock trigger circuit to the input of the latch circuit from the first node; and causing, by the memory state trigger circuit, an output clock signal to transition from the second voltage level to the first voltage level in response to the transition of the first clock signal to the second voltage level, in response to the transition of the second clock signal to the third voltage level, and in response to the transition of the latch output signal to the third voltage level. 18. The method of claim 17, further comprising:
causing a reset signal to transition from the second voltage level to the first voltage level in response to the transition of the output clock signal from the second voltage level to the first voltage level; causing the output clock signal to transition from the first voltage level to the second voltage level in response to the transition of the reset signal from the second voltage level to the first voltage level; and causing the reset signal to transition from the first voltage level to the second voltage level in response to the transition of the output clock signal from the first voltage level to the second voltage level. 19. The method of claim 18, wherein
causing the output clock signal to transition from the first voltage level to the second voltage level in response to the transition of the reset signal from the second voltage level to the first voltage level comprises:
causing a first N-type transistor to turn off, in response to the transition of the reset signal from the second voltage level to the first voltage level, thereby disconnecting a second node from a second N-type transistor; and
causing a first P-type transistor to turn on, in response to the transition of the reset signal from the second voltage level to the first voltage level, thereby pulling the second node towards the second voltage level of a first voltage supply; and
causing, by the memory state trigger circuit, the output clock signal to transition from the second voltage level to the first voltage level comprises:
causing a second N-type transistor to turn on responsive to the latch output signal transitioning from the first voltage level to the second voltage level thereby coupling the second node to the first node, and pulling the second node towards the first voltage level. 20. The method of claim 17, further comprising:
generating, by a level shifter circuit, the first clock signal from the second clock signal. | A clock circuit includes a latch circuit, a memory state latch circuit, a memory state trigger circuit and a clock trigger circuit. The latch circuit is configured to latch an enable signal, and to generate a latch output signal based on a first clock signal. The memory state latch circuit is coupled to the latch circuit, and generates an output clock signal responsive to a first control signal. The memory state trigger circuit is coupled to the memory state latch circuit, and adjusts the output clock signal responsive to the latch output signal or a reset signal. The clock trigger circuit is coupled to the latch circuit and the memory state trigger circuit by a first node, configured to generate the first clock signal responsive to a second clock signal, and configured to control the latch circuit and the memory state trigger circuit based on the first clock signal.1. A clock circuit, comprising:
a latch circuit configured to latch an enable signal, and to generate a latch output signal based on at least a first clock signal; a memory state latch circuit coupled to the latch circuit, and configured to generate an output clock signal responsive to a first control signal; a memory state trigger circuit coupled to at least the memory state latch circuit, and configured to adjust the output clock signal responsive to at least the latch output signal or a reset signal; and a clock trigger circuit coupled to the latch circuit and the memory state trigger circuit by a first node, configured to generate the first clock signal responsive to a second clock signal, and configured to control the latch circuit and the memory state trigger circuit based on at least the first clock signal, the first clock signal being inverted from the second clock signal. 2. The clock circuit of claim 1, wherein the clock trigger circuit comprises:
a first P-type transistor having a source coupled with a first voltage supply, a gate of the first P-type transistor is configured to receive the second clock signal, and a drain of the first P-type transistor is coupled with at least the latch circuit and the memory state trigger circuit by the first node; and a first N-type transistor having a gate configured to receive the second clock signal, a source of the first N-type transistor is coupled with a second voltage supply different from the first voltage supply, and a drain of the first N-type transistor is coupled with the latch circuit, the memory state trigger circuit and the drain of the first P-type transistor by the first node. 3. The clock circuit of claim 1, wherein the memory state trigger circuit comprises:
a first N-type transistor having a source coupled with the first node, a gate of the first N-type transistor being configured to receive the latch output signal, and being coupled to the latch circuit by a second node, and a drain of the first N-type transistor being coupled with at least a third node of the memory state trigger circuit; and a first P-type transistor having a source coupled with at least a fourth node of the memory state trigger circuit, a gate of the first P-type transistor being configured to receive the second clock signal, and a drain of the first P-type transistor being coupled with at least the drain of the first N-type transistor by the third node of the memory state trigger circuit. 4. The clock circuit of claim 3, wherein the memory state trigger circuit further comprises:
a second P-type transistor having a source coupled with at least the source of the first P-type transistor by the fourth node of the memory state trigger circuit, a gate of the second P-type transistor being configured to receive the latch output signal, and a drain of the second P-type transistor being coupled with at least the drain of the first N-type transistor and the drain of the first P-type transistor by the third node of the memory state trigger circuit. 5. The clock circuit of claim 4, wherein the memory state trigger circuit further comprises:
a second N-type transistor having a source coupled with the memory state latch circuit, a gate of the second N-type transistor being configured to receive the reset signal, and a drain of the second N-type transistor being coupled with at least the drain of the first N-type transistor, the drain of the first P-type transistor and the drain of the second P-type transistor by the third node of the memory state trigger circuit; and a third P-type transistor having a source coupled with a first voltage supply, a gate of the third P-type transistor being configured to receive the reset signal and one of the following configurations:
a drain of the third P-type transistor being coupled with the drain of the second N-type transistor, the drain of the first N-type transistor, the drain of the first P-type transistor and the drain of the second P-type transistor by the third node of the memory state trigger circuit; or
the drain of the third P-type transistor being coupled with the source of the first P-type transistor and the source of the second P-type transistor by the fourth node of the memory state trigger circuit. 6. The clock circuit of claim 1, wherein the memory state latch circuit comprises:
a first P-type transistor having a source coupled with a first voltage supply, a drain of the first P-type transistor being coupled with a second node of the memory state trigger circuit, and a gate of the first P-type transistor being configured to receive the first control signal; and a first N-type transistor having a source coupled with a second voltage supply different from the first voltage supply, a drain of the first N-type transistor being coupled with a third node of the memory state trigger circuit, and a gate of the first N-type transistor being configured to receive the first control signal, and the gate of the first N-type transistor and the gate of the first P-type transistor being coupled together. 7. The clock circuit of claim 6, wherein the memory state latch circuit further comprises:
a first inverter having an input terminal and an output terminal,
the input terminal of the first inverter being configured to receive the output clock signal, and being coupled to the third node of the memory state trigger circuit; and
the output terminal of the first inverter being coupled with the gate of the first P-type transistor and the gate of the first N-type transistor, and being configured to output the first control signal responsive to the output clock signal, the first control signal being inverted from the output clock signal. 8. The clock circuit of claim 7, further comprising:
a second inverter having an input terminal and an output terminal,
the input terminal of the second inverter being configured to receive the first control signal, and being coupled to the output terminal of the first inverter, the gate of the first P-type transistor and the gate of the first N-type transistor; and
the output terminal of the second inverter being coupled with, and being configured to output a second control signal, the second control signal being a delayed version of the output clock signal. 9. A clock circuit, comprising:
a latch circuit configured to latch an enable signal, and to generate a latch output signal based on at least a first clock signal; a memory state latch circuit coupled to the latch circuit, and configured to generate an output clock signal responsive to a control signal; a memory state trigger circuit coupled to at least the memory state latch circuit, and configured to adjust an output clock signal responsive to at least the latch output signal; a clock trigger circuit coupled to the latch circuit and the memory state trigger circuit by a first node, configured to generate the first clock signal responsive to a second clock signal and a third clock signal, and configured to control the latch circuit and the memory state trigger circuit based on at least the first clock signal, the first clock signal being inverted from the second clock signal; and a level shifter circuit coupled to the memory state trigger circuit and the clock trigger circuit, and configured to generate the third clock signal from the second clock signal. 10. The clock circuit of claim 9, wherein the clock trigger circuit comprises:
a first P-type transistor having a drain, a source coupled with a first voltage supply, and a gate of the first P-type transistor configured to receive the first clock signal; a second P-type transistor having a drain, a source coupled with the drain of the first P-type transistor, and a gate of the second P-type transistor configured to receive the second clock signal; a first N-type transistor having a drain, a source coupled with a second voltage supply different from the first voltage supply, and a gate of the first N-type transistor configured to receive the first clock signal; and a second N-type transistor having a drain, a source coupled with at least the second voltage supply, a gate of the second N-type transistor configured to receive the second clock signal, wherein each of the drain of the second N-type transistor, the drain of the first N-type transistor, the drain of the second P-type transistor, the latch circuit, the memory state trigger circuit, and the first node are coupled together. 11. The clock circuit of claim 9, wherein the latch circuit comprises:
an OR logic gate comprising:
a first input terminal of the OR logic gate being configured to receive the first clock signal, and being coupled to the memory state trigger circuit and the clock trigger circuit by the first node;
a second input terminal of the OR logic gate being configured to receive the first latch output signal, and being coupled to the memory state trigger circuit by a second node; and
an output terminal of the OR logic gate being configured to output an OR output signal based on the latch output signal and the first clock signal. 12. The clock circuit of claim 11, wherein the latch circuit further comprises:
a NAND logic gate comprising:
a first input terminal of the NAND logic gate being coupled to the output terminal of the OR logic gate, the first input terminal of the NAND logic gate being configured to receive the OR output signal;
a second input terminal of the NAND logic gate being configured to receive an inverted control signal inverted from the control signal; and
an output terminal of the NAND logic gate being configured to output a first NAND output signal based on the inverted control signal and the OR output signal. 13. The clock circuit of claim 12, wherein the latch circuit further comprises:
a NOR logic gate comprising:
a first input terminal of the NOR logic gate being configured to receive the enable signal;
a second input terminal of the NOR logic gate being coupled to the output terminal of the NAND logic gate, and being configured to receive the first NAND output signal; and
an output terminal of the NOR logic gate being configured to output the latch output signal based on the enable signal and the first NAND output signal, the output terminal of the NOR logic gate being coupled to the memory state trigger circuit by the second node, and the NOR logic gate being configured to set a voltage of the second node, the voltage of the second node corresponding to the latch output signal. 14. The clock circuit of claim 9, wherein the memory state trigger circuit comprises:
a first N-type transistor having a source coupled with the first node, a gate of the first N-type transistor being configured to receive the latch output signal, and being coupled to the latch circuit by a second node, and a drain of the first N-type transistor being coupled with at least a third node of the memory state trigger circuit; and a first P-type transistor having a source, a gate configured to receive the first clock signal, and a drain of the first P-type transistor being coupled with at least the drain of the first N-type transistor by the third node of the memory state trigger circuit. 15. The clock circuit of claim 14, wherein the memory state trigger circuit further comprises:
a second P-type transistor having a source coupled with at least a fourth node of the memory state trigger circuit, a gate of the second P-type transistor being configured to receive the second clock signal, and a drain of the second P-type transistor being coupled with the source of the first P-type transistor; and a third P-type transistor having a source being coupled with at least the source of the second P-type transistor by the fourth node of the memory state trigger circuit, a gate of the third P-type transistor being configured to receive the latch output signal, and a drain of the third P-type transistor being coupled with at least the drain of the first N-type transistor and the drain of the first P-type transistor by the third node of the memory state trigger circuit. 16. The clock circuit of claim 15, wherein the memory state trigger circuit further comprises:
a second N-type transistor having a source coupled with the memory state latch circuit, a gate of the second N-type transistor being configured to receive a reset signal, and a drain of the second N-type transistor being coupled with at least the drain of the first N-type transistor, the drain of the first P-type transistor and the drain of the second P-type transistor by the third node of the memory state trigger circuit; and a fourth P-type transistor having a source coupled with a first voltage supply, a gate of the fourth P-type transistor being configured to receive the reset signal, and one of the following configurations:
a drain of the fourth P-type transistor being coupled with the drain of the second N-type transistor, the drain of the first N-type transistor, the drain of the first P-type transistor and the drain of the second P-type transistor by the third node of the memory state trigger circuit; or
the drain of the fourth P-type transistor being coupled with the source of the second P-type transistor and the source of the third P-type transistor by the fourth node of the memory state trigger circuit. 17. A method of operating a clock circuit, the method comprising:
causing, by a latch circuit, a latch output signal to transition from a first voltage level to a second voltage level different from the first voltage level; causing a clock trigger circuit to pull a first node from the second voltage level to the first voltage level in response to a transition of a first clock signal from the first voltage level to the second voltage level and a transition of a second clock signal from the first voltage level to a third voltage level different from the second voltage level, the first clock signal having a first voltage swing, the second clock signal having a second voltage swing different from the first voltage swing, the pulling of the first node thereby causing a first control signal of the clock trigger circuit to transition from the second voltage level to the first voltage level, the clock trigger circuit being coupled to at least an input of the latch circuit or an input of a memory state trigger circuit by the first node, and the first control signal being fed back from the clock trigger circuit to the input of the latch circuit from the first node; and causing, by the memory state trigger circuit, an output clock signal to transition from the second voltage level to the first voltage level in response to the transition of the first clock signal to the second voltage level, in response to the transition of the second clock signal to the third voltage level, and in response to the transition of the latch output signal to the third voltage level. 18. The method of claim 17, further comprising:
causing a reset signal to transition from the second voltage level to the first voltage level in response to the transition of the output clock signal from the second voltage level to the first voltage level; causing the output clock signal to transition from the first voltage level to the second voltage level in response to the transition of the reset signal from the second voltage level to the first voltage level; and causing the reset signal to transition from the first voltage level to the second voltage level in response to the transition of the output clock signal from the first voltage level to the second voltage level. 19. The method of claim 18, wherein
causing the output clock signal to transition from the first voltage level to the second voltage level in response to the transition of the reset signal from the second voltage level to the first voltage level comprises:
causing a first N-type transistor to turn off, in response to the transition of the reset signal from the second voltage level to the first voltage level, thereby disconnecting a second node from a second N-type transistor; and
causing a first P-type transistor to turn on, in response to the transition of the reset signal from the second voltage level to the first voltage level, thereby pulling the second node towards the second voltage level of a first voltage supply; and
causing, by the memory state trigger circuit, the output clock signal to transition from the second voltage level to the first voltage level comprises:
causing a second N-type transistor to turn on responsive to the latch output signal transitioning from the first voltage level to the second voltage level thereby coupling the second node to the first node, and pulling the second node towards the first voltage level. 20. The method of claim 17, further comprising:
generating, by a level shifter circuit, the first clock signal from the second clock signal. | 3,600 |
339,995 | 16,800,987 | 3,657 | A sensor has plurality of pixels arranged in a plurality of rows and columns with row control circuitry for controlling which one of said rows is activated and column control circuitry for controlling which of said pixels in said activated row is to be activated. The column circuitry has memory configured to store information indication as to which of the pixels are defective, wherein each of the pixels has a photodiode and a plurality of transistors which control the activation of the photodiode. A first transistor is configured to be controlled by a column enable signal while a second transistor is configured to be controlled by a row select signal. | 1. A sensor comprising:
a plurality of pixels arranged in a plurality of rows and columns; row control circuitry that selectively controls which one of said rows is activated; and column control circuitry that selectively controls which of said pixels in said activated row is to be activated, said column circuitry including a memory configured to store information indicating which of said pixels are defective, wherein each of said pixels comprises a photodiode and a plurality of transistors configured to control activation of said photodiode, the plurality of transistors including a first transistor configured to be controlled by a column enable signal from the column control circuitry based at least in part on the memory and a second transistor configured to be controlled by a row select signal from the row control circuitry. 2. The sensor according to claim 1, wherein the photodiode comprises a single photon avalanche diode. 3. The sensor according to claim 1, wherein said row control circuitry is configured to provide a control signal, dependent on the row select signal, to each of said pixels in the activated row, said control signal being configured to control a quench of the photodiode in each respective pixel. 4. The sensor according to claim 3, wherein the control signal will only quench the photodiode in each respective pixel when the column enable signal provided to the first transistor of the pixel, is also high. 5. The sensor according to claim 1, wherein the memory is configured to output the column enable signal. 6. The sensor according to claim 1, wherein the memory comprises a state machine, a defect memory connected to the state machine, and an active memory, wherein the defect memory will indicate which of the pixels of the plurality of pixel are faulty, and wherein the active memory defines which of the pixels in the plurality of pixels are active in a given read operation. 7. The sensor according to claim 1, wherein, for each pixel, the plurality of transistors of the pixel includes a column disable transistor, wherein when the column enable signal is low, the column disable transistor will conduct and the first transistor will not conduct, which reduces a voltage across the photodiode in the pixel below a breakdown voltage. 8. The sensor according claim 1, wherein, for each pixel, the plurality of transistors of the pixel includes a row disable transistor that is configured to conduct if the row select signal is high which reduces a voltage across the photodiode in the pixel below a breakdown voltage. 9. The sensor according to claim 1, wherein each of the pixels in the plurality of pixels comprises a buffer that includes two inverters arranged in series. 10. The sensor according to claim 1, wherein the sensor comprises a plurality of photon counting circuits configured to count photons detected by each of the plurality of pixels. 11. The sensor according to claim 10, wherein each of the plurality of the photon counting circuits are shared by two or more of the pixels of the plurality of pixels. 12. The sensor according to claim 1, wherein the row control circuitry is configured to activate a single row of pixels at a time, such that the row activation can be sequential or the row activation can be randomized. 13. The sensor according claim 1, wherein the plurality of transistors comprise MOSFET transistors. 14. The sensor according to claim 12, wherein, for each pixel:
the plurality of transistors of the pixel includes a column disable transistor, wherein when the column enable signal is low, the column disable transistor will conduct and the first transistor will not conduct, which reduces a voltage across the photodiode in the pixel below a breakdown voltage; and the plurality of transistors of the pixel includes a row disable transistor that is configured to conduct if the row select signal is high which reduces a voltage across the photodiode in the pixel below the breakdown voltage. 15. A method, comprising;
controlling with a row select signal which one of a plurality rows of pixels that are arranged in a plurality columns, wherein each of said pixels comprises a photodiode and a plurality of transistors configured to control activation of said photodiode; storing information indicative of which of said plurality of pixels are defective; and controlling with a column enable signal which one of said pixels in said activated row is to be activated based at least in part on the stored information. 16. The method according to claim 15, further comprising:
said row control circuitry providing a control signal, dependent on the row select signal, to each of said pixels; and quenching the photodiode in a selected pixel of the plurality of pixels based on the control signal and on the column enable signal provided to the first transistor of the selected pixel. 17. The method according to claim 1, wherein the memory outputs the column enable signal. 18. A sensor comprising:
a plurality of pixels arranged in a plurality of rows and columns, wherein each of the pixels comprises a single photon avalanche diode and a plurality of transistors configured to control activation of the single photon avalanche diode, the plurality of transistors including a first transistor; row control circuitry configured to selectively control activation of said rows with row select lines respectively coupled to control terminal of the; and column control circuitry that selectively controls which of said pixels in an activated row is to be activated, the column control circuitry including a memory configured to store information indicating which pixels of the plurality of pixels are defective, wherein the column control circuitry is configured to disable a defective pixel in the activated row by sending a column disable signal to the first transistor of the defective pixel based on the information in the memory. 19. The sensor according to claim 18, wherein the plurality of transistors of each pixel includes a second transistor and the column control circuitry is configured to activate a selected pixel of the activated row by sending a column enable signal to the second transistor of the selected pixel based on the information in the memory. 20. The sensor according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of transistors of each pixel includes a third transistor and the row control circuitry is configured to provide a row control signal to the third transistor of each of the pixels of the activated row, the second and third transistors being configured to control a quench of the selected pixel based on the column enable signal and the row enable signal, respectively. | A sensor has plurality of pixels arranged in a plurality of rows and columns with row control circuitry for controlling which one of said rows is activated and column control circuitry for controlling which of said pixels in said activated row is to be activated. The column circuitry has memory configured to store information indication as to which of the pixels are defective, wherein each of the pixels has a photodiode and a plurality of transistors which control the activation of the photodiode. A first transistor is configured to be controlled by a column enable signal while a second transistor is configured to be controlled by a row select signal.1. A sensor comprising:
a plurality of pixels arranged in a plurality of rows and columns; row control circuitry that selectively controls which one of said rows is activated; and column control circuitry that selectively controls which of said pixels in said activated row is to be activated, said column circuitry including a memory configured to store information indicating which of said pixels are defective, wherein each of said pixels comprises a photodiode and a plurality of transistors configured to control activation of said photodiode, the plurality of transistors including a first transistor configured to be controlled by a column enable signal from the column control circuitry based at least in part on the memory and a second transistor configured to be controlled by a row select signal from the row control circuitry. 2. The sensor according to claim 1, wherein the photodiode comprises a single photon avalanche diode. 3. The sensor according to claim 1, wherein said row control circuitry is configured to provide a control signal, dependent on the row select signal, to each of said pixels in the activated row, said control signal being configured to control a quench of the photodiode in each respective pixel. 4. The sensor according to claim 3, wherein the control signal will only quench the photodiode in each respective pixel when the column enable signal provided to the first transistor of the pixel, is also high. 5. The sensor according to claim 1, wherein the memory is configured to output the column enable signal. 6. The sensor according to claim 1, wherein the memory comprises a state machine, a defect memory connected to the state machine, and an active memory, wherein the defect memory will indicate which of the pixels of the plurality of pixel are faulty, and wherein the active memory defines which of the pixels in the plurality of pixels are active in a given read operation. 7. The sensor according to claim 1, wherein, for each pixel, the plurality of transistors of the pixel includes a column disable transistor, wherein when the column enable signal is low, the column disable transistor will conduct and the first transistor will not conduct, which reduces a voltage across the photodiode in the pixel below a breakdown voltage. 8. The sensor according claim 1, wherein, for each pixel, the plurality of transistors of the pixel includes a row disable transistor that is configured to conduct if the row select signal is high which reduces a voltage across the photodiode in the pixel below a breakdown voltage. 9. The sensor according to claim 1, wherein each of the pixels in the plurality of pixels comprises a buffer that includes two inverters arranged in series. 10. The sensor according to claim 1, wherein the sensor comprises a plurality of photon counting circuits configured to count photons detected by each of the plurality of pixels. 11. The sensor according to claim 10, wherein each of the plurality of the photon counting circuits are shared by two or more of the pixels of the plurality of pixels. 12. The sensor according to claim 1, wherein the row control circuitry is configured to activate a single row of pixels at a time, such that the row activation can be sequential or the row activation can be randomized. 13. The sensor according claim 1, wherein the plurality of transistors comprise MOSFET transistors. 14. The sensor according to claim 12, wherein, for each pixel:
the plurality of transistors of the pixel includes a column disable transistor, wherein when the column enable signal is low, the column disable transistor will conduct and the first transistor will not conduct, which reduces a voltage across the photodiode in the pixel below a breakdown voltage; and the plurality of transistors of the pixel includes a row disable transistor that is configured to conduct if the row select signal is high which reduces a voltage across the photodiode in the pixel below the breakdown voltage. 15. A method, comprising;
controlling with a row select signal which one of a plurality rows of pixels that are arranged in a plurality columns, wherein each of said pixels comprises a photodiode and a plurality of transistors configured to control activation of said photodiode; storing information indicative of which of said plurality of pixels are defective; and controlling with a column enable signal which one of said pixels in said activated row is to be activated based at least in part on the stored information. 16. The method according to claim 15, further comprising:
said row control circuitry providing a control signal, dependent on the row select signal, to each of said pixels; and quenching the photodiode in a selected pixel of the plurality of pixels based on the control signal and on the column enable signal provided to the first transistor of the selected pixel. 17. The method according to claim 1, wherein the memory outputs the column enable signal. 18. A sensor comprising:
a plurality of pixels arranged in a plurality of rows and columns, wherein each of the pixels comprises a single photon avalanche diode and a plurality of transistors configured to control activation of the single photon avalanche diode, the plurality of transistors including a first transistor; row control circuitry configured to selectively control activation of said rows with row select lines respectively coupled to control terminal of the; and column control circuitry that selectively controls which of said pixels in an activated row is to be activated, the column control circuitry including a memory configured to store information indicating which pixels of the plurality of pixels are defective, wherein the column control circuitry is configured to disable a defective pixel in the activated row by sending a column disable signal to the first transistor of the defective pixel based on the information in the memory. 19. The sensor according to claim 18, wherein the plurality of transistors of each pixel includes a second transistor and the column control circuitry is configured to activate a selected pixel of the activated row by sending a column enable signal to the second transistor of the selected pixel based on the information in the memory. 20. The sensor according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of transistors of each pixel includes a third transistor and the row control circuitry is configured to provide a row control signal to the third transistor of each of the pixels of the activated row, the second and third transistors being configured to control a quench of the selected pixel based on the column enable signal and the row enable signal, respectively. | 3,600 |
339,996 | 16,800,984 | 3,657 | A method and composition for stabilizing drill cuttings commences by providing precipitated calcium carbonate (PCC). The PCC is dried to a moisture level of about 10% or less. Drying by heat not to exceed 400° F. is preferred to prevent changes in the PCC. The dried PCC is blended with kiln dust to compose a generally uniform admixture. In the admixture, the kiln dust is not to exceed 40%. The admixture is introduced to the drill cuttings to initiate a nucleation reaction within the commixture of drill cuttings and the admixture. | 1. A composition for the stabilization of drill cuttings, the composition comprising:
precipitated calcium carbonate (PCC), a synthetically formed CaCO3; and hydrated lime, also known as calcium hydroxide {Ca(OH)2}. 2. The composition of claim 1, wherein the PCC comprises at least one half of the composition. 3. A method for composing an admixture for stabilization of drill cuttings comprises:
providing precipitated calcium carbonate (PCC), a synthetically formed CaCO3; drying the PCC to a moisture level of about 10% or less; and blending the dried PCC with hydrated lime, also known as calcium hydroxide {Ca(OH)2}, to compose a generally uniform admixture, the hydrated lime, not to exceed 50%. 4. The method of claim 3 wherein drying the PCC includes:
packaging the admixture to exclude introduction of moisture prior to application on drill cuttings. 5. The method of claim 3, wherein drying the PCC includes:
drying in a mechanical dryer at a temperature not to exceed 400° F. 6. (canceled) 7. The method of claim 3, wherein blending the dried PCC with hydrated lime includes:
blending by means of a pugmill. 8. The method of claim 3, wherein blending the dried PCC with hydrated lime includes selecting a ratio of dried PCC to hydrated lime based upon a moisture level in the drill cuttings to be stabilized. 9. The method of claim 3, wherein blending the dried PCC with hydrated lime includes selecting a ratio of dried PCC to hydrated lime based upon a crude oil content in the drill cuttings to be stabilized. 10. The method of claim 3, wherein blending the dried PCC with hydrated lime includes selecting an amount of dried PCC to hydrated lime based upon a moisture level in the drill cuttings to be stabilized. 11. The method of claim 3, wherein blending the dried PCC with hydrated lime includes selecting an amount of dried PCC to hydrated lime based upon a crude oil content in the drill cuttings to be stabilized. 12. A method for stabilizing drill cuttings comprises:
providing precipitated calcium carbonate (PCC); drying the PCC to a moisture level of about 10% or less; blending the dried PCC with hydrated lime, also known as calcium hydroxide {Ca(OH)2}, to compose a generally uniform admixture, the hydrated lime not to exceed 50%; and introducing the admixture to the drill cuttings to initiate a nucleation reaction within the commixture of drill cuttings and the admixture. 13. The method of claim 12 wherein drying the PCC includes:
packaging the admixture to exclude introduction of moisture prior to application on drill cuttings. 14. The method of claim 12, wherein drying the PCC includes:
drying in a mechanical dryer at a temperature not to exceed 400° F. 15. (canceled) 16. The method of claim 12, wherein blending the dried PCC with hydrated lime includes:
blending by means of a pugmill. 17. The method of claim 12, wherein blending the dried PCC with kiln dust includes selecting a ratio of dried PCC to hydrated lime based upon a moisture level in the drill cuttings to be stabilized. 18. The method of claim 12, wherein blending the dried PCC with hydrated lime includes selecting a ratio of dried PCC to hydrated lime based upon a crude oil content in the drill cuttings to be stabilized. 19. The method of claim 12, wherein blending the dried PCC with hydrated lime includes selecting an amount of dried PCC to hydrated lime based upon a moisture level in the drill cuttings to be stabilized. 20. The method of claim 12, wherein blending the dried PCC with hydrated lime includes selecting an amount of dried PCC to hydrated lime based upon a crude oil content in the drill cuttings to be stabilized. | A method and composition for stabilizing drill cuttings commences by providing precipitated calcium carbonate (PCC). The PCC is dried to a moisture level of about 10% or less. Drying by heat not to exceed 400° F. is preferred to prevent changes in the PCC. The dried PCC is blended with kiln dust to compose a generally uniform admixture. In the admixture, the kiln dust is not to exceed 40%. The admixture is introduced to the drill cuttings to initiate a nucleation reaction within the commixture of drill cuttings and the admixture.1. A composition for the stabilization of drill cuttings, the composition comprising:
precipitated calcium carbonate (PCC), a synthetically formed CaCO3; and hydrated lime, also known as calcium hydroxide {Ca(OH)2}. 2. The composition of claim 1, wherein the PCC comprises at least one half of the composition. 3. A method for composing an admixture for stabilization of drill cuttings comprises:
providing precipitated calcium carbonate (PCC), a synthetically formed CaCO3; drying the PCC to a moisture level of about 10% or less; and blending the dried PCC with hydrated lime, also known as calcium hydroxide {Ca(OH)2}, to compose a generally uniform admixture, the hydrated lime, not to exceed 50%. 4. The method of claim 3 wherein drying the PCC includes:
packaging the admixture to exclude introduction of moisture prior to application on drill cuttings. 5. The method of claim 3, wherein drying the PCC includes:
drying in a mechanical dryer at a temperature not to exceed 400° F. 6. (canceled) 7. The method of claim 3, wherein blending the dried PCC with hydrated lime includes:
blending by means of a pugmill. 8. The method of claim 3, wherein blending the dried PCC with hydrated lime includes selecting a ratio of dried PCC to hydrated lime based upon a moisture level in the drill cuttings to be stabilized. 9. The method of claim 3, wherein blending the dried PCC with hydrated lime includes selecting a ratio of dried PCC to hydrated lime based upon a crude oil content in the drill cuttings to be stabilized. 10. The method of claim 3, wherein blending the dried PCC with hydrated lime includes selecting an amount of dried PCC to hydrated lime based upon a moisture level in the drill cuttings to be stabilized. 11. The method of claim 3, wherein blending the dried PCC with hydrated lime includes selecting an amount of dried PCC to hydrated lime based upon a crude oil content in the drill cuttings to be stabilized. 12. A method for stabilizing drill cuttings comprises:
providing precipitated calcium carbonate (PCC); drying the PCC to a moisture level of about 10% or less; blending the dried PCC with hydrated lime, also known as calcium hydroxide {Ca(OH)2}, to compose a generally uniform admixture, the hydrated lime not to exceed 50%; and introducing the admixture to the drill cuttings to initiate a nucleation reaction within the commixture of drill cuttings and the admixture. 13. The method of claim 12 wherein drying the PCC includes:
packaging the admixture to exclude introduction of moisture prior to application on drill cuttings. 14. The method of claim 12, wherein drying the PCC includes:
drying in a mechanical dryer at a temperature not to exceed 400° F. 15. (canceled) 16. The method of claim 12, wherein blending the dried PCC with hydrated lime includes:
blending by means of a pugmill. 17. The method of claim 12, wherein blending the dried PCC with kiln dust includes selecting a ratio of dried PCC to hydrated lime based upon a moisture level in the drill cuttings to be stabilized. 18. The method of claim 12, wherein blending the dried PCC with hydrated lime includes selecting a ratio of dried PCC to hydrated lime based upon a crude oil content in the drill cuttings to be stabilized. 19. The method of claim 12, wherein blending the dried PCC with hydrated lime includes selecting an amount of dried PCC to hydrated lime based upon a moisture level in the drill cuttings to be stabilized. 20. The method of claim 12, wherein blending the dried PCC with hydrated lime includes selecting an amount of dried PCC to hydrated lime based upon a crude oil content in the drill cuttings to be stabilized. | 3,600 |
339,997 | 16,800,964 | 3,657 | A battery connector, including a flexible circuit including a first set of electrical circuitry connecting to a plurality of energy storage cells, where the first set of electrical circuitry terminates at a first connection point at the battery connector; a controller including components to control the energy storage cells connected to a second set of electrical circuitry terminating at a second connection point at the battery connector; where the first connection point and the second connection point are electrically connected. | 1. A battery connector, comprising:
a flexible circuit comprising a first set of electrical circuitry connecting to a plurality of energy storage cells, wherein the first set of electrical circuitry terminates at a first connection point at the battery connector; a controller comprising components to control the energy storage cells connected to a second set of electrical circuitry terminating at a second connection point at the battery connector; wherein the first connection point and the second connection point are electrically connected. 2. The battery connector of claim 1, wherein prior to terminating in the second connection point, the electrical circuitry is connected through at least one fuse adjacent to the second connection point and within the battery connector. 3. The battery connector of claim 1, wherein the electrical connection of the first connection point and the second connection point is a soldered connection, wherein the electrical circuitry is etched from a conductive metal foil, wherein the etched metal foil is supported by a polymeric substrate, and wherein the etched metal foil is adhered to the polymeric substrate by an adhesive. 4. The battery connector of claim 1, wherein the first connection point is a first plurality of connection points and the second connection point is a second plurality of connection points and every one of the first connection points in the first plurality of connection points is soldered to a single corresponding one of the second connection points in the second plurality of connection points. 5. The battery connector of claim 1, wherein the first connection point is a first plurality of connection points, wherein the second connection point is a second plurality of connection points, wherein each of the connection points in the second plurality of connection points is connected through a fuse, and wherein every one of the first connection points in the first plurality of connection points is electrically connected to a single corresponding one of the second connection points in the second plurality of connection points. 6. The battery connector of claim 2, wherein the at least one fuse is an amperage that is lower than an amperage of fuses of electrical components of the flexible circuit. 7. The battery connector of claim 2, wherein the first set of electrical circuitry that terminates at the first connection point is voltage sensing wires of the flexible circuit. 8. The battery connector of claim 4, wherein the second set of electrical circuitry has a first configuration that is different from a second configuration, and wherein the second connection point is standardized so that the first configuration and the second configuration connect to a same design of the second connection point. 9. The battery connector of claim 6, wherein each of the at least one fuses is about two amperes. 10. The battery connector of claim 2, wherein the at least one fuse is reparable or replaceable by accessing the at least one fuse through the battery connector. 11. A method of using a battery connector, comprising:
positioning a flexible circuit comprising a first set of electrical circuitry in contact with a plurality of energy storage cells, wherein the first set of electrical circuitry terminates at a first connection point at the battery connector; positioning a second connection point at the battery connector, wherein the second connection point terminates a second set of electrical circuitry from a controller comprising components to control the energy storage cells; and electrically connecting the first connection point to the second connection point. 12. The method of claim 11, wherein prior to terminating in the first connection point, the electrical circuitry is connected through at least one fuse adjacent to the first connection point. 13. The method of claim 11, wherein the electrically connecting is soldering, wherein the electrical circuitry is etched from a conductive metal foil, wherein the etched metal foil is supported by a polymeric substrate, and wherein the etched metal foil is adhered to the polymeric substrate by an adhesive. 14. The method of claim 11, wherein the first connection point is a first plurality of connection points and the second connection point is a second plurality of connection points and every one of the first connection points in the first plurality of connection points is soldered to a single corresponding one of the second connection points in the second plurality of connection points. 15. The method of claim 11, wherein the first connection point is a first plurality of connection points, wherein the second connection point is a second plurality of connection points, wherein each of the connection points in the first plurality of connection points is connected through a fuse, and wherein every one of the first connection points in the first plurality of connection points is electrically connected to a single corresponding one of the second connection points in the second plurality of connection points. 16. The method of claim 12, wherein the at least one fuse is an amperage that is lower than an amperage of fuses of electrical components of the flexible circuit. 17. The method of claim 12, wherein the first set of electrical circuitry that terminates at the first connection point is voltage sensing wires of the flexible circuit. 18. The method of claim 14, wherein the second set of electrical circuitry has a first configuration that is different from a second configuration, and wherein the second connection point is standardized so that the first configuration and the second configuration have a same design of the second connection point. 19. The method of claim 16, wherein each of the at least one fuses is about two amperes. 20. An electrical connector, comprising:
a set of solder points connecting a first set of wiring and a second set of wiring, wherein each wire in the first set of wiring is connected to a corresponding wire of a flexible circuit, wherein the flexible circuit is connected to a plurality of energy storage cells; and wherein each wire in the second set a wiring is electrically connected through a corresponding fuse to a controller comprising components to control the energy storage cells. | A battery connector, including a flexible circuit including a first set of electrical circuitry connecting to a plurality of energy storage cells, where the first set of electrical circuitry terminates at a first connection point at the battery connector; a controller including components to control the energy storage cells connected to a second set of electrical circuitry terminating at a second connection point at the battery connector; where the first connection point and the second connection point are electrically connected.1. A battery connector, comprising:
a flexible circuit comprising a first set of electrical circuitry connecting to a plurality of energy storage cells, wherein the first set of electrical circuitry terminates at a first connection point at the battery connector; a controller comprising components to control the energy storage cells connected to a second set of electrical circuitry terminating at a second connection point at the battery connector; wherein the first connection point and the second connection point are electrically connected. 2. The battery connector of claim 1, wherein prior to terminating in the second connection point, the electrical circuitry is connected through at least one fuse adjacent to the second connection point and within the battery connector. 3. The battery connector of claim 1, wherein the electrical connection of the first connection point and the second connection point is a soldered connection, wherein the electrical circuitry is etched from a conductive metal foil, wherein the etched metal foil is supported by a polymeric substrate, and wherein the etched metal foil is adhered to the polymeric substrate by an adhesive. 4. The battery connector of claim 1, wherein the first connection point is a first plurality of connection points and the second connection point is a second plurality of connection points and every one of the first connection points in the first plurality of connection points is soldered to a single corresponding one of the second connection points in the second plurality of connection points. 5. The battery connector of claim 1, wherein the first connection point is a first plurality of connection points, wherein the second connection point is a second plurality of connection points, wherein each of the connection points in the second plurality of connection points is connected through a fuse, and wherein every one of the first connection points in the first plurality of connection points is electrically connected to a single corresponding one of the second connection points in the second plurality of connection points. 6. The battery connector of claim 2, wherein the at least one fuse is an amperage that is lower than an amperage of fuses of electrical components of the flexible circuit. 7. The battery connector of claim 2, wherein the first set of electrical circuitry that terminates at the first connection point is voltage sensing wires of the flexible circuit. 8. The battery connector of claim 4, wherein the second set of electrical circuitry has a first configuration that is different from a second configuration, and wherein the second connection point is standardized so that the first configuration and the second configuration connect to a same design of the second connection point. 9. The battery connector of claim 6, wherein each of the at least one fuses is about two amperes. 10. The battery connector of claim 2, wherein the at least one fuse is reparable or replaceable by accessing the at least one fuse through the battery connector. 11. A method of using a battery connector, comprising:
positioning a flexible circuit comprising a first set of electrical circuitry in contact with a plurality of energy storage cells, wherein the first set of electrical circuitry terminates at a first connection point at the battery connector; positioning a second connection point at the battery connector, wherein the second connection point terminates a second set of electrical circuitry from a controller comprising components to control the energy storage cells; and electrically connecting the first connection point to the second connection point. 12. The method of claim 11, wherein prior to terminating in the first connection point, the electrical circuitry is connected through at least one fuse adjacent to the first connection point. 13. The method of claim 11, wherein the electrically connecting is soldering, wherein the electrical circuitry is etched from a conductive metal foil, wherein the etched metal foil is supported by a polymeric substrate, and wherein the etched metal foil is adhered to the polymeric substrate by an adhesive. 14. The method of claim 11, wherein the first connection point is a first plurality of connection points and the second connection point is a second plurality of connection points and every one of the first connection points in the first plurality of connection points is soldered to a single corresponding one of the second connection points in the second plurality of connection points. 15. The method of claim 11, wherein the first connection point is a first plurality of connection points, wherein the second connection point is a second plurality of connection points, wherein each of the connection points in the first plurality of connection points is connected through a fuse, and wherein every one of the first connection points in the first plurality of connection points is electrically connected to a single corresponding one of the second connection points in the second plurality of connection points. 16. The method of claim 12, wherein the at least one fuse is an amperage that is lower than an amperage of fuses of electrical components of the flexible circuit. 17. The method of claim 12, wherein the first set of electrical circuitry that terminates at the first connection point is voltage sensing wires of the flexible circuit. 18. The method of claim 14, wherein the second set of electrical circuitry has a first configuration that is different from a second configuration, and wherein the second connection point is standardized so that the first configuration and the second configuration have a same design of the second connection point. 19. The method of claim 16, wherein each of the at least one fuses is about two amperes. 20. An electrical connector, comprising:
a set of solder points connecting a first set of wiring and a second set of wiring, wherein each wire in the first set of wiring is connected to a corresponding wire of a flexible circuit, wherein the flexible circuit is connected to a plurality of energy storage cells; and wherein each wire in the second set a wiring is electrically connected through a corresponding fuse to a controller comprising components to control the energy storage cells. | 3,600 |
339,998 | 16,800,963 | 3,657 | A method and a device are disclosed for determining data representative of the layout of a road in a two-dimensional Cartesian coordinate system, the coordinate system being associated with a vehicle travelling along the road. To this end, a first set of first points in the Cartesian coordinate system is determined on the basis of data representative of at least one image of the road environment in front of the vehicle. A second set of second points is determined in the Cartesian coordinate system on the basis of mapping data of the road environment of the vehicle. The data representative of the road layout are obtained on the basis of a part of the first points and a part of the second points. | 1. A method for determining data representative of the layout of a road in a two-dimensional Cartesian coordinate system, said coordinate system being associated with a vehicle travelling along said road, said coordinate system having an origin and being defined by a longitudinal axis and a lateral axis, the method comprising the steps of:
determining a first set of first coordinate points (x1, y1) in said coordinate system on the basis of representative data of at least one image of the road environment in front of said vehicle, said first coordinate points being representative of the curvature of the road between a first minimum abscissa and a first maximum abscissa along the longitudinal axis, said first minimum abscissa corresponding to the origin of said coordinate system (2); determining a second set of second coordinate points (x2, y2) in said coordinate system on the basis of mapping data of the road environment of said vehicle, said second coordinate points being representative of the curvature of the road between a second minimum abscissa and a second maximum abscissa along the longitudinal axis, said second minimum abscissa corresponding to the origin of said coordinate system and said second maximum abscissa being greater than said first minimum abscissa, each first coordinate point of the first set corresponding to a second coordinate point of the second set because the first coordinate point and the corresponding second point have the same abscissa; determining the smallest first abscissa value (Xp) for which the absolute value of the difference between the ordinate of a first coordinate point and the ordinate of the corresponding second coordinate point is greater than a threshold value; modifying the value of the ordinate of each second coordinate point of the second set by adding said difference; determining said data representative of the road layout on the basis of the first coordinate points of which the first abscissa is smaller than the smallest first abscissa value and on the basis of the second coordinate points of which the second abscissa is greater than the smallest first abscissa value. 2. The method according to claim 1, whereby said first set of first coordinate points is determined on the basis of a third-order polynomial function, coefficients of said function being determined on the basis of data representative of said at least one image of the road environment in front of said vehicle. 3. The method according to claim 1, whereby said step of determining said second set of second coordinate points comprises the following steps:
determining a set of values representative of the curvature of the road on the basis of mapping data of said road environment in front of said vehicle, each value of said set of values being associated with a distance in relation to the vehicle according to a different coordinate system to said two-dimensional Cartesian coordinate system; transforming said set of values and associated distances into said second set of second coordinate points expressed in said two-dimensional Cartesian coordinate system. 4. The method according to claim 3, whereby said transformation comprises, for a pair of second points A and B:
integrating a curvature between the second points A and B in order to determine an angle representative of the curvature; integrating the angle representative of the curvature in order to determine an angle of curvature in said Cartesian coordinate system; calculating the coordinates of point B on the basis of the coordinates of point A, said angle of curvature in said Cartesian coordinate system, and a distance travelled between said points A and B. 5. The method according to claim 1, whereby said threshold value corresponds to a percentage of the width of said road. 6. The method according to claim 5, whereby said width is determined on the basis of polynomial functions representative of the left and right road markings, said markings being determined on the basis of the data representative of said at least one image of the road environment in front of said vehicle. 7. The method according to claim 1, whereby said first maximum abscissa is equal to 120 meters. 8. A device for determining data representative of the layout of a road in a two-dimensional Cartesian coordinate system, said coordinate system being associated with a vehicle travelling along said road, said coordinate system being defined by a longitudinal axis and a lateral axis, said method comprising said device comprising a memory associated with at least one processor configured to implement the steps of the method according to claim 1. 9. A motor vehicle comprising the device according to claim 8. 10. A computer program product embodied on computer-readable medium and comprising instructions executable on a processor and adapted for executing the steps of the method according to claim 1, wherein the computer program is stored executed by at least one processor. | A method and a device are disclosed for determining data representative of the layout of a road in a two-dimensional Cartesian coordinate system, the coordinate system being associated with a vehicle travelling along the road. To this end, a first set of first points in the Cartesian coordinate system is determined on the basis of data representative of at least one image of the road environment in front of the vehicle. A second set of second points is determined in the Cartesian coordinate system on the basis of mapping data of the road environment of the vehicle. The data representative of the road layout are obtained on the basis of a part of the first points and a part of the second points.1. A method for determining data representative of the layout of a road in a two-dimensional Cartesian coordinate system, said coordinate system being associated with a vehicle travelling along said road, said coordinate system having an origin and being defined by a longitudinal axis and a lateral axis, the method comprising the steps of:
determining a first set of first coordinate points (x1, y1) in said coordinate system on the basis of representative data of at least one image of the road environment in front of said vehicle, said first coordinate points being representative of the curvature of the road between a first minimum abscissa and a first maximum abscissa along the longitudinal axis, said first minimum abscissa corresponding to the origin of said coordinate system (2); determining a second set of second coordinate points (x2, y2) in said coordinate system on the basis of mapping data of the road environment of said vehicle, said second coordinate points being representative of the curvature of the road between a second minimum abscissa and a second maximum abscissa along the longitudinal axis, said second minimum abscissa corresponding to the origin of said coordinate system and said second maximum abscissa being greater than said first minimum abscissa, each first coordinate point of the first set corresponding to a second coordinate point of the second set because the first coordinate point and the corresponding second point have the same abscissa; determining the smallest first abscissa value (Xp) for which the absolute value of the difference between the ordinate of a first coordinate point and the ordinate of the corresponding second coordinate point is greater than a threshold value; modifying the value of the ordinate of each second coordinate point of the second set by adding said difference; determining said data representative of the road layout on the basis of the first coordinate points of which the first abscissa is smaller than the smallest first abscissa value and on the basis of the second coordinate points of which the second abscissa is greater than the smallest first abscissa value. 2. The method according to claim 1, whereby said first set of first coordinate points is determined on the basis of a third-order polynomial function, coefficients of said function being determined on the basis of data representative of said at least one image of the road environment in front of said vehicle. 3. The method according to claim 1, whereby said step of determining said second set of second coordinate points comprises the following steps:
determining a set of values representative of the curvature of the road on the basis of mapping data of said road environment in front of said vehicle, each value of said set of values being associated with a distance in relation to the vehicle according to a different coordinate system to said two-dimensional Cartesian coordinate system; transforming said set of values and associated distances into said second set of second coordinate points expressed in said two-dimensional Cartesian coordinate system. 4. The method according to claim 3, whereby said transformation comprises, for a pair of second points A and B:
integrating a curvature between the second points A and B in order to determine an angle representative of the curvature; integrating the angle representative of the curvature in order to determine an angle of curvature in said Cartesian coordinate system; calculating the coordinates of point B on the basis of the coordinates of point A, said angle of curvature in said Cartesian coordinate system, and a distance travelled between said points A and B. 5. The method according to claim 1, whereby said threshold value corresponds to a percentage of the width of said road. 6. The method according to claim 5, whereby said width is determined on the basis of polynomial functions representative of the left and right road markings, said markings being determined on the basis of the data representative of said at least one image of the road environment in front of said vehicle. 7. The method according to claim 1, whereby said first maximum abscissa is equal to 120 meters. 8. A device for determining data representative of the layout of a road in a two-dimensional Cartesian coordinate system, said coordinate system being associated with a vehicle travelling along said road, said coordinate system being defined by a longitudinal axis and a lateral axis, said method comprising said device comprising a memory associated with at least one processor configured to implement the steps of the method according to claim 1. 9. A motor vehicle comprising the device according to claim 8. 10. A computer program product embodied on computer-readable medium and comprising instructions executable on a processor and adapted for executing the steps of the method according to claim 1, wherein the computer program is stored executed by at least one processor. | 3,600 |
339,999 | 16,800,968 | 3,657 | A biometrics-enabled portable storage device may store and secure data via biometrics related to a user's iris. The biometrics-enabled portable storage device may include a camera that captures image data related a user's iris and stores the image data to enroll the user for use of the biometrics-enabled portable storage device. To unlock the data, a user aligns the camera with their iris using a hot mirror and the camera captures iris data for comparison with the iris image data stored during enrollment. If the two sets of image data match, the biometrics-enabled portable storage device may be unlocked and the user may access data stored on the biometrics-enabled portable storage device. If the two sets of image data do not match, then the biometrics-enabled portable storage device remains locked. | 1. A biometrics-enabled universal serial bus (USB) stick comprising:
a camera module comprising a hot mirror and an image sensor, the camera module configured to capture iris image data; a light source proximate to the camera module to illuminate an iris of a user; an iris recognition library configured to store an enrollment template comprising stored iris image data and to compare obtained iris image data with the stored image data; a biometrics driver; and a USB driver, wherein the biometrics-enabled USB stick is configured to be unlocked by the biometrics driver and the USB driver based on the obtained iris image data matching the stored image data. 2. The biometrics-enabled USB stick of claim 1, further comprising:
a power supply comprising at least one of a battery or a capacitor. 3. The biometrics-enabled USB stick of claim 1, wherein the biometrics driver is implemented in a kernel of an operating system of the biometrics-enabled USB stick. 4. The biometrics-enabled USB stick of claim 1, further comprising:
an inertial measurement unit (IMU), wherein the biometrics-enabled USB stick is configured to automatically lock based at least in part on measurements from the IMU exceeding a predetermined threshold. 5. The biometrics-enabled USB stick of claim 1, further comprising:
an indicator configured to indicate a status of one or more of an operational status of the biometrics-enabled USB stick or a power supply of the biometrics-enabled USB stick. 6. The biometrics-enabled USB stick of claim 1, wherein the light source comprises a near infrared (NIR) LED and the hot mirror is configured to filter out light not within the NIR spectrum. 7. A method comprising:
obtaining, by a camera module of a biometrics-enabled universal serial bus (USB) stick, first iris image data of an iris of a user; comparing, by an iris recognition library of the biometrics-enabled USB stick, the first iris image data with second iris image data stored at the iris recognition library; and based at least in part on the comparing, unlocking the biometrics-enabled USB stick. 8. The method of claim 7, wherein obtaining the first iris image data comprises:
receiving an input from the user that the iris of the user is aligned within a hot mirror of the camera module. 9. The method of claim 8, wherein the user input comprises interaction with a power button of the biometrics-enabled USB stick. 10. The method of claim 7, further comprising:
prior to obtaining the first iris image data, charging a power supply of the biometrics-enabled USB stick. 11. The method of claim 7, further comprising:
detecting a triggering event; and based at least in part on detecting the triggering event, locking the biometrics-enabled USB stick. 12. The method of claim 11, wherein:
the triggering event comprises receiving one or more measurements from an inertial measurement unit (IMU); and the locking is based at least in part measurements from the IMU exceeding a predetermined threshold. 13. The method of claim 11, wherein the locking is based at least in part on the biometrics-enabled USB stick being removed from a computing device. 14. The method of claim 11, wherein the triggering event comprises passage of a predetermined amount of time after being authenticated and without being plugged into a computing device. 15. The method of claim 7, further comprising, prior to obtaining the first iris image data:
obtaining, by the camera module of the biometrics-enabled USB stick, the second iris image data, the second iris image data comprising iris image data of the iris of the user; and storing the second iris image data at the iris recognition library. 16. A method comprising:
obtaining, by a single camera module of a biometrics-enabled universal serial bus (USB) stick, first iris image data of a single iris of a user; providing the iris image data to an iris recognition library of the biometrics-enabled USB stick; creating, by the iris recognition library of the biometrics-enabled USB stick, an enrollment template; obtaining, by the single camera module, second iris image data of the single iris of the user; comparing, by the iris recognition library the second iris image data with enrollment template stored at the iris recognition library; and based at least in part on the comparing, unlocking the biometrics-enabled USB stick. 17. The method of claim 16, wherein obtaining the first iris image data comprises:
receiving an input from the user that the iris of the user is aligned within a hot mirror of the single camera module. 18. The method of claim 17, wherein the user input comprises interaction with a power button of the biometrics-enabled USB stick. 19. The method of claim 16, further comprising:
prior to obtaining the first iris image data, charging a power supply of the biometrics-enabled USB stick. 20. The method of claim 16, further comprising:
based at least in part on a predetermined amount of time expiring after unlocking the biometrics-enabled USB stick, automatically locking the biometrics-enabled USB stick. | A biometrics-enabled portable storage device may store and secure data via biometrics related to a user's iris. The biometrics-enabled portable storage device may include a camera that captures image data related a user's iris and stores the image data to enroll the user for use of the biometrics-enabled portable storage device. To unlock the data, a user aligns the camera with their iris using a hot mirror and the camera captures iris data for comparison with the iris image data stored during enrollment. If the two sets of image data match, the biometrics-enabled portable storage device may be unlocked and the user may access data stored on the biometrics-enabled portable storage device. If the two sets of image data do not match, then the biometrics-enabled portable storage device remains locked.1. A biometrics-enabled universal serial bus (USB) stick comprising:
a camera module comprising a hot mirror and an image sensor, the camera module configured to capture iris image data; a light source proximate to the camera module to illuminate an iris of a user; an iris recognition library configured to store an enrollment template comprising stored iris image data and to compare obtained iris image data with the stored image data; a biometrics driver; and a USB driver, wherein the biometrics-enabled USB stick is configured to be unlocked by the biometrics driver and the USB driver based on the obtained iris image data matching the stored image data. 2. The biometrics-enabled USB stick of claim 1, further comprising:
a power supply comprising at least one of a battery or a capacitor. 3. The biometrics-enabled USB stick of claim 1, wherein the biometrics driver is implemented in a kernel of an operating system of the biometrics-enabled USB stick. 4. The biometrics-enabled USB stick of claim 1, further comprising:
an inertial measurement unit (IMU), wherein the biometrics-enabled USB stick is configured to automatically lock based at least in part on measurements from the IMU exceeding a predetermined threshold. 5. The biometrics-enabled USB stick of claim 1, further comprising:
an indicator configured to indicate a status of one or more of an operational status of the biometrics-enabled USB stick or a power supply of the biometrics-enabled USB stick. 6. The biometrics-enabled USB stick of claim 1, wherein the light source comprises a near infrared (NIR) LED and the hot mirror is configured to filter out light not within the NIR spectrum. 7. A method comprising:
obtaining, by a camera module of a biometrics-enabled universal serial bus (USB) stick, first iris image data of an iris of a user; comparing, by an iris recognition library of the biometrics-enabled USB stick, the first iris image data with second iris image data stored at the iris recognition library; and based at least in part on the comparing, unlocking the biometrics-enabled USB stick. 8. The method of claim 7, wherein obtaining the first iris image data comprises:
receiving an input from the user that the iris of the user is aligned within a hot mirror of the camera module. 9. The method of claim 8, wherein the user input comprises interaction with a power button of the biometrics-enabled USB stick. 10. The method of claim 7, further comprising:
prior to obtaining the first iris image data, charging a power supply of the biometrics-enabled USB stick. 11. The method of claim 7, further comprising:
detecting a triggering event; and based at least in part on detecting the triggering event, locking the biometrics-enabled USB stick. 12. The method of claim 11, wherein:
the triggering event comprises receiving one or more measurements from an inertial measurement unit (IMU); and the locking is based at least in part measurements from the IMU exceeding a predetermined threshold. 13. The method of claim 11, wherein the locking is based at least in part on the biometrics-enabled USB stick being removed from a computing device. 14. The method of claim 11, wherein the triggering event comprises passage of a predetermined amount of time after being authenticated and without being plugged into a computing device. 15. The method of claim 7, further comprising, prior to obtaining the first iris image data:
obtaining, by the camera module of the biometrics-enabled USB stick, the second iris image data, the second iris image data comprising iris image data of the iris of the user; and storing the second iris image data at the iris recognition library. 16. A method comprising:
obtaining, by a single camera module of a biometrics-enabled universal serial bus (USB) stick, first iris image data of a single iris of a user; providing the iris image data to an iris recognition library of the biometrics-enabled USB stick; creating, by the iris recognition library of the biometrics-enabled USB stick, an enrollment template; obtaining, by the single camera module, second iris image data of the single iris of the user; comparing, by the iris recognition library the second iris image data with enrollment template stored at the iris recognition library; and based at least in part on the comparing, unlocking the biometrics-enabled USB stick. 17. The method of claim 16, wherein obtaining the first iris image data comprises:
receiving an input from the user that the iris of the user is aligned within a hot mirror of the single camera module. 18. The method of claim 17, wherein the user input comprises interaction with a power button of the biometrics-enabled USB stick. 19. The method of claim 16, further comprising:
prior to obtaining the first iris image data, charging a power supply of the biometrics-enabled USB stick. 20. The method of claim 16, further comprising:
based at least in part on a predetermined amount of time expiring after unlocking the biometrics-enabled USB stick, automatically locking the biometrics-enabled USB stick. | 3,600 |
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