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343,700 | 16,803,134 | 3,741 | A fuel system for a gas turbine engine includes an accessory gearbox driven by a mechanical link to the gas turbine engine, a primary fuel pump providing a first fuel flow during engine operation, and a secondary fuel pump providing a second fuel flow. The primary fuel pump and the secondary fuel pump are driven by an output of the accessory gearbox. | 1. A fuel system for a gas turbine engine comprising:
an accessory gearbox driven by a mechanical link to the gas turbine engine; a primary fuel pump providing a first fuel flow during engine operation; a secondary fuel pump providing a second fuel flow, wherein the primary fuel pump and the secondary fuel pump are driven by an output of the accessory gearbox. 2. The fuel system as recited in claim 1, wherein the first fuel pump and the second fuel pump both receive fuel flow from a common inlet passage and both the first fuel pump and the second fuel pump communicate the corresponding one of the first fuel flow and the second fuel flow to a common outlet passage. 3. The fuel system as recited in claim 2, including a first control valve upstream of the secondary fuel pump and a second control valve downstream of the secondary fuel pump, the first control valve and the second control valve controlling communication of fuel to and from the secondary fuel pump. 4. The fuel system as recited in claim 2, including a pump drive gearbox selectively coupled to drive the secondary fuel pump by a clutch means. 5. The fuel system as recited in claim 1, including a first pressure relief valve for switching the primary fuel pump and the secondary fuel pump between a series arrangement where the first fuel flow is provided by both the primary and secondary fuel pumps and a parallel arrangement where the first fuel flow is provided by the primary fuel pump and the secondary fuel flow is provided by the secondary fuel pump. 6. The fuel system as recited in claim 5, wherein the first pressure relief valve is disposed between an outlet of the primary fuel pump and an inlet of the secondary fuel pump, wherein the first pressure relief valve opens to communicate fuel from the primary fuel pump to the secondary fuel pump to provide the first fuel flow in a first operating condition and the first pressure relief valve closes such that the secondary fuel pump provides the second fuel flow in parallel with the first fuel flow provided by the primary mechanical fuel pump to a common fuel passage in a second operating condition. 7. The fuel system as recited in claim 6, including a first check valve in a first passage downstream of the primary mechanical fuel pump to control fuel flow from the first passage into the common fuel passage and a second check valve in a second passage communicating fuel to an inlet of the secondary fuel pump. 8. The fuel system as recited in claim 7, including a second pressure relief valve downstream of both the primary fuel pump and the secondary fuel pump for directing fuel flow away from the common fuel passage in response to a pressure within the common fuel passage above a predefined pressure. 9. The fuel system as recited in claim 1, wherein a flow capacity of the primary fuel pump and the secondary fuel pump are different. 10. The fuel system as recited in claim 1, wherein a flow capacity of the primary fuel pump and the secondary fuel pump are the same. 11. A gas turbine engine comprising:
a fan rotatable within a fan nacelle; a core engine including a compressor communicating compressed air to a combustor where compressed air is mixed with fuel and ignited to generate a high-energy gas flow expanded through a turbine; an accessory gearbox driven by a mechanical link to the turbine; a primary fuel pump providing a first fuel flow to the combustor during engine operation; and a secondary fuel pump providing a second fuel flow to the combustor during engine operation in response to a predefined engine operating condition, wherein the primary fuel pump and the secondary fuel pump are driven by an output of the accessory gearbox. 12. The gas turbine engine as recited in claim 11, wherein the first fuel pump and the second fuel pump both receive fuel flow from a common inlet passage and both the first fuel pump and the second fuel pump communicate the corresponding one of the first fuel flow and the second fuel flow to a common outlet passage. 13. The gas turbine engine as recited in claim 12, including a first control valve upstream of the secondary fuel pump and a second control valve downstream of the secondary fuel pump, the first control valve and the second control valve controlling communication of fuel to and from the secondary fuel pump. 14. The gas turbine engine as recited in claim 12, including a pump drive gearbox selectively coupled to drive the secondary fuel pump by a clutch means. 15. The gas turbine engine as recited in claim 11, including a first pressure relief valve for switching the primary fuel pump and the secondary fuel pump between a series arrangement where the first fuel flow is provided by both the primary and secondary fuel pumps and a parallel arrangement where the first fuel flow is provided by the primary fuel pump and the secondary fuel flow is provided by the secondary fuel pump. 16. The gas turbine engine as recited in claim 15, wherein the first pressure relief valve is disposed between an outlet of the primary fuel pump and an inlet of the secondary fuel pump, the first pressure relief valve opens to communicate fuel from the primary fuel pump to the secondary fuel pump to provide the first fuel flow in a first operating condition and the first pressure relief valve closes such that the secondary fuel pump provides the second fuel flow in parallel with the first fuel flow provided by the primary mechanical fuel pump to a common fuel passage in a second operating condition. 17. A method of supplying fuel to a combustor of a gas turbine engine comprising:
operating a primary fuel pump to provide a first fuel flow; operating a secondary fuel pump to provide a second fuel flow, wherein operating the primary fuel pump and the secondary fuel pump comprises driving the primary fuel pump and the secondary fuel pump with an output from an accessory gearbox; and communicating the first fuel flow to a combustor of the gas turbine engine in a first operating condition and communicating the first fuel flow and the second fuel flow to the combustor in a second operating condition. 18. The method as recited in claim 17, wherein communicating the first fuel flow to the combustor comprises directing fuel from an outlet of the primary fuel pump to an inlet of the secondary fuel pump in the first operating condition and communicating both the first fuel flow and the second fuel flow comprises blocking fuel flow from the outlet of the primary fuel pump to the inlet of the secondary fuel pump, communicating fuel from a fuel source to the inlet of the secondary fuel pump and routing both the first fuel flow from the primary pump and the secondary fuel flow from the secondary pump to a common fuel outlet passage. 19. The method as recited in claim 17, wherein communicating the first fuel flow to the combustor comprises flowing fuel from primary fuel pump to a common fuel outlet passage and blocking flow from the secondary fuel pump during the first engine operating condition and communicating the first fuel flow and the second fuel flow to the combustor in the second operating condition comprises communicating both the first fuel flow from the primary fuel pump and the second fuel flow from the secondary fuel pump to the common fuel outlet passage. | A fuel system for a gas turbine engine includes an accessory gearbox driven by a mechanical link to the gas turbine engine, a primary fuel pump providing a first fuel flow during engine operation, and a secondary fuel pump providing a second fuel flow. The primary fuel pump and the secondary fuel pump are driven by an output of the accessory gearbox.1. A fuel system for a gas turbine engine comprising:
an accessory gearbox driven by a mechanical link to the gas turbine engine; a primary fuel pump providing a first fuel flow during engine operation; a secondary fuel pump providing a second fuel flow, wherein the primary fuel pump and the secondary fuel pump are driven by an output of the accessory gearbox. 2. The fuel system as recited in claim 1, wherein the first fuel pump and the second fuel pump both receive fuel flow from a common inlet passage and both the first fuel pump and the second fuel pump communicate the corresponding one of the first fuel flow and the second fuel flow to a common outlet passage. 3. The fuel system as recited in claim 2, including a first control valve upstream of the secondary fuel pump and a second control valve downstream of the secondary fuel pump, the first control valve and the second control valve controlling communication of fuel to and from the secondary fuel pump. 4. The fuel system as recited in claim 2, including a pump drive gearbox selectively coupled to drive the secondary fuel pump by a clutch means. 5. The fuel system as recited in claim 1, including a first pressure relief valve for switching the primary fuel pump and the secondary fuel pump between a series arrangement where the first fuel flow is provided by both the primary and secondary fuel pumps and a parallel arrangement where the first fuel flow is provided by the primary fuel pump and the secondary fuel flow is provided by the secondary fuel pump. 6. The fuel system as recited in claim 5, wherein the first pressure relief valve is disposed between an outlet of the primary fuel pump and an inlet of the secondary fuel pump, wherein the first pressure relief valve opens to communicate fuel from the primary fuel pump to the secondary fuel pump to provide the first fuel flow in a first operating condition and the first pressure relief valve closes such that the secondary fuel pump provides the second fuel flow in parallel with the first fuel flow provided by the primary mechanical fuel pump to a common fuel passage in a second operating condition. 7. The fuel system as recited in claim 6, including a first check valve in a first passage downstream of the primary mechanical fuel pump to control fuel flow from the first passage into the common fuel passage and a second check valve in a second passage communicating fuel to an inlet of the secondary fuel pump. 8. The fuel system as recited in claim 7, including a second pressure relief valve downstream of both the primary fuel pump and the secondary fuel pump for directing fuel flow away from the common fuel passage in response to a pressure within the common fuel passage above a predefined pressure. 9. The fuel system as recited in claim 1, wherein a flow capacity of the primary fuel pump and the secondary fuel pump are different. 10. The fuel system as recited in claim 1, wherein a flow capacity of the primary fuel pump and the secondary fuel pump are the same. 11. A gas turbine engine comprising:
a fan rotatable within a fan nacelle; a core engine including a compressor communicating compressed air to a combustor where compressed air is mixed with fuel and ignited to generate a high-energy gas flow expanded through a turbine; an accessory gearbox driven by a mechanical link to the turbine; a primary fuel pump providing a first fuel flow to the combustor during engine operation; and a secondary fuel pump providing a second fuel flow to the combustor during engine operation in response to a predefined engine operating condition, wherein the primary fuel pump and the secondary fuel pump are driven by an output of the accessory gearbox. 12. The gas turbine engine as recited in claim 11, wherein the first fuel pump and the second fuel pump both receive fuel flow from a common inlet passage and both the first fuel pump and the second fuel pump communicate the corresponding one of the first fuel flow and the second fuel flow to a common outlet passage. 13. The gas turbine engine as recited in claim 12, including a first control valve upstream of the secondary fuel pump and a second control valve downstream of the secondary fuel pump, the first control valve and the second control valve controlling communication of fuel to and from the secondary fuel pump. 14. The gas turbine engine as recited in claim 12, including a pump drive gearbox selectively coupled to drive the secondary fuel pump by a clutch means. 15. The gas turbine engine as recited in claim 11, including a first pressure relief valve for switching the primary fuel pump and the secondary fuel pump between a series arrangement where the first fuel flow is provided by both the primary and secondary fuel pumps and a parallel arrangement where the first fuel flow is provided by the primary fuel pump and the secondary fuel flow is provided by the secondary fuel pump. 16. The gas turbine engine as recited in claim 15, wherein the first pressure relief valve is disposed between an outlet of the primary fuel pump and an inlet of the secondary fuel pump, the first pressure relief valve opens to communicate fuel from the primary fuel pump to the secondary fuel pump to provide the first fuel flow in a first operating condition and the first pressure relief valve closes such that the secondary fuel pump provides the second fuel flow in parallel with the first fuel flow provided by the primary mechanical fuel pump to a common fuel passage in a second operating condition. 17. A method of supplying fuel to a combustor of a gas turbine engine comprising:
operating a primary fuel pump to provide a first fuel flow; operating a secondary fuel pump to provide a second fuel flow, wherein operating the primary fuel pump and the secondary fuel pump comprises driving the primary fuel pump and the secondary fuel pump with an output from an accessory gearbox; and communicating the first fuel flow to a combustor of the gas turbine engine in a first operating condition and communicating the first fuel flow and the second fuel flow to the combustor in a second operating condition. 18. The method as recited in claim 17, wherein communicating the first fuel flow to the combustor comprises directing fuel from an outlet of the primary fuel pump to an inlet of the secondary fuel pump in the first operating condition and communicating both the first fuel flow and the second fuel flow comprises blocking fuel flow from the outlet of the primary fuel pump to the inlet of the secondary fuel pump, communicating fuel from a fuel source to the inlet of the secondary fuel pump and routing both the first fuel flow from the primary pump and the secondary fuel flow from the secondary pump to a common fuel outlet passage. 19. The method as recited in claim 17, wherein communicating the first fuel flow to the combustor comprises flowing fuel from primary fuel pump to a common fuel outlet passage and blocking flow from the secondary fuel pump during the first engine operating condition and communicating the first fuel flow and the second fuel flow to the combustor in the second operating condition comprises communicating both the first fuel flow from the primary fuel pump and the second fuel flow from the secondary fuel pump to the common fuel outlet passage. | 3,700 |
343,701 | 16,803,123 | 3,741 | A method of producing a continuously cast metal rod capable of producing a high-quality continuously cast material is provided. In the method of producing a continuously cast metal rod, a cooling liquid is supplied to each of outer peripheral surfaces of a plurality of ingots extracted from a plurality of molds in parallel to cool each of the plurality of ingots. In a predetermined ingot, the number of adjacent ingots is the number of other ingots arranged around the predetermined so as to face the predetermined ingot, and an ingot small in the number of adjacent ingots is cooled with weak cooling in which the degree of cooling by the cooling liquid is reduced with respect to an ingot large in the number of adjacent ingots. | 1. A method of producing a continuously cast metal rod in which a cooling liquid is supplied to each of outer peripheral surfaces of a plurality of ingots extracted from a plurality of molds in parallel to cool each of the plurality of ingots,
wherein when a number of other ingots arranged around a predetermined ingot so as to face the predetermined ingot is defined as a number of adjacent ingots, an ingot smaller in the number of adjacent ingots is cooled with weak cooling in which a degree of cooling by the cooling liquid is reduced with respect to an ingot larger in the number of adjacent ingots. 2. The method of producing a continuously cast metal rod as recited in claim 1,
wherein a supply quantity of the cooling liquid to the ingot smaller in the number of adjacent ingots is set to be less than a supply quantity of a cooling liquid to the ingot larger in the number of adjacent ingots. 3. The method of producing a continuously cast metal rod as recited in claim 1,
wherein supply pressure of a cooling liquid to the ingot smaller in the number of adjacent ingots is set to be lower than supply pressure of a cooling liquid to the ingot larger in the number of adjacent ingots. 4. The method of producing a continuously cast metal rod as recited in claim 1,
wherein a degree of cooling of each ingot is set to be equal to each other over an entire circumference of each ingot. 5. The method of producing a continuously cast metal rod as recited in claim 1,
wherein when a region of an outer peripheral surface of the ingot that is open and does not face another ingot is defined as an open region, and a region of an outer peripheral surface of the ingot that faces another ingot is defined as an ingot facing region, the open region is cooled in a state in which a degree of cooling by a cooling liquid at the open region is set to be less than a degree of cooling of a cooling liquid at the ingot facing region. 6. An apparatus of producing a continuously cast metal rods in which a plurality of molds is arranged in parallel and a plurality of cooling liquid spouting ports is provided corresponding to each production apparatus, and a cooling liquid is supplied from the plurality of cooling liquid spouting ports to each of outer peripheral surfaces of the plurality of ingots extracted in parallel from the plurality of molds to cool each of the plurality of ingots,
wherein when a number of other ingots arranged around a predetermined ingot so as to face the predetermined ingot is defined as a number of adjacent ingots, a supply quantity adjustment means configured to adjust such that a supply quantity of a cooling liquid to the ingot smaller in the number of adjacent ingots becomes less than a supply quantity of the cooling liquid to the ingot larger in the number of adjacent ingots. 7. The apparatus of producing a continuously cast metal rod as recited in claim 6,
wherein a plurality of the cooling liquid spouting ports is arranged at intervals along an outer periphery of the corresponding ingot and is configured to spout a cooling liquid from respective cooling liquid spouting ports to supply the cooling liquid to an outer peripheral surface of the corresponding ingot, wherein a total opening area of the plurality of cooling liquid spouting ports corresponding to the ingot smaller in the number of adjacent ingots is set to be smaller than a total opening area of the plurality of cooling liquid spouting ports corresponding to the ingot larger in the number of adjacent ingots, and wherein the plurality of cooling liquid spouting ports serve as the supply quantity adjustment means. 8. The apparatus of producing a continuously cast metal rod as recited in claim 7,
wherein a caliber of the plurality of cooling liquid spouting ports corresponding to the ingot smaller in the number of adjacent ingots is set to be smaller than a caliber of the plurality of cooling liquid spouting ports corresponding to the ingot larger in the number of adjacent ingots. 9. The apparatus of producing a continuously cast metal rod as recited in claim 7,
wherein an interval of the plurality of cooling liquid spouting ports corresponding to the ingot smaller in the number of adjacent ingots is set to be wider than an interval of the plurality of cooling liquid spouting ports corresponding to the ingot larger in the number of adjacent ingots. 10. The apparatus of producing a continuously cast metal rod as recited in claim 6,
wherein supply pressure adjustment means configured to adjust such that supply pressure of a cooling liquid corresponding to the ingot smaller in the number of adjacent ingots becomes lower than supply pressure of the cooling liquid corresponding to the ingot larger in the number of adjacent ingots, and wherein the supply pressure adjustment means serves as the supply quantity adjustment means. | A method of producing a continuously cast metal rod capable of producing a high-quality continuously cast material is provided. In the method of producing a continuously cast metal rod, a cooling liquid is supplied to each of outer peripheral surfaces of a plurality of ingots extracted from a plurality of molds in parallel to cool each of the plurality of ingots. In a predetermined ingot, the number of adjacent ingots is the number of other ingots arranged around the predetermined so as to face the predetermined ingot, and an ingot small in the number of adjacent ingots is cooled with weak cooling in which the degree of cooling by the cooling liquid is reduced with respect to an ingot large in the number of adjacent ingots.1. A method of producing a continuously cast metal rod in which a cooling liquid is supplied to each of outer peripheral surfaces of a plurality of ingots extracted from a plurality of molds in parallel to cool each of the plurality of ingots,
wherein when a number of other ingots arranged around a predetermined ingot so as to face the predetermined ingot is defined as a number of adjacent ingots, an ingot smaller in the number of adjacent ingots is cooled with weak cooling in which a degree of cooling by the cooling liquid is reduced with respect to an ingot larger in the number of adjacent ingots. 2. The method of producing a continuously cast metal rod as recited in claim 1,
wherein a supply quantity of the cooling liquid to the ingot smaller in the number of adjacent ingots is set to be less than a supply quantity of a cooling liquid to the ingot larger in the number of adjacent ingots. 3. The method of producing a continuously cast metal rod as recited in claim 1,
wherein supply pressure of a cooling liquid to the ingot smaller in the number of adjacent ingots is set to be lower than supply pressure of a cooling liquid to the ingot larger in the number of adjacent ingots. 4. The method of producing a continuously cast metal rod as recited in claim 1,
wherein a degree of cooling of each ingot is set to be equal to each other over an entire circumference of each ingot. 5. The method of producing a continuously cast metal rod as recited in claim 1,
wherein when a region of an outer peripheral surface of the ingot that is open and does not face another ingot is defined as an open region, and a region of an outer peripheral surface of the ingot that faces another ingot is defined as an ingot facing region, the open region is cooled in a state in which a degree of cooling by a cooling liquid at the open region is set to be less than a degree of cooling of a cooling liquid at the ingot facing region. 6. An apparatus of producing a continuously cast metal rods in which a plurality of molds is arranged in parallel and a plurality of cooling liquid spouting ports is provided corresponding to each production apparatus, and a cooling liquid is supplied from the plurality of cooling liquid spouting ports to each of outer peripheral surfaces of the plurality of ingots extracted in parallel from the plurality of molds to cool each of the plurality of ingots,
wherein when a number of other ingots arranged around a predetermined ingot so as to face the predetermined ingot is defined as a number of adjacent ingots, a supply quantity adjustment means configured to adjust such that a supply quantity of a cooling liquid to the ingot smaller in the number of adjacent ingots becomes less than a supply quantity of the cooling liquid to the ingot larger in the number of adjacent ingots. 7. The apparatus of producing a continuously cast metal rod as recited in claim 6,
wherein a plurality of the cooling liquid spouting ports is arranged at intervals along an outer periphery of the corresponding ingot and is configured to spout a cooling liquid from respective cooling liquid spouting ports to supply the cooling liquid to an outer peripheral surface of the corresponding ingot, wherein a total opening area of the plurality of cooling liquid spouting ports corresponding to the ingot smaller in the number of adjacent ingots is set to be smaller than a total opening area of the plurality of cooling liquid spouting ports corresponding to the ingot larger in the number of adjacent ingots, and wherein the plurality of cooling liquid spouting ports serve as the supply quantity adjustment means. 8. The apparatus of producing a continuously cast metal rod as recited in claim 7,
wherein a caliber of the plurality of cooling liquid spouting ports corresponding to the ingot smaller in the number of adjacent ingots is set to be smaller than a caliber of the plurality of cooling liquid spouting ports corresponding to the ingot larger in the number of adjacent ingots. 9. The apparatus of producing a continuously cast metal rod as recited in claim 7,
wherein an interval of the plurality of cooling liquid spouting ports corresponding to the ingot smaller in the number of adjacent ingots is set to be wider than an interval of the plurality of cooling liquid spouting ports corresponding to the ingot larger in the number of adjacent ingots. 10. The apparatus of producing a continuously cast metal rod as recited in claim 6,
wherein supply pressure adjustment means configured to adjust such that supply pressure of a cooling liquid corresponding to the ingot smaller in the number of adjacent ingots becomes lower than supply pressure of the cooling liquid corresponding to the ingot larger in the number of adjacent ingots, and wherein the supply pressure adjustment means serves as the supply quantity adjustment means. | 3,700 |
343,702 | 16,803,115 | 3,741 | A coin ejection apparatus makes it possible to surely prevent incorrect dispensing due to incorrect normal rotation of a rotary disk or disks in one or more coin ejection units in a non-driving state while permitting normal and reverse rotations of the disk in a driving state. An unnecessary rotation prevention mechanism has a prevention member that prevents unnecessary rotation of the disk in the non-driving state. Engagement/disengagement of the prevention member with a coupling gear is switched responsive to shift between the driving state and the non-driving state. When the relevant coin ejection unit is in the driving state, the prevention member and the coupling gear are disengaged, permitting normal and reverse rotations of the disk. When the relevant coin ejection unit is in the non-driving state, the prevention member and the coupling gear are engaged, preventing incorrect normal rotation of the disk to result in incorrect dispensing. | 1. A multi-unit coin ejection apparatus comprising:
a base having a mounting surface; coin ejection units mounted on the mounting surface, each of the coin ejection units having a rotary disk; a first motor commonly used for driving the coin ejection units; a driving mechanism that is configured to drive the coin ejection units by transmitting a driving force of the first motor using gears; a switching unit that is configured to switch a destination of the driving force of the first motor, thereby selectively driving a desired one of the rotary disks of the coin ejection units; and an unnecessary rotation prevention mechanism, provided in each of the coin ejection units, that is configured to prevent unnecessary normal rotation of a corresponding one of the rotary disks of the coin ejection units; wherein the switching unit comprises (i) first coupling gears which are respectively provided for the coin ejection units, (ii) second coupling gears which are engageable with the corresponding first coupling gears and which are provided for the driving mechanism, and (iii) a coupling gear displacement mechanism that is configured to displace the second coupling gears between a coupling position and a non-coupling position; the coupling gear displacement mechanism is operated in response to an instruction in such a way that a designated one of the coin ejection units is placed in a driving state where a designated one of the second coupling gears is disposed at the coupling position and that a remainder of the coin ejection units is/are placed in a non-driving state where a remainder of the second coupling gears is/are disposed at the non-coupling position; the unnecessary rotation prevention mechanism comprises an unnecessary rotation prevention member that is formed to prevent the relevant rotary disk from normally rotating to result in incorrect coin ejection when the relevant coin ejection unit is placed in the non-driving state; the unnecessary rotation prevention member is structured in such a way as to be engaged with the relevant first coupling gear or disengaged therefrom in response to displacement of the relevant second coupling gear between the coupling position and the non-coupling position; when the relevant coin ejection unit is placed in the non-driving state, an engaging or engaged part of the unnecessary rotation prevention member is engaged with one or more engaged or engaging parts of the relevant first coupling gear, thereby preventing normal rotation of the relevant rotary disk; and when the relevant coin ejection unit is placed in the driving state, the engaging or engaged part of the unnecessary rotation prevention member is disengaged from the one or more engaged or engaging parts of the relevant first coupling gear, thereby permitting normal rotation and reverse rotation of the relevant rotary disk. 2. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein each of the first coupling gears is formed by a first gear which has teeth and grooves formed on one side face thereof and which is fixed to a rotation shaft for the rotary disk of the relevant coin ejection unit; and
each of the second coupling gears is formed by a second gear which has grooves and teeth formed on one side face thereof to be engageable respectively with the teeth and the grooves of the first gear and which is fixed to a relevant linking gear of the driving mechanism. 3. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein each of the first coupling gears comprises teeth and grooves formed on one side face thereof and is fixed to a rotation shaft for the rotary disk of the relevant coin ejection unit;
the relevant first coupling gear comprises an engagement face on or in which the engaged or engaging parts are arranged annularly along a rotation direction of the relevant first coupling gear; and the engaging or engaged part of the unnecessary rotation prevention member is structured in such a way as to be engaged with any one of the engaged or engaging parts of the relevant first coupling gear when the relevant coin ejection unit is placed in the non-driving state. 4. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a function of a one-way clutch that permits only normal rotation of the relevant rotary disk is generated by engaging the engaging or engaged part of the unnecessary rotation prevention member with the one or more engaged or engaging parts which is/are formed on or in an engagement face of the relevant first coupling gear. 5. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein in each of the coin ejection units placed in the non-driving state, a function of a one-way clutch that prevents only normal rotation of the relevant rotary disk is generated by engaging the engaging or engaged part of the relevant unnecessary rotation prevention member with the one or more engaged or engaging parts which is/are formed on or in an engagement face of the relevant first coupling gear; and
when the relevant coin ejection unit is moved to the driving state from the non-driving state by the switching unit, the relevant unnecessary rotation prevention member is moved in such a way that the engaging or engaged part of the relevant unnecessary rotation prevention member is disengaged from the one or more engaged or engaging parts of the relevant first coupling gear due to displacement of the relevant second coupling gear to the coupling position from the non-coupling position, resulting in loss of the function of the one-way clutch. 6. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the relevant unnecessary rotation prevention member comprises a roller which is contactable with the relevant second coupling gear and rotatable thereon;
when one of the coin ejection units is moved to the driving state from the non-driving state by the switching unit, the relevant unnecessary rotation prevention member is moved by displacement of the relevant second coupling gear to the coupling position from the non-coupling position in such a way that the engaging or engaged part of the relevant unnecessary rotation prevention member is disengaged from the one or more engaged or engaging parts of the relevant first coupling gear, thereby permitting both of normal rotation and reverse rotation of the relevant rotary disk; and the roller which is in contact with the relevant second coupling gear is rolled with rotation of the relevant second coupling gear while permitting both of normal rotation and reverse rotation of the relevant rotary disk. 7. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the relevant unnecessary rotation prevention member comprises a spring having an elastic force that urges the engaging or engaged part of the relevant unnecessary rotation prevention member toward the relevant first coupling gear;
when the relevant coin ejection unit is placed in the non-driving state, the engaging or engaged part of the relevant unnecessary rotation prevention member is engaged with the one or more engaged or engaging parts of the relevant first coupling gear by the elastic force of the spring; and when the relevant coin ejection units is placed in the driving state, the engaging or engaged part of the relevant unnecessary rotation prevention member is disengaged from the one or more engaged or engaging parts of the relevant first coupling gear by displacement of the relevant second coupling gear to the coupling position from the non-coupling position against the elastic force of the spring, resulting in permission of both of normal rotation and reverse rotation of the relevant rotary disk. 8. The apparatus according to claim 1, herein the coupling gear displacement mechanism comprises a camshaft which is rotationally driven by a second motor, wherein the camshaft has cams which are respectively assigned to the coin ejection units; and
cam followers which are respectively engaged with the second coupling gears and which are displaceable by the corresponding cams; wherein the second coupling gears are structured in such a way as to be displaced between the coupling position and the non-coupling position according to displacements of the corresponding cam followers which are respectively caused by rotations of the corresponding cams. 9. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising sensors that detect respectively rotational positions of the cams; and
which one of the second coupling gears is disposed at the coupling position is judged based on the detected rotational positions of the cams using the sensors. 10. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein detection members are fixed to the camshaft in a one-by-one correspondence to the cams;
sensors that detect respectively rotational positions of the detection members are provided at corresponding positions to the detection members; and which one of the second coupling gears is disposed at the coupling position is judged based on detection of the detection members by the corresponding sensors. 11. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a switching unit displacement mechanism that is configured to displace the switching unit between a connection position where the driving force of the first motor is selectively transmittable to a designated one of the coin ejection units and a separation position where the driving force of the first motor is transmittable to none of the coin ejection units;
the switching unit displacement mechanism comprises an operating member mounted on the base, and a moving member that displaces mechanically the switching unit between the connection position and the separation position in response to a predetermined action applied to the operating member; and when a predetermined action is applied to the operating member in the state where the switching unit is disposed at the connection position, the switching unit is displaced to the separation position. 12. The apparatus according to claim 11, wherein when the switching unit is displaced to the separation position from the connection position using the switching unit displacement mechanism, the said apparatus is shifted to a non-operable mode where the driving force of the first motor is transmitted to none of the coin ejection units, wherein a desired one of the coin ejection units can be removed from the base; and
when the switching unit is returned to the connection position from the separation position using the switching unit displacement mechanism, the said apparatus is shifted to an operable mode where the driving force of the first motor is selectively transmitted to a desired one of the coin ejection units. 13. The apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the operating member of the switching unit displacement mechanism comprises a manually operable lever which is mounted on the base;
the moving member of the switching unit displacement mechanism is structured in such a way as to be mechanically connected to the switching unit and to be moved by a manual operation applied to the lever; and when a predetermined manual operation is applied to the lever, the switching unit is displaced mechanically between the connection position and the separation position in response to the applied manual operation. 14. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the coupling gear displacement mechanism is structured in such a way as to be rockable around a shaft which is supported by the base; and
an operable mode where the driving force of the first motor is selectively transmitted to a desired one of the coin ejection units and a non-operable mode where the driving force of the first motor is transmitted to none of the coin ejection units are switched by rocking the coupling gear displacement mechanism around the shaft. 15. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a non-operable mode where the driving force of the first motor is transmitted to none of the coin ejection units is provided in addition to an operable mode where the driving force of the first motor is selectively transmitted to a desired one of the coin ejection units are provided; and
the coin ejection units are configured to be detachable from the base by sliding a desired one or ones of the coin ejection units along the mounting surface in the separation mode. 16. A coin ejection apparatus comprising:
a base having a mounting surface; a coin ejection unit mounted on the mounting surface, the coin ejection unit having a rotary disk; a first motor for driving the coin ejection unit; a driving mechanism that is configured to drive the coin ejection unit by transmitting a driving force of the first motor using gears; a switching unit that is configured to switch between a driving state where the driving force of the first motor is transmitted to the coin ejection unit and a non-driving state where the driving force of the first motor is not transmitted to the coin ejection unit, thereby selectively driving the coin ejection unit; and an unnecessary rotation prevention mechanism, provided in the coin ejection unit, that is configured to prevent unnecessary normal rotation of the rotary disk; wherein the switching unit comprises (i) a first coupling gear which is provided for the coin ejection unit, (ii) a second coupling gear which is engageable with the first coupling gear and which is provided for the driving mechanism, and (iii) a coupling gear displacement mechanism that is configured to displace the second coupling gear between a coupling position and a non-coupling position; the coupling gear displacement mechanism is operated in response to an instruction in such a way that the coin ejection unit is placed in the driving state where the second coupling gear is disposed at the coupling position or in the non-driving state where the second coupling gear is disposed at the non-coupling position; the unnecessary rotation prevention mechanism comprises an unnecessary rotation prevention member that is formed to prevent the rotary disk from normally rotating to result in incorrect coin ejection when the coin ejection unit is placed in the non-driving state; the unnecessary rotation prevention member is structured in such a way as to be engaged with the first coupling gear or disengaged therefrom in response to displacement of the second coupling gear between the coupling position and the non-coupling position; when the coin ejection unit is placed in the non-driving state, an engaging or engaged part of the unnecessary rotation prevention member is engaged with one or more engaged or engaging parts of the first coupling gear, thereby preventing normal rotation of the rotary disk; and when the coin ejection unit is placed in the driving state, the engaging or engaged part of the unnecessary rotation prevention member is disengaged from the one or more engaged or engaging parts of the first coupling gear, thereby permitting normal rotation and reverse rotation of the rotary disk. 17. The apparatus according to claim 16, wherein the first coupling gear is formed by a first gear which has teeth and grooves formed on one side face thereof and which is fixed to a rotation shaft for the rotary disk of the coin ejection unit, and
the second coupling gear is formed by a second gear which has grooves and teeth formed on one side face thereof to be engageable respectively with the teeth and the grooves of the first gear and which is fixed to a linking gear of the driving mechanism. 18. The apparatus according to claim 16, wherein the first coupling gear comprises teeth and grooves formed on one side face thereof and is fixed to a rotation shaft for the rotary disk;
the first coupling gear comprises an engagement face on or in which the engaged or engaging parts are arranged annularly along a rotation direction of the first coupling gear; and the engaging or engaged part of the unnecessary rotation prevention member is structured in such a way as to be engaged with any one of the engaged or engaging parts of the first coupling gear when the coin ejection unit is placed in the non-driving state. 19. The apparatus according to claim 16, wherein a function of a one-way clutch that permits only normal rotation of the rotary disk is generated by engaging the engaging or engaged part of the unnecessary rotation prevention member with the one or more engaged or engaging parts which is/are formed on or in the engagement face of the first coupling gear. 20. The apparatus according to claim 16, wherein when the coin ejection unit is placed in the non-driving state, a function of a one-way clutch that prevents only normal rotation of the rotary disk is generated by engaging the engaging or engaged part of the relevant unnecessary rotation prevention member with the one or more engaged or engaging parts which is/are formed on or in an engagement face of the relevant first coupling gear; and
when the coin ejection unit is moved to the driving state from the non-driving state by the switching unit, the unnecessary rotation prevention member is moved in such a way that the engaging or engaged part of the relevant unnecessary rotation prevention member is disengaged from the one or more engaged or engaging parts of the first coupling gear due to displacement of the second coupling gear to the coupling position from the non-coupling position, resulting in loss of the function of the one-way clutch. | A coin ejection apparatus makes it possible to surely prevent incorrect dispensing due to incorrect normal rotation of a rotary disk or disks in one or more coin ejection units in a non-driving state while permitting normal and reverse rotations of the disk in a driving state. An unnecessary rotation prevention mechanism has a prevention member that prevents unnecessary rotation of the disk in the non-driving state. Engagement/disengagement of the prevention member with a coupling gear is switched responsive to shift between the driving state and the non-driving state. When the relevant coin ejection unit is in the driving state, the prevention member and the coupling gear are disengaged, permitting normal and reverse rotations of the disk. When the relevant coin ejection unit is in the non-driving state, the prevention member and the coupling gear are engaged, preventing incorrect normal rotation of the disk to result in incorrect dispensing.1. A multi-unit coin ejection apparatus comprising:
a base having a mounting surface; coin ejection units mounted on the mounting surface, each of the coin ejection units having a rotary disk; a first motor commonly used for driving the coin ejection units; a driving mechanism that is configured to drive the coin ejection units by transmitting a driving force of the first motor using gears; a switching unit that is configured to switch a destination of the driving force of the first motor, thereby selectively driving a desired one of the rotary disks of the coin ejection units; and an unnecessary rotation prevention mechanism, provided in each of the coin ejection units, that is configured to prevent unnecessary normal rotation of a corresponding one of the rotary disks of the coin ejection units; wherein the switching unit comprises (i) first coupling gears which are respectively provided for the coin ejection units, (ii) second coupling gears which are engageable with the corresponding first coupling gears and which are provided for the driving mechanism, and (iii) a coupling gear displacement mechanism that is configured to displace the second coupling gears between a coupling position and a non-coupling position; the coupling gear displacement mechanism is operated in response to an instruction in such a way that a designated one of the coin ejection units is placed in a driving state where a designated one of the second coupling gears is disposed at the coupling position and that a remainder of the coin ejection units is/are placed in a non-driving state where a remainder of the second coupling gears is/are disposed at the non-coupling position; the unnecessary rotation prevention mechanism comprises an unnecessary rotation prevention member that is formed to prevent the relevant rotary disk from normally rotating to result in incorrect coin ejection when the relevant coin ejection unit is placed in the non-driving state; the unnecessary rotation prevention member is structured in such a way as to be engaged with the relevant first coupling gear or disengaged therefrom in response to displacement of the relevant second coupling gear between the coupling position and the non-coupling position; when the relevant coin ejection unit is placed in the non-driving state, an engaging or engaged part of the unnecessary rotation prevention member is engaged with one or more engaged or engaging parts of the relevant first coupling gear, thereby preventing normal rotation of the relevant rotary disk; and when the relevant coin ejection unit is placed in the driving state, the engaging or engaged part of the unnecessary rotation prevention member is disengaged from the one or more engaged or engaging parts of the relevant first coupling gear, thereby permitting normal rotation and reverse rotation of the relevant rotary disk. 2. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein each of the first coupling gears is formed by a first gear which has teeth and grooves formed on one side face thereof and which is fixed to a rotation shaft for the rotary disk of the relevant coin ejection unit; and
each of the second coupling gears is formed by a second gear which has grooves and teeth formed on one side face thereof to be engageable respectively with the teeth and the grooves of the first gear and which is fixed to a relevant linking gear of the driving mechanism. 3. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein each of the first coupling gears comprises teeth and grooves formed on one side face thereof and is fixed to a rotation shaft for the rotary disk of the relevant coin ejection unit;
the relevant first coupling gear comprises an engagement face on or in which the engaged or engaging parts are arranged annularly along a rotation direction of the relevant first coupling gear; and the engaging or engaged part of the unnecessary rotation prevention member is structured in such a way as to be engaged with any one of the engaged or engaging parts of the relevant first coupling gear when the relevant coin ejection unit is placed in the non-driving state. 4. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a function of a one-way clutch that permits only normal rotation of the relevant rotary disk is generated by engaging the engaging or engaged part of the unnecessary rotation prevention member with the one or more engaged or engaging parts which is/are formed on or in an engagement face of the relevant first coupling gear. 5. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein in each of the coin ejection units placed in the non-driving state, a function of a one-way clutch that prevents only normal rotation of the relevant rotary disk is generated by engaging the engaging or engaged part of the relevant unnecessary rotation prevention member with the one or more engaged or engaging parts which is/are formed on or in an engagement face of the relevant first coupling gear; and
when the relevant coin ejection unit is moved to the driving state from the non-driving state by the switching unit, the relevant unnecessary rotation prevention member is moved in such a way that the engaging or engaged part of the relevant unnecessary rotation prevention member is disengaged from the one or more engaged or engaging parts of the relevant first coupling gear due to displacement of the relevant second coupling gear to the coupling position from the non-coupling position, resulting in loss of the function of the one-way clutch. 6. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the relevant unnecessary rotation prevention member comprises a roller which is contactable with the relevant second coupling gear and rotatable thereon;
when one of the coin ejection units is moved to the driving state from the non-driving state by the switching unit, the relevant unnecessary rotation prevention member is moved by displacement of the relevant second coupling gear to the coupling position from the non-coupling position in such a way that the engaging or engaged part of the relevant unnecessary rotation prevention member is disengaged from the one or more engaged or engaging parts of the relevant first coupling gear, thereby permitting both of normal rotation and reverse rotation of the relevant rotary disk; and the roller which is in contact with the relevant second coupling gear is rolled with rotation of the relevant second coupling gear while permitting both of normal rotation and reverse rotation of the relevant rotary disk. 7. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the relevant unnecessary rotation prevention member comprises a spring having an elastic force that urges the engaging or engaged part of the relevant unnecessary rotation prevention member toward the relevant first coupling gear;
when the relevant coin ejection unit is placed in the non-driving state, the engaging or engaged part of the relevant unnecessary rotation prevention member is engaged with the one or more engaged or engaging parts of the relevant first coupling gear by the elastic force of the spring; and when the relevant coin ejection units is placed in the driving state, the engaging or engaged part of the relevant unnecessary rotation prevention member is disengaged from the one or more engaged or engaging parts of the relevant first coupling gear by displacement of the relevant second coupling gear to the coupling position from the non-coupling position against the elastic force of the spring, resulting in permission of both of normal rotation and reverse rotation of the relevant rotary disk. 8. The apparatus according to claim 1, herein the coupling gear displacement mechanism comprises a camshaft which is rotationally driven by a second motor, wherein the camshaft has cams which are respectively assigned to the coin ejection units; and
cam followers which are respectively engaged with the second coupling gears and which are displaceable by the corresponding cams; wherein the second coupling gears are structured in such a way as to be displaced between the coupling position and the non-coupling position according to displacements of the corresponding cam followers which are respectively caused by rotations of the corresponding cams. 9. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising sensors that detect respectively rotational positions of the cams; and
which one of the second coupling gears is disposed at the coupling position is judged based on the detected rotational positions of the cams using the sensors. 10. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein detection members are fixed to the camshaft in a one-by-one correspondence to the cams;
sensors that detect respectively rotational positions of the detection members are provided at corresponding positions to the detection members; and which one of the second coupling gears is disposed at the coupling position is judged based on detection of the detection members by the corresponding sensors. 11. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a switching unit displacement mechanism that is configured to displace the switching unit between a connection position where the driving force of the first motor is selectively transmittable to a designated one of the coin ejection units and a separation position where the driving force of the first motor is transmittable to none of the coin ejection units;
the switching unit displacement mechanism comprises an operating member mounted on the base, and a moving member that displaces mechanically the switching unit between the connection position and the separation position in response to a predetermined action applied to the operating member; and when a predetermined action is applied to the operating member in the state where the switching unit is disposed at the connection position, the switching unit is displaced to the separation position. 12. The apparatus according to claim 11, wherein when the switching unit is displaced to the separation position from the connection position using the switching unit displacement mechanism, the said apparatus is shifted to a non-operable mode where the driving force of the first motor is transmitted to none of the coin ejection units, wherein a desired one of the coin ejection units can be removed from the base; and
when the switching unit is returned to the connection position from the separation position using the switching unit displacement mechanism, the said apparatus is shifted to an operable mode where the driving force of the first motor is selectively transmitted to a desired one of the coin ejection units. 13. The apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the operating member of the switching unit displacement mechanism comprises a manually operable lever which is mounted on the base;
the moving member of the switching unit displacement mechanism is structured in such a way as to be mechanically connected to the switching unit and to be moved by a manual operation applied to the lever; and when a predetermined manual operation is applied to the lever, the switching unit is displaced mechanically between the connection position and the separation position in response to the applied manual operation. 14. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the coupling gear displacement mechanism is structured in such a way as to be rockable around a shaft which is supported by the base; and
an operable mode where the driving force of the first motor is selectively transmitted to a desired one of the coin ejection units and a non-operable mode where the driving force of the first motor is transmitted to none of the coin ejection units are switched by rocking the coupling gear displacement mechanism around the shaft. 15. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a non-operable mode where the driving force of the first motor is transmitted to none of the coin ejection units is provided in addition to an operable mode where the driving force of the first motor is selectively transmitted to a desired one of the coin ejection units are provided; and
the coin ejection units are configured to be detachable from the base by sliding a desired one or ones of the coin ejection units along the mounting surface in the separation mode. 16. A coin ejection apparatus comprising:
a base having a mounting surface; a coin ejection unit mounted on the mounting surface, the coin ejection unit having a rotary disk; a first motor for driving the coin ejection unit; a driving mechanism that is configured to drive the coin ejection unit by transmitting a driving force of the first motor using gears; a switching unit that is configured to switch between a driving state where the driving force of the first motor is transmitted to the coin ejection unit and a non-driving state where the driving force of the first motor is not transmitted to the coin ejection unit, thereby selectively driving the coin ejection unit; and an unnecessary rotation prevention mechanism, provided in the coin ejection unit, that is configured to prevent unnecessary normal rotation of the rotary disk; wherein the switching unit comprises (i) a first coupling gear which is provided for the coin ejection unit, (ii) a second coupling gear which is engageable with the first coupling gear and which is provided for the driving mechanism, and (iii) a coupling gear displacement mechanism that is configured to displace the second coupling gear between a coupling position and a non-coupling position; the coupling gear displacement mechanism is operated in response to an instruction in such a way that the coin ejection unit is placed in the driving state where the second coupling gear is disposed at the coupling position or in the non-driving state where the second coupling gear is disposed at the non-coupling position; the unnecessary rotation prevention mechanism comprises an unnecessary rotation prevention member that is formed to prevent the rotary disk from normally rotating to result in incorrect coin ejection when the coin ejection unit is placed in the non-driving state; the unnecessary rotation prevention member is structured in such a way as to be engaged with the first coupling gear or disengaged therefrom in response to displacement of the second coupling gear between the coupling position and the non-coupling position; when the coin ejection unit is placed in the non-driving state, an engaging or engaged part of the unnecessary rotation prevention member is engaged with one or more engaged or engaging parts of the first coupling gear, thereby preventing normal rotation of the rotary disk; and when the coin ejection unit is placed in the driving state, the engaging or engaged part of the unnecessary rotation prevention member is disengaged from the one or more engaged or engaging parts of the first coupling gear, thereby permitting normal rotation and reverse rotation of the rotary disk. 17. The apparatus according to claim 16, wherein the first coupling gear is formed by a first gear which has teeth and grooves formed on one side face thereof and which is fixed to a rotation shaft for the rotary disk of the coin ejection unit, and
the second coupling gear is formed by a second gear which has grooves and teeth formed on one side face thereof to be engageable respectively with the teeth and the grooves of the first gear and which is fixed to a linking gear of the driving mechanism. 18. The apparatus according to claim 16, wherein the first coupling gear comprises teeth and grooves formed on one side face thereof and is fixed to a rotation shaft for the rotary disk;
the first coupling gear comprises an engagement face on or in which the engaged or engaging parts are arranged annularly along a rotation direction of the first coupling gear; and the engaging or engaged part of the unnecessary rotation prevention member is structured in such a way as to be engaged with any one of the engaged or engaging parts of the first coupling gear when the coin ejection unit is placed in the non-driving state. 19. The apparatus according to claim 16, wherein a function of a one-way clutch that permits only normal rotation of the rotary disk is generated by engaging the engaging or engaged part of the unnecessary rotation prevention member with the one or more engaged or engaging parts which is/are formed on or in the engagement face of the first coupling gear. 20. The apparatus according to claim 16, wherein when the coin ejection unit is placed in the non-driving state, a function of a one-way clutch that prevents only normal rotation of the rotary disk is generated by engaging the engaging or engaged part of the relevant unnecessary rotation prevention member with the one or more engaged or engaging parts which is/are formed on or in an engagement face of the relevant first coupling gear; and
when the coin ejection unit is moved to the driving state from the non-driving state by the switching unit, the unnecessary rotation prevention member is moved in such a way that the engaging or engaged part of the relevant unnecessary rotation prevention member is disengaged from the one or more engaged or engaging parts of the first coupling gear due to displacement of the second coupling gear to the coupling position from the non-coupling position, resulting in loss of the function of the one-way clutch. | 3,700 |
343,703 | 16,803,160 | 3,741 | A keepsake comprises a picture frame, a pair of vertically spaced posts on a rear side of the picture frame, each post having a head thereon, a pair vertically spaced threaded holes on the rear side of the picture frame, each of the threaded holes adapted to receive a screw to secure a magnet to the rear side of the picture frame, a cradle on the rear side of the picture frame, and a kickstand removably secured in the cradle, the kickstand having a threaded end that threads into a lowermost one of the threaded holes. The picture frame is securable to a casket shell corner having a pair of vertically spaced keyhole grooves or to a ferrous metallic cap panel of a casket lid, and is displayable on a horizontal surface via the kickstand. | 1. A keepsake comprising:
a picture frame, a pair of vertically spaced posts on a rear side of said picture frame, each said post having a head thereon, a pair vertically spaced threaded holes on said rear side of said picture frame, each of said threaded holes adapted to receive a screw to secure a magnet to said rear side of said picture frame, a cradle on said rear side of said picture frame, and a kickstand removably secured in said cradle, said kickstand having a threaded end that threads into a lowermost one of said threaded holes, whereby said picture frame is adapted to be secured to a casket shell corner having a pair of vertically spaced keyhole grooves that cooperate with said vertically spaced posts with said heads thereon, whereby said picture frame is adapted to be secured to a ferrous metallic cap panel of a casket lid which cooperates with the magnets, and whereby said picture frame is adapted to be displayed on a horizontal surface once said kickstand is threaded into said lowermost one of said threaded holes. 2. A casket comprising:
a casket shell having four corners, each said corner having a pair of vertically spaced keyhole grooves therein, a casket lid closeable on said casket shell, said casket lid having a ferrous metallic cap panel installed therein, and a keepsake comprising:
a picture frame,
a pair of vertically spaced posts on a rear side of said picture frame, each said post having a head thereon,
a pair vertically spaced threaded holes on said rear side of said picture frame, a pair of magnets, and a pair of screws, each of said threaded holes adapted to receive one of said screws to secure one of said magnets to said rear side of said picture frame,
a cradle on said rear side of said picture frame, and
a kickstand removably secured in said cradle, said kickstand having a threaded end that threads into a lowermost one of said threaded holes,
whereby said picture frame is selectably 1) securable to said casket shell corner via said pair of vertically spaced posts with said heads thereon cooperating with said pair of vertically spaced keyhole grooves, 2) securable to said casket lid ferrous metallic cap panel via said magnets cooperating with said ferrous metallic cap panel, and 3) displayable on a horizontal surface once said kickstand is threaded into said lowermost one of said threaded holes. 3. A keepsake comprising:
a picture frame, a pair of vertically spaced posts on a rear side of said picture frame, each said post having a head thereon, a pair of vertically spaced threaded holes on said rear side of said picture frame, a pair of magnets, and a pair of screws, each of said threaded holes adapted to receive one of said screws to secure one of said magnets to said rear side of said picture frame, a cradle on said rear side of said picture frame, and a kickstand removably secured in said cradle, said kickstand having a threaded end that threads into a lowermost one of said threaded holes, whereby said picture frame is selectably 1) securable to a casket shell corner, an urn, or a display plaque having a pair of vertically spaced keyhole grooves via said pair of vertically spaced posts with said heads, 2) securable to a casket lid, an urn, or a display plaque having a ferrous metallic sheet via said magnets, and 3) displayable on a horizontal surface via said kickstand. | A keepsake comprises a picture frame, a pair of vertically spaced posts on a rear side of the picture frame, each post having a head thereon, a pair vertically spaced threaded holes on the rear side of the picture frame, each of the threaded holes adapted to receive a screw to secure a magnet to the rear side of the picture frame, a cradle on the rear side of the picture frame, and a kickstand removably secured in the cradle, the kickstand having a threaded end that threads into a lowermost one of the threaded holes. The picture frame is securable to a casket shell corner having a pair of vertically spaced keyhole grooves or to a ferrous metallic cap panel of a casket lid, and is displayable on a horizontal surface via the kickstand.1. A keepsake comprising:
a picture frame, a pair of vertically spaced posts on a rear side of said picture frame, each said post having a head thereon, a pair vertically spaced threaded holes on said rear side of said picture frame, each of said threaded holes adapted to receive a screw to secure a magnet to said rear side of said picture frame, a cradle on said rear side of said picture frame, and a kickstand removably secured in said cradle, said kickstand having a threaded end that threads into a lowermost one of said threaded holes, whereby said picture frame is adapted to be secured to a casket shell corner having a pair of vertically spaced keyhole grooves that cooperate with said vertically spaced posts with said heads thereon, whereby said picture frame is adapted to be secured to a ferrous metallic cap panel of a casket lid which cooperates with the magnets, and whereby said picture frame is adapted to be displayed on a horizontal surface once said kickstand is threaded into said lowermost one of said threaded holes. 2. A casket comprising:
a casket shell having four corners, each said corner having a pair of vertically spaced keyhole grooves therein, a casket lid closeable on said casket shell, said casket lid having a ferrous metallic cap panel installed therein, and a keepsake comprising:
a picture frame,
a pair of vertically spaced posts on a rear side of said picture frame, each said post having a head thereon,
a pair vertically spaced threaded holes on said rear side of said picture frame, a pair of magnets, and a pair of screws, each of said threaded holes adapted to receive one of said screws to secure one of said magnets to said rear side of said picture frame,
a cradle on said rear side of said picture frame, and
a kickstand removably secured in said cradle, said kickstand having a threaded end that threads into a lowermost one of said threaded holes,
whereby said picture frame is selectably 1) securable to said casket shell corner via said pair of vertically spaced posts with said heads thereon cooperating with said pair of vertically spaced keyhole grooves, 2) securable to said casket lid ferrous metallic cap panel via said magnets cooperating with said ferrous metallic cap panel, and 3) displayable on a horizontal surface once said kickstand is threaded into said lowermost one of said threaded holes. 3. A keepsake comprising:
a picture frame, a pair of vertically spaced posts on a rear side of said picture frame, each said post having a head thereon, a pair of vertically spaced threaded holes on said rear side of said picture frame, a pair of magnets, and a pair of screws, each of said threaded holes adapted to receive one of said screws to secure one of said magnets to said rear side of said picture frame, a cradle on said rear side of said picture frame, and a kickstand removably secured in said cradle, said kickstand having a threaded end that threads into a lowermost one of said threaded holes, whereby said picture frame is selectably 1) securable to a casket shell corner, an urn, or a display plaque having a pair of vertically spaced keyhole grooves via said pair of vertically spaced posts with said heads, 2) securable to a casket lid, an urn, or a display plaque having a ferrous metallic sheet via said magnets, and 3) displayable on a horizontal surface via said kickstand. | 3,700 |
343,704 | 16,803,158 | 3,741 | Methods for controlling temperature in a conditioned enclosure such as a dwelling are described that include an “auto-away” and/or “auto-arrival” feature for detecting unexpected absences which provide opportunities for significant energy savings through automatic adjustment of the setpoint temperature. According to some preferred embodiments, when no occupancy has been detected for a minimum time interval, an “auto-away” feature triggers a changes of the state of the enclosure, and the actual operating setpoint temperature is changed to a predetermined energy-saving away-state temperature, regardless of the setpoint temperature indicated by the normal thermostat schedule. The purpose of the “auto away” feature is to avoid unnecessary heating or cooling when there are no occupants present to actually experience or enjoy the comfort settings of the schedule, thereby saving energy. | 1. A sensing and control unit comprising:
a memory storing a preexisting schedule; one or more processors configured to perform operations comprising:
controlling a temperature within an enclosure according to a first setpoint, wherein the first setpoint is from the preexisting schedule and represents a temperature for when the enclosure is occupied;
accessing occupancy data indicating occupancy within the enclosure; and
automatically changing the first setpoint to a second setpoint upon expiration of a predetermined time interval during which no occupancy has been detected, wherein:
the second setpoint requires less energy to maintain than the first setpoint; and
the predetermined time interval is modified based at least in part on prior-received data and prior automatic changes of setpoints in the enclosure. 2. The sensing and control unit of claim 1, further comprising:
one or more occupancy sensors configured to provide the occupancy data. 3. The sensing and control unit of claim 1, further comprising:
a wireless communication component, wherein automatically changing the first setpoint to the second setpoint is based at least in part on a received wireless communication. 4. A sensing and control unit comprising:
a memory storing a preexisting schedule; one or more processors configured to perform operations comprising:
controlling a temperature within an enclosure according to a first setpoint, wherein the first setpoint is from the preexisting schedule and represents a temperature for when the enclosure is occupied;
accessing occupancy data indicating occupancy within the enclosure; and
automatically changing the first setpoint to a second setpoint upon expiration of a predetermined time interval during which no occupancy has been detected, wherein the second setpoint requires less energy to maintain than the first setpoint; and
automatically changing the second setpoint temperature to a third setpoint upon expiration of a second predetermined time interval during which no occupancy has been detected, wherein the second time interval is longer than the first time interval. 5. The sensing and control unit of claim 4, further comprising:
one or more occupancy sensors configured to provide the occupancy data. 6. The sensing and control unit of claim 4, further comprising:
a wireless communication component, wherein automatically changing the first setpoint to the second setpoint is based at least in part on a received wireless communication. 7. The sensing and control unit of claim 4, wherein the third setpoint is approximately equal to the first setpoint. 8. The sensing and control unit of claim 4, wherein the third setpoint requires less energy to maintain than the second setpoint. 9. The sensing and control unit of claim 4, wherein the second time interval is 24 hours or longer. 10. The sensing and control unit of claim 4, wherein the second time interval is selected such that non-occupancy during the second time interval is likely to reflect a multi-day, non-occupancy period in the enclosure. 11. A sensing and control unit comprising:
a memory storing a preexisting schedule; one or more processors configured to perform operations comprising:
controlling a temperature within an enclosure according to a first setpoint, wherein the first setpoint is from the preexisting schedule and represents a temperature for when the enclosure is occupied;
accessing occupancy data indicating occupancy within the enclosure;
automatically changing the first setpoint to a second setpoint upon expiration of a first predetermined time interval during which no occupancy has been detected, wherein the second setpoint requires less energy to maintain than the first setpoint; and
modifying the preexisting schedule based at least in part on two or more automatic changes of the setpoint temperature. 12. The sensing and control unit of claim 11, further comprising:
one or more occupancy sensors configured to provide the occupancy data. 13. The sensing and control unit of claim 11, further comprising:
a wireless communication component, wherein automatically changing the first setpoint to the second setpoint is based at least in part on a received wireless communication. 14. The sensing and control unit of claim 11, wherein the two or more automatic changes occur at similar times on consecutive days or on similar days of consecutive weeks. 15. A sensing and control unit comprising:
a memory storing a preexisting schedule; one or more processors configured to perform operations comprising:
controlling a temperature within an enclosure according to a first setpoint, wherein the first setpoint is from the preexisting schedule and represents a temperature for when the enclosure is occupied;
accessing occupancy data indicating occupancy within the enclosure;
automatically changing the first setpoint to a second setpoint upon expiration of a first predetermined time interval during which no occupancy has been detected, wherein the second setpoint requires less energy to maintain than the first setpoint; and
automatically changing the second setpoint to a third setpoint upon expiration of a second predetermined time interval during which no occupancy has been detected, wherein:
the second time interval is longer than the first time interval;
the first time interval is selected such that non-occupancy during the first time interval is likely to reflect an intra-day non-occupancy period in the enclosure; and
the second time interval is selected such that non-occupancy during the second time interval is likely to reflect an inter-day non-occupancy period in the enclosure. 16. The sensing and control unit of claim 15, further comprising:
one or more occupancy sensors configured to provide the occupancy data. 17. The sensing and control unit of claim 15, further comprising:
a wireless communication component, wherein automatically changing the first setpoint to the second setpoint is based at least in part on a received wireless communication. 18. A sensing and control unit comprising:
a memory storing a preexisting schedule; one or more processors configured to perform operations comprising:
controlling temperature within an enclosure according to a setpoint temperature, an initial value of the setpoint temperature being from a preexisting schedule and representing a temperature suitable for when one or more persons are occupying the enclosure;
periodically accessing data indicating occupancy within the enclosure;
periodically updating the setpoint temperature upon expiration of a predetermined time interval during which no occupancy has been detected, the updated setpoint temperature requiring substantially less energy to maintain than the initial value of the setpoint temperature; and
periodically modifying the predetermined time interval based at least in part on prior received data and prior automatic changes of the setpoint temperature in the conditioned enclosure. 19. The sensing and control unit of claim 18, further comprising:
one or more occupancy sensors configured to provide occupancy data for determining occupancy within the enclosure. 20. The sensing and control unit of claim 18, further comprising:
a wireless communication component, wherein periodically updating the setpoint temperature is based at least in part on a received wireless communication. 21. The sensing and control unit of claim 18, wherein occupancy is determined and the predetermined time interval is periodically modified during daytime hours. | Methods for controlling temperature in a conditioned enclosure such as a dwelling are described that include an “auto-away” and/or “auto-arrival” feature for detecting unexpected absences which provide opportunities for significant energy savings through automatic adjustment of the setpoint temperature. According to some preferred embodiments, when no occupancy has been detected for a minimum time interval, an “auto-away” feature triggers a changes of the state of the enclosure, and the actual operating setpoint temperature is changed to a predetermined energy-saving away-state temperature, regardless of the setpoint temperature indicated by the normal thermostat schedule. The purpose of the “auto away” feature is to avoid unnecessary heating or cooling when there are no occupants present to actually experience or enjoy the comfort settings of the schedule, thereby saving energy.1. A sensing and control unit comprising:
a memory storing a preexisting schedule; one or more processors configured to perform operations comprising:
controlling a temperature within an enclosure according to a first setpoint, wherein the first setpoint is from the preexisting schedule and represents a temperature for when the enclosure is occupied;
accessing occupancy data indicating occupancy within the enclosure; and
automatically changing the first setpoint to a second setpoint upon expiration of a predetermined time interval during which no occupancy has been detected, wherein:
the second setpoint requires less energy to maintain than the first setpoint; and
the predetermined time interval is modified based at least in part on prior-received data and prior automatic changes of setpoints in the enclosure. 2. The sensing and control unit of claim 1, further comprising:
one or more occupancy sensors configured to provide the occupancy data. 3. The sensing and control unit of claim 1, further comprising:
a wireless communication component, wherein automatically changing the first setpoint to the second setpoint is based at least in part on a received wireless communication. 4. A sensing and control unit comprising:
a memory storing a preexisting schedule; one or more processors configured to perform operations comprising:
controlling a temperature within an enclosure according to a first setpoint, wherein the first setpoint is from the preexisting schedule and represents a temperature for when the enclosure is occupied;
accessing occupancy data indicating occupancy within the enclosure; and
automatically changing the first setpoint to a second setpoint upon expiration of a predetermined time interval during which no occupancy has been detected, wherein the second setpoint requires less energy to maintain than the first setpoint; and
automatically changing the second setpoint temperature to a third setpoint upon expiration of a second predetermined time interval during which no occupancy has been detected, wherein the second time interval is longer than the first time interval. 5. The sensing and control unit of claim 4, further comprising:
one or more occupancy sensors configured to provide the occupancy data. 6. The sensing and control unit of claim 4, further comprising:
a wireless communication component, wherein automatically changing the first setpoint to the second setpoint is based at least in part on a received wireless communication. 7. The sensing and control unit of claim 4, wherein the third setpoint is approximately equal to the first setpoint. 8. The sensing and control unit of claim 4, wherein the third setpoint requires less energy to maintain than the second setpoint. 9. The sensing and control unit of claim 4, wherein the second time interval is 24 hours or longer. 10. The sensing and control unit of claim 4, wherein the second time interval is selected such that non-occupancy during the second time interval is likely to reflect a multi-day, non-occupancy period in the enclosure. 11. A sensing and control unit comprising:
a memory storing a preexisting schedule; one or more processors configured to perform operations comprising:
controlling a temperature within an enclosure according to a first setpoint, wherein the first setpoint is from the preexisting schedule and represents a temperature for when the enclosure is occupied;
accessing occupancy data indicating occupancy within the enclosure;
automatically changing the first setpoint to a second setpoint upon expiration of a first predetermined time interval during which no occupancy has been detected, wherein the second setpoint requires less energy to maintain than the first setpoint; and
modifying the preexisting schedule based at least in part on two or more automatic changes of the setpoint temperature. 12. The sensing and control unit of claim 11, further comprising:
one or more occupancy sensors configured to provide the occupancy data. 13. The sensing and control unit of claim 11, further comprising:
a wireless communication component, wherein automatically changing the first setpoint to the second setpoint is based at least in part on a received wireless communication. 14. The sensing and control unit of claim 11, wherein the two or more automatic changes occur at similar times on consecutive days or on similar days of consecutive weeks. 15. A sensing and control unit comprising:
a memory storing a preexisting schedule; one or more processors configured to perform operations comprising:
controlling a temperature within an enclosure according to a first setpoint, wherein the first setpoint is from the preexisting schedule and represents a temperature for when the enclosure is occupied;
accessing occupancy data indicating occupancy within the enclosure;
automatically changing the first setpoint to a second setpoint upon expiration of a first predetermined time interval during which no occupancy has been detected, wherein the second setpoint requires less energy to maintain than the first setpoint; and
automatically changing the second setpoint to a third setpoint upon expiration of a second predetermined time interval during which no occupancy has been detected, wherein:
the second time interval is longer than the first time interval;
the first time interval is selected such that non-occupancy during the first time interval is likely to reflect an intra-day non-occupancy period in the enclosure; and
the second time interval is selected such that non-occupancy during the second time interval is likely to reflect an inter-day non-occupancy period in the enclosure. 16. The sensing and control unit of claim 15, further comprising:
one or more occupancy sensors configured to provide the occupancy data. 17. The sensing and control unit of claim 15, further comprising:
a wireless communication component, wherein automatically changing the first setpoint to the second setpoint is based at least in part on a received wireless communication. 18. A sensing and control unit comprising:
a memory storing a preexisting schedule; one or more processors configured to perform operations comprising:
controlling temperature within an enclosure according to a setpoint temperature, an initial value of the setpoint temperature being from a preexisting schedule and representing a temperature suitable for when one or more persons are occupying the enclosure;
periodically accessing data indicating occupancy within the enclosure;
periodically updating the setpoint temperature upon expiration of a predetermined time interval during which no occupancy has been detected, the updated setpoint temperature requiring substantially less energy to maintain than the initial value of the setpoint temperature; and
periodically modifying the predetermined time interval based at least in part on prior received data and prior automatic changes of the setpoint temperature in the conditioned enclosure. 19. The sensing and control unit of claim 18, further comprising:
one or more occupancy sensors configured to provide occupancy data for determining occupancy within the enclosure. 20. The sensing and control unit of claim 18, further comprising:
a wireless communication component, wherein periodically updating the setpoint temperature is based at least in part on a received wireless communication. 21. The sensing and control unit of claim 18, wherein occupancy is determined and the predetermined time interval is periodically modified during daytime hours. | 3,700 |
343,705 | 16,803,135 | 3,741 | A printed circuit board (PCB) connector interface module and an accessory system. The module including a first layer, a second layer, and a plurality of inner layers. The first layer includes a first set of contact pads configured to electrically connect to an accessory device, and a heat and scratch resistant coverlay that is adjacent to and has a first surface that is level with a first surface of the first set of contact pads. The second layer including a second set of contact pads configured to electrically connect to an internal printed circuit board (PCB) of an electronic apparatus. The plurality of inner layers including one or more printed circuit boards (PCB) and a plurality of contact vias, wherein the plurality of contact vias electrically connect the first set of contact pads to the second set of contact pads. | 1. A printed circuit board (PCB) connector interface module comprising:
a first layer including
a first set of contact pads configured to electrically connect to an accessory device, and
a heat and scratch resistant coverlay that is adjacent to the first set of contact pads and a first surface of the heat and scratch resistant coverlay is level with a first surface of the first set of contact pads;
a second layer including a second set of contact pads and a solder mask that is adjacent to the second set of contact pads, the second set of contact pads is configured to electrically connect to an internal printed circuit board (PCB) of an electronic apparatus; a plurality of inner layers disposed between the first layer and the second layer, the plurality of inner layers including one or more printed circuit boards (PCB) and a plurality of contact vias, wherein the plurality of contact vias electrically connect the first set of contact pads to the second set of contact pads. 2. The PCB connector interface module of claim 1, wherein the plurality of inner layers includes
a first signal layer including a first portion of the plurality of contact vias, a first printed circuit board (PCB), and a first prepeg layer adjacent to the first portion of the plurality of contact vias and positioned between the first layer and the first PCB, a core layer including a second portion of the plurality of contact vias and a second prepeg layer adjacent to the second portion of the plurality of contact vias, and a second signal layer including a third portion of the plurality of contact vias, a third prepeg layer adjacent to the third portion of the plurality of contact vias, and a second printed circuit board (PCB). 3. The PCB connector interface module of claim 2, wherein the first signal layer includes a first oxide layer disposed on a first side of the first PCB, wherein the first oxide layer is between the first side of the first PCB and the first prepeg layer, wherein the second signal layer includes a second oxide layer disposed on a second side of the second PCB, wherein the second oxide layer is between the second side of the second PCB and the third prepeg layer. 4. The PCB connector interface module of claim 3, wherein the heat and scratch resistant coverlay has a first color, wherein the first oxide layer has a second color that is different than the first color, and wherein the first prepeg layer is translucent. 5. The PCB connector interface module of claim 3, wherein the heat and scratch resistant coverlay has a first color, wherein the first oxide layer has a second color that is different than the first color, and wherein the first prepeg layer has a third color that is similar to the first color. 6. The PCB connector interface module of claim 1, wherein the plurality of inner layers includes
a protection layer including a first portion of the plurality of contact vias, a copper layer, and a first prepeg layer adjacent to the first portion of the plurality of contact vias and positioned between the first layer and the copper layer, a first signal layer including a second portion of the plurality of contact vias, a second prepeg layer adjacent to the second portion of the plurality of contact vias, and a first printed circuit board, a core layer including a third portion of the plurality of contact vias and a third prepeg layer adjacent to the third portion of the plurality of contact vias, a second signal layer including a fourth portion of the plurality of contact vias, a fourth prepeg layer adjacent to the fourth portion of the plurality of contact vias, and a second printed circuit board, and a third signal layer including a fifth portion of the plurality of contact vias, a fifth prepeg layer adjacent to the fifth portion of the plurality of contact vias, and a third printed circuit board. 7. The PCB connector interface module of claim 1, further comprising:
a connector that is electrically connected to the second set of contact pads, wherein the second layer further includes a gang ground cut area that is adjacent to the connector, and wherein the second set of contact pads is configured to electrically connect to the internal PCB via the connector. 8. The PCB connector interface module of claim 7, wherein the second layer further includes an adhesive disposed on only the gang ground cut area, and wherein the adhesive is configured to adhere to the electronic apparatus. 9. The PCB connector interface module of claim 7, wherein the connector is a flexible printed circuit (FPC) connector. 10. The PCB connector interface module of claim 1, wherein the first layer includes a gap between the first set of contact pads and the heat and scratch resistant coverlay. 11. The PCB connector interface module of claim 1, wherein the first set of contact pads are gold plated copper contact pads, wherein the second set of contact pads are copper contact pads, and wherein the plurality of contact vias are a plurality of copper contact vias. 12. The PCB connector interface module of claim 11, wherein the first set of contact pads include 50 micrometers of copper plated with 10 micrometers of gold, and wherein the heat and scratch resistant coverlay includes 60 micrometers of polyimide. 13. The PCB connector interface module of claim 12, wherein the heat and scratch resistant coverlay is disposed on a gang ground cut area adjacent to the first set of contact pads. 14. The PCB connector interface module of claim 1, wherein the first set of contact pads are gold plated copper contact pads, wherein the second set of contact pads are two or more copper pads connected with tie bar traces, and wherein the plurality of contact vias are a plurality of copper contact vias. 15. The PCB connector interface module of claim 1, wherein the first surface of the heat and scratch resistant coverlay is level with the first surface of the first set of contact pads to within one micrometer. 16. An accessory system comprising:
an electronic apparatus; an accessory device; and a printed circuit board (PCB) connector interface module including
a first layer including
a first set of contact pads configured to electrically connect to the accessory device, and
a heat and scratch resistant coverlay that is adjacent to the first set of contact pads and a first surface of the heat and scratch resistant coverlay is level with a first surface of the first set of contact pads,
a second layer including a second set of contact pads and a solder mask that is adjacent to the second set of contact pads, the second set of contact pads is configured to electrically connect to an internal printed circuit board (PCB) of the electronic apparatus, and
a plurality of inner layers disposed between the first layer and the second layer, the plurality of inner layers including one or more printed circuit boards (PCB) and a plurality of contact vias, wherein the plurality of contact vias electrically connect the first set of contact pads to the second set of contact pads. 17. The accessory system of claim 16, wherein the plurality of inner layers includes
a first signal layer including a first portion of the plurality of contact vias, a first printed circuit board (PCB), and a first prepeg layer adjacent to the first portion of the plurality of contact vias and positioned between the first layer and the first PCB, a core layer including a second portion of the plurality of contact vias and a second prepeg layer adjacent to the second portion of the plurality of contact vias, and a second signal layer including a third portion of the plurality of contact vias, a third prepeg layer adjacent to the third portion of the plurality of contact vias, and a second printed circuit board (PCB). 18. The accessory system of claim 17, wherein the first signal layer includes a first oxide layer disposed on a first side of the first PCB, wherein the first oxide layer is between the first side of the first PCB and the first prepeg layer, wherein the second signal layer includes a second oxide layer disposed on a second side of the second PCB, wherein the second oxide layer is between the second side of the second PCB and the third prepeg layer. 19. The accessory system of claim 18, wherein the heat and scratch resistant coverlay has a first color, wherein the first oxide layer has a second color that is different than the first color, and wherein the first prepeg layer has a third color that is similar to the first color. 20. The accessory system of claim 16, wherein the plurality of inner layers includes
a protection layer including a first portion of the plurality of contact vias, a copper layer, and a first prepeg layer adjacent to the first portion of the plurality of contact vias and positioned between the first layer and the copper layer, a first signal layer including a second portion of the plurality of contact vias, a second prepeg layer adjacent to the second portion of the plurality of contact vias, and a first printed circuit board, a core layer including a third portion of the plurality of contact vias and a third prepeg layer adjacent to the third portion of the plurality of contact vias, a second signal layer including a fourth portion of the plurality of contact vias, a fourth prepeg layer adjacent to the fourth portion of the plurality of contact vias, and a second printed circuit board, and a third signal layer including a fifth portion of the plurality of contact vias, a fifth prepeg layer adjacent to the fifth portion of the plurality of contact vias, and a third printed circuit board. | A printed circuit board (PCB) connector interface module and an accessory system. The module including a first layer, a second layer, and a plurality of inner layers. The first layer includes a first set of contact pads configured to electrically connect to an accessory device, and a heat and scratch resistant coverlay that is adjacent to and has a first surface that is level with a first surface of the first set of contact pads. The second layer including a second set of contact pads configured to electrically connect to an internal printed circuit board (PCB) of an electronic apparatus. The plurality of inner layers including one or more printed circuit boards (PCB) and a plurality of contact vias, wherein the plurality of contact vias electrically connect the first set of contact pads to the second set of contact pads.1. A printed circuit board (PCB) connector interface module comprising:
a first layer including
a first set of contact pads configured to electrically connect to an accessory device, and
a heat and scratch resistant coverlay that is adjacent to the first set of contact pads and a first surface of the heat and scratch resistant coverlay is level with a first surface of the first set of contact pads;
a second layer including a second set of contact pads and a solder mask that is adjacent to the second set of contact pads, the second set of contact pads is configured to electrically connect to an internal printed circuit board (PCB) of an electronic apparatus; a plurality of inner layers disposed between the first layer and the second layer, the plurality of inner layers including one or more printed circuit boards (PCB) and a plurality of contact vias, wherein the plurality of contact vias electrically connect the first set of contact pads to the second set of contact pads. 2. The PCB connector interface module of claim 1, wherein the plurality of inner layers includes
a first signal layer including a first portion of the plurality of contact vias, a first printed circuit board (PCB), and a first prepeg layer adjacent to the first portion of the plurality of contact vias and positioned between the first layer and the first PCB, a core layer including a second portion of the plurality of contact vias and a second prepeg layer adjacent to the second portion of the plurality of contact vias, and a second signal layer including a third portion of the plurality of contact vias, a third prepeg layer adjacent to the third portion of the plurality of contact vias, and a second printed circuit board (PCB). 3. The PCB connector interface module of claim 2, wherein the first signal layer includes a first oxide layer disposed on a first side of the first PCB, wherein the first oxide layer is between the first side of the first PCB and the first prepeg layer, wherein the second signal layer includes a second oxide layer disposed on a second side of the second PCB, wherein the second oxide layer is between the second side of the second PCB and the third prepeg layer. 4. The PCB connector interface module of claim 3, wherein the heat and scratch resistant coverlay has a first color, wherein the first oxide layer has a second color that is different than the first color, and wherein the first prepeg layer is translucent. 5. The PCB connector interface module of claim 3, wherein the heat and scratch resistant coverlay has a first color, wherein the first oxide layer has a second color that is different than the first color, and wherein the first prepeg layer has a third color that is similar to the first color. 6. The PCB connector interface module of claim 1, wherein the plurality of inner layers includes
a protection layer including a first portion of the plurality of contact vias, a copper layer, and a first prepeg layer adjacent to the first portion of the plurality of contact vias and positioned between the first layer and the copper layer, a first signal layer including a second portion of the plurality of contact vias, a second prepeg layer adjacent to the second portion of the plurality of contact vias, and a first printed circuit board, a core layer including a third portion of the plurality of contact vias and a third prepeg layer adjacent to the third portion of the plurality of contact vias, a second signal layer including a fourth portion of the plurality of contact vias, a fourth prepeg layer adjacent to the fourth portion of the plurality of contact vias, and a second printed circuit board, and a third signal layer including a fifth portion of the plurality of contact vias, a fifth prepeg layer adjacent to the fifth portion of the plurality of contact vias, and a third printed circuit board. 7. The PCB connector interface module of claim 1, further comprising:
a connector that is electrically connected to the second set of contact pads, wherein the second layer further includes a gang ground cut area that is adjacent to the connector, and wherein the second set of contact pads is configured to electrically connect to the internal PCB via the connector. 8. The PCB connector interface module of claim 7, wherein the second layer further includes an adhesive disposed on only the gang ground cut area, and wherein the adhesive is configured to adhere to the electronic apparatus. 9. The PCB connector interface module of claim 7, wherein the connector is a flexible printed circuit (FPC) connector. 10. The PCB connector interface module of claim 1, wherein the first layer includes a gap between the first set of contact pads and the heat and scratch resistant coverlay. 11. The PCB connector interface module of claim 1, wherein the first set of contact pads are gold plated copper contact pads, wherein the second set of contact pads are copper contact pads, and wherein the plurality of contact vias are a plurality of copper contact vias. 12. The PCB connector interface module of claim 11, wherein the first set of contact pads include 50 micrometers of copper plated with 10 micrometers of gold, and wherein the heat and scratch resistant coverlay includes 60 micrometers of polyimide. 13. The PCB connector interface module of claim 12, wherein the heat and scratch resistant coverlay is disposed on a gang ground cut area adjacent to the first set of contact pads. 14. The PCB connector interface module of claim 1, wherein the first set of contact pads are gold plated copper contact pads, wherein the second set of contact pads are two or more copper pads connected with tie bar traces, and wherein the plurality of contact vias are a plurality of copper contact vias. 15. The PCB connector interface module of claim 1, wherein the first surface of the heat and scratch resistant coverlay is level with the first surface of the first set of contact pads to within one micrometer. 16. An accessory system comprising:
an electronic apparatus; an accessory device; and a printed circuit board (PCB) connector interface module including
a first layer including
a first set of contact pads configured to electrically connect to the accessory device, and
a heat and scratch resistant coverlay that is adjacent to the first set of contact pads and a first surface of the heat and scratch resistant coverlay is level with a first surface of the first set of contact pads,
a second layer including a second set of contact pads and a solder mask that is adjacent to the second set of contact pads, the second set of contact pads is configured to electrically connect to an internal printed circuit board (PCB) of the electronic apparatus, and
a plurality of inner layers disposed between the first layer and the second layer, the plurality of inner layers including one or more printed circuit boards (PCB) and a plurality of contact vias, wherein the plurality of contact vias electrically connect the first set of contact pads to the second set of contact pads. 17. The accessory system of claim 16, wherein the plurality of inner layers includes
a first signal layer including a first portion of the plurality of contact vias, a first printed circuit board (PCB), and a first prepeg layer adjacent to the first portion of the plurality of contact vias and positioned between the first layer and the first PCB, a core layer including a second portion of the plurality of contact vias and a second prepeg layer adjacent to the second portion of the plurality of contact vias, and a second signal layer including a third portion of the plurality of contact vias, a third prepeg layer adjacent to the third portion of the plurality of contact vias, and a second printed circuit board (PCB). 18. The accessory system of claim 17, wherein the first signal layer includes a first oxide layer disposed on a first side of the first PCB, wherein the first oxide layer is between the first side of the first PCB and the first prepeg layer, wherein the second signal layer includes a second oxide layer disposed on a second side of the second PCB, wherein the second oxide layer is between the second side of the second PCB and the third prepeg layer. 19. The accessory system of claim 18, wherein the heat and scratch resistant coverlay has a first color, wherein the first oxide layer has a second color that is different than the first color, and wherein the first prepeg layer has a third color that is similar to the first color. 20. The accessory system of claim 16, wherein the plurality of inner layers includes
a protection layer including a first portion of the plurality of contact vias, a copper layer, and a first prepeg layer adjacent to the first portion of the plurality of contact vias and positioned between the first layer and the copper layer, a first signal layer including a second portion of the plurality of contact vias, a second prepeg layer adjacent to the second portion of the plurality of contact vias, and a first printed circuit board, a core layer including a third portion of the plurality of contact vias and a third prepeg layer adjacent to the third portion of the plurality of contact vias, a second signal layer including a fourth portion of the plurality of contact vias, a fourth prepeg layer adjacent to the fourth portion of the plurality of contact vias, and a second printed circuit board, and a third signal layer including a fifth portion of the plurality of contact vias, a fifth prepeg layer adjacent to the fifth portion of the plurality of contact vias, and a third printed circuit board. | 3,700 |
343,706 | 16,803,147 | 3,741 | A gas washout vent, and a patient interface with the gas washout vent, configured to allow patient-exhaled CO2 to flow to an exterior of the plenum chamber to minimise rebreathing of exhaled CO2 by the patient, the gas washout vent including at least one outlet orifice; a diffusing member at least partly covering the outlet orifice; and a blocking member having an air-impermeable material, the blocking member preventing gas exiting from the outlet orifice from flowing straight through the diffusing member. | 1. A patient interface for sealed delivery of a flow of air at a continuously positive pressure with respect to ambient air pressure to an entrance to the patient's airways including at least an entrance of a patient's nares, wherein the patient interface is configured to maintain a therapy pressure in a range of about 4 cmH2O to about 30 cmH2O above ambient air pressure in use, throughout the patient's respiratory cycle, while the patient is sleeping, to ameliorate sleep disordered breathing, the patient interface comprising:
a sealing structure configured to seal around the entrance to the patient's airways; a positioning and stabilising structure to maintain the sealing structure in sealing contact with an area surrounding the entrance to the patient's airways while maintaining a therapeutic pressure at the entrance to the patient's airways; a plenum chamber configured to be pressurised at a pressure above ambient pressure in use; a gas washout vent configured to allow patient-exhaled CO2 to flow to an exterior of the plenum chamber to minimise rebreathing of exhaled CO2 by the patient, the gas washout vent including at least one outlet orifice; a diffusing member at least partly covering the outlet orifice; and a blocking member having an air-impermeable material, the blocking member preventing gas exiting from the outlet orifice from flowing straight through the diffusing member. 2. The patient interface according to claim 1, wherein the diffusing member and the blocking member are configured to direct the gas exiting from the outlet orifice outward from the diffusing member in an orientation different than the outlet orifice. 3. The patient interface according to claim 1, wherein the diffusing member provides a flow path parallel to a surface of the blocking member that is in contact with the diffusing member. 4. The patient interface according to claim 1, wherein the diffusing member is a porous material. 5. The patient interface according to claim 1, wherein the diffusing member is an open cell foam. 6. The patient interface according to claim 1, wherein the diffusing member is fibrous material. 7. The patient interface according to claim 1, wherein the blocking member is fixed to the diffusing member along a surface of the blocking member that contacts the diffusing member. 8. The patient interface according to claim 7, wherein the surface of the blocking member is opposite the outlet orifice with respect to a thickness of the diffusing member. 9. The patient interface according to claim 1, further comprising a plurality of outlet orifices. 10. The patient interface according to claim 9, wherein the diffusing member covers each of the plurality of outlet orifices. 11. The patient interface according to claim 1, wherein an axis defined by a center of the orifice is not perpendicular to a nearest surface of the diffusing member. 12. The patient interface according to claim 1, wherein the air-impermeable material is a flexible material. 13. The patient interface according to claim 1, wherein the air-impermeable material is a rigid material. 14. The patient interface according to claim 1, further comprising a channel configured to allow liquid to drain away from the outlet orifice. 15. The patient interface according to claim 14, wherein the orifice is in the channel. 16. The patient interface according to claim 15, wherein the channel has a V-shaped or U-shaped cross-section. 17. The patient interface according to claim 16, wherein the orifice is in a leg of the V-shaped or U-shaped cross section. 18. The patient interface according to claim 1, wherein the blocking member comprises holes configured to redirect the gas exiting from the orifice. 19. The patient interface according to claim 18, wherein the holes include multiple orientations of the holes that are configured to redirect the gas in multiple directions. 20. The patient interface according to claim 1, wherein the diffusing member and the blocking member are removably attached to the plenum chamber. | A gas washout vent, and a patient interface with the gas washout vent, configured to allow patient-exhaled CO2 to flow to an exterior of the plenum chamber to minimise rebreathing of exhaled CO2 by the patient, the gas washout vent including at least one outlet orifice; a diffusing member at least partly covering the outlet orifice; and a blocking member having an air-impermeable material, the blocking member preventing gas exiting from the outlet orifice from flowing straight through the diffusing member.1. A patient interface for sealed delivery of a flow of air at a continuously positive pressure with respect to ambient air pressure to an entrance to the patient's airways including at least an entrance of a patient's nares, wherein the patient interface is configured to maintain a therapy pressure in a range of about 4 cmH2O to about 30 cmH2O above ambient air pressure in use, throughout the patient's respiratory cycle, while the patient is sleeping, to ameliorate sleep disordered breathing, the patient interface comprising:
a sealing structure configured to seal around the entrance to the patient's airways; a positioning and stabilising structure to maintain the sealing structure in sealing contact with an area surrounding the entrance to the patient's airways while maintaining a therapeutic pressure at the entrance to the patient's airways; a plenum chamber configured to be pressurised at a pressure above ambient pressure in use; a gas washout vent configured to allow patient-exhaled CO2 to flow to an exterior of the plenum chamber to minimise rebreathing of exhaled CO2 by the patient, the gas washout vent including at least one outlet orifice; a diffusing member at least partly covering the outlet orifice; and a blocking member having an air-impermeable material, the blocking member preventing gas exiting from the outlet orifice from flowing straight through the diffusing member. 2. The patient interface according to claim 1, wherein the diffusing member and the blocking member are configured to direct the gas exiting from the outlet orifice outward from the diffusing member in an orientation different than the outlet orifice. 3. The patient interface according to claim 1, wherein the diffusing member provides a flow path parallel to a surface of the blocking member that is in contact with the diffusing member. 4. The patient interface according to claim 1, wherein the diffusing member is a porous material. 5. The patient interface according to claim 1, wherein the diffusing member is an open cell foam. 6. The patient interface according to claim 1, wherein the diffusing member is fibrous material. 7. The patient interface according to claim 1, wherein the blocking member is fixed to the diffusing member along a surface of the blocking member that contacts the diffusing member. 8. The patient interface according to claim 7, wherein the surface of the blocking member is opposite the outlet orifice with respect to a thickness of the diffusing member. 9. The patient interface according to claim 1, further comprising a plurality of outlet orifices. 10. The patient interface according to claim 9, wherein the diffusing member covers each of the plurality of outlet orifices. 11. The patient interface according to claim 1, wherein an axis defined by a center of the orifice is not perpendicular to a nearest surface of the diffusing member. 12. The patient interface according to claim 1, wherein the air-impermeable material is a flexible material. 13. The patient interface according to claim 1, wherein the air-impermeable material is a rigid material. 14. The patient interface according to claim 1, further comprising a channel configured to allow liquid to drain away from the outlet orifice. 15. The patient interface according to claim 14, wherein the orifice is in the channel. 16. The patient interface according to claim 15, wherein the channel has a V-shaped or U-shaped cross-section. 17. The patient interface according to claim 16, wherein the orifice is in a leg of the V-shaped or U-shaped cross section. 18. The patient interface according to claim 1, wherein the blocking member comprises holes configured to redirect the gas exiting from the orifice. 19. The patient interface according to claim 18, wherein the holes include multiple orientations of the holes that are configured to redirect the gas in multiple directions. 20. The patient interface according to claim 1, wherein the diffusing member and the blocking member are removably attached to the plenum chamber. | 3,700 |
343,707 | 16,803,117 | 3,741 | Methods, systems, and devices for wireless communications are described in which a receiving device, such as a receiving user equipment (UE) or vehicle, may provide channel state information (CSI) in which two or more parameters associated with the CSI are provided in a single joint indication. A transmitting device may transmit one or more reference signals and the receiving device may perform one or more measurements on the received reference signal(s). Based on the one or more measurements, the receiving device may determine one or more CSI parameters, such as a rank indicator, channel quality indicator, precoding matrix indicator, or combinations thereof, that may be provided to the transmitting device in a joint indication. | 1. A method for wireless communication at a receiving device, comprising:
receiving, via sidelink communications from a transmitting device, one or more reference signals for determination of at least a rank indicator and a channel quality indicator at the receiving device; identifying, based at least in part on one or more measurements of the one or more reference signals, a joint indication that provides at least the rank indicator and the channel quality indicator of the receiving device; and transmitting, via the sidelink communications, the joint indication to the transmitting device. 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the identifying comprises:
determining the rank indicator at the receiving device based at least in part on the one or more measurements of the one or more reference signals; determining the channel quality indicator at the receiving device based at least in part on the one or more measurements of the one or more reference signals; and identifying the joint indication based at least in part on a mapping between the rank indicator and the channel quality indicator and the joint indication. 3. The method of claim 2, wherein the mapping between the rank indicator, the channel quality indicator, and the joint indication is provided in a table that provides a joint indication value for each of a plurality of different combinations of rank indicators and channel quality indicators. 4. The method of claim 1, further comprising:
receiving configuration information that indicates a first table, from a plurality of available tables that provide at least one of rank indicators, and channel quality indicators, or combinations thereof, to be used for the sidelink communications. 5. The method of claim 4, wherein the identifying comprises:
identifying a first entry in the first table that corresponds to the rank indicator and the channel quality indicator at the receiving device; and identifying a first joint indication value that is associated with the first entry in the first table, and wherein the joint indication provides the first joint indication value to the transmitting device. 6. The method of claim 4, wherein the configuration information is received via radio resource control signaling. 7. The method of claim 1, wherein the joint indication further provides a precoding matrix indicator that is determined based at least in part on the one or more measurements of the one or more reference signals at the receiving device. 8. The method of claim 1, further comprising:
transmitting the joint indication to a serving base station associated with one or more of the transmitting device or the receiving device. 9. A method for wireless communication at a transmitting device, comprising:
transmitting, via sidelink communications to a receiving device, one or more reference signals for determination of at least a rank indicator and a channel quality indicator at the receiving device; receiving, via the sidelink communications from the receiving device, a joint indication that provides at least the rank indicator and the channel quality indicator of the receiving device; and communicating with the receiving device via the sidelink communications based at least in part on the rank indicator and the channel quality indicator. 10. The method of claim 9, further comprising:
determining the rank indicator of the receiving device and the channel quality indicator of the receiving device based at least in part on a mapping between the rank indicator and the channel quality indicator and the joint indication. 11. The method of claim 10, wherein the mapping between the rank indicator, the channel quality indicator and the joint indication is provided in a table that provides a joint indication value for each of a plurality of different combinations of rank indicators and channel quality indicators. 12. The method of claim 9, further comprising:
identifying that a first table, from a plurality of available tables that provide joint indication values for different combinations of rank indicators and channel quality indicators, is to be used for the sidelink communications; and transmitting configuration information to the receiving device that indicates the first table is to be used for the sidelink communications. 13. The method of claim 12, further comprising:
identifying a first entry in the first table that corresponds to the joint indication received from the receiving device; and identifying the rank indicator and the channel quality indicator that are associated with the first entry in the first table. 14. The method of claim 12, wherein the configuration information is transmitted via radio resource control signaling. 15. The method of claim 9, wherein the joint indication further provides a precoding matrix indicator that is determined based at least in part on one or more measurements of the one or more reference signals at the receiving device. 16. The method of claim 9, further comprising:
transmitting the joint indication to a serving base station associated with one or more of the transmitting device or the receiving device. 17. An apparatus for wireless communication at a receiving device, comprising:
a processor, memory in electronic communication with the processor; and instructions stored in the memory and executable by the processor to cause the apparatus to:
receive, via sidelink communications from a transmitting device, one or more reference signals for determination of at least a rank indicator and a channel quality indicator at the receiving device;
identify, based at least in part on one or more measurements of the one or more reference signals, a joint indication that provides at least the rank indicator and the channel quality indicator; and
transmit, via the sidelink communications, the joint indication to the transmitting device. 18. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein the instructions to identify the joint indication are further executable by the processor to cause the apparatus to:
determine the rank indicator at the receiving device based at least in part on the one or more measurements of the one or more reference signals; determine the channel quality indicator at the receiving device based at least in part on the one or more measurements of the one or more reference signals; and identify the joint indication based at least in part on a mapping between the rank indicator and the channel quality indicator and the joint indication. 19. The apparatus of claim 18, wherein the mapping between the rank indicator, the channel quality indicator, and the joint indication is provided in a table that provides a joint indication value for each of a plurality of different combinations of rank indicators and channel quality indicators. 20. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein the instructions are further executable by the processor to cause the apparatus to:
receive configuration information that indicates a first table, from a plurality of available tables that provide at least one of rank indicators, and channel quality indicators, or combinations thereof, to be used for the sidelink communications. 21. The apparatus of claim 20, wherein the instructions to identify a joint indication are further executable by the processor to cause the apparatus to:
identify a first entry in the first table that corresponds to the rank indicator and the channel quality indicator at the receiving device; and identify a first joint indication value that is associated with the first entry in the first table, and wherein the joint indication provides the first joint indication value to the transmitting device. 22. The apparatus of claim 20, wherein the configuration information is received via radio resource control signaling. 23. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein the joint indication further provides a precoding matrix indicator that is determined based at least in part on the one or more measurements of the one or more reference signals at the receiving device. 24. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein the instructions are further executable by the processor to cause the apparatus to:
transmit the joint indication to a serving base station associated with one or more of the transmitting device or the receiving device. 25. An apparatus for wireless communication at a transmitting device, comprising:
a processor, memory in electronic communication with the processor; and instructions stored in the memory and executable by the processor to cause the apparatus to:
transmit, via sidelink communications to a receiving device, one or more reference signals for determination of at least a rank indicator and a channel quality indicator at the receiving device;
receive, via the sidelink communications from the receiving device, a joint indication that provides at least the rank indicator and the channel quality indicator of the receiving device; and
communicate with the receiving device via the sidelink communications based at least in part on the rank indicator and the channel quality indicator. 26. The apparatus of claim 25, wherein the instructions are further executable by the processor to cause the apparatus to:
determine the rank indicator of the receiving device and the channel quality indicator of the receiving device based at least in part on a mapping between the rank indicator and the channel quality indicator and the joint indication. 27. The apparatus of claim 26, wherein the mapping between the rank indicator, the channel quality indicator and the joint indication is provided in a table that provides a joint indication value for each of a plurality of different combinations of rank indicators and channel quality indicators. 28. The apparatus of claim 25, wherein the instructions are further executable by the processor to cause the apparatus to:
identify that a first table, from a plurality of available tables that provide joint indication values for different combinations of rank indicators and channel quality indicators, is to be used for the sidelink communications; and transmit configuration information to the receiving device that indicates the first table is to be used for the sidelink communications. 29. The apparatus of claim 28, wherein the instructions are further executable by the processor to cause the apparatus to:
identify a first entry in the first table that corresponds to the joint indication received from the receiving device; and identify the rank indicator and the channel quality indicator that are associated with the first entry in the first table. 30. The apparatus of claim 25, wherein the instructions are further executable by the processor to cause the apparatus to:
transmitting the joint indication to a serving base station associated with one or more of the transmitting device or the receiving device. | Methods, systems, and devices for wireless communications are described in which a receiving device, such as a receiving user equipment (UE) or vehicle, may provide channel state information (CSI) in which two or more parameters associated with the CSI are provided in a single joint indication. A transmitting device may transmit one or more reference signals and the receiving device may perform one or more measurements on the received reference signal(s). Based on the one or more measurements, the receiving device may determine one or more CSI parameters, such as a rank indicator, channel quality indicator, precoding matrix indicator, or combinations thereof, that may be provided to the transmitting device in a joint indication.1. A method for wireless communication at a receiving device, comprising:
receiving, via sidelink communications from a transmitting device, one or more reference signals for determination of at least a rank indicator and a channel quality indicator at the receiving device; identifying, based at least in part on one or more measurements of the one or more reference signals, a joint indication that provides at least the rank indicator and the channel quality indicator of the receiving device; and transmitting, via the sidelink communications, the joint indication to the transmitting device. 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the identifying comprises:
determining the rank indicator at the receiving device based at least in part on the one or more measurements of the one or more reference signals; determining the channel quality indicator at the receiving device based at least in part on the one or more measurements of the one or more reference signals; and identifying the joint indication based at least in part on a mapping between the rank indicator and the channel quality indicator and the joint indication. 3. The method of claim 2, wherein the mapping between the rank indicator, the channel quality indicator, and the joint indication is provided in a table that provides a joint indication value for each of a plurality of different combinations of rank indicators and channel quality indicators. 4. The method of claim 1, further comprising:
receiving configuration information that indicates a first table, from a plurality of available tables that provide at least one of rank indicators, and channel quality indicators, or combinations thereof, to be used for the sidelink communications. 5. The method of claim 4, wherein the identifying comprises:
identifying a first entry in the first table that corresponds to the rank indicator and the channel quality indicator at the receiving device; and identifying a first joint indication value that is associated with the first entry in the first table, and wherein the joint indication provides the first joint indication value to the transmitting device. 6. The method of claim 4, wherein the configuration information is received via radio resource control signaling. 7. The method of claim 1, wherein the joint indication further provides a precoding matrix indicator that is determined based at least in part on the one or more measurements of the one or more reference signals at the receiving device. 8. The method of claim 1, further comprising:
transmitting the joint indication to a serving base station associated with one or more of the transmitting device or the receiving device. 9. A method for wireless communication at a transmitting device, comprising:
transmitting, via sidelink communications to a receiving device, one or more reference signals for determination of at least a rank indicator and a channel quality indicator at the receiving device; receiving, via the sidelink communications from the receiving device, a joint indication that provides at least the rank indicator and the channel quality indicator of the receiving device; and communicating with the receiving device via the sidelink communications based at least in part on the rank indicator and the channel quality indicator. 10. The method of claim 9, further comprising:
determining the rank indicator of the receiving device and the channel quality indicator of the receiving device based at least in part on a mapping between the rank indicator and the channel quality indicator and the joint indication. 11. The method of claim 10, wherein the mapping between the rank indicator, the channel quality indicator and the joint indication is provided in a table that provides a joint indication value for each of a plurality of different combinations of rank indicators and channel quality indicators. 12. The method of claim 9, further comprising:
identifying that a first table, from a plurality of available tables that provide joint indication values for different combinations of rank indicators and channel quality indicators, is to be used for the sidelink communications; and transmitting configuration information to the receiving device that indicates the first table is to be used for the sidelink communications. 13. The method of claim 12, further comprising:
identifying a first entry in the first table that corresponds to the joint indication received from the receiving device; and identifying the rank indicator and the channel quality indicator that are associated with the first entry in the first table. 14. The method of claim 12, wherein the configuration information is transmitted via radio resource control signaling. 15. The method of claim 9, wherein the joint indication further provides a precoding matrix indicator that is determined based at least in part on one or more measurements of the one or more reference signals at the receiving device. 16. The method of claim 9, further comprising:
transmitting the joint indication to a serving base station associated with one or more of the transmitting device or the receiving device. 17. An apparatus for wireless communication at a receiving device, comprising:
a processor, memory in electronic communication with the processor; and instructions stored in the memory and executable by the processor to cause the apparatus to:
receive, via sidelink communications from a transmitting device, one or more reference signals for determination of at least a rank indicator and a channel quality indicator at the receiving device;
identify, based at least in part on one or more measurements of the one or more reference signals, a joint indication that provides at least the rank indicator and the channel quality indicator; and
transmit, via the sidelink communications, the joint indication to the transmitting device. 18. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein the instructions to identify the joint indication are further executable by the processor to cause the apparatus to:
determine the rank indicator at the receiving device based at least in part on the one or more measurements of the one or more reference signals; determine the channel quality indicator at the receiving device based at least in part on the one or more measurements of the one or more reference signals; and identify the joint indication based at least in part on a mapping between the rank indicator and the channel quality indicator and the joint indication. 19. The apparatus of claim 18, wherein the mapping between the rank indicator, the channel quality indicator, and the joint indication is provided in a table that provides a joint indication value for each of a plurality of different combinations of rank indicators and channel quality indicators. 20. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein the instructions are further executable by the processor to cause the apparatus to:
receive configuration information that indicates a first table, from a plurality of available tables that provide at least one of rank indicators, and channel quality indicators, or combinations thereof, to be used for the sidelink communications. 21. The apparatus of claim 20, wherein the instructions to identify a joint indication are further executable by the processor to cause the apparatus to:
identify a first entry in the first table that corresponds to the rank indicator and the channel quality indicator at the receiving device; and identify a first joint indication value that is associated with the first entry in the first table, and wherein the joint indication provides the first joint indication value to the transmitting device. 22. The apparatus of claim 20, wherein the configuration information is received via radio resource control signaling. 23. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein the joint indication further provides a precoding matrix indicator that is determined based at least in part on the one or more measurements of the one or more reference signals at the receiving device. 24. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein the instructions are further executable by the processor to cause the apparatus to:
transmit the joint indication to a serving base station associated with one or more of the transmitting device or the receiving device. 25. An apparatus for wireless communication at a transmitting device, comprising:
a processor, memory in electronic communication with the processor; and instructions stored in the memory and executable by the processor to cause the apparatus to:
transmit, via sidelink communications to a receiving device, one or more reference signals for determination of at least a rank indicator and a channel quality indicator at the receiving device;
receive, via the sidelink communications from the receiving device, a joint indication that provides at least the rank indicator and the channel quality indicator of the receiving device; and
communicate with the receiving device via the sidelink communications based at least in part on the rank indicator and the channel quality indicator. 26. The apparatus of claim 25, wherein the instructions are further executable by the processor to cause the apparatus to:
determine the rank indicator of the receiving device and the channel quality indicator of the receiving device based at least in part on a mapping between the rank indicator and the channel quality indicator and the joint indication. 27. The apparatus of claim 26, wherein the mapping between the rank indicator, the channel quality indicator and the joint indication is provided in a table that provides a joint indication value for each of a plurality of different combinations of rank indicators and channel quality indicators. 28. The apparatus of claim 25, wherein the instructions are further executable by the processor to cause the apparatus to:
identify that a first table, from a plurality of available tables that provide joint indication values for different combinations of rank indicators and channel quality indicators, is to be used for the sidelink communications; and transmit configuration information to the receiving device that indicates the first table is to be used for the sidelink communications. 29. The apparatus of claim 28, wherein the instructions are further executable by the processor to cause the apparatus to:
identify a first entry in the first table that corresponds to the joint indication received from the receiving device; and identify the rank indicator and the channel quality indicator that are associated with the first entry in the first table. 30. The apparatus of claim 25, wherein the instructions are further executable by the processor to cause the apparatus to:
transmitting the joint indication to a serving base station associated with one or more of the transmitting device or the receiving device. | 3,700 |
343,708 | 16,803,137 | 3,741 | A voice-activated electric toothbrush system including an electric toothbrush, a charging station such as an inductive charging station that provides power to the electric toothbrush, and a voice-assistant application that may be included in the electric toothbrush or the charging station. The device that includes the voice-assistant application may also include one or more microphones for receiving voice input, such as a microphone array, and one or more speakers for providing voice output, such as a speaker array. The toothbrush and the charging station may communicate with each other via a short-range communication link—and may also communicate with a client computing device of the user via short-range communication. The electric toothbrush may include one or more sensors for detecting sensor data during a brushing session which may be used when generating the voice output. | 1. A system for providing voice assistance regarding an electric toothbrush, the system comprising:
an electric toothbrush; and a charging station configured to provide power to the electric toothbrush, the charging station including: a communication interface; one or more processors; a speaker; a microphone; and a non-transitory computer-readable memory coupled to the one or more processors, the speaker, the microphone, and the communication interface, and storing thereon instructions that, when executed by the one or more processors, cause the charging station to: receive, from a user via the microphone, voice input regarding the electric toothbrush; and provide, to the user via the speaker, voice output related to the electric toothbrush. 2. The system of claim 1, wherein the instructions further cause the charging station to:
analyze the received voice input to determine a request from the user; obtain electric toothbrush data or user performance data for the electric toothbrush related to the request; analyze, according to the request, the electric toothbrush data or the user performance data for the electric toothbrush to generate a voice response to the request; and provide, via the speaker, the voice response to the request. 3. The system of claim 2, wherein the instructions further cause the charging station to adjust operation of the electric toothbrush based on the request. 4. The system of claim 2, wherein to analyze the received voice input to determine a request from the user, the instructions cause the charging station to:
transcribe the voice input into text input; compare the text input to a set of grammar rules; and identify a request from a plurality of candidate requests based on the comparison. 5. The system of claim 4, wherein each candidate request is associated with one or more steps for determining the voice response to the candidate request or performing an action related to the electric toothbrush. 6. The system of claim 4, wherein the plurality of candidate requests includes at least one of:
a first candidate request regarding an amount of charge remaining for the electric toothbrush, a second candidate request regarding an estimated life remaining for an electric toothbrush head removably attached to an electric toothbrush handle, a third candidate request related to brushing performance of the user, a fourth candidate request related to a number of brushing sessions remaining before the electric toothbrush requires additional charge, a fifth candidate request to turn the electric toothbrush on or off, and a sixth candidate request to change a brushing mode for the electric toothbrush. 7. The system of claim 1, wherein to provide voice output related to the electric toothbrush to the user, the instructions cause the charging station to:
obtain, via the communication interface, sensor data from one or more sensors in the electric toothbrush; analyze the sensor data to identify one or more user performance metrics related to use of the electric toothbrush; and provide voice instructions to the user based on the one or more user performance metrics. 8. The system of claim 1, wherein the instructions further cause the charging station to:
obtain an indication of a noise level in an area encompassing the electric toothbrush; and adjust a volume of the speaker in accordance with the noise level. 9. The system of claim 8, wherein the instructions further cause the charging station to delay the voice output provided via the speaker in accordance with the noise level. 10. The system of claim 1, wherein the electric toothbrush includes an electric toothbrush head removably attached to an electric toothbrush handle, and wherein the instructions further cause the charging station to:
obtain an indication of a number of brushing sessions in which the electric toothbrush head has been used; determine an estimated life remaining for the electric toothbrush head based on the number of brushing sessions in which the electric toothbrush head has been used; and provide, via the speaker, the voice output including an indication of the estimated life remaining for the electric toothbrush head. 11. A method for providing voice assistance regarding an electric toothbrush, the method comprising:
receiving, at a charging station that provides power to an electric toothbrush, voice input via a microphone from a user of the electric toothbrush; analyzing, by the charging station, the received voice input to determine a request from the user; determining, by the charging station, an action in response to the request; and performing, by the charging station, the action in response to the request by providing, via a speaker, a voice response to the request, providing a visual indicator, or adjusting operation of the electric toothbrush based on the request. 12. The method of claim 11, wherein performing the action in response to the request further includes transmitting, by one or more processors, information in response to the request to a client device of the user. 13. The method of claim 11, wherein determining an action in response to the request includes determining one or more steps to perform to carry out the action. 14. The method of claim 13, wherein determining one or more steps to perform to carry out the action includes:
obtaining electric toothbrush data for the electric toothbrush; analyzing the electric toothbrush data to identify one or more characteristics of the electric toothbrush; and providing voice instructions to the user based on the identified one or more characteristics. 15. The method of claim 11, wherein analyzing the received voice input to determine a request from the user includes:
transcribing the voice input into text input; comparing the text input to a set of grammar rules; and identifying a request from a plurality of candidate requests based on the comparison. 16. A method for providing voice assistance regarding an electric toothbrush, the method comprising:
during a brushing session by a user: obtaining, at a charging station providing power to an electric toothbrush, sensor data from one or more sensors included the electric toothbrush; analyzing, by the charging station, the sensor data to identify one or more user performance metrics related to use of the electric toothbrush by the user; and providing, by the charging station via a speaker, voice output to the user based on the one or more user performance metrics. 17. The method of claim 16, further comprising:
obtaining an indication of a noise level in an area encompassing the electric toothbrush; and adjusting a volume of the speaker in accordance with the noise level or delaying the voice output provided via the speaker. 18. The method of claim 17, further comprising delaying the voice output provided via the speaker in accordance with the noise level. 19. The method of claim 16, wherein analyzing the sensor data to identify one or more user performance metrics includes analyzing the sensor data to identify segments of a set of teeth of the user which have not been brushed during the brushing session, and wherein providing voice output to the user includes providing voice instructions to brush the identified segments. 20. The method of claim 16, wherein analyzing the sensor data to identify one or more user performance metrics includes analyzing the sensor data to determine an estimated life remaining for an electric toothbrush head removably attached to an electric toothbrush handle and determine that the electric toothbrush head removably needs to be changed based on the estimated life remaining, and wherein providing voice output to the user includes providing voice instructions to change the electric toothbrush head. 21. The method of claim 16, wherein analyzing the sensor data to identify one or more user performance metrics includes analyzing the sensor data to determine whether a brushing force used by the user is above or below a brushing force threshold, and wherein providing voice output to the user includes providing voice instructions to increase or decrease the brushing force. 22. The method of claim 16, wherein analyzing the sensor data to identify one or more user performance metrics includes analyzing the sensor data to identify the user, and wherein providing voice output includes providing voice output specific to the identified user. | A voice-activated electric toothbrush system including an electric toothbrush, a charging station such as an inductive charging station that provides power to the electric toothbrush, and a voice-assistant application that may be included in the electric toothbrush or the charging station. The device that includes the voice-assistant application may also include one or more microphones for receiving voice input, such as a microphone array, and one or more speakers for providing voice output, such as a speaker array. The toothbrush and the charging station may communicate with each other via a short-range communication link—and may also communicate with a client computing device of the user via short-range communication. The electric toothbrush may include one or more sensors for detecting sensor data during a brushing session which may be used when generating the voice output.1. A system for providing voice assistance regarding an electric toothbrush, the system comprising:
an electric toothbrush; and a charging station configured to provide power to the electric toothbrush, the charging station including: a communication interface; one or more processors; a speaker; a microphone; and a non-transitory computer-readable memory coupled to the one or more processors, the speaker, the microphone, and the communication interface, and storing thereon instructions that, when executed by the one or more processors, cause the charging station to: receive, from a user via the microphone, voice input regarding the electric toothbrush; and provide, to the user via the speaker, voice output related to the electric toothbrush. 2. The system of claim 1, wherein the instructions further cause the charging station to:
analyze the received voice input to determine a request from the user; obtain electric toothbrush data or user performance data for the electric toothbrush related to the request; analyze, according to the request, the electric toothbrush data or the user performance data for the electric toothbrush to generate a voice response to the request; and provide, via the speaker, the voice response to the request. 3. The system of claim 2, wherein the instructions further cause the charging station to adjust operation of the electric toothbrush based on the request. 4. The system of claim 2, wherein to analyze the received voice input to determine a request from the user, the instructions cause the charging station to:
transcribe the voice input into text input; compare the text input to a set of grammar rules; and identify a request from a plurality of candidate requests based on the comparison. 5. The system of claim 4, wherein each candidate request is associated with one or more steps for determining the voice response to the candidate request or performing an action related to the electric toothbrush. 6. The system of claim 4, wherein the plurality of candidate requests includes at least one of:
a first candidate request regarding an amount of charge remaining for the electric toothbrush, a second candidate request regarding an estimated life remaining for an electric toothbrush head removably attached to an electric toothbrush handle, a third candidate request related to brushing performance of the user, a fourth candidate request related to a number of brushing sessions remaining before the electric toothbrush requires additional charge, a fifth candidate request to turn the electric toothbrush on or off, and a sixth candidate request to change a brushing mode for the electric toothbrush. 7. The system of claim 1, wherein to provide voice output related to the electric toothbrush to the user, the instructions cause the charging station to:
obtain, via the communication interface, sensor data from one or more sensors in the electric toothbrush; analyze the sensor data to identify one or more user performance metrics related to use of the electric toothbrush; and provide voice instructions to the user based on the one or more user performance metrics. 8. The system of claim 1, wherein the instructions further cause the charging station to:
obtain an indication of a noise level in an area encompassing the electric toothbrush; and adjust a volume of the speaker in accordance with the noise level. 9. The system of claim 8, wherein the instructions further cause the charging station to delay the voice output provided via the speaker in accordance with the noise level. 10. The system of claim 1, wherein the electric toothbrush includes an electric toothbrush head removably attached to an electric toothbrush handle, and wherein the instructions further cause the charging station to:
obtain an indication of a number of brushing sessions in which the electric toothbrush head has been used; determine an estimated life remaining for the electric toothbrush head based on the number of brushing sessions in which the electric toothbrush head has been used; and provide, via the speaker, the voice output including an indication of the estimated life remaining for the electric toothbrush head. 11. A method for providing voice assistance regarding an electric toothbrush, the method comprising:
receiving, at a charging station that provides power to an electric toothbrush, voice input via a microphone from a user of the electric toothbrush; analyzing, by the charging station, the received voice input to determine a request from the user; determining, by the charging station, an action in response to the request; and performing, by the charging station, the action in response to the request by providing, via a speaker, a voice response to the request, providing a visual indicator, or adjusting operation of the electric toothbrush based on the request. 12. The method of claim 11, wherein performing the action in response to the request further includes transmitting, by one or more processors, information in response to the request to a client device of the user. 13. The method of claim 11, wherein determining an action in response to the request includes determining one or more steps to perform to carry out the action. 14. The method of claim 13, wherein determining one or more steps to perform to carry out the action includes:
obtaining electric toothbrush data for the electric toothbrush; analyzing the electric toothbrush data to identify one or more characteristics of the electric toothbrush; and providing voice instructions to the user based on the identified one or more characteristics. 15. The method of claim 11, wherein analyzing the received voice input to determine a request from the user includes:
transcribing the voice input into text input; comparing the text input to a set of grammar rules; and identifying a request from a plurality of candidate requests based on the comparison. 16. A method for providing voice assistance regarding an electric toothbrush, the method comprising:
during a brushing session by a user: obtaining, at a charging station providing power to an electric toothbrush, sensor data from one or more sensors included the electric toothbrush; analyzing, by the charging station, the sensor data to identify one or more user performance metrics related to use of the electric toothbrush by the user; and providing, by the charging station via a speaker, voice output to the user based on the one or more user performance metrics. 17. The method of claim 16, further comprising:
obtaining an indication of a noise level in an area encompassing the electric toothbrush; and adjusting a volume of the speaker in accordance with the noise level or delaying the voice output provided via the speaker. 18. The method of claim 17, further comprising delaying the voice output provided via the speaker in accordance with the noise level. 19. The method of claim 16, wherein analyzing the sensor data to identify one or more user performance metrics includes analyzing the sensor data to identify segments of a set of teeth of the user which have not been brushed during the brushing session, and wherein providing voice output to the user includes providing voice instructions to brush the identified segments. 20. The method of claim 16, wherein analyzing the sensor data to identify one or more user performance metrics includes analyzing the sensor data to determine an estimated life remaining for an electric toothbrush head removably attached to an electric toothbrush handle and determine that the electric toothbrush head removably needs to be changed based on the estimated life remaining, and wherein providing voice output to the user includes providing voice instructions to change the electric toothbrush head. 21. The method of claim 16, wherein analyzing the sensor data to identify one or more user performance metrics includes analyzing the sensor data to determine whether a brushing force used by the user is above or below a brushing force threshold, and wherein providing voice output to the user includes providing voice instructions to increase or decrease the brushing force. 22. The method of claim 16, wherein analyzing the sensor data to identify one or more user performance metrics includes analyzing the sensor data to identify the user, and wherein providing voice output includes providing voice output specific to the identified user. | 3,700 |
343,709 | 16,803,139 | 3,741 | An image capture device includes a heatsink having a cutout within the heatsink. The image capture device also includes a housing, a mounting structure located on an external side of the housing, and an integrated sensor and lens assembly (ISLA) extending through the cutout in the heatsink and connecting to the mounting structure. The ISLA is free of contact with the heatsink. The heatsink can include mounting flanges to support components including printed circuit boards and battery cages. | 1. An image capture device comprising:
a heatsink comprising a cutout within the heatsink; a housing; a mounting structure located on an external side of the housing; and an integrated sensor and lens assembly (ISLA) extending through the cutout in the heatsink and connecting to the mounting structure, wherein the ISLA is free of contact with the heatsink. 2. The image capture device of claim 1, wherein the ISLA is connected to the mounting structure via mounting arms of the ISLA and the ISLA is free of contact with the housing. 3. The image capture device of claim 1, wherein the mounting structure is free of contact with the heatsink, and wherein the mounting structure includes a bayonet. 4. The image capture device of claim 2, wherein the cutout within the heatsink is complementary in shape to the mounting arms of the ISLA. 5. The image capture device of claim 1, wherein the heatsink includes a space adjacent to the cutout so that a mass of the heatsink, thermal performance of the heatsink, or both, are balanced along the heatsink. 6. The image capture device of claim 5, wherein the space is an absence of material within the heatsink, is a through hole within the heatsink, or both. 7. The image capture device of claim 1, wherein the heatsink includes two or more mounting flanges that extend away from a planar surface of the heatsink. 8. The image capture device of claim 7, wherein a space of the heatsink is located on an opposite side of the planar surface as the two or more mounting flanges. 9. An image capture device, comprising:
a heatsink comprising a cutout within the heatsink and a mounting flange; a housing; a mounting structure located on an external side of the housing; an integrated sensor and lens assembly (ISLA) extending through the cutout in the heatsink and connecting to the mounting structure, wherein the ISLA is free of contact with the heatsink; and a battery cage, wherein the mounting flange includes a finger mounting flange in communication with the battery cage to support the battery cage within the image capture device. 10. The image capture device of claim 9, wherein the battery cage is directly connected to the finger mounting flange. 11. The image capture device of claim 9, wherein the image capture device includes a housing and the heatsink is entirely located within the housing. 12. The image capture device of claim 9, wherein the heatsink includes a planar surface and the battery cage is connected to both the planar surface and the finger mounting flange. 13. The image capture device of claim 9, wherein the finger mounting flange includes seal recesses. 14. The image capture device of claim 9, wherein the finger mounting flange includes a space configured to balance a mass of the heatsink, balance thermal performance of the heatsink, or both along the heatsink. 15. An image capture device comprising:
a housing; a heatsink located partially or completely within the housing, wherein the heatsink comprises a planar surface defining a cutout within the heatsink and mounting flanges extending from the planar surface; a mounting structure located on an external side of the housing; an integrated sensor and lens assembly (ISLA) extending through the cutout in the heatsink and connecting to the mounting structure, wherein the ISLA is free of contact with the heatsink; a printed circuit board connected to the mounting flanges; and an antenna connected to the printed circuit board, wherein the mounting flanges maintain a space between the housing and the antenna. 16. The image capture device of claim 15, wherein a thickness of the antenna is equal to or greater than a thickness of mounting flanges. 17. The image capture device of claim 15, wherein the mounting flanges are a first mounting flange and a second mounting flange, and wherein the antenna is located between the first mounting flange and the second mounting flange. 18. The image capture device of claim 17, wherein the antenna is located between the printed circuit board and the housing. 19. The image capture device of claim 15, wherein the printed circuit board is connected to and grounded to the mounting flanges via fasteners. 20. The image capture device of claim 15, wherein the printed circuit board and the housing are located on opposite sides of the mounting flanges. | An image capture device includes a heatsink having a cutout within the heatsink. The image capture device also includes a housing, a mounting structure located on an external side of the housing, and an integrated sensor and lens assembly (ISLA) extending through the cutout in the heatsink and connecting to the mounting structure. The ISLA is free of contact with the heatsink. The heatsink can include mounting flanges to support components including printed circuit boards and battery cages.1. An image capture device comprising:
a heatsink comprising a cutout within the heatsink; a housing; a mounting structure located on an external side of the housing; and an integrated sensor and lens assembly (ISLA) extending through the cutout in the heatsink and connecting to the mounting structure, wherein the ISLA is free of contact with the heatsink. 2. The image capture device of claim 1, wherein the ISLA is connected to the mounting structure via mounting arms of the ISLA and the ISLA is free of contact with the housing. 3. The image capture device of claim 1, wherein the mounting structure is free of contact with the heatsink, and wherein the mounting structure includes a bayonet. 4. The image capture device of claim 2, wherein the cutout within the heatsink is complementary in shape to the mounting arms of the ISLA. 5. The image capture device of claim 1, wherein the heatsink includes a space adjacent to the cutout so that a mass of the heatsink, thermal performance of the heatsink, or both, are balanced along the heatsink. 6. The image capture device of claim 5, wherein the space is an absence of material within the heatsink, is a through hole within the heatsink, or both. 7. The image capture device of claim 1, wherein the heatsink includes two or more mounting flanges that extend away from a planar surface of the heatsink. 8. The image capture device of claim 7, wherein a space of the heatsink is located on an opposite side of the planar surface as the two or more mounting flanges. 9. An image capture device, comprising:
a heatsink comprising a cutout within the heatsink and a mounting flange; a housing; a mounting structure located on an external side of the housing; an integrated sensor and lens assembly (ISLA) extending through the cutout in the heatsink and connecting to the mounting structure, wherein the ISLA is free of contact with the heatsink; and a battery cage, wherein the mounting flange includes a finger mounting flange in communication with the battery cage to support the battery cage within the image capture device. 10. The image capture device of claim 9, wherein the battery cage is directly connected to the finger mounting flange. 11. The image capture device of claim 9, wherein the image capture device includes a housing and the heatsink is entirely located within the housing. 12. The image capture device of claim 9, wherein the heatsink includes a planar surface and the battery cage is connected to both the planar surface and the finger mounting flange. 13. The image capture device of claim 9, wherein the finger mounting flange includes seal recesses. 14. The image capture device of claim 9, wherein the finger mounting flange includes a space configured to balance a mass of the heatsink, balance thermal performance of the heatsink, or both along the heatsink. 15. An image capture device comprising:
a housing; a heatsink located partially or completely within the housing, wherein the heatsink comprises a planar surface defining a cutout within the heatsink and mounting flanges extending from the planar surface; a mounting structure located on an external side of the housing; an integrated sensor and lens assembly (ISLA) extending through the cutout in the heatsink and connecting to the mounting structure, wherein the ISLA is free of contact with the heatsink; a printed circuit board connected to the mounting flanges; and an antenna connected to the printed circuit board, wherein the mounting flanges maintain a space between the housing and the antenna. 16. The image capture device of claim 15, wherein a thickness of the antenna is equal to or greater than a thickness of mounting flanges. 17. The image capture device of claim 15, wherein the mounting flanges are a first mounting flange and a second mounting flange, and wherein the antenna is located between the first mounting flange and the second mounting flange. 18. The image capture device of claim 17, wherein the antenna is located between the printed circuit board and the housing. 19. The image capture device of claim 15, wherein the printed circuit board is connected to and grounded to the mounting flanges via fasteners. 20. The image capture device of claim 15, wherein the printed circuit board and the housing are located on opposite sides of the mounting flanges. | 3,700 |
343,710 | 16,803,151 | 3,741 | A method for operating a forming press which includes a plurality of press components and a plurality of tool components. The forming press has at least one force sensor and at least one force actuator, each arranged in a press and/or tool component. A forming simulation is carried out, which takes into consideration an elastic behavior of the press and/or tool components. Target values of forces acting on at least one press and/or tool component are determined by the forming simulation. A forming process is carried out by the forming press. During the forming process, actual values of forces acting on the press and/or tool components are measured by the force sensor and the force actuator is actuated via a control loop such that the actual values correspond to the target values from the forming simulation. | 1. A method for operating a forming press which has a plurality of press components, a plurality of tool components, a force sensor, and a force actuator, comprising the acts of:
carrying out a forming simulation which takes into consideration an elastic behavior of press components and/or tool components; determining desired values of forces acting on at least one press component of the plurality of press components and/or on at least one tool component of the plurality of tool components by the forming simulation; and carrying out a forming process by the forming press wherein, during the forming process, actual values of forces acting on the at least one press component of the plurality of press components and/or on the at least one tool component of the plurality of tool components are measured by the force sensor and the force actuator is activated via a control circuit such that the actual values correspond to the desired values from the forming simulation. 2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the force actuator and the force sensor are disposed in a same press component of the plurality of press components or tool component of the plurality of tool components. 3. The method according to claim 1, wherein the force actuator and the force sensor are respectively disposed in a different component of the plurality of press components and the plurality of tool components. 4. The method according to claim 1, wherein the force actuator and/or the force sensor are disposed in a pressure pin of the forming press. 5. The method according to claim 4, wherein the pressure pin is a lower air pin. 6. The method according to claim 4, wherein the pressure pin is a press sleeve. 7. The method according to claim 1, wherein the force actuator and/or the force sensor are disposed in a drawing aid of the forming press. 8. The method according to claim 1, wherein, during the forming simulation, a desired value force profile over an entire duration of a simulated forming process is determined. 9. The method according to claim 1, wherein control by the control circuit takes place during an entire duration of the forming process. 10. The method according to claim 1, wherein, during the forming simulation, the plurality of press components and/or the plurality of tool components are modeled as solid bodies. 11. The method according to claim 1, wherein, during the forming simulation, a mass inertia and/or a speed of the plurality of press components and/or the plurality of tool components moving during the forming process are taken into consideration. 12. The method according to claim 1, wherein the forming press has a plurality of force sensors and a plurality of force actuators which are each respectively disposed in the plurality of press components and/or the plurality of tool components and wherein all of the force actuators are activated via the control circuit such that the respective actual values correspond to the respective desired values from the forming simulation. | A method for operating a forming press which includes a plurality of press components and a plurality of tool components. The forming press has at least one force sensor and at least one force actuator, each arranged in a press and/or tool component. A forming simulation is carried out, which takes into consideration an elastic behavior of the press and/or tool components. Target values of forces acting on at least one press and/or tool component are determined by the forming simulation. A forming process is carried out by the forming press. During the forming process, actual values of forces acting on the press and/or tool components are measured by the force sensor and the force actuator is actuated via a control loop such that the actual values correspond to the target values from the forming simulation.1. A method for operating a forming press which has a plurality of press components, a plurality of tool components, a force sensor, and a force actuator, comprising the acts of:
carrying out a forming simulation which takes into consideration an elastic behavior of press components and/or tool components; determining desired values of forces acting on at least one press component of the plurality of press components and/or on at least one tool component of the plurality of tool components by the forming simulation; and carrying out a forming process by the forming press wherein, during the forming process, actual values of forces acting on the at least one press component of the plurality of press components and/or on the at least one tool component of the plurality of tool components are measured by the force sensor and the force actuator is activated via a control circuit such that the actual values correspond to the desired values from the forming simulation. 2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the force actuator and the force sensor are disposed in a same press component of the plurality of press components or tool component of the plurality of tool components. 3. The method according to claim 1, wherein the force actuator and the force sensor are respectively disposed in a different component of the plurality of press components and the plurality of tool components. 4. The method according to claim 1, wherein the force actuator and/or the force sensor are disposed in a pressure pin of the forming press. 5. The method according to claim 4, wherein the pressure pin is a lower air pin. 6. The method according to claim 4, wherein the pressure pin is a press sleeve. 7. The method according to claim 1, wherein the force actuator and/or the force sensor are disposed in a drawing aid of the forming press. 8. The method according to claim 1, wherein, during the forming simulation, a desired value force profile over an entire duration of a simulated forming process is determined. 9. The method according to claim 1, wherein control by the control circuit takes place during an entire duration of the forming process. 10. The method according to claim 1, wherein, during the forming simulation, the plurality of press components and/or the plurality of tool components are modeled as solid bodies. 11. The method according to claim 1, wherein, during the forming simulation, a mass inertia and/or a speed of the plurality of press components and/or the plurality of tool components moving during the forming process are taken into consideration. 12. The method according to claim 1, wherein the forming press has a plurality of force sensors and a plurality of force actuators which are each respectively disposed in the plurality of press components and/or the plurality of tool components and wherein all of the force actuators are activated via the control circuit such that the respective actual values correspond to the respective desired values from the forming simulation. | 3,700 |
343,711 | 16,803,157 | 3,741 | Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on computer storage media, for upgrading a software platform. One of the methods includes receiving, by a platform orchestrator, a request to upgrade computing resources of a software platform launched by the platform orchestrator, wherein a workload having multiple different software tasks is executing on multiple nodes of the software platform launched by the platform orchestrator; obtaining, by the platform orchestrator, a workload specification that specifies an upgrade ordering among multiple groups of the multiple software tasks executing on the software platform; and upgrading, by the platform orchestrator, all platform nodes that execute one or more software tasks in a first group of the multiple groups of software tasks before upgrading platform nodes that execute one or more software tasks in a second group of the multiple groups of software tasks, according to the upgrade ordering specified in the workload specification. | 1. A distributed computing system comprising a plurality of computers and one or more storage devices storing instructions that are operable, when executed by the plurality of computers, to cause the plurality of computers to perform operations comprising:
receiving, by a platform orchestrator, a request to upgrade computing resources of a software platform launched by the platform orchestrator, wherein a workload having a plurality of different software tasks is executing on a plurality of nodes of the software platform launched by the platform orchestrator; obtaining, by the platform orchestrator, a workload specification that specifies an upgrade ordering among multiple groups of the plurality of software tasks executing on the software platform; and upgrading, by the platform orchestrator, all platform nodes that execute one or more software tasks in a first group of the multiple groups of software tasks before upgrading platform nodes that execute one or more software tasks in a second group of the multiple groups of software tasks, according to the upgrade ordering specified in the workload specification. 2. The system of claim 1, wherein upgrading a platform node comprises installing an upgrade to a virtual machine or a container of the software platform. 3. The system of claim 1, wherein the software platform launches the plurality of software tasks according to the groups of software tasks specified in the workload specification such that software tasks in different groups do not execute on a same platform node. 4. The system of claim 1, wherein the first group of software tasks comprises one or more master tasks and the second group of software tasks comprises one or more segment tasks, wherein the master tasks issue instructions to the segment tasks. 5. The system of claim 1, wherein the workload specification specifies a post-upgrade process to be called by the platform orchestrator for the first group of software tasks, and
wherein the operations further comprise executing, by the platform orchestrator, the post-upgrade process after upgrading all platform nodes in the first group and before upgrading any platform nodes in the second group. 6. The system of claim 5, wherein the post-upgrade process performs a workload-specific verification process to verify that the platform nodes executing software tasks in the first group of software tasks were successfully upgraded. 7. The system of claim 1, wherein the workload specification specifies a pre-upgrade process to be called by the platform orchestrator for the second group of software tasks, and
wherein the operations further comprise executing, by the platform orchestrator, the pre-upgrade process after upgrading all platform nodes in the first group and before upgrading any platform nodes in the second group. 8. The system of claim 7, wherein the pre-upgrade process performs a workload-specific process that provides one or more notifications to software tasks executing in the first group. 9. A distributed computing system comprising a plurality of computers and one or more storage devices storing instructions that are operable, when executed by the plurality of computers, to cause the plurality of computers to perform operations comprising:
executing, by a software platform launched by a platform orchestrator, a workload having an operator software task, wherein the operator software task performs an upgrade process for the software platform launched by the platform orchestrator; receiving, from the operator software task by the platform orchestrator through an orchestrator application programming interface (API), a request to upgrade a particular node of the software platform; and in response, upgrading, by the platform orchestrator, the particular node specified by the request. 10. The system of claim 9, wherein upgrading the particular node comprises installing an upgrade to a virtual machine or a container of the software platform. 11. The system of claim 9, wherein upgrading the particular node comprises:
generating upgrade instructions according to the request to upgrade the particular node; and sending the upgrade instructions to the particular node. 12. The system of claim 9, wherein upgrading the particular node comprises upgrading the particular node without disrupting one or more workloads executing on the particular node. 13. A method comprising:
receiving, by a platform orchestrator, a request to upgrade computing resources of a software platform launched by the platform orchestrator, wherein a workload having a plurality of different software tasks is executing on a plurality of nodes of the software platform launched by the platform orchestrator; obtaining, by the platform orchestrator, a workload specification that specifies an upgrade ordering among multiple groups of the plurality of software tasks executing on the software platform; and upgrading, by the platform orchestrator, all platform nodes that execute one or more software tasks in a first group of the multiple groups of software tasks before upgrading platform nodes that execute one or more software tasks in a second group of the multiple groups of software tasks, according to the upgrade ordering specified in the workload specification. 14. The method of claim 13, wherein upgrading a platform node comprises installing an upgrade to a virtual machine or a container of the software platform. 15. The method of claim 13, wherein the software platform launches the plurality of software tasks according to the groups of software tasks specified in the workload specification such that software tasks in different groups do not execute on a same platform node. 16. The method of claim 13, wherein the first group of software tasks comprises one or more master tasks and the second group of software tasks comprises one or more segment tasks, wherein the master tasks issue instructions to the segment tasks. 17. The method of claim 13, wherein the workload specification specifies a post-upgrade process to be called by the platform orchestrator for the first group of software tasks, and
wherein the operations further comprise executing, by the platform orchestrator, the post-upgrade process after upgrading all platform nodes in the first group and before upgrading any platform nodes in the second group. 18. The method of claim 17, wherein the post-upgrade process performs a workload-specific verification process to verify that the platform nodes executing software tasks in the first group of software tasks were successfully upgraded. 19. The method of claim 13, wherein the workload specification specifies a pre-upgrade process to be called by the platform orchestrator for the second group of software tasks, and
wherein the operations further comprise executing, by the platform orchestrator, the pre-upgrade process after upgrading all platform nodes in the first group and before upgrading any platform nodes in the second group. 20. The method of claim 19, wherein the pre-upgrade process performs a workload-specific process that provides one or more notifications to software tasks executing in the first group. | Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on computer storage media, for upgrading a software platform. One of the methods includes receiving, by a platform orchestrator, a request to upgrade computing resources of a software platform launched by the platform orchestrator, wherein a workload having multiple different software tasks is executing on multiple nodes of the software platform launched by the platform orchestrator; obtaining, by the platform orchestrator, a workload specification that specifies an upgrade ordering among multiple groups of the multiple software tasks executing on the software platform; and upgrading, by the platform orchestrator, all platform nodes that execute one or more software tasks in a first group of the multiple groups of software tasks before upgrading platform nodes that execute one or more software tasks in a second group of the multiple groups of software tasks, according to the upgrade ordering specified in the workload specification.1. A distributed computing system comprising a plurality of computers and one or more storage devices storing instructions that are operable, when executed by the plurality of computers, to cause the plurality of computers to perform operations comprising:
receiving, by a platform orchestrator, a request to upgrade computing resources of a software platform launched by the platform orchestrator, wherein a workload having a plurality of different software tasks is executing on a plurality of nodes of the software platform launched by the platform orchestrator; obtaining, by the platform orchestrator, a workload specification that specifies an upgrade ordering among multiple groups of the plurality of software tasks executing on the software platform; and upgrading, by the platform orchestrator, all platform nodes that execute one or more software tasks in a first group of the multiple groups of software tasks before upgrading platform nodes that execute one or more software tasks in a second group of the multiple groups of software tasks, according to the upgrade ordering specified in the workload specification. 2. The system of claim 1, wherein upgrading a platform node comprises installing an upgrade to a virtual machine or a container of the software platform. 3. The system of claim 1, wherein the software platform launches the plurality of software tasks according to the groups of software tasks specified in the workload specification such that software tasks in different groups do not execute on a same platform node. 4. The system of claim 1, wherein the first group of software tasks comprises one or more master tasks and the second group of software tasks comprises one or more segment tasks, wherein the master tasks issue instructions to the segment tasks. 5. The system of claim 1, wherein the workload specification specifies a post-upgrade process to be called by the platform orchestrator for the first group of software tasks, and
wherein the operations further comprise executing, by the platform orchestrator, the post-upgrade process after upgrading all platform nodes in the first group and before upgrading any platform nodes in the second group. 6. The system of claim 5, wherein the post-upgrade process performs a workload-specific verification process to verify that the platform nodes executing software tasks in the first group of software tasks were successfully upgraded. 7. The system of claim 1, wherein the workload specification specifies a pre-upgrade process to be called by the platform orchestrator for the second group of software tasks, and
wherein the operations further comprise executing, by the platform orchestrator, the pre-upgrade process after upgrading all platform nodes in the first group and before upgrading any platform nodes in the second group. 8. The system of claim 7, wherein the pre-upgrade process performs a workload-specific process that provides one or more notifications to software tasks executing in the first group. 9. A distributed computing system comprising a plurality of computers and one or more storage devices storing instructions that are operable, when executed by the plurality of computers, to cause the plurality of computers to perform operations comprising:
executing, by a software platform launched by a platform orchestrator, a workload having an operator software task, wherein the operator software task performs an upgrade process for the software platform launched by the platform orchestrator; receiving, from the operator software task by the platform orchestrator through an orchestrator application programming interface (API), a request to upgrade a particular node of the software platform; and in response, upgrading, by the platform orchestrator, the particular node specified by the request. 10. The system of claim 9, wherein upgrading the particular node comprises installing an upgrade to a virtual machine or a container of the software platform. 11. The system of claim 9, wherein upgrading the particular node comprises:
generating upgrade instructions according to the request to upgrade the particular node; and sending the upgrade instructions to the particular node. 12. The system of claim 9, wherein upgrading the particular node comprises upgrading the particular node without disrupting one or more workloads executing on the particular node. 13. A method comprising:
receiving, by a platform orchestrator, a request to upgrade computing resources of a software platform launched by the platform orchestrator, wherein a workload having a plurality of different software tasks is executing on a plurality of nodes of the software platform launched by the platform orchestrator; obtaining, by the platform orchestrator, a workload specification that specifies an upgrade ordering among multiple groups of the plurality of software tasks executing on the software platform; and upgrading, by the platform orchestrator, all platform nodes that execute one or more software tasks in a first group of the multiple groups of software tasks before upgrading platform nodes that execute one or more software tasks in a second group of the multiple groups of software tasks, according to the upgrade ordering specified in the workload specification. 14. The method of claim 13, wherein upgrading a platform node comprises installing an upgrade to a virtual machine or a container of the software platform. 15. The method of claim 13, wherein the software platform launches the plurality of software tasks according to the groups of software tasks specified in the workload specification such that software tasks in different groups do not execute on a same platform node. 16. The method of claim 13, wherein the first group of software tasks comprises one or more master tasks and the second group of software tasks comprises one or more segment tasks, wherein the master tasks issue instructions to the segment tasks. 17. The method of claim 13, wherein the workload specification specifies a post-upgrade process to be called by the platform orchestrator for the first group of software tasks, and
wherein the operations further comprise executing, by the platform orchestrator, the post-upgrade process after upgrading all platform nodes in the first group and before upgrading any platform nodes in the second group. 18. The method of claim 17, wherein the post-upgrade process performs a workload-specific verification process to verify that the platform nodes executing software tasks in the first group of software tasks were successfully upgraded. 19. The method of claim 13, wherein the workload specification specifies a pre-upgrade process to be called by the platform orchestrator for the second group of software tasks, and
wherein the operations further comprise executing, by the platform orchestrator, the pre-upgrade process after upgrading all platform nodes in the first group and before upgrading any platform nodes in the second group. 20. The method of claim 19, wherein the pre-upgrade process performs a workload-specific process that provides one or more notifications to software tasks executing in the first group. | 3,700 |
343,712 | 16,803,166 | 3,741 | A semiconductor device with an arithmetic processing function is provided. In the semiconductor device, an imaging portion and an arithmetic portion are electrically connected to each other through an analog processing circuit 24. The imaging portion includes a pixel array 21 in which pixels 20 used for imaging and reference pixels 22 used for image processing are arranged in a matrix, and a row decoder 25. The arithmetic portion includes a memory element array 31 in which memory elements 30 and reference memory elements 32 are arranged in a matrix, an analog processing circuit 34, a row decoder 35, and a column decoder 36. | 1. An imaging device comprising:
a pixel array comprising:
first pixels arranged in a matrix; and
second pixels shielded from light and arranged in a column;
a memory element array comprising:
first memory elements arranged in a matrix; and
second memory elements arranged in a row;
a first row decoder; a first analog processing circuit; a column decoder; a second row decoder; and a second analog processing circuit, wherein the first pixels are electrically connected to the first row decoder through first wirings, wherein the first pixels are electrically connected to the first analog processing circuit through second wirings, wherein the second pixels are electrically connected to the first row decoder through the first wirings, wherein the second pixels are electrically connected to the first analog processing circuit through a third wiring, wherein the first memory elements are electrically connected to the first analog processing circuit through fourth wirings, wherein the first memory elements are electrically connected to the column decoder through fifth wirings, wherein the first memory elements are electrically connected to the second row decoder through sixth wirings, wherein the first memory elements are electrically connected to the second analog processing circuit through seventh wirings, wherein the second memory elements are electrically connected to the first analog processing circuit through the fourth wirings, wherein the second memory elements are electrically connected to the column decoder through the fifth wirings, wherein the second memory elements are electrically connected to the second row decoder through an eighth wiring, and wherein the second memory elements are electrically connected to the second analog processing circuit through a ninth wiring. | A semiconductor device with an arithmetic processing function is provided. In the semiconductor device, an imaging portion and an arithmetic portion are electrically connected to each other through an analog processing circuit 24. The imaging portion includes a pixel array 21 in which pixels 20 used for imaging and reference pixels 22 used for image processing are arranged in a matrix, and a row decoder 25. The arithmetic portion includes a memory element array 31 in which memory elements 30 and reference memory elements 32 are arranged in a matrix, an analog processing circuit 34, a row decoder 35, and a column decoder 36.1. An imaging device comprising:
a pixel array comprising:
first pixels arranged in a matrix; and
second pixels shielded from light and arranged in a column;
a memory element array comprising:
first memory elements arranged in a matrix; and
second memory elements arranged in a row;
a first row decoder; a first analog processing circuit; a column decoder; a second row decoder; and a second analog processing circuit, wherein the first pixels are electrically connected to the first row decoder through first wirings, wherein the first pixels are electrically connected to the first analog processing circuit through second wirings, wherein the second pixels are electrically connected to the first row decoder through the first wirings, wherein the second pixels are electrically connected to the first analog processing circuit through a third wiring, wherein the first memory elements are electrically connected to the first analog processing circuit through fourth wirings, wherein the first memory elements are electrically connected to the column decoder through fifth wirings, wherein the first memory elements are electrically connected to the second row decoder through sixth wirings, wherein the first memory elements are electrically connected to the second analog processing circuit through seventh wirings, wherein the second memory elements are electrically connected to the first analog processing circuit through the fourth wirings, wherein the second memory elements are electrically connected to the column decoder through the fifth wirings, wherein the second memory elements are electrically connected to the second row decoder through an eighth wiring, and wherein the second memory elements are electrically connected to the second analog processing circuit through a ninth wiring. | 3,700 |
343,713 | 16,803,141 | 3,741 | A lubricating sealing system for a fluid end includes a fluid end, a sleeve, a plunger, and a lubrication system. The sleeve is coupled to an internal surface of the fluid end. The plunger reciprocates in a linear manner through the sleeve and into a pressure chamber of the fluid end. The lubrication system is in communication with the plunger and configured to provide lubricant through an interior of the plunger for routing to surfaces between the plunger and the sleeve. The lubricant is pressurized and moved via the reciprocating of the plunger and create a positive pressure on the lubricant over the pressures experienced in the pressure chamber of the fluid end. The positive pressure creates a barrier and pushes away contaminants from the plunger seals thereby avoiding wash out. | 1-19. (canceled) 20. A plunger system for the fluid end of a pump, the plunger system comprising:
an elongated plunger piston having a first end, a second end and an outer surface; a fluid cavity formed within the elongated plunger piston extending from adjacent the first end to the second end of the plunger piston; an intensification valve positioned in the fluid cavity adjacent the second end of the piston and movable along a portion of the fluid cavity between a first position and a second position; a lubrication valve positioned in the fluid cavity adjacent the first end of the piston; and at least one outlet tube extending from the outer surface of the plunger piston to a location along fluid cavity between the intensification valve and the lubrication valve. 21. The plunger system of claim 20, wherein the fluid cavity comprises a central passage, an upper channel in fluid communication with the central passage, and a lower channel in fluid communication with the central passage. 22. The plunger system of claim 20, wherein the fluid cavity is axially aligned within the plunger piston and extends from the first end to the second end of the plunger piston. 23. The plunger system of claim 20, wherein the intensification valve has a first end in fluid communication with the fluid cavity. 24. The plunger system of claim 20, wherein the intensification valve is axially movable in the fluid cavity between the first position and the second position. 25. The plunger system of claim 20, further comprising a bore sleeve at least partially disposed about the plunger piston. 26. The plunger system of claim 20, wherein the plunger piston further comprises a plurality of outlet tubes extending outward from the fluid cavity to the outer surface of the plunger piston. 27. The plunger system of claim 20, further comprising at least one lower seal disposed along the surface of the plunger piston; at least one outlet tube extending to the outer surface of the plunger piston on a first side of the lower seal; and at least one outlet tube extending to the outer surface of the plunger piston on a second side of the lower seal. 28. The plunger system of claim 27, further comprising at least one upper seal adjacent the first end of the plunger piston. 29. The plunger system of claim 28, further comprising at fluid end having a bore formed therein and in which the plunger piston is reciprocating disposed; an accumulator channel extending through a portion of the fluid end and in fluid communication with the surface of the plunger piston between the lower seal and the upper seal; and an accumulator in fluid communication with the accumulator channel. 30. A plunger system for the fluid end of a pump, the plunger system comprising:
an elongated plunger piston having a first end, a second end and an outer surface; a fluid cavity formed within the elongated plunger piston extending from adjacent the first end to the second end of the plunger piston; an intensification valve positioned in the fluid cavity adjacent the second end of the piston and movable along a portion of the fluid cavity between a first position and a second position; at least one outlet tube extending from the outer surface of the plunger piston to a location along fluid cavity between the intensification valve and the lubrication valve; and a lubrication system in fluid communication with the fluid cavity adjacent the first end of the elongated plunger piston. 31. The plunger system of claim 30, wherein the fluid cavity comprises a central passage, an upper channel in fluid communication with the central passage, and a lower channel in fluid communication with the central passage. 32. The plunger system of claim 30, further comprising a lubrication valve disposed in the fluid cavity adjacent the first end of the plunger piston. 33. A method of operating a pump comprising:
reciprocating a plunger piston within a pump between a withdrawn position and an extended position; introducing lubricant to the surface of the plunger piston by directing the lubricant through an interior passage of the plunger piston. 34. The method of claim 33, further comprising pressurizing the lubricant within the plunger piston upon an extension stroke. 35. The method of claim 33, further comprising translating an intensification valve within the plunger piston during an extension stroke to induce movement of lubricant within the plunger piston outward to the surface of the plunger piston. 36. The method of claim 33, further comprising passing pressurized lubricant over lower seals along the plunger piston during a compression stroke to inhibit ingress of proppant. 37. The method of claim 33, further comprising utilizing fluid pressure within the pump to translate an intensification valve between a first position and a second position within the plunger piston in order to induce pressurization of the lubricant within a cavity of the plunger piston. 38. A method for operating a pump comprising:
reciprocating a plunger piston within a pump between a withdrawn position and an extended position; during the stroke from the extended position to the withdrawn position, injecting a lubricant into an interior cavity of the plunger piston; and during the stroke from the withdrawn position to the extended position, driving the injected lubricant radially outward from the interior cavity to the outer surface of the plunger piston. 39. The method of claim 38, further comprising utilizing fluid pressure within the pump to translate an intensification valve between a first position and a second position within the plunger piston in order to induce pressurization of the lubricant within a cavity of the plunger piston, thereby inducing movement of lubricant within the plunger piston outward from the cavity to the surface of the plunger piston; and recharging lubricant into the interior passage of the plunger piston with each stroke of the plunger piston from an extended position to a withdrawn position. 40. The method of claim 39, further comprising utilizing the pressurized lubricant to activate upper seals along the plunger piston during a compression stroke; and passing pressurized lubricant over lower seals along the plunger piston during a compression stroke to inhibit ingress of proppant. 41. The method of claim 40, further comprising determining pressure limits for the upper seals about the plunger piston and regulating lubricant pressure at the surface of the plunger piston based on the determined pressure, wherein regulating comprises utilizing an accumulator to receive a quantity of excess pressurized lubricant adjacent the surface of the plunger piston. | A lubricating sealing system for a fluid end includes a fluid end, a sleeve, a plunger, and a lubrication system. The sleeve is coupled to an internal surface of the fluid end. The plunger reciprocates in a linear manner through the sleeve and into a pressure chamber of the fluid end. The lubrication system is in communication with the plunger and configured to provide lubricant through an interior of the plunger for routing to surfaces between the plunger and the sleeve. The lubricant is pressurized and moved via the reciprocating of the plunger and create a positive pressure on the lubricant over the pressures experienced in the pressure chamber of the fluid end. The positive pressure creates a barrier and pushes away contaminants from the plunger seals thereby avoiding wash out.1-19. (canceled) 20. A plunger system for the fluid end of a pump, the plunger system comprising:
an elongated plunger piston having a first end, a second end and an outer surface; a fluid cavity formed within the elongated plunger piston extending from adjacent the first end to the second end of the plunger piston; an intensification valve positioned in the fluid cavity adjacent the second end of the piston and movable along a portion of the fluid cavity between a first position and a second position; a lubrication valve positioned in the fluid cavity adjacent the first end of the piston; and at least one outlet tube extending from the outer surface of the plunger piston to a location along fluid cavity between the intensification valve and the lubrication valve. 21. The plunger system of claim 20, wherein the fluid cavity comprises a central passage, an upper channel in fluid communication with the central passage, and a lower channel in fluid communication with the central passage. 22. The plunger system of claim 20, wherein the fluid cavity is axially aligned within the plunger piston and extends from the first end to the second end of the plunger piston. 23. The plunger system of claim 20, wherein the intensification valve has a first end in fluid communication with the fluid cavity. 24. The plunger system of claim 20, wherein the intensification valve is axially movable in the fluid cavity between the first position and the second position. 25. The plunger system of claim 20, further comprising a bore sleeve at least partially disposed about the plunger piston. 26. The plunger system of claim 20, wherein the plunger piston further comprises a plurality of outlet tubes extending outward from the fluid cavity to the outer surface of the plunger piston. 27. The plunger system of claim 20, further comprising at least one lower seal disposed along the surface of the plunger piston; at least one outlet tube extending to the outer surface of the plunger piston on a first side of the lower seal; and at least one outlet tube extending to the outer surface of the plunger piston on a second side of the lower seal. 28. The plunger system of claim 27, further comprising at least one upper seal adjacent the first end of the plunger piston. 29. The plunger system of claim 28, further comprising at fluid end having a bore formed therein and in which the plunger piston is reciprocating disposed; an accumulator channel extending through a portion of the fluid end and in fluid communication with the surface of the plunger piston between the lower seal and the upper seal; and an accumulator in fluid communication with the accumulator channel. 30. A plunger system for the fluid end of a pump, the plunger system comprising:
an elongated plunger piston having a first end, a second end and an outer surface; a fluid cavity formed within the elongated plunger piston extending from adjacent the first end to the second end of the plunger piston; an intensification valve positioned in the fluid cavity adjacent the second end of the piston and movable along a portion of the fluid cavity between a first position and a second position; at least one outlet tube extending from the outer surface of the plunger piston to a location along fluid cavity between the intensification valve and the lubrication valve; and a lubrication system in fluid communication with the fluid cavity adjacent the first end of the elongated plunger piston. 31. The plunger system of claim 30, wherein the fluid cavity comprises a central passage, an upper channel in fluid communication with the central passage, and a lower channel in fluid communication with the central passage. 32. The plunger system of claim 30, further comprising a lubrication valve disposed in the fluid cavity adjacent the first end of the plunger piston. 33. A method of operating a pump comprising:
reciprocating a plunger piston within a pump between a withdrawn position and an extended position; introducing lubricant to the surface of the plunger piston by directing the lubricant through an interior passage of the plunger piston. 34. The method of claim 33, further comprising pressurizing the lubricant within the plunger piston upon an extension stroke. 35. The method of claim 33, further comprising translating an intensification valve within the plunger piston during an extension stroke to induce movement of lubricant within the plunger piston outward to the surface of the plunger piston. 36. The method of claim 33, further comprising passing pressurized lubricant over lower seals along the plunger piston during a compression stroke to inhibit ingress of proppant. 37. The method of claim 33, further comprising utilizing fluid pressure within the pump to translate an intensification valve between a first position and a second position within the plunger piston in order to induce pressurization of the lubricant within a cavity of the plunger piston. 38. A method for operating a pump comprising:
reciprocating a plunger piston within a pump between a withdrawn position and an extended position; during the stroke from the extended position to the withdrawn position, injecting a lubricant into an interior cavity of the plunger piston; and during the stroke from the withdrawn position to the extended position, driving the injected lubricant radially outward from the interior cavity to the outer surface of the plunger piston. 39. The method of claim 38, further comprising utilizing fluid pressure within the pump to translate an intensification valve between a first position and a second position within the plunger piston in order to induce pressurization of the lubricant within a cavity of the plunger piston, thereby inducing movement of lubricant within the plunger piston outward from the cavity to the surface of the plunger piston; and recharging lubricant into the interior passage of the plunger piston with each stroke of the plunger piston from an extended position to a withdrawn position. 40. The method of claim 39, further comprising utilizing the pressurized lubricant to activate upper seals along the plunger piston during a compression stroke; and passing pressurized lubricant over lower seals along the plunger piston during a compression stroke to inhibit ingress of proppant. 41. The method of claim 40, further comprising determining pressure limits for the upper seals about the plunger piston and regulating lubricant pressure at the surface of the plunger piston based on the determined pressure, wherein regulating comprises utilizing an accumulator to receive a quantity of excess pressurized lubricant adjacent the surface of the plunger piston. | 3,700 |
343,714 | 16,803,120 | 3,741 | The method, apparatus and computer program product described herein is configured to train and deploy a predictive model that is configured to generate a predicted ROI value for a provider with respect to a current promotion or a future promotion. An example embodiment may comprise receiving input indicative of one or more attributes of a provider or a promotion. The example embodiment may further comprise generating at least one of a predicted return on investment (ROI) value or a predicted ROI component value based at least in part on the one or more attributes of the provider or the promotion and a ROI prediction model. The method may further still comprise generating a merchant impact report including the at least one of the predicted ROI value or the predicted ROI component value for the promotion. | 1-78. (canceled) 79. A method for utilizing at least a processor, a memory, and a display device for rendering a graphical user interface (GUI) comprising:
receiving, via the GUI, an input indicative of one or more metrics relating to a merchant and a promotion; generating, by the processor, a return on investment (ROI) learning model based on the one or more metrics relating to the merchant and the promotion; updating, by the processor, the ROI learning model by automatically inputting a second one or more metrics relating to the merchant and the promotion, wherein the second one or more metrics relating to the merchant and the promotion are determined based on at least one or more historical metrics retrieved from a promotion repository; generating, by the processor, a repeat revenue visual metric for the promotion, wherein the repeat business revenue visual metric is indicative of revenue predicted to be generated from one or more repeat business transactions associated with the promotion based on the updated ROI learning model; generating, by the processor, a merchant impact report, comprising the repeat business revenue visual metric; and displaying, via the GUI, the merchant impact report. 80. The method of claim 79, further comprising:
generating, via the processor, a set of clusters based on one or more similar return ROI learning models previously generated. 81. The method of claim 79, further comprising:
determining a source-specific classifier; inputting the one or more metrics relating to the merchant and the promotion into the source-specific classifier; inputting the second one or more metrics relating to the merchant and the promotion into the source-specific classifier; and determining, via the processor, an ROI or an ROI component. 82. The method of claim 79, wherein the one or more metrics or the second one or more metrics are generated based at least in part on one or more of a survey, a marketing exposure, a financial engineering transaction, an in-store transaction, or a webpage transaction. 83. The method of claim 79, wherein the merchant impact report comprises one or more amounts indicative of a revenue from the promotion or a cost of the promotion, wherein the one or more amounts are determined based on the one or more metrics relating to the merchant and the promotion. 84. The method of claim 79, wherein the return on investment (ROI) learning model is a support vector machine, decision tree learning, association rule learning, artificial neural networking, inductive logic programming, or clustering. 85. The method of claim 79, further comprising:
generating, via the processor, a dataset based on the one or more historical metrics; comparing, via the processor, the return on investment (ROI) learning model to the dataset; training, via the processor, the return on investment (ROI) learning model to classify a particular metric value, determined by a combination of metrics, as indicative of a positive ROI; and storing, via the processor and the memory, the combination of metrics used as a predictor for a number of consumers who will return to the merchant after a first visit using the promotion. 86. An apparatus comprising:
a processor; a memory including computer program code; and a display device for rendering a graphical user interface (GUI), the memory and the computer program code configured to, with the processor, cause the apparatus to at least: receive, via the GUI, an input indicative of one or more metrics relating to a merchant and a promotion; generate, by the processor, a return on investment (ROI) learning model based on the one or more metrics relating to the merchant and the promotion; update, by the processor, the ROI learning model by automatically inputting a second one or more metrics relating to the merchant and the promotion, wherein the second one or more metrics relating to the merchant and the promotion are determined based on at least one or more historical metrics retrieved from a promotion repository; generate, by the processor, a repeat revenue visual metric for the promotion, wherein the repeat business revenue visual metric is indicative of revenue predicted to be generated from one or more repeat business transactions associated with the promotion based on the updated ROI learning model; generate, by the processor, a merchant impact report, comprising the repeat business revenue visual metric; and display, via the GUI, the merchant impact report. 87. The apparatus of claim 86, wherein the at least one memory including the computer program code is further configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to:
generate, via the processor, a set of clusters based on one or more similar return ROI learning models previously generated. 88. The apparatus of claim 86, wherein the at least one memory including the computer program code is further configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to:
determine a source-specific classifier; input the one or more metrics relating to the merchant and the promotion into the source-specific classifier; input the second one or more metrics relating to the merchant and the promotion into the source-specific classifier; and determine, via the processor, an ROI or an ROI component. 89. The apparatus of claim 86, wherein the one or more metrics or the second one or more metrics are generated based at least in part on one or more of a survey, a marketing exposure, a financial engineering transaction, an in-store transaction, or a webpage transaction. 90. The apparatus of claim 86, wherein the merchant impact report comprises one or more amounts indicative of a revenue from the promotion or a cost of the promotion, wherein the one or more amounts are determined based on the one or more metrics relating to the merchant and the promotion. 91. The apparatus of claim 86, wherein the return on investment (ROI) learning model is a support vector machine, decision tree learning, association rule learning, artificial neural networking, inductive logic programming, or clustering. 92. The apparatus of claim 86, wherein the at least one memory including the computer program code is further configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to:
generate, via the processor, a dataset based on the one or more historical metrics; compare, via the processor, the return on investment (ROI) learning model to the dataset; train, via the processor, the return on investment (ROI) learning model to classify a particular metric value, determined by a combination of metrics, as indicative of a positive ROI; and store, via the processor and the memory, the combination of metrics used as a predictor for a number of consumers who will return to the merchant after a first visit using the promotion. 93. A computer program product comprising:
at least one computer readable non-transitory memory medium having program code instructions stored thereon, the program code instructions which when executed by an apparatus, comprising a processor, a memory, and a display device for rendering a graphical user interface (GUI), cause the apparatus at least to: receive, via the GUI, an input indicative of one or more metrics relating to a merchant and a promotion; generate, by the processor, a return on investment (ROI) learning model based on the one or more metrics relating to the merchant and the promotion; update, by the processor, the ROI learning model by automatically inputting a second one or more metrics relating to the merchant and the promotion, wherein the second one or more metrics relating to the merchant and the promotion are determined based on at least one or more historical metrics retrieved from a promotion repository; generate, by the processor, a repeat revenue visual metric for the promotion, wherein the repeat business revenue visual metric is indicative of revenue predicted to be generated from one or more repeat business transactions associated with the promotion based on the updated ROI learning model; generate, by the processor, a merchant impact report, comprising the repeat business revenue visual metric; and display, via the GUI, the merchant impact report. 94. The computer program product of claim 93, further comprising program code instructions, the program code instructions which when executed by the apparatus further cause the apparatus at least to:
generate, via the processor, a set of clusters based on one or more similar return ROI learning models previously generated. 95. The computer program product of claim 93, further comprising program code instructions, the program code instructions which when executed by the apparatus further cause the apparatus at least to:
determine a source-specific classifier; input the one or more metrics relating to the merchant and the promotion into the source-specific classifier; input the second one or more metrics relating to the merchant and the promotion into the source-specific classifier; and determine, via the processor, an ROI or an ROI component. 96. The computer program product of claim 93, wherein the one or more metrics or the second one or more metrics are generated based at least in part on one or more of a survey, a marketing exposure, a financial engineering transaction, an in-store transaction, or a webpage transaction. 97. The computer program product of claim 93, wherein the merchant impact report comprises one or more amounts indicative of a revenue from the promotion or a cost of the promotion, wherein the one or more amounts are determined based on the one or more metrics relating to the merchant and the promotion. 98. The computer program product of claim 93, further comprising program code instructions, the program code instructions which when executed by the apparatus further cause the apparatus at least to:
calculate, based on the upsell amount, a third amount indicative of revenue generated from promotion upsells; present the merchant impact report including the first amount, the second amount, and the third amount; generate, via the processor, a dataset based on the one or more historical metrics; compare, via the processor, the return on investment (ROI) learning model to the dataset; train, via the processor, the return on investment (ROI) learning model to classify a particular metric value, determined by a combination of metrics, as indicative of a positive ROI; and store, via the processor and the memory, the combination of metrics used as a predictor for a number of consumers who will return to the merchant after a first visit using the promotion. | The method, apparatus and computer program product described herein is configured to train and deploy a predictive model that is configured to generate a predicted ROI value for a provider with respect to a current promotion or a future promotion. An example embodiment may comprise receiving input indicative of one or more attributes of a provider or a promotion. The example embodiment may further comprise generating at least one of a predicted return on investment (ROI) value or a predicted ROI component value based at least in part on the one or more attributes of the provider or the promotion and a ROI prediction model. The method may further still comprise generating a merchant impact report including the at least one of the predicted ROI value or the predicted ROI component value for the promotion.1-78. (canceled) 79. A method for utilizing at least a processor, a memory, and a display device for rendering a graphical user interface (GUI) comprising:
receiving, via the GUI, an input indicative of one or more metrics relating to a merchant and a promotion; generating, by the processor, a return on investment (ROI) learning model based on the one or more metrics relating to the merchant and the promotion; updating, by the processor, the ROI learning model by automatically inputting a second one or more metrics relating to the merchant and the promotion, wherein the second one or more metrics relating to the merchant and the promotion are determined based on at least one or more historical metrics retrieved from a promotion repository; generating, by the processor, a repeat revenue visual metric for the promotion, wherein the repeat business revenue visual metric is indicative of revenue predicted to be generated from one or more repeat business transactions associated with the promotion based on the updated ROI learning model; generating, by the processor, a merchant impact report, comprising the repeat business revenue visual metric; and displaying, via the GUI, the merchant impact report. 80. The method of claim 79, further comprising:
generating, via the processor, a set of clusters based on one or more similar return ROI learning models previously generated. 81. The method of claim 79, further comprising:
determining a source-specific classifier; inputting the one or more metrics relating to the merchant and the promotion into the source-specific classifier; inputting the second one or more metrics relating to the merchant and the promotion into the source-specific classifier; and determining, via the processor, an ROI or an ROI component. 82. The method of claim 79, wherein the one or more metrics or the second one or more metrics are generated based at least in part on one or more of a survey, a marketing exposure, a financial engineering transaction, an in-store transaction, or a webpage transaction. 83. The method of claim 79, wherein the merchant impact report comprises one or more amounts indicative of a revenue from the promotion or a cost of the promotion, wherein the one or more amounts are determined based on the one or more metrics relating to the merchant and the promotion. 84. The method of claim 79, wherein the return on investment (ROI) learning model is a support vector machine, decision tree learning, association rule learning, artificial neural networking, inductive logic programming, or clustering. 85. The method of claim 79, further comprising:
generating, via the processor, a dataset based on the one or more historical metrics; comparing, via the processor, the return on investment (ROI) learning model to the dataset; training, via the processor, the return on investment (ROI) learning model to classify a particular metric value, determined by a combination of metrics, as indicative of a positive ROI; and storing, via the processor and the memory, the combination of metrics used as a predictor for a number of consumers who will return to the merchant after a first visit using the promotion. 86. An apparatus comprising:
a processor; a memory including computer program code; and a display device for rendering a graphical user interface (GUI), the memory and the computer program code configured to, with the processor, cause the apparatus to at least: receive, via the GUI, an input indicative of one or more metrics relating to a merchant and a promotion; generate, by the processor, a return on investment (ROI) learning model based on the one or more metrics relating to the merchant and the promotion; update, by the processor, the ROI learning model by automatically inputting a second one or more metrics relating to the merchant and the promotion, wherein the second one or more metrics relating to the merchant and the promotion are determined based on at least one or more historical metrics retrieved from a promotion repository; generate, by the processor, a repeat revenue visual metric for the promotion, wherein the repeat business revenue visual metric is indicative of revenue predicted to be generated from one or more repeat business transactions associated with the promotion based on the updated ROI learning model; generate, by the processor, a merchant impact report, comprising the repeat business revenue visual metric; and display, via the GUI, the merchant impact report. 87. The apparatus of claim 86, wherein the at least one memory including the computer program code is further configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to:
generate, via the processor, a set of clusters based on one or more similar return ROI learning models previously generated. 88. The apparatus of claim 86, wherein the at least one memory including the computer program code is further configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to:
determine a source-specific classifier; input the one or more metrics relating to the merchant and the promotion into the source-specific classifier; input the second one or more metrics relating to the merchant and the promotion into the source-specific classifier; and determine, via the processor, an ROI or an ROI component. 89. The apparatus of claim 86, wherein the one or more metrics or the second one or more metrics are generated based at least in part on one or more of a survey, a marketing exposure, a financial engineering transaction, an in-store transaction, or a webpage transaction. 90. The apparatus of claim 86, wherein the merchant impact report comprises one or more amounts indicative of a revenue from the promotion or a cost of the promotion, wherein the one or more amounts are determined based on the one or more metrics relating to the merchant and the promotion. 91. The apparatus of claim 86, wherein the return on investment (ROI) learning model is a support vector machine, decision tree learning, association rule learning, artificial neural networking, inductive logic programming, or clustering. 92. The apparatus of claim 86, wherein the at least one memory including the computer program code is further configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to:
generate, via the processor, a dataset based on the one or more historical metrics; compare, via the processor, the return on investment (ROI) learning model to the dataset; train, via the processor, the return on investment (ROI) learning model to classify a particular metric value, determined by a combination of metrics, as indicative of a positive ROI; and store, via the processor and the memory, the combination of metrics used as a predictor for a number of consumers who will return to the merchant after a first visit using the promotion. 93. A computer program product comprising:
at least one computer readable non-transitory memory medium having program code instructions stored thereon, the program code instructions which when executed by an apparatus, comprising a processor, a memory, and a display device for rendering a graphical user interface (GUI), cause the apparatus at least to: receive, via the GUI, an input indicative of one or more metrics relating to a merchant and a promotion; generate, by the processor, a return on investment (ROI) learning model based on the one or more metrics relating to the merchant and the promotion; update, by the processor, the ROI learning model by automatically inputting a second one or more metrics relating to the merchant and the promotion, wherein the second one or more metrics relating to the merchant and the promotion are determined based on at least one or more historical metrics retrieved from a promotion repository; generate, by the processor, a repeat revenue visual metric for the promotion, wherein the repeat business revenue visual metric is indicative of revenue predicted to be generated from one or more repeat business transactions associated with the promotion based on the updated ROI learning model; generate, by the processor, a merchant impact report, comprising the repeat business revenue visual metric; and display, via the GUI, the merchant impact report. 94. The computer program product of claim 93, further comprising program code instructions, the program code instructions which when executed by the apparatus further cause the apparatus at least to:
generate, via the processor, a set of clusters based on one or more similar return ROI learning models previously generated. 95. The computer program product of claim 93, further comprising program code instructions, the program code instructions which when executed by the apparatus further cause the apparatus at least to:
determine a source-specific classifier; input the one or more metrics relating to the merchant and the promotion into the source-specific classifier; input the second one or more metrics relating to the merchant and the promotion into the source-specific classifier; and determine, via the processor, an ROI or an ROI component. 96. The computer program product of claim 93, wherein the one or more metrics or the second one or more metrics are generated based at least in part on one or more of a survey, a marketing exposure, a financial engineering transaction, an in-store transaction, or a webpage transaction. 97. The computer program product of claim 93, wherein the merchant impact report comprises one or more amounts indicative of a revenue from the promotion or a cost of the promotion, wherein the one or more amounts are determined based on the one or more metrics relating to the merchant and the promotion. 98. The computer program product of claim 93, further comprising program code instructions, the program code instructions which when executed by the apparatus further cause the apparatus at least to:
calculate, based on the upsell amount, a third amount indicative of revenue generated from promotion upsells; present the merchant impact report including the first amount, the second amount, and the third amount; generate, via the processor, a dataset based on the one or more historical metrics; compare, via the processor, the return on investment (ROI) learning model to the dataset; train, via the processor, the return on investment (ROI) learning model to classify a particular metric value, determined by a combination of metrics, as indicative of a positive ROI; and store, via the processor and the memory, the combination of metrics used as a predictor for a number of consumers who will return to the merchant after a first visit using the promotion. | 3,700 |
343,715 | 16,803,129 | 3,741 | Systems and methods to code medical records using weighted belief networks are provided. Medical records are received, and may be subjected to pre-processing which includes deduplication of records, indexing the records, meta-tagging the records, and annotating the records. An entity extractor then generates entity dictionaries from public sources. A network creator generates a belief network based on medical relationships. An annotation aligner receives normalized annotations of historical medical records, and a network weighter assigns probability values to the belief network using the normalized annotations to generate a weighted belief network. A health care code classifier utilizes the weighted belief network to classify the medical records by comparing entities within the medical records. | 1. A computerized method for coding medical records comprising:
receiving medical records; generating entity dictionaries from public sources; generating a belief network based on medical relationships; receiving normalized annotations of historical medical records; weighting the belief network using the normalized annotations; and classifying the medical records by comparing entities within the medical records to the weighted belief network. 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the belief network is a Bayesian network. 3. The method of claim 2, wherein the belief network is a cyclic directed graph with nodes of random variables and relationships between the nodes codify parent/child relationships. 4. The method of claim 3, wherein the belief network has a domain for each random variable. 5. The method of claim 4, wherein the belief network includes a set of conditional probability distributions for each variable X given by: P(X|parents(X)). 6. The method of claim 1, wherein the belief network is a triple data structure comprising a subject-predicate-object. 7. The method of claim 1, wherein the medical relationships used to generate the belief network is a Web Ontology Language (OWL) and Resource Description Framework (RDF) ontologies. 8. The method of claim 1, further comprising preprocessing the medical records. 9. The method of claim 8, wherein the pre-processing includes deduplication of records, indexing the records, meta-tagging the records, and annotating the records. 10. The method of claim 1, further comprising outputting the classified medical records to at least one coder for review. 11. A computerized system for coding medical records comprising:
an interface for receiving medical records; an entity extractor for generating entity dictionaries from public sources; a network creator for generating a belief network based on medical relationships; an annotation aligner for receiving normalized annotations of historical medical records; a network weighter for weighting the belief network using the normalized annotations; and a health care code classifier for classifying the medical records by comparing entities within the medical records to the weighted belief network. 12. The system of claim 11, wherein the belief network is a Bayesian network. 13. The system of claim 12, wherein the belief network is a cyclic directed graph with nodes of random variables and relationships between the nodes codify parent/child relationships. 14. The system of claim 13, wherein the belief network has a domain for each random variable. 15. The system of claim 14, wherein the belief network includes a set of conditional probability distributions for each variable X given by: P(X|parents(X)). 16. The system of claim 11, wherein the belief network is a triple data structure comprising a subject-predicate-object. 17. The system of claim 11, wherein the medical relationships used to generate the belief network is a Web Ontology Language (OWL) and Resource Description Framework (RDF) ontologies. 18. The system of claim 11, further comprising preprocessing the medical records. 19. The system of claim 18, wherein the pre-processing includes deduplication of records, indexing the records, meta-tagging the records, and annotating the records. 20. The system of claim 11, further comprising outputting the classified medical records to at least one coder for review. | Systems and methods to code medical records using weighted belief networks are provided. Medical records are received, and may be subjected to pre-processing which includes deduplication of records, indexing the records, meta-tagging the records, and annotating the records. An entity extractor then generates entity dictionaries from public sources. A network creator generates a belief network based on medical relationships. An annotation aligner receives normalized annotations of historical medical records, and a network weighter assigns probability values to the belief network using the normalized annotations to generate a weighted belief network. A health care code classifier utilizes the weighted belief network to classify the medical records by comparing entities within the medical records.1. A computerized method for coding medical records comprising:
receiving medical records; generating entity dictionaries from public sources; generating a belief network based on medical relationships; receiving normalized annotations of historical medical records; weighting the belief network using the normalized annotations; and classifying the medical records by comparing entities within the medical records to the weighted belief network. 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the belief network is a Bayesian network. 3. The method of claim 2, wherein the belief network is a cyclic directed graph with nodes of random variables and relationships between the nodes codify parent/child relationships. 4. The method of claim 3, wherein the belief network has a domain for each random variable. 5. The method of claim 4, wherein the belief network includes a set of conditional probability distributions for each variable X given by: P(X|parents(X)). 6. The method of claim 1, wherein the belief network is a triple data structure comprising a subject-predicate-object. 7. The method of claim 1, wherein the medical relationships used to generate the belief network is a Web Ontology Language (OWL) and Resource Description Framework (RDF) ontologies. 8. The method of claim 1, further comprising preprocessing the medical records. 9. The method of claim 8, wherein the pre-processing includes deduplication of records, indexing the records, meta-tagging the records, and annotating the records. 10. The method of claim 1, further comprising outputting the classified medical records to at least one coder for review. 11. A computerized system for coding medical records comprising:
an interface for receiving medical records; an entity extractor for generating entity dictionaries from public sources; a network creator for generating a belief network based on medical relationships; an annotation aligner for receiving normalized annotations of historical medical records; a network weighter for weighting the belief network using the normalized annotations; and a health care code classifier for classifying the medical records by comparing entities within the medical records to the weighted belief network. 12. The system of claim 11, wherein the belief network is a Bayesian network. 13. The system of claim 12, wherein the belief network is a cyclic directed graph with nodes of random variables and relationships between the nodes codify parent/child relationships. 14. The system of claim 13, wherein the belief network has a domain for each random variable. 15. The system of claim 14, wherein the belief network includes a set of conditional probability distributions for each variable X given by: P(X|parents(X)). 16. The system of claim 11, wherein the belief network is a triple data structure comprising a subject-predicate-object. 17. The system of claim 11, wherein the medical relationships used to generate the belief network is a Web Ontology Language (OWL) and Resource Description Framework (RDF) ontologies. 18. The system of claim 11, further comprising preprocessing the medical records. 19. The system of claim 18, wherein the pre-processing includes deduplication of records, indexing the records, meta-tagging the records, and annotating the records. 20. The system of claim 11, further comprising outputting the classified medical records to at least one coder for review. | 3,700 |
343,716 | 16,803,138 | 3,741 | A variable displacement reciprocating piston unit includes a sensor probe, a target, a piston having a top dead center position and a bottom dead center position, and a signal processing unit. The sensor probe, the target, and the piston are located in relation to each other so that the target is moved from being absent from the sensor probe to being present at the sensor probe when the piston travels towards the top dead center position, and the target is moved from being present at the sensor probe to being absent from the sensor probe when the piston travels towards the bottom dead center position. The signal processing unit generates a signal indicating a stroke speed and a stroke length of the piston from a signal from the sensor probe indicating a presence and/or an absence of the target as the target moves relative to the sensor probe. | 1. A variable displacement reciprocating piston unit, comprising:
a sensor probe; a target that is a target area; a piston having a top dead center position and a bottom dead center position, the sensor probe, the target, and the piston are located in relation to each other so that the target is moved from being absent from the sensor probe to being present at the sensor probe when the piston travels towards the top dead center position, and the target is moved from being present at the sensor probe to being absent from the sensor probe when the piston travels towards the bottom dead center position; and a signal processing unit configured to:
receive a signal from the sensor probe indicating a presence and/or an absence of the target as the target moves relative to the sensor probe, the signal allows a plurality of first timestamps to be measured when the target moves from being present at the sensor probe to being absent from the sensor probe, and the signal allows a plurality of second timestamps to be measured when the target moves from being absent from the sensor probe to being present at the sensor probe;
determine a periodicity of the piston by applying a first function to at least two timestamps of the first timestamps or at least two timestamps of the second timestamps;
determine a target duty cycle ratio by comparing a target pulse duration generated from at least one timestamp of the first timestamps and at least one timestamp of the second timestamps with the periodicity; and
generate a signal indicating a stroke speed and a stroke length of the piston from the periodicity and the target duty cycle ratio. 2. The variable displacement reciprocating piston unit of claim 1, wherein:
the target is indicated by a change of current carrying capacity and/or a change of a piston topography in a location of the target; the change of the piston topography is one or more of: an air gap in the piston, a recess in the piston, a groove on the piston, a slope or edge of the piston, or a hole in or of the piston; the change of current carrying capacity is a result of a target material with an electrical conductivity different from a material of the piston, the target material is a copper or a hard potting; and/or the change of current carrying capacity is a result of the change of the piston topography. 3. The variable displacement reciprocating piston unit of claim 1, wherein
the target area has a convex topography, is bow shaped, and/or is designed in an arched manner; a topography of the target area compensates for an axial rotation movement of the piston; and/or an air gap between the sensor probe and the target is substantially independent of piston axial rotation within ±3° of an un-rotated and/or initial piston position. 4. The variable displacement reciprocating piston unit of claim 1, wherein:
a sensor including the sensor probe and the processing unit is an eddy current sensor; and/or the signal of the sensor probe is directly measured or derived from a demodulation and/or a signal processing. 5. The variable displacement reciprocating piston unit of claim 4, wherein the sensor probe includes a sensor coil, the sensor coil is a flat wound coil on a bobbin and/or a flat coil on a PCB in one or more layers. 6. The variable displacement reciprocating piston unit of claim 5, wherein the sensor coil has a transmitting coil and a receiving coil that are either wound coils or PCB coils on different layers, and/or a resonance signal of the sensor probe is induced in the receiving coil and either a voltage, a current, a frequency, or a phase shift is processed in order to create a demodulated signal. 7. The variable displacement reciprocating piston unit of claim 1, wherein the sensor probe is located to indicate the presence of the target in top dead center position, and to indicate the absence of the target in the bottom dead center position. 8. The variable displacement reciprocating piston unit of claim 1, wherein:
a map translating and/or linearizing from the target duty cycle ratio to the stroke length is used to derive the stroke length from the target duty cycle ratio; the map includes at least one functional relationship including at least one polynomial function, at least one trigonometric function, and/or a look-up table; and at least one functional relationship is stored in the look-up table. 9. The variable displacement reciprocating piston unit of claim 1, further comprising a calibration target, the sensor probe indicating a presence and an absence of the calibration target as the calibration target moves relative to the sensor probe, the processing unit is configured to calibrate the stroke length of the piston using the indication of the presence of the calibration target, the calibration target is located on the piston. 10. The variable displacement reciprocating piston unit of claim 9, wherein calibrating the stroke length includes generating a calibration duty cycle ratio from a calibration timestamp measured when the calibration target moves from being absent from the sensor probe to being present at the sensor probe, or when the calibration target moves from being present at the sensor probe to being absent from the sensor probe, the calibration timestamp is compared with the first and/or second timestamps to derive a calibration duty cycle using the relationship: 11. The variable displacement reciprocating piston unit of claim 10, wherein calibrating the stroke length further includes correcting the target duty cycle ratio with a correcting factor or a correction function, the correcting factor or the correction function derived from the calibration duty cycle ratio and the target duty cycle, and a pre-stored accurate correlation between calibration duty cycle ratio and target duty cycle, the correcting factor or the correction function is applied to a map translating from target duty cycle ratio to stroke length. 12. The variable displacement reciprocating piston unit of claim 9, wherein calibrating the generated stroke length is performed when the piston stroke length is above a minimum stroke length required for the sensor probe to indicate the presence of the calibration target, during compressor and/or vehicle end-of-line test or during normal operations and with a certain time interval or at vehicle start-up. 13. The variable displacement reciprocating piston unit of claim 12, wherein the minimum stroke length required for the sensor to indicate the presence of the calibration target is greater than ⅔ of maximum stroke length. 14. The variable displacement reciprocating piston of claim 9, wherein the calibration target is indicated by a change of current carrying capacity and/or change of a piston topography, the change of current carrying capacity is the result of the change of topography, the change of topography includes one or more of: an air gap in the piston, a recess in the piston, a groove on the piston, a slope or edge of the piston, or a hole of the piston. 15. The variable displacement reciprocating piston of claim 14, wherein the calibration target is an oil groove in the piston. 16. The variable displacement reciprocating piston of claim 9, wherein the presence of the calibration target is distinguishable from the presence of the target using:
an uncalibrated piston stroke length information; a difference in time between two calibration target frequency changes compared to the time between a main target frequency change and a calibration frequency change; or a difference in frequency and/or phase shift change between the target and the calibration target generated by a difference in topography and/or material leading to a different induced eddy current as the target and the calibration target moves relative to the sensor probe. 17. The variable displacement reciprocating piston of claim 1, wherein generating the signal indicating the stroke speed and the stroke length includes a linearization of the target duty cycle, and the target duty cycle ratio is given by the equation: | A variable displacement reciprocating piston unit includes a sensor probe, a target, a piston having a top dead center position and a bottom dead center position, and a signal processing unit. The sensor probe, the target, and the piston are located in relation to each other so that the target is moved from being absent from the sensor probe to being present at the sensor probe when the piston travels towards the top dead center position, and the target is moved from being present at the sensor probe to being absent from the sensor probe when the piston travels towards the bottom dead center position. The signal processing unit generates a signal indicating a stroke speed and a stroke length of the piston from a signal from the sensor probe indicating a presence and/or an absence of the target as the target moves relative to the sensor probe.1. A variable displacement reciprocating piston unit, comprising:
a sensor probe; a target that is a target area; a piston having a top dead center position and a bottom dead center position, the sensor probe, the target, and the piston are located in relation to each other so that the target is moved from being absent from the sensor probe to being present at the sensor probe when the piston travels towards the top dead center position, and the target is moved from being present at the sensor probe to being absent from the sensor probe when the piston travels towards the bottom dead center position; and a signal processing unit configured to:
receive a signal from the sensor probe indicating a presence and/or an absence of the target as the target moves relative to the sensor probe, the signal allows a plurality of first timestamps to be measured when the target moves from being present at the sensor probe to being absent from the sensor probe, and the signal allows a plurality of second timestamps to be measured when the target moves from being absent from the sensor probe to being present at the sensor probe;
determine a periodicity of the piston by applying a first function to at least two timestamps of the first timestamps or at least two timestamps of the second timestamps;
determine a target duty cycle ratio by comparing a target pulse duration generated from at least one timestamp of the first timestamps and at least one timestamp of the second timestamps with the periodicity; and
generate a signal indicating a stroke speed and a stroke length of the piston from the periodicity and the target duty cycle ratio. 2. The variable displacement reciprocating piston unit of claim 1, wherein:
the target is indicated by a change of current carrying capacity and/or a change of a piston topography in a location of the target; the change of the piston topography is one or more of: an air gap in the piston, a recess in the piston, a groove on the piston, a slope or edge of the piston, or a hole in or of the piston; the change of current carrying capacity is a result of a target material with an electrical conductivity different from a material of the piston, the target material is a copper or a hard potting; and/or the change of current carrying capacity is a result of the change of the piston topography. 3. The variable displacement reciprocating piston unit of claim 1, wherein
the target area has a convex topography, is bow shaped, and/or is designed in an arched manner; a topography of the target area compensates for an axial rotation movement of the piston; and/or an air gap between the sensor probe and the target is substantially independent of piston axial rotation within ±3° of an un-rotated and/or initial piston position. 4. The variable displacement reciprocating piston unit of claim 1, wherein:
a sensor including the sensor probe and the processing unit is an eddy current sensor; and/or the signal of the sensor probe is directly measured or derived from a demodulation and/or a signal processing. 5. The variable displacement reciprocating piston unit of claim 4, wherein the sensor probe includes a sensor coil, the sensor coil is a flat wound coil on a bobbin and/or a flat coil on a PCB in one or more layers. 6. The variable displacement reciprocating piston unit of claim 5, wherein the sensor coil has a transmitting coil and a receiving coil that are either wound coils or PCB coils on different layers, and/or a resonance signal of the sensor probe is induced in the receiving coil and either a voltage, a current, a frequency, or a phase shift is processed in order to create a demodulated signal. 7. The variable displacement reciprocating piston unit of claim 1, wherein the sensor probe is located to indicate the presence of the target in top dead center position, and to indicate the absence of the target in the bottom dead center position. 8. The variable displacement reciprocating piston unit of claim 1, wherein:
a map translating and/or linearizing from the target duty cycle ratio to the stroke length is used to derive the stroke length from the target duty cycle ratio; the map includes at least one functional relationship including at least one polynomial function, at least one trigonometric function, and/or a look-up table; and at least one functional relationship is stored in the look-up table. 9. The variable displacement reciprocating piston unit of claim 1, further comprising a calibration target, the sensor probe indicating a presence and an absence of the calibration target as the calibration target moves relative to the sensor probe, the processing unit is configured to calibrate the stroke length of the piston using the indication of the presence of the calibration target, the calibration target is located on the piston. 10. The variable displacement reciprocating piston unit of claim 9, wherein calibrating the stroke length includes generating a calibration duty cycle ratio from a calibration timestamp measured when the calibration target moves from being absent from the sensor probe to being present at the sensor probe, or when the calibration target moves from being present at the sensor probe to being absent from the sensor probe, the calibration timestamp is compared with the first and/or second timestamps to derive a calibration duty cycle using the relationship: 11. The variable displacement reciprocating piston unit of claim 10, wherein calibrating the stroke length further includes correcting the target duty cycle ratio with a correcting factor or a correction function, the correcting factor or the correction function derived from the calibration duty cycle ratio and the target duty cycle, and a pre-stored accurate correlation between calibration duty cycle ratio and target duty cycle, the correcting factor or the correction function is applied to a map translating from target duty cycle ratio to stroke length. 12. The variable displacement reciprocating piston unit of claim 9, wherein calibrating the generated stroke length is performed when the piston stroke length is above a minimum stroke length required for the sensor probe to indicate the presence of the calibration target, during compressor and/or vehicle end-of-line test or during normal operations and with a certain time interval or at vehicle start-up. 13. The variable displacement reciprocating piston unit of claim 12, wherein the minimum stroke length required for the sensor to indicate the presence of the calibration target is greater than ⅔ of maximum stroke length. 14. The variable displacement reciprocating piston of claim 9, wherein the calibration target is indicated by a change of current carrying capacity and/or change of a piston topography, the change of current carrying capacity is the result of the change of topography, the change of topography includes one or more of: an air gap in the piston, a recess in the piston, a groove on the piston, a slope or edge of the piston, or a hole of the piston. 15. The variable displacement reciprocating piston of claim 14, wherein the calibration target is an oil groove in the piston. 16. The variable displacement reciprocating piston of claim 9, wherein the presence of the calibration target is distinguishable from the presence of the target using:
an uncalibrated piston stroke length information; a difference in time between two calibration target frequency changes compared to the time between a main target frequency change and a calibration frequency change; or a difference in frequency and/or phase shift change between the target and the calibration target generated by a difference in topography and/or material leading to a different induced eddy current as the target and the calibration target moves relative to the sensor probe. 17. The variable displacement reciprocating piston of claim 1, wherein generating the signal indicating the stroke speed and the stroke length includes a linearization of the target duty cycle, and the target duty cycle ratio is given by the equation: | 3,700 |
343,717 | 16,803,155 | 3,741 | An apparatus connected to a robot includes a communication interface for connecting the robot and the apparatus, a location information receiver receiving location information of the apparatus, at least one sensor including a biometric information sensor for acquiring biometric information of a user, and a processor for generating exercise information of the user based on at least one of the location information of the apparatus, the biometric information of the user acquired through the biometric sensor of the apparatus, or step count information acquired through a pedometer of the apparatus. The processor generates a control signal for controlling at least one of a moving direction or a moving speed of the robot, based on the location information of the robot or the apparatus or the information acquired through the at least one sensor, and controls the communication interface to transmit the generated control signal to the robot. | 1. An apparatus comprising:
a communication interface configured to connect the apparatus to a robot; a location information receiver configured to receive location information of the apparatus; at least one sensor comprising a biometric information sensor configured to acquire biometric information of a user; and a processor configured to: generate exercise information of the user based on at least one of the location information of the apparatus, the biometric information of the user acquired through the biometric information sensor of the apparatus, or step count information acquired through a pedometer of the apparatus, generate a control signal for controlling at least one of a moving direction or a moving speed of the robot, based on the location information of the apparatus or information acquired through the at least one sensor, and control the communication interface to transmit the generated control signal to the robot. 2. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the biometric information sensor is configured to contact a part of the user's body to acquire the biometric information,
the biometric information includes at least one of heart rate, pulse characteristics, body temperature, water content, and oxygen saturation of the user, and the exercise information includes at least one of a moving distance, a step count, and the acquired biometric information. 3. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the processor is further configured to:
detect that the location information corresponds to a location within a first predetermined distance from an inaccessible area according to map information, the map information being acquired from a memory of the apparatus or the communication interface, and the location information of the apparatus, and wherein the control signal is for changing the moving direction of the robot to position the robot apart from the inaccessible area by a second predetermined distance or more. 4. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the biometric information sensor is configured to detect the user's heart rate, and
wherein when the user's heart rate detected by the biometric information sensor is higher than a reference heart rate the control signal is for reducing the moving speed of the robot. 5. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the at least one sensor further comprises a distance sensor configured to detect a distance between the robot and the apparatus, and
wherein when the detected distance is shorter than a reference distance, the control signal is for increasing the moving speed of the robot. 6. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the at least one sensor further comprises a distance sensor configured to detect a distance between the robot and the apparatus, and
wherein when the detected distance is longer than a reference distance, the control signal is for reducing the moving speed of the robot or changing the moving direction of the robot. 7. The apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the apparatus includes at least one of a display, a speaker, a light source, and a vibration motor, and
wherein the processor is further configured to: re-detect the distance between the robot and the apparatus after a predetermined time elapses from a time point when the control signal is transmitted, and when the re-detected distance is longer than the reference distance, output a notification through the at least one of the display, the speaker, the light source and the vibration motor. 8. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a cable connected to the robot,
wherein the at least one sensor further comprises a tension sensor configured to detect a tension of the cable, and when a sensing value of the tension sensor is greater than a reference sensing value, the control signal is for reducing the moving speed of the robot or changing the moving direction of the robot. 9. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising an input interface configured to receive an adjustment request for adjusting the moving speed or the moving direction of the robot,
wherein the control signal is for controlling the moving speed or the moving direction of the robot according to the received adjustment request. 10. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising:
a cable connected to the robot, the cable including a power cable; and a battery, wherein the processor is further configured to: acquire battery level information of a battery of the robot through the communication interface; and transfer power from the battery of the apparatus to the battery of the robot through the power cable, based on the acquired battery level information. 11. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a memory,
wherein the processor is further configured to store the exercise information in the memory of the apparatus, or control the communication interface to transmit the exercise information to a server or to a mobile terminal of the user. 12. A control method of an apparatus including a memory; a pedometer; and at least one sensor, the at least one sensor including a biometric information sensor, the control method comprising:
detecting a connection of the apparatus to a robot; when an exercise mode is started, acquiring and storing, in the memory of the apparatus, exercise data including at least one of a location of the apparatus, biometric information of a user acquired through the biometric information sensor of the apparatus, or a step count acquired through the pedometer of the apparatus; generating a control signal for controlling at least one of a moving direction or a moving speed of the robot, based on location information of the apparatus or information acquired through the at least one sensor; transmitting the generated control signal to the robot; and when the exercise mode ends, generating exercise information of the user based on the acquired and stored exercise data. 13. The control method according to claim 12, wherein the biometric information includes at least one of the user's heart rate, pulse characteristics, body temperature, water content, and oxygen saturation, and
the exercise information includes at least one of a moving distance, a step count, and the acquired biometric information. 14. The control method according to claim 12, wherein the generating of the control signal comprises detecting that the location information of the apparatus corresponds to a location within a first predetermined distance from an inaccessible area according to map information, and
wherein the generating of the control signal is for changing the moving direction of the robot to position the robot apart from the inaccessible area by a second predetermined distance or more. 15. The control method according to claim 12, wherein the biometric information sensor is configured to measure the user's heart rate, and
wherein when the user's heart rate detected by the biometric information sensor is higher than a reference heart rate, the generating of the control signal is for reducing the moving speed of the robot. 16. The control method according to claim 12, wherein the apparatus further comprises a distance sensor for detecting a distance between the robot and the apparatus,
wherein the method further comprises detecting the distance between the robot and the apparatus using the distance sensor, and wherein when the detected distance is shorter than a reference distance, the generating of the control signal is for increasing the moving speed of the robot. 17. The control method according to claim 16,
when the detected distance is longer than the reference distance, the generating of the control signal is for reducing the moving speed of the robot or changing the moving direction of the robot. 18. The control method according to claim 17, wherein the apparatus further includes at least one of a display, a speaker, a light source, and a vibration motor, and
wherein the control method further comprises: re-detecting the distance between the robot and the apparatus using the distance sensor, after a predetermined time elapses from a time point when the control signal is transmitted; and when the re-detected distance is longer than the reference distance, outputting a notification through the at least one of the display, the speaker, the light source and the vibration motor. 19. The control method according to claim 12, wherein the apparatus comprises a cable connected to the robot,
wherein the at least one sensor further comprises a tension sensor for detecting a tension of the cable, and wherein the generating of the control signal comprises, when a sensing value of the tension sensor is greater than a reference sensing value, the generating of the control signal is for reducing the moving speed of the robot or changing the moving direction of the robot. 20. A robot system comprising:
the apparatus according to claim 1; and the robot connected to the apparatus. | An apparatus connected to a robot includes a communication interface for connecting the robot and the apparatus, a location information receiver receiving location information of the apparatus, at least one sensor including a biometric information sensor for acquiring biometric information of a user, and a processor for generating exercise information of the user based on at least one of the location information of the apparatus, the biometric information of the user acquired through the biometric sensor of the apparatus, or step count information acquired through a pedometer of the apparatus. The processor generates a control signal for controlling at least one of a moving direction or a moving speed of the robot, based on the location information of the robot or the apparatus or the information acquired through the at least one sensor, and controls the communication interface to transmit the generated control signal to the robot.1. An apparatus comprising:
a communication interface configured to connect the apparatus to a robot; a location information receiver configured to receive location information of the apparatus; at least one sensor comprising a biometric information sensor configured to acquire biometric information of a user; and a processor configured to: generate exercise information of the user based on at least one of the location information of the apparatus, the biometric information of the user acquired through the biometric information sensor of the apparatus, or step count information acquired through a pedometer of the apparatus, generate a control signal for controlling at least one of a moving direction or a moving speed of the robot, based on the location information of the apparatus or information acquired through the at least one sensor, and control the communication interface to transmit the generated control signal to the robot. 2. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the biometric information sensor is configured to contact a part of the user's body to acquire the biometric information,
the biometric information includes at least one of heart rate, pulse characteristics, body temperature, water content, and oxygen saturation of the user, and the exercise information includes at least one of a moving distance, a step count, and the acquired biometric information. 3. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the processor is further configured to:
detect that the location information corresponds to a location within a first predetermined distance from an inaccessible area according to map information, the map information being acquired from a memory of the apparatus or the communication interface, and the location information of the apparatus, and wherein the control signal is for changing the moving direction of the robot to position the robot apart from the inaccessible area by a second predetermined distance or more. 4. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the biometric information sensor is configured to detect the user's heart rate, and
wherein when the user's heart rate detected by the biometric information sensor is higher than a reference heart rate the control signal is for reducing the moving speed of the robot. 5. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the at least one sensor further comprises a distance sensor configured to detect a distance between the robot and the apparatus, and
wherein when the detected distance is shorter than a reference distance, the control signal is for increasing the moving speed of the robot. 6. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the at least one sensor further comprises a distance sensor configured to detect a distance between the robot and the apparatus, and
wherein when the detected distance is longer than a reference distance, the control signal is for reducing the moving speed of the robot or changing the moving direction of the robot. 7. The apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the apparatus includes at least one of a display, a speaker, a light source, and a vibration motor, and
wherein the processor is further configured to: re-detect the distance between the robot and the apparatus after a predetermined time elapses from a time point when the control signal is transmitted, and when the re-detected distance is longer than the reference distance, output a notification through the at least one of the display, the speaker, the light source and the vibration motor. 8. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a cable connected to the robot,
wherein the at least one sensor further comprises a tension sensor configured to detect a tension of the cable, and when a sensing value of the tension sensor is greater than a reference sensing value, the control signal is for reducing the moving speed of the robot or changing the moving direction of the robot. 9. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising an input interface configured to receive an adjustment request for adjusting the moving speed or the moving direction of the robot,
wherein the control signal is for controlling the moving speed or the moving direction of the robot according to the received adjustment request. 10. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising:
a cable connected to the robot, the cable including a power cable; and a battery, wherein the processor is further configured to: acquire battery level information of a battery of the robot through the communication interface; and transfer power from the battery of the apparatus to the battery of the robot through the power cable, based on the acquired battery level information. 11. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a memory,
wherein the processor is further configured to store the exercise information in the memory of the apparatus, or control the communication interface to transmit the exercise information to a server or to a mobile terminal of the user. 12. A control method of an apparatus including a memory; a pedometer; and at least one sensor, the at least one sensor including a biometric information sensor, the control method comprising:
detecting a connection of the apparatus to a robot; when an exercise mode is started, acquiring and storing, in the memory of the apparatus, exercise data including at least one of a location of the apparatus, biometric information of a user acquired through the biometric information sensor of the apparatus, or a step count acquired through the pedometer of the apparatus; generating a control signal for controlling at least one of a moving direction or a moving speed of the robot, based on location information of the apparatus or information acquired through the at least one sensor; transmitting the generated control signal to the robot; and when the exercise mode ends, generating exercise information of the user based on the acquired and stored exercise data. 13. The control method according to claim 12, wherein the biometric information includes at least one of the user's heart rate, pulse characteristics, body temperature, water content, and oxygen saturation, and
the exercise information includes at least one of a moving distance, a step count, and the acquired biometric information. 14. The control method according to claim 12, wherein the generating of the control signal comprises detecting that the location information of the apparatus corresponds to a location within a first predetermined distance from an inaccessible area according to map information, and
wherein the generating of the control signal is for changing the moving direction of the robot to position the robot apart from the inaccessible area by a second predetermined distance or more. 15. The control method according to claim 12, wherein the biometric information sensor is configured to measure the user's heart rate, and
wherein when the user's heart rate detected by the biometric information sensor is higher than a reference heart rate, the generating of the control signal is for reducing the moving speed of the robot. 16. The control method according to claim 12, wherein the apparatus further comprises a distance sensor for detecting a distance between the robot and the apparatus,
wherein the method further comprises detecting the distance between the robot and the apparatus using the distance sensor, and wherein when the detected distance is shorter than a reference distance, the generating of the control signal is for increasing the moving speed of the robot. 17. The control method according to claim 16,
when the detected distance is longer than the reference distance, the generating of the control signal is for reducing the moving speed of the robot or changing the moving direction of the robot. 18. The control method according to claim 17, wherein the apparatus further includes at least one of a display, a speaker, a light source, and a vibration motor, and
wherein the control method further comprises: re-detecting the distance between the robot and the apparatus using the distance sensor, after a predetermined time elapses from a time point when the control signal is transmitted; and when the re-detected distance is longer than the reference distance, outputting a notification through the at least one of the display, the speaker, the light source and the vibration motor. 19. The control method according to claim 12, wherein the apparatus comprises a cable connected to the robot,
wherein the at least one sensor further comprises a tension sensor for detecting a tension of the cable, and wherein the generating of the control signal comprises, when a sensing value of the tension sensor is greater than a reference sensing value, the generating of the control signal is for reducing the moving speed of the robot or changing the moving direction of the robot. 20. A robot system comprising:
the apparatus according to claim 1; and the robot connected to the apparatus. | 3,700 |
343,718 | 16,803,126 | 3,741 | Compositions of TNF family of cytokines in covalently linked trimeric forms are disclosed. The resulting fusion proteins are secreted as disulfide bond-linked homotrimers, which are more stable in structure and therapeutically more efficacious than their native counterparts. | 1. A method for treating cancer in a mammal, comprising the step of administering to said mammal a therapeutically effective amount of a disulfide bond-linked trimeric 4-1BBL fusion protein. 2. The method of claim 1 wherein the administering step further comprises administration of anti-PD1 along with the therapeutically effective amount of the disulfide bond-linked trimeric 4-1BBL fusion protein. 3. The method of claim 1 wherein the administering step further comprises administration of anti-PD-L1 along with the therapeutically effective amount of the disulfide bond-linked trimeric 4-1BBL fusion protein. 4. The method of claim 1 wherein the disulfide bond-linked trimeric 4-1BBL fusion protein comprising an amino acid sequence composition identified by one of SEQ. ID NO. 3 and SEQ. ID NO. 4. 5. The method of claim 4 wherein the administering step further comprises administration of anti-PD1 along with the therapeutically effective amount of the disulfide bond-linked trimeric 4-1BBL fusion protein. 6. The method of claim 4 wherein the administering step further comprises administration of anti-PD-L1 along with the therapeutically effective amount of the disulfide bond-linked trimeric 4-1BBL fusion protein. 7. The method of claim 1 wherein the cancer is gastrointestinal cancer. 8. The method of claim 1 wherein the cancer is colorectal cancer. 9. The method of claim 1 wherein the cancer is lung cancer. 10. The method of claim 1 wherein the cancer is pancreatic cancer. 11. The method of claim 1 wherein the cancer is ovarian cancer. 12. The method of claim 1 wherein the cancer is a malignant ascites. 13. The method of claim 1 wherein the cancer is peritoneal carcinomatosis. 14. The method of claim 1 wherein the disulfide bond-linked trimeric fusion protein is administered via intravenous injection. 15. The method of claim 1 wherein the disulfide bond-linked trimeric fusion protein is administered via intraperitoneal infusion. 16. The method of claim 1 wherein the disulfide bond-linked trimeric fusion protein is administered via intra-pleural infusion. 17. The method of claim 1 wherein the disulfide bond-linked trimeric fusion protein is administered via subcutaneous injection. 18. The method of claim 1 wherein the disulfide bond-linked trimeric fusion protein is administered in a series of doses separated by intervals of days or weeks. 19. The method of claim 1 wherein the disulfide bond-linked trimeric fusion protein is administered in combination with chemotherapy. 20. The method of claim 1 wherein the disulfide bond-linked trimeric fusion protein is administered in combination with a Ras inhibitor. | Compositions of TNF family of cytokines in covalently linked trimeric forms are disclosed. The resulting fusion proteins are secreted as disulfide bond-linked homotrimers, which are more stable in structure and therapeutically more efficacious than their native counterparts.1. A method for treating cancer in a mammal, comprising the step of administering to said mammal a therapeutically effective amount of a disulfide bond-linked trimeric 4-1BBL fusion protein. 2. The method of claim 1 wherein the administering step further comprises administration of anti-PD1 along with the therapeutically effective amount of the disulfide bond-linked trimeric 4-1BBL fusion protein. 3. The method of claim 1 wherein the administering step further comprises administration of anti-PD-L1 along with the therapeutically effective amount of the disulfide bond-linked trimeric 4-1BBL fusion protein. 4. The method of claim 1 wherein the disulfide bond-linked trimeric 4-1BBL fusion protein comprising an amino acid sequence composition identified by one of SEQ. ID NO. 3 and SEQ. ID NO. 4. 5. The method of claim 4 wherein the administering step further comprises administration of anti-PD1 along with the therapeutically effective amount of the disulfide bond-linked trimeric 4-1BBL fusion protein. 6. The method of claim 4 wherein the administering step further comprises administration of anti-PD-L1 along with the therapeutically effective amount of the disulfide bond-linked trimeric 4-1BBL fusion protein. 7. The method of claim 1 wherein the cancer is gastrointestinal cancer. 8. The method of claim 1 wherein the cancer is colorectal cancer. 9. The method of claim 1 wherein the cancer is lung cancer. 10. The method of claim 1 wherein the cancer is pancreatic cancer. 11. The method of claim 1 wherein the cancer is ovarian cancer. 12. The method of claim 1 wherein the cancer is a malignant ascites. 13. The method of claim 1 wherein the cancer is peritoneal carcinomatosis. 14. The method of claim 1 wherein the disulfide bond-linked trimeric fusion protein is administered via intravenous injection. 15. The method of claim 1 wherein the disulfide bond-linked trimeric fusion protein is administered via intraperitoneal infusion. 16. The method of claim 1 wherein the disulfide bond-linked trimeric fusion protein is administered via intra-pleural infusion. 17. The method of claim 1 wherein the disulfide bond-linked trimeric fusion protein is administered via subcutaneous injection. 18. The method of claim 1 wherein the disulfide bond-linked trimeric fusion protein is administered in a series of doses separated by intervals of days or weeks. 19. The method of claim 1 wherein the disulfide bond-linked trimeric fusion protein is administered in combination with chemotherapy. 20. The method of claim 1 wherein the disulfide bond-linked trimeric fusion protein is administered in combination with a Ras inhibitor. | 3,700 |
343,719 | 16,803,159 | 3,741 | A live video distribution system has an on-the-spot system including a video signal generating means for generating video signals of a plurality of systems having different display ranges and a communicating means, and a plurality of terminal apparatuses each including a video display means, a display range setting signal generating means, and a communicating means. The systems of the video signals and the terminal apparatuses are associated with each other, the on-the-spot system has a function to determine the display ranges of the video signals of the respective systems on the basis of display range setting signals generated by the terminal apparatuses associated with the respective systems, and a function to send the video signals. Each of the terminal apparatuses can send the display range setting signal, can receive the video signal of the system associated with the terminal apparatus itself, and can display a video image based on the video signal. | 1. A method of transmitting live video signals, the method comprising:
receiving a respective one of display range setting signals sent from a plurality of terminal apparatuses located at remote locations; generating live video signals of a plurality of systems having different display ranges, the display ranges of the live video signals being changed based on display range setting information represented by the respective one of the display range setting signals; and transmitting a respective one of the live video signals of the plurality of systems to a respective one of the plurality of terminal apparatuses which sent the respective one of the display range setting signals, simultaneously in real time. 2. The method according to claim 1, further comprising processing the live video signals to generate processed live video signals prior to transmitting. 3. The method according to claim 1, further comprising processing the display range setting signals to generate line-of-sight setting signals and vantage point setting signals. 4. An on-the-spot system comprising:
a plurality of slave apparatuses; and a master apparatus to be located in a spot; wherein each of the slave apparatuses includes a camera configured to capture an image of a target on the spot, and a first communication device configured to exchange signals with the master apparatus; wherein the master apparatus includes a server, a second communication device configured to exchange signals directly with the slave apparatuses, and a third communication device configured to exchange signals with a plurality of terminal apparatuses at locations remote from the spot via a public network; wherein each of the slave apparatuses is configured to generate a live video signal based on the captured image from the respective camera, and to transmit the live video signal to the master apparatus; and wherein the server is configured to:
associate each of the slave apparatuses with a respective one of the plurality of terminal apparatuses;
receive the live video signal from each of the slave apparatuses via the second communication device; and
send the received live video signal via the third communication device and the public network to respective terminal apparatuses of the plurality of terminal apparatuses simultaneously in real time. 5. The on-the-spot system of claim 4, wherein the server is further configured to process the live video signal as required to generate a converted live video signal, and to send the converted live video signal via the third communication device and the public network to the respective terminal apparatuses of the plurality of terminal apparatuses simultaneously in real time. 6. The on-the-spot system of claim 4, wherein the third communication device is configured to exchange signals with the plurality of terminal apparatuses at locations remote from the spot via a relay apparatus and the public network | A live video distribution system has an on-the-spot system including a video signal generating means for generating video signals of a plurality of systems having different display ranges and a communicating means, and a plurality of terminal apparatuses each including a video display means, a display range setting signal generating means, and a communicating means. The systems of the video signals and the terminal apparatuses are associated with each other, the on-the-spot system has a function to determine the display ranges of the video signals of the respective systems on the basis of display range setting signals generated by the terminal apparatuses associated with the respective systems, and a function to send the video signals. Each of the terminal apparatuses can send the display range setting signal, can receive the video signal of the system associated with the terminal apparatus itself, and can display a video image based on the video signal.1. A method of transmitting live video signals, the method comprising:
receiving a respective one of display range setting signals sent from a plurality of terminal apparatuses located at remote locations; generating live video signals of a plurality of systems having different display ranges, the display ranges of the live video signals being changed based on display range setting information represented by the respective one of the display range setting signals; and transmitting a respective one of the live video signals of the plurality of systems to a respective one of the plurality of terminal apparatuses which sent the respective one of the display range setting signals, simultaneously in real time. 2. The method according to claim 1, further comprising processing the live video signals to generate processed live video signals prior to transmitting. 3. The method according to claim 1, further comprising processing the display range setting signals to generate line-of-sight setting signals and vantage point setting signals. 4. An on-the-spot system comprising:
a plurality of slave apparatuses; and a master apparatus to be located in a spot; wherein each of the slave apparatuses includes a camera configured to capture an image of a target on the spot, and a first communication device configured to exchange signals with the master apparatus; wherein the master apparatus includes a server, a second communication device configured to exchange signals directly with the slave apparatuses, and a third communication device configured to exchange signals with a plurality of terminal apparatuses at locations remote from the spot via a public network; wherein each of the slave apparatuses is configured to generate a live video signal based on the captured image from the respective camera, and to transmit the live video signal to the master apparatus; and wherein the server is configured to:
associate each of the slave apparatuses with a respective one of the plurality of terminal apparatuses;
receive the live video signal from each of the slave apparatuses via the second communication device; and
send the received live video signal via the third communication device and the public network to respective terminal apparatuses of the plurality of terminal apparatuses simultaneously in real time. 5. The on-the-spot system of claim 4, wherein the server is further configured to process the live video signal as required to generate a converted live video signal, and to send the converted live video signal via the third communication device and the public network to the respective terminal apparatuses of the plurality of terminal apparatuses simultaneously in real time. 6. The on-the-spot system of claim 4, wherein the third communication device is configured to exchange signals with the plurality of terminal apparatuses at locations remote from the spot via a relay apparatus and the public network | 3,700 |
343,720 | 16,803,172 | 3,741 | Inference server and computing device for inferring an optimal wireless data transfer rate. The computing device determines parameters of a data transfer through a wireless communication interface of the computing device, and transmits the parameters of the data transfer to the inference server. The inference server receives the parameters of the data transfer, executes a neural network inference engine using a predictive model (generated by a neural network training engine) for inferring an optimal data transfer rate based on the parameters of the data transfer, and transmits the optimal data transfer rate to the computing device. The computing device receives the optimal data transfer rate, and configures its wireless communication interface to operate at the optimal data transfer rate. For example, the computing device consists of an environment control device (e.g. an environment controller, a sensor, a controlled appliance, and a relay). | 1. A computing device, comprising:
a wireless communication interface; and a processing unit comprising one or more processor for:
determining parameters characterizing operating conditions of a data transfer through the wireless communication interface, the parameters including an amount of data to transfer through the wireless communication interface;
transmitting the parameters characterizing the operating conditions of the data transfer through the wireless communication interface to an inference server executing a neural network inference engine, the transmission of the parameters being performed via one of the wireless communication interface or another communication interface of the computing device;
receiving an optimal data transfer rate of the wireless communication interface inferred by the neural network inference engine executed by the inference server, the inference of the optimal data transfer rate of the wireless communication interface being based on the parameters characterizing the operating conditions of the data transfer through the wireless communication interface which include the amount of data to transfer through the wireless communication interface, the reception of the optimal data transfer rate being performed via one of the wireless communication interface or the other communication interface of the computing device; and
configuring the wireless communication interface to operate at the optimal data transfer rate;
wherein the optimal data transfer rate is one of an optimal data transmission rate, an optimal data reception rate, or a symmetrical optimal data transfer rate. 2. The computing device of claim 1, wherein the data transfer is a transmission of data by the computing device through the wireless communication interface and the optimal data transfer rate is the optimal data transmission rate. 3. The computing device of claim 1, wherein the data transfer is a reception of data by the computing device through the wireless communication interface and the optimal data transfer rate is the optimal data reception rate. 4. The computing device of claim 1, wherein the data transfer is a transmission or a reception of data by the computing device through the wireless communication interface, and the optimal data transfer rate is the symmetrical optimal data transfer rate. 5. The computing device of claim 1, wherein the parameters characterizing the operating conditions of the data transfer through the wireless communication interface further comprise at least one of the following: a radio frequency, a signal strength, an error rate, and a period of time at which the data transfer occurs. 6. The computing device of claim 1, wherein the wireless communication interface is one of the following: a Wi-Fi communication interface, and a mesh communication interface. 7. The computing device of claim 1, wherein the computing device consists of an environment control device (ECD). 8. The computing device of claim 7, wherein the ECD consists of one of the following: an environment controller, a sensor, a controlled appliance, and a relay. 9. A method for inferring an optimal wireless data transfer rate using an inference server, the method comprising:
determining by a processing unit of a computing device parameters characterizing operating conditions of a data transfer through a wireless communication interface of the computing device, the parameters including an amount of data to transfer through the wireless communication interface, the processing unit comprising one or more processor; transmitting by the processing unit the parameters characterizing the operating conditions of the data transfer through the wireless communication interface to an inference server executing a neural network inference engine, the transmission of the parameters being performed via one of the wireless communication interface or another communication interface of the computing device; receiving by the processing unit an optimal data transfer rate of the wireless communication interface inferred by the neural network inference engine executed by the inference server, the inference of the optimal data transfer rate of the wireless communication interface being based on the parameters characterizing the operating conditions of the data transfer through the wireless communication interface which include the amount of data to transfer through the wireless communication interface, the reception of the optimal data transfer rate being performed via one of the wireless communication interface or the other communication interface of the computing device; and configuring by the processing unit the wireless communication interface to operate at the optimal data transfer rate; wherein the optimal data transfer rate is one of an optimal data transmission rate, an optimal data reception rate, or a symmetrical optimal data transfer rate. 10. The method of claim 9, wherein the data transfer is a transmission of data by the computing device through the wireless communication interface and the optimal data transfer rate is the optimal data transmission rate. 11. The method of claim 9, wherein the data transfer is a reception of data by the computing device through the wireless communication interface and the optimal data transfer rate is the optimal data reception rate. 12. The method of claim 9, wherein the data transfer is a transmission or a reception of data by the computing device through the wireless communication interface, and the optimal data transfer rate is the symmetrical optimal data transfer rate. 13. The method of claim 9, wherein the parameters characterizing the operating conditions of the data transfer through the wireless communication interface further comprise at least one of the following: a radio frequency, a signal strength, an error rate, and a period of time at which the data transfer occurs. 14. The method of claim 9, wherein the wireless communication interface is one of the following: a Wi-Fi communication interface, and a mesh communication interface. 15. The method of claim 9, wherein the computing device consists of one of the following: an environment controller, a sensor, a controlled appliance, and a relay. 16. An inference server, comprising:
a communication interface; memory for storing a predictive model generated by a neural network training engine; and a processing unit comprising one or more processor for:
receiving from a computing device via the communication interface parameters characterizing operating conditions of a data transfer through a wireless communication interface of the computing device, the parameters including an amount of data to transfer through the wireless communication interface of the computing device;
executing a neural network inference engine using the predictive model for inferring an optimal data transfer rate of the wireless communication interface of the computing device based on the parameters characterizing the operating conditions of the data transfer through the wireless communication interface of the computing device which include the amount of data to transfer through the wireless communication interface of the computing device; and
transmitting to the computing device via the communication interface the optimal data transfer rate inferred by the neural network inference engine;
wherein the optimal data transfer rate is one of an optimal data transmission rate, an optimal data reception rate, or a symmetrical optimal data transfer rate. 17. The inference server of claim 16, wherein the data transfer is a transmission of data by the computing device through the wireless communication interface and the optimal data transfer rate is the optimal data transmission rate. 18. The inference server of claim 16, wherein the data transfer is a reception of data by the computing device through the wireless communication interface and the optimal data transfer rate is the optimal data reception rate. 19. The inference server of claim 16, wherein the data transfer is a transmission or a reception of data by the computing device through the wireless communication interface, and the optimal data transfer rate is the symmetrical optimal data transfer rate. 20. The inference server of claim 16, wherein the parameters characterizing the operating conditions of the data transfer through the wireless communication interface further comprise at least one of the following: a radio frequency, a signal strength, an error rate, and a period of time at which the data transfer occurs. 21. The inference server of claim 16, wherein the predictive model comprises weights used by the neural network inference engine. 22. The inference server of claim 16, wherein the wireless communication interface is one of the following: a Wi-Fi communication interface, and a mesh communication interface. 23. The inference server of claim 16, wherein the computing device consists of one of the following: an environment controller, a sensor, a controlled appliance, and a relay. | Inference server and computing device for inferring an optimal wireless data transfer rate. The computing device determines parameters of a data transfer through a wireless communication interface of the computing device, and transmits the parameters of the data transfer to the inference server. The inference server receives the parameters of the data transfer, executes a neural network inference engine using a predictive model (generated by a neural network training engine) for inferring an optimal data transfer rate based on the parameters of the data transfer, and transmits the optimal data transfer rate to the computing device. The computing device receives the optimal data transfer rate, and configures its wireless communication interface to operate at the optimal data transfer rate. For example, the computing device consists of an environment control device (e.g. an environment controller, a sensor, a controlled appliance, and a relay).1. A computing device, comprising:
a wireless communication interface; and a processing unit comprising one or more processor for:
determining parameters characterizing operating conditions of a data transfer through the wireless communication interface, the parameters including an amount of data to transfer through the wireless communication interface;
transmitting the parameters characterizing the operating conditions of the data transfer through the wireless communication interface to an inference server executing a neural network inference engine, the transmission of the parameters being performed via one of the wireless communication interface or another communication interface of the computing device;
receiving an optimal data transfer rate of the wireless communication interface inferred by the neural network inference engine executed by the inference server, the inference of the optimal data transfer rate of the wireless communication interface being based on the parameters characterizing the operating conditions of the data transfer through the wireless communication interface which include the amount of data to transfer through the wireless communication interface, the reception of the optimal data transfer rate being performed via one of the wireless communication interface or the other communication interface of the computing device; and
configuring the wireless communication interface to operate at the optimal data transfer rate;
wherein the optimal data transfer rate is one of an optimal data transmission rate, an optimal data reception rate, or a symmetrical optimal data transfer rate. 2. The computing device of claim 1, wherein the data transfer is a transmission of data by the computing device through the wireless communication interface and the optimal data transfer rate is the optimal data transmission rate. 3. The computing device of claim 1, wherein the data transfer is a reception of data by the computing device through the wireless communication interface and the optimal data transfer rate is the optimal data reception rate. 4. The computing device of claim 1, wherein the data transfer is a transmission or a reception of data by the computing device through the wireless communication interface, and the optimal data transfer rate is the symmetrical optimal data transfer rate. 5. The computing device of claim 1, wherein the parameters characterizing the operating conditions of the data transfer through the wireless communication interface further comprise at least one of the following: a radio frequency, a signal strength, an error rate, and a period of time at which the data transfer occurs. 6. The computing device of claim 1, wherein the wireless communication interface is one of the following: a Wi-Fi communication interface, and a mesh communication interface. 7. The computing device of claim 1, wherein the computing device consists of an environment control device (ECD). 8. The computing device of claim 7, wherein the ECD consists of one of the following: an environment controller, a sensor, a controlled appliance, and a relay. 9. A method for inferring an optimal wireless data transfer rate using an inference server, the method comprising:
determining by a processing unit of a computing device parameters characterizing operating conditions of a data transfer through a wireless communication interface of the computing device, the parameters including an amount of data to transfer through the wireless communication interface, the processing unit comprising one or more processor; transmitting by the processing unit the parameters characterizing the operating conditions of the data transfer through the wireless communication interface to an inference server executing a neural network inference engine, the transmission of the parameters being performed via one of the wireless communication interface or another communication interface of the computing device; receiving by the processing unit an optimal data transfer rate of the wireless communication interface inferred by the neural network inference engine executed by the inference server, the inference of the optimal data transfer rate of the wireless communication interface being based on the parameters characterizing the operating conditions of the data transfer through the wireless communication interface which include the amount of data to transfer through the wireless communication interface, the reception of the optimal data transfer rate being performed via one of the wireless communication interface or the other communication interface of the computing device; and configuring by the processing unit the wireless communication interface to operate at the optimal data transfer rate; wherein the optimal data transfer rate is one of an optimal data transmission rate, an optimal data reception rate, or a symmetrical optimal data transfer rate. 10. The method of claim 9, wherein the data transfer is a transmission of data by the computing device through the wireless communication interface and the optimal data transfer rate is the optimal data transmission rate. 11. The method of claim 9, wherein the data transfer is a reception of data by the computing device through the wireless communication interface and the optimal data transfer rate is the optimal data reception rate. 12. The method of claim 9, wherein the data transfer is a transmission or a reception of data by the computing device through the wireless communication interface, and the optimal data transfer rate is the symmetrical optimal data transfer rate. 13. The method of claim 9, wherein the parameters characterizing the operating conditions of the data transfer through the wireless communication interface further comprise at least one of the following: a radio frequency, a signal strength, an error rate, and a period of time at which the data transfer occurs. 14. The method of claim 9, wherein the wireless communication interface is one of the following: a Wi-Fi communication interface, and a mesh communication interface. 15. The method of claim 9, wherein the computing device consists of one of the following: an environment controller, a sensor, a controlled appliance, and a relay. 16. An inference server, comprising:
a communication interface; memory for storing a predictive model generated by a neural network training engine; and a processing unit comprising one or more processor for:
receiving from a computing device via the communication interface parameters characterizing operating conditions of a data transfer through a wireless communication interface of the computing device, the parameters including an amount of data to transfer through the wireless communication interface of the computing device;
executing a neural network inference engine using the predictive model for inferring an optimal data transfer rate of the wireless communication interface of the computing device based on the parameters characterizing the operating conditions of the data transfer through the wireless communication interface of the computing device which include the amount of data to transfer through the wireless communication interface of the computing device; and
transmitting to the computing device via the communication interface the optimal data transfer rate inferred by the neural network inference engine;
wherein the optimal data transfer rate is one of an optimal data transmission rate, an optimal data reception rate, or a symmetrical optimal data transfer rate. 17. The inference server of claim 16, wherein the data transfer is a transmission of data by the computing device through the wireless communication interface and the optimal data transfer rate is the optimal data transmission rate. 18. The inference server of claim 16, wherein the data transfer is a reception of data by the computing device through the wireless communication interface and the optimal data transfer rate is the optimal data reception rate. 19. The inference server of claim 16, wherein the data transfer is a transmission or a reception of data by the computing device through the wireless communication interface, and the optimal data transfer rate is the symmetrical optimal data transfer rate. 20. The inference server of claim 16, wherein the parameters characterizing the operating conditions of the data transfer through the wireless communication interface further comprise at least one of the following: a radio frequency, a signal strength, an error rate, and a period of time at which the data transfer occurs. 21. The inference server of claim 16, wherein the predictive model comprises weights used by the neural network inference engine. 22. The inference server of claim 16, wherein the wireless communication interface is one of the following: a Wi-Fi communication interface, and a mesh communication interface. 23. The inference server of claim 16, wherein the computing device consists of one of the following: an environment controller, a sensor, a controlled appliance, and a relay. | 3,700 |
343,721 | 16,803,119 | 3,741 | Disclosed are floating micro-aeration unit (FMU) devices, systems and methods for biological sulfide removal from water/wastewater bodies and streams. In some aspects, a system includes a manifold structure including one or more opening to flow air out of an interior of the manifold structure; one or more support structures connected to the manifold structure, in which the one or more support structures are floatable on a surface of a fluid that includes water or a wastewater; and an air source that flows air to the manifold structure, such that the manifold structure supplies the air containing a predetermined amount of oxygen (e.g., less than 0.1 mg/L of oxygen) to oxidize sulfide of the fluid. | 1. A device for sulfide removal from water or wastewater, comprising:
a manifold structure including one or more openings to flow air out of an interior of the manifold structure; one or more support structures connected to the manifold structure, wherein the one or more support structures are floatable on a surface of a fluid including water or wastewater; and an air source configured to supply air to the manifold structure to be flowed out from the manifold structure through the one or more openings at the fluid to facilitate sulfide in the fluid to oxidize, wherein the air supplied by the air source to the manifold structure includes an amount of oxygen gas comprising less than 0.1 mg/L of oxygen (O2). 2. The device of claim 1, wherein the device is operable to flow the air at a top surface of the fluid to a shallow depth within a range of 0 cm to 5 cm within the fluid. 3. The device of claim 1, wherein the manifold structure includes multiple channels for the air to flow out of the interior of the manifold structure. 4. The device of claim 1, wherein the air source includes a pump in connection to a tube that supplies air to the manifold structure. 5. The device of claim 1, further comprising:
a flow meter to control a rate of air flow. 6. The device of claim 1, wherein the manifold structure is configured to have a ring geometry or a polygon geometry. 7. The device of claim 1, wherein the manifold structure includes a plurality of tubular structures spanning from a feed tube, where the tubular structures have the one or more openings to flow air out of the interior of the tubular structure. 8. The device of claim 1, further comprising:
a support material coupled to the manifold structure to facilitate growth of sulfide-oxidizing bacteria to create a biofilm, wherein the support material includes a plurality of openings such that the support material has an open structure up to 90% of the structure. 9. The device of claim 8, wherein the support material includes a perforated carbon textile, a plastic mesh, or a perforated foam. 10. The device of claim 8, wherein the support material is configured to float on the surface of the fluid. 11. The device of claim 1, wherein the one or more support structures is porous, biocompatible, and/or inert in water. 12. The device of claim 1, wherein the one or more support structures includes a foam. 13. The device of claim 1, comprising:
a container to hold the fluid, wherein the container is interfaced with an inlet line through which the fluid can flow into the container and an outlet line through which, once treated, the fluid can flow out of the container. 14. The device of claim 1, wherein the manifold structure is raised above the fluid by the one or more supporting structures so that the one or more openings of the manifold structure does not contact the fluid. 15. The device of claim 1, wherein the one or more openings of the manifold structure is configured to provide uniform air distribution on the surface of the fluid. 16. A method of removing sulfide from a fluid containing water or wastewater, the method comprising:
contacting a fluid containing water or wastewater with a manifold structure that includes one or more openings to flow air out of an interior of the manifold structure, wherein the manifold structure is positioned with respect to the fluid based on one or more support structures connected to the manifold structure and configured to float on the fluid; flowing air out of the interior of the manifold structure to supply an amount of oxygen gas comprising less than 0.1 mg/L of oxygen (O2) to the fluid; and converting sulfide of the fluid to elemental sulfur. 17. The method of claim 16, wherein the fluid includes sulfide-oxidizing bacteria. 18. The method of claim 16, wherein the flowing the air out of the interior of the manifold structure includes supplying the amount of oxygen gas comprising less than 0.1 mg/L of O2 at a top surface of the fluid to a shallow depth within a range of 0 cm to 5 cm within the fluid. 19. The method of claim 16, comprising regulating air flow with a flow meter for flowing air out of the interior of the manifold structure, wherein the air flow is regulated such that a concentration of oxygen introduced into the fluid containing the water or wastewater does not exceed about 0.1 mg/L. 20. The method of claim 16, comprising providing a support material coupled to the manifold structure to facilitate growth of sulfide-oxidizing bacteria on the support material to create a biofilm. 21. The method of claim 16, wherein the method does not convert sulfide to sulfate, thiosulfate, or combination thereof. 22. The method of claim 16, wherein the sulfide is hydrogen sulfide. 23. A system for sulfide removal from and treatment of wastewater, comprising:
a container configured to hold a fluid including a wastewater, wherein the container is interfaced with an inlet line through which the fluid can flow into the container and an outlet line through which, once pre-treated, the fluid can flow out of the tank as a pre-treated fluid; a micro-aeration device configured to float on the fluid, the micro-aeration device comprising (i) a manifold structure including one or more openings to flow air out of an interior of the manifold structure, (ii) one or more support structures connected to the manifold structure, wherein the one or more support structures are floatable on a surface of the fluid, and (iii) an air source configured to supply air to the manifold structure to be flowed out from the manifold structure through the one or more openings at the fluid to facilitate conversion of sulfide in the fluid to elemental sulfur to produce the treated fluid, wherein the air supplied by the air source to the manifold structure includes an amount of oxygen gas comprising less than 0.1 mg/L of oxygen (O2); and a microbial fuel cell (MFC) device configured to receive the pre-treated fluid via the outlet line, the MFC device configured to bioelectrochemically process the pre-treated fluid to concurrently generate electrical energy and digest organic matter in the pre-treated fluid to yield a treated water, wherein the MFC device comprises a housing, and a bioelectrochemical reactor encased within the housing, the bioelectrochemical reactor including a plurality of anodes arranged between a cathode assembly that comprises two cathodes separated on opposite sides of the plurality of anodes and arranged along a flow direction of the pre-treated fluid. 24. The system of claim 23, wherein the micro-aeration device is operable to flow the air at a top surface of the fluid to a shallow depth within a range of 0 cm to 5 cm within the fluid. 25. The system of claim 23, wherein the micro-aeration device further includes a flow meter to control a rate of air flow. 26. The system of claim 23, wherein the micro-aeration device further includes a support material coupled to the manifold structure to facilitate growth of sulfide-oxidizing bacteria to create a biofilm, wherein the support material includes a plurality of openings such that the support material has an open structure up to 90% of the structure. 27. The system of claim 23, wherein the manifold structure includes multiple channels for the air to flow out of the interior of the manifold structure. 28. The system of claim 23, wherein the manifold structure is configured to have a ring geometry or a polygon geometry. 29. The system of claim 23, wherein the manifold structure includes a plurality of tubular structures spanning from a feed tube, where the tubular structures have the one or more openings to flow air out of the interior of the tubular structure. 30. The system of claim 23, wherein the two cathodes of the cathode assembly include gas-diffusion cathodes that are operable to allow oxygen to permeate into the pre-treated fluid within the biochemical reactor. | Disclosed are floating micro-aeration unit (FMU) devices, systems and methods for biological sulfide removal from water/wastewater bodies and streams. In some aspects, a system includes a manifold structure including one or more opening to flow air out of an interior of the manifold structure; one or more support structures connected to the manifold structure, in which the one or more support structures are floatable on a surface of a fluid that includes water or a wastewater; and an air source that flows air to the manifold structure, such that the manifold structure supplies the air containing a predetermined amount of oxygen (e.g., less than 0.1 mg/L of oxygen) to oxidize sulfide of the fluid.1. A device for sulfide removal from water or wastewater, comprising:
a manifold structure including one or more openings to flow air out of an interior of the manifold structure; one or more support structures connected to the manifold structure, wherein the one or more support structures are floatable on a surface of a fluid including water or wastewater; and an air source configured to supply air to the manifold structure to be flowed out from the manifold structure through the one or more openings at the fluid to facilitate sulfide in the fluid to oxidize, wherein the air supplied by the air source to the manifold structure includes an amount of oxygen gas comprising less than 0.1 mg/L of oxygen (O2). 2. The device of claim 1, wherein the device is operable to flow the air at a top surface of the fluid to a shallow depth within a range of 0 cm to 5 cm within the fluid. 3. The device of claim 1, wherein the manifold structure includes multiple channels for the air to flow out of the interior of the manifold structure. 4. The device of claim 1, wherein the air source includes a pump in connection to a tube that supplies air to the manifold structure. 5. The device of claim 1, further comprising:
a flow meter to control a rate of air flow. 6. The device of claim 1, wherein the manifold structure is configured to have a ring geometry or a polygon geometry. 7. The device of claim 1, wherein the manifold structure includes a plurality of tubular structures spanning from a feed tube, where the tubular structures have the one or more openings to flow air out of the interior of the tubular structure. 8. The device of claim 1, further comprising:
a support material coupled to the manifold structure to facilitate growth of sulfide-oxidizing bacteria to create a biofilm, wherein the support material includes a plurality of openings such that the support material has an open structure up to 90% of the structure. 9. The device of claim 8, wherein the support material includes a perforated carbon textile, a plastic mesh, or a perforated foam. 10. The device of claim 8, wherein the support material is configured to float on the surface of the fluid. 11. The device of claim 1, wherein the one or more support structures is porous, biocompatible, and/or inert in water. 12. The device of claim 1, wherein the one or more support structures includes a foam. 13. The device of claim 1, comprising:
a container to hold the fluid, wherein the container is interfaced with an inlet line through which the fluid can flow into the container and an outlet line through which, once treated, the fluid can flow out of the container. 14. The device of claim 1, wherein the manifold structure is raised above the fluid by the one or more supporting structures so that the one or more openings of the manifold structure does not contact the fluid. 15. The device of claim 1, wherein the one or more openings of the manifold structure is configured to provide uniform air distribution on the surface of the fluid. 16. A method of removing sulfide from a fluid containing water or wastewater, the method comprising:
contacting a fluid containing water or wastewater with a manifold structure that includes one or more openings to flow air out of an interior of the manifold structure, wherein the manifold structure is positioned with respect to the fluid based on one or more support structures connected to the manifold structure and configured to float on the fluid; flowing air out of the interior of the manifold structure to supply an amount of oxygen gas comprising less than 0.1 mg/L of oxygen (O2) to the fluid; and converting sulfide of the fluid to elemental sulfur. 17. The method of claim 16, wherein the fluid includes sulfide-oxidizing bacteria. 18. The method of claim 16, wherein the flowing the air out of the interior of the manifold structure includes supplying the amount of oxygen gas comprising less than 0.1 mg/L of O2 at a top surface of the fluid to a shallow depth within a range of 0 cm to 5 cm within the fluid. 19. The method of claim 16, comprising regulating air flow with a flow meter for flowing air out of the interior of the manifold structure, wherein the air flow is regulated such that a concentration of oxygen introduced into the fluid containing the water or wastewater does not exceed about 0.1 mg/L. 20. The method of claim 16, comprising providing a support material coupled to the manifold structure to facilitate growth of sulfide-oxidizing bacteria on the support material to create a biofilm. 21. The method of claim 16, wherein the method does not convert sulfide to sulfate, thiosulfate, or combination thereof. 22. The method of claim 16, wherein the sulfide is hydrogen sulfide. 23. A system for sulfide removal from and treatment of wastewater, comprising:
a container configured to hold a fluid including a wastewater, wherein the container is interfaced with an inlet line through which the fluid can flow into the container and an outlet line through which, once pre-treated, the fluid can flow out of the tank as a pre-treated fluid; a micro-aeration device configured to float on the fluid, the micro-aeration device comprising (i) a manifold structure including one or more openings to flow air out of an interior of the manifold structure, (ii) one or more support structures connected to the manifold structure, wherein the one or more support structures are floatable on a surface of the fluid, and (iii) an air source configured to supply air to the manifold structure to be flowed out from the manifold structure through the one or more openings at the fluid to facilitate conversion of sulfide in the fluid to elemental sulfur to produce the treated fluid, wherein the air supplied by the air source to the manifold structure includes an amount of oxygen gas comprising less than 0.1 mg/L of oxygen (O2); and a microbial fuel cell (MFC) device configured to receive the pre-treated fluid via the outlet line, the MFC device configured to bioelectrochemically process the pre-treated fluid to concurrently generate electrical energy and digest organic matter in the pre-treated fluid to yield a treated water, wherein the MFC device comprises a housing, and a bioelectrochemical reactor encased within the housing, the bioelectrochemical reactor including a plurality of anodes arranged between a cathode assembly that comprises two cathodes separated on opposite sides of the plurality of anodes and arranged along a flow direction of the pre-treated fluid. 24. The system of claim 23, wherein the micro-aeration device is operable to flow the air at a top surface of the fluid to a shallow depth within a range of 0 cm to 5 cm within the fluid. 25. The system of claim 23, wherein the micro-aeration device further includes a flow meter to control a rate of air flow. 26. The system of claim 23, wherein the micro-aeration device further includes a support material coupled to the manifold structure to facilitate growth of sulfide-oxidizing bacteria to create a biofilm, wherein the support material includes a plurality of openings such that the support material has an open structure up to 90% of the structure. 27. The system of claim 23, wherein the manifold structure includes multiple channels for the air to flow out of the interior of the manifold structure. 28. The system of claim 23, wherein the manifold structure is configured to have a ring geometry or a polygon geometry. 29. The system of claim 23, wherein the manifold structure includes a plurality of tubular structures spanning from a feed tube, where the tubular structures have the one or more openings to flow air out of the interior of the tubular structure. 30. The system of claim 23, wherein the two cathodes of the cathode assembly include gas-diffusion cathodes that are operable to allow oxygen to permeate into the pre-treated fluid within the biochemical reactor. | 3,700 |
343,722 | 16,803,171 | 3,697 | Disclosed are floating micro-aeration unit (FMU) devices, systems and methods for biological sulfide removal from water/wastewater bodies and streams. In some aspects, a system includes a manifold structure including one or more opening to flow air out of an interior of the manifold structure; one or more support structures connected to the manifold structure, in which the one or more support structures are floatable on a surface of a fluid that includes water or a wastewater; and an air source that flows air to the manifold structure, such that the manifold structure supplies the air containing a predetermined amount of oxygen (e.g., less than 0.1 mg/L of oxygen) to oxidize sulfide of the fluid. | 1. A device for sulfide removal from water or wastewater, comprising:
a manifold structure including one or more openings to flow air out of an interior of the manifold structure; one or more support structures connected to the manifold structure, wherein the one or more support structures are floatable on a surface of a fluid including water or wastewater; and an air source configured to supply air to the manifold structure to be flowed out from the manifold structure through the one or more openings at the fluid to facilitate sulfide in the fluid to oxidize, wherein the air supplied by the air source to the manifold structure includes an amount of oxygen gas comprising less than 0.1 mg/L of oxygen (O2). 2. The device of claim 1, wherein the device is operable to flow the air at a top surface of the fluid to a shallow depth within a range of 0 cm to 5 cm within the fluid. 3. The device of claim 1, wherein the manifold structure includes multiple channels for the air to flow out of the interior of the manifold structure. 4. The device of claim 1, wherein the air source includes a pump in connection to a tube that supplies air to the manifold structure. 5. The device of claim 1, further comprising:
a flow meter to control a rate of air flow. 6. The device of claim 1, wherein the manifold structure is configured to have a ring geometry or a polygon geometry. 7. The device of claim 1, wherein the manifold structure includes a plurality of tubular structures spanning from a feed tube, where the tubular structures have the one or more openings to flow air out of the interior of the tubular structure. 8. The device of claim 1, further comprising:
a support material coupled to the manifold structure to facilitate growth of sulfide-oxidizing bacteria to create a biofilm, wherein the support material includes a plurality of openings such that the support material has an open structure up to 90% of the structure. 9. The device of claim 8, wherein the support material includes a perforated carbon textile, a plastic mesh, or a perforated foam. 10. The device of claim 8, wherein the support material is configured to float on the surface of the fluid. 11. The device of claim 1, wherein the one or more support structures is porous, biocompatible, and/or inert in water. 12. The device of claim 1, wherein the one or more support structures includes a foam. 13. The device of claim 1, comprising:
a container to hold the fluid, wherein the container is interfaced with an inlet line through which the fluid can flow into the container and an outlet line through which, once treated, the fluid can flow out of the container. 14. The device of claim 1, wherein the manifold structure is raised above the fluid by the one or more supporting structures so that the one or more openings of the manifold structure does not contact the fluid. 15. The device of claim 1, wherein the one or more openings of the manifold structure is configured to provide uniform air distribution on the surface of the fluid. 16. A method of removing sulfide from a fluid containing water or wastewater, the method comprising:
contacting a fluid containing water or wastewater with a manifold structure that includes one or more openings to flow air out of an interior of the manifold structure, wherein the manifold structure is positioned with respect to the fluid based on one or more support structures connected to the manifold structure and configured to float on the fluid; flowing air out of the interior of the manifold structure to supply an amount of oxygen gas comprising less than 0.1 mg/L of oxygen (O2) to the fluid; and converting sulfide of the fluid to elemental sulfur. 17. The method of claim 16, wherein the fluid includes sulfide-oxidizing bacteria. 18. The method of claim 16, wherein the flowing the air out of the interior of the manifold structure includes supplying the amount of oxygen gas comprising less than 0.1 mg/L of O2 at a top surface of the fluid to a shallow depth within a range of 0 cm to 5 cm within the fluid. 19. The method of claim 16, comprising regulating air flow with a flow meter for flowing air out of the interior of the manifold structure, wherein the air flow is regulated such that a concentration of oxygen introduced into the fluid containing the water or wastewater does not exceed about 0.1 mg/L. 20. The method of claim 16, comprising providing a support material coupled to the manifold structure to facilitate growth of sulfide-oxidizing bacteria on the support material to create a biofilm. 21. The method of claim 16, wherein the method does not convert sulfide to sulfate, thiosulfate, or combination thereof. 22. The method of claim 16, wherein the sulfide is hydrogen sulfide. 23. A system for sulfide removal from and treatment of wastewater, comprising:
a container configured to hold a fluid including a wastewater, wherein the container is interfaced with an inlet line through which the fluid can flow into the container and an outlet line through which, once pre-treated, the fluid can flow out of the tank as a pre-treated fluid; a micro-aeration device configured to float on the fluid, the micro-aeration device comprising (i) a manifold structure including one or more openings to flow air out of an interior of the manifold structure, (ii) one or more support structures connected to the manifold structure, wherein the one or more support structures are floatable on a surface of the fluid, and (iii) an air source configured to supply air to the manifold structure to be flowed out from the manifold structure through the one or more openings at the fluid to facilitate conversion of sulfide in the fluid to elemental sulfur to produce the treated fluid, wherein the air supplied by the air source to the manifold structure includes an amount of oxygen gas comprising less than 0.1 mg/L of oxygen (O2); and a microbial fuel cell (MFC) device configured to receive the pre-treated fluid via the outlet line, the MFC device configured to bioelectrochemically process the pre-treated fluid to concurrently generate electrical energy and digest organic matter in the pre-treated fluid to yield a treated water, wherein the MFC device comprises a housing, and a bioelectrochemical reactor encased within the housing, the bioelectrochemical reactor including a plurality of anodes arranged between a cathode assembly that comprises two cathodes separated on opposite sides of the plurality of anodes and arranged along a flow direction of the pre-treated fluid. 24. The system of claim 23, wherein the micro-aeration device is operable to flow the air at a top surface of the fluid to a shallow depth within a range of 0 cm to 5 cm within the fluid. 25. The system of claim 23, wherein the micro-aeration device further includes a flow meter to control a rate of air flow. 26. The system of claim 23, wherein the micro-aeration device further includes a support material coupled to the manifold structure to facilitate growth of sulfide-oxidizing bacteria to create a biofilm, wherein the support material includes a plurality of openings such that the support material has an open structure up to 90% of the structure. 27. The system of claim 23, wherein the manifold structure includes multiple channels for the air to flow out of the interior of the manifold structure. 28. The system of claim 23, wherein the manifold structure is configured to have a ring geometry or a polygon geometry. 29. The system of claim 23, wherein the manifold structure includes a plurality of tubular structures spanning from a feed tube, where the tubular structures have the one or more openings to flow air out of the interior of the tubular structure. 30. The system of claim 23, wherein the two cathodes of the cathode assembly include gas-diffusion cathodes that are operable to allow oxygen to permeate into the pre-treated fluid within the biochemical reactor. | Disclosed are floating micro-aeration unit (FMU) devices, systems and methods for biological sulfide removal from water/wastewater bodies and streams. In some aspects, a system includes a manifold structure including one or more opening to flow air out of an interior of the manifold structure; one or more support structures connected to the manifold structure, in which the one or more support structures are floatable on a surface of a fluid that includes water or a wastewater; and an air source that flows air to the manifold structure, such that the manifold structure supplies the air containing a predetermined amount of oxygen (e.g., less than 0.1 mg/L of oxygen) to oxidize sulfide of the fluid.1. A device for sulfide removal from water or wastewater, comprising:
a manifold structure including one or more openings to flow air out of an interior of the manifold structure; one or more support structures connected to the manifold structure, wherein the one or more support structures are floatable on a surface of a fluid including water or wastewater; and an air source configured to supply air to the manifold structure to be flowed out from the manifold structure through the one or more openings at the fluid to facilitate sulfide in the fluid to oxidize, wherein the air supplied by the air source to the manifold structure includes an amount of oxygen gas comprising less than 0.1 mg/L of oxygen (O2). 2. The device of claim 1, wherein the device is operable to flow the air at a top surface of the fluid to a shallow depth within a range of 0 cm to 5 cm within the fluid. 3. The device of claim 1, wherein the manifold structure includes multiple channels for the air to flow out of the interior of the manifold structure. 4. The device of claim 1, wherein the air source includes a pump in connection to a tube that supplies air to the manifold structure. 5. The device of claim 1, further comprising:
a flow meter to control a rate of air flow. 6. The device of claim 1, wherein the manifold structure is configured to have a ring geometry or a polygon geometry. 7. The device of claim 1, wherein the manifold structure includes a plurality of tubular structures spanning from a feed tube, where the tubular structures have the one or more openings to flow air out of the interior of the tubular structure. 8. The device of claim 1, further comprising:
a support material coupled to the manifold structure to facilitate growth of sulfide-oxidizing bacteria to create a biofilm, wherein the support material includes a plurality of openings such that the support material has an open structure up to 90% of the structure. 9. The device of claim 8, wherein the support material includes a perforated carbon textile, a plastic mesh, or a perforated foam. 10. The device of claim 8, wherein the support material is configured to float on the surface of the fluid. 11. The device of claim 1, wherein the one or more support structures is porous, biocompatible, and/or inert in water. 12. The device of claim 1, wherein the one or more support structures includes a foam. 13. The device of claim 1, comprising:
a container to hold the fluid, wherein the container is interfaced with an inlet line through which the fluid can flow into the container and an outlet line through which, once treated, the fluid can flow out of the container. 14. The device of claim 1, wherein the manifold structure is raised above the fluid by the one or more supporting structures so that the one or more openings of the manifold structure does not contact the fluid. 15. The device of claim 1, wherein the one or more openings of the manifold structure is configured to provide uniform air distribution on the surface of the fluid. 16. A method of removing sulfide from a fluid containing water or wastewater, the method comprising:
contacting a fluid containing water or wastewater with a manifold structure that includes one or more openings to flow air out of an interior of the manifold structure, wherein the manifold structure is positioned with respect to the fluid based on one or more support structures connected to the manifold structure and configured to float on the fluid; flowing air out of the interior of the manifold structure to supply an amount of oxygen gas comprising less than 0.1 mg/L of oxygen (O2) to the fluid; and converting sulfide of the fluid to elemental sulfur. 17. The method of claim 16, wherein the fluid includes sulfide-oxidizing bacteria. 18. The method of claim 16, wherein the flowing the air out of the interior of the manifold structure includes supplying the amount of oxygen gas comprising less than 0.1 mg/L of O2 at a top surface of the fluid to a shallow depth within a range of 0 cm to 5 cm within the fluid. 19. The method of claim 16, comprising regulating air flow with a flow meter for flowing air out of the interior of the manifold structure, wherein the air flow is regulated such that a concentration of oxygen introduced into the fluid containing the water or wastewater does not exceed about 0.1 mg/L. 20. The method of claim 16, comprising providing a support material coupled to the manifold structure to facilitate growth of sulfide-oxidizing bacteria on the support material to create a biofilm. 21. The method of claim 16, wherein the method does not convert sulfide to sulfate, thiosulfate, or combination thereof. 22. The method of claim 16, wherein the sulfide is hydrogen sulfide. 23. A system for sulfide removal from and treatment of wastewater, comprising:
a container configured to hold a fluid including a wastewater, wherein the container is interfaced with an inlet line through which the fluid can flow into the container and an outlet line through which, once pre-treated, the fluid can flow out of the tank as a pre-treated fluid; a micro-aeration device configured to float on the fluid, the micro-aeration device comprising (i) a manifold structure including one or more openings to flow air out of an interior of the manifold structure, (ii) one or more support structures connected to the manifold structure, wherein the one or more support structures are floatable on a surface of the fluid, and (iii) an air source configured to supply air to the manifold structure to be flowed out from the manifold structure through the one or more openings at the fluid to facilitate conversion of sulfide in the fluid to elemental sulfur to produce the treated fluid, wherein the air supplied by the air source to the manifold structure includes an amount of oxygen gas comprising less than 0.1 mg/L of oxygen (O2); and a microbial fuel cell (MFC) device configured to receive the pre-treated fluid via the outlet line, the MFC device configured to bioelectrochemically process the pre-treated fluid to concurrently generate electrical energy and digest organic matter in the pre-treated fluid to yield a treated water, wherein the MFC device comprises a housing, and a bioelectrochemical reactor encased within the housing, the bioelectrochemical reactor including a plurality of anodes arranged between a cathode assembly that comprises two cathodes separated on opposite sides of the plurality of anodes and arranged along a flow direction of the pre-treated fluid. 24. The system of claim 23, wherein the micro-aeration device is operable to flow the air at a top surface of the fluid to a shallow depth within a range of 0 cm to 5 cm within the fluid. 25. The system of claim 23, wherein the micro-aeration device further includes a flow meter to control a rate of air flow. 26. The system of claim 23, wherein the micro-aeration device further includes a support material coupled to the manifold structure to facilitate growth of sulfide-oxidizing bacteria to create a biofilm, wherein the support material includes a plurality of openings such that the support material has an open structure up to 90% of the structure. 27. The system of claim 23, wherein the manifold structure includes multiple channels for the air to flow out of the interior of the manifold structure. 28. The system of claim 23, wherein the manifold structure is configured to have a ring geometry or a polygon geometry. 29. The system of claim 23, wherein the manifold structure includes a plurality of tubular structures spanning from a feed tube, where the tubular structures have the one or more openings to flow air out of the interior of the tubular structure. 30. The system of claim 23, wherein the two cathodes of the cathode assembly include gas-diffusion cathodes that are operable to allow oxygen to permeate into the pre-treated fluid within the biochemical reactor. | 3,600 |
343,723 | 16,803,165 | 3,697 | A method for synchronizing opening of a circuit breaker is presented. The circuit breaker is arranged to interrupt a current to an inductive load. The method is performed in a control device (2) and comprises measuring (S100) a reference signal as a function of time for a circuit breaker (1) connected to an inductive load (5), obtaining (S110) an indication of a power factor of the inductive load through the circuit breaker, determining (S120) an arcing time for opening of the circuit breaker, the arcing time being dependent on the obtained indication of a power factor, predicting (S130) a zero crossing of a current through the circuit breaker based on the measured reference signal, and providing (S140) contact separation of a contact pair of the circuit breaker at a point of time before the predicted zero crossing, the point of time being determined by the determined arcing time and the predicted zero crossing. A control device, a circuit breaker arrangement, and a computer program for synchronizing opening of a circuit breaker are also presented. | 1. A method for synchronizing opening of a circuit breaker, the circuit breaker being arranged to interrupt a current to an inductive load, the method being performed in a control device and comprising:
measuring a reference signal as a function of time for a circuit breaker connected to an inductive load; obtaining an indication of a power factor of the inductive load through the circuit breaker; determining an arcing time for opening of the circuit breaker, the arcing time being dependent on the obtained indication of a power factor; predicting a zero crossing of a current through the circuit breaker based on the measured reference signal; and providing contact separation of a contact pair of the circuit breaker at a point of time before the predicted zero crossing, the point of time being determined by the determined arcing time and the predicted zero crossing. 2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the arcing time is determined to be shorter for a higher power factor and longer for a lower power factor. 3. The method according to claim 1, wherein the reference signal is a current through the circuit breaker. 4. The method according to any 1, wherein the power factor is obtained by measuring a current through the circuit breaker and measuring a phase-to-phase or phase-to-ground voltage at the circuit breaker. 5. The method according to claim 1, wherein the reference signal is a phase-to-ground or phase-to-phase voltage at the circuit breaker, and wherein a value of the power factor is predetermined. 6. The method according claim 1, wherein the reference signal is measured upstream the circuit breaker. 7. The method according to claim 1, wherein the reference signal is measured downstream the circuit breaker. 8. The method according to claim 1, wherein the circuit breaker is configured for a medium voltage system. 9. The method according to claim 1, wherein the circuit breaker is configured for an arc-furnace. 10. The method according to claim 1, wherein the circuit breaker is a vacuum circuit breaker. 11. The method according to claim 1, wherein the arcing time is determined to be t0(1−pf)1/3, wherein pf is the value of the power factor, and t0 is the value of the arcing time for the power factor equal to zero. 12. The method according to claim 11, wherein t0 is between 3 and 7 ms. 13. The method according to claim 1, wherein the arcing time is determined to be at least 1 ms. 14. A control device for synchronizing opening of a circuit breaker arranged to interrupt a current to an inductive load, the control device comprising:
a processor; and a computer program product storing instructions that, when executed by the processor, causes the control device to:
measure a reference signal as a function of time for a circuit breaker connected to an inductive load;
obtain an indication of a power factor of the inductive load through the circuit breaker;
determine an arcing time for opening of the circuit breaker, the arcing time being dependent on the obtained indication of a power factor;
predict a zero crossing of a current through the circuit breaker based on the measured reference signal; and
provide contact separation of a contact pair of the circuit breaker at a point of time before the predicted zero crossing, the point of time being determined by the determined arcing time and the predicted zero crossing. 15. A circuit breaker arrangement for synchronizing opening of a circuit breaker, comprising:
a circuit breaker configured to interrupt a current to an inductive load connected to the circuit breaker; and a control device, according to configured to control the circuit breaker, and including: a processor; and a computer program product storing instructions that, when executed by the processor, causes the control device to:
measure a reference signal as a function of time for a circuit breaker connected to an inductive load;
obtain an indication of a power factor of the inductive load through the circuit breaker;
determine an arcing time for opening of the circuit breaker, the arcing time being dependent on the obtained indication of a power factor;
predict a zero crossing of a current through the circuit breaker based on the measured reference signal; and
provide contact separation of a contact pair of the circuit breaker at a point of time before the predicted zero crossing, the point of time being determined by the determined arcing time and the predicted zero crossing. 16. A computer program for synchronizing opening of a circuit breaker arranged to interrupt a current to an inductive load, the computer program comprising computer program code which, when run in a control device, causes the control device to:
measure a reference signal as a function of time for a circuit breaker connected to an inductive load; obtain an indication of a power factor of the inductive load through the circuit breaker; determine an arcing time for opening of the circuit breaker, the arcing time being dependent on the obtained indication of a power factor; predict a zero crossing of a current through the circuit breaker based on the measured reference signal; and provide contact separation of a contact pair of the circuit breaker at a point of time before the predicted zero crossing, the point of time being determined by the determined arcing time and the predicted zero crossing. 17. The method according to claim 2, wherein the reference signal is a current through the circuit breaker. 18. The method according to claim 2, wherein the power factor is obtained by measuring a current through the circuit breaker and measuring a phase-to-phase or phase-to-ground voltage at the circuit breaker. 19. The method according to claim 2, wherein the reference signal is a phase-to-ground or phase-to-phase voltage at the circuit breaker, and wherein a value of the power factor is predetermined. | A method for synchronizing opening of a circuit breaker is presented. The circuit breaker is arranged to interrupt a current to an inductive load. The method is performed in a control device (2) and comprises measuring (S100) a reference signal as a function of time for a circuit breaker (1) connected to an inductive load (5), obtaining (S110) an indication of a power factor of the inductive load through the circuit breaker, determining (S120) an arcing time for opening of the circuit breaker, the arcing time being dependent on the obtained indication of a power factor, predicting (S130) a zero crossing of a current through the circuit breaker based on the measured reference signal, and providing (S140) contact separation of a contact pair of the circuit breaker at a point of time before the predicted zero crossing, the point of time being determined by the determined arcing time and the predicted zero crossing. A control device, a circuit breaker arrangement, and a computer program for synchronizing opening of a circuit breaker are also presented.1. A method for synchronizing opening of a circuit breaker, the circuit breaker being arranged to interrupt a current to an inductive load, the method being performed in a control device and comprising:
measuring a reference signal as a function of time for a circuit breaker connected to an inductive load; obtaining an indication of a power factor of the inductive load through the circuit breaker; determining an arcing time for opening of the circuit breaker, the arcing time being dependent on the obtained indication of a power factor; predicting a zero crossing of a current through the circuit breaker based on the measured reference signal; and providing contact separation of a contact pair of the circuit breaker at a point of time before the predicted zero crossing, the point of time being determined by the determined arcing time and the predicted zero crossing. 2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the arcing time is determined to be shorter for a higher power factor and longer for a lower power factor. 3. The method according to claim 1, wherein the reference signal is a current through the circuit breaker. 4. The method according to any 1, wherein the power factor is obtained by measuring a current through the circuit breaker and measuring a phase-to-phase or phase-to-ground voltage at the circuit breaker. 5. The method according to claim 1, wherein the reference signal is a phase-to-ground or phase-to-phase voltage at the circuit breaker, and wherein a value of the power factor is predetermined. 6. The method according claim 1, wherein the reference signal is measured upstream the circuit breaker. 7. The method according to claim 1, wherein the reference signal is measured downstream the circuit breaker. 8. The method according to claim 1, wherein the circuit breaker is configured for a medium voltage system. 9. The method according to claim 1, wherein the circuit breaker is configured for an arc-furnace. 10. The method according to claim 1, wherein the circuit breaker is a vacuum circuit breaker. 11. The method according to claim 1, wherein the arcing time is determined to be t0(1−pf)1/3, wherein pf is the value of the power factor, and t0 is the value of the arcing time for the power factor equal to zero. 12. The method according to claim 11, wherein t0 is between 3 and 7 ms. 13. The method according to claim 1, wherein the arcing time is determined to be at least 1 ms. 14. A control device for synchronizing opening of a circuit breaker arranged to interrupt a current to an inductive load, the control device comprising:
a processor; and a computer program product storing instructions that, when executed by the processor, causes the control device to:
measure a reference signal as a function of time for a circuit breaker connected to an inductive load;
obtain an indication of a power factor of the inductive load through the circuit breaker;
determine an arcing time for opening of the circuit breaker, the arcing time being dependent on the obtained indication of a power factor;
predict a zero crossing of a current through the circuit breaker based on the measured reference signal; and
provide contact separation of a contact pair of the circuit breaker at a point of time before the predicted zero crossing, the point of time being determined by the determined arcing time and the predicted zero crossing. 15. A circuit breaker arrangement for synchronizing opening of a circuit breaker, comprising:
a circuit breaker configured to interrupt a current to an inductive load connected to the circuit breaker; and a control device, according to configured to control the circuit breaker, and including: a processor; and a computer program product storing instructions that, when executed by the processor, causes the control device to:
measure a reference signal as a function of time for a circuit breaker connected to an inductive load;
obtain an indication of a power factor of the inductive load through the circuit breaker;
determine an arcing time for opening of the circuit breaker, the arcing time being dependent on the obtained indication of a power factor;
predict a zero crossing of a current through the circuit breaker based on the measured reference signal; and
provide contact separation of a contact pair of the circuit breaker at a point of time before the predicted zero crossing, the point of time being determined by the determined arcing time and the predicted zero crossing. 16. A computer program for synchronizing opening of a circuit breaker arranged to interrupt a current to an inductive load, the computer program comprising computer program code which, when run in a control device, causes the control device to:
measure a reference signal as a function of time for a circuit breaker connected to an inductive load; obtain an indication of a power factor of the inductive load through the circuit breaker; determine an arcing time for opening of the circuit breaker, the arcing time being dependent on the obtained indication of a power factor; predict a zero crossing of a current through the circuit breaker based on the measured reference signal; and provide contact separation of a contact pair of the circuit breaker at a point of time before the predicted zero crossing, the point of time being determined by the determined arcing time and the predicted zero crossing. 17. The method according to claim 2, wherein the reference signal is a current through the circuit breaker. 18. The method according to claim 2, wherein the power factor is obtained by measuring a current through the circuit breaker and measuring a phase-to-phase or phase-to-ground voltage at the circuit breaker. 19. The method according to claim 2, wherein the reference signal is a phase-to-ground or phase-to-phase voltage at the circuit breaker, and wherein a value of the power factor is predetermined. | 3,600 |
343,724 | 16,803,182 | 3,697 | According to an embodiment, a distance measuring device measures a distance to the measured object base on light scattered on the measured object is detected. The distance measuring device includes an optical detector and a measurer. The optical detector detects the scattered light. The measurer has a sampler to sample a signal corresponding to an output signal of the optical detector every time when the light is emitted at a plurality of sampling time points and a storage to accumulate sampling values and store an accumulation value at each sampling time point. The measurer measures the distance based on a plurality of accumulation values at the sampling time points. | 1. The distance measuring device which emit light intermittently and measures distance based on the time between the time when the light is emitted and the time when the light which is scattered on the measured object is detected, the device comprising:
an optical detector to detect the scattered light; a light source to intermittently emit first light and to emit second light weaker than the first light at least once during two emissions of at least part of the first light; an optical mechanism system to scan the first light and the second light on the surface of the measured object and to inject the first light and the second light scattered on the measured object into the optical detector; and a measurer to measure a distance to each position on the measured object based on a detection result of the optical detector. 2. The distance measuring device according to claim 1, wherein the light source alternately emits the first light and the second light. 3. The distance measuring device according to claim 1, wherein the light source makes emission positions of the first light in a kth frame (k is a positive integer) and emission positions of the first light in a (k+1)th frame different from each other. 4. The distance measuring device according to claim 1, comprising
a drive circuit to drive the light source based on a first pulse and a second pulse, wherein the drive circuit causes the light source to emit the first light when the first pulse and the second pulse are supplied, and causes the light source to emit the second light when the first pulse is supplied. 5. The distance measuring device according to claim 4, wherein
the drive circuit has a first driver to cause current to flow in the light source when the first pulse is supplied, and a second driver to cause current to flow in the light source when the second pulse is supplied. 6. The distance measuring device according to claim 5, wherein
the first driver has a first resistor having one end to which the first pulse is supplied, a first amplifier having a first input node to which the other end of the first resistor is connected, a second input node to which reference voltage is supplied, and a first output node to output a first output signal obtained by amplifying a difference between voltage of the first input node and the reference voltage, a first transistor having one end connected to the light source and controlled with the first output signal, a second resistor having one end connected to the other end of the first transistor and the other end to which the reference voltage is supplied, a third resistor having one end connected to the other end of the first transistor and the other end connected to the first input node, and a first capacitance element connected between the first input node and the first output node, and the second driver has a fourth resistor having one end to which the second pulse is supplied, a second amplifier having a third input node to which the other end of the fourth resistor is connected, a fourth input node to which the reference voltage is supplied, and a second output node to output a second output signal obtained by amplifying a difference between voltage of the third input node and the reference voltage, a second transistor having one end connected to the light source and controlled with the second output signal, a fifth resistor having one end connected to the other end of the second transistor and the other end to which the reference voltage is supplied, a sixth resistor having one end connected to the other end of the second transistor and the other end connected to the third input node, and a second capacitance element connected between the third input node and the second output node. | According to an embodiment, a distance measuring device measures a distance to the measured object base on light scattered on the measured object is detected. The distance measuring device includes an optical detector and a measurer. The optical detector detects the scattered light. The measurer has a sampler to sample a signal corresponding to an output signal of the optical detector every time when the light is emitted at a plurality of sampling time points and a storage to accumulate sampling values and store an accumulation value at each sampling time point. The measurer measures the distance based on a plurality of accumulation values at the sampling time points.1. The distance measuring device which emit light intermittently and measures distance based on the time between the time when the light is emitted and the time when the light which is scattered on the measured object is detected, the device comprising:
an optical detector to detect the scattered light; a light source to intermittently emit first light and to emit second light weaker than the first light at least once during two emissions of at least part of the first light; an optical mechanism system to scan the first light and the second light on the surface of the measured object and to inject the first light and the second light scattered on the measured object into the optical detector; and a measurer to measure a distance to each position on the measured object based on a detection result of the optical detector. 2. The distance measuring device according to claim 1, wherein the light source alternately emits the first light and the second light. 3. The distance measuring device according to claim 1, wherein the light source makes emission positions of the first light in a kth frame (k is a positive integer) and emission positions of the first light in a (k+1)th frame different from each other. 4. The distance measuring device according to claim 1, comprising
a drive circuit to drive the light source based on a first pulse and a second pulse, wherein the drive circuit causes the light source to emit the first light when the first pulse and the second pulse are supplied, and causes the light source to emit the second light when the first pulse is supplied. 5. The distance measuring device according to claim 4, wherein
the drive circuit has a first driver to cause current to flow in the light source when the first pulse is supplied, and a second driver to cause current to flow in the light source when the second pulse is supplied. 6. The distance measuring device according to claim 5, wherein
the first driver has a first resistor having one end to which the first pulse is supplied, a first amplifier having a first input node to which the other end of the first resistor is connected, a second input node to which reference voltage is supplied, and a first output node to output a first output signal obtained by amplifying a difference between voltage of the first input node and the reference voltage, a first transistor having one end connected to the light source and controlled with the first output signal, a second resistor having one end connected to the other end of the first transistor and the other end to which the reference voltage is supplied, a third resistor having one end connected to the other end of the first transistor and the other end connected to the first input node, and a first capacitance element connected between the first input node and the first output node, and the second driver has a fourth resistor having one end to which the second pulse is supplied, a second amplifier having a third input node to which the other end of the fourth resistor is connected, a fourth input node to which the reference voltage is supplied, and a second output node to output a second output signal obtained by amplifying a difference between voltage of the third input node and the reference voltage, a second transistor having one end connected to the light source and controlled with the second output signal, a fifth resistor having one end connected to the other end of the second transistor and the other end to which the reference voltage is supplied, a sixth resistor having one end connected to the other end of the second transistor and the other end connected to the third input node, and a second capacitance element connected between the third input node and the second output node. | 3,600 |
343,725 | 16,803,163 | 3,697 | This invention provides a medicament for the treatment of cancer, which cause a reduction of cancer. This invention relates to use of a compound which has inhibitory activities against prostaglandin E2 receptor (EP4 receptor) and is represented by the following general formula (I), (II), (III), or (IV), or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, or a pharmaceutical composition comprising the compound or the salt for the manufacture of a medicament for the treatment of cancer. The invention relates to a method for treatment of cancer comprising administering the compound or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, or a pharmaceutical composition comprising the compound or the salt to humans or animals. The compound or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, or the pharmaceutical composition may be used in combination with one or more second active agents. | 1-15. (canceled) 16. A method for the treatment of liver cancer, which comprises administering an effective amount of 3-[2-(4-{2-ethyl-4,6-dimethyl-1H-imidazo[4,5-c]pyridin-1-yl}phenyl)ethyl]-1-[(4-methylbenzene)sulfonyl]urea or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof to a human or an animal in need thereof. 17. The method according to claim 16, which further comprises administering a therapeutically effective amount of one or more second active agents known to be useful in the treatment or prevention of liver cancer. 18. The method according to claim 17, wherein the second active agent is at least one selected from the group consisting of an anti-cancer agent, an antibiotic, an immunosuppressive agent, and a steroid. 19. A method for the treatment of melanoma, which comprises administering an effective amount of 3-[2-(4-{2-ethyl-4,6-dimethyl-1H-imidazo[4,5-c]pyridin-1-yl}phenyl)ethyl]-1-[(4-methylbenzene)sulfonyl]urea or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof to a human or an animal in need thereof. 20. The method according to claim 19, which further comprises administering a therapeutically effective amount of one or more second active agents known to be useful in the treatment or prevention of melanoma. 21. The method according to claim 20, wherein the second active agent is at least one selected from the group consisting of an anti-cancer agent, an antibiotic, an immunosuppressive agent, and a steroid. 22. A method for the treatment of lymphoma, which comprises administering an effective amount of 3-[2-(4-{2-ethyl-4,6-dimethyl-1H-imidazo[4,5-c]pyridin-1-yl}phenyl)ethyl]-1-[(4-methylbenzene)sulfonyl]urea or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof to a human or an animal in need thereof. 23. The method according to claim 22, which further comprises administering a therapeutically effective amount of one or more second active agents known to be useful in the treatment or prevention of lymphoma. 24. The method according to claim 23, wherein the second active agent is at least one selected from the group consisting of an anti-cancer agent, an antibiotic, an immunosuppressive agent, and a steroid. 25. A method for the treatment of leukemia, which comprises administering an effective amount of 3-[2-(4-{2-ethyl-4,6-dimethyl-1H-imidazo[4,5-c]pyridin-1-yl}phenyl)ethyl]-1-[(4-methylbenzene)sulfonyl]urea or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof to a human or an animal in need thereof. 26. The method according to claim 25, which further comprises administering a therapeutically effective amount of one or more second active agents known to be useful in the treatment or prevention of leukemia. 27. The method according to claim 26, wherein the second active agent is at least one selected from the group consisting of an anti-cancer agent, an antibiotic, an immunosuppressive agent, and a steroid. | This invention provides a medicament for the treatment of cancer, which cause a reduction of cancer. This invention relates to use of a compound which has inhibitory activities against prostaglandin E2 receptor (EP4 receptor) and is represented by the following general formula (I), (II), (III), or (IV), or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, or a pharmaceutical composition comprising the compound or the salt for the manufacture of a medicament for the treatment of cancer. The invention relates to a method for treatment of cancer comprising administering the compound or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, or a pharmaceutical composition comprising the compound or the salt to humans or animals. The compound or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, or the pharmaceutical composition may be used in combination with one or more second active agents.1-15. (canceled) 16. A method for the treatment of liver cancer, which comprises administering an effective amount of 3-[2-(4-{2-ethyl-4,6-dimethyl-1H-imidazo[4,5-c]pyridin-1-yl}phenyl)ethyl]-1-[(4-methylbenzene)sulfonyl]urea or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof to a human or an animal in need thereof. 17. The method according to claim 16, which further comprises administering a therapeutically effective amount of one or more second active agents known to be useful in the treatment or prevention of liver cancer. 18. The method according to claim 17, wherein the second active agent is at least one selected from the group consisting of an anti-cancer agent, an antibiotic, an immunosuppressive agent, and a steroid. 19. A method for the treatment of melanoma, which comprises administering an effective amount of 3-[2-(4-{2-ethyl-4,6-dimethyl-1H-imidazo[4,5-c]pyridin-1-yl}phenyl)ethyl]-1-[(4-methylbenzene)sulfonyl]urea or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof to a human or an animal in need thereof. 20. The method according to claim 19, which further comprises administering a therapeutically effective amount of one or more second active agents known to be useful in the treatment or prevention of melanoma. 21. The method according to claim 20, wherein the second active agent is at least one selected from the group consisting of an anti-cancer agent, an antibiotic, an immunosuppressive agent, and a steroid. 22. A method for the treatment of lymphoma, which comprises administering an effective amount of 3-[2-(4-{2-ethyl-4,6-dimethyl-1H-imidazo[4,5-c]pyridin-1-yl}phenyl)ethyl]-1-[(4-methylbenzene)sulfonyl]urea or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof to a human or an animal in need thereof. 23. The method according to claim 22, which further comprises administering a therapeutically effective amount of one or more second active agents known to be useful in the treatment or prevention of lymphoma. 24. The method according to claim 23, wherein the second active agent is at least one selected from the group consisting of an anti-cancer agent, an antibiotic, an immunosuppressive agent, and a steroid. 25. A method for the treatment of leukemia, which comprises administering an effective amount of 3-[2-(4-{2-ethyl-4,6-dimethyl-1H-imidazo[4,5-c]pyridin-1-yl}phenyl)ethyl]-1-[(4-methylbenzene)sulfonyl]urea or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof to a human or an animal in need thereof. 26. The method according to claim 25, which further comprises administering a therapeutically effective amount of one or more second active agents known to be useful in the treatment or prevention of leukemia. 27. The method according to claim 26, wherein the second active agent is at least one selected from the group consisting of an anti-cancer agent, an antibiotic, an immunosuppressive agent, and a steroid. | 3,600 |
343,726 | 16,803,153 | 3,697 | A structure includes an optical interposer attached to a package substrate, wherein the optical interposer includes a silicon waveguide, a first photonic component optically coupled to the silicon waveguide, a second photonic component optically coupled to the silicon waveguide, and an interconnect structure extending over the silicon waveguide, over the first photonic component, and over the second photonic component, wherein the interconnect structure is electrically connected to the first photonic component and to the second photonic component, a first semiconductor device attached to the interconnect structure, wherein the first semiconductor device is electrically connected to the first photonic component through the interconnect structure, and a second semiconductor device attached to the interconnect structure, wherein the second semiconductor device is electrically connected to the second photonic component through the interconnect structure. | 1. A package comprising:
a first optical interposer attached to a package substrate, wherein the first optical interposer comprises:
a first waveguide on a first substrate; and
at least one photonic device on the first substrate, wherein the at least one photonic device is optically coupled to the first waveguide;
a second optical interposer attached to the package substrate, wherein the second optical interposer comprises:
a second waveguide on a second substrate; and
at least one photonic device on the second substrate, wherein the at least one photonic device is optically coupled to the second waveguide;
an electrical interposer attached to the package substrate, wherein the electrical interposer comprises an interconnect structure on a third substrate; a first semiconductor device attached to the first optical interposer and to the electrical interposer, wherein the first semiconductor device is electrically connected to the at least one photonic device of the first optical interposer and to the interconnect structure of the electrical interposer; and a second semiconductor device attached to the second optical interposer and to the electrical interposer, wherein the second semiconductor device is electrically connected to the at least one photonic device of the second optical interposer and to the interconnect structure of the electrical interposer. 2. The package of claim 1, further comprising a first optical fiber attached to the first optical interposer, wherein the first optical fiber is optically coupled to the first waveguide. 3. The package of claim 2, wherein the first optical interposer further comprises a grating coupler on the first substrate, wherein the first optical fiber is optically coupled to the first waveguide by the grating coupler. 4. The package of claim 1, wherein the electrical interposer is disposed on the package substrate laterally between the first optical interposer and the second optical interposer. 5. The package of claim 1, wherein the first semiconductor device comprises a first semiconductor die bonded to a second semiconductor die. 6. The package of claim 1, further comprising a heat spreader covering the first semiconductor device and the second semiconductor device. 7. The package of claim 1, wherein the at least one photonic device on the first substrate comprises a photodetector or an optical modulator. 8. The package of claim 1, wherein the first semiconductor device comprises interface circuits associated with the at least one photonic device of the first optical interposer, and wherein the interface circuits are disposed directly over the at least one photonic device. 9. The package of claim 1, wherein the first semiconductor device is connected to the first optical interposer by a first set of solder bumps and to the electrical interposer by a second set of solder bumps. 10. A structure comprising:
an optical interposer attached to a package substrate, wherein the optical interposer comprises:
a silicon waveguide;
a first photonic component optically coupled to the silicon waveguide;
a second photonic component optically coupled to the silicon waveguide; and
an interconnect structure extending over the silicon waveguide, over the first photonic component, and over the second photonic component, wherein the interconnect structure is electrically connected to the first photonic component and to the second photonic component;
a first semiconductor device attached to the interconnect structure, wherein the first semiconductor device is electrically connected to the first photonic component through the interconnect structure; and a second semiconductor device attached to the interconnect structure, wherein the second semiconductor device is electrically connected to the second photonic component through the interconnect structure. 11. The structure of claim 10, wherein the interconnect structure comprises at least one conductive line that is electrically connected to the first semiconductor device and to the second semiconductor device. 12. The structure of claim 10, wherein the optical interposer further comprises a through via that is electrically connected to the interconnect structure and to the package substrate. 13. The structure of claim 10, wherein the package substrate comprises a recess, and wherein the optical interposer is disposed within the recess. 14. The structure of claim 10, further comprising an optical modulator disposed within the silicon waveguide between the first photonic component and the second photonic component, and further comprising a third semiconductor device attached to the interconnect structure, wherein the third semiconductor device is electrically connected to the optical modulator. 15. The structure of claim 10, wherein the first semiconductor device comprises a Machine Learning (ML) accelerator die. 16. The structure of claim 10, wherein the first photonic component comprises a photodetector or an optical modulator. 17-20. (canceled) 21. A structure comprising:
a first optical interposer attached to an interconnect substrate, wherein the first optical interposer comprises:
a silicon waveguide on a first substrate;
a photodetector and an optical modulator on the first substrate and adjacent the waveguide;
a dielectric layer over the waveguide, the photodetector, and the optical modulator; and
conductive contacts extending through the dielectric layer to electrically connect to the photodetector and the optical modulator;
an electrical interposer attached to the interconnect substrate, wherein the electrical interposer comprises:
through vias extending through a second substrate; and
a redistribution structure on the through vias and on the second substrate; and
a first semiconductor device attached to the first optical interposer and to the electrical interposer, wherein the first semiconductor device is electrically connected to the first optical interposer and to the electrical interposer. 22. The structure of claim 21 further comprising an optical fiber attached to the first optical interposer, wherein the optical fiber is optically coupled to the waveguide. 23. The structure of claim 21 further comprising a second optical interposer attached to the interconnect substrate, and further comprising a second semiconductor device attached to the second optical interposer and to the electrical interposer, wherein the second semiconductor device is electrically connected to the second optical interposer and to the electrical interposer. 24. The structure of claim 21 further comprising a heat spreader attached to the interconnect substrate, wherein the heat spreader extends over the first semiconductor device. | A structure includes an optical interposer attached to a package substrate, wherein the optical interposer includes a silicon waveguide, a first photonic component optically coupled to the silicon waveguide, a second photonic component optically coupled to the silicon waveguide, and an interconnect structure extending over the silicon waveguide, over the first photonic component, and over the second photonic component, wherein the interconnect structure is electrically connected to the first photonic component and to the second photonic component, a first semiconductor device attached to the interconnect structure, wherein the first semiconductor device is electrically connected to the first photonic component through the interconnect structure, and a second semiconductor device attached to the interconnect structure, wherein the second semiconductor device is electrically connected to the second photonic component through the interconnect structure.1. A package comprising:
a first optical interposer attached to a package substrate, wherein the first optical interposer comprises:
a first waveguide on a first substrate; and
at least one photonic device on the first substrate, wherein the at least one photonic device is optically coupled to the first waveguide;
a second optical interposer attached to the package substrate, wherein the second optical interposer comprises:
a second waveguide on a second substrate; and
at least one photonic device on the second substrate, wherein the at least one photonic device is optically coupled to the second waveguide;
an electrical interposer attached to the package substrate, wherein the electrical interposer comprises an interconnect structure on a third substrate; a first semiconductor device attached to the first optical interposer and to the electrical interposer, wherein the first semiconductor device is electrically connected to the at least one photonic device of the first optical interposer and to the interconnect structure of the electrical interposer; and a second semiconductor device attached to the second optical interposer and to the electrical interposer, wherein the second semiconductor device is electrically connected to the at least one photonic device of the second optical interposer and to the interconnect structure of the electrical interposer. 2. The package of claim 1, further comprising a first optical fiber attached to the first optical interposer, wherein the first optical fiber is optically coupled to the first waveguide. 3. The package of claim 2, wherein the first optical interposer further comprises a grating coupler on the first substrate, wherein the first optical fiber is optically coupled to the first waveguide by the grating coupler. 4. The package of claim 1, wherein the electrical interposer is disposed on the package substrate laterally between the first optical interposer and the second optical interposer. 5. The package of claim 1, wherein the first semiconductor device comprises a first semiconductor die bonded to a second semiconductor die. 6. The package of claim 1, further comprising a heat spreader covering the first semiconductor device and the second semiconductor device. 7. The package of claim 1, wherein the at least one photonic device on the first substrate comprises a photodetector or an optical modulator. 8. The package of claim 1, wherein the first semiconductor device comprises interface circuits associated with the at least one photonic device of the first optical interposer, and wherein the interface circuits are disposed directly over the at least one photonic device. 9. The package of claim 1, wherein the first semiconductor device is connected to the first optical interposer by a first set of solder bumps and to the electrical interposer by a second set of solder bumps. 10. A structure comprising:
an optical interposer attached to a package substrate, wherein the optical interposer comprises:
a silicon waveguide;
a first photonic component optically coupled to the silicon waveguide;
a second photonic component optically coupled to the silicon waveguide; and
an interconnect structure extending over the silicon waveguide, over the first photonic component, and over the second photonic component, wherein the interconnect structure is electrically connected to the first photonic component and to the second photonic component;
a first semiconductor device attached to the interconnect structure, wherein the first semiconductor device is electrically connected to the first photonic component through the interconnect structure; and a second semiconductor device attached to the interconnect structure, wherein the second semiconductor device is electrically connected to the second photonic component through the interconnect structure. 11. The structure of claim 10, wherein the interconnect structure comprises at least one conductive line that is electrically connected to the first semiconductor device and to the second semiconductor device. 12. The structure of claim 10, wherein the optical interposer further comprises a through via that is electrically connected to the interconnect structure and to the package substrate. 13. The structure of claim 10, wherein the package substrate comprises a recess, and wherein the optical interposer is disposed within the recess. 14. The structure of claim 10, further comprising an optical modulator disposed within the silicon waveguide between the first photonic component and the second photonic component, and further comprising a third semiconductor device attached to the interconnect structure, wherein the third semiconductor device is electrically connected to the optical modulator. 15. The structure of claim 10, wherein the first semiconductor device comprises a Machine Learning (ML) accelerator die. 16. The structure of claim 10, wherein the first photonic component comprises a photodetector or an optical modulator. 17-20. (canceled) 21. A structure comprising:
a first optical interposer attached to an interconnect substrate, wherein the first optical interposer comprises:
a silicon waveguide on a first substrate;
a photodetector and an optical modulator on the first substrate and adjacent the waveguide;
a dielectric layer over the waveguide, the photodetector, and the optical modulator; and
conductive contacts extending through the dielectric layer to electrically connect to the photodetector and the optical modulator;
an electrical interposer attached to the interconnect substrate, wherein the electrical interposer comprises:
through vias extending through a second substrate; and
a redistribution structure on the through vias and on the second substrate; and
a first semiconductor device attached to the first optical interposer and to the electrical interposer, wherein the first semiconductor device is electrically connected to the first optical interposer and to the electrical interposer. 22. The structure of claim 21 further comprising an optical fiber attached to the first optical interposer, wherein the optical fiber is optically coupled to the waveguide. 23. The structure of claim 21 further comprising a second optical interposer attached to the interconnect substrate, and further comprising a second semiconductor device attached to the second optical interposer and to the electrical interposer, wherein the second semiconductor device is electrically connected to the second optical interposer and to the electrical interposer. 24. The structure of claim 21 further comprising a heat spreader attached to the interconnect substrate, wherein the heat spreader extends over the first semiconductor device. | 3,600 |
343,727 | 16,803,183 | 3,697 | A configurable cutting and transfer apparatus includes a cutter mechanism to cut an incoming web of material into a plurality of discrete articles and a transfer mechanism operable with the cutter mechanism to transfer and rotate the discrete articles from a web receiving location to an article placement location. The transfer mechanism includes a drive shaft rotatable about a transfer axis, a carriage plate mounted to the drive shaft so as to rotate therewith about the transfer axis, and a segmented puck wheel comprising a plurality of carriage units securable to, and repositionable on, the carriage plate so as to rotate therewith to travel along a transfer path about the transfer axis from the web receiving location to the pad placement location, each of the carriage units including a puck operable to provide a rotating and re-pitching of the articles between the web receiving location and the pad placement location. | 1. A configurable cutting and transfer apparatus comprising:
a cutter mechanism configured to cut an incoming web of material into a plurality of discrete articles; and a transfer mechanism operable with the cutter mechanism to transfer and rotate the plurality of discrete articles from at least a web receiving location to an article placement location, the transfer mechanism comprising:
a drive shaft rotatable about a transfer axis;
a carriage plate mounted to the drive shaft so as to rotate therewith about the transfer axis; and
a segmented puck wheel comprising a plurality of carriage units securable to, and repositionable on, the carriage plate so as to rotate therewith to travel along a transfer path about the transfer axis from at least the web receiving location to the pad placement location, each of the plurality of carriage units including a puck that is selectively operable to provide a rotating and re-pitching of the articles between the web receiving location and the pad placement location. 2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the transfer mechanism comprises:
a face cam plate stationarily situated about the transfer axis and positioned on a side of the segmented puck wheel opposite the carriage plate, the face cam plate having a pitch cam race therein on a side of the face cam plate facing the segmented puck wheel; and
a barrel cam stationarily situated about the transfer axis and positioned on a side of the carriage plate opposite the segmented puck wheel, the barrel cam having a spin cam race therein around a circumference thereof. 3. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein each of the plurality of carriage units comprises:
a pitch cam follower in sliding or rolling communication with the pitch cam race to alter positioning of the pucks with respect to the segmented puck wheel along at least a portion of the transfer path; and
a spin cam follower in sliding or rolling communication with the spin cam race to spin the puck at least partially about a spin axis of the respective puck that is at least substantially perpendicular to the transfer axis. 4. The apparatus of claim 3 wherein each of the plurality of carriage units comprises:
a mounting block secured to the carriage plate, the mounting plate including a pair of pitch rails secured thereto that are oriented parallel to a direction of the transfer path;
a puck support positioned on the mounting block and movable relative thereto via a mating of rail guides of the puck support the with the pitch rails, the puck support oriented generally orthogonal to the pitch rails and comprising a puck mount on one end thereof that is configured to receive the puck; and
a linkage system operatively coupled to the puck support and to the pitch cam follower to transfer movement of the pitch cam follower to the puck support, so as to cause movement of the puck support along the pitch rails and thereby alter circumferential displacement of the puck with respect to the carriage unit along at least a portion of the transfer path. 5. The apparatus of claim 4 wherein the carriage plate includes a plurality of mounting holes arranged as two concentric circles on the carriage plate, and wherein the mounting plate of each respective carriage unit comprises fastener holes arranged so as to be alignable with a number of the mounting holes on the carriage plate to provide for positioning of fasteners therethrough to secure the carriage unit to the carriage plate at a desired location. 6. The apparatus of claim 4 wherein the puck support in each of the plurality of carriage units comprises:
a spin cam follower holder configured to house a portion of the spin cam follower therein; and
a belt operatively coupled to the puck support and to the spin cam follower to transfer movement from the spin cam follower to the puck mount, so as to cause the puck mounted to the puck mount to spin about the spin axis. 7. The apparatus of claim 4 wherein the transfer mechanism comprises a base plate positioned about the carriage plate and coupled to the barrel cam; and
wherein the carriage unit comprises:
a vacuum plate positioned between a portion of the mounting block and the base plate, the vacuum plate included one or more openings formed therein that provide an air passage into and out from the puck support; and
vacuum channels formed in the puck support to form a fluid flow path from the vacuum plate openings to the puck mount and the puck mounted thereon. 8. The apparatus of claim 7 wherein the vacuum channels are fluidly coupled to multiple vacuum zones on the puck, and wherein an orientation of the puck about the spin axis controls a fluid communication between the vacuum channels and the multiple vacuum zones, so as to selectively enable a pick-up and transfer of a respective article to and from the puck. 9. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the puck of each respective carriage unit comprises a puck connector coupleable with the puck mount, the puck connector comprising a quick-connect connector configured to secure the puck to the puck mount. 10. The apparatus of claim 9 further comprising one or more shim spacers positioned on the puck connector, the one or more shim spacing increasing a height that the puck extends out from the puck support. 11. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the cutter mechanism comprises:
a first cutter component, a majority of which is situated within the transfer path; and
a second cutter component, a majority of which is situated outside the transfer path, the second cutter component adapted to periodically cooperate with the first cutter component to form a cutting nip. 12. The apparatus of claim 11 wherein the first cutter component comprises an anvil wheel comprising a plurality of anvils spaced circumferentially about an anvil wheel axis, the anvil wheel driven by a drive shaft to rotate about the anvil wheel axis; and
wherein the second cutter component comprises a knife roll including one or more knives thereon, the one or more knives periodically cooperating with the anvils to form the cutting nip. 13. The apparatus of claim 12 wherein the anvil wheel and drive shaft are mounted on an anvil wheel stand, the anvil wheel stand comprising a track along which the anvil wheel and drive shaft may be translated to alter a distance between the anvil wheel and knife roll. 14. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a base frame on which each of the cutter mechanism and transfer mechanism are mounted, the base frame comprising a pair of rails along which at least one of the cutter mechanism and transfer mechanism is movable to increase a distance between the cutter mechanism and the transfer mechanism. 15. A method for configuring a configurable cutting and transfer apparatus, the method comprising:
providing a cutter mechanism configured to cut an incoming web of material into a plurality of discrete articles; and providing a transfer mechanism operable with the cutter mechanism to transfer and rotate the plurality of discrete articles from at least a web receiving location to an article placement location, wherein providing the transfer mechanism comprises:
providing a drive shaft having a carriage plate mounted thereto, the drive shaft and carriage plate rotatable about a transfer axis; and
mounting a plurality of carriage units to the carriage plate to form a segmented puck wheel, the plurality of carriage units rotatable with the carriage plate to travel along a transfer path about the transfer axis from at least the web receiving location to the pad placement location, with each of the plurality of carriage units including a puck operable to provide a rotating and re-pitching of the articles between the web receiving location and the pad placement location;
wherein a construction of the carriage plate and the plurality of carriage units enables mounting of the plurality of carriage units in a plurality of arrangements and in various numbers on the carriage plate, so as to provide a configurable cutting and transfer apparatus. 16. The method of claim 15 wherein mounting the plurality of carriage units to the carriage plate comprises aligning fastener holes on each of the plurality of carriage units with fastener holes in the carriage plate for receiving fasteners therethrough to mount the plurality of carriage units to the carriage plate, the fastener holes on the carriage plate arranged as two concentric circles on the carriage plate. 17. The method of claim 15 wherein providing the transfer mechanism comprises:
providing a face cam plate that is stationarily situated about the transfer axis and positioned on a side of the segmented puck wheel opposite the carriage plate, the face cam plate having a pitch cam race therein on a side of the face cam plate facing the segmented puck wheel; and
providing a barrel cam that is stationarily situated about the transfer axis and positioned on a side of the carriage plate opposite the segmented puck wheel, the barrel cam having a spin cam race therein around a circumference thereof.
operatively coupling a pitch cam follower of each of the plurality of carriage units with the pitch cam race to enable altering of a positioning of the pucks with respect to the segmented puck wheel along at least a portion of the transfer path; and
operatively coupling a spin cam follower of each of the plurality of carriage units with the spin cam race to enable spinning of the pucks at least partially about respective spin axes of the pucks that are at least substantially perpendicular to the transfer axis. 18. The method of claim 15 wherein, in providing the rotating and re-pitching of the articles between the web receiving location and the pad placement location for the puck of a respective carriage unit, the method comprises:
operatively coupling the pitch cam follower to a puck support having the puck mounted thereon to transfer movement of the pitch cam follower to the puck support and thereby alter circumferential displacement of the puck with respect to the carriage unit along at least a portion of the transfer path; and
operatively coupling the spin cam follower to the puck support to transfer movement of the spin cam follower to the puck so as to cause the puck mounted to the puck mount to spin about the spin axis. 19. The method of claim 18 wherein operatively coupling the pitch cam follower to the puck support comprises:
providing a pair of pitch rails in the carriage unit that are oriented parallel to a direction of the transfer path;
slidingly coupling the puck support to the pair of pitch rails via rail guides on the puck support; and
operatively coupling the puck support to the pitch cam follower via a linkage system of the carriage unit, such that movement of the pitch cam follower is transferred to the puck support via the linkage system and causes movement of the puck support along the pitch rails to alter circumferential displacement of the puck with respect to the carriage unit. 20. The method of claim 18 wherein operatively coupling the spin cam follower to the puck support comprises operatively coupling the spin cam follower to a belt on the puck support, the belt transferring movement from the spin cam follower to a puck mount of the puck support to which the puck is mounted, so as to cause the puck mounted to the puck mount to spin about the spin axis. 21. The method of claim 15 further comprising coupling the puck of each respective carriage unit to a puck support of the carriage unit, the puck mounted on a puck mount of the puck connector via a quick-connect connection. 22. The method of claim 19 further comprising providing one or more shim spacers in the puck to increase a height that the puck extends out from the puck support. | A configurable cutting and transfer apparatus includes a cutter mechanism to cut an incoming web of material into a plurality of discrete articles and a transfer mechanism operable with the cutter mechanism to transfer and rotate the discrete articles from a web receiving location to an article placement location. The transfer mechanism includes a drive shaft rotatable about a transfer axis, a carriage plate mounted to the drive shaft so as to rotate therewith about the transfer axis, and a segmented puck wheel comprising a plurality of carriage units securable to, and repositionable on, the carriage plate so as to rotate therewith to travel along a transfer path about the transfer axis from the web receiving location to the pad placement location, each of the carriage units including a puck operable to provide a rotating and re-pitching of the articles between the web receiving location and the pad placement location.1. A configurable cutting and transfer apparatus comprising:
a cutter mechanism configured to cut an incoming web of material into a plurality of discrete articles; and a transfer mechanism operable with the cutter mechanism to transfer and rotate the plurality of discrete articles from at least a web receiving location to an article placement location, the transfer mechanism comprising:
a drive shaft rotatable about a transfer axis;
a carriage plate mounted to the drive shaft so as to rotate therewith about the transfer axis; and
a segmented puck wheel comprising a plurality of carriage units securable to, and repositionable on, the carriage plate so as to rotate therewith to travel along a transfer path about the transfer axis from at least the web receiving location to the pad placement location, each of the plurality of carriage units including a puck that is selectively operable to provide a rotating and re-pitching of the articles between the web receiving location and the pad placement location. 2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the transfer mechanism comprises:
a face cam plate stationarily situated about the transfer axis and positioned on a side of the segmented puck wheel opposite the carriage plate, the face cam plate having a pitch cam race therein on a side of the face cam plate facing the segmented puck wheel; and
a barrel cam stationarily situated about the transfer axis and positioned on a side of the carriage plate opposite the segmented puck wheel, the barrel cam having a spin cam race therein around a circumference thereof. 3. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein each of the plurality of carriage units comprises:
a pitch cam follower in sliding or rolling communication with the pitch cam race to alter positioning of the pucks with respect to the segmented puck wheel along at least a portion of the transfer path; and
a spin cam follower in sliding or rolling communication with the spin cam race to spin the puck at least partially about a spin axis of the respective puck that is at least substantially perpendicular to the transfer axis. 4. The apparatus of claim 3 wherein each of the plurality of carriage units comprises:
a mounting block secured to the carriage plate, the mounting plate including a pair of pitch rails secured thereto that are oriented parallel to a direction of the transfer path;
a puck support positioned on the mounting block and movable relative thereto via a mating of rail guides of the puck support the with the pitch rails, the puck support oriented generally orthogonal to the pitch rails and comprising a puck mount on one end thereof that is configured to receive the puck; and
a linkage system operatively coupled to the puck support and to the pitch cam follower to transfer movement of the pitch cam follower to the puck support, so as to cause movement of the puck support along the pitch rails and thereby alter circumferential displacement of the puck with respect to the carriage unit along at least a portion of the transfer path. 5. The apparatus of claim 4 wherein the carriage plate includes a plurality of mounting holes arranged as two concentric circles on the carriage plate, and wherein the mounting plate of each respective carriage unit comprises fastener holes arranged so as to be alignable with a number of the mounting holes on the carriage plate to provide for positioning of fasteners therethrough to secure the carriage unit to the carriage plate at a desired location. 6. The apparatus of claim 4 wherein the puck support in each of the plurality of carriage units comprises:
a spin cam follower holder configured to house a portion of the spin cam follower therein; and
a belt operatively coupled to the puck support and to the spin cam follower to transfer movement from the spin cam follower to the puck mount, so as to cause the puck mounted to the puck mount to spin about the spin axis. 7. The apparatus of claim 4 wherein the transfer mechanism comprises a base plate positioned about the carriage plate and coupled to the barrel cam; and
wherein the carriage unit comprises:
a vacuum plate positioned between a portion of the mounting block and the base plate, the vacuum plate included one or more openings formed therein that provide an air passage into and out from the puck support; and
vacuum channels formed in the puck support to form a fluid flow path from the vacuum plate openings to the puck mount and the puck mounted thereon. 8. The apparatus of claim 7 wherein the vacuum channels are fluidly coupled to multiple vacuum zones on the puck, and wherein an orientation of the puck about the spin axis controls a fluid communication between the vacuum channels and the multiple vacuum zones, so as to selectively enable a pick-up and transfer of a respective article to and from the puck. 9. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the puck of each respective carriage unit comprises a puck connector coupleable with the puck mount, the puck connector comprising a quick-connect connector configured to secure the puck to the puck mount. 10. The apparatus of claim 9 further comprising one or more shim spacers positioned on the puck connector, the one or more shim spacing increasing a height that the puck extends out from the puck support. 11. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the cutter mechanism comprises:
a first cutter component, a majority of which is situated within the transfer path; and
a second cutter component, a majority of which is situated outside the transfer path, the second cutter component adapted to periodically cooperate with the first cutter component to form a cutting nip. 12. The apparatus of claim 11 wherein the first cutter component comprises an anvil wheel comprising a plurality of anvils spaced circumferentially about an anvil wheel axis, the anvil wheel driven by a drive shaft to rotate about the anvil wheel axis; and
wherein the second cutter component comprises a knife roll including one or more knives thereon, the one or more knives periodically cooperating with the anvils to form the cutting nip. 13. The apparatus of claim 12 wherein the anvil wheel and drive shaft are mounted on an anvil wheel stand, the anvil wheel stand comprising a track along which the anvil wheel and drive shaft may be translated to alter a distance between the anvil wheel and knife roll. 14. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a base frame on which each of the cutter mechanism and transfer mechanism are mounted, the base frame comprising a pair of rails along which at least one of the cutter mechanism and transfer mechanism is movable to increase a distance between the cutter mechanism and the transfer mechanism. 15. A method for configuring a configurable cutting and transfer apparatus, the method comprising:
providing a cutter mechanism configured to cut an incoming web of material into a plurality of discrete articles; and providing a transfer mechanism operable with the cutter mechanism to transfer and rotate the plurality of discrete articles from at least a web receiving location to an article placement location, wherein providing the transfer mechanism comprises:
providing a drive shaft having a carriage plate mounted thereto, the drive shaft and carriage plate rotatable about a transfer axis; and
mounting a plurality of carriage units to the carriage plate to form a segmented puck wheel, the plurality of carriage units rotatable with the carriage plate to travel along a transfer path about the transfer axis from at least the web receiving location to the pad placement location, with each of the plurality of carriage units including a puck operable to provide a rotating and re-pitching of the articles between the web receiving location and the pad placement location;
wherein a construction of the carriage plate and the plurality of carriage units enables mounting of the plurality of carriage units in a plurality of arrangements and in various numbers on the carriage plate, so as to provide a configurable cutting and transfer apparatus. 16. The method of claim 15 wherein mounting the plurality of carriage units to the carriage plate comprises aligning fastener holes on each of the plurality of carriage units with fastener holes in the carriage plate for receiving fasteners therethrough to mount the plurality of carriage units to the carriage plate, the fastener holes on the carriage plate arranged as two concentric circles on the carriage plate. 17. The method of claim 15 wherein providing the transfer mechanism comprises:
providing a face cam plate that is stationarily situated about the transfer axis and positioned on a side of the segmented puck wheel opposite the carriage plate, the face cam plate having a pitch cam race therein on a side of the face cam plate facing the segmented puck wheel; and
providing a barrel cam that is stationarily situated about the transfer axis and positioned on a side of the carriage plate opposite the segmented puck wheel, the barrel cam having a spin cam race therein around a circumference thereof.
operatively coupling a pitch cam follower of each of the plurality of carriage units with the pitch cam race to enable altering of a positioning of the pucks with respect to the segmented puck wheel along at least a portion of the transfer path; and
operatively coupling a spin cam follower of each of the plurality of carriage units with the spin cam race to enable spinning of the pucks at least partially about respective spin axes of the pucks that are at least substantially perpendicular to the transfer axis. 18. The method of claim 15 wherein, in providing the rotating and re-pitching of the articles between the web receiving location and the pad placement location for the puck of a respective carriage unit, the method comprises:
operatively coupling the pitch cam follower to a puck support having the puck mounted thereon to transfer movement of the pitch cam follower to the puck support and thereby alter circumferential displacement of the puck with respect to the carriage unit along at least a portion of the transfer path; and
operatively coupling the spin cam follower to the puck support to transfer movement of the spin cam follower to the puck so as to cause the puck mounted to the puck mount to spin about the spin axis. 19. The method of claim 18 wherein operatively coupling the pitch cam follower to the puck support comprises:
providing a pair of pitch rails in the carriage unit that are oriented parallel to a direction of the transfer path;
slidingly coupling the puck support to the pair of pitch rails via rail guides on the puck support; and
operatively coupling the puck support to the pitch cam follower via a linkage system of the carriage unit, such that movement of the pitch cam follower is transferred to the puck support via the linkage system and causes movement of the puck support along the pitch rails to alter circumferential displacement of the puck with respect to the carriage unit. 20. The method of claim 18 wherein operatively coupling the spin cam follower to the puck support comprises operatively coupling the spin cam follower to a belt on the puck support, the belt transferring movement from the spin cam follower to a puck mount of the puck support to which the puck is mounted, so as to cause the puck mounted to the puck mount to spin about the spin axis. 21. The method of claim 15 further comprising coupling the puck of each respective carriage unit to a puck support of the carriage unit, the puck mounted on a puck mount of the puck connector via a quick-connect connection. 22. The method of claim 19 further comprising providing one or more shim spacers in the puck to increase a height that the puck extends out from the puck support. | 3,600 |
343,728 | 16,803,162 | 3,697 | A method for operating a communications device adapted for orthogonal frequency division multiple access (OFDMA) wireless local area network (WLAN) communications includes generating an OFDMA preamble comprising an OFDMA signal (SIG) field including an indication of an allocation of an OFDMA resource to a station, and transmitting the OFDMA preamble in a frame. | 1. A method for orthogonal frequency division multiple access (OFDMA) wireless local area network (WLAN) communications, the method comprising:
subdividing, by a communications device, a communications channel into subcarrier groups each containing a plurality of subcarriers; allocating, by the communications device, the subcarrier groups to groups of stations to produce subcarrier group allocations; allocating, by the communications device, spatial streams to the groups of stations to produce spatial stream allocations; generating, by the communications device, an indication of an allocation of OFDMA resources in accordance with the subcarrier group allocations and the spatial stream allocations; generating, by the communications device, a High Efficiency WLAN(HEW) preamble comprising a HEW signal (SIG) B field indicating the allocation of an OFDMA resource to a station, the HEW SIG B field comprising a station specific data field, the station specific data field including:
a station identifier (STAID) subfield identifying the station associated with the station specific data field, and
a number of spatial streams (NSTS) field indicating the number of spatial streams allocated to the station associated with the station specific data field; and
transmitting, by the communications device, the HEW preamble in a frame. 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the HEW preamble further comprises at least one HEW-long training field (HEW-LTF). 3. The method of claim 1, wherein the station specific data field indicates a modulation and coding scheme (MCS) for each station. 4. The method of claim 1, wherein the HEW SIG B field comprises a plurality of station specific data fields, and wherein indices of the subcarrier group allocations are implicitly indicated by an ordering of the plurality of station specific data fields. 5. A method for orthogonal frequency division multiple access (OFDMA) wireless local area network (WLAN) communications, the method comprising:
receiving, by a communications device, a frame including a High Efficiency WLAN (HEW) preamble comprising a HEW signal (SIG) B field, the HEW SIG B field indicating an allocation of an OFDMA resource to a station, the HEW SIG B field comprising a station specific data field, the station specific data field including:
a station identifier (STAID) subfield identifying the station associated with the station specific data field, and
a number of spatial streams (NSTS) field indicating the number of spatial streams allocated to the station associated with the station specific data field; and
receiving, by the communications device, a payload of the frame including a data transmission in accordance with the allocation. 6. The method of claim 5, further comprising:
determining, by the communications device, a subcarrier group allocation for the communications device in accordance with the allocation of the OFDMA resource; determining, by the communications device, a spatial stream allocation for the communications device in accordance with the allocation of the OFDMA resource; and receiving, by the communications device, the data transmission in accordance with the subcarrier group allocation and the spatial stream allocation. 7. The method of claim 5, wherein the station specific data field indicates a modulation and coding scheme (MCS) for each station. 8. The method of claim 5, wherein the HEW SIG B field comprises a plurality of station specific data fields, and wherein indices of subcarrier group allocations are implicitly indicated by an ordering of the plurality of station specific data fields. 9. The method of claim 5, wherein the HEW preamble further comprises at least one HEW-long training field (HEW-LTF). 10. A communications device providing orthogonal frequency division multiple access (OFDMA) wireless local area network (WLAN) communications, the communications device comprising:
a non-transitory memory storage containing instructions; and one or more processors in communication with the non-transitory memory storage, wherein the one or more processors execute the instructions to:
subdivide a communications channel into subcarrier groups each containing a plurality of subcarriers;
allocate the subcarrier groups to groups of stations to produce subcarrier group allocations;
allocate spatial streams to the groups of stations to produce spatial stream allocations;
generate an indication of an allocation of an OFDMA resource in accordance with the subcarrier group allocations and the spatial stream allocations;
generate a High Efficiency WLAN (HEW) preamble comprising an HEW signal (SIG) B field, the HEW SIG B field indicating the allocation of the OFDMA resource to a station, the HEW SIG B field comprising a station specific data field, the station specific data field including:
a station identifier (STAID) subfield identifying the station associated with the station specific data field, and
a number of spatial streams (NSTS) field indicating spatial stream assignments for each station in a group of stations associated with the station specific data field; and
transmit the HEW preamble in a frame. 11. The communications device of claim 10, wherein the station specific data field indicates a modulation and coding scheme (MCS) for each station. 12. A communications device providing orthogonal frequency division multiple access (OFDMA) wireless local area network (WLAN) communications, the communications device comprising:
a non-transitory memory storage comprising instructions; and one or more processors in communication with the non-transitory memory storage, wherein the one or more processors execute the instructions to:
receive a header of a frame including a HEW preamble comprising a HEW signal (SIG) B field indicating an allocation of an OFDMA resource to a station, the HEW SIG B field comprising a station specific data field, the station specific data field including:
a station identifier (STAID) identifying the station associated with the station specific data field, and
a number of spatial streams (NSTS) field containing spatial stream assignments for each station in a group of stations associated with the station specific data field; and
receive a payload of the frame including a data transmission in accordance with the allocation. 13. The communications device of claim 12, wherein the one or more processors execute the instructions to:
determine a subcarrier group allocation for the communications device in accordance with the allocation of the OFDMA resource; determine a spatial stream allocation for the communications device in accordance with the allocation of the OFDMA resource; and receive the data transmission in accordance with the subcarrier group allocation and the spatial stream allocation. 14. The communications device of claim 12, wherein the station specific data field indicates a modulation and coding scheme (MCS) for each station. | A method for operating a communications device adapted for orthogonal frequency division multiple access (OFDMA) wireless local area network (WLAN) communications includes generating an OFDMA preamble comprising an OFDMA signal (SIG) field including an indication of an allocation of an OFDMA resource to a station, and transmitting the OFDMA preamble in a frame.1. A method for orthogonal frequency division multiple access (OFDMA) wireless local area network (WLAN) communications, the method comprising:
subdividing, by a communications device, a communications channel into subcarrier groups each containing a plurality of subcarriers; allocating, by the communications device, the subcarrier groups to groups of stations to produce subcarrier group allocations; allocating, by the communications device, spatial streams to the groups of stations to produce spatial stream allocations; generating, by the communications device, an indication of an allocation of OFDMA resources in accordance with the subcarrier group allocations and the spatial stream allocations; generating, by the communications device, a High Efficiency WLAN(HEW) preamble comprising a HEW signal (SIG) B field indicating the allocation of an OFDMA resource to a station, the HEW SIG B field comprising a station specific data field, the station specific data field including:
a station identifier (STAID) subfield identifying the station associated with the station specific data field, and
a number of spatial streams (NSTS) field indicating the number of spatial streams allocated to the station associated with the station specific data field; and
transmitting, by the communications device, the HEW preamble in a frame. 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the HEW preamble further comprises at least one HEW-long training field (HEW-LTF). 3. The method of claim 1, wherein the station specific data field indicates a modulation and coding scheme (MCS) for each station. 4. The method of claim 1, wherein the HEW SIG B field comprises a plurality of station specific data fields, and wherein indices of the subcarrier group allocations are implicitly indicated by an ordering of the plurality of station specific data fields. 5. A method for orthogonal frequency division multiple access (OFDMA) wireless local area network (WLAN) communications, the method comprising:
receiving, by a communications device, a frame including a High Efficiency WLAN (HEW) preamble comprising a HEW signal (SIG) B field, the HEW SIG B field indicating an allocation of an OFDMA resource to a station, the HEW SIG B field comprising a station specific data field, the station specific data field including:
a station identifier (STAID) subfield identifying the station associated with the station specific data field, and
a number of spatial streams (NSTS) field indicating the number of spatial streams allocated to the station associated with the station specific data field; and
receiving, by the communications device, a payload of the frame including a data transmission in accordance with the allocation. 6. The method of claim 5, further comprising:
determining, by the communications device, a subcarrier group allocation for the communications device in accordance with the allocation of the OFDMA resource; determining, by the communications device, a spatial stream allocation for the communications device in accordance with the allocation of the OFDMA resource; and receiving, by the communications device, the data transmission in accordance with the subcarrier group allocation and the spatial stream allocation. 7. The method of claim 5, wherein the station specific data field indicates a modulation and coding scheme (MCS) for each station. 8. The method of claim 5, wherein the HEW SIG B field comprises a plurality of station specific data fields, and wherein indices of subcarrier group allocations are implicitly indicated by an ordering of the plurality of station specific data fields. 9. The method of claim 5, wherein the HEW preamble further comprises at least one HEW-long training field (HEW-LTF). 10. A communications device providing orthogonal frequency division multiple access (OFDMA) wireless local area network (WLAN) communications, the communications device comprising:
a non-transitory memory storage containing instructions; and one or more processors in communication with the non-transitory memory storage, wherein the one or more processors execute the instructions to:
subdivide a communications channel into subcarrier groups each containing a plurality of subcarriers;
allocate the subcarrier groups to groups of stations to produce subcarrier group allocations;
allocate spatial streams to the groups of stations to produce spatial stream allocations;
generate an indication of an allocation of an OFDMA resource in accordance with the subcarrier group allocations and the spatial stream allocations;
generate a High Efficiency WLAN (HEW) preamble comprising an HEW signal (SIG) B field, the HEW SIG B field indicating the allocation of the OFDMA resource to a station, the HEW SIG B field comprising a station specific data field, the station specific data field including:
a station identifier (STAID) subfield identifying the station associated with the station specific data field, and
a number of spatial streams (NSTS) field indicating spatial stream assignments for each station in a group of stations associated with the station specific data field; and
transmit the HEW preamble in a frame. 11. The communications device of claim 10, wherein the station specific data field indicates a modulation and coding scheme (MCS) for each station. 12. A communications device providing orthogonal frequency division multiple access (OFDMA) wireless local area network (WLAN) communications, the communications device comprising:
a non-transitory memory storage comprising instructions; and one or more processors in communication with the non-transitory memory storage, wherein the one or more processors execute the instructions to:
receive a header of a frame including a HEW preamble comprising a HEW signal (SIG) B field indicating an allocation of an OFDMA resource to a station, the HEW SIG B field comprising a station specific data field, the station specific data field including:
a station identifier (STAID) identifying the station associated with the station specific data field, and
a number of spatial streams (NSTS) field containing spatial stream assignments for each station in a group of stations associated with the station specific data field; and
receive a payload of the frame including a data transmission in accordance with the allocation. 13. The communications device of claim 12, wherein the one or more processors execute the instructions to:
determine a subcarrier group allocation for the communications device in accordance with the allocation of the OFDMA resource; determine a spatial stream allocation for the communications device in accordance with the allocation of the OFDMA resource; and receive the data transmission in accordance with the subcarrier group allocation and the spatial stream allocation. 14. The communications device of claim 12, wherein the station specific data field indicates a modulation and coding scheme (MCS) for each station. | 3,600 |
343,729 | 16,803,198 | 3,773 | Methods and apparatus for coupling two or more bones together with a flexible connector. | 1. A bone anchor for a flexible connector, comprising:
a head including a top including a threaded receptacle, an internal pocket, and a laterally extending pathway open to the top and adapted and configured for passage therethrough of a flexible connector; a member including a pedestal received within the pocket of said head and a pair of arms extending within the pathway of said head, said arms having a corridor therebetween for passage of a flexible connector, at least one of said arms including a first abutting surface; and a set screw having threads adapted and configured to threadably couple to the threaded receptacle of said head, said set screw having a bottom and a second abutting surface; wherein tightening of said set screw to said head brings the first and second abutting surfaces into contact, and the bottom of said set screw and said arms establish a fixed cross sectional area to the corridor. 2. The bone anchor of claim 1 wherein the flexible connector has a cross sectional area and the fixed cross sectional area is less than about fifty percent of the flexible connector cross sectional area. 3. The bone anchor of claim 1 wherein the fixed cross sectional area is rectangular, having a greater width than height. 4. The bone anchor of claim 1 wherein the threaded receptacle of said head includes external threads, and said set screw includes internal threads. 5. The bone anchor of claim 1 wherein the threaded receptacle of said head includes internal threads, and said set screw includes external threads. 6. The bone anchor of claim 1 which further comprises a bone fastener having a driving portion and a threaded portion adapted and configured to fasten to the bone, wherein said member has a bottom, and tightening of said set screw brings the bottom of said member into abutting contact with the driving portion of said bone fastener. 7. The bone anchor of claim 6 wherein said head is rotatably captured to said bone fastener. 8. The bone anchor of claim 6 wherein said head is rotatable about the axis of said fastener, and tightening of said set screw discourages rotation about the axis by friction between the member and said fastener. 9. The bone anchor of claim 8 wherein said head is constrained to only rotate about the axis of said fastener. 10. The bone anchor of claim 1 which further comprises a base including an aperture and plurality of bone penetrating projections, and a bone fastener having a driving portion, a threaded portion adapted and configured to fasten to the bone, and an intermediate portion between the driving and threaded portion and receivable within the aperture, the intermediate portion adapted and configured to compress the base against a bone. 11. The bone anchor of claim 10 wherein the intermediate portion of said bone fastener is threaded and the aperture of said base is adapted and configured to threadably couple to the intermediate portion. 12. The bone anchor of claim 10 wherein the intermediate portion of said bone fastener has a rounded peripheral surface and the aperture of said base has a first opening wider than the rounded peripheral surface and a second opening narrower than the rounded peripheral surface. 13. The bone anchor of claim 10 wherein the intermediate portion of said bone fastener has a generally spherical outer surface and the aperture has an inner generally conical surface, the generally conical surface including a portion narrower than the generally spherical outer surface. 14. The bone anchor of claim 10 wherein the base has a periphery and the periphery includes a groove. 15. A bone anchor for a flexible connector, comprising:
a bone fastener having a top portion and a threaded portion adapted and configured to fasten to the bone; a base including an aperture for receiving therein said bone fastener and a plurality of bone penetrating projections; a head having a bottom, a top including a threaded receptacle, an internal pocket, and a pathway between the top and the bottom, and adapted and configured for passage therethrough of a flexible connector; a member including a pedestal having a bottom and received within the pocket of said head and a pair of arms extending within the pathway of said head, said arms having a corridor therethrough for passage of a flexible connector, at least one of said arms including a first abutting surface; and a set screw having threads adapted and configured to threadably couple to the threaded receptacle of said head, said set screw having a second abutting surface; wherein tightening of said set screw to said head frictionally captures said member between said set screw and the top of said bone fastener. 16. The bone anchor of claim 15 wherein the aperture of said base is a first aperture, said head includes a second aperture, and the top portion of said bone fastener is receivable through the first aperture and the second aperture. 17. The bone anchor of claim 15 wherein said head is rotatably captured to said bone fastener. 18. The bone anchor of claim 15 wherein said head is rotatable about the axis of said fastener, and tightening of said set screw discourages rotation about the axis by friction between the member and said fastener. 19. The bone anchor of claim 18 wherein said head is constrained to only rotate about the axis of said fastener. 20. The bone anchor of claim 15 wherein said base includes a top, and fastening of said bone fastener to a bone pushes the bottom of said head into frictional contact with the top of said base 21. The bone anchor of claim 15 wherein said head includes a receptacle, the top portion of said bone fastener has a tapered outer surface, and which further comprises an expandable collar retained within the receptacle, said collar including a tapered through aperture that receives therein the top portion of said bone fastener. 22. The bone anchor of claim 21 wherein the tapered outer surface is substantially conical and the tapered through aperture is substantially conical. 23. A bone anchor for a flexible connector, comprising:
a bone fastener having a top portion with a first diameter, and a threaded portion adapted and configured to fasten to the bone, a head having a bottom, a top including a threaded receptacle, an internal pocket, an inner recess, and a pathway between the top and the bottom, the pathway being adapted and configured for passage therethrough of a flexible connector; and an expandable split ring collar having a tapered aperture, wherein in an expanded state the minimum distance across the taper is greater than the first diameter, and in a compressed state said split ring collar fits within the inner recess and the minimum distance is less than the first diameter; a member including a pedestal, said member being received within the pocket of said head and a pair of arms extending within the pathway of said head, said arms having a corridor therethrough for passage of a flexible connector. a set screw having threads adapted and configured to threadably couple to the threaded receptacle of said head. 24. The bone anchor of claim 23 wherein said head is rotatably captured to said bone fastener by said split ring collar in the compressed state. 25. The bone anchor of claim 23 wherein said head is rotatable about the axis of said fastener, and tightening of said set screw discourages rotation about the axis by friction between the member and said fastener. 26. The bone anchor of claim 25 wherein said head is constrained by said split ring collar to only rotate about the axis of said fastener. 27. The bone anchor of claim 23 wherein the top portion of said bone fastener has a tapered outer surface that is substantially conical and the tapered aperture of said split ring collar is substantially conical. 28. The bone anchor of claim 23 wherein tightening of said set screw to said head frictionally captures said member between said set screw and the top of said bone fastener. 29. The bone anchor of claim 23 wherein the threaded receptacle of said head and the internal pocket are coaxial, and the pathway of said head is substantially perpendicular to the axis. 30. The bone anchor of claim 23 wherein each arm of said member extends within the threaded receptacle of said head. 31-65. (canceled) 66. A bone anchor for a flexible connector, comprising:
a bone fastener having a top with a rounded portion, and a threaded portion adapted and configured to fasten to a bone; a base including an aperture for receiving therein said bone fastener, a pocket surrounding the aperture, and at least one bone penetrating projection; a head having a bottom adapted and configured to be received within the pocket, a top including a threaded receptacle, and an interior; a member including a pedestal having a bone fastener surface, said member being releasably coupled to said head, said member having a pair of arms defining a corridor therebetween for passage of a flexible connector, at least one of said arms including a first abutting surface; and a set screw having a bottom with a second abutting surface, and threads adapted and configured to threadably couple to the threaded receptacle of said head; wherein tightening of said set screw within the threaded receptacle brings the first and second abutting surfaces into contact to compress the bone fastener surface against said bone fastener. 67. The bone anchor of claim 66 wherein said base is pivotal relative to said bone fastener in two orthogonal directions before said set screw is tightened in the threaded receptacle. 68. The bone anchor of claim 66 wherein said member is pivotal relative to said bone fastener in two orthogonal directions before said set screw is tightened in the threaded receptacle. 69. The bone anchor of claim 66 wherein tightening of said set screw within the threaded receptacle compresses said member between said bone fastener and said head. 70. The bone anchor of claim 66 wherein the bone fastener surface includes a rounded concave region to receive therein the rounded portion of said bone fastener. 71. The bone anchor of claim 66 wherein the bone fastener surface includes a spherical region to receive therein the rounded portion of said bone fastener. 72. The bone anchor of claim 66 wherein the bone fastener surface includes a rounded concave region and the rounded portion of said bone fastener is spherical. 73. The bone anchor of claim 66 wherein said head is rotatable within the pocket. 74. The bone anchor of claim 66 wherein said head includes a pathway between the top and the bottom, the pathway and adapted and configured for passage therethrough of a flexible connector, the pair of arms extending within the pathway. 75-86. (canceled) | Methods and apparatus for coupling two or more bones together with a flexible connector.1. A bone anchor for a flexible connector, comprising:
a head including a top including a threaded receptacle, an internal pocket, and a laterally extending pathway open to the top and adapted and configured for passage therethrough of a flexible connector; a member including a pedestal received within the pocket of said head and a pair of arms extending within the pathway of said head, said arms having a corridor therebetween for passage of a flexible connector, at least one of said arms including a first abutting surface; and a set screw having threads adapted and configured to threadably couple to the threaded receptacle of said head, said set screw having a bottom and a second abutting surface; wherein tightening of said set screw to said head brings the first and second abutting surfaces into contact, and the bottom of said set screw and said arms establish a fixed cross sectional area to the corridor. 2. The bone anchor of claim 1 wherein the flexible connector has a cross sectional area and the fixed cross sectional area is less than about fifty percent of the flexible connector cross sectional area. 3. The bone anchor of claim 1 wherein the fixed cross sectional area is rectangular, having a greater width than height. 4. The bone anchor of claim 1 wherein the threaded receptacle of said head includes external threads, and said set screw includes internal threads. 5. The bone anchor of claim 1 wherein the threaded receptacle of said head includes internal threads, and said set screw includes external threads. 6. The bone anchor of claim 1 which further comprises a bone fastener having a driving portion and a threaded portion adapted and configured to fasten to the bone, wherein said member has a bottom, and tightening of said set screw brings the bottom of said member into abutting contact with the driving portion of said bone fastener. 7. The bone anchor of claim 6 wherein said head is rotatably captured to said bone fastener. 8. The bone anchor of claim 6 wherein said head is rotatable about the axis of said fastener, and tightening of said set screw discourages rotation about the axis by friction between the member and said fastener. 9. The bone anchor of claim 8 wherein said head is constrained to only rotate about the axis of said fastener. 10. The bone anchor of claim 1 which further comprises a base including an aperture and plurality of bone penetrating projections, and a bone fastener having a driving portion, a threaded portion adapted and configured to fasten to the bone, and an intermediate portion between the driving and threaded portion and receivable within the aperture, the intermediate portion adapted and configured to compress the base against a bone. 11. The bone anchor of claim 10 wherein the intermediate portion of said bone fastener is threaded and the aperture of said base is adapted and configured to threadably couple to the intermediate portion. 12. The bone anchor of claim 10 wherein the intermediate portion of said bone fastener has a rounded peripheral surface and the aperture of said base has a first opening wider than the rounded peripheral surface and a second opening narrower than the rounded peripheral surface. 13. The bone anchor of claim 10 wherein the intermediate portion of said bone fastener has a generally spherical outer surface and the aperture has an inner generally conical surface, the generally conical surface including a portion narrower than the generally spherical outer surface. 14. The bone anchor of claim 10 wherein the base has a periphery and the periphery includes a groove. 15. A bone anchor for a flexible connector, comprising:
a bone fastener having a top portion and a threaded portion adapted and configured to fasten to the bone; a base including an aperture for receiving therein said bone fastener and a plurality of bone penetrating projections; a head having a bottom, a top including a threaded receptacle, an internal pocket, and a pathway between the top and the bottom, and adapted and configured for passage therethrough of a flexible connector; a member including a pedestal having a bottom and received within the pocket of said head and a pair of arms extending within the pathway of said head, said arms having a corridor therethrough for passage of a flexible connector, at least one of said arms including a first abutting surface; and a set screw having threads adapted and configured to threadably couple to the threaded receptacle of said head, said set screw having a second abutting surface; wherein tightening of said set screw to said head frictionally captures said member between said set screw and the top of said bone fastener. 16. The bone anchor of claim 15 wherein the aperture of said base is a first aperture, said head includes a second aperture, and the top portion of said bone fastener is receivable through the first aperture and the second aperture. 17. The bone anchor of claim 15 wherein said head is rotatably captured to said bone fastener. 18. The bone anchor of claim 15 wherein said head is rotatable about the axis of said fastener, and tightening of said set screw discourages rotation about the axis by friction between the member and said fastener. 19. The bone anchor of claim 18 wherein said head is constrained to only rotate about the axis of said fastener. 20. The bone anchor of claim 15 wherein said base includes a top, and fastening of said bone fastener to a bone pushes the bottom of said head into frictional contact with the top of said base 21. The bone anchor of claim 15 wherein said head includes a receptacle, the top portion of said bone fastener has a tapered outer surface, and which further comprises an expandable collar retained within the receptacle, said collar including a tapered through aperture that receives therein the top portion of said bone fastener. 22. The bone anchor of claim 21 wherein the tapered outer surface is substantially conical and the tapered through aperture is substantially conical. 23. A bone anchor for a flexible connector, comprising:
a bone fastener having a top portion with a first diameter, and a threaded portion adapted and configured to fasten to the bone, a head having a bottom, a top including a threaded receptacle, an internal pocket, an inner recess, and a pathway between the top and the bottom, the pathway being adapted and configured for passage therethrough of a flexible connector; and an expandable split ring collar having a tapered aperture, wherein in an expanded state the minimum distance across the taper is greater than the first diameter, and in a compressed state said split ring collar fits within the inner recess and the minimum distance is less than the first diameter; a member including a pedestal, said member being received within the pocket of said head and a pair of arms extending within the pathway of said head, said arms having a corridor therethrough for passage of a flexible connector. a set screw having threads adapted and configured to threadably couple to the threaded receptacle of said head. 24. The bone anchor of claim 23 wherein said head is rotatably captured to said bone fastener by said split ring collar in the compressed state. 25. The bone anchor of claim 23 wherein said head is rotatable about the axis of said fastener, and tightening of said set screw discourages rotation about the axis by friction between the member and said fastener. 26. The bone anchor of claim 25 wherein said head is constrained by said split ring collar to only rotate about the axis of said fastener. 27. The bone anchor of claim 23 wherein the top portion of said bone fastener has a tapered outer surface that is substantially conical and the tapered aperture of said split ring collar is substantially conical. 28. The bone anchor of claim 23 wherein tightening of said set screw to said head frictionally captures said member between said set screw and the top of said bone fastener. 29. The bone anchor of claim 23 wherein the threaded receptacle of said head and the internal pocket are coaxial, and the pathway of said head is substantially perpendicular to the axis. 30. The bone anchor of claim 23 wherein each arm of said member extends within the threaded receptacle of said head. 31-65. (canceled) 66. A bone anchor for a flexible connector, comprising:
a bone fastener having a top with a rounded portion, and a threaded portion adapted and configured to fasten to a bone; a base including an aperture for receiving therein said bone fastener, a pocket surrounding the aperture, and at least one bone penetrating projection; a head having a bottom adapted and configured to be received within the pocket, a top including a threaded receptacle, and an interior; a member including a pedestal having a bone fastener surface, said member being releasably coupled to said head, said member having a pair of arms defining a corridor therebetween for passage of a flexible connector, at least one of said arms including a first abutting surface; and a set screw having a bottom with a second abutting surface, and threads adapted and configured to threadably couple to the threaded receptacle of said head; wherein tightening of said set screw within the threaded receptacle brings the first and second abutting surfaces into contact to compress the bone fastener surface against said bone fastener. 67. The bone anchor of claim 66 wherein said base is pivotal relative to said bone fastener in two orthogonal directions before said set screw is tightened in the threaded receptacle. 68. The bone anchor of claim 66 wherein said member is pivotal relative to said bone fastener in two orthogonal directions before said set screw is tightened in the threaded receptacle. 69. The bone anchor of claim 66 wherein tightening of said set screw within the threaded receptacle compresses said member between said bone fastener and said head. 70. The bone anchor of claim 66 wherein the bone fastener surface includes a rounded concave region to receive therein the rounded portion of said bone fastener. 71. The bone anchor of claim 66 wherein the bone fastener surface includes a spherical region to receive therein the rounded portion of said bone fastener. 72. The bone anchor of claim 66 wherein the bone fastener surface includes a rounded concave region and the rounded portion of said bone fastener is spherical. 73. The bone anchor of claim 66 wherein said head is rotatable within the pocket. 74. The bone anchor of claim 66 wherein said head includes a pathway between the top and the bottom, the pathway and adapted and configured for passage therethrough of a flexible connector, the pair of arms extending within the pathway. 75-86. (canceled) | 3,700 |
343,730 | 16,803,156 | 3,773 | Apparatus, systems, and methods according to which a launcher defines a central passageway and is adapted to launch an object into the central passageway so that the object enters an oil and gas wellbore. The launcher includes a cylinder rotatable about an axis between first and second angular positions, the cylinder defining a chamber into which the object is loadable when the cylinder is in the first angular position, and from which the loaded object is launchable when the cylinder is in the second angular position. A lubricator is extendable through, and retractable from, the central passageway of the launcher. | 1. A system, comprising:
a launcher adapted to be operably associated with a wellhead; wherein the launcher defines a first central passageway; wherein, when the launcher is operably associated with the wellhead, the launcher is adapted to launch an object into the first central passageway causing the object to pass through a second central passageway extending along a first axis and defined by the wellhead; wherein the launcher comprises a cylinder rotatable about a second axis between first and second angular positions; wherein, when the launcher is operably associated with the wellhead, the second axis has a non-perpendicular relation with the first axis; wherein the cylinder defines a chamber:
into which the object is adapted to be loaded when the cylinder is in the first angular position, and
from which the object is adapted to be launched, in a first direction, when the cylinder is in the second angular position;
and wherein, when the launcher is operably associated with the wellhead, the first direction has a non-parallel relation with the first axis. 2. The system of claim 1, further comprising the object;
wherein the object is adapted to be loaded into the chamber in a second direction when the cylinder is in the first angular position, the second direction being different from the first direction. 3. The system of claim 1, further comprising the wellhead;
wherein, when the launcher is operably associated with the wellhead, a downhole tool is deployable through the first and second central passageways and into a wellbore to perform a wellbore operation. 4. The system of claim 1, further comprising:
a latch adapted to be operably associated with the wellhead; and a lubricator, wherein the lubricator is extendable through the first central passageway of the launcher and, when so extended, attachable to the latch; wherein, when the latch is operably associated with the wellhead and the lubricator is attached to the latch, a downhole tool is deployable from the lubricator, through the second central passageway of the wellhead, and into a wellbore to perform a wellbore operation. 5. The system of claim 1, wherein the launcher further comprises:
a follower movable to load the object into the chamber; and/or a foot movable to launch the object from the chamber. 6. The system of claim 1, wherein the launcher further comprises:
a housing in which the cylinder is positioned, the housing defining at least a portion of the first central passageway. 7. The system of claim 1, wherein the launcher further comprises an actuator adapted to rotate the cylinder about the second axis between the first and second angular positions. 8. The system of claim 7, wherein the launcher further comprises a first housing in which the actuator is positioned, the first housing defining at least a portion of the first central passageway. 9. The system of claim 8, wherein the launcher further comprises a second housing in which the cylinder is positioned, the second housing defining at least another portion of the first central passageway. 10. A method, comprising:
launching, using a launcher operably associated with a wellhead, an object into a first central passageway defined by the launcher causing the object to pass through a second central passageway extending along a first axis and defined by the wellhead; wherein launching the object comprises:
rotating a cylinder of the launcher about a second axis between first and second angular positions, the second axis having a non-perpendicular relation with the first axis;
loading the object into a chamber defined by the cylinder when the cylinder is in the first angular position; and
launching the object from the chamber, in a first direction, when the cylinder is in the second angular position, the first direction having a non-parallel relation with the first axis. 11. The method of claim 10, wherein loading the object into the chamber comprises:
loading the object into the chamber in a second direction when the cylinder is in the first angular position, the second direction being different from the first direction. 12. The method of claim 10, further comprising:
deploying a downhole tool through the first and second central passageways and into a wellbore to perform a wellbore operation. 13. The method of claim 10, further comprising:
extending a lubricator through the first central passageway of the launcher; attaching the lubricator to a latch operably associated with the wellhead; and deploying a downhole tool from the lubricator, through the second central passageway of the wellhead, and into a wellbore to perform a wellbore operation. 14. The method of claim 10,
wherein loading the object into the chamber comprises:
moving a follower to load the object into the chamber;
and/or wherein launching the object from the chamber comprises:
moving a foot to launch the object from the chamber. 15. An apparatus, comprising:
a first housing adapted to be operably associated with a wellhead; and a cylinder disposed within the first housing and rotatable about a first axis between first and second angular positions; wherein the first housing at least partially defines a first central passageway; wherein, when the first housing is operably associated with the wellhead, the cylinder is adapted to launch an object into the first central passageway causing the object to pass through a second central passageway extending along a second axis and defined by the wellhead; wherein, when the first housing is operably associated with the wellhead, the first axis has a non-perpendicular relation with the second axis; wherein the cylinder defines a chamber:
into which the object is adapted to be loaded when the cylinder is in the first angular position, and
from which the object is adapted to be launched, in a first direction, when the cylinder is in the second angular position;
and wherein, when the first housing is operably associated with the wellhead, the first direction has a non-parallel relation with the second axis. 16. The apparatus of claim 15, further comprising the object;
wherein the object is loadable into the chamber in a second direction when the cylinder is in the first angular position, the second direction being different from the first direction. 17. The apparatus of claim 15,
wherein, when the first housing is operably associated with the wellhead, a downhole tool is deployable through the first and second central passageways and into a wellbore to perform a wellbore operation. 18. The apparatus of claim 15, further comprising:
a follower movable to load the object into the chamber; and/or a foot movable to launch the object from the chamber. 19. The apparatus of claim 15, further comprising:
an actuator adapted to rotate the cylinder about the first axis between the first and second angular positions. 20. The apparatus of claim 19, further comprising:
a second housing in which the actuator is positioned, the second housing defining at least another portion of the first central passageway. | Apparatus, systems, and methods according to which a launcher defines a central passageway and is adapted to launch an object into the central passageway so that the object enters an oil and gas wellbore. The launcher includes a cylinder rotatable about an axis between first and second angular positions, the cylinder defining a chamber into which the object is loadable when the cylinder is in the first angular position, and from which the loaded object is launchable when the cylinder is in the second angular position. A lubricator is extendable through, and retractable from, the central passageway of the launcher.1. A system, comprising:
a launcher adapted to be operably associated with a wellhead; wherein the launcher defines a first central passageway; wherein, when the launcher is operably associated with the wellhead, the launcher is adapted to launch an object into the first central passageway causing the object to pass through a second central passageway extending along a first axis and defined by the wellhead; wherein the launcher comprises a cylinder rotatable about a second axis between first and second angular positions; wherein, when the launcher is operably associated with the wellhead, the second axis has a non-perpendicular relation with the first axis; wherein the cylinder defines a chamber:
into which the object is adapted to be loaded when the cylinder is in the first angular position, and
from which the object is adapted to be launched, in a first direction, when the cylinder is in the second angular position;
and wherein, when the launcher is operably associated with the wellhead, the first direction has a non-parallel relation with the first axis. 2. The system of claim 1, further comprising the object;
wherein the object is adapted to be loaded into the chamber in a second direction when the cylinder is in the first angular position, the second direction being different from the first direction. 3. The system of claim 1, further comprising the wellhead;
wherein, when the launcher is operably associated with the wellhead, a downhole tool is deployable through the first and second central passageways and into a wellbore to perform a wellbore operation. 4. The system of claim 1, further comprising:
a latch adapted to be operably associated with the wellhead; and a lubricator, wherein the lubricator is extendable through the first central passageway of the launcher and, when so extended, attachable to the latch; wherein, when the latch is operably associated with the wellhead and the lubricator is attached to the latch, a downhole tool is deployable from the lubricator, through the second central passageway of the wellhead, and into a wellbore to perform a wellbore operation. 5. The system of claim 1, wherein the launcher further comprises:
a follower movable to load the object into the chamber; and/or a foot movable to launch the object from the chamber. 6. The system of claim 1, wherein the launcher further comprises:
a housing in which the cylinder is positioned, the housing defining at least a portion of the first central passageway. 7. The system of claim 1, wherein the launcher further comprises an actuator adapted to rotate the cylinder about the second axis between the first and second angular positions. 8. The system of claim 7, wherein the launcher further comprises a first housing in which the actuator is positioned, the first housing defining at least a portion of the first central passageway. 9. The system of claim 8, wherein the launcher further comprises a second housing in which the cylinder is positioned, the second housing defining at least another portion of the first central passageway. 10. A method, comprising:
launching, using a launcher operably associated with a wellhead, an object into a first central passageway defined by the launcher causing the object to pass through a second central passageway extending along a first axis and defined by the wellhead; wherein launching the object comprises:
rotating a cylinder of the launcher about a second axis between first and second angular positions, the second axis having a non-perpendicular relation with the first axis;
loading the object into a chamber defined by the cylinder when the cylinder is in the first angular position; and
launching the object from the chamber, in a first direction, when the cylinder is in the second angular position, the first direction having a non-parallel relation with the first axis. 11. The method of claim 10, wherein loading the object into the chamber comprises:
loading the object into the chamber in a second direction when the cylinder is in the first angular position, the second direction being different from the first direction. 12. The method of claim 10, further comprising:
deploying a downhole tool through the first and second central passageways and into a wellbore to perform a wellbore operation. 13. The method of claim 10, further comprising:
extending a lubricator through the first central passageway of the launcher; attaching the lubricator to a latch operably associated with the wellhead; and deploying a downhole tool from the lubricator, through the second central passageway of the wellhead, and into a wellbore to perform a wellbore operation. 14. The method of claim 10,
wherein loading the object into the chamber comprises:
moving a follower to load the object into the chamber;
and/or wherein launching the object from the chamber comprises:
moving a foot to launch the object from the chamber. 15. An apparatus, comprising:
a first housing adapted to be operably associated with a wellhead; and a cylinder disposed within the first housing and rotatable about a first axis between first and second angular positions; wherein the first housing at least partially defines a first central passageway; wherein, when the first housing is operably associated with the wellhead, the cylinder is adapted to launch an object into the first central passageway causing the object to pass through a second central passageway extending along a second axis and defined by the wellhead; wherein, when the first housing is operably associated with the wellhead, the first axis has a non-perpendicular relation with the second axis; wherein the cylinder defines a chamber:
into which the object is adapted to be loaded when the cylinder is in the first angular position, and
from which the object is adapted to be launched, in a first direction, when the cylinder is in the second angular position;
and wherein, when the first housing is operably associated with the wellhead, the first direction has a non-parallel relation with the second axis. 16. The apparatus of claim 15, further comprising the object;
wherein the object is loadable into the chamber in a second direction when the cylinder is in the first angular position, the second direction being different from the first direction. 17. The apparatus of claim 15,
wherein, when the first housing is operably associated with the wellhead, a downhole tool is deployable through the first and second central passageways and into a wellbore to perform a wellbore operation. 18. The apparatus of claim 15, further comprising:
a follower movable to load the object into the chamber; and/or a foot movable to launch the object from the chamber. 19. The apparatus of claim 15, further comprising:
an actuator adapted to rotate the cylinder about the first axis between the first and second angular positions. 20. The apparatus of claim 19, further comprising:
a second housing in which the actuator is positioned, the second housing defining at least another portion of the first central passageway. | 3,700 |
343,731 | 16,803,164 | 3,773 | Disclosed herein include systems, devices, computer readable media, and methods for subsampling flow cytometric event data. First and second flow cytometric event data can be transformed into a lower-dimensional space, associated with a plurality of bins, and assigned to a first bin and a second bin. Subsampled flow cytometric event data comprising the first flow cytometric event data can be generated. The subsampled flow cytometric event data can comprise the second flow cytometric event data if the first bin and the second bin are different. The subsampled flow cytometric event data may not comprise the second flow cytometric event data if the first bin and the second bin are identical. | 1. A method for subsampling flow cytometric event data comprising: under control of a processor:
transforming first flow cytometric event data, associated with a first event of a first plurality of events, of a flow cytometric event dataset in a higher-dimensional space to a first transformed flow cytometric event data, associated with the first event, in a first lower-dimensional space, wherein the first event is associated with a positive subsampling requirement, wherein the first lower-dimensional space is associated with a first plurality of bins, and wherein the first transformed flow cytometric event data is associated with a first bin of the first plurality of bins; transforming second flow cytometric event data, associated with a second event of the first plurality of events, of the flow cytometric event dataset in the higher-dimensional space to a second transformed flow cytometric event data, associated with the second event, in the first lower-dimensional space, wherein the second event is associated with the positive subsampling requirement, and wherein the second transformed flow cytometric event data is associated with a second bin of the first plurality of bins; determining the first bin associated with the first transformed flow cytometric event data and the second bin associated with the second transformed flow cytometric event data are different; and generating the subsampled flow cytometric event dataset, of the flow cytometric event data, comprising the first flow cytometric event data associated with the first event and the second flow cytometric event data associated with the second event. 2. The method of claim 1, comprising: receiving flow cytometric event data comprising the first flow cytometric event data and the second flow cytometric event data. 3. The method of claim 1, comprising:
determining the first flow cytometric event data of the first event of the first plurality of events is associated with the positive subsampling requirement; and determining the second flow cytometric event data of the second event of the first plurality of events is associated with the positive subsampling requirement. 4. The method of claim 1, comprising:
determining the first transformed flow cytometric event data is associated with the first bin of the first plurality of bins; and determining the second transformed flow cytometric event data is associated with the second bin of the first plurality of bins. 5. The method of claim 1, comprising:
determining a first descriptor of the first transformed flow cytometric event data based on the first bin of the first plurality of bins; and determining a second descriptor of the second transformed flow cytometric event data based on the second bin of the first plurality of bins. 6. The method of claim 5, wherein the first descriptor of the first transformed flow cytometric event data associated with the first bin is a first bin number of the first bin of the first plurality of bins, and wherein the second descriptor of the second transformed flow cytometric event data associated with the second bin is a second bin number of the first bin of the first plurality of bins. 7. The method of claim 1, wherein the first flow cytometric event data is associated with a first rare cell and/or the second flow cytometric event data is associated with a second rare cell, optionally wherein the first rare cell and the second rare cells are cells of different cell types. 8. The method of claim 1, comprising:
adding the first bin, the first descriptor, and/or the first bin number to a memory data structure; and adding the second bin, the second descriptor, and/or the second bin number to the memory data structure. 9. The method of claim 1, comprising:
transforming third flow cytometric event data, associated with a third event of the first plurality of events, of the flow cytometric event dataset in the higher-dimensional space to a third transformed flow cytometric event data, associated with the third event, in the first lower-dimensional space, wherein the third event is associated with the positive subsampling requirement, and wherein the third transformed flow cytometric event data is associated with a third bin of the first plurality of bins; and determining the third bin associated with the third transformed flow cytometric event data is the first bin associated with the first transformed flow cytometric event data or the second bin associated with the second transformed flow cytometric event data, wherein the third flow cytometric event data is not in the subsampled flow cytometric event data of the flow cytometric event data. 10. The method of claim 9, comprising: determining a third descriptor of the third transformed flow cytometric event data based on the third bin of the first plurality of bins, wherein the third descriptor of the third transformed flow cytometric event data associated with the third bin is a third bin number of the third bin of the first plurality of bins. 11. The method of claim 9, comprising:
determining the third bin, the third descriptor, and/or the third bin number is not in the memory data structure. 12. The method of claim 1, comprising:
determining fourth flow cytometric event data, associated with a fourth event of the first plurality of events, is associated with a negative subsampling requirement; and
wherein said generating comprises generating the subsampled flow cytometric event dataset, of the flow cytometric event data, comprising the fourth flow cyometric event data associated with the fourth event. 13. The method of claim 1, comprising:
receiving a plurality of gates defining a plurality of cells of interest, wherein the fourth flow cytometric event data is associated with a cell of interest of the plurality of cells of interest. 14. The method of claim 1, wherein the fourth flow cytometric event data is associated with a sorted cell. 15. The method of claim 1, comprising:
transforming second flow cytometric event data, associated with a second event of a second plurality of events, of the flow cytometric event dataset in the higher-dimensional space to a second transformed flow cytometric event data, associated with the second event of the second plurality of events, in the first lower-dimensional space, wherein the second event of the second plurality of events is associated with the positive subsampling requirement, wherein the second transformed flow cytometric event data, associated with the second event of the second plurality of events, is associated with a second bin of the first plurality of bins, wherein the second bin associated with the second transformed flow cytometric event data, associated with the second event of the second plurality of events and the first bin associated with the first transformed flow cytometric event data, associated with the first event of the first plurality of events are identical, wherein said generating comprises generating the subsampled flow cytometric event dataset, of the flow cytometric event data, comprising the second flow cytometric event data associated with the second event of the second plurality of events. 16. The method of claim 15, comprising:
determining a last event of the first plurality of events is associated with a time parameter or an event number greater than a predetermined threshold; resetting the memory data structure; and
adding the second bin associated with the second transformed flow cytometric event data, associated with the second event of the second plurality of events, to the memory data structure. 17. The method of claim 16, comprising:
receiving a degree of subsampling parameter; and determining the predetermined threshold based on the degree of subsampling parameter. 18. The method of claim 1, wherein transforming the first flow cytometric event data comprises transforming the first flow cytometric event data using a first dimensionality reduction function, and/or wherein transforming the second flow cytometric event data comprises transforming the second flow cytometric event data using the first dimensionality reduction function. 19. The method of claim 18, wherein the first dimensionality reduction function and/or the second dimensionality reduction function is a linear dimensionality reduction function. 20. The method of claim 18, wherein the first dimensionality reduction function and/or the second dimensionality reduction function is a non-linear dimensionality reduction function. 21-68. (canceled) | Disclosed herein include systems, devices, computer readable media, and methods for subsampling flow cytometric event data. First and second flow cytometric event data can be transformed into a lower-dimensional space, associated with a plurality of bins, and assigned to a first bin and a second bin. Subsampled flow cytometric event data comprising the first flow cytometric event data can be generated. The subsampled flow cytometric event data can comprise the second flow cytometric event data if the first bin and the second bin are different. The subsampled flow cytometric event data may not comprise the second flow cytometric event data if the first bin and the second bin are identical.1. A method for subsampling flow cytometric event data comprising: under control of a processor:
transforming first flow cytometric event data, associated with a first event of a first plurality of events, of a flow cytometric event dataset in a higher-dimensional space to a first transformed flow cytometric event data, associated with the first event, in a first lower-dimensional space, wherein the first event is associated with a positive subsampling requirement, wherein the first lower-dimensional space is associated with a first plurality of bins, and wherein the first transformed flow cytometric event data is associated with a first bin of the first plurality of bins; transforming second flow cytometric event data, associated with a second event of the first plurality of events, of the flow cytometric event dataset in the higher-dimensional space to a second transformed flow cytometric event data, associated with the second event, in the first lower-dimensional space, wherein the second event is associated with the positive subsampling requirement, and wherein the second transformed flow cytometric event data is associated with a second bin of the first plurality of bins; determining the first bin associated with the first transformed flow cytometric event data and the second bin associated with the second transformed flow cytometric event data are different; and generating the subsampled flow cytometric event dataset, of the flow cytometric event data, comprising the first flow cytometric event data associated with the first event and the second flow cytometric event data associated with the second event. 2. The method of claim 1, comprising: receiving flow cytometric event data comprising the first flow cytometric event data and the second flow cytometric event data. 3. The method of claim 1, comprising:
determining the first flow cytometric event data of the first event of the first plurality of events is associated with the positive subsampling requirement; and determining the second flow cytometric event data of the second event of the first plurality of events is associated with the positive subsampling requirement. 4. The method of claim 1, comprising:
determining the first transformed flow cytometric event data is associated with the first bin of the first plurality of bins; and determining the second transformed flow cytometric event data is associated with the second bin of the first plurality of bins. 5. The method of claim 1, comprising:
determining a first descriptor of the first transformed flow cytometric event data based on the first bin of the first plurality of bins; and determining a second descriptor of the second transformed flow cytometric event data based on the second bin of the first plurality of bins. 6. The method of claim 5, wherein the first descriptor of the first transformed flow cytometric event data associated with the first bin is a first bin number of the first bin of the first plurality of bins, and wherein the second descriptor of the second transformed flow cytometric event data associated with the second bin is a second bin number of the first bin of the first plurality of bins. 7. The method of claim 1, wherein the first flow cytometric event data is associated with a first rare cell and/or the second flow cytometric event data is associated with a second rare cell, optionally wherein the first rare cell and the second rare cells are cells of different cell types. 8. The method of claim 1, comprising:
adding the first bin, the first descriptor, and/or the first bin number to a memory data structure; and adding the second bin, the second descriptor, and/or the second bin number to the memory data structure. 9. The method of claim 1, comprising:
transforming third flow cytometric event data, associated with a third event of the first plurality of events, of the flow cytometric event dataset in the higher-dimensional space to a third transformed flow cytometric event data, associated with the third event, in the first lower-dimensional space, wherein the third event is associated with the positive subsampling requirement, and wherein the third transformed flow cytometric event data is associated with a third bin of the first plurality of bins; and determining the third bin associated with the third transformed flow cytometric event data is the first bin associated with the first transformed flow cytometric event data or the second bin associated with the second transformed flow cytometric event data, wherein the third flow cytometric event data is not in the subsampled flow cytometric event data of the flow cytometric event data. 10. The method of claim 9, comprising: determining a third descriptor of the third transformed flow cytometric event data based on the third bin of the first plurality of bins, wherein the third descriptor of the third transformed flow cytometric event data associated with the third bin is a third bin number of the third bin of the first plurality of bins. 11. The method of claim 9, comprising:
determining the third bin, the third descriptor, and/or the third bin number is not in the memory data structure. 12. The method of claim 1, comprising:
determining fourth flow cytometric event data, associated with a fourth event of the first plurality of events, is associated with a negative subsampling requirement; and
wherein said generating comprises generating the subsampled flow cytometric event dataset, of the flow cytometric event data, comprising the fourth flow cyometric event data associated with the fourth event. 13. The method of claim 1, comprising:
receiving a plurality of gates defining a plurality of cells of interest, wherein the fourth flow cytometric event data is associated with a cell of interest of the plurality of cells of interest. 14. The method of claim 1, wherein the fourth flow cytometric event data is associated with a sorted cell. 15. The method of claim 1, comprising:
transforming second flow cytometric event data, associated with a second event of a second plurality of events, of the flow cytometric event dataset in the higher-dimensional space to a second transformed flow cytometric event data, associated with the second event of the second plurality of events, in the first lower-dimensional space, wherein the second event of the second plurality of events is associated with the positive subsampling requirement, wherein the second transformed flow cytometric event data, associated with the second event of the second plurality of events, is associated with a second bin of the first plurality of bins, wherein the second bin associated with the second transformed flow cytometric event data, associated with the second event of the second plurality of events and the first bin associated with the first transformed flow cytometric event data, associated with the first event of the first plurality of events are identical, wherein said generating comprises generating the subsampled flow cytometric event dataset, of the flow cytometric event data, comprising the second flow cytometric event data associated with the second event of the second plurality of events. 16. The method of claim 15, comprising:
determining a last event of the first plurality of events is associated with a time parameter or an event number greater than a predetermined threshold; resetting the memory data structure; and
adding the second bin associated with the second transformed flow cytometric event data, associated with the second event of the second plurality of events, to the memory data structure. 17. The method of claim 16, comprising:
receiving a degree of subsampling parameter; and determining the predetermined threshold based on the degree of subsampling parameter. 18. The method of claim 1, wherein transforming the first flow cytometric event data comprises transforming the first flow cytometric event data using a first dimensionality reduction function, and/or wherein transforming the second flow cytometric event data comprises transforming the second flow cytometric event data using the first dimensionality reduction function. 19. The method of claim 18, wherein the first dimensionality reduction function and/or the second dimensionality reduction function is a linear dimensionality reduction function. 20. The method of claim 18, wherein the first dimensionality reduction function and/or the second dimensionality reduction function is a non-linear dimensionality reduction function. 21-68. (canceled) | 3,700 |
343,732 | 16,803,145 | 3,773 | The subject invention provides a solid unit dosage form comprising pridopidine or pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof and at least one pharmaceutically acceptable excipient, wherein the dosage form has a volume and wherein the ratio of the amount of pridopidine to the volume of the dosage form is 135-600 mg/ml. | 1. A solid unit dosage form comprising pridopidine and at least one pharmaceutically acceptable excipient, wherein the dosage form has a volume and wherein the ratio of the amount of pridopidine to the volume of the dosage form is 135-600 mg/ml. 2. The solid unit dosage form of claim 1, wherein the solid unit dosage form comprises between 135-400 mg/ml. 3. The solid unit dosage form of claim 1, wherein the solid unit dosage form comprises between 175-370 mg/ml. 4. The solid unit dosage form of claim 1, wherein the solid unit dosage form comprises about 67.5 mg, about 75 mg, about 90 mg, about 100 mg, about 112.5 mg, about 125 mg, about 135 mg, about 150 mg, 175 mg, about 180 mg or about 200 mg of pridopidine. 5. The solid unit dosage form of claim 1 wherein:
a) the volume of the dosage form is 0.5 ml and the solid unit dosage form comprises 90-200 mg pridopidine;
b) the volume of the dosage form is 0.37 ml and the solid unit dosage form comprises 67.5-200 mg pridopidine;
c) the volume of the dosage form is 0.30 ml and the solid unit dosage form comprises 67.5-180 mg pridopidine:
d) the volume of the dosage form is 0.21 ml and the solid unit dosage form comprises 67.5-135 mg pridopidine; or
e) the volume of the dosage form is 0.13 ml and the solid unit dosage form comprises 67.5 mg pridopidine. 6. The solid unit dosage form of claim 1, wherein the solid unit dosage form is in the form of a tablet or a gelatine capsule. 7. The solid unit dosage form of claim 6, wherein the solid unit dosage form is in the form of a tablet, optionally coated with an overcoat layer. 8. The solid unit dosage form of claim 1, wherein the solid unit dosage form releases NLT 80% of pridopidine within 30 minutes when tested in a USP #2 apparatus comprising phosphate buffer pH 6.8 at 37° C.+0.5° C., using a rotation speed of 50 revolutions per minute. 9. The solid unit dosage form of claim 1, wherein the pharmaceutically acceptable excipient is selected from the group consisting of: filler, glidant, lubricant, disintegrant and mixtures thereof. 10. The solid unit dosage form of claim 9, wherein the filler is selected from the group consisting of: microcrystalline cellulose, sugar spheres, lactose, sorbitol, dextrose, sucrose, mannitol, dibasic or tribasic calcium phosphate, calcium sulfate, starch, retalac and mixtures thereof. 11. The solid unit dosage form of claim 10, wherein the filler is silicified microcrystalline cellulose. 12. The solid unit dosage form of claim 9, wherein the filler is present in an amount of about 10% to 80% by weight of the solid unit dosage form,
or about 15% to 80% by weight of the solid unit dosage form, or between 26% and 46% by weight of the solid unit dosage form, or is about 36% by weight of the solid unit dosage form, or is between 50 and 70% by weight of the solid unit dosage form, or is about 60% by weight of the solid unit dosage form. 13. The solid unit dosage form of claim 9, wherein the lubricant is selected from the group consisting of: sodium stearyl fumarate, stearic acid, magnesium stearate, calcium stearate, zinc stearate, talc, glyceryl behenate, glyceryl monostearate, and mixtures thereof. 14. The solid unit dosage form of claim 13, wherein the lubricant is magnesium stearate. 15. The solid unit dosage form of claim 14, wherein the lubricant is present in an amount of about 0.5% to 2.0 by weight of the solid unit dosage form, or
wherein the lubricant is present in an amount of about 0.5% to 1.5% by weight of the solid unit dosage form, or wherein the lubricant is present in an amount of about 1.0% by weight of the solid unit dosage form. 16. The solid unit dosage form of claim 9, wherein the disintegrant is a superdisintegrant. 17. The solid unit dosage form of claim 16, wherein the disintegrant is selected from the group consisting of: croscarmellose sodium, crospovidone, sodium starch glycolate, and polacrilin potassium. 18. The solid unit dosage form of claim 17, wherein the disintegrant is present in an amount of about 1% to 10% by weight of the solid unit dosage form. 19. The solid unit dosage form according to claim 1, wherein the pridopidine is provided as pridopidine base or pridopidine salt. 20. The solid unit dosage form according to claim 1, wherein the pridopidine is pridopidine hydrochloride. 21. The solid unit dosage form according to claim 6, wherein the unit dosage form is a capsule having a volume of 0.37 ml and comprising 76.2 mg to 200 mg pridopidine HCl. 22. The solid unit dosage form of claim 21, having a volume of 0.37 ml and comprising 85 mg, 113 mg or 170 mg pridopidine HCl. 23. The solid unit dosage form of claim 20, further comprising a superdisintegrant. 24. The solid unit dosage form of claim 1 comprising wet granules. 25. The solid unit dosage form of claim 1, wherein the solid unit dosage form is adapted for twice or thrice daily administration. 26. A method of treating a subject afflicted with a condition selected from Huntington's Disease, Parkinson's disease, iatrogenic and non-iatrogenic Parkinsonism, dyskinesias, drug induced-dyskinesias including LID-induced dyskinesias, dystonias, Tourette's disease, iatrogenic and non-iatrogenic psychoses and hallucinoses, schizophrenia disorder or schizophreniform disorder, mood and anxiety disorders, manic depressive illness, depression, obsessive-compulsive disease, a sleep disorder, autism spectrum disorder, ADHD, age-related cognitive impairment, abuse of alcohol and substances used as narcotics, Alzheimer's disease and Retts syndrome, wherein the method comprises administering the solid unit dosage form of claim 1 to the subject in need thereof. 27. A method of treating an individual afflicted with a neurodegenerative disease or a disease related to dopamine, comprising once daily administration of the solid unit dosage form of any one of claim 1. 28. A process for preparing the granules of claim 24, the process comprising forming a wet granulate. 29. The process of claim 28, further comprising mixing pridopidine with a solution of water and/or an organic solution, with or without a binder, and optionally an intragranular excipient to form a wet granulate. 30. The process of claim 28, wherein the process comprises an intragranular excipient and wherein the intragranular excipient is a filler, a disintegrant or a combination thereof. 31. A solid unit dosage form comprising an amount of pridopidine and at least one pharmaceutically acceptable excipient, wherein the dosage form has a volume and wherein the ratio of the amount of pridopidine to the volume of the dosage form is 135-600 mg/ml, comprising the granules prepared according to the process of claim 28. 32. The solid unit dosage form of any one of claims 6, 7, and 31, wherein the pridopidine is presented in mini-tablet form. | The subject invention provides a solid unit dosage form comprising pridopidine or pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof and at least one pharmaceutically acceptable excipient, wherein the dosage form has a volume and wherein the ratio of the amount of pridopidine to the volume of the dosage form is 135-600 mg/ml.1. A solid unit dosage form comprising pridopidine and at least one pharmaceutically acceptable excipient, wherein the dosage form has a volume and wherein the ratio of the amount of pridopidine to the volume of the dosage form is 135-600 mg/ml. 2. The solid unit dosage form of claim 1, wherein the solid unit dosage form comprises between 135-400 mg/ml. 3. The solid unit dosage form of claim 1, wherein the solid unit dosage form comprises between 175-370 mg/ml. 4. The solid unit dosage form of claim 1, wherein the solid unit dosage form comprises about 67.5 mg, about 75 mg, about 90 mg, about 100 mg, about 112.5 mg, about 125 mg, about 135 mg, about 150 mg, 175 mg, about 180 mg or about 200 mg of pridopidine. 5. The solid unit dosage form of claim 1 wherein:
a) the volume of the dosage form is 0.5 ml and the solid unit dosage form comprises 90-200 mg pridopidine;
b) the volume of the dosage form is 0.37 ml and the solid unit dosage form comprises 67.5-200 mg pridopidine;
c) the volume of the dosage form is 0.30 ml and the solid unit dosage form comprises 67.5-180 mg pridopidine:
d) the volume of the dosage form is 0.21 ml and the solid unit dosage form comprises 67.5-135 mg pridopidine; or
e) the volume of the dosage form is 0.13 ml and the solid unit dosage form comprises 67.5 mg pridopidine. 6. The solid unit dosage form of claim 1, wherein the solid unit dosage form is in the form of a tablet or a gelatine capsule. 7. The solid unit dosage form of claim 6, wherein the solid unit dosage form is in the form of a tablet, optionally coated with an overcoat layer. 8. The solid unit dosage form of claim 1, wherein the solid unit dosage form releases NLT 80% of pridopidine within 30 minutes when tested in a USP #2 apparatus comprising phosphate buffer pH 6.8 at 37° C.+0.5° C., using a rotation speed of 50 revolutions per minute. 9. The solid unit dosage form of claim 1, wherein the pharmaceutically acceptable excipient is selected from the group consisting of: filler, glidant, lubricant, disintegrant and mixtures thereof. 10. The solid unit dosage form of claim 9, wherein the filler is selected from the group consisting of: microcrystalline cellulose, sugar spheres, lactose, sorbitol, dextrose, sucrose, mannitol, dibasic or tribasic calcium phosphate, calcium sulfate, starch, retalac and mixtures thereof. 11. The solid unit dosage form of claim 10, wherein the filler is silicified microcrystalline cellulose. 12. The solid unit dosage form of claim 9, wherein the filler is present in an amount of about 10% to 80% by weight of the solid unit dosage form,
or about 15% to 80% by weight of the solid unit dosage form, or between 26% and 46% by weight of the solid unit dosage form, or is about 36% by weight of the solid unit dosage form, or is between 50 and 70% by weight of the solid unit dosage form, or is about 60% by weight of the solid unit dosage form. 13. The solid unit dosage form of claim 9, wherein the lubricant is selected from the group consisting of: sodium stearyl fumarate, stearic acid, magnesium stearate, calcium stearate, zinc stearate, talc, glyceryl behenate, glyceryl monostearate, and mixtures thereof. 14. The solid unit dosage form of claim 13, wherein the lubricant is magnesium stearate. 15. The solid unit dosage form of claim 14, wherein the lubricant is present in an amount of about 0.5% to 2.0 by weight of the solid unit dosage form, or
wherein the lubricant is present in an amount of about 0.5% to 1.5% by weight of the solid unit dosage form, or wherein the lubricant is present in an amount of about 1.0% by weight of the solid unit dosage form. 16. The solid unit dosage form of claim 9, wherein the disintegrant is a superdisintegrant. 17. The solid unit dosage form of claim 16, wherein the disintegrant is selected from the group consisting of: croscarmellose sodium, crospovidone, sodium starch glycolate, and polacrilin potassium. 18. The solid unit dosage form of claim 17, wherein the disintegrant is present in an amount of about 1% to 10% by weight of the solid unit dosage form. 19. The solid unit dosage form according to claim 1, wherein the pridopidine is provided as pridopidine base or pridopidine salt. 20. The solid unit dosage form according to claim 1, wherein the pridopidine is pridopidine hydrochloride. 21. The solid unit dosage form according to claim 6, wherein the unit dosage form is a capsule having a volume of 0.37 ml and comprising 76.2 mg to 200 mg pridopidine HCl. 22. The solid unit dosage form of claim 21, having a volume of 0.37 ml and comprising 85 mg, 113 mg or 170 mg pridopidine HCl. 23. The solid unit dosage form of claim 20, further comprising a superdisintegrant. 24. The solid unit dosage form of claim 1 comprising wet granules. 25. The solid unit dosage form of claim 1, wherein the solid unit dosage form is adapted for twice or thrice daily administration. 26. A method of treating a subject afflicted with a condition selected from Huntington's Disease, Parkinson's disease, iatrogenic and non-iatrogenic Parkinsonism, dyskinesias, drug induced-dyskinesias including LID-induced dyskinesias, dystonias, Tourette's disease, iatrogenic and non-iatrogenic psychoses and hallucinoses, schizophrenia disorder or schizophreniform disorder, mood and anxiety disorders, manic depressive illness, depression, obsessive-compulsive disease, a sleep disorder, autism spectrum disorder, ADHD, age-related cognitive impairment, abuse of alcohol and substances used as narcotics, Alzheimer's disease and Retts syndrome, wherein the method comprises administering the solid unit dosage form of claim 1 to the subject in need thereof. 27. A method of treating an individual afflicted with a neurodegenerative disease or a disease related to dopamine, comprising once daily administration of the solid unit dosage form of any one of claim 1. 28. A process for preparing the granules of claim 24, the process comprising forming a wet granulate. 29. The process of claim 28, further comprising mixing pridopidine with a solution of water and/or an organic solution, with or without a binder, and optionally an intragranular excipient to form a wet granulate. 30. The process of claim 28, wherein the process comprises an intragranular excipient and wherein the intragranular excipient is a filler, a disintegrant or a combination thereof. 31. A solid unit dosage form comprising an amount of pridopidine and at least one pharmaceutically acceptable excipient, wherein the dosage form has a volume and wherein the ratio of the amount of pridopidine to the volume of the dosage form is 135-600 mg/ml, comprising the granules prepared according to the process of claim 28. 32. The solid unit dosage form of any one of claims 6, 7, and 31, wherein the pridopidine is presented in mini-tablet form. | 3,700 |
343,733 | 16,803,181 | 2,837 | An electrical switch includes a coil assembly, an armature rotatable about an axis of rotation and driven by the coil assembly, and a contact assembly having a contact spring directly connected to the armature. The contact spring is a spring pack including a plurality of springs. At least one of the springs of the spring pack is formed of a first material and at least another one of the springs of the spring pack is formed of a second material different from the first material. | 1. An electrical switch, comprising:
a coil assembly; an armature rotatable about an axis of rotation and driven by the coil assembly; and a contact assembly having a contact spring directly connected to the armature, the contact spring is a spring pack including a plurality of springs, at least one of the springs of the spring pack is formed of a first material and at least another one of the springs of the spring pack is formed of a second material different from the first material. 2. The electrical switch of claim 1, wherein the spring pack includes an overstroke spring and a pair of partial springs, the overstroke spring is directly connected to the armature. 3. The electrical switch of claim 2, wherein the partial springs are formed of the first material having a higher electrical conductivity than the second material. 4. The electrical switch of claim 3, wherein the first material is a copper alloy. 5. The electrical switch of claim 3, wherein the overstroke spring is formed of the second material having a higher resilience than the first material. 6. The electrical switch of claim 5, wherein the second material is a spring steel. 7. The electrical switch of claim 6, wherein the second material is a chromium-nickel alloy spring steel. 8. The electrical switch of claim 2, wherein the armature has an extension elongated to form a bracket connected to the overstroke spring. 9. The electrical switch of claim 8, wherein the bracket is oriented substantially parallel to the partial springs. 10. The electrical switch of claim 8, wherein the bracket is inserted into an opening of the overstroke spring. 11. The electrical switch of claim 2, wherein the overstroke spring has a protruding limb connected to the armature. 12. The electrical switch of claim 11, wherein the limb extends from the overstroke spring at a right angle. 13. A monostable electrical switch, comprising:
a coil assembly; an armature rotatable about an axis of rotation and driven by the coil assembly; a contact assembly having a contact spring directly connected to the armature; and a yoke having a pole face and a separator plate on the pole face. 14. The monostable electrical switch of claim 13, wherein the separator plate acts as a gap in an unstable switching position. 15. The monostable electrical switch of claim 14, wherein the contact assembly is switched from a stable switching position to the unstable switching position by a force of the coil assembly. 16. The monostable electrical switch of claim 15, wherein the contact spring is a spring pack including a plurality of springs. 17. The monostable electrical switch of claim 16, wherein the spring pack maintains the contact assembly in the stable switching position. 18. The monostable electrical switch of claim 16, wherein the spring pack includes an overstroke spring and a pair of partial springs, the overstroke spring is directly connected to the armature. 19. The monostable electrical switch of claim 18, wherein the overstroke spring maintains the contact assembly in the stable switching position. 20. The monostable electrical switch of claim 13, wherein the yoke encloses portions of the armature. | An electrical switch includes a coil assembly, an armature rotatable about an axis of rotation and driven by the coil assembly, and a contact assembly having a contact spring directly connected to the armature. The contact spring is a spring pack including a plurality of springs. At least one of the springs of the spring pack is formed of a first material and at least another one of the springs of the spring pack is formed of a second material different from the first material.1. An electrical switch, comprising:
a coil assembly; an armature rotatable about an axis of rotation and driven by the coil assembly; and a contact assembly having a contact spring directly connected to the armature, the contact spring is a spring pack including a plurality of springs, at least one of the springs of the spring pack is formed of a first material and at least another one of the springs of the spring pack is formed of a second material different from the first material. 2. The electrical switch of claim 1, wherein the spring pack includes an overstroke spring and a pair of partial springs, the overstroke spring is directly connected to the armature. 3. The electrical switch of claim 2, wherein the partial springs are formed of the first material having a higher electrical conductivity than the second material. 4. The electrical switch of claim 3, wherein the first material is a copper alloy. 5. The electrical switch of claim 3, wherein the overstroke spring is formed of the second material having a higher resilience than the first material. 6. The electrical switch of claim 5, wherein the second material is a spring steel. 7. The electrical switch of claim 6, wherein the second material is a chromium-nickel alloy spring steel. 8. The electrical switch of claim 2, wherein the armature has an extension elongated to form a bracket connected to the overstroke spring. 9. The electrical switch of claim 8, wherein the bracket is oriented substantially parallel to the partial springs. 10. The electrical switch of claim 8, wherein the bracket is inserted into an opening of the overstroke spring. 11. The electrical switch of claim 2, wherein the overstroke spring has a protruding limb connected to the armature. 12. The electrical switch of claim 11, wherein the limb extends from the overstroke spring at a right angle. 13. A monostable electrical switch, comprising:
a coil assembly; an armature rotatable about an axis of rotation and driven by the coil assembly; a contact assembly having a contact spring directly connected to the armature; and a yoke having a pole face and a separator plate on the pole face. 14. The monostable electrical switch of claim 13, wherein the separator plate acts as a gap in an unstable switching position. 15. The monostable electrical switch of claim 14, wherein the contact assembly is switched from a stable switching position to the unstable switching position by a force of the coil assembly. 16. The monostable electrical switch of claim 15, wherein the contact spring is a spring pack including a plurality of springs. 17. The monostable electrical switch of claim 16, wherein the spring pack maintains the contact assembly in the stable switching position. 18. The monostable electrical switch of claim 16, wherein the spring pack includes an overstroke spring and a pair of partial springs, the overstroke spring is directly connected to the armature. 19. The monostable electrical switch of claim 18, wherein the overstroke spring maintains the contact assembly in the stable switching position. 20. The monostable electrical switch of claim 13, wherein the yoke encloses portions of the armature. | 2,800 |
343,734 | 16,803,152 | 2,837 | In a cloud-based multiple client encryption and deduplication environment, secret plaintext data of a client is encrypted to produce ciphertext in an enclave comprising a trusted execution environment which is inaccessible by unauthorized entities and processes even with administrator privileges. Encryption is performed with an initialization vector and an encryption key calculated in the enclave. The encrypted ciphertext is deduplicated prior to storage by comparing a hash of the corresponding plaintext data to hashes of previously stored plaintext data. | 1. A method of deduplicating and protecting secret client data in a multiple client data deduplication and storage environment, comprising:
receiving in an enclave a block of secret plaintext data from a client; encrypting the block of received secret plaintext data by an application executing in a processor in said enclave to produce a corresponding ciphertext block, said enclave comprising a trusted execution environment which provides protected areas in an address space of said application for confidential information intended to be accessed only by a designated recipient, and which enclave is inaccessible by unauthorized entities and other processes even those having administrative privileges; deduplicating said ciphertext block against previously stored ciphertext by using the block of received plaintext data that produced said ciphertext block; and storing said deduplicated ciphertext block in the absence of previously stored ciphertext corresponding to said block of received plaintext data. 2. The method of claim 1, wherein said encrypting comprises calculating in said enclave an initialization vector that is particular to said received block of plaintext data and an encryption key that is common to a number of blocks, and encrypting said received block of plaintext data using said initialization vector and said encryption key to produce said ciphertext block, and wherein said encryption key and plaintext are inaccessible to unauthorized processes and entities. 3. The method of claim 1 further comprising calculating a hash of data in said block of received plaintext data, and wherein said deduplicating comprises comparing said hash against hashes of previously received plaintext blocks and, upon detecting a matching hash, further comparing metadata associated with a block of ciphertext corresponding to said block of received plaintext data to metadata associated with a previously received plaintext block having said matching hash, and upon said compared metadata being different, storing said block of ciphertext. 4. The method of claim 3, wherein said comparing metadata comprises determining whether a key version used to encrypt said previously received plaintext block data is different from a key version used to encrypt said block of received plaintext data, and upon determining that the key versions are different, said storing comprises overwriting in storage a block of ciphertext corresponding to said previously received plaintext data block with said block of ciphertext corresponding to said block of received plaintext data. 5. The method of claim 3, wherein upon there being no matching hashes, storing the block of ciphertext corresponding to the received plaintext data block as non-duplicated data, and storing with said block of ciphertext said metadata associated with said block of ciphertext. 6. The method of claim 1, wherein said metadata comprises an identifier of a key version and an initialization vector that were used to encrypt the corresponding block of received plaintext data to produce said block of ciphertext. 7. The method of claim 1 further comprising maintaining encryption keys used to encrypt plaintext data produce ciphertext data protected in said enclave from access. 8. The method of claim 1 further comprising receiving a request from a client for a block of plaintext data, verifying that the requesting client is authorized to receive the requested plaintext data, and, upon confirming authorization, retrieving from storage a block of ciphertext corresponding to the requested plaintext data, decrypting the retrieved block of ciphertext to produce the requested plaintext data, and returning to the requesting client the requested plaintext data. 9. The method of claim 1, wherein said receiving comprises receiving from said client said plaintext data at said enclave via a secure transmission level secured communications channel, and wherein the multiple clients are in one or more deduplication domains in which data of said clients in one deduplication domain are deduplicated against data of other clients in said deduplication domain. 10. A method of deduplicating and protecting private client data in a remote multiple client data deduplication and storage environment, comprising:
encrypting private plaintext data of a client in an enclave to produce corresponding ciphertext, said enclave comprising a trusted execution environment providing protected areas for private client data in an address space of applications executing in said enclave, said address space being inaccessible except to designated entities and processes; calculating a hash of data comprising said private plaintext data; deduplicating said private plaintext data against ciphertext produced from other plaintext data by comparing said calculated hash to previously calculated hashes of said other plaintext data; and upon determining that said private plaintext data is not duplicate data, storing said ciphertext corresponding to said deduplicated private plaintext data. 11. The method of claim 10 further comprising calculating in said enclave an initialization vector and an encryption key, and wherein said encrypting comprises using said calculated initialization vector and encryption key to encrypt said plaintext data to produce said corresponding ciphertext. 12. The method of claim 10, wherein said client is a member of an ensemble of multiple clients that comprise a common deduplication domain, and said deduplicating comprises deduplicating said plaintext data against ciphertext produced from plaintext data of one or more of said multiple clients in said common deduplication domain. 13. The method of claim 10, wherein said enclave has access to credentials for verifying clients which are authorized to send plaintext data to said enclave for encryption, deduplication and storage, and said method further comprises verifying a client before receiving, encrypting, deduplicating and storing plaintext data from such client. 14. The method of claim 10, wherein said encrypting and deduplicating comprises encrypting and deduplicating compressed plaintext data from a client. 15. Computer readable non-transitory storage medium embodying executable instructions for controlling the operation of a processor to perform a method of deduplicating and protecting private client data in a remote data deduplication and storage environment, comprising:
initializing an enclave in said remote environment, said enclave comprising a trusted execution environment providing protected areas for private client data in an address space of applications executing in said enclave, said address space being inaccessible except to designated entities and processes; encrypting in said enclave plaintext data of a client to produce corresponding ciphertext; calculating a hash of data comprising said plaintext data; deduplicating said corresponding ciphertext against ciphertext produced from other plaintext data by comparing said calculated hash to previously calculated hashes of said other plaintext data; and upon determining that said plaintext data is not duplicate data, storing said corresponding ciphertext of said deduplicated private plaintext data. 16. The computer readable non-transitory storage medium of claim 15 further comprising calculating in said enclave an initialization vector and an encryption key, and said encrypting comprises using said initialization vector and said encryption key to encrypt said plaintext data to produce said corresponding ciphertext, and wherein said encryption key and plaintext data are inaccessible to unauthorized processes and entities. 17. The computer readable non-transitory storage medium of claim 15, wherein said deduplicating comprises comparing said calculated hash against said previously calculated hashes and, upon detecting a matching hash having associated ciphertext that was produced with a different version of an encryption key than used for said encrypting said plaintext data, replacing said associated ciphertext and said previously stored metadata corresponding to said matching hash with said hash, said ciphertext and said metadata in said write block. 18. The computer readable non-transitory storage medium of claim 17, wherein said client is a member of an ensemble of multiple clients that comprise a common deduplication domain, and said deduplicating comprises deduplicating said plaintext data against ciphertext produced from plaintext data of one or more of said multiple clients in said common deduplication domain using said hashes. 19. The computer readable non-transitory storage medium of claim 15, wherein said enclave has access to credentials for verifying clients which are authorized to send plaintext data to said enclave for encryption, deduplication and storage, and further comprising verifying a client before receiving, encrypting, deduplicating and storing plaintext data from such client. 20. The computer readable non-transitory storage medium of claim 15 further comprising further comprising receiving a request from a client for a block of plaintext data, verifying that the requesting client is authorized to receive the requested plaintext data, and, upon the client being authenticated, retrieving from storage a block of ciphertext corresponding to the requested plaintext data, decrypting the retrieved block of ciphertext to produce the requested plaintext data, and returning to the requesting client the requested plaintext data with its corresponding hash, initialization vector and key version number. | In a cloud-based multiple client encryption and deduplication environment, secret plaintext data of a client is encrypted to produce ciphertext in an enclave comprising a trusted execution environment which is inaccessible by unauthorized entities and processes even with administrator privileges. Encryption is performed with an initialization vector and an encryption key calculated in the enclave. The encrypted ciphertext is deduplicated prior to storage by comparing a hash of the corresponding plaintext data to hashes of previously stored plaintext data.1. A method of deduplicating and protecting secret client data in a multiple client data deduplication and storage environment, comprising:
receiving in an enclave a block of secret plaintext data from a client; encrypting the block of received secret plaintext data by an application executing in a processor in said enclave to produce a corresponding ciphertext block, said enclave comprising a trusted execution environment which provides protected areas in an address space of said application for confidential information intended to be accessed only by a designated recipient, and which enclave is inaccessible by unauthorized entities and other processes even those having administrative privileges; deduplicating said ciphertext block against previously stored ciphertext by using the block of received plaintext data that produced said ciphertext block; and storing said deduplicated ciphertext block in the absence of previously stored ciphertext corresponding to said block of received plaintext data. 2. The method of claim 1, wherein said encrypting comprises calculating in said enclave an initialization vector that is particular to said received block of plaintext data and an encryption key that is common to a number of blocks, and encrypting said received block of plaintext data using said initialization vector and said encryption key to produce said ciphertext block, and wherein said encryption key and plaintext are inaccessible to unauthorized processes and entities. 3. The method of claim 1 further comprising calculating a hash of data in said block of received plaintext data, and wherein said deduplicating comprises comparing said hash against hashes of previously received plaintext blocks and, upon detecting a matching hash, further comparing metadata associated with a block of ciphertext corresponding to said block of received plaintext data to metadata associated with a previously received plaintext block having said matching hash, and upon said compared metadata being different, storing said block of ciphertext. 4. The method of claim 3, wherein said comparing metadata comprises determining whether a key version used to encrypt said previously received plaintext block data is different from a key version used to encrypt said block of received plaintext data, and upon determining that the key versions are different, said storing comprises overwriting in storage a block of ciphertext corresponding to said previously received plaintext data block with said block of ciphertext corresponding to said block of received plaintext data. 5. The method of claim 3, wherein upon there being no matching hashes, storing the block of ciphertext corresponding to the received plaintext data block as non-duplicated data, and storing with said block of ciphertext said metadata associated with said block of ciphertext. 6. The method of claim 1, wherein said metadata comprises an identifier of a key version and an initialization vector that were used to encrypt the corresponding block of received plaintext data to produce said block of ciphertext. 7. The method of claim 1 further comprising maintaining encryption keys used to encrypt plaintext data produce ciphertext data protected in said enclave from access. 8. The method of claim 1 further comprising receiving a request from a client for a block of plaintext data, verifying that the requesting client is authorized to receive the requested plaintext data, and, upon confirming authorization, retrieving from storage a block of ciphertext corresponding to the requested plaintext data, decrypting the retrieved block of ciphertext to produce the requested plaintext data, and returning to the requesting client the requested plaintext data. 9. The method of claim 1, wherein said receiving comprises receiving from said client said plaintext data at said enclave via a secure transmission level secured communications channel, and wherein the multiple clients are in one or more deduplication domains in which data of said clients in one deduplication domain are deduplicated against data of other clients in said deduplication domain. 10. A method of deduplicating and protecting private client data in a remote multiple client data deduplication and storage environment, comprising:
encrypting private plaintext data of a client in an enclave to produce corresponding ciphertext, said enclave comprising a trusted execution environment providing protected areas for private client data in an address space of applications executing in said enclave, said address space being inaccessible except to designated entities and processes; calculating a hash of data comprising said private plaintext data; deduplicating said private plaintext data against ciphertext produced from other plaintext data by comparing said calculated hash to previously calculated hashes of said other plaintext data; and upon determining that said private plaintext data is not duplicate data, storing said ciphertext corresponding to said deduplicated private plaintext data. 11. The method of claim 10 further comprising calculating in said enclave an initialization vector and an encryption key, and wherein said encrypting comprises using said calculated initialization vector and encryption key to encrypt said plaintext data to produce said corresponding ciphertext. 12. The method of claim 10, wherein said client is a member of an ensemble of multiple clients that comprise a common deduplication domain, and said deduplicating comprises deduplicating said plaintext data against ciphertext produced from plaintext data of one or more of said multiple clients in said common deduplication domain. 13. The method of claim 10, wherein said enclave has access to credentials for verifying clients which are authorized to send plaintext data to said enclave for encryption, deduplication and storage, and said method further comprises verifying a client before receiving, encrypting, deduplicating and storing plaintext data from such client. 14. The method of claim 10, wherein said encrypting and deduplicating comprises encrypting and deduplicating compressed plaintext data from a client. 15. Computer readable non-transitory storage medium embodying executable instructions for controlling the operation of a processor to perform a method of deduplicating and protecting private client data in a remote data deduplication and storage environment, comprising:
initializing an enclave in said remote environment, said enclave comprising a trusted execution environment providing protected areas for private client data in an address space of applications executing in said enclave, said address space being inaccessible except to designated entities and processes; encrypting in said enclave plaintext data of a client to produce corresponding ciphertext; calculating a hash of data comprising said plaintext data; deduplicating said corresponding ciphertext against ciphertext produced from other plaintext data by comparing said calculated hash to previously calculated hashes of said other plaintext data; and upon determining that said plaintext data is not duplicate data, storing said corresponding ciphertext of said deduplicated private plaintext data. 16. The computer readable non-transitory storage medium of claim 15 further comprising calculating in said enclave an initialization vector and an encryption key, and said encrypting comprises using said initialization vector and said encryption key to encrypt said plaintext data to produce said corresponding ciphertext, and wherein said encryption key and plaintext data are inaccessible to unauthorized processes and entities. 17. The computer readable non-transitory storage medium of claim 15, wherein said deduplicating comprises comparing said calculated hash against said previously calculated hashes and, upon detecting a matching hash having associated ciphertext that was produced with a different version of an encryption key than used for said encrypting said plaintext data, replacing said associated ciphertext and said previously stored metadata corresponding to said matching hash with said hash, said ciphertext and said metadata in said write block. 18. The computer readable non-transitory storage medium of claim 17, wherein said client is a member of an ensemble of multiple clients that comprise a common deduplication domain, and said deduplicating comprises deduplicating said plaintext data against ciphertext produced from plaintext data of one or more of said multiple clients in said common deduplication domain using said hashes. 19. The computer readable non-transitory storage medium of claim 15, wherein said enclave has access to credentials for verifying clients which are authorized to send plaintext data to said enclave for encryption, deduplication and storage, and further comprising verifying a client before receiving, encrypting, deduplicating and storing plaintext data from such client. 20. The computer readable non-transitory storage medium of claim 15 further comprising further comprising receiving a request from a client for a block of plaintext data, verifying that the requesting client is authorized to receive the requested plaintext data, and, upon the client being authenticated, retrieving from storage a block of ciphertext corresponding to the requested plaintext data, decrypting the retrieved block of ciphertext to produce the requested plaintext data, and returning to the requesting client the requested plaintext data with its corresponding hash, initialization vector and key version number. | 2,800 |
343,735 | 16,803,131 | 2,837 | This disclosure is concerned with a personal care device with a treatment head being pivot-mounted around a pivot axis, the personal care device having a pin having a pin head, a cam element having a cam surface, a spring element biasing the pin head and the cam surface against each other, wherein the cam surface is shaped such that it defines a rest position at which the biasing spring force provided by the spring element with which the pin head and the cam surface are pushed against each other has a non-zero minimum value, and wherein a pivoting of the head around the pivot axis causes the pin head to move along the cam surface and the cam surface is further shaped such that the spring force pushing the pin head and the cam surface against each other increases with increasing pivoting angle. | 1. A personal care device with a treatment head being pivot-mounted around a pivot axis with respect to a body of the personal care device, the personal care device comprising:
a pin having a pin head, the pin being provided at one of the treatment head or body; a cam element having a cam surface being provided at the other one of the treatment head or body; a spring element biasing the pin head and the cam surface against each other; wherein the pin head is in contact with the cam surface and the cam surface is shaped such that it defines a rest position at which the biasing spring force provided by the spring element with which the pin head and the cam surface are pushed against each other has a non-zero minimum value; and wherein a pivoting of the head around the pivot axis causes the pin head to move along the cam surface and the cam surface is further shaped such that the spring force pushing the pin head and the cam surface against each other increases with increasing pivoting angle. 2. The personal care device according to claim 1, wherein the pin is guided in a hollow of the pin mount. 3. The personal care device according to claim 1, wherein the pin mount has at least two guiding surfaces for guiding the pin, in particular the pin mount has at least four guiding surfaces where two oppositely arranged guiding surface are provided at a first longitudinal position in the pin mount and two further oppositely arranged guiding surfaces are arranged at a second longitudinal position. 4. The personal care device according to claim 1, wherein the pin portion guided by the pin mount has an essentially circular cross-sectional shape and a portion in the pin mount for guiding the pin has an essentially polygonal cross-sectional shape. 5. The personal care device according to claim 1, wherein the pin mount and the guided parts of the pin have at least in the area where the pin is guided by the pin mount a tolerance of about ±0.03 mm or below. 6. The personal care device according to claim 1, wherein the spring element is partly arranged in a longitudinally extending centric hollow in the pin and partly in the hollow of the pin mount. 7. The personal care device according to claim 1, wherein the spring element is a longitudinally extending coil spring that has a first end that is arranged in a recess of the pin mount, the recess being dimensioned to confine the first end so that the first end can essentially not move. 8. The personal care device according to claim 1, wherein the pin head has a contact surface for contacting the cam surface, which contact surface is at least a portion of a spherical surface or of a cylindrical surface and the cam surface has a depression to define the rest position, the depression being smaller than a diameter of the sphere defining the spherical surface or of the cylinder defining the cylindrical surface. 9. The personal care device according to claim 1, wherein the cam surface has a generally concave shape that tapers towards the cam surface portion that defines the rest point. 10. The personal care device according to claim 9, wherein the cam surface is symmetrically shaped with respect to the rest position. 11. The personal care device according to claim 1, wherein the cam surface is defined by a function with respect to the pivot axis that is given the formula D(α)=D0−ΔD·(α/Δα), where D is the distance of a contact point of the pin head and the can surface to the pivot axis, α is the pivot angle with respect to the rest position, D0 is the respective distance in the rest position, and ΔD, and Act are parameters that define the slope of the function. 12. The personal care device according to claim 1, wherein at least the pin head is made from one of the following materials: a hard plastic material having a Shore D hardness of at least 40; a lightweight metal or a metal alloy having a specific density in the range of between about 2 g/cm3 and about 5 g/cm3; a heavy metal or a metal alloy having a specific density in the range of between about 5 g/cm3 and about 20 g/cm3. 13. The personal care device according to claim 1, wherein at least the cam surface is made from one of the following materials: a hard plastic material having a Shore D hardness of at least 40; a lightweight metal or a metal alloy having a specific density in the range of between about 2 g/cm3 and about 5 g/cm3; a heavy metal or a metal alloy having a specific density in the range of between about 5 g/cm3 and about 20 g/cm3; ceramic material. 14. The personal care device according to claim 1, wherein the spring constant of the spring element is in a range of between about 0.05 N/mm and about 1.0 N/mm. 15. The personal care device according to claim 1, wherein the biasing force with which the pin head is pushed against the cam surface increases from the center position to a maximum pivot angle position by a factor in the range of between about 1.025 to about 1.5. 16. The personal care device according to claim 1, wherein the biasing force with which the pin head is pushed against the cam surface in the rest position is in the range of between about 0.5 N and about 8 N. | This disclosure is concerned with a personal care device with a treatment head being pivot-mounted around a pivot axis, the personal care device having a pin having a pin head, a cam element having a cam surface, a spring element biasing the pin head and the cam surface against each other, wherein the cam surface is shaped such that it defines a rest position at which the biasing spring force provided by the spring element with which the pin head and the cam surface are pushed against each other has a non-zero minimum value, and wherein a pivoting of the head around the pivot axis causes the pin head to move along the cam surface and the cam surface is further shaped such that the spring force pushing the pin head and the cam surface against each other increases with increasing pivoting angle.1. A personal care device with a treatment head being pivot-mounted around a pivot axis with respect to a body of the personal care device, the personal care device comprising:
a pin having a pin head, the pin being provided at one of the treatment head or body; a cam element having a cam surface being provided at the other one of the treatment head or body; a spring element biasing the pin head and the cam surface against each other; wherein the pin head is in contact with the cam surface and the cam surface is shaped such that it defines a rest position at which the biasing spring force provided by the spring element with which the pin head and the cam surface are pushed against each other has a non-zero minimum value; and wherein a pivoting of the head around the pivot axis causes the pin head to move along the cam surface and the cam surface is further shaped such that the spring force pushing the pin head and the cam surface against each other increases with increasing pivoting angle. 2. The personal care device according to claim 1, wherein the pin is guided in a hollow of the pin mount. 3. The personal care device according to claim 1, wherein the pin mount has at least two guiding surfaces for guiding the pin, in particular the pin mount has at least four guiding surfaces where two oppositely arranged guiding surface are provided at a first longitudinal position in the pin mount and two further oppositely arranged guiding surfaces are arranged at a second longitudinal position. 4. The personal care device according to claim 1, wherein the pin portion guided by the pin mount has an essentially circular cross-sectional shape and a portion in the pin mount for guiding the pin has an essentially polygonal cross-sectional shape. 5. The personal care device according to claim 1, wherein the pin mount and the guided parts of the pin have at least in the area where the pin is guided by the pin mount a tolerance of about ±0.03 mm or below. 6. The personal care device according to claim 1, wherein the spring element is partly arranged in a longitudinally extending centric hollow in the pin and partly in the hollow of the pin mount. 7. The personal care device according to claim 1, wherein the spring element is a longitudinally extending coil spring that has a first end that is arranged in a recess of the pin mount, the recess being dimensioned to confine the first end so that the first end can essentially not move. 8. The personal care device according to claim 1, wherein the pin head has a contact surface for contacting the cam surface, which contact surface is at least a portion of a spherical surface or of a cylindrical surface and the cam surface has a depression to define the rest position, the depression being smaller than a diameter of the sphere defining the spherical surface or of the cylinder defining the cylindrical surface. 9. The personal care device according to claim 1, wherein the cam surface has a generally concave shape that tapers towards the cam surface portion that defines the rest point. 10. The personal care device according to claim 9, wherein the cam surface is symmetrically shaped with respect to the rest position. 11. The personal care device according to claim 1, wherein the cam surface is defined by a function with respect to the pivot axis that is given the formula D(α)=D0−ΔD·(α/Δα), where D is the distance of a contact point of the pin head and the can surface to the pivot axis, α is the pivot angle with respect to the rest position, D0 is the respective distance in the rest position, and ΔD, and Act are parameters that define the slope of the function. 12. The personal care device according to claim 1, wherein at least the pin head is made from one of the following materials: a hard plastic material having a Shore D hardness of at least 40; a lightweight metal or a metal alloy having a specific density in the range of between about 2 g/cm3 and about 5 g/cm3; a heavy metal or a metal alloy having a specific density in the range of between about 5 g/cm3 and about 20 g/cm3. 13. The personal care device according to claim 1, wherein at least the cam surface is made from one of the following materials: a hard plastic material having a Shore D hardness of at least 40; a lightweight metal or a metal alloy having a specific density in the range of between about 2 g/cm3 and about 5 g/cm3; a heavy metal or a metal alloy having a specific density in the range of between about 5 g/cm3 and about 20 g/cm3; ceramic material. 14. The personal care device according to claim 1, wherein the spring constant of the spring element is in a range of between about 0.05 N/mm and about 1.0 N/mm. 15. The personal care device according to claim 1, wherein the biasing force with which the pin head is pushed against the cam surface increases from the center position to a maximum pivot angle position by a factor in the range of between about 1.025 to about 1.5. 16. The personal care device according to claim 1, wherein the biasing force with which the pin head is pushed against the cam surface in the rest position is in the range of between about 0.5 N and about 8 N. | 2,800 |
343,736 | 16,803,109 | 2,837 | This disclosure is concerned with a personal care device with a treatment head being pivot-mounted around a pivot axis, the personal care device having a pin having a pin head, a cam element having a cam surface, a spring element biasing the pin head and the cam surface against each other, wherein the cam surface is shaped such that it defines a rest position at which the biasing spring force provided by the spring element with which the pin head and the cam surface are pushed against each other has a non-zero minimum value, and wherein a pivoting of the head around the pivot axis causes the pin head to move along the cam surface and the cam surface is further shaped such that the spring force pushing the pin head and the cam surface against each other increases with increasing pivoting angle. | 1. A personal care device with a treatment head being pivot-mounted around a pivot axis with respect to a body of the personal care device, the personal care device comprising:
a pin having a pin head, the pin being provided at one of the treatment head or body; a cam element having a cam surface being provided at the other one of the treatment head or body; a spring element biasing the pin head and the cam surface against each other; wherein the pin head is in contact with the cam surface and the cam surface is shaped such that it defines a rest position at which the biasing spring force provided by the spring element with which the pin head and the cam surface are pushed against each other has a non-zero minimum value; and wherein a pivoting of the head around the pivot axis causes the pin head to move along the cam surface and the cam surface is further shaped such that the spring force pushing the pin head and the cam surface against each other increases with increasing pivoting angle. 2. The personal care device according to claim 1, wherein the pin is guided in a hollow of the pin mount. 3. The personal care device according to claim 1, wherein the pin mount has at least two guiding surfaces for guiding the pin, in particular the pin mount has at least four guiding surfaces where two oppositely arranged guiding surface are provided at a first longitudinal position in the pin mount and two further oppositely arranged guiding surfaces are arranged at a second longitudinal position. 4. The personal care device according to claim 1, wherein the pin portion guided by the pin mount has an essentially circular cross-sectional shape and a portion in the pin mount for guiding the pin has an essentially polygonal cross-sectional shape. 5. The personal care device according to claim 1, wherein the pin mount and the guided parts of the pin have at least in the area where the pin is guided by the pin mount a tolerance of about ±0.03 mm or below. 6. The personal care device according to claim 1, wherein the spring element is partly arranged in a longitudinally extending centric hollow in the pin and partly in the hollow of the pin mount. 7. The personal care device according to claim 1, wherein the spring element is a longitudinally extending coil spring that has a first end that is arranged in a recess of the pin mount, the recess being dimensioned to confine the first end so that the first end can essentially not move. 8. The personal care device according to claim 1, wherein the pin head has a contact surface for contacting the cam surface, which contact surface is at least a portion of a spherical surface or of a cylindrical surface and the cam surface has a depression to define the rest position, the depression being smaller than a diameter of the sphere defining the spherical surface or of the cylinder defining the cylindrical surface. 9. The personal care device according to claim 1, wherein the cam surface has a generally concave shape that tapers towards the cam surface portion that defines the rest point. 10. The personal care device according to claim 9, wherein the cam surface is symmetrically shaped with respect to the rest position. 11. The personal care device according to claim 1, wherein the cam surface is defined by a function with respect to the pivot axis that is given the formula D(α)=D0−ΔD·(α/Δα), where D is the distance of a contact point of the pin head and the can surface to the pivot axis, α is the pivot angle with respect to the rest position, D0 is the respective distance in the rest position, and ΔD, and Act are parameters that define the slope of the function. 12. The personal care device according to claim 1, wherein at least the pin head is made from one of the following materials: a hard plastic material having a Shore D hardness of at least 40; a lightweight metal or a metal alloy having a specific density in the range of between about 2 g/cm3 and about 5 g/cm3; a heavy metal or a metal alloy having a specific density in the range of between about 5 g/cm3 and about 20 g/cm3. 13. The personal care device according to claim 1, wherein at least the cam surface is made from one of the following materials: a hard plastic material having a Shore D hardness of at least 40; a lightweight metal or a metal alloy having a specific density in the range of between about 2 g/cm3 and about 5 g/cm3; a heavy metal or a metal alloy having a specific density in the range of between about 5 g/cm3 and about 20 g/cm3; ceramic material. 14. The personal care device according to claim 1, wherein the spring constant of the spring element is in a range of between about 0.05 N/mm and about 1.0 N/mm. 15. The personal care device according to claim 1, wherein the biasing force with which the pin head is pushed against the cam surface increases from the center position to a maximum pivot angle position by a factor in the range of between about 1.025 to about 1.5. 16. The personal care device according to claim 1, wherein the biasing force with which the pin head is pushed against the cam surface in the rest position is in the range of between about 0.5 N and about 8 N. | This disclosure is concerned with a personal care device with a treatment head being pivot-mounted around a pivot axis, the personal care device having a pin having a pin head, a cam element having a cam surface, a spring element biasing the pin head and the cam surface against each other, wherein the cam surface is shaped such that it defines a rest position at which the biasing spring force provided by the spring element with which the pin head and the cam surface are pushed against each other has a non-zero minimum value, and wherein a pivoting of the head around the pivot axis causes the pin head to move along the cam surface and the cam surface is further shaped such that the spring force pushing the pin head and the cam surface against each other increases with increasing pivoting angle.1. A personal care device with a treatment head being pivot-mounted around a pivot axis with respect to a body of the personal care device, the personal care device comprising:
a pin having a pin head, the pin being provided at one of the treatment head or body; a cam element having a cam surface being provided at the other one of the treatment head or body; a spring element biasing the pin head and the cam surface against each other; wherein the pin head is in contact with the cam surface and the cam surface is shaped such that it defines a rest position at which the biasing spring force provided by the spring element with which the pin head and the cam surface are pushed against each other has a non-zero minimum value; and wherein a pivoting of the head around the pivot axis causes the pin head to move along the cam surface and the cam surface is further shaped such that the spring force pushing the pin head and the cam surface against each other increases with increasing pivoting angle. 2. The personal care device according to claim 1, wherein the pin is guided in a hollow of the pin mount. 3. The personal care device according to claim 1, wherein the pin mount has at least two guiding surfaces for guiding the pin, in particular the pin mount has at least four guiding surfaces where two oppositely arranged guiding surface are provided at a first longitudinal position in the pin mount and two further oppositely arranged guiding surfaces are arranged at a second longitudinal position. 4. The personal care device according to claim 1, wherein the pin portion guided by the pin mount has an essentially circular cross-sectional shape and a portion in the pin mount for guiding the pin has an essentially polygonal cross-sectional shape. 5. The personal care device according to claim 1, wherein the pin mount and the guided parts of the pin have at least in the area where the pin is guided by the pin mount a tolerance of about ±0.03 mm or below. 6. The personal care device according to claim 1, wherein the spring element is partly arranged in a longitudinally extending centric hollow in the pin and partly in the hollow of the pin mount. 7. The personal care device according to claim 1, wherein the spring element is a longitudinally extending coil spring that has a first end that is arranged in a recess of the pin mount, the recess being dimensioned to confine the first end so that the first end can essentially not move. 8. The personal care device according to claim 1, wherein the pin head has a contact surface for contacting the cam surface, which contact surface is at least a portion of a spherical surface or of a cylindrical surface and the cam surface has a depression to define the rest position, the depression being smaller than a diameter of the sphere defining the spherical surface or of the cylinder defining the cylindrical surface. 9. The personal care device according to claim 1, wherein the cam surface has a generally concave shape that tapers towards the cam surface portion that defines the rest point. 10. The personal care device according to claim 9, wherein the cam surface is symmetrically shaped with respect to the rest position. 11. The personal care device according to claim 1, wherein the cam surface is defined by a function with respect to the pivot axis that is given the formula D(α)=D0−ΔD·(α/Δα), where D is the distance of a contact point of the pin head and the can surface to the pivot axis, α is the pivot angle with respect to the rest position, D0 is the respective distance in the rest position, and ΔD, and Act are parameters that define the slope of the function. 12. The personal care device according to claim 1, wherein at least the pin head is made from one of the following materials: a hard plastic material having a Shore D hardness of at least 40; a lightweight metal or a metal alloy having a specific density in the range of between about 2 g/cm3 and about 5 g/cm3; a heavy metal or a metal alloy having a specific density in the range of between about 5 g/cm3 and about 20 g/cm3. 13. The personal care device according to claim 1, wherein at least the cam surface is made from one of the following materials: a hard plastic material having a Shore D hardness of at least 40; a lightweight metal or a metal alloy having a specific density in the range of between about 2 g/cm3 and about 5 g/cm3; a heavy metal or a metal alloy having a specific density in the range of between about 5 g/cm3 and about 20 g/cm3; ceramic material. 14. The personal care device according to claim 1, wherein the spring constant of the spring element is in a range of between about 0.05 N/mm and about 1.0 N/mm. 15. The personal care device according to claim 1, wherein the biasing force with which the pin head is pushed against the cam surface increases from the center position to a maximum pivot angle position by a factor in the range of between about 1.025 to about 1.5. 16. The personal care device according to claim 1, wherein the biasing force with which the pin head is pushed against the cam surface in the rest position is in the range of between about 0.5 N and about 8 N. | 2,800 |
343,737 | 16,803,186 | 2,837 | In a carrier aggregation or EN-DC scenario, there exist multiple different conditions based on which UE would benefit from a higher or lower grant ratio on a specific carrier as opposed to other carriers. There are a number of criteria based on which UE may select a preferred carrier for uplink grant reception. Some example criteria include self-jamming conditions, thermal constraints, and inter-RAT interference. These and other criteria may form a basis for identifying preferred carriers, non-preferred carriers, or ranking carriers. Various embodiments described provide techniques for a UE to indicate preferred and non-preferred carriers to a serving base station. A serving base station, in turn, can make use of the indication to adjust the ratio at which uplink transmissions are scheduled on these carriers. | 1. A method for communication by a user equipment (UE), comprising
measuring carrier quality on a plurality of carriers; identifying a first carrier from the plurality of carriers, the first carrier corresponding to a first measured carrier quality; sending an uplink transmission to a base station, the uplink transmission including a first carrier indicator corresponding to the first carrier; and receiving an uplink grant from the base station based on the uplink transmission. 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the first measured carrier quality is one of a highest measured carrier quality or lowest measured carrier quality. 3. The method of claim 1, further comprising identifying a second carrier from the plurality of carriers, the second carrier corresponding to a second measured carrier quality; and wherein the uplink transmission includes a second carrier indicator corresponding to the second carrier, the first measured carrier quality is a highest measured carrier quality, and the second measured carrier quality is a lowest measured carrier quality. 4. The method of claim 3, wherein the uplink transmission includes a buffer status report (BSR). 5. The method of claim 4, further comprising receiving an indication from the base station of a BSR format, wherein the BSR format includes a first carrier indicator field and a second carrier indicator field. 6. The method of claim 1, wherein the measuring of the carrier quality comprises measuring self-interference within the UE, wherein the self-interference corresponds to interference from uplink carrier transmission by the UE to one or more downlink carriers. 7. The method of claim 6, wherein the self-interference corresponds to a delta to an SNR caused by the self-interference. 8. The method of claim 7, wherein the first carrier corresponds to an uplink carrier that causes the least amount of measurable self-interference. 9. The method of claim 3, wherein the measuring of the carrier quality includes determining a thermal metric associated with transmission on one or more uplink carriers. 10. The method of claim 9, wherein the thermal metric is based on one or more of a transmit power and a thermal measurement associated with transmission on the one or more uplink carriers. 11. The method of claim 9, wherein the first carrier corresponds to an uplink carrier that is associated with a transmit chain having the lowest thermal metric. 12. The method of claim 9, wherein the second carrier corresponds to an uplink carrier associated with a transmit chain having the highest thermal metric. 13. The method of claim 3, wherein the uplink transmission includes a RRC transmission, the RRC transmission including the first carrier indicator and the second carrier indicator. 14. The method of claim 3, wherein the uplink transmission includes a RRC transmission, the RRC transmission including a ranked list of carrier indicators that includes the first carrier indicator and the second carrier indicator. 15. The method of claim 3, wherein the uplink transmission includes a Medium Access Control (MAC) control element (CE), the MAC CE including the first carrier indicator and the second carrier indicator. 16. The method of claim 3, further comprising receiving a downlink transmission from the base station including a DTX configuration for at least one of the first carrier and the second carrier in response to the uplink transmission. 17. The method of claim 1, wherein the UE is associated with a RAT, and the carrier quality is based on an interference metric associated non-WWAN communications. 18. A method for communication by base station, comprising
receiving an uplink transmission from a user equipment (UE), the uplink transmission including a first carrier indicator, the first carrier indicator corresponding to a first carrier quality for a first carrier; scheduling uplink transmissions based on the first carrier indicator; and transmitting an uplink grant from the base station based on the uplink transmission. 19. The method of claim 18, wherein the first carrier quality is one of a highest carrier quality or a lowest carrier quality. 20. The method of claim 18, wherein scheduling uplink transmissions comprises adjusting a rate of uplink grants scheduled on the first carrier. 21. The method of claim 18, wherein the uplink transmission further includes a second carrier indicator corresponding to a second carrier and a second carrier quality, the first carrier quality is a highest carrier quality, and the second carrier quality is a lowest carrier quality. 22. The method of claim 21, wherein the uplink transmission includes a buffer status report (BSR). 23. The method of claim 22, further comprising transmitting an indication of a BSR format, wherein the BSR format includes a first carrier indicator field and a second carrier indicator field. 24. The method of claim 21, wherein the uplink transmission includes a Medium Access Control (MAC) control element (CE), the MAC CE including the first carrier indicator and the second carrier indicator. 25. The method of claim 21, further comprising transmitting a DTX configuration for at least one of the first carrier and the second carrier based on the first carrier indicator and the second carrier indicator. 26. A user equipment (UE), comprising:
a memory; and at least one processor coupled to the memory and configured to:
measure carrier quality on a plurality of carriers;
identify a first carrier from the plurality of carriers, the first carrier corresponding to a first measured carrier quality;
send an uplink transmission to a base station, the uplink transmission including an first carrier indicator corresponding to the first carrier; and
receive an uplink grant from the base station based on the uplink transmission. 27. The apparatus of claim 26, wherein the first measured carrier quality is one of a highest measured carrier quality or a lowest measured carrier quality. 28. The apparatus of claim 26, wherein the at least one processor is further configured to identify a second carrier from the plurality of carriers, the second carrier corresponding to a second measured carrier quality; and wherein the uplink transmission includes a second carrier indicator corresponding to the second carrier, the first measured carrier quality is a highest measured carrier quality, and the second measured carrier quality is a lowest measured carrier quality. 29. An apparatus for wireless communication, comprising:
a memory; and at least one processor coupled to the memory and configured to:
receive an uplink transmission from a user equipment (UE), the uplink transmission including a first carrier indicator, the first carrier indicator corresponding to a first carrier quality for a first carrier;
schedule uplink transmissions based on the first carrier indicator; and
transmit an uplink grant from the base station based on the uplink transmission. 30. The apparatus of claim 29, wherein the first carrier quality is one of a highest carrier quality or a lowest carrier quality. | In a carrier aggregation or EN-DC scenario, there exist multiple different conditions based on which UE would benefit from a higher or lower grant ratio on a specific carrier as opposed to other carriers. There are a number of criteria based on which UE may select a preferred carrier for uplink grant reception. Some example criteria include self-jamming conditions, thermal constraints, and inter-RAT interference. These and other criteria may form a basis for identifying preferred carriers, non-preferred carriers, or ranking carriers. Various embodiments described provide techniques for a UE to indicate preferred and non-preferred carriers to a serving base station. A serving base station, in turn, can make use of the indication to adjust the ratio at which uplink transmissions are scheduled on these carriers.1. A method for communication by a user equipment (UE), comprising
measuring carrier quality on a plurality of carriers; identifying a first carrier from the plurality of carriers, the first carrier corresponding to a first measured carrier quality; sending an uplink transmission to a base station, the uplink transmission including a first carrier indicator corresponding to the first carrier; and receiving an uplink grant from the base station based on the uplink transmission. 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the first measured carrier quality is one of a highest measured carrier quality or lowest measured carrier quality. 3. The method of claim 1, further comprising identifying a second carrier from the plurality of carriers, the second carrier corresponding to a second measured carrier quality; and wherein the uplink transmission includes a second carrier indicator corresponding to the second carrier, the first measured carrier quality is a highest measured carrier quality, and the second measured carrier quality is a lowest measured carrier quality. 4. The method of claim 3, wherein the uplink transmission includes a buffer status report (BSR). 5. The method of claim 4, further comprising receiving an indication from the base station of a BSR format, wherein the BSR format includes a first carrier indicator field and a second carrier indicator field. 6. The method of claim 1, wherein the measuring of the carrier quality comprises measuring self-interference within the UE, wherein the self-interference corresponds to interference from uplink carrier transmission by the UE to one or more downlink carriers. 7. The method of claim 6, wherein the self-interference corresponds to a delta to an SNR caused by the self-interference. 8. The method of claim 7, wherein the first carrier corresponds to an uplink carrier that causes the least amount of measurable self-interference. 9. The method of claim 3, wherein the measuring of the carrier quality includes determining a thermal metric associated with transmission on one or more uplink carriers. 10. The method of claim 9, wherein the thermal metric is based on one or more of a transmit power and a thermal measurement associated with transmission on the one or more uplink carriers. 11. The method of claim 9, wherein the first carrier corresponds to an uplink carrier that is associated with a transmit chain having the lowest thermal metric. 12. The method of claim 9, wherein the second carrier corresponds to an uplink carrier associated with a transmit chain having the highest thermal metric. 13. The method of claim 3, wherein the uplink transmission includes a RRC transmission, the RRC transmission including the first carrier indicator and the second carrier indicator. 14. The method of claim 3, wherein the uplink transmission includes a RRC transmission, the RRC transmission including a ranked list of carrier indicators that includes the first carrier indicator and the second carrier indicator. 15. The method of claim 3, wherein the uplink transmission includes a Medium Access Control (MAC) control element (CE), the MAC CE including the first carrier indicator and the second carrier indicator. 16. The method of claim 3, further comprising receiving a downlink transmission from the base station including a DTX configuration for at least one of the first carrier and the second carrier in response to the uplink transmission. 17. The method of claim 1, wherein the UE is associated with a RAT, and the carrier quality is based on an interference metric associated non-WWAN communications. 18. A method for communication by base station, comprising
receiving an uplink transmission from a user equipment (UE), the uplink transmission including a first carrier indicator, the first carrier indicator corresponding to a first carrier quality for a first carrier; scheduling uplink transmissions based on the first carrier indicator; and transmitting an uplink grant from the base station based on the uplink transmission. 19. The method of claim 18, wherein the first carrier quality is one of a highest carrier quality or a lowest carrier quality. 20. The method of claim 18, wherein scheduling uplink transmissions comprises adjusting a rate of uplink grants scheduled on the first carrier. 21. The method of claim 18, wherein the uplink transmission further includes a second carrier indicator corresponding to a second carrier and a second carrier quality, the first carrier quality is a highest carrier quality, and the second carrier quality is a lowest carrier quality. 22. The method of claim 21, wherein the uplink transmission includes a buffer status report (BSR). 23. The method of claim 22, further comprising transmitting an indication of a BSR format, wherein the BSR format includes a first carrier indicator field and a second carrier indicator field. 24. The method of claim 21, wherein the uplink transmission includes a Medium Access Control (MAC) control element (CE), the MAC CE including the first carrier indicator and the second carrier indicator. 25. The method of claim 21, further comprising transmitting a DTX configuration for at least one of the first carrier and the second carrier based on the first carrier indicator and the second carrier indicator. 26. A user equipment (UE), comprising:
a memory; and at least one processor coupled to the memory and configured to:
measure carrier quality on a plurality of carriers;
identify a first carrier from the plurality of carriers, the first carrier corresponding to a first measured carrier quality;
send an uplink transmission to a base station, the uplink transmission including an first carrier indicator corresponding to the first carrier; and
receive an uplink grant from the base station based on the uplink transmission. 27. The apparatus of claim 26, wherein the first measured carrier quality is one of a highest measured carrier quality or a lowest measured carrier quality. 28. The apparatus of claim 26, wherein the at least one processor is further configured to identify a second carrier from the plurality of carriers, the second carrier corresponding to a second measured carrier quality; and wherein the uplink transmission includes a second carrier indicator corresponding to the second carrier, the first measured carrier quality is a highest measured carrier quality, and the second measured carrier quality is a lowest measured carrier quality. 29. An apparatus for wireless communication, comprising:
a memory; and at least one processor coupled to the memory and configured to:
receive an uplink transmission from a user equipment (UE), the uplink transmission including a first carrier indicator, the first carrier indicator corresponding to a first carrier quality for a first carrier;
schedule uplink transmissions based on the first carrier indicator; and
transmit an uplink grant from the base station based on the uplink transmission. 30. The apparatus of claim 29, wherein the first carrier quality is one of a highest carrier quality or a lowest carrier quality. | 2,800 |
343,738 | 16,803,192 | 2,837 | A connection terminal is placed with an opening end of a recessed portion of the connection terminal contacting a top of a flexible substrate, a linking conductive member is pushed from a bottom toward a top of the flexible substrate, whereby the linking conductive member projects inside the recessed portion through the opening end as catching a part of the flexible substrate, and the part of the flexible substrate is sandwiched between a pressing portion of the linking conductive member and a first inner portion in the recessed portion to allow the pressing portion to contact a conductive portion exposed on the bottom of the flexible substrate and allow a contact portion of the linking conductive member to contact a second inner portion in the recessed portion, whereby the connection terminal is electrically connected to the conductive portion of the flexible substrate via the linking conductive member. | 1. A method of electrically connecting a conductive connection terminal disposed on a top surface of a flexible substrate and including a recessed portion to a conductive portion exposed on a bottom surface of the flexible substrate, the method comprising:
placing the connection terminal in such a manner that an opening end of the recessed portion of the connection terminal is in contact with the top surface of the flexible substrate; pushing a linking conductive member from a side of the bottom surface of the flexible substrate toward a side of the top surface of the flexible substrate on which the connection terminal is disposed, whereby the linking conductive member projects inside the recessed portion through the opening end of the recessed portion of the connection terminal as catching a part of the flexible substrate; and holding the part of the flexible substrate such that the part is sandwiched between a pressing portion of the linking conductive member and a first inner portion in the recessed portion of the connection terminal to thereby allow the pressing portion of the linking conductive member to make contact with the conductive portion exposed on the bottom surface of the flexible substrate and allow a contact portion of the linking conductive member to make contact with a second inner portion in the recessed portion of the connection terminal, whereby the connection terminal is electrically connected to the conductive portion of the flexible substrate via the linking conductive member. 2. The method according to claim 1,
wherein when the linking conductive member is pushed from the side of the bottom surface of the flexible substrate toward the side of the top surface thereof, the flexible substrate is cut with a sharp portion disposed at a tip end of the linking conductive member, the linking conductive member is allowed to project inside the recessed portion of the connection terminal, and a cut edge of the flexible substrate cut with the sharp portion is sandwiched between the pressing portion of the linking conductive member and the first inner portion in the recessed portion of the connection terminal as the part of the flexible substrate. 3. The method according to claim 1,
wherein the flexible substrate has a pushing guide that is formed in advance and is constituted of a cut or a hole penetrating the flexible substrate from the top surface to the bottom surface in a position where the opening end of the recessed portion of the connection terminal is situated, and wherein the linking conductive member is pushed from the side of the bottom surface of the flexible substrate toward the side of the top surface thereof through the pushing guide. 4. A connecting structure in which a conductive connection terminal disposed on a top surface of a flexible substrate and including a recessed portion is electrically connected to a conductive portion exposed on a bottom surface of the flexible substrate, the structure comprising:
a linking conductive member including a pressing portion and a contact portion, wherein the connection terminal has a first inner portion and a second inner portion in the recessed portion, wherein with the connection terminal being disposed in such a manner that an opening end of the recessed portion of the connection terminal is in contact with the top surface of the flexible substrate, the linking conductive member projects inside the recessed portion from the side of the bottom surface of the flexible substrate through the opening end of the recessed portion of the connection terminal disposed on the top surface of the flexible substrate, and wherein a part of the flexible substrate is sandwiched between the pressing portion of the linking conductive member and the first inner portion of the connection terminal to thereby allow the pressing portion of the linking conductive member to make contact with the conductive portion exposed on the bottom surface of the flexible substrate and allow the contact portion of the linking conductive member to make contact with the second inner portion of the connection terminal, whereby the connection terminal is electrically connected to the conductive portion of the flexible substrate via the linking conductive member. 5. A connection terminal assembly comprising:
a conductive connection terminal disposed on a top surface of a flexible substrate and including a recessed portion; and a linking conductive member including a pressing portion and a contact portion, wherein the connection terminal has a first inner portion and a second inner portion in the recessed portion, wherein with the connection terminal being disposed in such a manner that an opening end of the recessed portion of the connection terminal is in contact with the top surface of the flexible substrate, the linking conductive member projects inside the recessed portion from a side of a bottom surface of the flexible substrate through the opening end of the recessed portion of the connection terminal disposed on the top surface of the flexible substrate, and wherein a part of the flexible substrate is sandwiched between the pressing portion of the linking conductive member and the first inner portion of the connection terminal to thereby allow the pressing portion of the linking conductive member to make contact with a conductive portion exposed on the bottom surface of the flexible substrate and allow the contact portion of the linking conductive member to make contact with the second inner portion of the connection terminal, whereby the connection terminal is electrically connected to the conductive portion of the flexible substrate via the linking conductive member. 6. The connection terminal assembly according to claim 5,
wherein the linking conductive member has a fulcrum portion that is closer to a tip end of the linking conductive member than the pressing portion is, wherein the connection terminal has a third inner portion in the recessed portion, and wherein the pressing portion makes contact with the conductive portion of the flexible substrate, the contact portion makes contact with the second inner portion in the recessed portion of the connection terminal, and the fulcrum portion makes contact with the third inner portion in the recessed portion of the connection terminal, whereby the linking conductive member projecting inside the recessed portion of the connection terminal is held inside the recessed portion of the connection terminal. 7. The connection terminal assembly according to claim 6,
wherein the linking conductive member is formed from a band shaped metal sheet and includes a bottom portion bent in a U shape and a first arm and a second arm that extend in a same direction from the bottom portion, wherein the first arm has a first projecting portion formed to project in a direction away from the second arm, wherein the second arm has a second projecting portion formed to project in a direction away from the first arm, wherein the pressing portion is formed from a part of the first arm between the bottom portion and the first projecting portion, wherein the contact portion is formed from the second projecting portion, and wherein the fulcrum portion is formed from the first projecting portion. 8. The connection terminal assembly according to claim 7,
wherein the linking conductive member includes a sharp portion disposed at a tip end of the first arm for cutting the flexible substrate. 9. The connection terminal assembly according to claim 7,
Wherein, in the linking conductive member, a distance L1 from the bottom portion to the pressing portion, a distance L2 from the bottom portion to the contact portion, and a distance L3 from the bottom portion to the fulcrum portion satisfy a relationship of L1<L2<L3. 10. The connection terminal assembly according to claim 6,
wherein the connection terminal has a tubular portion and a flange formed at one end of the tubular portion, wherein the recessed portion is formed from an interior part of the tubular portion, wherein the opening end is formed from the one end of the tubular portion, wherein each of the first inner portion, the second inner portion and the third inner portion is disposed on an inner peripheral surface of the tubular portion, and wherein the first inner portion and the third inner portion are opposed to the second inner portion. 11. The connection terminal assembly according to claim 6,
wherein the connection terminal is formed from a single metal sheet bent to have a pair of lateral sheets extending in parallel to each other, a top sheet interconnecting one ends of the pair of lateral sheets, and a pair of flanges extending from the other ends of the pair of lateral sheets in directions away from each other, wherein the opening end is situated between the other ends of the pair of lateral sheets, and wherein the first inner portion and the third inner portion are disposed on a surface of one of the pair of lateral sheets, while the second inner portion is disposed on a surface of the other of the pair of lateral sheets. | A connection terminal is placed with an opening end of a recessed portion of the connection terminal contacting a top of a flexible substrate, a linking conductive member is pushed from a bottom toward a top of the flexible substrate, whereby the linking conductive member projects inside the recessed portion through the opening end as catching a part of the flexible substrate, and the part of the flexible substrate is sandwiched between a pressing portion of the linking conductive member and a first inner portion in the recessed portion to allow the pressing portion to contact a conductive portion exposed on the bottom of the flexible substrate and allow a contact portion of the linking conductive member to contact a second inner portion in the recessed portion, whereby the connection terminal is electrically connected to the conductive portion of the flexible substrate via the linking conductive member.1. A method of electrically connecting a conductive connection terminal disposed on a top surface of a flexible substrate and including a recessed portion to a conductive portion exposed on a bottom surface of the flexible substrate, the method comprising:
placing the connection terminal in such a manner that an opening end of the recessed portion of the connection terminal is in contact with the top surface of the flexible substrate; pushing a linking conductive member from a side of the bottom surface of the flexible substrate toward a side of the top surface of the flexible substrate on which the connection terminal is disposed, whereby the linking conductive member projects inside the recessed portion through the opening end of the recessed portion of the connection terminal as catching a part of the flexible substrate; and holding the part of the flexible substrate such that the part is sandwiched between a pressing portion of the linking conductive member and a first inner portion in the recessed portion of the connection terminal to thereby allow the pressing portion of the linking conductive member to make contact with the conductive portion exposed on the bottom surface of the flexible substrate and allow a contact portion of the linking conductive member to make contact with a second inner portion in the recessed portion of the connection terminal, whereby the connection terminal is electrically connected to the conductive portion of the flexible substrate via the linking conductive member. 2. The method according to claim 1,
wherein when the linking conductive member is pushed from the side of the bottom surface of the flexible substrate toward the side of the top surface thereof, the flexible substrate is cut with a sharp portion disposed at a tip end of the linking conductive member, the linking conductive member is allowed to project inside the recessed portion of the connection terminal, and a cut edge of the flexible substrate cut with the sharp portion is sandwiched between the pressing portion of the linking conductive member and the first inner portion in the recessed portion of the connection terminal as the part of the flexible substrate. 3. The method according to claim 1,
wherein the flexible substrate has a pushing guide that is formed in advance and is constituted of a cut or a hole penetrating the flexible substrate from the top surface to the bottom surface in a position where the opening end of the recessed portion of the connection terminal is situated, and wherein the linking conductive member is pushed from the side of the bottom surface of the flexible substrate toward the side of the top surface thereof through the pushing guide. 4. A connecting structure in which a conductive connection terminal disposed on a top surface of a flexible substrate and including a recessed portion is electrically connected to a conductive portion exposed on a bottom surface of the flexible substrate, the structure comprising:
a linking conductive member including a pressing portion and a contact portion, wherein the connection terminal has a first inner portion and a second inner portion in the recessed portion, wherein with the connection terminal being disposed in such a manner that an opening end of the recessed portion of the connection terminal is in contact with the top surface of the flexible substrate, the linking conductive member projects inside the recessed portion from the side of the bottom surface of the flexible substrate through the opening end of the recessed portion of the connection terminal disposed on the top surface of the flexible substrate, and wherein a part of the flexible substrate is sandwiched between the pressing portion of the linking conductive member and the first inner portion of the connection terminal to thereby allow the pressing portion of the linking conductive member to make contact with the conductive portion exposed on the bottom surface of the flexible substrate and allow the contact portion of the linking conductive member to make contact with the second inner portion of the connection terminal, whereby the connection terminal is electrically connected to the conductive portion of the flexible substrate via the linking conductive member. 5. A connection terminal assembly comprising:
a conductive connection terminal disposed on a top surface of a flexible substrate and including a recessed portion; and a linking conductive member including a pressing portion and a contact portion, wherein the connection terminal has a first inner portion and a second inner portion in the recessed portion, wherein with the connection terminal being disposed in such a manner that an opening end of the recessed portion of the connection terminal is in contact with the top surface of the flexible substrate, the linking conductive member projects inside the recessed portion from a side of a bottom surface of the flexible substrate through the opening end of the recessed portion of the connection terminal disposed on the top surface of the flexible substrate, and wherein a part of the flexible substrate is sandwiched between the pressing portion of the linking conductive member and the first inner portion of the connection terminal to thereby allow the pressing portion of the linking conductive member to make contact with a conductive portion exposed on the bottom surface of the flexible substrate and allow the contact portion of the linking conductive member to make contact with the second inner portion of the connection terminal, whereby the connection terminal is electrically connected to the conductive portion of the flexible substrate via the linking conductive member. 6. The connection terminal assembly according to claim 5,
wherein the linking conductive member has a fulcrum portion that is closer to a tip end of the linking conductive member than the pressing portion is, wherein the connection terminal has a third inner portion in the recessed portion, and wherein the pressing portion makes contact with the conductive portion of the flexible substrate, the contact portion makes contact with the second inner portion in the recessed portion of the connection terminal, and the fulcrum portion makes contact with the third inner portion in the recessed portion of the connection terminal, whereby the linking conductive member projecting inside the recessed portion of the connection terminal is held inside the recessed portion of the connection terminal. 7. The connection terminal assembly according to claim 6,
wherein the linking conductive member is formed from a band shaped metal sheet and includes a bottom portion bent in a U shape and a first arm and a second arm that extend in a same direction from the bottom portion, wherein the first arm has a first projecting portion formed to project in a direction away from the second arm, wherein the second arm has a second projecting portion formed to project in a direction away from the first arm, wherein the pressing portion is formed from a part of the first arm between the bottom portion and the first projecting portion, wherein the contact portion is formed from the second projecting portion, and wherein the fulcrum portion is formed from the first projecting portion. 8. The connection terminal assembly according to claim 7,
wherein the linking conductive member includes a sharp portion disposed at a tip end of the first arm for cutting the flexible substrate. 9. The connection terminal assembly according to claim 7,
Wherein, in the linking conductive member, a distance L1 from the bottom portion to the pressing portion, a distance L2 from the bottom portion to the contact portion, and a distance L3 from the bottom portion to the fulcrum portion satisfy a relationship of L1<L2<L3. 10. The connection terminal assembly according to claim 6,
wherein the connection terminal has a tubular portion and a flange formed at one end of the tubular portion, wherein the recessed portion is formed from an interior part of the tubular portion, wherein the opening end is formed from the one end of the tubular portion, wherein each of the first inner portion, the second inner portion and the third inner portion is disposed on an inner peripheral surface of the tubular portion, and wherein the first inner portion and the third inner portion are opposed to the second inner portion. 11. The connection terminal assembly according to claim 6,
wherein the connection terminal is formed from a single metal sheet bent to have a pair of lateral sheets extending in parallel to each other, a top sheet interconnecting one ends of the pair of lateral sheets, and a pair of flanges extending from the other ends of the pair of lateral sheets in directions away from each other, wherein the opening end is situated between the other ends of the pair of lateral sheets, and wherein the first inner portion and the third inner portion are disposed on a surface of one of the pair of lateral sheets, while the second inner portion is disposed on a surface of the other of the pair of lateral sheets. | 2,800 |
343,739 | 16,803,174 | 2,837 | A connection terminal is placed with an opening end of a recessed portion of the connection terminal contacting a top of a flexible substrate, a linking conductive member is pushed from a bottom toward a top of the flexible substrate, whereby the linking conductive member projects inside the recessed portion through the opening end as catching a part of the flexible substrate, and the part of the flexible substrate is sandwiched between a pressing portion of the linking conductive member and a first inner portion in the recessed portion to allow the pressing portion to contact a conductive portion exposed on the bottom of the flexible substrate and allow a contact portion of the linking conductive member to contact a second inner portion in the recessed portion, whereby the connection terminal is electrically connected to the conductive portion of the flexible substrate via the linking conductive member. | 1. A method of electrically connecting a conductive connection terminal disposed on a top surface of a flexible substrate and including a recessed portion to a conductive portion exposed on a bottom surface of the flexible substrate, the method comprising:
placing the connection terminal in such a manner that an opening end of the recessed portion of the connection terminal is in contact with the top surface of the flexible substrate; pushing a linking conductive member from a side of the bottom surface of the flexible substrate toward a side of the top surface of the flexible substrate on which the connection terminal is disposed, whereby the linking conductive member projects inside the recessed portion through the opening end of the recessed portion of the connection terminal as catching a part of the flexible substrate; and holding the part of the flexible substrate such that the part is sandwiched between a pressing portion of the linking conductive member and a first inner portion in the recessed portion of the connection terminal to thereby allow the pressing portion of the linking conductive member to make contact with the conductive portion exposed on the bottom surface of the flexible substrate and allow a contact portion of the linking conductive member to make contact with a second inner portion in the recessed portion of the connection terminal, whereby the connection terminal is electrically connected to the conductive portion of the flexible substrate via the linking conductive member. 2. The method according to claim 1,
wherein when the linking conductive member is pushed from the side of the bottom surface of the flexible substrate toward the side of the top surface thereof, the flexible substrate is cut with a sharp portion disposed at a tip end of the linking conductive member, the linking conductive member is allowed to project inside the recessed portion of the connection terminal, and a cut edge of the flexible substrate cut with the sharp portion is sandwiched between the pressing portion of the linking conductive member and the first inner portion in the recessed portion of the connection terminal as the part of the flexible substrate. 3. The method according to claim 1,
wherein the flexible substrate has a pushing guide that is formed in advance and is constituted of a cut or a hole penetrating the flexible substrate from the top surface to the bottom surface in a position where the opening end of the recessed portion of the connection terminal is situated, and wherein the linking conductive member is pushed from the side of the bottom surface of the flexible substrate toward the side of the top surface thereof through the pushing guide. 4. A connecting structure in which a conductive connection terminal disposed on a top surface of a flexible substrate and including a recessed portion is electrically connected to a conductive portion exposed on a bottom surface of the flexible substrate, the structure comprising:
a linking conductive member including a pressing portion and a contact portion, wherein the connection terminal has a first inner portion and a second inner portion in the recessed portion, wherein with the connection terminal being disposed in such a manner that an opening end of the recessed portion of the connection terminal is in contact with the top surface of the flexible substrate, the linking conductive member projects inside the recessed portion from the side of the bottom surface of the flexible substrate through the opening end of the recessed portion of the connection terminal disposed on the top surface of the flexible substrate, and wherein a part of the flexible substrate is sandwiched between the pressing portion of the linking conductive member and the first inner portion of the connection terminal to thereby allow the pressing portion of the linking conductive member to make contact with the conductive portion exposed on the bottom surface of the flexible substrate and allow the contact portion of the linking conductive member to make contact with the second inner portion of the connection terminal, whereby the connection terminal is electrically connected to the conductive portion of the flexible substrate via the linking conductive member. 5. A connection terminal assembly comprising:
a conductive connection terminal disposed on a top surface of a flexible substrate and including a recessed portion; and a linking conductive member including a pressing portion and a contact portion, wherein the connection terminal has a first inner portion and a second inner portion in the recessed portion, wherein with the connection terminal being disposed in such a manner that an opening end of the recessed portion of the connection terminal is in contact with the top surface of the flexible substrate, the linking conductive member projects inside the recessed portion from a side of a bottom surface of the flexible substrate through the opening end of the recessed portion of the connection terminal disposed on the top surface of the flexible substrate, and wherein a part of the flexible substrate is sandwiched between the pressing portion of the linking conductive member and the first inner portion of the connection terminal to thereby allow the pressing portion of the linking conductive member to make contact with a conductive portion exposed on the bottom surface of the flexible substrate and allow the contact portion of the linking conductive member to make contact with the second inner portion of the connection terminal, whereby the connection terminal is electrically connected to the conductive portion of the flexible substrate via the linking conductive member. 6. The connection terminal assembly according to claim 5,
wherein the linking conductive member has a fulcrum portion that is closer to a tip end of the linking conductive member than the pressing portion is, wherein the connection terminal has a third inner portion in the recessed portion, and wherein the pressing portion makes contact with the conductive portion of the flexible substrate, the contact portion makes contact with the second inner portion in the recessed portion of the connection terminal, and the fulcrum portion makes contact with the third inner portion in the recessed portion of the connection terminal, whereby the linking conductive member projecting inside the recessed portion of the connection terminal is held inside the recessed portion of the connection terminal. 7. The connection terminal assembly according to claim 6,
wherein the linking conductive member is formed from a band shaped metal sheet and includes a bottom portion bent in a U shape and a first arm and a second arm that extend in a same direction from the bottom portion, wherein the first arm has a first projecting portion formed to project in a direction away from the second arm, wherein the second arm has a second projecting portion formed to project in a direction away from the first arm, wherein the pressing portion is formed from a part of the first arm between the bottom portion and the first projecting portion, wherein the contact portion is formed from the second projecting portion, and wherein the fulcrum portion is formed from the first projecting portion. 8. The connection terminal assembly according to claim 7,
wherein the linking conductive member includes a sharp portion disposed at a tip end of the first arm for cutting the flexible substrate. 9. The connection terminal assembly according to claim 7,
Wherein, in the linking conductive member, a distance L1 from the bottom portion to the pressing portion, a distance L2 from the bottom portion to the contact portion, and a distance L3 from the bottom portion to the fulcrum portion satisfy a relationship of L1<L2<L3. 10. The connection terminal assembly according to claim 6,
wherein the connection terminal has a tubular portion and a flange formed at one end of the tubular portion, wherein the recessed portion is formed from an interior part of the tubular portion, wherein the opening end is formed from the one end of the tubular portion, wherein each of the first inner portion, the second inner portion and the third inner portion is disposed on an inner peripheral surface of the tubular portion, and wherein the first inner portion and the third inner portion are opposed to the second inner portion. 11. The connection terminal assembly according to claim 6,
wherein the connection terminal is formed from a single metal sheet bent to have a pair of lateral sheets extending in parallel to each other, a top sheet interconnecting one ends of the pair of lateral sheets, and a pair of flanges extending from the other ends of the pair of lateral sheets in directions away from each other, wherein the opening end is situated between the other ends of the pair of lateral sheets, and wherein the first inner portion and the third inner portion are disposed on a surface of one of the pair of lateral sheets, while the second inner portion is disposed on a surface of the other of the pair of lateral sheets. | A connection terminal is placed with an opening end of a recessed portion of the connection terminal contacting a top of a flexible substrate, a linking conductive member is pushed from a bottom toward a top of the flexible substrate, whereby the linking conductive member projects inside the recessed portion through the opening end as catching a part of the flexible substrate, and the part of the flexible substrate is sandwiched between a pressing portion of the linking conductive member and a first inner portion in the recessed portion to allow the pressing portion to contact a conductive portion exposed on the bottom of the flexible substrate and allow a contact portion of the linking conductive member to contact a second inner portion in the recessed portion, whereby the connection terminal is electrically connected to the conductive portion of the flexible substrate via the linking conductive member.1. A method of electrically connecting a conductive connection terminal disposed on a top surface of a flexible substrate and including a recessed portion to a conductive portion exposed on a bottom surface of the flexible substrate, the method comprising:
placing the connection terminal in such a manner that an opening end of the recessed portion of the connection terminal is in contact with the top surface of the flexible substrate; pushing a linking conductive member from a side of the bottom surface of the flexible substrate toward a side of the top surface of the flexible substrate on which the connection terminal is disposed, whereby the linking conductive member projects inside the recessed portion through the opening end of the recessed portion of the connection terminal as catching a part of the flexible substrate; and holding the part of the flexible substrate such that the part is sandwiched between a pressing portion of the linking conductive member and a first inner portion in the recessed portion of the connection terminal to thereby allow the pressing portion of the linking conductive member to make contact with the conductive portion exposed on the bottom surface of the flexible substrate and allow a contact portion of the linking conductive member to make contact with a second inner portion in the recessed portion of the connection terminal, whereby the connection terminal is electrically connected to the conductive portion of the flexible substrate via the linking conductive member. 2. The method according to claim 1,
wherein when the linking conductive member is pushed from the side of the bottom surface of the flexible substrate toward the side of the top surface thereof, the flexible substrate is cut with a sharp portion disposed at a tip end of the linking conductive member, the linking conductive member is allowed to project inside the recessed portion of the connection terminal, and a cut edge of the flexible substrate cut with the sharp portion is sandwiched between the pressing portion of the linking conductive member and the first inner portion in the recessed portion of the connection terminal as the part of the flexible substrate. 3. The method according to claim 1,
wherein the flexible substrate has a pushing guide that is formed in advance and is constituted of a cut or a hole penetrating the flexible substrate from the top surface to the bottom surface in a position where the opening end of the recessed portion of the connection terminal is situated, and wherein the linking conductive member is pushed from the side of the bottom surface of the flexible substrate toward the side of the top surface thereof through the pushing guide. 4. A connecting structure in which a conductive connection terminal disposed on a top surface of a flexible substrate and including a recessed portion is electrically connected to a conductive portion exposed on a bottom surface of the flexible substrate, the structure comprising:
a linking conductive member including a pressing portion and a contact portion, wherein the connection terminal has a first inner portion and a second inner portion in the recessed portion, wherein with the connection terminal being disposed in such a manner that an opening end of the recessed portion of the connection terminal is in contact with the top surface of the flexible substrate, the linking conductive member projects inside the recessed portion from the side of the bottom surface of the flexible substrate through the opening end of the recessed portion of the connection terminal disposed on the top surface of the flexible substrate, and wherein a part of the flexible substrate is sandwiched between the pressing portion of the linking conductive member and the first inner portion of the connection terminal to thereby allow the pressing portion of the linking conductive member to make contact with the conductive portion exposed on the bottom surface of the flexible substrate and allow the contact portion of the linking conductive member to make contact with the second inner portion of the connection terminal, whereby the connection terminal is electrically connected to the conductive portion of the flexible substrate via the linking conductive member. 5. A connection terminal assembly comprising:
a conductive connection terminal disposed on a top surface of a flexible substrate and including a recessed portion; and a linking conductive member including a pressing portion and a contact portion, wherein the connection terminal has a first inner portion and a second inner portion in the recessed portion, wherein with the connection terminal being disposed in such a manner that an opening end of the recessed portion of the connection terminal is in contact with the top surface of the flexible substrate, the linking conductive member projects inside the recessed portion from a side of a bottom surface of the flexible substrate through the opening end of the recessed portion of the connection terminal disposed on the top surface of the flexible substrate, and wherein a part of the flexible substrate is sandwiched between the pressing portion of the linking conductive member and the first inner portion of the connection terminal to thereby allow the pressing portion of the linking conductive member to make contact with a conductive portion exposed on the bottom surface of the flexible substrate and allow the contact portion of the linking conductive member to make contact with the second inner portion of the connection terminal, whereby the connection terminal is electrically connected to the conductive portion of the flexible substrate via the linking conductive member. 6. The connection terminal assembly according to claim 5,
wherein the linking conductive member has a fulcrum portion that is closer to a tip end of the linking conductive member than the pressing portion is, wherein the connection terminal has a third inner portion in the recessed portion, and wherein the pressing portion makes contact with the conductive portion of the flexible substrate, the contact portion makes contact with the second inner portion in the recessed portion of the connection terminal, and the fulcrum portion makes contact with the third inner portion in the recessed portion of the connection terminal, whereby the linking conductive member projecting inside the recessed portion of the connection terminal is held inside the recessed portion of the connection terminal. 7. The connection terminal assembly according to claim 6,
wherein the linking conductive member is formed from a band shaped metal sheet and includes a bottom portion bent in a U shape and a first arm and a second arm that extend in a same direction from the bottom portion, wherein the first arm has a first projecting portion formed to project in a direction away from the second arm, wherein the second arm has a second projecting portion formed to project in a direction away from the first arm, wherein the pressing portion is formed from a part of the first arm between the bottom portion and the first projecting portion, wherein the contact portion is formed from the second projecting portion, and wherein the fulcrum portion is formed from the first projecting portion. 8. The connection terminal assembly according to claim 7,
wherein the linking conductive member includes a sharp portion disposed at a tip end of the first arm for cutting the flexible substrate. 9. The connection terminal assembly according to claim 7,
Wherein, in the linking conductive member, a distance L1 from the bottom portion to the pressing portion, a distance L2 from the bottom portion to the contact portion, and a distance L3 from the bottom portion to the fulcrum portion satisfy a relationship of L1<L2<L3. 10. The connection terminal assembly according to claim 6,
wherein the connection terminal has a tubular portion and a flange formed at one end of the tubular portion, wherein the recessed portion is formed from an interior part of the tubular portion, wherein the opening end is formed from the one end of the tubular portion, wherein each of the first inner portion, the second inner portion and the third inner portion is disposed on an inner peripheral surface of the tubular portion, and wherein the first inner portion and the third inner portion are opposed to the second inner portion. 11. The connection terminal assembly according to claim 6,
wherein the connection terminal is formed from a single metal sheet bent to have a pair of lateral sheets extending in parallel to each other, a top sheet interconnecting one ends of the pair of lateral sheets, and a pair of flanges extending from the other ends of the pair of lateral sheets in directions away from each other, wherein the opening end is situated between the other ends of the pair of lateral sheets, and wherein the first inner portion and the third inner portion are disposed on a surface of one of the pair of lateral sheets, while the second inner portion is disposed on a surface of the other of the pair of lateral sheets. | 2,800 |
343,740 | 16,803,168 | 2,872 | The present invention relates generally to stereoscopic displays, and more particularly, but not exclusively, to stereoscopic displays with addressable focus cues. | 1. A virtual display system, comprising:
a microdisplay for providing a virtual image for display to a user; a reflective active optical element configured to provide a variable optical power; a see-through eyepiece comprising a selected surface in optical communication with the reflective active optical element and configured to reflect the optical radiation received from the reflective active optical element to an exit pupil of the system to provide a virtual display path which relays a stop of the virtual display system defined by the reflective active optical element therewith to form the exit pupil; and a relay lens disposed along the virtual display path between the microdisplay and the reflective active optical element and in optical communication microdisplay and the eyepiece, the relay lens configured to create an intermediate image of the microdisplay at a location along the virtual display path between the relay lens the eyepiece. 2. The display system of claim 1, wherein the selected surface is also configured to receive optical radiation from a source other than the microdisplay and to transmit such optical radiation to the exit pupil to provide a see-through optical path. 3. The display system of claim 2, comprising an eyepiece compensator disposed along the see-through path adjacent the selected surface of the eyepiece. 4. The display system of claim 1, wherein the eyepiece comprises a freeform prism shape. 5. The display system of claim 1, wherein the eyepiece comprises a first surface configured to receive and refract optical radiation from the reflective active optical element and comprises a second surface configured to receive the refracted optical radiation from the first surface, the second surface configured to reflect the optical radiation to the selected surface of the eyepiece. 6. The display system of claim 5, wherein the second surface is configured to total internally reflect the optical radiation. 7. The display system of claim 1, wherein one or more of the surfaces of the eyepiece comprise a rotationally asymmetric surface. 8. The display system of claim 1, comprising a field lens disposed adjacent the microdisplay configured to provide magnification of the display. 9. The display system of claim 8, wherein the field lens comprises an aspheric surface and a diffractive optical feature. 10. The display system of claim 1, wherein relay lens is a double-telecentric relay lens folded about the reflective active optical element. | The present invention relates generally to stereoscopic displays, and more particularly, but not exclusively, to stereoscopic displays with addressable focus cues.1. A virtual display system, comprising:
a microdisplay for providing a virtual image for display to a user; a reflective active optical element configured to provide a variable optical power; a see-through eyepiece comprising a selected surface in optical communication with the reflective active optical element and configured to reflect the optical radiation received from the reflective active optical element to an exit pupil of the system to provide a virtual display path which relays a stop of the virtual display system defined by the reflective active optical element therewith to form the exit pupil; and a relay lens disposed along the virtual display path between the microdisplay and the reflective active optical element and in optical communication microdisplay and the eyepiece, the relay lens configured to create an intermediate image of the microdisplay at a location along the virtual display path between the relay lens the eyepiece. 2. The display system of claim 1, wherein the selected surface is also configured to receive optical radiation from a source other than the microdisplay and to transmit such optical radiation to the exit pupil to provide a see-through optical path. 3. The display system of claim 2, comprising an eyepiece compensator disposed along the see-through path adjacent the selected surface of the eyepiece. 4. The display system of claim 1, wherein the eyepiece comprises a freeform prism shape. 5. The display system of claim 1, wherein the eyepiece comprises a first surface configured to receive and refract optical radiation from the reflective active optical element and comprises a second surface configured to receive the refracted optical radiation from the first surface, the second surface configured to reflect the optical radiation to the selected surface of the eyepiece. 6. The display system of claim 5, wherein the second surface is configured to total internally reflect the optical radiation. 7. The display system of claim 1, wherein one or more of the surfaces of the eyepiece comprise a rotationally asymmetric surface. 8. The display system of claim 1, comprising a field lens disposed adjacent the microdisplay configured to provide magnification of the display. 9. The display system of claim 8, wherein the field lens comprises an aspheric surface and a diffractive optical feature. 10. The display system of claim 1, wherein relay lens is a double-telecentric relay lens folded about the reflective active optical element. | 2,800 |
343,741 | 16,803,208 | 2,872 | A bone repair composition and methods thereof include bone fibers made from cortical bone in which a plurality of bone fibers are made into various implant shapes conducive to introduction into a patient through minimally invasive surgery. The bone fiber compositions may be in the form of a pellet or cylinder. A method includes producing the bone fiber graft efficiently with control of key parameters of cohesiveness, rehydration and swelling of the bone fiber graft. Another method includes introducing the bone fiber graft into the cannula efficiently. A method is also provided to allow introduction of a bone graft into a patient by placing the implant in a tube and expelling it through the action of a plunger. | 1. A device for delivering one or more bone fiber pellets having x-ray opacity to a target surgical site, the device comprising:
a holder with a plurality of cavities each having a cavity lumen extending therethrough between a first open end to a second open end, the cavity lumen configured to receive a bone fiber pellet comprising a contrast agent; an elongated member forming a delivery tube positioned at an interface of the holder and the elongated member at the second open end of one of the cavity lumens, the delivery tube between a first tube open end aligned with the second open end of one of the cavity lumens and a second tube open end; and a push rod receivable through the first open end corresponding to the cavity lumen positioned at the interface of the holder and the elongated member, the push rod configured to push the bone fiber pellet into the delivery tube and out of the device to the target surgical site. 2. The device of claim 1, wherein the contrast agent is a water soluble non-ionic x-ray contrast agent. 3. The device of claim 1, wherein the contrast agent is an iodinated aromatic compound. 4. The device of claim 3, wherein the iodinated aromatic compound has one or more aromatic nuclei that are at least triiodo-substituted. 5. The device of claim 3, wherein the iodinated aromatic compound is selected from metrizamide, iopamidol, iomeprol, iopromide, ioversol, iohexol, iopentol, ioxilan, iogulamide, ioglucol, ioglucamide, ioglunide, MP-7011, MP-7012, MP-10007, VA-7-88, CAS No. 79944-51-7, iosimide, iocibidol, Cas. No. 103876-29-5, iofratol, iodixanol, iotrol, iotasul, or iodecol. 6. The device of claim 2, wherein the water soluble non-ionic x-ray contrast agent is selected from iotrolan, ioxaglate, iodecimol, iosarcol, iotusal, ioxilane, or ofrotal. 7. The device of claim 2, wherein the water soluble non-ionic x-ray contrast agent is iohexol or iodixanol. 8. The device of claim 1, wherein the contrast agent is barium sulphate. 9. The device of claim 1, further comprising a removable cap for covering the second tube open end. 10. The device of claim 1, wherein the push rod has a length greater than a length of the elongated member. 11. The device of claim 1, wherein the cavity lumens are metallic. 12. The device of claim 1, further comprising one or more bone fiber pellets. 13. The device of claim 1, wherein the plurality of cavities includes up to 6 cavities. 14. A method of delivering a bone fiber pellet having x-ray opacity to a target surgical site, the method comprising using the device of claim 1. 15. The method of claim 14, wherein the contrast agent is a water soluble non-ionic x-ray contrast agent. 16. The method of claim 14, wherein the contrast agent is an iodinated aromatic compound. 17. The method of claim 14, wherein the contrast agent is selected from metrizamide, iopamidol, iomeprol, iopromide, ioversol, iohexol, iopentol, ioxilan, iogulamide, ioglucol, ioglucamide, ioglunide, MP-7011, MP-7012, MP-10007, VA-7-88, CAS No. 79944-51-7, iosimide, iocibidol, Cas. No. 103876-29-5, iofratol, iodixanol, iotrol, iotasul, iodecol, iotrolan, ioxaglate, iodecimol, iosarcol, iotusal, ioxilane, iofrotal, iohexol, or iodixanol. 18. The method of claim 14, wherein the contrast agent is barium sulphate. 19. The method of claim 14, wherein the bone fiber pellet comprises the contrast agent prior to the bone fiber pellet being received by the cavity lumen of the device or the contrast agent is added to the bone fiber pellet after the bone fiber pellet has been received by the cavity lumen of the device. 20. A method of delivering a bone fiber pellet having x-ray opacity to a target surgical site, the method comprising using the device of claim 12. | A bone repair composition and methods thereof include bone fibers made from cortical bone in which a plurality of bone fibers are made into various implant shapes conducive to introduction into a patient through minimally invasive surgery. The bone fiber compositions may be in the form of a pellet or cylinder. A method includes producing the bone fiber graft efficiently with control of key parameters of cohesiveness, rehydration and swelling of the bone fiber graft. Another method includes introducing the bone fiber graft into the cannula efficiently. A method is also provided to allow introduction of a bone graft into a patient by placing the implant in a tube and expelling it through the action of a plunger.1. A device for delivering one or more bone fiber pellets having x-ray opacity to a target surgical site, the device comprising:
a holder with a plurality of cavities each having a cavity lumen extending therethrough between a first open end to a second open end, the cavity lumen configured to receive a bone fiber pellet comprising a contrast agent; an elongated member forming a delivery tube positioned at an interface of the holder and the elongated member at the second open end of one of the cavity lumens, the delivery tube between a first tube open end aligned with the second open end of one of the cavity lumens and a second tube open end; and a push rod receivable through the first open end corresponding to the cavity lumen positioned at the interface of the holder and the elongated member, the push rod configured to push the bone fiber pellet into the delivery tube and out of the device to the target surgical site. 2. The device of claim 1, wherein the contrast agent is a water soluble non-ionic x-ray contrast agent. 3. The device of claim 1, wherein the contrast agent is an iodinated aromatic compound. 4. The device of claim 3, wherein the iodinated aromatic compound has one or more aromatic nuclei that are at least triiodo-substituted. 5. The device of claim 3, wherein the iodinated aromatic compound is selected from metrizamide, iopamidol, iomeprol, iopromide, ioversol, iohexol, iopentol, ioxilan, iogulamide, ioglucol, ioglucamide, ioglunide, MP-7011, MP-7012, MP-10007, VA-7-88, CAS No. 79944-51-7, iosimide, iocibidol, Cas. No. 103876-29-5, iofratol, iodixanol, iotrol, iotasul, or iodecol. 6. The device of claim 2, wherein the water soluble non-ionic x-ray contrast agent is selected from iotrolan, ioxaglate, iodecimol, iosarcol, iotusal, ioxilane, or ofrotal. 7. The device of claim 2, wherein the water soluble non-ionic x-ray contrast agent is iohexol or iodixanol. 8. The device of claim 1, wherein the contrast agent is barium sulphate. 9. The device of claim 1, further comprising a removable cap for covering the second tube open end. 10. The device of claim 1, wherein the push rod has a length greater than a length of the elongated member. 11. The device of claim 1, wherein the cavity lumens are metallic. 12. The device of claim 1, further comprising one or more bone fiber pellets. 13. The device of claim 1, wherein the plurality of cavities includes up to 6 cavities. 14. A method of delivering a bone fiber pellet having x-ray opacity to a target surgical site, the method comprising using the device of claim 1. 15. The method of claim 14, wherein the contrast agent is a water soluble non-ionic x-ray contrast agent. 16. The method of claim 14, wherein the contrast agent is an iodinated aromatic compound. 17. The method of claim 14, wherein the contrast agent is selected from metrizamide, iopamidol, iomeprol, iopromide, ioversol, iohexol, iopentol, ioxilan, iogulamide, ioglucol, ioglucamide, ioglunide, MP-7011, MP-7012, MP-10007, VA-7-88, CAS No. 79944-51-7, iosimide, iocibidol, Cas. No. 103876-29-5, iofratol, iodixanol, iotrol, iotasul, iodecol, iotrolan, ioxaglate, iodecimol, iosarcol, iotusal, ioxilane, iofrotal, iohexol, or iodixanol. 18. The method of claim 14, wherein the contrast agent is barium sulphate. 19. The method of claim 14, wherein the bone fiber pellet comprises the contrast agent prior to the bone fiber pellet being received by the cavity lumen of the device or the contrast agent is added to the bone fiber pellet after the bone fiber pellet has been received by the cavity lumen of the device. 20. A method of delivering a bone fiber pellet having x-ray opacity to a target surgical site, the method comprising using the device of claim 12. | 2,800 |
343,742 | 16,803,203 | 2,872 | A manifold for coupling a suction tube to a medical waste collection system. A housing includes a body portion, and first and second legs extending from said body portion. An inlet fitting is for coupling to the suction tube. An arm extends outwardly from said housing and includes a proximally-directed surface. A lock element extends outwardly from said housing and includes a distally-directed surface. A spine extends outwardly from said housing and includes a proximally-directed surface. A catch may include a distally-directed surface. A rim of the first leg defines an outlet opening, and the catch and the rim are spaced apart by a void between the first and second legs. The housing may define a manifold volume, and a filter element may be disposed within the manifold volume. A radiofrequency identification (RFID) tag may be at least partially positioned on said second leg. | 1. A manifold for coupling a suction tube to a medical waste collection system including a receiver defining an opening into which the manifold is configured to be inserted, said manifold comprising:
a housing comprising a body portion, a first leg extending from said body portion, and a second leg extending from said body portion and spaced apart from said first leg to define a void, wherein said first leg comprises a rim defining an outlet opening; an inlet fitting for coupling to the suction tube; an arm extending outwardly from said housing and comprising a proximally-directed surface; a lock element extending outwardly from said housing and comprising a distally-directed surface; and a spine extending outwardly from said housing and comprising a proximally-directed surface. 2. The manifold of claim 1, further comprising a catch comprising a distally-directed surface, wherein said rim and said catch are spaced apart by said void. 3. The manifold of claim 1, further comprising a radiofrequency identification (RFID) tag at least partially positioned on said second leg. 4. The manifold of claim 1, wherein said rim is positioned below said second leg when said manifold is oriented for insertion into the opening of the receiver. 5. The manifold of claim 1, wherein said housing defines a manifold volume, and wherein said second leg includes a cavity defining a portion of said manifold volume. 6. The manifold of claim 1, wherein said housing defines a manifold volume, said manifold further comprising a filter element disposed within the manifold volume. 7. The manifold of claim 1, wherein said proximally-directed surface of said spine is a ramped surface tapering towards said housing. 8. The manifold of claim 1, wherein said rim has a width larger than a height to define said outlet opening as being non-circular. 9. The manifold of claim 8, wherein said arm comprises a pair of arms each extending laterally from a respective one of opposing sides one of said housing, wherein said pair of arms cooperate to define a width that is larger than said width of said rim. | A manifold for coupling a suction tube to a medical waste collection system. A housing includes a body portion, and first and second legs extending from said body portion. An inlet fitting is for coupling to the suction tube. An arm extends outwardly from said housing and includes a proximally-directed surface. A lock element extends outwardly from said housing and includes a distally-directed surface. A spine extends outwardly from said housing and includes a proximally-directed surface. A catch may include a distally-directed surface. A rim of the first leg defines an outlet opening, and the catch and the rim are spaced apart by a void between the first and second legs. The housing may define a manifold volume, and a filter element may be disposed within the manifold volume. A radiofrequency identification (RFID) tag may be at least partially positioned on said second leg.1. A manifold for coupling a suction tube to a medical waste collection system including a receiver defining an opening into which the manifold is configured to be inserted, said manifold comprising:
a housing comprising a body portion, a first leg extending from said body portion, and a second leg extending from said body portion and spaced apart from said first leg to define a void, wherein said first leg comprises a rim defining an outlet opening; an inlet fitting for coupling to the suction tube; an arm extending outwardly from said housing and comprising a proximally-directed surface; a lock element extending outwardly from said housing and comprising a distally-directed surface; and a spine extending outwardly from said housing and comprising a proximally-directed surface. 2. The manifold of claim 1, further comprising a catch comprising a distally-directed surface, wherein said rim and said catch are spaced apart by said void. 3. The manifold of claim 1, further comprising a radiofrequency identification (RFID) tag at least partially positioned on said second leg. 4. The manifold of claim 1, wherein said rim is positioned below said second leg when said manifold is oriented for insertion into the opening of the receiver. 5. The manifold of claim 1, wherein said housing defines a manifold volume, and wherein said second leg includes a cavity defining a portion of said manifold volume. 6. The manifold of claim 1, wherein said housing defines a manifold volume, said manifold further comprising a filter element disposed within the manifold volume. 7. The manifold of claim 1, wherein said proximally-directed surface of said spine is a ramped surface tapering towards said housing. 8. The manifold of claim 1, wherein said rim has a width larger than a height to define said outlet opening as being non-circular. 9. The manifold of claim 8, wherein said arm comprises a pair of arms each extending laterally from a respective one of opposing sides one of said housing, wherein said pair of arms cooperate to define a width that is larger than said width of said rim. | 2,800 |
343,743 | 16,803,202 | 2,827 | Various one-time-programmable (OTP) memory cells are disclosed. An OTP memory cell includes an additional dopant region that extends at least partially under the gate of a transistor, such as an anti-fuse transistor. The additional dopant region provides an additional current path for a read current. Alternatively, an OTP memory cell includes three transistors; an anti-fuse transistor and two select transistors. The two select transistors can be configured as a cascaded select transistor or as two separate select transistors. | 1. A one-time-programmable (OTP) memory cell, comprising:
an anti-fuse transistor comprising a first gate, a first dopant region that forms a first source/drain region, and a second dopant region that forms a second source/drain region; a select transistor connected in series with the anti-fuse transistor, the select transistor comprising a second gate, the second dopant region that forms a third source/drain region, and a third dopant region that forms a fourth source/drain region; and an additional fourth dopant region that connects to the first dopant region and extends partially under the first gate of the anti-fuse transistor, the additional fourth dopant region creating an additional current path for a read current a first contact to the first dopant region; a second contact to the second dopant region; and a conductive element connecting the first and the second contacts. 2. (canceled) 3. The OTP memory cell of claim 2, wherein the additional current path is activated with a first bias voltage applied to the first contact and a second current path is activated when the bias voltage is applied to the second contact. 4. The OTP memory cell of claim 1, further comprising a halo region between the first and the second dopant regions and disposed adjacent to the first dopant region and the additional fourth dopant region. 5. The OTP memory cell of claim 1, further comprising a halo region between the second and the third dopant regions and adjacent the second dopant region. 6. The OTP memory cell of claim 1, wherein the first dopant region, the second dopant region, the third dopant region, and the additional fourth dopant region are formed with a dopant or dopants having a first conductivity type. 7. The OTP memory cell of claim 1, wherein the OTP memory cell is included in a plurality of OTP memory cells in a memory array. 8-12. (canceled) 13. An electronic device, comprising:
a processing device; a memory array operatively connected to the processing device, the memory array comprising:
a one-time-programmable (OTP) memory cell, comprising:
an anti-fuse transistor comprising a first gate, a first dopant region that forms a first source/drain region, and a second dopant region that forms a second source/drain region;
a select transistor connected in series with the anti-fuse transistor, the select transistor comprising a second gate, the second dopant region that forms a third source/drain region, and a third dopant region that forms a fourth source/drain region;
an additional fourth dopant region that connects to the first dopant region and extends partially under the first gate of the anti-fuse transistor;
a first contact electrically connected to the first dopant region; and
a second contact electrically connected to the second dopant region, wherein the processing device is operable to cause a bias voltage to be applied to the first contact to activate an additional current path created by the additional fourth dopant region for a read current and to the second contact to activate a second current path for the read current. 14. The electronic device of claim 13, wherein the OTP memory cell further comprises a conductive element connected to the first and the second contacts. 15. The electronic device of claim 13, wherein the OTP memory cell further comprises a conductive element connected to one of the first contact or the second contact. 16. The electronic device of claim 13, wherein the OTP memory cell further comprises a halo region formed between the first and the second dopant regions and adjacent the first dopant region and the additional fourth dopant region. 17. The electronic device of claim 13, wherein the OTP memory cell further comprises a halo region formed between the second dopant region and the third dopant region and adjacent the second dopant region. 18. The electronic device of claim 13, wherein the first dopant region, the second dopant region, the third first dopant region, and the additional fourth dopant region are formed with a dopant or dopants having a first conductivity type. 19. The electronic device of claim 13, wherein a drain/source region of the anti-fuse transistor is connected to a floating region. 20. The electronic device of claim 13, further comprising:
a row select circuit operatively connected to one or more word lines in the memory array; and a column select circuit operatively connected to one or more bit lines in the memory array. 21. The OTP memory cell of claim 1, further comprising a bit line connected to the anti-fuse transistor and the select transistor. 22. The OTP memory cell of claim 1, further comprising a word line program signal line connected to the first gate of the anti-fuse transistor and a word line read signal line connected to the second gate of the select transistor. 23. A memory array, comprising:
a plurality of one-time-programmable (OTP) memory cells, each OTP memory cell comprising:
an anti-fuse transistor comprising a first gate, a first dopant region that forms a first source/drain region, and a second dopant region that forms a second source/drain region;
a select transistor connected in series with the anti-fuse transistor, the select transistor comprising a second gate, the second dopant region that forms a third source/drain region, and a third dopant region that forms a fourth source/drain region;
an additional fourth dopant region that connects to the first dopant region and extends partially under the first gate of the anti-fuse transistor;
a first contact electrically connected to the first dopant region;
a second contact electrically connected to the second dopant region; and
a conductive element connecting the first and the second contacts. 24. (canceled) 25. The memory array of claim 23, further comprising a bit line connected to the anti-fuse transistor and the select transistor. 26. The memory array of claim 23, further comprising a word line program signal line connected to the first gate of the anti-fuse transistor and a word line read signal line connected to the second gate of the select transistor. | Various one-time-programmable (OTP) memory cells are disclosed. An OTP memory cell includes an additional dopant region that extends at least partially under the gate of a transistor, such as an anti-fuse transistor. The additional dopant region provides an additional current path for a read current. Alternatively, an OTP memory cell includes three transistors; an anti-fuse transistor and two select transistors. The two select transistors can be configured as a cascaded select transistor or as two separate select transistors.1. A one-time-programmable (OTP) memory cell, comprising:
an anti-fuse transistor comprising a first gate, a first dopant region that forms a first source/drain region, and a second dopant region that forms a second source/drain region; a select transistor connected in series with the anti-fuse transistor, the select transistor comprising a second gate, the second dopant region that forms a third source/drain region, and a third dopant region that forms a fourth source/drain region; and an additional fourth dopant region that connects to the first dopant region and extends partially under the first gate of the anti-fuse transistor, the additional fourth dopant region creating an additional current path for a read current a first contact to the first dopant region; a second contact to the second dopant region; and a conductive element connecting the first and the second contacts. 2. (canceled) 3. The OTP memory cell of claim 2, wherein the additional current path is activated with a first bias voltage applied to the first contact and a second current path is activated when the bias voltage is applied to the second contact. 4. The OTP memory cell of claim 1, further comprising a halo region between the first and the second dopant regions and disposed adjacent to the first dopant region and the additional fourth dopant region. 5. The OTP memory cell of claim 1, further comprising a halo region between the second and the third dopant regions and adjacent the second dopant region. 6. The OTP memory cell of claim 1, wherein the first dopant region, the second dopant region, the third dopant region, and the additional fourth dopant region are formed with a dopant or dopants having a first conductivity type. 7. The OTP memory cell of claim 1, wherein the OTP memory cell is included in a plurality of OTP memory cells in a memory array. 8-12. (canceled) 13. An electronic device, comprising:
a processing device; a memory array operatively connected to the processing device, the memory array comprising:
a one-time-programmable (OTP) memory cell, comprising:
an anti-fuse transistor comprising a first gate, a first dopant region that forms a first source/drain region, and a second dopant region that forms a second source/drain region;
a select transistor connected in series with the anti-fuse transistor, the select transistor comprising a second gate, the second dopant region that forms a third source/drain region, and a third dopant region that forms a fourth source/drain region;
an additional fourth dopant region that connects to the first dopant region and extends partially under the first gate of the anti-fuse transistor;
a first contact electrically connected to the first dopant region; and
a second contact electrically connected to the second dopant region, wherein the processing device is operable to cause a bias voltage to be applied to the first contact to activate an additional current path created by the additional fourth dopant region for a read current and to the second contact to activate a second current path for the read current. 14. The electronic device of claim 13, wherein the OTP memory cell further comprises a conductive element connected to the first and the second contacts. 15. The electronic device of claim 13, wherein the OTP memory cell further comprises a conductive element connected to one of the first contact or the second contact. 16. The electronic device of claim 13, wherein the OTP memory cell further comprises a halo region formed between the first and the second dopant regions and adjacent the first dopant region and the additional fourth dopant region. 17. The electronic device of claim 13, wherein the OTP memory cell further comprises a halo region formed between the second dopant region and the third dopant region and adjacent the second dopant region. 18. The electronic device of claim 13, wherein the first dopant region, the second dopant region, the third first dopant region, and the additional fourth dopant region are formed with a dopant or dopants having a first conductivity type. 19. The electronic device of claim 13, wherein a drain/source region of the anti-fuse transistor is connected to a floating region. 20. The electronic device of claim 13, further comprising:
a row select circuit operatively connected to one or more word lines in the memory array; and a column select circuit operatively connected to one or more bit lines in the memory array. 21. The OTP memory cell of claim 1, further comprising a bit line connected to the anti-fuse transistor and the select transistor. 22. The OTP memory cell of claim 1, further comprising a word line program signal line connected to the first gate of the anti-fuse transistor and a word line read signal line connected to the second gate of the select transistor. 23. A memory array, comprising:
a plurality of one-time-programmable (OTP) memory cells, each OTP memory cell comprising:
an anti-fuse transistor comprising a first gate, a first dopant region that forms a first source/drain region, and a second dopant region that forms a second source/drain region;
a select transistor connected in series with the anti-fuse transistor, the select transistor comprising a second gate, the second dopant region that forms a third source/drain region, and a third dopant region that forms a fourth source/drain region;
an additional fourth dopant region that connects to the first dopant region and extends partially under the first gate of the anti-fuse transistor;
a first contact electrically connected to the first dopant region;
a second contact electrically connected to the second dopant region; and
a conductive element connecting the first and the second contacts. 24. (canceled) 25. The memory array of claim 23, further comprising a bit line connected to the anti-fuse transistor and the select transistor. 26. The memory array of claim 23, further comprising a word line program signal line connected to the first gate of the anti-fuse transistor and a word line read signal line connected to the second gate of the select transistor. | 2,800 |
343,744 | 16,803,217 | 3,747 | A DEF injector is connected to the exhaust system of a vehicle upstream of an SCR catalyst, and is further connected to the ECU or DCU. An exhaust temperature sensor and an exhaust mass flow rate sensor are connected to the ECU or DCU, and further connected to the DEF injector. The ECU or DCU controls the DEF injector based on exhaust temperature and exhaust mass flow rate when the exhaust temperature is above a certain threshold. The DEF injector itself, or a dedicated DEF injector controller, overrides and/or supplements the control logic located within the ECU or DCU to control the DEF injector to inject DEF at reduced rates when the exhaust temperature and/or the exhaust mass flow rate are lower than the threshold for DEF injection set by the ECU or DCU. | 1. A vehicle having a Smart DEF Injector for Low Temperature Reductant Delivery, comprising:
an engine; an Engine Control Unit (ECU) or Diesel Control Unit (DCU) connected to the engine and configured to control the engine; an exhaust system connected to the engine; an SCR catalyst connected to the exhaust system; a Diesel Exhaust Fluid (DEF) injector connected to the exhaust system upstream of the SCR catalyst, and further connected to the ECU or DCU; an exhaust temperature sensor connected to the ECU or DCU, and further connected to the DEF injector; an exhaust mass flow rate sensor connected to the ECU or DCU, and further connected to the DEF injector; wherein: the ECU or DCU is further configured with control logic for controlling the DEF injector based on exhaust temperature information provided by the exhaust temperature sensor and exhaust mass flow rate information provided by the exhaust mass flow rate sensor; the DEF injector is configured with control logic and is configured to override and/or supplement the control logic located within the ECU or DCU; the control logic of the DEF injector uses exhaust temperature information provided by the exhaust temperature sensor and exhaust mass flow rate information provided by the exhaust mass flow rate sensor to control the DEF injector to inject DEF at reduced rates when the exhaust temperature and/or the exhaust mass flow rate are lower than a threshold for DEF injection set by the ECU or DCU. 2. The vehicle of claim 1, further comprising:
a dedicated DEF injector controller connected to the DEF injector, wherein: the exhaust temperature sensor is further connected to the DEF injector by way of the dedicated DEF injector controller; the exhaust mass flow rate sensor is further connected to the DEF injector by way of the dedicated DEF injector controller; and the control logic of the DEF injector resides within the dedicated DEF injector controller. 3. The vehicle of claim 2, wherein:
the dedicated DEF injector controller is further connected to the ECU or DCU. 4. The vehicle of claim 1, wherein:
the control logic of the DEF injector controls the DEF injector to inject DEF at reduced rates determined by setting an Excess Energy Ratio (EER) to a threshold value and solving for a mass flow rate of DEF. 5. The vehicle of claim 4, wherein:
the mass flow rate of DEF being determined as a percentage of fuel mass flow rate. 6. The vehicle of claim 1, wherein:
the DEF injector is a standard type DEF injector; and the threshold for DEF injection set by the ECU or DCU is 190 degrees Celsius. 7. The vehicle of claim 1, wherein:
the DEF injector is a flash-boil type DEF injector; and the threshold for DEF injection set by the ECU or DCU is 150 degrees Celsius. 8. A Smart DEF Injection Arrangement for Low Temperature Reductant Delivery for a vehicle having an engine, an Engine Control Unit (ECU) or Diesel Control Unit (DCU) connected to the engine and configured to control the engine, an exhaust system connected to the engine, and an SCR catalyst connected to the exhaust system, comprising:
a Diesel Exhaust Fluid (DEF) injector connected to the exhaust system upstream of the SCR catalyst, and further connected to the ECU or DCU; an exhaust temperature sensor connected to the ECU or DCU, and further connected to the DEF injector; an exhaust mass flow rate sensor connected to the ECU or DCU, and further connected to the DEF injector; wherein: the ECU or DCU is further configured with control logic for controlling the DEF injector based on exhaust temperature information provided by the exhaust temperature sensor and exhaust mass flow rate information provided by the exhaust mass flow rate sensor; the DEF injector is configured with control logic and is configured to override and/or supplement the control logic located within the ECU or DCU; the control logic of the DEF injector uses exhaust temperature information provided by the exhaust temperature sensor and exhaust mass flow rate information provided by the exhaust mass flow rate sensor to control the DEF injector to inject DEF at reduced rates when the exhaust temperature and/or the exhaust mass flow rate are lower than a threshold for DEF injection set by the ECU or DCU. 9. The arrangement of claim 8, further comprising:
a dedicated DEF injector controller connected to the DEF injector, wherein: the exhaust temperature sensor is further connected to the DEF injector by way of the dedicated DEF injector controller; the exhaust mass flow rate sensor is further connected to the DEF injector by way of the dedicated DEF injector controller; and the control logic of the DEF injector resides within the dedicated DEF injector controller. 10. The arrangement of claim 9, wherein:
the dedicated DEF injector controller is further connected to the ECU or DCU. 11. The arrangement of claim 8, wherein:
the control logic of the DEF injector controls the DEF injector to inject DEF at reduced rates determined by setting an Excess Energy Ratio (EER) to a threshold value and solving for a mass flow rate of DEF. 12. The arrangement of claim 11, wherein:
the mass flow rate of DEF being determined as a percentage of fuel mass flow rate. 13. The arrangement of claim 8, wherein:
the DEF injector is a standard type DEF injector; and the threshold for DEF injection set by the ECU or DCU is 190 degrees Celsius. 14. The arrangement of claim 8, wherein:
the DEF injector is a flash-boil type DEF injector; and the threshold for DEF injection set by the ECU or DCU is 150 degrees Celsius. 15. A method of reducing vehicle emissions in a vehicle having an engine, comprising the steps of:
connecting an Engine Control Unit (ECU) or Diesel Control Unit (DCU) to the engine and configuring the ECU or DCU to control the engine; connecting an exhaust system to the engine; connecting an SCR catalyst to the exhaust system; connecting a Diesel Exhaust Fluid (DEF) injector to the exhaust system upstream of the SCR catalyst, and further connecting the DEF injector to the ECU or DCU; connecting an exhaust temperature sensor to the ECU or DCU, and to the DEF injector; connecting an exhaust mass flow rate sensor to the ECU or DCU, and to the DEF injector; configuring the ECU or DCU with control logic for controlling the DEF injector based on exhaust temperature information provided by the exhaust temperature sensor and exhaust mass flow rate information provided by the exhaust mass flow rate sensor; configuring the DEF injector with control logic for overriding and/or supplementing the control logic configured within the ECU or DCU; controlling the DEF injector to inject DEF at reduced rates when the exhaust temperature and/or the exhaust mass flow rate are lower than a threshold for DEF injection set by the ECU or DCU, using the control logic of the DEF injector, exhaust temperature information provided by the exhaust temperature sensor, and exhaust mass flow rate information provided by the exhaust mass flow rate sensor 16. The method of claim 15, further comprising the steps of:
connecting a dedicated DEF injector controller to the DEF injector; further connecting the exhaust temperature sensor to the DEF injector by way of the dedicated DEF injector controller; further connecting the exhaust mass flow rate sensor to the DEF injector by way of the dedicated DEF injector controller; and configuring the control logic of the DEF injector within the dedicated DEF injector controller. 17. The method of claim 16, further comprising the steps of:
further connecting the dedicated DEF injector controller to the ECU or DCU. 18. The method of claim 15, further comprising the steps of:
controlling the DEF injector to inject DEF at reduced rates determined by setting an Excess Energy Ratio (EER) to a threshold value and solving for a mass flow rate of DEF using the control logic of the DEF injector. 19. The method of claim 15, wherein:
the DEF injector is a standard type DEF injector; and the threshold for DEF injection set by the ECU or DCU is 190 degrees Celsius. 20. The method of claim 15, wherein:
the DEF injector is a flash-boil type DEF injector; and the threshold for DEF injection set by the ECU or DCU is 150 degrees Celsius. | A DEF injector is connected to the exhaust system of a vehicle upstream of an SCR catalyst, and is further connected to the ECU or DCU. An exhaust temperature sensor and an exhaust mass flow rate sensor are connected to the ECU or DCU, and further connected to the DEF injector. The ECU or DCU controls the DEF injector based on exhaust temperature and exhaust mass flow rate when the exhaust temperature is above a certain threshold. The DEF injector itself, or a dedicated DEF injector controller, overrides and/or supplements the control logic located within the ECU or DCU to control the DEF injector to inject DEF at reduced rates when the exhaust temperature and/or the exhaust mass flow rate are lower than the threshold for DEF injection set by the ECU or DCU.1. A vehicle having a Smart DEF Injector for Low Temperature Reductant Delivery, comprising:
an engine; an Engine Control Unit (ECU) or Diesel Control Unit (DCU) connected to the engine and configured to control the engine; an exhaust system connected to the engine; an SCR catalyst connected to the exhaust system; a Diesel Exhaust Fluid (DEF) injector connected to the exhaust system upstream of the SCR catalyst, and further connected to the ECU or DCU; an exhaust temperature sensor connected to the ECU or DCU, and further connected to the DEF injector; an exhaust mass flow rate sensor connected to the ECU or DCU, and further connected to the DEF injector; wherein: the ECU or DCU is further configured with control logic for controlling the DEF injector based on exhaust temperature information provided by the exhaust temperature sensor and exhaust mass flow rate information provided by the exhaust mass flow rate sensor; the DEF injector is configured with control logic and is configured to override and/or supplement the control logic located within the ECU or DCU; the control logic of the DEF injector uses exhaust temperature information provided by the exhaust temperature sensor and exhaust mass flow rate information provided by the exhaust mass flow rate sensor to control the DEF injector to inject DEF at reduced rates when the exhaust temperature and/or the exhaust mass flow rate are lower than a threshold for DEF injection set by the ECU or DCU. 2. The vehicle of claim 1, further comprising:
a dedicated DEF injector controller connected to the DEF injector, wherein: the exhaust temperature sensor is further connected to the DEF injector by way of the dedicated DEF injector controller; the exhaust mass flow rate sensor is further connected to the DEF injector by way of the dedicated DEF injector controller; and the control logic of the DEF injector resides within the dedicated DEF injector controller. 3. The vehicle of claim 2, wherein:
the dedicated DEF injector controller is further connected to the ECU or DCU. 4. The vehicle of claim 1, wherein:
the control logic of the DEF injector controls the DEF injector to inject DEF at reduced rates determined by setting an Excess Energy Ratio (EER) to a threshold value and solving for a mass flow rate of DEF. 5. The vehicle of claim 4, wherein:
the mass flow rate of DEF being determined as a percentage of fuel mass flow rate. 6. The vehicle of claim 1, wherein:
the DEF injector is a standard type DEF injector; and the threshold for DEF injection set by the ECU or DCU is 190 degrees Celsius. 7. The vehicle of claim 1, wherein:
the DEF injector is a flash-boil type DEF injector; and the threshold for DEF injection set by the ECU or DCU is 150 degrees Celsius. 8. A Smart DEF Injection Arrangement for Low Temperature Reductant Delivery for a vehicle having an engine, an Engine Control Unit (ECU) or Diesel Control Unit (DCU) connected to the engine and configured to control the engine, an exhaust system connected to the engine, and an SCR catalyst connected to the exhaust system, comprising:
a Diesel Exhaust Fluid (DEF) injector connected to the exhaust system upstream of the SCR catalyst, and further connected to the ECU or DCU; an exhaust temperature sensor connected to the ECU or DCU, and further connected to the DEF injector; an exhaust mass flow rate sensor connected to the ECU or DCU, and further connected to the DEF injector; wherein: the ECU or DCU is further configured with control logic for controlling the DEF injector based on exhaust temperature information provided by the exhaust temperature sensor and exhaust mass flow rate information provided by the exhaust mass flow rate sensor; the DEF injector is configured with control logic and is configured to override and/or supplement the control logic located within the ECU or DCU; the control logic of the DEF injector uses exhaust temperature information provided by the exhaust temperature sensor and exhaust mass flow rate information provided by the exhaust mass flow rate sensor to control the DEF injector to inject DEF at reduced rates when the exhaust temperature and/or the exhaust mass flow rate are lower than a threshold for DEF injection set by the ECU or DCU. 9. The arrangement of claim 8, further comprising:
a dedicated DEF injector controller connected to the DEF injector, wherein: the exhaust temperature sensor is further connected to the DEF injector by way of the dedicated DEF injector controller; the exhaust mass flow rate sensor is further connected to the DEF injector by way of the dedicated DEF injector controller; and the control logic of the DEF injector resides within the dedicated DEF injector controller. 10. The arrangement of claim 9, wherein:
the dedicated DEF injector controller is further connected to the ECU or DCU. 11. The arrangement of claim 8, wherein:
the control logic of the DEF injector controls the DEF injector to inject DEF at reduced rates determined by setting an Excess Energy Ratio (EER) to a threshold value and solving for a mass flow rate of DEF. 12. The arrangement of claim 11, wherein:
the mass flow rate of DEF being determined as a percentage of fuel mass flow rate. 13. The arrangement of claim 8, wherein:
the DEF injector is a standard type DEF injector; and the threshold for DEF injection set by the ECU or DCU is 190 degrees Celsius. 14. The arrangement of claim 8, wherein:
the DEF injector is a flash-boil type DEF injector; and the threshold for DEF injection set by the ECU or DCU is 150 degrees Celsius. 15. A method of reducing vehicle emissions in a vehicle having an engine, comprising the steps of:
connecting an Engine Control Unit (ECU) or Diesel Control Unit (DCU) to the engine and configuring the ECU or DCU to control the engine; connecting an exhaust system to the engine; connecting an SCR catalyst to the exhaust system; connecting a Diesel Exhaust Fluid (DEF) injector to the exhaust system upstream of the SCR catalyst, and further connecting the DEF injector to the ECU or DCU; connecting an exhaust temperature sensor to the ECU or DCU, and to the DEF injector; connecting an exhaust mass flow rate sensor to the ECU or DCU, and to the DEF injector; configuring the ECU or DCU with control logic for controlling the DEF injector based on exhaust temperature information provided by the exhaust temperature sensor and exhaust mass flow rate information provided by the exhaust mass flow rate sensor; configuring the DEF injector with control logic for overriding and/or supplementing the control logic configured within the ECU or DCU; controlling the DEF injector to inject DEF at reduced rates when the exhaust temperature and/or the exhaust mass flow rate are lower than a threshold for DEF injection set by the ECU or DCU, using the control logic of the DEF injector, exhaust temperature information provided by the exhaust temperature sensor, and exhaust mass flow rate information provided by the exhaust mass flow rate sensor 16. The method of claim 15, further comprising the steps of:
connecting a dedicated DEF injector controller to the DEF injector; further connecting the exhaust temperature sensor to the DEF injector by way of the dedicated DEF injector controller; further connecting the exhaust mass flow rate sensor to the DEF injector by way of the dedicated DEF injector controller; and configuring the control logic of the DEF injector within the dedicated DEF injector controller. 17. The method of claim 16, further comprising the steps of:
further connecting the dedicated DEF injector controller to the ECU or DCU. 18. The method of claim 15, further comprising the steps of:
controlling the DEF injector to inject DEF at reduced rates determined by setting an Excess Energy Ratio (EER) to a threshold value and solving for a mass flow rate of DEF using the control logic of the DEF injector. 19. The method of claim 15, wherein:
the DEF injector is a standard type DEF injector; and the threshold for DEF injection set by the ECU or DCU is 190 degrees Celsius. 20. The method of claim 15, wherein:
the DEF injector is a flash-boil type DEF injector; and the threshold for DEF injection set by the ECU or DCU is 150 degrees Celsius. | 3,700 |
343,745 | 16,803,199 | 3,747 | There is provided a system for managing a table game in which management for which cards are certainly discarded after being used without being dispersed in a unit of packages in which they are packaged is realized in a unit for cartons for discard. The system for managing a table game according to the present invention stores information on carton IDs read by an ID card reader, and a moving apparatus of the carton for discard for accepting discarded cards in different areas in a unit of packages is provided below an outlet of a game table. The moving apparatus is provided with an X-Y table moving the carton for discard in an X-Y direction, and the carton for discard is mounted and fixed on the X-Y table. | 1. A system for managing a table game, comprising:
an ID code reader; a management controller; and a carton, wherein:
the ID code reader is configured to read respective unique shuffle card IDs attached to respective packages in which a predetermined number of respective decks of shuffled cards are packaged;
the management controller is configured to store information on the shuffle card IDs of the packages read by the ID code reader;
the carton includes a plurality of discard areas that each is structured to accept all cards of the predetermined number of decks of a respective one of the packages after at least some of the cards are (a) distributed onto the game table by a dealing shoe that is configured to accept the cards of the predetermined number of decks taken out from the respective package, (b) used in a game, and (c) then inserted into an outlet of the game table;
the system is configured for the plurality of discard areas to be used sequentially for the acceptance of the cards; and
the management controller is configured to store in association with each other:
(a) the shuffle card IDs of the packages whose cards used in the game are accepted in the carton; and
(b) (i) information on a sequence, on a package basis, in which the cards were accepted in the carton, or (ii) addresses of the discard areas in which the cards of the respective packages whose shuffle card IDs were accepted. 2. The system for managing a table game according to claim 1, wherein card accepting holes for sequentially accepting the cards from the outlet of the game table are provided in an upper portion of the carton and have a dimension too small for insertion of a hand into the card accepting holes. 3. The system for managing a table game according to claim 1, further comprising an outlet cover that (a) covers the outlet of the game table, (b) has a slit, and (c) is configured to open the slit when cards need to be inserted through the slit. 4. The system for managing a table game according to claim 1, further comprising a carton mover, wherein the carton mover is configured to move the carton into a plurality of positions at each of which a respective one of the plurality of discard areas of the carton is positioned for acceptance of cards from the outlet of the game table. 5. The system for managing a table game according to claim 1, further comprising a distributor arranged above the carton, wherein the distributor is configured to accept the discarded cards from the outlet of the game table and distribute the cards the distributor has accepted into different ones of the plurality of discard areas as respective units corresponding to the packages. 6. The system for managing a table game according to claim 4, wherein for each of the packages whose use has ended:
the dealing shoe is configured to transmit a signal for package exchange when the use of the respective package has ended, indicating that acceptance of cards of the respective package in a respective one of the plurality of discard areas ends; and the management controller is configured to responsively perform a control by which to the carton moves or a distributor is operated, thereby switching from the respective one of the plurality of discard areas to another one of the plurality of discard areas. 7. The system for managing a table game according to claim 4, wherein the management controller is configured to perform a control by which the carton moves or a distributer for switching between the plurality of discard areas is operated, the control including at least one of:
(1) transmitting a signal when the ID code reader reads a shuffle card ID attached to a package; (2) transmitting a signal when the dealing shoe sets one of the packages and a lid of the dealing shoe is closed; and (3) transmitting a signal in response to passage of a predetermined time period from when a cut card of one of the packages, which is in use, is reached, the cut card indicating to switch to use of another one of the packages and that all remaining ones of the cards of the in-use one of the packages are to be removed from the dealing shoe and the game table. 8. The system for managing a table game according to claim 1, further comprising an area moving button that, when pressed, causes a signal to be transmitted, in response to which the management controller is configured to apparatus perform a control under which the carton moves or a distributer for switching between the plurality of discard areas is operated. 9. The system for managing a table game according to claim 2, further comprising an opening and closing lid that covers the card accepting holes of the carton, wherein the opening and closing lid is configured to transition by a key between a locked state in which cards in the carton cannot be removed from the carton and an unlocked state in which the cards in the carton can be removed from the carton. 10. The system for managing a table game according to claim 2, wherein:
the card accepting holes are detachable from an upper opening of the carton; and the system for managing a table game further comprises an opening and closing lid that covers the upper opening and that is configured to transition by a key between a locked state in which cards in the carton cannot be removed from the carton and an unlocked state in which the cards in the carton can be removed from the carton. 11. The system for managing a table game according to claim 1, comprising a carton cabinet configured to store the carton. 12. The system for managing a table game according to claim 1, further comprising an ID printer, wherein the ID printer is configured to print out information of the shuffle card IDs, wherein, for each of the plurality of discard areas, the system is configured for attachment, to the respective discard area, of the printed out information of the respective card ID of the respective package whose cards are accepted in the respective discard area. 13. The system for managing a table game according to claim 1, wherein, for each of the plurality of discard areas, the system is configured for a respective package ID attached to a respective one of the packages whose cards are accepted in the respective discard area to be cut from the respective package and inserted into and stored in the respective discard are. 14. The system for managing a table game according to claim 1, wherein a processor of the system is configured to determine an abnormality in a proceeding of the game, and the management controller is configured to store a respective one of the shuffle card ID, which corresponds to one of the packages which was being used at a time of the determination, in association with information and/or the time of the determination of the abnormality. 15. The system for managing a table game according to claim 14, wherein:
the processor is configured to transmit an error signal to the management controller at the time of the determination of the abnormality; and the management controller is configured to store the information of the abnormality in association with the respective shuffle card ID when the management controller receives the error signal. 16. The system for managing a table game according to claim 14, wherein the abnormality includes detection by the dealing shoe and a loss to a casino that is higher than a predefined threshold. 17. The system for managing a table game according to claim 1, wherein the management controller includes at least one processor, the at least one processor being configured to:
analyze images obtained by one or more cameras during the game and thereby determine:
whether the cards that were distributed from the dealing shoe and used in the game are inserted into the outlet;
whether any of cards that were remaining in the dealing shoe without being used in the game are inserted into the outlet; and
whether any of the cards that were used in the game and any of the cards that were remaining in the dealing shoe do not exist; and
transmit an error signal responsive to determining an abnormality in any of the determination. 18. The system for managing a table game according to claim 17, wherein the one or more cameras includes at least two cameras. 19. The system for managing a table game according to claim 17, wherein the at least one processor is configured to:
determine whether a number of cards taken out from a respective one of the packages and used in the game is excessive or deficient using a result of the analysis; and responsive to a result of the determination regarding the number of cards being that the number of cards is excessive or deficient, generate an error signal. 20. The system for managing a table game according to claim 1, wherein super-area of the carton is divided into the plurality of discard areas in one or both of longitudinal and transverse directions. 21. The system for managing a table game according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of discard areas are arranged in a 1×9, 2×5, or 3×3 formation with respect to longitudinal and transverse directions. 22. The system for managing a table game according to claim 1, wherein at least one processor of the system is configured to:
determine a win/loss result of the game, which is played using the dealing shoe; determine whether the win/loss result has a statistical abnormality; and transmit an error signal responsive to the statistical abnormality. 23. The system for managing a table game according to claim 14, wherein the system is configured to display an error on the dealing shoe when the abnormality is determined. 24. The system for managing a table game according to claim 1, wherein a processor of the system is configured to determine an abnormality in a proceeding of the game, and the management controller is configured to store error information regarding the abnormality in association with a respective one of the shuffle card IDs, which corresponds to one of the packages which was being used at a time of the determination. 25. The system for managing a table game according to claim 1, wherein a carton ID is attached to the carton, and the management controller is configured to store the carton ID in association with the shuffle card IDs of the packages whose of cards are discarded into the carton. 26. The system for managing a table game according to claim 25, wherein the management controller is configured to store respective carton IDs of other cartons in association with respective shuffle card IDs of respective packages whose cards were respectively accepted into the respective other cartons. 27. The system for managing a table game according to claim 1, wherein the management controller is configured to store a carton ID of the carton in association with:
a case ID of a case from which the packages were taken out for use in the game prior to the acceptance of the cards of the packages by the carton; and the shuffle card IDs of the packages whose cards were accepted into the carton. 28. The system for managing a table game according to claim 1, wherein the management controller is configured to:
determine whether a number of the packages whose cards have been accepted into the carton corresponds to a number of packages taken out from a case for use in the game to identify an abnormality; and generate an error signal in response to the abnormality. 29. The system for managing a table game according to claim 1, further comprising a printer, wherein the management controller is configured to print out information regarding the carton using the printer, and the carton is configured for attachment of the printout to the carton. 30. A carton, comprising:
an area divided, in one or both of longitudinal and transverse directions, into a plurality of sub-areas that each is structured to accept all cards of a predetermined number of decks of playing cards packaged in a respective one of a plurality of packages after at least some of the cards are (a) distributed onto a game table by a dealing shoe that is configured to accept the cards of the predetermined number of decks taken out from the respective package, (b) used in a game, and (c) then inserted into an outlet of the game table, wherein the plurality of sub-areas are arranged for the sub-areas to be used sequentially for the acceptance of the cards inserted into the outlet of the game table; and card accepting holes via which the cards inserted into the outlet of the game table are accepted into the sub-areas of the carton, wherein the card accepting holes are provided in an upper portion of the carton and are dimensioned such that they are each too small to insert a hand into the respective card accepting hole. 31. The carton for discard according to claim 30, wherein:
printed-out ID information regarding the packages whose cards are accepted into respective ones of the sub-areas of the carton is attached to or accepted in the respective sub-areas of the carton for discard; or package IDs attached to the packages whose cards are accepted into respective ones of the sub-areas are cut and inserted and stored into the respective sub-areas of the carton. 32. The carton for discard according to claim 30, wherein:
the carton includes or is configured to be coupled to a carton mover; and the carton mover is configured to move the carton into a plurality of positions at each of which a respective one of the plurality of sub-areas of the carton is positioned acceptance of cards from the outlet of the game table. 33. The system for managing a table game according to claim 1, wherein the management controller is configured to store each of the shuffle card IDs of the packages whose cards were accepted into the carton in association with respective information specifying the respective ones of the plurality of discard areas into which the cards of the respective packages are accepted. | There is provided a system for managing a table game in which management for which cards are certainly discarded after being used without being dispersed in a unit of packages in which they are packaged is realized in a unit for cartons for discard. The system for managing a table game according to the present invention stores information on carton IDs read by an ID card reader, and a moving apparatus of the carton for discard for accepting discarded cards in different areas in a unit of packages is provided below an outlet of a game table. The moving apparatus is provided with an X-Y table moving the carton for discard in an X-Y direction, and the carton for discard is mounted and fixed on the X-Y table.1. A system for managing a table game, comprising:
an ID code reader; a management controller; and a carton, wherein:
the ID code reader is configured to read respective unique shuffle card IDs attached to respective packages in which a predetermined number of respective decks of shuffled cards are packaged;
the management controller is configured to store information on the shuffle card IDs of the packages read by the ID code reader;
the carton includes a plurality of discard areas that each is structured to accept all cards of the predetermined number of decks of a respective one of the packages after at least some of the cards are (a) distributed onto the game table by a dealing shoe that is configured to accept the cards of the predetermined number of decks taken out from the respective package, (b) used in a game, and (c) then inserted into an outlet of the game table;
the system is configured for the plurality of discard areas to be used sequentially for the acceptance of the cards; and
the management controller is configured to store in association with each other:
(a) the shuffle card IDs of the packages whose cards used in the game are accepted in the carton; and
(b) (i) information on a sequence, on a package basis, in which the cards were accepted in the carton, or (ii) addresses of the discard areas in which the cards of the respective packages whose shuffle card IDs were accepted. 2. The system for managing a table game according to claim 1, wherein card accepting holes for sequentially accepting the cards from the outlet of the game table are provided in an upper portion of the carton and have a dimension too small for insertion of a hand into the card accepting holes. 3. The system for managing a table game according to claim 1, further comprising an outlet cover that (a) covers the outlet of the game table, (b) has a slit, and (c) is configured to open the slit when cards need to be inserted through the slit. 4. The system for managing a table game according to claim 1, further comprising a carton mover, wherein the carton mover is configured to move the carton into a plurality of positions at each of which a respective one of the plurality of discard areas of the carton is positioned for acceptance of cards from the outlet of the game table. 5. The system for managing a table game according to claim 1, further comprising a distributor arranged above the carton, wherein the distributor is configured to accept the discarded cards from the outlet of the game table and distribute the cards the distributor has accepted into different ones of the plurality of discard areas as respective units corresponding to the packages. 6. The system for managing a table game according to claim 4, wherein for each of the packages whose use has ended:
the dealing shoe is configured to transmit a signal for package exchange when the use of the respective package has ended, indicating that acceptance of cards of the respective package in a respective one of the plurality of discard areas ends; and the management controller is configured to responsively perform a control by which to the carton moves or a distributor is operated, thereby switching from the respective one of the plurality of discard areas to another one of the plurality of discard areas. 7. The system for managing a table game according to claim 4, wherein the management controller is configured to perform a control by which the carton moves or a distributer for switching between the plurality of discard areas is operated, the control including at least one of:
(1) transmitting a signal when the ID code reader reads a shuffle card ID attached to a package; (2) transmitting a signal when the dealing shoe sets one of the packages and a lid of the dealing shoe is closed; and (3) transmitting a signal in response to passage of a predetermined time period from when a cut card of one of the packages, which is in use, is reached, the cut card indicating to switch to use of another one of the packages and that all remaining ones of the cards of the in-use one of the packages are to be removed from the dealing shoe and the game table. 8. The system for managing a table game according to claim 1, further comprising an area moving button that, when pressed, causes a signal to be transmitted, in response to which the management controller is configured to apparatus perform a control under which the carton moves or a distributer for switching between the plurality of discard areas is operated. 9. The system for managing a table game according to claim 2, further comprising an opening and closing lid that covers the card accepting holes of the carton, wherein the opening and closing lid is configured to transition by a key between a locked state in which cards in the carton cannot be removed from the carton and an unlocked state in which the cards in the carton can be removed from the carton. 10. The system for managing a table game according to claim 2, wherein:
the card accepting holes are detachable from an upper opening of the carton; and the system for managing a table game further comprises an opening and closing lid that covers the upper opening and that is configured to transition by a key between a locked state in which cards in the carton cannot be removed from the carton and an unlocked state in which the cards in the carton can be removed from the carton. 11. The system for managing a table game according to claim 1, comprising a carton cabinet configured to store the carton. 12. The system for managing a table game according to claim 1, further comprising an ID printer, wherein the ID printer is configured to print out information of the shuffle card IDs, wherein, for each of the plurality of discard areas, the system is configured for attachment, to the respective discard area, of the printed out information of the respective card ID of the respective package whose cards are accepted in the respective discard area. 13. The system for managing a table game according to claim 1, wherein, for each of the plurality of discard areas, the system is configured for a respective package ID attached to a respective one of the packages whose cards are accepted in the respective discard area to be cut from the respective package and inserted into and stored in the respective discard are. 14. The system for managing a table game according to claim 1, wherein a processor of the system is configured to determine an abnormality in a proceeding of the game, and the management controller is configured to store a respective one of the shuffle card ID, which corresponds to one of the packages which was being used at a time of the determination, in association with information and/or the time of the determination of the abnormality. 15. The system for managing a table game according to claim 14, wherein:
the processor is configured to transmit an error signal to the management controller at the time of the determination of the abnormality; and the management controller is configured to store the information of the abnormality in association with the respective shuffle card ID when the management controller receives the error signal. 16. The system for managing a table game according to claim 14, wherein the abnormality includes detection by the dealing shoe and a loss to a casino that is higher than a predefined threshold. 17. The system for managing a table game according to claim 1, wherein the management controller includes at least one processor, the at least one processor being configured to:
analyze images obtained by one or more cameras during the game and thereby determine:
whether the cards that were distributed from the dealing shoe and used in the game are inserted into the outlet;
whether any of cards that were remaining in the dealing shoe without being used in the game are inserted into the outlet; and
whether any of the cards that were used in the game and any of the cards that were remaining in the dealing shoe do not exist; and
transmit an error signal responsive to determining an abnormality in any of the determination. 18. The system for managing a table game according to claim 17, wherein the one or more cameras includes at least two cameras. 19. The system for managing a table game according to claim 17, wherein the at least one processor is configured to:
determine whether a number of cards taken out from a respective one of the packages and used in the game is excessive or deficient using a result of the analysis; and responsive to a result of the determination regarding the number of cards being that the number of cards is excessive or deficient, generate an error signal. 20. The system for managing a table game according to claim 1, wherein super-area of the carton is divided into the plurality of discard areas in one or both of longitudinal and transverse directions. 21. The system for managing a table game according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of discard areas are arranged in a 1×9, 2×5, or 3×3 formation with respect to longitudinal and transverse directions. 22. The system for managing a table game according to claim 1, wherein at least one processor of the system is configured to:
determine a win/loss result of the game, which is played using the dealing shoe; determine whether the win/loss result has a statistical abnormality; and transmit an error signal responsive to the statistical abnormality. 23. The system for managing a table game according to claim 14, wherein the system is configured to display an error on the dealing shoe when the abnormality is determined. 24. The system for managing a table game according to claim 1, wherein a processor of the system is configured to determine an abnormality in a proceeding of the game, and the management controller is configured to store error information regarding the abnormality in association with a respective one of the shuffle card IDs, which corresponds to one of the packages which was being used at a time of the determination. 25. The system for managing a table game according to claim 1, wherein a carton ID is attached to the carton, and the management controller is configured to store the carton ID in association with the shuffle card IDs of the packages whose of cards are discarded into the carton. 26. The system for managing a table game according to claim 25, wherein the management controller is configured to store respective carton IDs of other cartons in association with respective shuffle card IDs of respective packages whose cards were respectively accepted into the respective other cartons. 27. The system for managing a table game according to claim 1, wherein the management controller is configured to store a carton ID of the carton in association with:
a case ID of a case from which the packages were taken out for use in the game prior to the acceptance of the cards of the packages by the carton; and the shuffle card IDs of the packages whose cards were accepted into the carton. 28. The system for managing a table game according to claim 1, wherein the management controller is configured to:
determine whether a number of the packages whose cards have been accepted into the carton corresponds to a number of packages taken out from a case for use in the game to identify an abnormality; and generate an error signal in response to the abnormality. 29. The system for managing a table game according to claim 1, further comprising a printer, wherein the management controller is configured to print out information regarding the carton using the printer, and the carton is configured for attachment of the printout to the carton. 30. A carton, comprising:
an area divided, in one or both of longitudinal and transverse directions, into a plurality of sub-areas that each is structured to accept all cards of a predetermined number of decks of playing cards packaged in a respective one of a plurality of packages after at least some of the cards are (a) distributed onto a game table by a dealing shoe that is configured to accept the cards of the predetermined number of decks taken out from the respective package, (b) used in a game, and (c) then inserted into an outlet of the game table, wherein the plurality of sub-areas are arranged for the sub-areas to be used sequentially for the acceptance of the cards inserted into the outlet of the game table; and card accepting holes via which the cards inserted into the outlet of the game table are accepted into the sub-areas of the carton, wherein the card accepting holes are provided in an upper portion of the carton and are dimensioned such that they are each too small to insert a hand into the respective card accepting hole. 31. The carton for discard according to claim 30, wherein:
printed-out ID information regarding the packages whose cards are accepted into respective ones of the sub-areas of the carton is attached to or accepted in the respective sub-areas of the carton for discard; or package IDs attached to the packages whose cards are accepted into respective ones of the sub-areas are cut and inserted and stored into the respective sub-areas of the carton. 32. The carton for discard according to claim 30, wherein:
the carton includes or is configured to be coupled to a carton mover; and the carton mover is configured to move the carton into a plurality of positions at each of which a respective one of the plurality of sub-areas of the carton is positioned acceptance of cards from the outlet of the game table. 33. The system for managing a table game according to claim 1, wherein the management controller is configured to store each of the shuffle card IDs of the packages whose cards were accepted into the carton in association with respective information specifying the respective ones of the plurality of discard areas into which the cards of the respective packages are accepted. | 3,700 |
343,746 | 16,803,149 | 3,747 | A system for fracturing an underground formation includes a flexible pipe receiving a high pressure slurry from a missile outlet, the flexible pipe including one or more sections arranged in series. The system also includes a connector secured to an end of the flexible pipe, the connector adapted to fluidly couple the flexible pipe to one or more fracturing trees of a plurality of fracturing trees associated with a wellbore, wherein the flexible pipe directs the high pressure slurry into the wellbore, via the one or more fracturing trees, the flexible pipe being movable between respective fracturing tree inlets of the plurality of fracturing trees. | 1. A system for fracturing an underground formation, comprising:
a flexible pipe receiving a high pressure slurry from a missile outlet, the flexible pipe including one or more sections arranged in series; and a connector secured to an end of the flexible pipe, the connector adapted to fluidly couple the flexible pipe to one or more fracturing trees of a plurality of fracturing trees associated with a wellbore, wherein the flexible pipe directs the high pressure slurry into the wellbore, via the one or more fracturing trees, the flexible pipe being movable between respective fracturing tree inlets of the plurality of fracturing trees. 2. The system of claim 1, further comprising:
a plurality of pumps, each outlet of each pump of the plurality of pumps coupled to a missile, wherein the flexible pipe is used to direct the high pressure slurry to each fracturing tree of the plurality of fracturing trees. 3. The system of claim 1, further comprising:
a cradle arranged proximate an inlet of the fracturing tree, the cradle receiving and supporting the flexible pipe. 4. The system of claim 3, wherein the cradle further comprises:
an inner surface shaped to conform to an outer surface of the flexible pipe; and adjustable legs for changing a height of the inner surface relative to a ground plane. 5. The system of claim 1, wherein the connector is at least one of flange ends, clamps, an automated connector, a remoted connector, or a hydraulic connector. 6. The system of claim 1, further comprising:
a lifting mechanism configured to move the flexible pipe between a first location and a second location. 7. The system of claim 1, wherein the connector is a hydraulic connector, further comprising:
a hydraulic connection system coupled to an inlet of the frac tree, the hydraulic connection system having an opening fluidly coupled to a bore extending through the frac tree; and a mating stump coupled to the flexible pipe, the mating stump adapted to enter the opening. 8. The system of claim 1, wherein the flexible pipe includes a plurality of layers, the plurality of layers including at least one metallic layer and at least one thermoplastic layer. 9. A method for fracturing an underground formation, comprising:
coupling a first end of a first flexible pipe segment to an outlet of a high pressure fluid collection system, the high pressure fluid collection system receiving the high pressure fluid from one or more pump outlets; coupling a second end of a second flexible pipe segment to a first inlet of a first fracturing tree; disconnecting the second end of the second flexible pipe segment from the first inlet of the first fracturing tree, after a fracturing operation is performed via the first fracturing tree; moving the second end of the second flexible pipe segment to a second inlet of a second fracturing tree; and coupling the second end of the second flexible pipe segment to the second inlet of the second fracturing tree. 10. The method of claim 9, further comprising:
positioning at least a portion of the second flexible pipe segment within a cradle. 11. The method of claim 9, wherein moving the second end of the second flexible pipe segment further comprises:
engaging at least a portion of at least one of the first or second flexible pipe segments via a lifting mechanism. 12. The method of claim 11, wherein the lifting mechanism is a crane positioned outside a pressure zone of at least one of the first fracturing tree or the second fracturing tree. 13. The method of claim 11, wherein coupling the second end of the second flexible pipe segment to the first inlet of the first fracturing tree further comprises:
aligning a connector of the second flexible pipe segment with the first inlet; and securing the second flexible pipe segment to the first inlet via the connector. 14. The method of claim 11, further comprising:
adjusting a working length of at least one of the first or second flexible pipe segments between the first fracturing tree and the second fracturing tree. 15. The method of claim 11, wherein at least one of the first fracturing tree or the second fracturing tree comprises a hydraulic connector, further comprising:
aligning the second end of the second flexible pipe segment with an opening in the connector; positioning at least a portion of the second end of the second flexible pipe segment within the opening; and engaging one or more hydraulic features of the hydraulic connector to secure the second end of the second flexible pipe segment within the opening. 16. The method of claim 11, further comprising:
connecting a plurality of high pressure fluid collection systems to the first end of the first flexible pipe segment. 17. A system for hydraulic fracturing operations, comprising:
a plurality of high pressure fracturing pumps positioned at a well site, each pump of the plurality of high pressure fracturing pumps receiving a fluid from a supply source; a missile receiving high pressure fluid from each pump of the plurality of high pressure fracturing pumps; a plurality of fracturing trees; and one or more flexible pipe segments forming a flow path between the missile and at least one fracturing tree of the plurality of fracturing trees, wherein coupling end of the one or more flexible pipe segments is configurable to be moved to adjust the flow path between each fracturing tree of the plurality of fracturing trees. 18. The system of claim 17, further comprising:
a cradle arranged proximate an inlet of at least one fracturing tree of the plurality of fracturing trees, the cradle receiving and supporting the flexible pipe. 19. The system of claim 17, further comprising:
a lifting mechanism, positioned at the well site, configured to engage and move at least a portion of the flexible pipe. 20. The system of claim 17, wherein the flexible pipe is supported by a spool. | A system for fracturing an underground formation includes a flexible pipe receiving a high pressure slurry from a missile outlet, the flexible pipe including one or more sections arranged in series. The system also includes a connector secured to an end of the flexible pipe, the connector adapted to fluidly couple the flexible pipe to one or more fracturing trees of a plurality of fracturing trees associated with a wellbore, wherein the flexible pipe directs the high pressure slurry into the wellbore, via the one or more fracturing trees, the flexible pipe being movable between respective fracturing tree inlets of the plurality of fracturing trees.1. A system for fracturing an underground formation, comprising:
a flexible pipe receiving a high pressure slurry from a missile outlet, the flexible pipe including one or more sections arranged in series; and a connector secured to an end of the flexible pipe, the connector adapted to fluidly couple the flexible pipe to one or more fracturing trees of a plurality of fracturing trees associated with a wellbore, wherein the flexible pipe directs the high pressure slurry into the wellbore, via the one or more fracturing trees, the flexible pipe being movable between respective fracturing tree inlets of the plurality of fracturing trees. 2. The system of claim 1, further comprising:
a plurality of pumps, each outlet of each pump of the plurality of pumps coupled to a missile, wherein the flexible pipe is used to direct the high pressure slurry to each fracturing tree of the plurality of fracturing trees. 3. The system of claim 1, further comprising:
a cradle arranged proximate an inlet of the fracturing tree, the cradle receiving and supporting the flexible pipe. 4. The system of claim 3, wherein the cradle further comprises:
an inner surface shaped to conform to an outer surface of the flexible pipe; and adjustable legs for changing a height of the inner surface relative to a ground plane. 5. The system of claim 1, wherein the connector is at least one of flange ends, clamps, an automated connector, a remoted connector, or a hydraulic connector. 6. The system of claim 1, further comprising:
a lifting mechanism configured to move the flexible pipe between a first location and a second location. 7. The system of claim 1, wherein the connector is a hydraulic connector, further comprising:
a hydraulic connection system coupled to an inlet of the frac tree, the hydraulic connection system having an opening fluidly coupled to a bore extending through the frac tree; and a mating stump coupled to the flexible pipe, the mating stump adapted to enter the opening. 8. The system of claim 1, wherein the flexible pipe includes a plurality of layers, the plurality of layers including at least one metallic layer and at least one thermoplastic layer. 9. A method for fracturing an underground formation, comprising:
coupling a first end of a first flexible pipe segment to an outlet of a high pressure fluid collection system, the high pressure fluid collection system receiving the high pressure fluid from one or more pump outlets; coupling a second end of a second flexible pipe segment to a first inlet of a first fracturing tree; disconnecting the second end of the second flexible pipe segment from the first inlet of the first fracturing tree, after a fracturing operation is performed via the first fracturing tree; moving the second end of the second flexible pipe segment to a second inlet of a second fracturing tree; and coupling the second end of the second flexible pipe segment to the second inlet of the second fracturing tree. 10. The method of claim 9, further comprising:
positioning at least a portion of the second flexible pipe segment within a cradle. 11. The method of claim 9, wherein moving the second end of the second flexible pipe segment further comprises:
engaging at least a portion of at least one of the first or second flexible pipe segments via a lifting mechanism. 12. The method of claim 11, wherein the lifting mechanism is a crane positioned outside a pressure zone of at least one of the first fracturing tree or the second fracturing tree. 13. The method of claim 11, wherein coupling the second end of the second flexible pipe segment to the first inlet of the first fracturing tree further comprises:
aligning a connector of the second flexible pipe segment with the first inlet; and securing the second flexible pipe segment to the first inlet via the connector. 14. The method of claim 11, further comprising:
adjusting a working length of at least one of the first or second flexible pipe segments between the first fracturing tree and the second fracturing tree. 15. The method of claim 11, wherein at least one of the first fracturing tree or the second fracturing tree comprises a hydraulic connector, further comprising:
aligning the second end of the second flexible pipe segment with an opening in the connector; positioning at least a portion of the second end of the second flexible pipe segment within the opening; and engaging one or more hydraulic features of the hydraulic connector to secure the second end of the second flexible pipe segment within the opening. 16. The method of claim 11, further comprising:
connecting a plurality of high pressure fluid collection systems to the first end of the first flexible pipe segment. 17. A system for hydraulic fracturing operations, comprising:
a plurality of high pressure fracturing pumps positioned at a well site, each pump of the plurality of high pressure fracturing pumps receiving a fluid from a supply source; a missile receiving high pressure fluid from each pump of the plurality of high pressure fracturing pumps; a plurality of fracturing trees; and one or more flexible pipe segments forming a flow path between the missile and at least one fracturing tree of the plurality of fracturing trees, wherein coupling end of the one or more flexible pipe segments is configurable to be moved to adjust the flow path between each fracturing tree of the plurality of fracturing trees. 18. The system of claim 17, further comprising:
a cradle arranged proximate an inlet of at least one fracturing tree of the plurality of fracturing trees, the cradle receiving and supporting the flexible pipe. 19. The system of claim 17, further comprising:
a lifting mechanism, positioned at the well site, configured to engage and move at least a portion of the flexible pipe. 20. The system of claim 17, wherein the flexible pipe is supported by a spool. | 3,700 |
343,747 | 16,803,204 | 3,747 | A system for fracturing an underground formation includes a flexible pipe receiving a high pressure slurry from a missile outlet, the flexible pipe including one or more sections arranged in series. The system also includes a connector secured to an end of the flexible pipe, the connector adapted to fluidly couple the flexible pipe to one or more fracturing trees of a plurality of fracturing trees associated with a wellbore, wherein the flexible pipe directs the high pressure slurry into the wellbore, via the one or more fracturing trees, the flexible pipe being movable between respective fracturing tree inlets of the plurality of fracturing trees. | 1. A system for fracturing an underground formation, comprising:
a flexible pipe receiving a high pressure slurry from a missile outlet, the flexible pipe including one or more sections arranged in series; and a connector secured to an end of the flexible pipe, the connector adapted to fluidly couple the flexible pipe to one or more fracturing trees of a plurality of fracturing trees associated with a wellbore, wherein the flexible pipe directs the high pressure slurry into the wellbore, via the one or more fracturing trees, the flexible pipe being movable between respective fracturing tree inlets of the plurality of fracturing trees. 2. The system of claim 1, further comprising:
a plurality of pumps, each outlet of each pump of the plurality of pumps coupled to a missile, wherein the flexible pipe is used to direct the high pressure slurry to each fracturing tree of the plurality of fracturing trees. 3. The system of claim 1, further comprising:
a cradle arranged proximate an inlet of the fracturing tree, the cradle receiving and supporting the flexible pipe. 4. The system of claim 3, wherein the cradle further comprises:
an inner surface shaped to conform to an outer surface of the flexible pipe; and adjustable legs for changing a height of the inner surface relative to a ground plane. 5. The system of claim 1, wherein the connector is at least one of flange ends, clamps, an automated connector, a remoted connector, or a hydraulic connector. 6. The system of claim 1, further comprising:
a lifting mechanism configured to move the flexible pipe between a first location and a second location. 7. The system of claim 1, wherein the connector is a hydraulic connector, further comprising:
a hydraulic connection system coupled to an inlet of the frac tree, the hydraulic connection system having an opening fluidly coupled to a bore extending through the frac tree; and a mating stump coupled to the flexible pipe, the mating stump adapted to enter the opening. 8. The system of claim 1, wherein the flexible pipe includes a plurality of layers, the plurality of layers including at least one metallic layer and at least one thermoplastic layer. 9. A method for fracturing an underground formation, comprising:
coupling a first end of a first flexible pipe segment to an outlet of a high pressure fluid collection system, the high pressure fluid collection system receiving the high pressure fluid from one or more pump outlets; coupling a second end of a second flexible pipe segment to a first inlet of a first fracturing tree; disconnecting the second end of the second flexible pipe segment from the first inlet of the first fracturing tree, after a fracturing operation is performed via the first fracturing tree; moving the second end of the second flexible pipe segment to a second inlet of a second fracturing tree; and coupling the second end of the second flexible pipe segment to the second inlet of the second fracturing tree. 10. The method of claim 9, further comprising:
positioning at least a portion of the second flexible pipe segment within a cradle. 11. The method of claim 9, wherein moving the second end of the second flexible pipe segment further comprises:
engaging at least a portion of at least one of the first or second flexible pipe segments via a lifting mechanism. 12. The method of claim 11, wherein the lifting mechanism is a crane positioned outside a pressure zone of at least one of the first fracturing tree or the second fracturing tree. 13. The method of claim 11, wherein coupling the second end of the second flexible pipe segment to the first inlet of the first fracturing tree further comprises:
aligning a connector of the second flexible pipe segment with the first inlet; and securing the second flexible pipe segment to the first inlet via the connector. 14. The method of claim 11, further comprising:
adjusting a working length of at least one of the first or second flexible pipe segments between the first fracturing tree and the second fracturing tree. 15. The method of claim 11, wherein at least one of the first fracturing tree or the second fracturing tree comprises a hydraulic connector, further comprising:
aligning the second end of the second flexible pipe segment with an opening in the connector; positioning at least a portion of the second end of the second flexible pipe segment within the opening; and engaging one or more hydraulic features of the hydraulic connector to secure the second end of the second flexible pipe segment within the opening. 16. The method of claim 11, further comprising:
connecting a plurality of high pressure fluid collection systems to the first end of the first flexible pipe segment. 17. A system for hydraulic fracturing operations, comprising:
a plurality of high pressure fracturing pumps positioned at a well site, each pump of the plurality of high pressure fracturing pumps receiving a fluid from a supply source; a missile receiving high pressure fluid from each pump of the plurality of high pressure fracturing pumps; a plurality of fracturing trees; and one or more flexible pipe segments forming a flow path between the missile and at least one fracturing tree of the plurality of fracturing trees, wherein coupling end of the one or more flexible pipe segments is configurable to be moved to adjust the flow path between each fracturing tree of the plurality of fracturing trees. 18. The system of claim 17, further comprising:
a cradle arranged proximate an inlet of at least one fracturing tree of the plurality of fracturing trees, the cradle receiving and supporting the flexible pipe. 19. The system of claim 17, further comprising:
a lifting mechanism, positioned at the well site, configured to engage and move at least a portion of the flexible pipe. 20. The system of claim 17, wherein the flexible pipe is supported by a spool. | A system for fracturing an underground formation includes a flexible pipe receiving a high pressure slurry from a missile outlet, the flexible pipe including one or more sections arranged in series. The system also includes a connector secured to an end of the flexible pipe, the connector adapted to fluidly couple the flexible pipe to one or more fracturing trees of a plurality of fracturing trees associated with a wellbore, wherein the flexible pipe directs the high pressure slurry into the wellbore, via the one or more fracturing trees, the flexible pipe being movable between respective fracturing tree inlets of the plurality of fracturing trees.1. A system for fracturing an underground formation, comprising:
a flexible pipe receiving a high pressure slurry from a missile outlet, the flexible pipe including one or more sections arranged in series; and a connector secured to an end of the flexible pipe, the connector adapted to fluidly couple the flexible pipe to one or more fracturing trees of a plurality of fracturing trees associated with a wellbore, wherein the flexible pipe directs the high pressure slurry into the wellbore, via the one or more fracturing trees, the flexible pipe being movable between respective fracturing tree inlets of the plurality of fracturing trees. 2. The system of claim 1, further comprising:
a plurality of pumps, each outlet of each pump of the plurality of pumps coupled to a missile, wherein the flexible pipe is used to direct the high pressure slurry to each fracturing tree of the plurality of fracturing trees. 3. The system of claim 1, further comprising:
a cradle arranged proximate an inlet of the fracturing tree, the cradle receiving and supporting the flexible pipe. 4. The system of claim 3, wherein the cradle further comprises:
an inner surface shaped to conform to an outer surface of the flexible pipe; and adjustable legs for changing a height of the inner surface relative to a ground plane. 5. The system of claim 1, wherein the connector is at least one of flange ends, clamps, an automated connector, a remoted connector, or a hydraulic connector. 6. The system of claim 1, further comprising:
a lifting mechanism configured to move the flexible pipe between a first location and a second location. 7. The system of claim 1, wherein the connector is a hydraulic connector, further comprising:
a hydraulic connection system coupled to an inlet of the frac tree, the hydraulic connection system having an opening fluidly coupled to a bore extending through the frac tree; and a mating stump coupled to the flexible pipe, the mating stump adapted to enter the opening. 8. The system of claim 1, wherein the flexible pipe includes a plurality of layers, the plurality of layers including at least one metallic layer and at least one thermoplastic layer. 9. A method for fracturing an underground formation, comprising:
coupling a first end of a first flexible pipe segment to an outlet of a high pressure fluid collection system, the high pressure fluid collection system receiving the high pressure fluid from one or more pump outlets; coupling a second end of a second flexible pipe segment to a first inlet of a first fracturing tree; disconnecting the second end of the second flexible pipe segment from the first inlet of the first fracturing tree, after a fracturing operation is performed via the first fracturing tree; moving the second end of the second flexible pipe segment to a second inlet of a second fracturing tree; and coupling the second end of the second flexible pipe segment to the second inlet of the second fracturing tree. 10. The method of claim 9, further comprising:
positioning at least a portion of the second flexible pipe segment within a cradle. 11. The method of claim 9, wherein moving the second end of the second flexible pipe segment further comprises:
engaging at least a portion of at least one of the first or second flexible pipe segments via a lifting mechanism. 12. The method of claim 11, wherein the lifting mechanism is a crane positioned outside a pressure zone of at least one of the first fracturing tree or the second fracturing tree. 13. The method of claim 11, wherein coupling the second end of the second flexible pipe segment to the first inlet of the first fracturing tree further comprises:
aligning a connector of the second flexible pipe segment with the first inlet; and securing the second flexible pipe segment to the first inlet via the connector. 14. The method of claim 11, further comprising:
adjusting a working length of at least one of the first or second flexible pipe segments between the first fracturing tree and the second fracturing tree. 15. The method of claim 11, wherein at least one of the first fracturing tree or the second fracturing tree comprises a hydraulic connector, further comprising:
aligning the second end of the second flexible pipe segment with an opening in the connector; positioning at least a portion of the second end of the second flexible pipe segment within the opening; and engaging one or more hydraulic features of the hydraulic connector to secure the second end of the second flexible pipe segment within the opening. 16. The method of claim 11, further comprising:
connecting a plurality of high pressure fluid collection systems to the first end of the first flexible pipe segment. 17. A system for hydraulic fracturing operations, comprising:
a plurality of high pressure fracturing pumps positioned at a well site, each pump of the plurality of high pressure fracturing pumps receiving a fluid from a supply source; a missile receiving high pressure fluid from each pump of the plurality of high pressure fracturing pumps; a plurality of fracturing trees; and one or more flexible pipe segments forming a flow path between the missile and at least one fracturing tree of the plurality of fracturing trees, wherein coupling end of the one or more flexible pipe segments is configurable to be moved to adjust the flow path between each fracturing tree of the plurality of fracturing trees. 18. The system of claim 17, further comprising:
a cradle arranged proximate an inlet of at least one fracturing tree of the plurality of fracturing trees, the cradle receiving and supporting the flexible pipe. 19. The system of claim 17, further comprising:
a lifting mechanism, positioned at the well site, configured to engage and move at least a portion of the flexible pipe. 20. The system of claim 17, wherein the flexible pipe is supported by a spool. | 3,700 |
343,748 | 16,803,188 | 2,425 | Methods and systems for a vehicle entertainment system are provided. One method includes receiving an input for a media file at a smart monitor on an aircraft, the aircraft having a plurality of smart monitors and a plurality of seat boxes communicating via a network that includes a first sub-network to connect a first group of the seat boxes, and a computing device that stores a plurality of media files, and a second sub-network to connect a second group of seat boxes and the computing device. The method further includes identifying by the smart monitor, a priority associated with the input for selecting a source for streaming the media file; streaming the media file from a first source located at the first data sub-network of the first sub-network, based on the priority, and if the media file is available from the first source; and streaming the media file from a second source coupled to the first source within the first sub-network, based on the priority, and if the media file is unavailable from the first source and available from the second source. | 1. A method, comprising:
receiving an input for a media file at a smart monitor on an aircraft, the aircraft having a plurality of smart monitors and a plurality of seat boxes communicating via a network; wherein a first sub-network of the network connects a first group of the seat boxes and a computing device that stores a plurality of media files, and a second sub-network of the network connects a second group of seat boxes and the computing device; wherein a plurality of data sub-networks are located within the first sub-network and the second sub-network, where each data sub-network includes at least a seat box connecting a group of smart monitors in communication with the network; wherein the smart monitor receiving the input is located in a first data sub-network of the first sub-network; identifying by the smart monitor, a priority associated with the input for selecting a source for streaming the media file; streaming the media file from a first source located at the first data sub-network of the first sub-network, based on the priority, and if the media file is available from the first source; and streaming the media file from a second source coupled to the first source within the first sub-network, based on the priority, and if the media file is unavailable from the first source and available from the second source. 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the first source is a first seat box located within the first data sub-network and connected to the smart monitor. 3. The method of claim 1, wherein the second source is another smart monitor located within the first sub-network. 4. The method of claim 1, wherein the first source is the smart monitor that receives the input. 5. The method of claim 1, wherein the second source is a second seat box connected to a first seat box in the first sub-network, the first seat box connected to the smart monitor in the first data sub-network. 6. The method of claim 1, wherein when the smart monitor is streaming the media file from one of the first source and the second source, the smart monitor requests the media file from a different source, upon determining that packet loss during the streaming exceeds an acceptable level. 7. The method of claim 1, wherein the second source is the computing device. 8. A non-transitory machine-readable storage medium having stored thereon instructions for performing a method, comprising machine executable code which when executed by one or more machines, causes the one or more machines to:
receive an input for a media file at a smart monitor on an aircraft, the aircraft having a plurality of smart monitors and a plurality of seat boxes communicating via a network; wherein a first sub-network of the network connects a first group of the seat boxes and a computing device that stores a plurality of media files, and a second sub-network of the network connects a second group of seat boxes and the computing device; wherein a plurality of data sub-networks are located within the first sub-network and the second sub-network, where each data sub-network includes at least a seat box connecting a group of smart monitors in communication with the network; wherein the smart monitor receiving the input is located in a first data sub-network of the first sub-network; identify by the smart monitor, a priority associated with the input for selecting a source for streaming the media file; stream the media file from a first source located at the first data sub-network of the first sub-network, based on the priority, and if the media file is available from the first source; and stream the media file from a second source coupled to the first source within the first sub-network, based on the priority, and if the media file is unavailable from the first source and available from the second source. 9. The non-transitory machine-readable storage medium of claim 8, wherein the first source is a first seat box located within the first data sub-network and connected to the smart monitor. 10. The non-transitory machine-readable storage medium of claim 8, wherein the second source is another smart monitor located within the first sub-network. 11. The non-transitory machine-readable storage medium of claim 8, wherein the first source is the smart monitor that receives the input. 12. The non-transitory machine-readable storage medium of claim 8, wherein the second source is a second seat box connected to a first seat box in the first sub-network, the first seat box connected to the smart monitor in the first data sub-network. 13. The non-transitory machine-readable storage medium of claim 8, wherein when the smart monitor is streaming the media file from one of the first source and the second source, the smart monitor requests the media file from a different source, upon determining that packet loss during the streaming exceeds an acceptable level. 14. The non-transitory machine-readable storage medium of claim 8, wherein the second source is the computing device. 15. A system, comprising:
a computing device disposed on an aircraft to store a plurality of media files; a plurality of smart monitors disposed on the aircraft to present media selections to passengers corresponding to the plurality of media files; and a plurality of seat boxes disposed in the aircraft connecting the plurality of smart monitors and the computing device in a network; wherein the network comprises a first sub-network for connecting a first group of the seat boxes and the computing device in communication, and a second sub-network connecting a second group of seat boxes and the computing device in communication; wherein a plurality of data sub-networks are located within the first sub-network and the second sub-network, where each data sub-network includes at least a seat box connecting a group of smart monitors from the plurality of smart monitors in communication with the network; wherein a smart monitor in a first data sub-network of the first sub-network receives an input for a media file, and program logic at the smart monitor executes instructions to: identify a priority associated with the input for selecting a source for streaming the media file; stream the media file from a first source located at the first data sub-network of the first sub-network, based on the priority, and if the media file is available from the first source; and stream the media file from a second source coupled to the first source within the first sub-network, based on the priority, and if the media file is unavailable from the first source and available from the second source. 16. The system of claim 15, wherein the first source is a first seat box located within the first data sub-network and connected to the smart monitor. 17. The system of claim 15, wherein the second source is another smart monitor located within the first sub-network. 18. The system of claim 15, wherein the first source is the smart monitor that receives the input. 19. The system of claim 15, wherein the second source is a second seat box connected to a first seat box in the first sub-network, the first seat box connected to the smart monitor in the first data sub-network. 20. The system of claim 15, wherein when the smart monitor is streaming the media file from one of the first source and the second source, the smart monitor requests the media file from a different source, upon determining that packet loss during the streaming exceeds an acceptable level. | Methods and systems for a vehicle entertainment system are provided. One method includes receiving an input for a media file at a smart monitor on an aircraft, the aircraft having a plurality of smart monitors and a plurality of seat boxes communicating via a network that includes a first sub-network to connect a first group of the seat boxes, and a computing device that stores a plurality of media files, and a second sub-network to connect a second group of seat boxes and the computing device. The method further includes identifying by the smart monitor, a priority associated with the input for selecting a source for streaming the media file; streaming the media file from a first source located at the first data sub-network of the first sub-network, based on the priority, and if the media file is available from the first source; and streaming the media file from a second source coupled to the first source within the first sub-network, based on the priority, and if the media file is unavailable from the first source and available from the second source.1. A method, comprising:
receiving an input for a media file at a smart monitor on an aircraft, the aircraft having a plurality of smart monitors and a plurality of seat boxes communicating via a network; wherein a first sub-network of the network connects a first group of the seat boxes and a computing device that stores a plurality of media files, and a second sub-network of the network connects a second group of seat boxes and the computing device; wherein a plurality of data sub-networks are located within the first sub-network and the second sub-network, where each data sub-network includes at least a seat box connecting a group of smart monitors in communication with the network; wherein the smart monitor receiving the input is located in a first data sub-network of the first sub-network; identifying by the smart monitor, a priority associated with the input for selecting a source for streaming the media file; streaming the media file from a first source located at the first data sub-network of the first sub-network, based on the priority, and if the media file is available from the first source; and streaming the media file from a second source coupled to the first source within the first sub-network, based on the priority, and if the media file is unavailable from the first source and available from the second source. 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the first source is a first seat box located within the first data sub-network and connected to the smart monitor. 3. The method of claim 1, wherein the second source is another smart monitor located within the first sub-network. 4. The method of claim 1, wherein the first source is the smart monitor that receives the input. 5. The method of claim 1, wherein the second source is a second seat box connected to a first seat box in the first sub-network, the first seat box connected to the smart monitor in the first data sub-network. 6. The method of claim 1, wherein when the smart monitor is streaming the media file from one of the first source and the second source, the smart monitor requests the media file from a different source, upon determining that packet loss during the streaming exceeds an acceptable level. 7. The method of claim 1, wherein the second source is the computing device. 8. A non-transitory machine-readable storage medium having stored thereon instructions for performing a method, comprising machine executable code which when executed by one or more machines, causes the one or more machines to:
receive an input for a media file at a smart monitor on an aircraft, the aircraft having a plurality of smart monitors and a plurality of seat boxes communicating via a network; wherein a first sub-network of the network connects a first group of the seat boxes and a computing device that stores a plurality of media files, and a second sub-network of the network connects a second group of seat boxes and the computing device; wherein a plurality of data sub-networks are located within the first sub-network and the second sub-network, where each data sub-network includes at least a seat box connecting a group of smart monitors in communication with the network; wherein the smart monitor receiving the input is located in a first data sub-network of the first sub-network; identify by the smart monitor, a priority associated with the input for selecting a source for streaming the media file; stream the media file from a first source located at the first data sub-network of the first sub-network, based on the priority, and if the media file is available from the first source; and stream the media file from a second source coupled to the first source within the first sub-network, based on the priority, and if the media file is unavailable from the first source and available from the second source. 9. The non-transitory machine-readable storage medium of claim 8, wherein the first source is a first seat box located within the first data sub-network and connected to the smart monitor. 10. The non-transitory machine-readable storage medium of claim 8, wherein the second source is another smart monitor located within the first sub-network. 11. The non-transitory machine-readable storage medium of claim 8, wherein the first source is the smart monitor that receives the input. 12. The non-transitory machine-readable storage medium of claim 8, wherein the second source is a second seat box connected to a first seat box in the first sub-network, the first seat box connected to the smart monitor in the first data sub-network. 13. The non-transitory machine-readable storage medium of claim 8, wherein when the smart monitor is streaming the media file from one of the first source and the second source, the smart monitor requests the media file from a different source, upon determining that packet loss during the streaming exceeds an acceptable level. 14. The non-transitory machine-readable storage medium of claim 8, wherein the second source is the computing device. 15. A system, comprising:
a computing device disposed on an aircraft to store a plurality of media files; a plurality of smart monitors disposed on the aircraft to present media selections to passengers corresponding to the plurality of media files; and a plurality of seat boxes disposed in the aircraft connecting the plurality of smart monitors and the computing device in a network; wherein the network comprises a first sub-network for connecting a first group of the seat boxes and the computing device in communication, and a second sub-network connecting a second group of seat boxes and the computing device in communication; wherein a plurality of data sub-networks are located within the first sub-network and the second sub-network, where each data sub-network includes at least a seat box connecting a group of smart monitors from the plurality of smart monitors in communication with the network; wherein a smart monitor in a first data sub-network of the first sub-network receives an input for a media file, and program logic at the smart monitor executes instructions to: identify a priority associated with the input for selecting a source for streaming the media file; stream the media file from a first source located at the first data sub-network of the first sub-network, based on the priority, and if the media file is available from the first source; and stream the media file from a second source coupled to the first source within the first sub-network, based on the priority, and if the media file is unavailable from the first source and available from the second source. 16. The system of claim 15, wherein the first source is a first seat box located within the first data sub-network and connected to the smart monitor. 17. The system of claim 15, wherein the second source is another smart monitor located within the first sub-network. 18. The system of claim 15, wherein the first source is the smart monitor that receives the input. 19. The system of claim 15, wherein the second source is a second seat box connected to a first seat box in the first sub-network, the first seat box connected to the smart monitor in the first data sub-network. 20. The system of claim 15, wherein when the smart monitor is streaming the media file from one of the first source and the second source, the smart monitor requests the media file from a different source, upon determining that packet loss during the streaming exceeds an acceptable level. | 2,400 |
343,749 | 16,803,185 | 2,425 | Provided is a lithium-ion assembled battery including a plurality of lithium-ion unit cells connected to each other in series, and Zener diodes connected to the respective unit cells in parallel, and the Zener diode is characterized in that a current of 1/200 or less of a capacity of the unit cell flows at a mean voltage of the unit cell. | 1. A lithium-ion assembled battery comprising:
a plurality of lithium-ion unit cells connected to each other in series; and Zener diodes connected to the respective unit cells in parallel, wherein the Zener diodes are each characterized in that a current of 1/200 or less of a capacity of the unit cell flows at a mean voltage of the unit cell. 2. The lithium-ion assembled battery according to claim 1, wherein the lithium-ion unit cell includes a negative electrode that contains a negative electrode active material selected from the group consisting of lithium titanate and carbon. 3. The lithium-ion assembled battery according to claim 2, wherein the mean voltage is 2.2 to 2.4 V in the case that the negative electrode contains the lithium titanate, and the mean voltage is 3.6 to 3.8 V in the case that the negative electrode contains the carbon. 4. The lithium-ion assembled battery according to claim 1, wherein the negative electrode contains the lithium titanate as the negative electrode active material. 5. The lithium-ion assembled battery according to claim 4, wherein the negative electrode contains a lithium titanate sintered plate. 6. The lithium-ion assembled battery according to claim 1, wherein the unit cell includes a positive electrode containing a lithium complex oxide, and an electrolytic solution or a solid electrolyte. 7. The lithium-ion assembled battery according to claim 1, wherein the lithium-ion unit cell has a length of 50 mm or less, a width of 50 mm or less, and a thickness of 2 mm or less. 8. The lithium-ion assembled battery according to claim 1, wherein the lithium-ion unit cell has a capacity of 50 mAh or less. 9. The lithium-ion assembled battery according to claim 1, wherein the number of the lithium-ion unit cells included in the assembled battery is two. | Provided is a lithium-ion assembled battery including a plurality of lithium-ion unit cells connected to each other in series, and Zener diodes connected to the respective unit cells in parallel, and the Zener diode is characterized in that a current of 1/200 or less of a capacity of the unit cell flows at a mean voltage of the unit cell.1. A lithium-ion assembled battery comprising:
a plurality of lithium-ion unit cells connected to each other in series; and Zener diodes connected to the respective unit cells in parallel, wherein the Zener diodes are each characterized in that a current of 1/200 or less of a capacity of the unit cell flows at a mean voltage of the unit cell. 2. The lithium-ion assembled battery according to claim 1, wherein the lithium-ion unit cell includes a negative electrode that contains a negative electrode active material selected from the group consisting of lithium titanate and carbon. 3. The lithium-ion assembled battery according to claim 2, wherein the mean voltage is 2.2 to 2.4 V in the case that the negative electrode contains the lithium titanate, and the mean voltage is 3.6 to 3.8 V in the case that the negative electrode contains the carbon. 4. The lithium-ion assembled battery according to claim 1, wherein the negative electrode contains the lithium titanate as the negative electrode active material. 5. The lithium-ion assembled battery according to claim 4, wherein the negative electrode contains a lithium titanate sintered plate. 6. The lithium-ion assembled battery according to claim 1, wherein the unit cell includes a positive electrode containing a lithium complex oxide, and an electrolytic solution or a solid electrolyte. 7. The lithium-ion assembled battery according to claim 1, wherein the lithium-ion unit cell has a length of 50 mm or less, a width of 50 mm or less, and a thickness of 2 mm or less. 8. The lithium-ion assembled battery according to claim 1, wherein the lithium-ion unit cell has a capacity of 50 mAh or less. 9. The lithium-ion assembled battery according to claim 1, wherein the number of the lithium-ion unit cells included in the assembled battery is two. | 2,400 |
343,750 | 16,803,169 | 2,425 | A projector includes a light source, a light modulator configured to modulate light emitted from the light source, an optical projection device configured to project the modulated light, a light path changer between the light modulator and the optical projection device and on which the modulated light is incident, and a cooler that cools the light modulator and the light path changer. The light path changer includes an optical member to change the light path of the incident light and a first fluctuation member. The first fluctuation member includes a permanent magnet, a coil, and a coil holder holding the coil, and fluctuates the optical member by supplying power to the coil. The cooler includes a fan and a duct to deliver cooling air toward the light path changer. The duct includes a sending port that faces the coil holder and flows the cooling air toward the light path changer. | 1. A projector comprising:
a light source; a light modulator configured to modulate light emitted from the light source; an optical projection device configured to project the light modulated by the light modulator; a light path changer disposed between the light modulator and the optical projection device, the light path changer on which the light modulated by the light modulator is incident, the light path changer configured to change a light path of the incident light through fluctuation; and a cooler cooling the light modulator and the light path changer, wherein:
the light path changer includes
an optical member configured to change the light path of the incident light,
a frame holding the optical member, and
a first fluctuation member configured to fluctuate the optical member,
the first fluctuation member includes a permanent magnet, a coil, and a coil holder holding the coil,
the first fluctuation member fluctuates the optical member by supplying power to the coil,
the cooler includes
a fan configured to send a cooling air, and
a duct configured to deliver the cooling air sent from the fan toward the light path changer,
the duct includes a sending port flowing the cooling air toward the light path changer, and
the sending port is disposed at a position facing the coil holder. 2. The projector according to claim 1, further comprising:
a plurality of the light modulators; and a light combiner combining each of lights modulated by the light modulators and exiting the combined light, wherein:
the optical projection device projects the light exited from the light combiner, and
the light path changer is disposed between the light combiner and the optical projection device. 3. The projector according to claim 1, further comprising:
a fixing member to which the light path changer is fixed; and a power supply configured to supply the power to the coil, wherein the power supply is mounted on the fixing member. 4. The projector according to claim 1, wherein:
the frame includes a protrusion, the coil holder includes a hole, and the frame and the coil holder are fixed to each other when the protrusion is fitted into the hole. 5. The projector according to claim 1, wherein the duct includes a branch portion configured to branch the cooling air sent from the fan into the cooling air flowing to the modulators and the cooling air flowing to the sending port. 6. The projector according to claim 1, wherein the sending port flows the cooling air to both a light incident side of the light path changer and a light exit side of the light path changer. 7. The projector according to claim 1, wherein the coil holder includes a heat radiation portion. 8. The projector according to claim 1, wherein the coil holder includes an extension portion extending toward the sending port. 9. The projector according to claim 1, further comprising:
a plurality of the light modulators; and a light combiner combining each of lights modulated by the light modulators and exiting the combined light, wherein:
the light path changer further includes a second fluctuation member configured to fluctuate the optical member,
the first fluctuation member is disposed at one light modulator side out of two light modulators,
the second fluctuation member is disposed at the other light modulator side, and
the first fluctuation member is disposed at a position opposite to the second fluctuation member with respect to the optical member when viewed in a light incident side of the optical member. | A projector includes a light source, a light modulator configured to modulate light emitted from the light source, an optical projection device configured to project the modulated light, a light path changer between the light modulator and the optical projection device and on which the modulated light is incident, and a cooler that cools the light modulator and the light path changer. The light path changer includes an optical member to change the light path of the incident light and a first fluctuation member. The first fluctuation member includes a permanent magnet, a coil, and a coil holder holding the coil, and fluctuates the optical member by supplying power to the coil. The cooler includes a fan and a duct to deliver cooling air toward the light path changer. The duct includes a sending port that faces the coil holder and flows the cooling air toward the light path changer.1. A projector comprising:
a light source; a light modulator configured to modulate light emitted from the light source; an optical projection device configured to project the light modulated by the light modulator; a light path changer disposed between the light modulator and the optical projection device, the light path changer on which the light modulated by the light modulator is incident, the light path changer configured to change a light path of the incident light through fluctuation; and a cooler cooling the light modulator and the light path changer, wherein:
the light path changer includes
an optical member configured to change the light path of the incident light,
a frame holding the optical member, and
a first fluctuation member configured to fluctuate the optical member,
the first fluctuation member includes a permanent magnet, a coil, and a coil holder holding the coil,
the first fluctuation member fluctuates the optical member by supplying power to the coil,
the cooler includes
a fan configured to send a cooling air, and
a duct configured to deliver the cooling air sent from the fan toward the light path changer,
the duct includes a sending port flowing the cooling air toward the light path changer, and
the sending port is disposed at a position facing the coil holder. 2. The projector according to claim 1, further comprising:
a plurality of the light modulators; and a light combiner combining each of lights modulated by the light modulators and exiting the combined light, wherein:
the optical projection device projects the light exited from the light combiner, and
the light path changer is disposed between the light combiner and the optical projection device. 3. The projector according to claim 1, further comprising:
a fixing member to which the light path changer is fixed; and a power supply configured to supply the power to the coil, wherein the power supply is mounted on the fixing member. 4. The projector according to claim 1, wherein:
the frame includes a protrusion, the coil holder includes a hole, and the frame and the coil holder are fixed to each other when the protrusion is fitted into the hole. 5. The projector according to claim 1, wherein the duct includes a branch portion configured to branch the cooling air sent from the fan into the cooling air flowing to the modulators and the cooling air flowing to the sending port. 6. The projector according to claim 1, wherein the sending port flows the cooling air to both a light incident side of the light path changer and a light exit side of the light path changer. 7. The projector according to claim 1, wherein the coil holder includes a heat radiation portion. 8. The projector according to claim 1, wherein the coil holder includes an extension portion extending toward the sending port. 9. The projector according to claim 1, further comprising:
a plurality of the light modulators; and a light combiner combining each of lights modulated by the light modulators and exiting the combined light, wherein:
the light path changer further includes a second fluctuation member configured to fluctuate the optical member,
the first fluctuation member is disposed at one light modulator side out of two light modulators,
the second fluctuation member is disposed at the other light modulator side, and
the first fluctuation member is disposed at a position opposite to the second fluctuation member with respect to the optical member when viewed in a light incident side of the optical member. | 2,400 |
343,751 | 16,803,179 | 2,425 | A projector includes a light source, a light modulator configured to modulate light emitted from the light source, an optical projection device configured to project the modulated light, a light path changer between the light modulator and the optical projection device and on which the modulated light is incident, and a cooler that cools the light modulator and the light path changer. The light path changer includes an optical member to change the light path of the incident light and a first fluctuation member. The first fluctuation member includes a permanent magnet, a coil, and a coil holder holding the coil, and fluctuates the optical member by supplying power to the coil. The cooler includes a fan and a duct to deliver cooling air toward the light path changer. The duct includes a sending port that faces the coil holder and flows the cooling air toward the light path changer. | 1. A projector comprising:
a light source; a light modulator configured to modulate light emitted from the light source; an optical projection device configured to project the light modulated by the light modulator; a light path changer disposed between the light modulator and the optical projection device, the light path changer on which the light modulated by the light modulator is incident, the light path changer configured to change a light path of the incident light through fluctuation; and a cooler cooling the light modulator and the light path changer, wherein:
the light path changer includes
an optical member configured to change the light path of the incident light,
a frame holding the optical member, and
a first fluctuation member configured to fluctuate the optical member,
the first fluctuation member includes a permanent magnet, a coil, and a coil holder holding the coil,
the first fluctuation member fluctuates the optical member by supplying power to the coil,
the cooler includes
a fan configured to send a cooling air, and
a duct configured to deliver the cooling air sent from the fan toward the light path changer,
the duct includes a sending port flowing the cooling air toward the light path changer, and
the sending port is disposed at a position facing the coil holder. 2. The projector according to claim 1, further comprising:
a plurality of the light modulators; and a light combiner combining each of lights modulated by the light modulators and exiting the combined light, wherein:
the optical projection device projects the light exited from the light combiner, and
the light path changer is disposed between the light combiner and the optical projection device. 3. The projector according to claim 1, further comprising:
a fixing member to which the light path changer is fixed; and a power supply configured to supply the power to the coil, wherein the power supply is mounted on the fixing member. 4. The projector according to claim 1, wherein:
the frame includes a protrusion, the coil holder includes a hole, and the frame and the coil holder are fixed to each other when the protrusion is fitted into the hole. 5. The projector according to claim 1, wherein the duct includes a branch portion configured to branch the cooling air sent from the fan into the cooling air flowing to the modulators and the cooling air flowing to the sending port. 6. The projector according to claim 1, wherein the sending port flows the cooling air to both a light incident side of the light path changer and a light exit side of the light path changer. 7. The projector according to claim 1, wherein the coil holder includes a heat radiation portion. 8. The projector according to claim 1, wherein the coil holder includes an extension portion extending toward the sending port. 9. The projector according to claim 1, further comprising:
a plurality of the light modulators; and a light combiner combining each of lights modulated by the light modulators and exiting the combined light, wherein:
the light path changer further includes a second fluctuation member configured to fluctuate the optical member,
the first fluctuation member is disposed at one light modulator side out of two light modulators,
the second fluctuation member is disposed at the other light modulator side, and
the first fluctuation member is disposed at a position opposite to the second fluctuation member with respect to the optical member when viewed in a light incident side of the optical member. | A projector includes a light source, a light modulator configured to modulate light emitted from the light source, an optical projection device configured to project the modulated light, a light path changer between the light modulator and the optical projection device and on which the modulated light is incident, and a cooler that cools the light modulator and the light path changer. The light path changer includes an optical member to change the light path of the incident light and a first fluctuation member. The first fluctuation member includes a permanent magnet, a coil, and a coil holder holding the coil, and fluctuates the optical member by supplying power to the coil. The cooler includes a fan and a duct to deliver cooling air toward the light path changer. The duct includes a sending port that faces the coil holder and flows the cooling air toward the light path changer.1. A projector comprising:
a light source; a light modulator configured to modulate light emitted from the light source; an optical projection device configured to project the light modulated by the light modulator; a light path changer disposed between the light modulator and the optical projection device, the light path changer on which the light modulated by the light modulator is incident, the light path changer configured to change a light path of the incident light through fluctuation; and a cooler cooling the light modulator and the light path changer, wherein:
the light path changer includes
an optical member configured to change the light path of the incident light,
a frame holding the optical member, and
a first fluctuation member configured to fluctuate the optical member,
the first fluctuation member includes a permanent magnet, a coil, and a coil holder holding the coil,
the first fluctuation member fluctuates the optical member by supplying power to the coil,
the cooler includes
a fan configured to send a cooling air, and
a duct configured to deliver the cooling air sent from the fan toward the light path changer,
the duct includes a sending port flowing the cooling air toward the light path changer, and
the sending port is disposed at a position facing the coil holder. 2. The projector according to claim 1, further comprising:
a plurality of the light modulators; and a light combiner combining each of lights modulated by the light modulators and exiting the combined light, wherein:
the optical projection device projects the light exited from the light combiner, and
the light path changer is disposed between the light combiner and the optical projection device. 3. The projector according to claim 1, further comprising:
a fixing member to which the light path changer is fixed; and a power supply configured to supply the power to the coil, wherein the power supply is mounted on the fixing member. 4. The projector according to claim 1, wherein:
the frame includes a protrusion, the coil holder includes a hole, and the frame and the coil holder are fixed to each other when the protrusion is fitted into the hole. 5. The projector according to claim 1, wherein the duct includes a branch portion configured to branch the cooling air sent from the fan into the cooling air flowing to the modulators and the cooling air flowing to the sending port. 6. The projector according to claim 1, wherein the sending port flows the cooling air to both a light incident side of the light path changer and a light exit side of the light path changer. 7. The projector according to claim 1, wherein the coil holder includes a heat radiation portion. 8. The projector according to claim 1, wherein the coil holder includes an extension portion extending toward the sending port. 9. The projector according to claim 1, further comprising:
a plurality of the light modulators; and a light combiner combining each of lights modulated by the light modulators and exiting the combined light, wherein:
the light path changer further includes a second fluctuation member configured to fluctuate the optical member,
the first fluctuation member is disposed at one light modulator side out of two light modulators,
the second fluctuation member is disposed at the other light modulator side, and
the first fluctuation member is disposed at a position opposite to the second fluctuation member with respect to the optical member when viewed in a light incident side of the optical member. | 2,400 |
343,752 | 16,803,191 | 3,649 | Disclosed is a system for converting ratio scale measures of risks to monetary value in a defined environment by a user over a communication network. The system includes a processor, an input unit coupled to the processor for receiving inputs from the user, a display unit to display processed information received from the processor, and a data storage for storing instructions related to risk events. The processor is configured to receive a list of risk events; receive a list of objectives associated with the risk events for assessing impacts to objectives; receive a list of causes associated with the risk events for assessing the likelihood of occurring of the risk; generate a ratio scale prioritized hierarchy of importance of objectives; generate a ratio scale prioritized hierarchy of likelihoods of causes of the risk events; generate a ratio scale prioritized list of risk events likelihoods; generate a ratio scale prioritized risks of risk events; receive input from the user with an estimated monetary value of at least one of the objectives in the hierarchy; and compute the monetary amounts of all the objectives by taking the ratio of other objectives ratio scale measures of importance to the ratio scale measurement of the objective of the hierarchy. | 1. A system for converting ratio scale measures of risks to monetary value in a defined environment by a user over a communication network, the system comprising:
a processor; an input unit coupled to the processor for receiving inputs from the user; a display unit to display processed information received from the processor; and a data storage for storing instructions related to risk events, wherein said processor configured to:
receive a list of risk events from the events occurring in the defined environment from the user using the input unit and further stores the list of risk events in the data storage;
receive a list of objectives associated with the risk events from the user using the input unit for assessing impacts to objectives occurring from the risk events and further stores the list of objectives in the data storage;
receive a list of causes associated with the risk events from the user using the input unit for assessing the likelihood of occurring of the risk causes and further stores the list of causes in the data storage;
generate a ratio scale prioritized hierarchy of importance of objectives automatically from the inputs received from the user, wherein the inputs referred to measurement techniques;
generate a ratio scale prioritized hierarchy of likelihoods of causes of the risk events from inputs received from the user;
generate a ratio scale prioritized list of risk events likelihoods given the associated causes from inputs received from the user;
generate a ratio scale prioritized risks of risk events from the ratio scale prioritized likelihood of causes; ratio scale prioritized likelihood of event likelihoods given the causes; ratio scale priorities of the consequences of the events on objectives, and the ratio scale prioritize of the importance of objectives;
receive input from the user with an estimated monetary value of at least one of the objectives in the hierarchy; and
compute the monetary amounts of all the objectives by taking the ratio of other objectives ratio scale measures of importance to the ratio scale measurement of the objective of the hierarchy. 2. The system according to claim 1 wherein the ratio scale measurement analysis is at least one of the rating scale; pairwise comparison; direct priority input; simple utility curve; and step function ascending. 3. The system according to claim 1 wherein the ratio scale measurement analysis by the user using the input device performs a pairwise comparison of the objectives to compute the list of prioritized objectives with the associated objective value scores. 4. The system according to claim 1 wherein the ratio scale measurement analysis by the user performs a pairwise comparison of the causes to compute a list of likelihoods of the causes with associated causes value scores, using a computer. 5. The system according to claim 4 wherein the ratio scale measurement analysis by the user performs a ratio scale measurement analysis on the received associated objective, impacts, causes and likelihoods value score to compute the list of risks of the risk events with associated risk value scores. | Disclosed is a system for converting ratio scale measures of risks to monetary value in a defined environment by a user over a communication network. The system includes a processor, an input unit coupled to the processor for receiving inputs from the user, a display unit to display processed information received from the processor, and a data storage for storing instructions related to risk events. The processor is configured to receive a list of risk events; receive a list of objectives associated with the risk events for assessing impacts to objectives; receive a list of causes associated with the risk events for assessing the likelihood of occurring of the risk; generate a ratio scale prioritized hierarchy of importance of objectives; generate a ratio scale prioritized hierarchy of likelihoods of causes of the risk events; generate a ratio scale prioritized list of risk events likelihoods; generate a ratio scale prioritized risks of risk events; receive input from the user with an estimated monetary value of at least one of the objectives in the hierarchy; and compute the monetary amounts of all the objectives by taking the ratio of other objectives ratio scale measures of importance to the ratio scale measurement of the objective of the hierarchy.1. A system for converting ratio scale measures of risks to monetary value in a defined environment by a user over a communication network, the system comprising:
a processor; an input unit coupled to the processor for receiving inputs from the user; a display unit to display processed information received from the processor; and a data storage for storing instructions related to risk events, wherein said processor configured to:
receive a list of risk events from the events occurring in the defined environment from the user using the input unit and further stores the list of risk events in the data storage;
receive a list of objectives associated with the risk events from the user using the input unit for assessing impacts to objectives occurring from the risk events and further stores the list of objectives in the data storage;
receive a list of causes associated with the risk events from the user using the input unit for assessing the likelihood of occurring of the risk causes and further stores the list of causes in the data storage;
generate a ratio scale prioritized hierarchy of importance of objectives automatically from the inputs received from the user, wherein the inputs referred to measurement techniques;
generate a ratio scale prioritized hierarchy of likelihoods of causes of the risk events from inputs received from the user;
generate a ratio scale prioritized list of risk events likelihoods given the associated causes from inputs received from the user;
generate a ratio scale prioritized risks of risk events from the ratio scale prioritized likelihood of causes; ratio scale prioritized likelihood of event likelihoods given the causes; ratio scale priorities of the consequences of the events on objectives, and the ratio scale prioritize of the importance of objectives;
receive input from the user with an estimated monetary value of at least one of the objectives in the hierarchy; and
compute the monetary amounts of all the objectives by taking the ratio of other objectives ratio scale measures of importance to the ratio scale measurement of the objective of the hierarchy. 2. The system according to claim 1 wherein the ratio scale measurement analysis is at least one of the rating scale; pairwise comparison; direct priority input; simple utility curve; and step function ascending. 3. The system according to claim 1 wherein the ratio scale measurement analysis by the user using the input device performs a pairwise comparison of the objectives to compute the list of prioritized objectives with the associated objective value scores. 4. The system according to claim 1 wherein the ratio scale measurement analysis by the user performs a pairwise comparison of the causes to compute a list of likelihoods of the causes with associated causes value scores, using a computer. 5. The system according to claim 4 wherein the ratio scale measurement analysis by the user performs a ratio scale measurement analysis on the received associated objective, impacts, causes and likelihoods value score to compute the list of risks of the risk events with associated risk value scores. | 3,600 |
343,753 | 16,803,102 | 3,649 | A tablet computer includes a housing, a display, a processing system, a camera system comprising a camera sensor, and a battery system, the battery system positioned within the housing. The battery system is configured to charge an external device. A charging cable retainer is configured to retain one or more cables against or within the housing. One or more integral cables are provide. The one or more integral cables include a cable comprising a first end fixedly coupled to the battery system, a first connector of a first type configured to mate with a first type of external device connector, a second connector of a second type configured to mate with a second type of external device connector, and a lens configured to form images on the camera sensor. The charging cable retainer includes a cable channel or magnet. | 1-24. (canceled) 25. An image processing system, comprising:
a network interface; a network interface; a processing device; computer readable memory that stores instructions that when executed by the processing device cause the image processing system to perform operations comprising;
receive via the network interface images from a remote terminal camera at a first location, the remote terminal comprising the camera and a network interface;
detect faces of people viewing at least a first item in at least a portion of the images received from the remote terminal camera;
estimate respective ages of the detected faces in the images of people viewing at least the first item;
estimate respective genders of the detected faces in the images of people viewing at least the first item;
determine facial expressions of detected faces of people viewing at least the first item in the images received from the remote terminal camera;
determine emotions from the determined facial expressions of detected faces of people viewing at least the first item in the images received from the remote terminal camera, wherein the emotions are determined using:
facial component detection,
facial feature extraction, and
expression classification;
determine a quantity of people that viewed the first item at the first location over a first period of time;
store in non-transitory computer readable memory:
an identifier associated with the first item,
the estimated respective ages of the detected faces in the images of people viewing at least the first item,
the estimated respective genders of the detected faces in the images of people viewing at least the first item;
the determined emotions of the detected faces in the images of people viewing at least the first item;
the determined quantity of people that viewed the first item at the first location over the first period of time;
use:
the identifier associated with the first item,
the estimated respective ages of the detected faces in the images of people viewing at least the first item,
the estimated respective genders of the detected faces in the images of people viewing at least the first item,
the determined emotions of the detected faces in the images of people viewing at least the first item,
the determined quantity of people that viewed the first item at the first location over the first period of time,
to enable, at least in part, a second item to presented to at least one viewer. 26. The image processing system as defined in claim 25, the operations further comprising:
receive from a first source a target definition comprising specified demographics and specified historical emotional responses to viewed items; based at least in part on:
the received target definition,
the estimated respective ages of the detected faces in the images of people viewing at least the first item,
the estimated respective genders of the detected faces in the images of people viewing at least the first item;
the determined emotions of the detected faces in the images of people viewing at least the first item;
the determined quantity of people that viewed the first item at the first location over the first period of time,
select an item of content, and
cause the selected item of content to be presented at the first location. 27. The image processing system as defined in claim 25, the operations further comprising:
periodically delete images captured by the remote terminal camera to thereby preserve privacy of people whose images are captured. 28. The image processing system as defined in claim 25, the operations further comprising:
use a pre-trained expression classifier that utilizes a support vector machine, adaptive boosting, Random Forest and/or Gradient Tree Boosting algorithms to perform expression classification. 29. The image processing system as defined in claim 25, the operations further comprising:
perform expression classification utilizing extracted spatial and temporal features. 30. The image processing system as defined in claim 25, the operations further comprising:
use one or more Convolutional Neural Networks to determine from the detected faces: ages, genders and ethnicities 31. The image processing system as defined in claim 25, the operations further comprising:
generate a report using data received from the remote terminal that indicates quantities and types of content presented to viewers for a first time period, and viewer interactions with the content. 32. The image processing system as defined in claim 25, the operations further comprising:
enable a report filter to be set that limits a first report to a first brand; based at least in part on the report filter being set, generate the first report limited to the first brand using data received from the remote terminal that indicates quantities and types of content presented to viewers for a first time period, and viewer interactions with the content. 33. The image processing system as defined in claim 25, wherein the remote terminal comprises a battery, the operations further comprising:
monitor a charge level of the battery in the remote terminal; and generate an alert at least partly in response to detecting that the charge level of the battery in the remote terminal falls below a first threshold. 34. The image processing system as defined in claim 25, wherein the remote terminal comprises a battery configured to charge a user device, the operations further comprising:
detect when a user device is being charged by the remote terminal battery; and at least partly in response to detecting that a user device is being charged by the remote terminal battery, cause a first content item to be presented by a display of the remote terminal. 35. An image processing system, comprising:
a network interface; a network interface; a processing device; computer readable memory that stores instructions that when executed by the processing device cause the image processing system to perform operations comprising;
receive via the network interface images from a remote camera positioned at a first location;
detect faces of people viewing at least a first item in at least a portion of the images received from the remote camera;
estimate respective ages of the detected faces in the images of people viewing at least the first item;
estimate respective genders of the detected faces in the images of people viewing at least the first item;
determine a quantity of people that viewed the first item at the first location over a first period of time;
store in non-transitory computer readable memory:
an identifier associated with the first item,
the estimated respective ages of the detected faces in the images of people viewing at least the first item,
the estimated respective genders of the detected faces in the images of people viewing at least the first item;
the determined quantity of people that viewed the first item at the first location over the first period of time;
use:
the identifier associated with the first item,
the estimated respective ages of the detected faces in the images of people viewing at least the first item,
the estimated respective genders of the detected faces in the images of people viewing at least the first item, and/or
the determined quantity of people that viewed the first item at the first location over the first period of time,
to enable, at least in part, a second item to be selected to be presented to at least one person. 36. The image processing system as defined in claim 35, the operations further comprising:
determine pupil positions in the images of people viewing at least the first item; use the determined pupil position in the images of people viewing at least the first item in enabling the second item to be selected to be presented to at least one person. 37. The image processing system as defined in claim 35, the operations further comprising:
Identify clothing and/or jewelry in the images of people viewing at least the first item; use the identified clothing and/or jewelry in the images of people viewing at least the first item in enabling the second item to be selected to be presented to at least one person. 38. The image processing system as defined in claim 35, the operations further comprising:
receive from a first source a target definition comprising specified demographics and specified historical emotional responses to viewed items; based at least in part on:
the received target definition,
the estimated respective ages of the detected faces in the images of people viewing at least the first item,
the estimated respective genders of the detected faces in the images of people viewing at least the first item;
historical emotional responses to viewed items;
the determined quantity of people that viewed the first item at the first location over the first period of time,
enable an item of content to be selected for presentation to one or more people. 39. The image processing system as defined in claim 35, the operations further comprising:
periodically delete images captured by the remote camera to thereby preserve privacy of people whose images are captured. 40. The image processing system as defined in claim 35, the operations further comprising:
use a pre-trained expression classifier that utilizes a support vector machine, adaptive boosting, Random Forest and/or Gradient Tree Boosting algorithms to perform expression classification on the detected faces in the images of people viewing at least the first item. 41. The image processing system as defined in claim 35, the operations further comprising:
perform expression classification utilizing extracted spatial and temporal features. 42. The image processing system as defined in claim 35, the operations further comprising:
use one or more Convolutional Neural Networks to determine from the detected faces: ages and genders. 43. The image processing system as defined in claim 35, the operations further comprising:
generate a report using data received from a remote terminal at the first location that indicates quantities and types of content presented to viewers for a first time period, and viewer interactions with the content. 44. The image processing system as defined in claim 35, the operations further comprising:
enable a report filter to be set that limits a first report to a first brand; based at least in part on the report filter being set, generate the first report limited to the first brand using data that indicates quantities and types of content presented to viewers for a first time period, and viewer interactions with the content. 45. The image processing system as defined in claim 35, wherein the remote camera is positioned on remote terminal that comprises a battery, the operations further comprising:
monitor a charge level of the battery in the remote terminal; and generate an alert at least partly in response to detecting that the charge level of the battery in the remote terminal falls below a first threshold. 46. The image processing system as defined in claim 35, wherein the wherein the remote camera is part of a remote terminal that comprises a battery configured to charge a user device, the operations further comprising:
detect when a user device is being charged by the remote terminal battery; and at least partly in response to detecting that a user device is being charged by the remote terminal battery, cause a first content item to be presented by a display of the remote terminal. 47. A computer implemented method, the method comprising:
receiving at a computer system via the network interface images from a remote camera positioned at a first location; causing faces of people viewing at least a first item to be detected in at least a portion of the images received from the remote camera; causing respective ages of the detected faces in the images of people viewing at least the first item to be determined; causing respective genders of the detected faces in the images of people viewing at least the first item to be identified; causing a quantity of people that viewed the first item at the first location over a first period of time to be determined; storing in non-transitory computer readable memory:
an identifier associated with the first item,
the determined respective ages of the detected faces in the images of people viewing at least the first item,
the determined respective genders of the detected faces in the images of people viewing at least the first item;
the determined quantity of people that viewed the first item at the first location over the first period of time; using:
the identifier associated with the first item,
the determined respective ages of the detected faces in the images of people viewing at least the first item,
the determined respective genders of the detected faces in the images of people viewing at least the first item;
the determined quantity of people that viewed the first item at the first location over the first period of time,
to enable, at least in part, a second item to be selected to be presented to at least one person. 48. The method as defined in claim 47, the method further comprising:
determining pupil positions in the images of people viewing at least the first item; enabling the determined pupil position in the images of people viewing at least the first item to be used in selecting the second item to be presented to at least one person. 49. The method as defined in claim 47, the method further comprising:
enabling clothing and/or jewelry in the images of people viewing at least the first item to be identified; enabling the identified clothing and/or jewelry in the images of people viewing at least the first to be used in selecting the second item. 50. The method as defined in claim 47, the method further comprising:
based at least in part on:
a received target definition,
the determined respective ages of the detected faces in the images of people viewing at least the first item,
the determined respective genders of the detected faces in the images of people viewing at least the first item;
enabling an item of content to be selected for presentation to one or more people. 51. The method as defined in claim 47, the method further comprising:
causing images captured by the remote camera to be periodically deleted to thereby preserve privacy of people whose images are captured. 52. The method as defined in claim 47, the method further comprising:
using a pre-trained expression classifier that utilizes a support vector machine, adaptive boosting, Random Forest and/or Gradient Tree Boosting algorithms to perform expression classification on the detected faces in the images of people viewing at least the first item. 53. The method as defined in claim 47, the method further comprising:
generating a report using data received from a remote terminal at the first location that indicates quantities and types of content presented to viewers for a first time period, and viewer interactions with the content. 54. The method as defined in claim 47, the method further comprising:
enabling a report filter to be set that limits a first report to a first brand;
based at least in part on the report filter being set, generating the first report limited to the first brand using data that indicates quantities and types of content presented to viewers for a first time period, and viewer interactions with the content. | A tablet computer includes a housing, a display, a processing system, a camera system comprising a camera sensor, and a battery system, the battery system positioned within the housing. The battery system is configured to charge an external device. A charging cable retainer is configured to retain one or more cables against or within the housing. One or more integral cables are provide. The one or more integral cables include a cable comprising a first end fixedly coupled to the battery system, a first connector of a first type configured to mate with a first type of external device connector, a second connector of a second type configured to mate with a second type of external device connector, and a lens configured to form images on the camera sensor. The charging cable retainer includes a cable channel or magnet.1-24. (canceled) 25. An image processing system, comprising:
a network interface; a network interface; a processing device; computer readable memory that stores instructions that when executed by the processing device cause the image processing system to perform operations comprising;
receive via the network interface images from a remote terminal camera at a first location, the remote terminal comprising the camera and a network interface;
detect faces of people viewing at least a first item in at least a portion of the images received from the remote terminal camera;
estimate respective ages of the detected faces in the images of people viewing at least the first item;
estimate respective genders of the detected faces in the images of people viewing at least the first item;
determine facial expressions of detected faces of people viewing at least the first item in the images received from the remote terminal camera;
determine emotions from the determined facial expressions of detected faces of people viewing at least the first item in the images received from the remote terminal camera, wherein the emotions are determined using:
facial component detection,
facial feature extraction, and
expression classification;
determine a quantity of people that viewed the first item at the first location over a first period of time;
store in non-transitory computer readable memory:
an identifier associated with the first item,
the estimated respective ages of the detected faces in the images of people viewing at least the first item,
the estimated respective genders of the detected faces in the images of people viewing at least the first item;
the determined emotions of the detected faces in the images of people viewing at least the first item;
the determined quantity of people that viewed the first item at the first location over the first period of time;
use:
the identifier associated with the first item,
the estimated respective ages of the detected faces in the images of people viewing at least the first item,
the estimated respective genders of the detected faces in the images of people viewing at least the first item,
the determined emotions of the detected faces in the images of people viewing at least the first item,
the determined quantity of people that viewed the first item at the first location over the first period of time,
to enable, at least in part, a second item to presented to at least one viewer. 26. The image processing system as defined in claim 25, the operations further comprising:
receive from a first source a target definition comprising specified demographics and specified historical emotional responses to viewed items; based at least in part on:
the received target definition,
the estimated respective ages of the detected faces in the images of people viewing at least the first item,
the estimated respective genders of the detected faces in the images of people viewing at least the first item;
the determined emotions of the detected faces in the images of people viewing at least the first item;
the determined quantity of people that viewed the first item at the first location over the first period of time,
select an item of content, and
cause the selected item of content to be presented at the first location. 27. The image processing system as defined in claim 25, the operations further comprising:
periodically delete images captured by the remote terminal camera to thereby preserve privacy of people whose images are captured. 28. The image processing system as defined in claim 25, the operations further comprising:
use a pre-trained expression classifier that utilizes a support vector machine, adaptive boosting, Random Forest and/or Gradient Tree Boosting algorithms to perform expression classification. 29. The image processing system as defined in claim 25, the operations further comprising:
perform expression classification utilizing extracted spatial and temporal features. 30. The image processing system as defined in claim 25, the operations further comprising:
use one or more Convolutional Neural Networks to determine from the detected faces: ages, genders and ethnicities 31. The image processing system as defined in claim 25, the operations further comprising:
generate a report using data received from the remote terminal that indicates quantities and types of content presented to viewers for a first time period, and viewer interactions with the content. 32. The image processing system as defined in claim 25, the operations further comprising:
enable a report filter to be set that limits a first report to a first brand; based at least in part on the report filter being set, generate the first report limited to the first brand using data received from the remote terminal that indicates quantities and types of content presented to viewers for a first time period, and viewer interactions with the content. 33. The image processing system as defined in claim 25, wherein the remote terminal comprises a battery, the operations further comprising:
monitor a charge level of the battery in the remote terminal; and generate an alert at least partly in response to detecting that the charge level of the battery in the remote terminal falls below a first threshold. 34. The image processing system as defined in claim 25, wherein the remote terminal comprises a battery configured to charge a user device, the operations further comprising:
detect when a user device is being charged by the remote terminal battery; and at least partly in response to detecting that a user device is being charged by the remote terminal battery, cause a first content item to be presented by a display of the remote terminal. 35. An image processing system, comprising:
a network interface; a network interface; a processing device; computer readable memory that stores instructions that when executed by the processing device cause the image processing system to perform operations comprising;
receive via the network interface images from a remote camera positioned at a first location;
detect faces of people viewing at least a first item in at least a portion of the images received from the remote camera;
estimate respective ages of the detected faces in the images of people viewing at least the first item;
estimate respective genders of the detected faces in the images of people viewing at least the first item;
determine a quantity of people that viewed the first item at the first location over a first period of time;
store in non-transitory computer readable memory:
an identifier associated with the first item,
the estimated respective ages of the detected faces in the images of people viewing at least the first item,
the estimated respective genders of the detected faces in the images of people viewing at least the first item;
the determined quantity of people that viewed the first item at the first location over the first period of time;
use:
the identifier associated with the first item,
the estimated respective ages of the detected faces in the images of people viewing at least the first item,
the estimated respective genders of the detected faces in the images of people viewing at least the first item, and/or
the determined quantity of people that viewed the first item at the first location over the first period of time,
to enable, at least in part, a second item to be selected to be presented to at least one person. 36. The image processing system as defined in claim 35, the operations further comprising:
determine pupil positions in the images of people viewing at least the first item; use the determined pupil position in the images of people viewing at least the first item in enabling the second item to be selected to be presented to at least one person. 37. The image processing system as defined in claim 35, the operations further comprising:
Identify clothing and/or jewelry in the images of people viewing at least the first item; use the identified clothing and/or jewelry in the images of people viewing at least the first item in enabling the second item to be selected to be presented to at least one person. 38. The image processing system as defined in claim 35, the operations further comprising:
receive from a first source a target definition comprising specified demographics and specified historical emotional responses to viewed items; based at least in part on:
the received target definition,
the estimated respective ages of the detected faces in the images of people viewing at least the first item,
the estimated respective genders of the detected faces in the images of people viewing at least the first item;
historical emotional responses to viewed items;
the determined quantity of people that viewed the first item at the first location over the first period of time,
enable an item of content to be selected for presentation to one or more people. 39. The image processing system as defined in claim 35, the operations further comprising:
periodically delete images captured by the remote camera to thereby preserve privacy of people whose images are captured. 40. The image processing system as defined in claim 35, the operations further comprising:
use a pre-trained expression classifier that utilizes a support vector machine, adaptive boosting, Random Forest and/or Gradient Tree Boosting algorithms to perform expression classification on the detected faces in the images of people viewing at least the first item. 41. The image processing system as defined in claim 35, the operations further comprising:
perform expression classification utilizing extracted spatial and temporal features. 42. The image processing system as defined in claim 35, the operations further comprising:
use one or more Convolutional Neural Networks to determine from the detected faces: ages and genders. 43. The image processing system as defined in claim 35, the operations further comprising:
generate a report using data received from a remote terminal at the first location that indicates quantities and types of content presented to viewers for a first time period, and viewer interactions with the content. 44. The image processing system as defined in claim 35, the operations further comprising:
enable a report filter to be set that limits a first report to a first brand; based at least in part on the report filter being set, generate the first report limited to the first brand using data that indicates quantities and types of content presented to viewers for a first time period, and viewer interactions with the content. 45. The image processing system as defined in claim 35, wherein the remote camera is positioned on remote terminal that comprises a battery, the operations further comprising:
monitor a charge level of the battery in the remote terminal; and generate an alert at least partly in response to detecting that the charge level of the battery in the remote terminal falls below a first threshold. 46. The image processing system as defined in claim 35, wherein the wherein the remote camera is part of a remote terminal that comprises a battery configured to charge a user device, the operations further comprising:
detect when a user device is being charged by the remote terminal battery; and at least partly in response to detecting that a user device is being charged by the remote terminal battery, cause a first content item to be presented by a display of the remote terminal. 47. A computer implemented method, the method comprising:
receiving at a computer system via the network interface images from a remote camera positioned at a first location; causing faces of people viewing at least a first item to be detected in at least a portion of the images received from the remote camera; causing respective ages of the detected faces in the images of people viewing at least the first item to be determined; causing respective genders of the detected faces in the images of people viewing at least the first item to be identified; causing a quantity of people that viewed the first item at the first location over a first period of time to be determined; storing in non-transitory computer readable memory:
an identifier associated with the first item,
the determined respective ages of the detected faces in the images of people viewing at least the first item,
the determined respective genders of the detected faces in the images of people viewing at least the first item;
the determined quantity of people that viewed the first item at the first location over the first period of time; using:
the identifier associated with the first item,
the determined respective ages of the detected faces in the images of people viewing at least the first item,
the determined respective genders of the detected faces in the images of people viewing at least the first item;
the determined quantity of people that viewed the first item at the first location over the first period of time,
to enable, at least in part, a second item to be selected to be presented to at least one person. 48. The method as defined in claim 47, the method further comprising:
determining pupil positions in the images of people viewing at least the first item; enabling the determined pupil position in the images of people viewing at least the first item to be used in selecting the second item to be presented to at least one person. 49. The method as defined in claim 47, the method further comprising:
enabling clothing and/or jewelry in the images of people viewing at least the first item to be identified; enabling the identified clothing and/or jewelry in the images of people viewing at least the first to be used in selecting the second item. 50. The method as defined in claim 47, the method further comprising:
based at least in part on:
a received target definition,
the determined respective ages of the detected faces in the images of people viewing at least the first item,
the determined respective genders of the detected faces in the images of people viewing at least the first item;
enabling an item of content to be selected for presentation to one or more people. 51. The method as defined in claim 47, the method further comprising:
causing images captured by the remote camera to be periodically deleted to thereby preserve privacy of people whose images are captured. 52. The method as defined in claim 47, the method further comprising:
using a pre-trained expression classifier that utilizes a support vector machine, adaptive boosting, Random Forest and/or Gradient Tree Boosting algorithms to perform expression classification on the detected faces in the images of people viewing at least the first item. 53. The method as defined in claim 47, the method further comprising:
generating a report using data received from a remote terminal at the first location that indicates quantities and types of content presented to viewers for a first time period, and viewer interactions with the content. 54. The method as defined in claim 47, the method further comprising:
enabling a report filter to be set that limits a first report to a first brand;
based at least in part on the report filter being set, generating the first report limited to the first brand using data that indicates quantities and types of content presented to viewers for a first time period, and viewer interactions with the content. | 3,600 |
343,754 | 16,803,170 | 3,649 | Methods and apparatus for wireless power transfer and communications are provided. In one embodiment, a wireless power transfer system comprises a transmit resonator configured to transmit wireless power, a receive resonator configured to receive the transmitted wireless power from the transmit resonator, a medical device configured to receive power from the receive resonator, a controller configured to change an operating parameter of the medical device resulting in a change to a sonic signature of the medical device, and a listening device configured to determine an intended communication from the implanted medical device or the implanted receive resonator based on the change to the sonic signature coming from the implanted medical device. | 1-14. (canceled) 15. A system comprising:
an implanted medical device implanted in a patient and configured to receive power from an implanted receive resonator; a controller configured to:
determine an intended communication indicating a status of the implanted medical device; and
deliberately change an operating parameter of the implanted medical device to cause a change in a sonic signature generated by the implanted medical device in order to convey the intended communication to an external user interface device; and
the external user interface device configured to:
detect the change in the sonic signature; and
determine, based on the change in the sonic signature, the status of the implanted medical device indicated by the intended communication. 16. The system of claim 15, wherein the status is a power level. 17. The system of claim 15, wherein the external user interface device further comprises a display configured to display information relating to the determined status of the implanted medical device. 18. The system of claim 15, wherein the external user interface device is wearable. 19. The system of claim 18, wherein the external user interface device is affixed to a wrist strap. 20. The system of claim 18, wherein the external user interface device is affixed to a belt. 21. The system of claim 15, wherein the intended communication includes an alert. 22. The system of claim 15, wherein the implanted medical device comprises a left ventricular assist device. 23. The system of claim 22, wherein to deliberately change an operating parameter, the controller is configured to deliberately change a speed of a pump of the left ventricular assist device. 24. The system of claim 15, wherein to deliberately change an operating parameter, the controller is configured to deliberately introduce a harmonic into a drive signal of the implanted medical device. 25. The system of claim 15, wherein the external user interface device includes a microphone. 26. The system of claim 15, further comprising:
a transmit resonator configured to transmit wireless power; and the implanted receive resonator implanted in the patient and configured to receive the transmitted wireless power from the transmit resonator; 27. A method of transmitting communications, comprising:
powering an implanted medical device implanted in a patient with power received from an implanted receive resonator; determining, using a controller, an intended communication indicating a status of the implanted medical device; deliberately changing, using the controller, an operating parameter of the implanted medical device to cause a change in a sonic signature of the implanted medical device in order to convey the intended communication to an external user interface device; detecting, using the external user interface device, the change in the sonic signature; and determining, using the external user interface device, the status of the implanted medical device indicated by the intended communication based on the change in the sonic signature. 28. The method of claim 27, wherein the status is a power level. 29. The method of claim 27, wherein the external user interface device includes a microphone. 30. The method of claim 27, further comprising displaying information relating to the determined status of the implanted medical device to a user on the external user interface device. | Methods and apparatus for wireless power transfer and communications are provided. In one embodiment, a wireless power transfer system comprises a transmit resonator configured to transmit wireless power, a receive resonator configured to receive the transmitted wireless power from the transmit resonator, a medical device configured to receive power from the receive resonator, a controller configured to change an operating parameter of the medical device resulting in a change to a sonic signature of the medical device, and a listening device configured to determine an intended communication from the implanted medical device or the implanted receive resonator based on the change to the sonic signature coming from the implanted medical device.1-14. (canceled) 15. A system comprising:
an implanted medical device implanted in a patient and configured to receive power from an implanted receive resonator; a controller configured to:
determine an intended communication indicating a status of the implanted medical device; and
deliberately change an operating parameter of the implanted medical device to cause a change in a sonic signature generated by the implanted medical device in order to convey the intended communication to an external user interface device; and
the external user interface device configured to:
detect the change in the sonic signature; and
determine, based on the change in the sonic signature, the status of the implanted medical device indicated by the intended communication. 16. The system of claim 15, wherein the status is a power level. 17. The system of claim 15, wherein the external user interface device further comprises a display configured to display information relating to the determined status of the implanted medical device. 18. The system of claim 15, wherein the external user interface device is wearable. 19. The system of claim 18, wherein the external user interface device is affixed to a wrist strap. 20. The system of claim 18, wherein the external user interface device is affixed to a belt. 21. The system of claim 15, wherein the intended communication includes an alert. 22. The system of claim 15, wherein the implanted medical device comprises a left ventricular assist device. 23. The system of claim 22, wherein to deliberately change an operating parameter, the controller is configured to deliberately change a speed of a pump of the left ventricular assist device. 24. The system of claim 15, wherein to deliberately change an operating parameter, the controller is configured to deliberately introduce a harmonic into a drive signal of the implanted medical device. 25. The system of claim 15, wherein the external user interface device includes a microphone. 26. The system of claim 15, further comprising:
a transmit resonator configured to transmit wireless power; and the implanted receive resonator implanted in the patient and configured to receive the transmitted wireless power from the transmit resonator; 27. A method of transmitting communications, comprising:
powering an implanted medical device implanted in a patient with power received from an implanted receive resonator; determining, using a controller, an intended communication indicating a status of the implanted medical device; deliberately changing, using the controller, an operating parameter of the implanted medical device to cause a change in a sonic signature of the implanted medical device in order to convey the intended communication to an external user interface device; detecting, using the external user interface device, the change in the sonic signature; and determining, using the external user interface device, the status of the implanted medical device indicated by the intended communication based on the change in the sonic signature. 28. The method of claim 27, wherein the status is a power level. 29. The method of claim 27, wherein the external user interface device includes a microphone. 30. The method of claim 27, further comprising displaying information relating to the determined status of the implanted medical device to a user on the external user interface device. | 3,600 |
343,755 | 16,803,184 | 3,649 | Systems and methods are disclosed for treating teeth to correct for malocclusions. This may be accomplished by applying a series of labels to a digital dental model and applying a rolling ball process to identify tooth boundaries separating one tooth from a neighboring tooth and to also determine the crown/gum margin. The user may further assign regions to the dental model to indicate hard regions and soft regions. With the dental model labeled and defined, the user may then generate a treatment plan for moving the labeled and defined tooth or teeth relative to one another to correct for any malocclusions. Upon approval of the treatment plan, a series of 3D printed dental appliances or aligners to be worn in series by the patient may be fabricated to ultimately move the tooth or teeth to a desired position. | 1. A method for planning a treatment for correcting malocclusions, comprising:
applying a label to one or more teeth within a digitized three-dimensional dental model; causing a simulated ball to roll digitally along an exterior of the one or more teeth and gums within the digitized three-dimensional dental model such that inflection changes in a path or trajectory of the simulated ball are detected, wherein the inflection changes are indicative of boundaries between each of the one or more teeth and gums; assigning a hard or soft region to each of the one or more teeth and gums within the digitized three-dimensional dental model; and moving a position of the one or more teeth within the digitized three-dimensional dental model to correct for malocclusions. 2. The method of claim 1 wherein causing the simulated ball to roll digitally further comprises extrapolating a further boundary between adjacent teeth which is inaccessible to the simulated ball by projecting a trajectory of the simulated ball between the adjacent teeth. 3. The method of claim 1 further comprising fabricating one or more aligners to move the one or more teeth according to the treatment. 4. The method of claim 3 wherein fabricating one or more aligners comprises 3D printing the one or more aligners. 5. The method of claim 1 wherein applying the label comprises receiving input from a user via a user interface in applying the label to the one or more teeth within the digitized three-dimensional dental model. 6. The method of claim 1 wherein the inflection changes are further indicative of a crown/gum margin. 7. The method of claim 1 wherein moving the position of the one or more teeth comprises applying a user-defined moving widget to the one or more teeth. 8. The method of claim 7 wherein the moving widget comprises widgets for mesial/distal, lingual/facial, or vertical operations. 9. The method of claim 1 wherein moving the position comprises morphing a new digitized three-dimensional dental model from the digitized three-dimensional dental model. 10. The method of claim 9 wherein morphing comprises generating a model for a subsequent dental treatment stage. 11. The method of claim 1 wherein each step occurs in a single visit by a subject to a dental office. | Systems and methods are disclosed for treating teeth to correct for malocclusions. This may be accomplished by applying a series of labels to a digital dental model and applying a rolling ball process to identify tooth boundaries separating one tooth from a neighboring tooth and to also determine the crown/gum margin. The user may further assign regions to the dental model to indicate hard regions and soft regions. With the dental model labeled and defined, the user may then generate a treatment plan for moving the labeled and defined tooth or teeth relative to one another to correct for any malocclusions. Upon approval of the treatment plan, a series of 3D printed dental appliances or aligners to be worn in series by the patient may be fabricated to ultimately move the tooth or teeth to a desired position.1. A method for planning a treatment for correcting malocclusions, comprising:
applying a label to one or more teeth within a digitized three-dimensional dental model; causing a simulated ball to roll digitally along an exterior of the one or more teeth and gums within the digitized three-dimensional dental model such that inflection changes in a path or trajectory of the simulated ball are detected, wherein the inflection changes are indicative of boundaries between each of the one or more teeth and gums; assigning a hard or soft region to each of the one or more teeth and gums within the digitized three-dimensional dental model; and moving a position of the one or more teeth within the digitized three-dimensional dental model to correct for malocclusions. 2. The method of claim 1 wherein causing the simulated ball to roll digitally further comprises extrapolating a further boundary between adjacent teeth which is inaccessible to the simulated ball by projecting a trajectory of the simulated ball between the adjacent teeth. 3. The method of claim 1 further comprising fabricating one or more aligners to move the one or more teeth according to the treatment. 4. The method of claim 3 wherein fabricating one or more aligners comprises 3D printing the one or more aligners. 5. The method of claim 1 wherein applying the label comprises receiving input from a user via a user interface in applying the label to the one or more teeth within the digitized three-dimensional dental model. 6. The method of claim 1 wherein the inflection changes are further indicative of a crown/gum margin. 7. The method of claim 1 wherein moving the position of the one or more teeth comprises applying a user-defined moving widget to the one or more teeth. 8. The method of claim 7 wherein the moving widget comprises widgets for mesial/distal, lingual/facial, or vertical operations. 9. The method of claim 1 wherein moving the position comprises morphing a new digitized three-dimensional dental model from the digitized three-dimensional dental model. 10. The method of claim 9 wherein morphing comprises generating a model for a subsequent dental treatment stage. 11. The method of claim 1 wherein each step occurs in a single visit by a subject to a dental office. | 3,600 |
343,756 | 16,803,175 | 3,649 | Systems and methods are disclosed for treating teeth to correct for malocclusions. This may be accomplished by applying a series of labels to a digital dental model and applying a rolling ball process to identify tooth boundaries separating one tooth from a neighboring tooth and to also determine the crown/gum margin. The user may further assign regions to the dental model to indicate hard regions and soft regions. With the dental model labeled and defined, the user may then generate a treatment plan for moving the labeled and defined tooth or teeth relative to one another to correct for any malocclusions. Upon approval of the treatment plan, a series of 3D printed dental appliances or aligners to be worn in series by the patient may be fabricated to ultimately move the tooth or teeth to a desired position. | 1. A method for planning a treatment for correcting malocclusions, comprising:
applying a label to one or more teeth within a digitized three-dimensional dental model; causing a simulated ball to roll digitally along an exterior of the one or more teeth and gums within the digitized three-dimensional dental model such that inflection changes in a path or trajectory of the simulated ball are detected, wherein the inflection changes are indicative of boundaries between each of the one or more teeth and gums; assigning a hard or soft region to each of the one or more teeth and gums within the digitized three-dimensional dental model; and moving a position of the one or more teeth within the digitized three-dimensional dental model to correct for malocclusions. 2. The method of claim 1 wherein causing the simulated ball to roll digitally further comprises extrapolating a further boundary between adjacent teeth which is inaccessible to the simulated ball by projecting a trajectory of the simulated ball between the adjacent teeth. 3. The method of claim 1 further comprising fabricating one or more aligners to move the one or more teeth according to the treatment. 4. The method of claim 3 wherein fabricating one or more aligners comprises 3D printing the one or more aligners. 5. The method of claim 1 wherein applying the label comprises receiving input from a user via a user interface in applying the label to the one or more teeth within the digitized three-dimensional dental model. 6. The method of claim 1 wherein the inflection changes are further indicative of a crown/gum margin. 7. The method of claim 1 wherein moving the position of the one or more teeth comprises applying a user-defined moving widget to the one or more teeth. 8. The method of claim 7 wherein the moving widget comprises widgets for mesial/distal, lingual/facial, or vertical operations. 9. The method of claim 1 wherein moving the position comprises morphing a new digitized three-dimensional dental model from the digitized three-dimensional dental model. 10. The method of claim 9 wherein morphing comprises generating a model for a subsequent dental treatment stage. 11. The method of claim 1 wherein each step occurs in a single visit by a subject to a dental office. | Systems and methods are disclosed for treating teeth to correct for malocclusions. This may be accomplished by applying a series of labels to a digital dental model and applying a rolling ball process to identify tooth boundaries separating one tooth from a neighboring tooth and to also determine the crown/gum margin. The user may further assign regions to the dental model to indicate hard regions and soft regions. With the dental model labeled and defined, the user may then generate a treatment plan for moving the labeled and defined tooth or teeth relative to one another to correct for any malocclusions. Upon approval of the treatment plan, a series of 3D printed dental appliances or aligners to be worn in series by the patient may be fabricated to ultimately move the tooth or teeth to a desired position.1. A method for planning a treatment for correcting malocclusions, comprising:
applying a label to one or more teeth within a digitized three-dimensional dental model; causing a simulated ball to roll digitally along an exterior of the one or more teeth and gums within the digitized three-dimensional dental model such that inflection changes in a path or trajectory of the simulated ball are detected, wherein the inflection changes are indicative of boundaries between each of the one or more teeth and gums; assigning a hard or soft region to each of the one or more teeth and gums within the digitized three-dimensional dental model; and moving a position of the one or more teeth within the digitized three-dimensional dental model to correct for malocclusions. 2. The method of claim 1 wherein causing the simulated ball to roll digitally further comprises extrapolating a further boundary between adjacent teeth which is inaccessible to the simulated ball by projecting a trajectory of the simulated ball between the adjacent teeth. 3. The method of claim 1 further comprising fabricating one or more aligners to move the one or more teeth according to the treatment. 4. The method of claim 3 wherein fabricating one or more aligners comprises 3D printing the one or more aligners. 5. The method of claim 1 wherein applying the label comprises receiving input from a user via a user interface in applying the label to the one or more teeth within the digitized three-dimensional dental model. 6. The method of claim 1 wherein the inflection changes are further indicative of a crown/gum margin. 7. The method of claim 1 wherein moving the position of the one or more teeth comprises applying a user-defined moving widget to the one or more teeth. 8. The method of claim 7 wherein the moving widget comprises widgets for mesial/distal, lingual/facial, or vertical operations. 9. The method of claim 1 wherein moving the position comprises morphing a new digitized three-dimensional dental model from the digitized three-dimensional dental model. 10. The method of claim 9 wherein morphing comprises generating a model for a subsequent dental treatment stage. 11. The method of claim 1 wherein each step occurs in a single visit by a subject to a dental office. | 3,600 |
343,757 | 16,803,207 | 3,649 | Adhesion-regulating agents for enhancing the adhesion values of acrylic adhesives, and methods of using adhesion-regulating agents for treating a removable flooring substrate surface for tuning the adhesion of the flooring substrate surface to objects comprising an acrylic adhesive are disclosed. | 1. A flooring assembly comprising:
a floor substrate having a floor substrate surface, said floor substrate surface treated with an adhesion-regulating agent to form an adhesion-regulated floor substrate surface, said adhesion-regulating agent comprising:
a titanate-doped ketone mixture comprising:
an amount of ketone ranging from about 95% to about 99% by volume, said ketone selected from at least one of: methyl ethyl ketone; methyl n-propyl ketone; methyl isobutyl ketone; and acetone; and
a titanate in an amount ranging from about 0.05% to about 5% by volume;
a flooring material, said flooring material comprising a pressure sensitive adhesive layer, said pressure sensitive adhesive layer configured to be oriented proximate to the adhesion-regulated floor substrate surface; wherein the flooring material maintains a degree of adhesion to the adhesion-regulated floor substrate surface, with the degree of adhesion ranging from between about 1.0 pound per inch of width to about 4 pounds per inch of width. 2. The flooring assembly of claim 1, wherein the floor substrate surface comprises at least one of: a carbon fiber-reinforced plastic; a coated carbon fiber-reinforced plastic; titanium; a titanium alloy, aluminum, and an aluminum alloy. 3. The flooring assembly of claim 1, wherein the comprises at least one of:
titanium (IV) (triethanolaminato)isopropoxide; titanium bis(triethanolamine)diisopropoxide; titanium (IV) butoxide polymer; titanium (IV) butoxide; titanium (IV) oxyacetylacetonate; titanium (IV) bis(ammonium lactate)dihydroxide; oxobis(2,2,6,6-tetramethyl-3,5-heptanedianato) titanium (IV); titanium (IV diisopropoxidebis(2,2,6,6-tetramethyl-3,5-heptanedionate); titanium (IV) diisopropoxide bis(acetylacetonate); titanium (IV) tert-butoxide; titanium tetraisopropoxide; and titanium (IV) 2-ethylhexyloxide. 4. The flooring assembly of claim 1, wherein the adhesion-regulated floor substrate surface increases an adhesion value of the adhesive by an amount ranging from between about 10% to about 25%. 5. The flooring assembly of claim 1, wherein the flooring material is removable from the floor substrate surface without damaging the flooring material and without damaging the floor substrate surface. 6. The flooring assembly of claim 1, wherein the floor substrate surface comprises at least one of: a metal, a metal alloy, a carbon fiber-reinforced plastic, a carbon fiber-reinforced plastic coated with polyurethane tape, and a coated metal. 7. The flooring assembly of claim 1, wherein the ketone comprises at least one of: methyl ethyl ketone, methyl n-propyl ketone, methyl isobutyl ketone, and acetone. 8. The flooring assembly of claim 1, wherein the flooring material comprises at least one of: a silicone containing material and a vinyl-containing material. 9. A vehicle comprising the flooring assembly of claim 1, wherein the vehicle is:
a manned aircraft, an unmanned aircraft, a manned spacecraft, an unmanned spacecraft, a manned rotorcraft, an unmanned rotorcraft, a satellite, a manned terrestrial vehicle, an unmanned terrestrial vehicle, a manned surface water borne vehicle, an unmanned surface water borne vehicle, a manned sub-surface water borne vehicle, or an unmanned sub-surface water borne vehicle. 10. A building comprising the flooring assembly of claim 1. 11. A method comprising:
applying an adhesion-regulating agent to a floor substrate surface to form an adhesion-regulated floor substrate surface, said adhesion-regulating agent comprising:
a titanate-doped ketone mixture comprising:
an amount of ketone ranging from about 95% to about 99% by volume, said ketone selected from the group consisting of methyl ethyl ketone; methyl n-propyl ketone; methyl isobutyl ketone; and acetone; and
a titanate in an amount ranging from about 0.05% to about 5% by volume;
placing a flooring material onto the adhesion-regulated floor substrate surface, said flooring material comprising an adhesive layer, said adhesive layer oriented proximate to the adhesion-regulated floor substrate surface; and maintaining a degree of adhesion between the flooring material and adhesion-regulated floor substrate surface, with the degree of adhesion ranging from between about 1.0 pound per inch of width to about 4 pounds per inch of width. 12. The method of claim 11, wherein the flooring material is removable from the floor substrate surface without damaging the flooring material and without damaging the floor substrate surface. 13. The method of claim 11, the method further comprising:
increasing an adhesion value of the flooring material adhered to the floor substrate surface by an amount of at least from about 10% adhesion value increase to about a 25% adhesion value increase. as compared to the adhesion value of the flooring material adhered to a floor substrate surface that does not comprise an adhesion-regulated floor substrate surface 14. The method of claim 11, wherein the titanate-doped ketone mixture comprises a titanate, said titanate comprising at least one of:
titanium (IV) (triethanolaminato)isopropoxide; titanium bis(triethanolamine)diisopropoxide; titanium (IV) butoxide polymer; titanium (IV) butoxide; titanium (IV) oxyacetylacetonate; titanium (IV) bis(ammonium lactate)dihydroxide; oxobis(2,2,6,6-tetramethyl-3,5-heptanedianato) titanium (IV); titanium (IV diisopropoxidebis(2,2,6,6-tetramethyl-3,5-heptanedionate); titanium (IV) diisopropoxide bis(acetylacetonate); titanium (IV) tert-butoxide; titanium tetraisopropoxide; and titanium (IV) 2-ethylhexyloxide. 15. The method of claim 11, wherein the floor substrate surface comprises at least one of: a metal, a metal alloy, a carbon fiber-reinforced plastic, a carbon fiber-reinforced plastic coated with polyurethane tape, and a coated metal. 16. The method of claim 11, wherein the ketone-containing solvent comprises at least one of: methyl ethyl ketone, methyl n-propyl ketone, methyl isobutyl ketone, and acetone. 17. The method of claim 11, wherein the flooring material layer comprises at least one of: a silicone containing material or a vinyl-containing material. 18. A flooring assembly installed according to the method of claim 11. 19. A vehicle comprising the flooring assembly of claim 11. 20. The vehicle of claim 19, wherein the vehicle is a manned aircraft, an unmanned aircraft, a manned spacecraft, an unmanned spacecraft, a manned rotorcraft, an unmanned rotorcraft, a satellite, a manned terrestrial vehicle, an unmanned terrestrial vehicle, a manned surface water borne vehicle, an unmanned surface water borne vehicle, a manned sub-surface water borne vehicle, or an unmanned sub-surface water borne vehicle. | Adhesion-regulating agents for enhancing the adhesion values of acrylic adhesives, and methods of using adhesion-regulating agents for treating a removable flooring substrate surface for tuning the adhesion of the flooring substrate surface to objects comprising an acrylic adhesive are disclosed.1. A flooring assembly comprising:
a floor substrate having a floor substrate surface, said floor substrate surface treated with an adhesion-regulating agent to form an adhesion-regulated floor substrate surface, said adhesion-regulating agent comprising:
a titanate-doped ketone mixture comprising:
an amount of ketone ranging from about 95% to about 99% by volume, said ketone selected from at least one of: methyl ethyl ketone; methyl n-propyl ketone; methyl isobutyl ketone; and acetone; and
a titanate in an amount ranging from about 0.05% to about 5% by volume;
a flooring material, said flooring material comprising a pressure sensitive adhesive layer, said pressure sensitive adhesive layer configured to be oriented proximate to the adhesion-regulated floor substrate surface; wherein the flooring material maintains a degree of adhesion to the adhesion-regulated floor substrate surface, with the degree of adhesion ranging from between about 1.0 pound per inch of width to about 4 pounds per inch of width. 2. The flooring assembly of claim 1, wherein the floor substrate surface comprises at least one of: a carbon fiber-reinforced plastic; a coated carbon fiber-reinforced plastic; titanium; a titanium alloy, aluminum, and an aluminum alloy. 3. The flooring assembly of claim 1, wherein the comprises at least one of:
titanium (IV) (triethanolaminato)isopropoxide; titanium bis(triethanolamine)diisopropoxide; titanium (IV) butoxide polymer; titanium (IV) butoxide; titanium (IV) oxyacetylacetonate; titanium (IV) bis(ammonium lactate)dihydroxide; oxobis(2,2,6,6-tetramethyl-3,5-heptanedianato) titanium (IV); titanium (IV diisopropoxidebis(2,2,6,6-tetramethyl-3,5-heptanedionate); titanium (IV) diisopropoxide bis(acetylacetonate); titanium (IV) tert-butoxide; titanium tetraisopropoxide; and titanium (IV) 2-ethylhexyloxide. 4. The flooring assembly of claim 1, wherein the adhesion-regulated floor substrate surface increases an adhesion value of the adhesive by an amount ranging from between about 10% to about 25%. 5. The flooring assembly of claim 1, wherein the flooring material is removable from the floor substrate surface without damaging the flooring material and without damaging the floor substrate surface. 6. The flooring assembly of claim 1, wherein the floor substrate surface comprises at least one of: a metal, a metal alloy, a carbon fiber-reinforced plastic, a carbon fiber-reinforced plastic coated with polyurethane tape, and a coated metal. 7. The flooring assembly of claim 1, wherein the ketone comprises at least one of: methyl ethyl ketone, methyl n-propyl ketone, methyl isobutyl ketone, and acetone. 8. The flooring assembly of claim 1, wherein the flooring material comprises at least one of: a silicone containing material and a vinyl-containing material. 9. A vehicle comprising the flooring assembly of claim 1, wherein the vehicle is:
a manned aircraft, an unmanned aircraft, a manned spacecraft, an unmanned spacecraft, a manned rotorcraft, an unmanned rotorcraft, a satellite, a manned terrestrial vehicle, an unmanned terrestrial vehicle, a manned surface water borne vehicle, an unmanned surface water borne vehicle, a manned sub-surface water borne vehicle, or an unmanned sub-surface water borne vehicle. 10. A building comprising the flooring assembly of claim 1. 11. A method comprising:
applying an adhesion-regulating agent to a floor substrate surface to form an adhesion-regulated floor substrate surface, said adhesion-regulating agent comprising:
a titanate-doped ketone mixture comprising:
an amount of ketone ranging from about 95% to about 99% by volume, said ketone selected from the group consisting of methyl ethyl ketone; methyl n-propyl ketone; methyl isobutyl ketone; and acetone; and
a titanate in an amount ranging from about 0.05% to about 5% by volume;
placing a flooring material onto the adhesion-regulated floor substrate surface, said flooring material comprising an adhesive layer, said adhesive layer oriented proximate to the adhesion-regulated floor substrate surface; and maintaining a degree of adhesion between the flooring material and adhesion-regulated floor substrate surface, with the degree of adhesion ranging from between about 1.0 pound per inch of width to about 4 pounds per inch of width. 12. The method of claim 11, wherein the flooring material is removable from the floor substrate surface without damaging the flooring material and without damaging the floor substrate surface. 13. The method of claim 11, the method further comprising:
increasing an adhesion value of the flooring material adhered to the floor substrate surface by an amount of at least from about 10% adhesion value increase to about a 25% adhesion value increase. as compared to the adhesion value of the flooring material adhered to a floor substrate surface that does not comprise an adhesion-regulated floor substrate surface 14. The method of claim 11, wherein the titanate-doped ketone mixture comprises a titanate, said titanate comprising at least one of:
titanium (IV) (triethanolaminato)isopropoxide; titanium bis(triethanolamine)diisopropoxide; titanium (IV) butoxide polymer; titanium (IV) butoxide; titanium (IV) oxyacetylacetonate; titanium (IV) bis(ammonium lactate)dihydroxide; oxobis(2,2,6,6-tetramethyl-3,5-heptanedianato) titanium (IV); titanium (IV diisopropoxidebis(2,2,6,6-tetramethyl-3,5-heptanedionate); titanium (IV) diisopropoxide bis(acetylacetonate); titanium (IV) tert-butoxide; titanium tetraisopropoxide; and titanium (IV) 2-ethylhexyloxide. 15. The method of claim 11, wherein the floor substrate surface comprises at least one of: a metal, a metal alloy, a carbon fiber-reinforced plastic, a carbon fiber-reinforced plastic coated with polyurethane tape, and a coated metal. 16. The method of claim 11, wherein the ketone-containing solvent comprises at least one of: methyl ethyl ketone, methyl n-propyl ketone, methyl isobutyl ketone, and acetone. 17. The method of claim 11, wherein the flooring material layer comprises at least one of: a silicone containing material or a vinyl-containing material. 18. A flooring assembly installed according to the method of claim 11. 19. A vehicle comprising the flooring assembly of claim 11. 20. The vehicle of claim 19, wherein the vehicle is a manned aircraft, an unmanned aircraft, a manned spacecraft, an unmanned spacecraft, a manned rotorcraft, an unmanned rotorcraft, a satellite, a manned terrestrial vehicle, an unmanned terrestrial vehicle, a manned surface water borne vehicle, an unmanned surface water borne vehicle, a manned sub-surface water borne vehicle, or an unmanned sub-surface water borne vehicle. | 3,600 |
343,758 | 16,803,206 | 3,649 | A battery control system includes a storage battery connected to a power network to be charged with and discharge power and a control device configured to control charging and discharging of the storage battery. The control device changes details of charging and discharging control of the storage battery when a deterioration state of the storage battery satisfies a predetermined condition at a point in time when a predetermined time has elapsed since start of use. The control device may gradually shift to control for suppressing deterioration of the storage battery as a use time of the storage battery becomes longer. In this way, it is possible to improve the economy of a consumer owning the storage battery. | 1. A battery control system comprising:
a storage battery connected to a power network to be charged with and discharge power; and a control device configured to control charging and discharging of the storage battery, wherein: the control device is configured to change details of charging and discharging control of the storage battery when a deterioration state of the storage battery satisfies a predetermined condition at a time point when a predetermined time has elapsed since start of use. 2. The battery control system according to claim 1, wherein the control device gradually shifts to control for suppressing deterioration of the storage battery as a use time of the storage battery becomes longer. 3. The battery control system according to claim 1, wherein the storage battery is connected to the power network for power supply and demand adjustment. | A battery control system includes a storage battery connected to a power network to be charged with and discharge power and a control device configured to control charging and discharging of the storage battery. The control device changes details of charging and discharging control of the storage battery when a deterioration state of the storage battery satisfies a predetermined condition at a point in time when a predetermined time has elapsed since start of use. The control device may gradually shift to control for suppressing deterioration of the storage battery as a use time of the storage battery becomes longer. In this way, it is possible to improve the economy of a consumer owning the storage battery.1. A battery control system comprising:
a storage battery connected to a power network to be charged with and discharge power; and a control device configured to control charging and discharging of the storage battery, wherein: the control device is configured to change details of charging and discharging control of the storage battery when a deterioration state of the storage battery satisfies a predetermined condition at a time point when a predetermined time has elapsed since start of use. 2. The battery control system according to claim 1, wherein the control device gradually shifts to control for suppressing deterioration of the storage battery as a use time of the storage battery becomes longer. 3. The battery control system according to claim 1, wherein the storage battery is connected to the power network for power supply and demand adjustment. | 3,600 |
343,759 | 16,803,216 | 3,649 | An implantable medical pump system configured to selectively permit access to a medicament reservoir by way of at least one contactless key, including an implantable medical pump having an medicament reservoir fluidly couple to an access port via a conduit including an access valve, and at least one contactless key configured to impart a magnetic field upon a portion of the implantable medical pump to manipulate the access valve between a closed position isolating the medicament reservoir from the access port, and an open position fluidly coupling the medicament reservoir to the access port. | 1. An implantable medical system configured to selectively permit access to a medicament reservoir by way of at least one contactless key, the implantable medical pump system comprising:
an implantable medical device including a medicament reservoir fluidly coupled to an access port via a conduit including an access valve configured to selectively isolate the medicament reservoir from the access port; and at least one contactless key configured to impart a magnetic field upon a portion of the implantable medical pump to manipulate the access valve between a closed position isolating the medicament reservoir from the access port, and an open position fluidly coupling the medicament reservoir to the access port. 2. The implantable medical system of claim 1, wherein the access valve is configured to shift from the closed position to the open position. 3. The implantable medical system of claim 2, wherein the access valve is biased to the closed position in the absence of the magnetic field imparted by the at least one contactless key. 4. The implantable medical system of claim 1, wherein the magnetic field of the at least one contactless key manipulates at least one of directly or indirectly with the access valve. 5. The implantable medical system of claim 1, wherein the access valve includes at least one of a magnetic element or ferritic portion configured to be manipulated by the at least one contactless key, thereby enabling the at least one contactless key to directly manipulate the access valve between the closed position and the open position. 6. The implantable medical system of claim 1, wherein the access valve is at least one of a flapper valve, ball valve, reed valve, duckbill valve, rotary valve, or poppet valve. 7. The implantable medical system of claim 1, further comprising a magnetic sensing element configured to sense the magnetic field imparted by the at least one contactless key for manipulation of the access valve, thereby enabling the at least one contactless key to indirectly manipulate the access valve between the closed position and the open position. 8. The implantable medical system of claim 7, wherein the magnetic sensing element is at least one of a reed switch, magnetic field sensor, micro-electromechanical systems (MEMS) device, Hall effect sensor, magneto diode, magneto transistor, AMR magnetometer, GMR magnetometer, MTJ magnetometer, magnetooptical device, MEMS (Lorenz force), MEMS electron tunneling, or MEMS compass. 9. The implantable medical system of claim 7, wherein the implantable medical system is configured to provide at least one of a visual, auditory or vibratory feedback response upon proper positioning of the at least one contactless key relative to the implantable medical system as determined by the magnetic sensing element. 10. The implantable medical system of claim 1, wherein the at least one contactless key is at least one of a standalone key or incorporated into an implantable medical system template of a refill kit. 11. The implantable medical pump system of claim 1, wherein the implantable medical system is configured to log a date and time of a sensed presence of the magnetic field of the at least one contactless key. 12. An implantable medical system configured to perform a desired function in the presence of a contactless key, the implantable medical system comprising:
an implantable medical device having a magnetic sensing element and processor configured to sense the presence of a magnetic field and to perform one or more preprogrammed functions in response to the sensed magnetic field; and at least one contactless key configured to impart a magnetic field upon a portion of the implantable medical pump, thereby causing the implantable medical device to perform the one or more preprogrammed functions. 13. The implantable medical system of claim 12, wherein the one or more preprogrammed functions include at least one of manipulating a valve, initiating a bolus delivery of medicament, temporarily pausing medicament delivery, or entering an MRI safe mode. 14. The implantable medical system of claim 12, wherein the one or more preprogrammed functions include shifting an access valve located between a medicament reservoir and a medicament reservoir access port from a closed position to an open position. 15. The implantable medical system of claim 12, wherein the processor is configured to initiate at least one of an auditory or vibratory feedback response upon proper positioning of the at least one contactless key relative to the implantable medical device as determined by the magnetic sensing element. 16. The implantable medical system of claim 12, wherein the magnetic sensing element is at least one of a reed switch, magnetic field sensor, micro-electromechanical systems (MEMS) device, Hall effect sensor, magneto diode, magneto transistor, AMR magnetometer, GMR magnetometer, MTJ magnetometer, magnetooptical device, MEMS (Lorenz force), MEMS electron tunneling, or MEMS compass. 17. The implantable medical system of claim 12, wherein the processor is configured to log a date and time of a sensed presence of the magnetic field of the at least one contactless key. 18. The implantable medical system of claim 12, wherein at least one contactless key includes two or more maxels. 19. The implantable medical system of claim 12, wherein the at least one contactless key is at least one of a standalone key or incorporated into an implantable medical device template of a refill kit. 20. A method of selectively permitting access to a medicament reservoir of an implanted medical pump by way of at least one contactless key, the method comprising:
positioning at least one contactless key in proximity to an implanted medical pump, the implanted medical pump including a medicament reservoir fluidly coupled to an access port via a conduit including an access valve configured to selectively isolate the medicament reservoir from the access port, the at least one contactless key configured to impart a magnetic field upon a portion of the implantable medical pump, thereby causing the access valve to shift from a closed position isolating the medicament reservoir from the access port to an open position fluidly coupling the medicament reservoir to the access port. 21. A method of selectively permitting access to a fluid pathway of an implanted medical port by way of at least one contactless key, the method comprising:
positioning at least one contactless key in proximity to an implanted medical port, the implanted medical port including a fluid pathway fluidly coupled to an access port via a conduit including an access valve configured to selectively isolate the fluid pathway from the access port, the at least one contactless key configured to impart a magnetic field upon a portion of the implantable medical port, thereby causing the access valve to shift from a closed position isolating the fluid pathway from the access port to an open position fluidly coupling the fluid pathway to the access port. 22. A method comprising:
sensing at least one contactless key in proximity to an implanted medical pump, the implanted medical pump including a medicament reservoir fluidly coupled to an access port via one or more conduits including an access valve configured to selectively isolate the medicament reservoir from the access port; and determining, by a computer processor and from a magnetic field that is based at least in part on the contactless key, a magnetic key code; wherein in response to determining that the magnetic key code authorizes access to an access port of the implanted medical pump, configuring, by the computer processor, the access valve to shift from a closed position isolating the medicament reservoir from the access port to an open position fluidly coupling the medicament reservoir to the access port. 23. An implantable medical port system configured to selectively permit access to a fluid pathway by way of at least one contactless key, the implantable medical pump system comprising:
an implantable medical port including a fluid pathway fluidly coupled to an access port via a conduit including an access valve configured to selectively isolate the fluid pathway from the access port; and at least one contactless key configured to impart a magnetic field upon a portion of the implantable medical pump to manipulate the access valve between a closed position isolating the medicament reservoir from the access port, and an open position fluidly coupling the medicament reservoir to the access port. | An implantable medical pump system configured to selectively permit access to a medicament reservoir by way of at least one contactless key, including an implantable medical pump having an medicament reservoir fluidly couple to an access port via a conduit including an access valve, and at least one contactless key configured to impart a magnetic field upon a portion of the implantable medical pump to manipulate the access valve between a closed position isolating the medicament reservoir from the access port, and an open position fluidly coupling the medicament reservoir to the access port.1. An implantable medical system configured to selectively permit access to a medicament reservoir by way of at least one contactless key, the implantable medical pump system comprising:
an implantable medical device including a medicament reservoir fluidly coupled to an access port via a conduit including an access valve configured to selectively isolate the medicament reservoir from the access port; and at least one contactless key configured to impart a magnetic field upon a portion of the implantable medical pump to manipulate the access valve between a closed position isolating the medicament reservoir from the access port, and an open position fluidly coupling the medicament reservoir to the access port. 2. The implantable medical system of claim 1, wherein the access valve is configured to shift from the closed position to the open position. 3. The implantable medical system of claim 2, wherein the access valve is biased to the closed position in the absence of the magnetic field imparted by the at least one contactless key. 4. The implantable medical system of claim 1, wherein the magnetic field of the at least one contactless key manipulates at least one of directly or indirectly with the access valve. 5. The implantable medical system of claim 1, wherein the access valve includes at least one of a magnetic element or ferritic portion configured to be manipulated by the at least one contactless key, thereby enabling the at least one contactless key to directly manipulate the access valve between the closed position and the open position. 6. The implantable medical system of claim 1, wherein the access valve is at least one of a flapper valve, ball valve, reed valve, duckbill valve, rotary valve, or poppet valve. 7. The implantable medical system of claim 1, further comprising a magnetic sensing element configured to sense the magnetic field imparted by the at least one contactless key for manipulation of the access valve, thereby enabling the at least one contactless key to indirectly manipulate the access valve between the closed position and the open position. 8. The implantable medical system of claim 7, wherein the magnetic sensing element is at least one of a reed switch, magnetic field sensor, micro-electromechanical systems (MEMS) device, Hall effect sensor, magneto diode, magneto transistor, AMR magnetometer, GMR magnetometer, MTJ magnetometer, magnetooptical device, MEMS (Lorenz force), MEMS electron tunneling, or MEMS compass. 9. The implantable medical system of claim 7, wherein the implantable medical system is configured to provide at least one of a visual, auditory or vibratory feedback response upon proper positioning of the at least one contactless key relative to the implantable medical system as determined by the magnetic sensing element. 10. The implantable medical system of claim 1, wherein the at least one contactless key is at least one of a standalone key or incorporated into an implantable medical system template of a refill kit. 11. The implantable medical pump system of claim 1, wherein the implantable medical system is configured to log a date and time of a sensed presence of the magnetic field of the at least one contactless key. 12. An implantable medical system configured to perform a desired function in the presence of a contactless key, the implantable medical system comprising:
an implantable medical device having a magnetic sensing element and processor configured to sense the presence of a magnetic field and to perform one or more preprogrammed functions in response to the sensed magnetic field; and at least one contactless key configured to impart a magnetic field upon a portion of the implantable medical pump, thereby causing the implantable medical device to perform the one or more preprogrammed functions. 13. The implantable medical system of claim 12, wherein the one or more preprogrammed functions include at least one of manipulating a valve, initiating a bolus delivery of medicament, temporarily pausing medicament delivery, or entering an MRI safe mode. 14. The implantable medical system of claim 12, wherein the one or more preprogrammed functions include shifting an access valve located between a medicament reservoir and a medicament reservoir access port from a closed position to an open position. 15. The implantable medical system of claim 12, wherein the processor is configured to initiate at least one of an auditory or vibratory feedback response upon proper positioning of the at least one contactless key relative to the implantable medical device as determined by the magnetic sensing element. 16. The implantable medical system of claim 12, wherein the magnetic sensing element is at least one of a reed switch, magnetic field sensor, micro-electromechanical systems (MEMS) device, Hall effect sensor, magneto diode, magneto transistor, AMR magnetometer, GMR magnetometer, MTJ magnetometer, magnetooptical device, MEMS (Lorenz force), MEMS electron tunneling, or MEMS compass. 17. The implantable medical system of claim 12, wherein the processor is configured to log a date and time of a sensed presence of the magnetic field of the at least one contactless key. 18. The implantable medical system of claim 12, wherein at least one contactless key includes two or more maxels. 19. The implantable medical system of claim 12, wherein the at least one contactless key is at least one of a standalone key or incorporated into an implantable medical device template of a refill kit. 20. A method of selectively permitting access to a medicament reservoir of an implanted medical pump by way of at least one contactless key, the method comprising:
positioning at least one contactless key in proximity to an implanted medical pump, the implanted medical pump including a medicament reservoir fluidly coupled to an access port via a conduit including an access valve configured to selectively isolate the medicament reservoir from the access port, the at least one contactless key configured to impart a magnetic field upon a portion of the implantable medical pump, thereby causing the access valve to shift from a closed position isolating the medicament reservoir from the access port to an open position fluidly coupling the medicament reservoir to the access port. 21. A method of selectively permitting access to a fluid pathway of an implanted medical port by way of at least one contactless key, the method comprising:
positioning at least one contactless key in proximity to an implanted medical port, the implanted medical port including a fluid pathway fluidly coupled to an access port via a conduit including an access valve configured to selectively isolate the fluid pathway from the access port, the at least one contactless key configured to impart a magnetic field upon a portion of the implantable medical port, thereby causing the access valve to shift from a closed position isolating the fluid pathway from the access port to an open position fluidly coupling the fluid pathway to the access port. 22. A method comprising:
sensing at least one contactless key in proximity to an implanted medical pump, the implanted medical pump including a medicament reservoir fluidly coupled to an access port via one or more conduits including an access valve configured to selectively isolate the medicament reservoir from the access port; and determining, by a computer processor and from a magnetic field that is based at least in part on the contactless key, a magnetic key code; wherein in response to determining that the magnetic key code authorizes access to an access port of the implanted medical pump, configuring, by the computer processor, the access valve to shift from a closed position isolating the medicament reservoir from the access port to an open position fluidly coupling the medicament reservoir to the access port. 23. An implantable medical port system configured to selectively permit access to a fluid pathway by way of at least one contactless key, the implantable medical pump system comprising:
an implantable medical port including a fluid pathway fluidly coupled to an access port via a conduit including an access valve configured to selectively isolate the fluid pathway from the access port; and at least one contactless key configured to impart a magnetic field upon a portion of the implantable medical pump to manipulate the access valve between a closed position isolating the medicament reservoir from the access port, and an open position fluidly coupling the medicament reservoir to the access port. | 3,600 |
343,760 | 16,803,223 | 3,649 | In one embodiment, a fluid delivery apparatus includes a vessel body having a first chamber and a second chamber disposed therein, a plurality of first delivery lines fluidly coupled to the first chamber, a dispense nozzle fluidly coupled to the second chamber, a second delivery line fluidly coupled to the second chamber, and a valve disposed between the first and second chambers. Here, fluid communication between the first chamber and the second chamber is controlled by the valve disposed therebetween. Polishing fluid components are flowed into the first chamber through the plurality of first delivery lines fluidly coupled thereto to form a batch of polishing fluid. Once formed, the batch of polishing fluid is transferred to the second chamber by opening the valve. Typically, the valve is then closed and the transferred batch can be delivered to a polishing pad through the dispense nozzle fluidly coupled to the second chamber, often by pressurizing the second chamber using pressurized gas delivered thereinto through the second delivery line. | 1. A polishing fluid delivery system, comprising:
a fluid batch delivery apparatus, comprising:
a vessel body having a first chamber and a second chamber disposed therein;
a plurality of first delivery lines fluidly coupled to the first chamber;
a dispense nozzle fluidly coupled to the second chamber;
a second delivery line fluidly coupled to the second chamber; and
a valve disposed between the first and second chambers. 2. The polishing fluid delivery system of claim 1, further comprising a fluid delivery arm having a first end for coupling to an actuator and a second end distal from the first end, wherein the fluid batch delivery apparatus is sized and shaped to be disposed in or on to the fluid delivery arm between the first and second ends. 3. The polishing fluid delivery system of claim 1, wherein the first chamber is disposed above the second chamber so that opening the valve will cause fluids disposed in the first chamber to gravity flow into the second chamber. 4. The polishing fluid delivery system of claim 3, wherein a combined volume of the first and second chambers is less than 200 ml. 5. The polishing fluid delivery system of claim 3, further comprising a non-transitory computer readable medium having instructions stored thereon for performing a method of polishing a substrate when executed by a processor, the method comprising:
flowing a plurality of polishing fluid components into the first chamber to form a first batch of polishing fluid; transferring the first batch of polishing fluid to the second chamber by opening the valve; dispensing the first batch of polishing fluid onto a polishing pad by closing the valve and pressurizing the second chamber; and forming a second batch of polishing fluid in the first chamber concurrently with dispensing the first batch of polishing fluid from the second chamber. 6. The polishing fluid delivery system of claim 5, wherein a cycle time of forming the first batch of polishing fluid and dispensing the first batch of polishing fluid onto the polishing pad is about two minutes or less. 7. The polishing fluid delivery system of claim 1, further comprising a non-transitory computer readable medium having instructions stored thereon for performing a method of polishing a substrate when executed by a processor, the method comprising:
flowing a plurality of polishing fluid components into the first chamber to form a first batch of polishing fluid; transferring the first batch of polishing fluid to the second chamber; dispensing the first batch of polishing fluid onto a polishing pad; and forming a second batch of polishing fluid in the first chamber concurrently with dispensing the first batch of polishing fluid from the second chamber. 8. The polishing fluid delivery system of claim 7, wherein a cycle time of forming the first batch of polishing fluid and dispensing the first batch of polishing fluid onto the polishing pad is about two minutes or less. 9. A polishing system, comprising:
a non-transitory computer readable medium having instructions stored thereon for performing a method of polishing a substrate when executed by a processor, the method comprising:
flowing a plurality of polishing fluid components into a chamber of a fluid delivery apparatus to form a first batch of polishing fluid, wherein the fluid delivery apparatus is disposed in or on a portion of a fluid delivery arm positioned over a polishing pad;
dispensing the first batch of polishing fluid onto the polishing pad; and
forming a second batch of polishing fluid concurrent with dispensing the first batch of polishing fluid. 10. The polishing system of claim 9, wherein
the chamber used to form the first batch of polishing fluid is disposed in a first fluid delivery apparatus, and the second batch of polishing fluid is formed in a chamber disposed in a second fluid delivery apparatus concurrently with dispensing the first batch of polishing fluid onto the polishing pad from the chamber of the first fluid delivery apparatus. 11. The polishing system of claim 10, wherein the second batch of polishing fluid is of a different composition than the first batch of polishing fluid. 12. The polishing system of claim 9, further comprising a polishing fluid delivery system, the polishing fluid delivery system comprising:
the fluid delivery apparatus, comprising:
a vessel body having a first chamber and a second chamber disposed therein;
a plurality of first delivery lines fluidly coupled to the first chamber;
a dispense nozzle fluidly coupled to the second chamber;
a second delivery line fluidly coupled to the second chamber; and
a valve disposed between the first and second chambers,
wherein the first batch of polishing fluid is formed in the first chamber and is dispensed onto the polishing pad from the second chamber. 13. The polishing system of claim 12, wherein the second batch of polishing fluid is of a different composition than the first batch of polishing fluid. 14. The polishing system of claim 12, wherein the method further includes transferring the first batch of polishing fluid to the second chamber by opening the valve to allow the first batch of polishing fluid to gravity flow from the first chamber to the second chamber. 15. The polishing system of claim 14, wherein dispensing the first batch of polishing fluid onto the polishing pad comprises closing the valve and pressurizing the second chamber. 16. A method of polishing a substrate, comprising:
flowing a plurality of polishing fluid components into a chamber of a fluid delivery apparatus to form a first batch of polishing fluid, wherein the fluid delivery apparatus is disposed in or on a portion of a fluid delivery arm positioned over a polishing pad of a polishing system; dispensing the first batch of polishing fluid onto the polishing pad; and forming a second batch of polishing fluid concurrently with dispensing the first batch of polishing fluid. 17. The method of claim 16, wherein the chamber used to form the first batch of polishing fluid is a chamber of a first fluid delivery apparatus and the second batch of polishing fluid is formed in a chamber of a second fluid delivery apparatus concurrently with dispensing the first batch of polishing fluid onto the polishing pad from the chamber of the first fluid delivery apparatus. 18. The method of claim 16, wherein
the fluid delivery apparatus comprises a first chamber and a second chamber, the first batch of polishing fluid is formed in the first chamber and is dispensed onto the polishing pad from the second chamber, and the method further comprises transferring the first batch of polishing fluid from the first chamber to the second chamber comprises opening a valve to allow the first batch of polishing fluid to gravity flow from the first chamber into the second chamber. 19. The method of claim 18, wherein dispensing the first batch of polishing fluid from the second chamber comprises closing the valve and pressurizing the second chamber. 20. The method of claim 18, wherein a cycle time comprising forming the first batch of polishing fluid and dispensing of polishing fluid onto the polishing pad is about two minutes or less. | In one embodiment, a fluid delivery apparatus includes a vessel body having a first chamber and a second chamber disposed therein, a plurality of first delivery lines fluidly coupled to the first chamber, a dispense nozzle fluidly coupled to the second chamber, a second delivery line fluidly coupled to the second chamber, and a valve disposed between the first and second chambers. Here, fluid communication between the first chamber and the second chamber is controlled by the valve disposed therebetween. Polishing fluid components are flowed into the first chamber through the plurality of first delivery lines fluidly coupled thereto to form a batch of polishing fluid. Once formed, the batch of polishing fluid is transferred to the second chamber by opening the valve. Typically, the valve is then closed and the transferred batch can be delivered to a polishing pad through the dispense nozzle fluidly coupled to the second chamber, often by pressurizing the second chamber using pressurized gas delivered thereinto through the second delivery line.1. A polishing fluid delivery system, comprising:
a fluid batch delivery apparatus, comprising:
a vessel body having a first chamber and a second chamber disposed therein;
a plurality of first delivery lines fluidly coupled to the first chamber;
a dispense nozzle fluidly coupled to the second chamber;
a second delivery line fluidly coupled to the second chamber; and
a valve disposed between the first and second chambers. 2. The polishing fluid delivery system of claim 1, further comprising a fluid delivery arm having a first end for coupling to an actuator and a second end distal from the first end, wherein the fluid batch delivery apparatus is sized and shaped to be disposed in or on to the fluid delivery arm between the first and second ends. 3. The polishing fluid delivery system of claim 1, wherein the first chamber is disposed above the second chamber so that opening the valve will cause fluids disposed in the first chamber to gravity flow into the second chamber. 4. The polishing fluid delivery system of claim 3, wherein a combined volume of the first and second chambers is less than 200 ml. 5. The polishing fluid delivery system of claim 3, further comprising a non-transitory computer readable medium having instructions stored thereon for performing a method of polishing a substrate when executed by a processor, the method comprising:
flowing a plurality of polishing fluid components into the first chamber to form a first batch of polishing fluid; transferring the first batch of polishing fluid to the second chamber by opening the valve; dispensing the first batch of polishing fluid onto a polishing pad by closing the valve and pressurizing the second chamber; and forming a second batch of polishing fluid in the first chamber concurrently with dispensing the first batch of polishing fluid from the second chamber. 6. The polishing fluid delivery system of claim 5, wherein a cycle time of forming the first batch of polishing fluid and dispensing the first batch of polishing fluid onto the polishing pad is about two minutes or less. 7. The polishing fluid delivery system of claim 1, further comprising a non-transitory computer readable medium having instructions stored thereon for performing a method of polishing a substrate when executed by a processor, the method comprising:
flowing a plurality of polishing fluid components into the first chamber to form a first batch of polishing fluid; transferring the first batch of polishing fluid to the second chamber; dispensing the first batch of polishing fluid onto a polishing pad; and forming a second batch of polishing fluid in the first chamber concurrently with dispensing the first batch of polishing fluid from the second chamber. 8. The polishing fluid delivery system of claim 7, wherein a cycle time of forming the first batch of polishing fluid and dispensing the first batch of polishing fluid onto the polishing pad is about two minutes or less. 9. A polishing system, comprising:
a non-transitory computer readable medium having instructions stored thereon for performing a method of polishing a substrate when executed by a processor, the method comprising:
flowing a plurality of polishing fluid components into a chamber of a fluid delivery apparatus to form a first batch of polishing fluid, wherein the fluid delivery apparatus is disposed in or on a portion of a fluid delivery arm positioned over a polishing pad;
dispensing the first batch of polishing fluid onto the polishing pad; and
forming a second batch of polishing fluid concurrent with dispensing the first batch of polishing fluid. 10. The polishing system of claim 9, wherein
the chamber used to form the first batch of polishing fluid is disposed in a first fluid delivery apparatus, and the second batch of polishing fluid is formed in a chamber disposed in a second fluid delivery apparatus concurrently with dispensing the first batch of polishing fluid onto the polishing pad from the chamber of the first fluid delivery apparatus. 11. The polishing system of claim 10, wherein the second batch of polishing fluid is of a different composition than the first batch of polishing fluid. 12. The polishing system of claim 9, further comprising a polishing fluid delivery system, the polishing fluid delivery system comprising:
the fluid delivery apparatus, comprising:
a vessel body having a first chamber and a second chamber disposed therein;
a plurality of first delivery lines fluidly coupled to the first chamber;
a dispense nozzle fluidly coupled to the second chamber;
a second delivery line fluidly coupled to the second chamber; and
a valve disposed between the first and second chambers,
wherein the first batch of polishing fluid is formed in the first chamber and is dispensed onto the polishing pad from the second chamber. 13. The polishing system of claim 12, wherein the second batch of polishing fluid is of a different composition than the first batch of polishing fluid. 14. The polishing system of claim 12, wherein the method further includes transferring the first batch of polishing fluid to the second chamber by opening the valve to allow the first batch of polishing fluid to gravity flow from the first chamber to the second chamber. 15. The polishing system of claim 14, wherein dispensing the first batch of polishing fluid onto the polishing pad comprises closing the valve and pressurizing the second chamber. 16. A method of polishing a substrate, comprising:
flowing a plurality of polishing fluid components into a chamber of a fluid delivery apparatus to form a first batch of polishing fluid, wherein the fluid delivery apparatus is disposed in or on a portion of a fluid delivery arm positioned over a polishing pad of a polishing system; dispensing the first batch of polishing fluid onto the polishing pad; and forming a second batch of polishing fluid concurrently with dispensing the first batch of polishing fluid. 17. The method of claim 16, wherein the chamber used to form the first batch of polishing fluid is a chamber of a first fluid delivery apparatus and the second batch of polishing fluid is formed in a chamber of a second fluid delivery apparatus concurrently with dispensing the first batch of polishing fluid onto the polishing pad from the chamber of the first fluid delivery apparatus. 18. The method of claim 16, wherein
the fluid delivery apparatus comprises a first chamber and a second chamber, the first batch of polishing fluid is formed in the first chamber and is dispensed onto the polishing pad from the second chamber, and the method further comprises transferring the first batch of polishing fluid from the first chamber to the second chamber comprises opening a valve to allow the first batch of polishing fluid to gravity flow from the first chamber into the second chamber. 19. The method of claim 18, wherein dispensing the first batch of polishing fluid from the second chamber comprises closing the valve and pressurizing the second chamber. 20. The method of claim 18, wherein a cycle time comprising forming the first batch of polishing fluid and dispensing of polishing fluid onto the polishing pad is about two minutes or less. | 3,600 |
343,761 | 16,803,209 | 3,649 | An x-ray image laterality detection system is provided. The x-ray image laterality detection system includes a detection computing device. The processor of the computing device is programmed to execute a neural network model for analyzing x-ray images, wherein the neural network model is trained with training x-ray images as inputs and observed laterality classes associated with the training x-ray images as outputs. The process is also programmed to receive an unclassified x-ray image, analyze the unclassified x-ray image using the neural network model, and assign a laterality class to the unclassified x-ray image. If the assigned laterality class is not target laterality, the processor is programmed to adjust the unclassified x-ray image to derive a corrected x-ray image having the target laterality and output the corrected x-ray image. If the assigned laterality class is the target laterality, the processor is programmed to output the unclassified x-ray image. | 1. An x-ray image laterality detection system, comprising:
a detection computing device comprising at least one processor in communication with at least one memory device, wherein said at least one processor is programmed to:
execute a neural network model for analyzing x-ray images, wherein the neural network model is trained with training x-ray images as inputs and observed laterality classes associated with the training x-ray images as outputs;
receive an unclassified x-ray image;
analyze the unclassified x-ray image using the neural network model;
assign a laterality class to the unclassified x-ray image based on the analysis;
if the assigned laterality class is not target laterality, the at least one processor is programmed to:
adjust the unclassified x-ray image to derive a corrected x-ray image having the target laterality; and
output the corrected x-ray image; and
if the assigned laterality class is the target laterality, the at least one processor is programmed to output the unclassified x-ray image. 2. The system of claim 1, wherein the unclassified x-ray image is acquired without a lead marker. 3. The system of claim 1, wherein the neural network model is a deep learning neural network model. 4. The system of claim 1, wherein the neural network model includes a global average pooling layer. 5. The system of claim 1, further comprising a metadata editor configured to:
update metadata associated with the unclassified x-ray image based on the detected laterality class of the unclassified x-ray image; and generate metadata associated with the output x-ray image. 6. The system of claim 1, wherein said at least one processor is further programmed to:
generate a digital marker indicating laterality of the output x-ray image; and overlay the digital marker on the output x-ray image. 7. The system of claim 1, further comprising a user interface manager configured to:
receive a user input; and generate a user policy based on the user input, wherein said at least one processor is further programmed to correct laterality of the unclassified x-ray image based on the user policy. 8. The system of claim 1, wherein the unclassified x-ray image is preprocessed. 9. The system of claim 1, wherein said at least one processor is configured to alert a user that the unclassified x-ray image does not have the target laterality and the output x-ray image is the corrected x-ray image. 10. The system of claim 1, wherein said at least one processor is configured to provide an alert indicating the detected laterality of the unclassified x-ray image. 11. An image laterality detection system, comprising:
a detection computing device comprising at least one processor in communication with at least one memory device, wherein said at least one processor is programmed to:
execute a neural network model for analyzing images;
receive training images and observed laterality classes associated with the training images;
analyze the training images;
determine predicted laterality classes for the training images using the neural network model;
compare the predicted laterality classes with the observed laterality classes; and
adjust the neural network model based on the comparison. 12. A method of detecting laterality of a medical image, said method comprising:
executing a neural network model for analyzing the medical image, wherein the neural network model is configured to detect laterality of the medical image; receiving an unclassified medical image; analyzing the unclassified medical image using the neural network model; detecting laterality of the unclassified medical image using the neural network model; and alerting a user whether the unclassified medical image has target laterality based on the detected laterality. 13. The method of claim 12, further comprising:
adjusting the unclassified medical image to derive a corrected medical image having the target laterality if the detected laterality is not the target laterality. 14. The method of claim 13, further comprising alerting a user that the output medical image is a corrected medical image. 15. The method of claim 13, wherein the neural network model is trained with training medical images as inputs and observed medical images associated with the training medical images as outputs, the observed medical images are the training medical images adjusted to have target laterality, and adjusting the unclassified medical image further comprises adjusting the unclassified medical image to have the target laterality using the neural network model. 16. The method of claim 12, further comprising:
receiving, using a user interface manager, a user input; generating, using the user interface manager, a user policy based on the user input; and adjusting the laterality of the unclassified medical image based on the user policy. 17. The method of claim 12, wherein receiving an unclassified medical image comprises receiving an unclassified x-ray medical image acquired without a lead marker. 18. The method of claim 12, wherein the neural network model is trained with training medical images as inputs and observed laterality classes associated with the training medical images as outputs, said method further comprising:
assigning a laterality class to the unclassified medical image based on the analysis; if the assigned laterality class is not the target laterality, said method further comprising:
adjusting the unclassified medical image to derive a corrected medical image having the target laterality; and
outputting the corrected medical image; and
if the assigned laterality class is the target laterality, said method further comprising outputting the unclassified medical image. 19. The method of claim 18, further comprising:
updating, using a metadata editor, metadata associated with the unclassified medical image based on the detected laterality class of the unclassified medical image; and generating, using the metadata editor, metadata associated with the output medical image. 20. The method of claim 12, further comprising:
generating a digital marker indicating laterality of the output medical image; and overlaying the digital marker on the output medical image. | An x-ray image laterality detection system is provided. The x-ray image laterality detection system includes a detection computing device. The processor of the computing device is programmed to execute a neural network model for analyzing x-ray images, wherein the neural network model is trained with training x-ray images as inputs and observed laterality classes associated with the training x-ray images as outputs. The process is also programmed to receive an unclassified x-ray image, analyze the unclassified x-ray image using the neural network model, and assign a laterality class to the unclassified x-ray image. If the assigned laterality class is not target laterality, the processor is programmed to adjust the unclassified x-ray image to derive a corrected x-ray image having the target laterality and output the corrected x-ray image. If the assigned laterality class is the target laterality, the processor is programmed to output the unclassified x-ray image.1. An x-ray image laterality detection system, comprising:
a detection computing device comprising at least one processor in communication with at least one memory device, wherein said at least one processor is programmed to:
execute a neural network model for analyzing x-ray images, wherein the neural network model is trained with training x-ray images as inputs and observed laterality classes associated with the training x-ray images as outputs;
receive an unclassified x-ray image;
analyze the unclassified x-ray image using the neural network model;
assign a laterality class to the unclassified x-ray image based on the analysis;
if the assigned laterality class is not target laterality, the at least one processor is programmed to:
adjust the unclassified x-ray image to derive a corrected x-ray image having the target laterality; and
output the corrected x-ray image; and
if the assigned laterality class is the target laterality, the at least one processor is programmed to output the unclassified x-ray image. 2. The system of claim 1, wherein the unclassified x-ray image is acquired without a lead marker. 3. The system of claim 1, wherein the neural network model is a deep learning neural network model. 4. The system of claim 1, wherein the neural network model includes a global average pooling layer. 5. The system of claim 1, further comprising a metadata editor configured to:
update metadata associated with the unclassified x-ray image based on the detected laterality class of the unclassified x-ray image; and generate metadata associated with the output x-ray image. 6. The system of claim 1, wherein said at least one processor is further programmed to:
generate a digital marker indicating laterality of the output x-ray image; and overlay the digital marker on the output x-ray image. 7. The system of claim 1, further comprising a user interface manager configured to:
receive a user input; and generate a user policy based on the user input, wherein said at least one processor is further programmed to correct laterality of the unclassified x-ray image based on the user policy. 8. The system of claim 1, wherein the unclassified x-ray image is preprocessed. 9. The system of claim 1, wherein said at least one processor is configured to alert a user that the unclassified x-ray image does not have the target laterality and the output x-ray image is the corrected x-ray image. 10. The system of claim 1, wherein said at least one processor is configured to provide an alert indicating the detected laterality of the unclassified x-ray image. 11. An image laterality detection system, comprising:
a detection computing device comprising at least one processor in communication with at least one memory device, wherein said at least one processor is programmed to:
execute a neural network model for analyzing images;
receive training images and observed laterality classes associated with the training images;
analyze the training images;
determine predicted laterality classes for the training images using the neural network model;
compare the predicted laterality classes with the observed laterality classes; and
adjust the neural network model based on the comparison. 12. A method of detecting laterality of a medical image, said method comprising:
executing a neural network model for analyzing the medical image, wherein the neural network model is configured to detect laterality of the medical image; receiving an unclassified medical image; analyzing the unclassified medical image using the neural network model; detecting laterality of the unclassified medical image using the neural network model; and alerting a user whether the unclassified medical image has target laterality based on the detected laterality. 13. The method of claim 12, further comprising:
adjusting the unclassified medical image to derive a corrected medical image having the target laterality if the detected laterality is not the target laterality. 14. The method of claim 13, further comprising alerting a user that the output medical image is a corrected medical image. 15. The method of claim 13, wherein the neural network model is trained with training medical images as inputs and observed medical images associated with the training medical images as outputs, the observed medical images are the training medical images adjusted to have target laterality, and adjusting the unclassified medical image further comprises adjusting the unclassified medical image to have the target laterality using the neural network model. 16. The method of claim 12, further comprising:
receiving, using a user interface manager, a user input; generating, using the user interface manager, a user policy based on the user input; and adjusting the laterality of the unclassified medical image based on the user policy. 17. The method of claim 12, wherein receiving an unclassified medical image comprises receiving an unclassified x-ray medical image acquired without a lead marker. 18. The method of claim 12, wherein the neural network model is trained with training medical images as inputs and observed laterality classes associated with the training medical images as outputs, said method further comprising:
assigning a laterality class to the unclassified medical image based on the analysis; if the assigned laterality class is not the target laterality, said method further comprising:
adjusting the unclassified medical image to derive a corrected medical image having the target laterality; and
outputting the corrected medical image; and
if the assigned laterality class is the target laterality, said method further comprising outputting the unclassified medical image. 19. The method of claim 18, further comprising:
updating, using a metadata editor, metadata associated with the unclassified medical image based on the detected laterality class of the unclassified medical image; and generating, using the metadata editor, metadata associated with the output medical image. 20. The method of claim 12, further comprising:
generating a digital marker indicating laterality of the output medical image; and overlaying the digital marker on the output medical image. | 3,600 |
343,762 | 16,803,211 | 3,649 | In one embodiment, a method of forming a barrier layer is provided. The method includes positioning a substrate in a processing chamber, forming a barrier layer over the substrate and in contact with the underlayer, and annealing the substrate. The substrate comprises at least one underlayer having cobalt, tungsten, or copper. The barrier layer has a thickness of less than 70 angstroms. | 1. A method of forming a semiconductor device, comprising:
positioning a device intermediate in a process chamber, the device intermediate including a dielectric layer disposed on a substrate and conductive features in contact with the substrate and extending through the dielectric layer; depositing a silicon nitride barrier layer having a thickness of less than 70 angstroms on exposed surfaces of the dielectric layer and the conductive features via atomic layer deposition, the substrate maintained at a temperature of about 250° C. to about 550° C. during deposition of the barrier layer; and annealing the device intermediate having the barrier layer thereon at a temperature of about 350° C. to about 550° C. and a pressure of about 6.5 torr to about 760 torr. 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the barrier layer has a thickness of less than 30 angstroms. 3. The method of claim 1, wherein the deposition of silicon nitride comprises a pretreatment process, the pretreatment process comprising:
exposing the device intermediate to ionized or radicalized ammonia gas and argon gas at a pressure of about 5 torr to about 10 torr. 4. The method of claim 1, wherein the barrier layer is formed of at least two portions, each portion formed by a separate deposition process. 5. The method of claim 4, wherein the at least two portions have different thicknesses. 6. The method of claim 4, wherein the deposition of the silicon nitride comprises a mid-deposition soak between the formation of the at least two portions of the barrier layer. 7. The method of claim 6, wherein the mid-deposition soak is a nitridation treatment of a first portion of the barrier layer. 8. The method of claim 4, wherein the deposition of the silicon nitride further comprises a post-deposition treatment. 9. The method of claim 8, wherein the post-deposition treatment is a nitridation treatment of the barrier layer. 10. The method of claim 1, further comprising:
depositing a flowable gap fill material on the barrier layer; planarizing an upper surface of the gap fill material. 11. The method of claim 10, wherein the flowable gap fill material is selected from the group consisting of silicon oxide, silicon nitride, silicon oxynitride, and carbon-doped silicon oxide. 12. The method of claim 1, wherein the barrier layer is conformal and has a step coverage greater than 90 percent. 13. A method of forming a semiconductor device, comprising:
positioning a device intermediate in a process chamber, the device intermediate including at least one dielectric layer disposed on a substrate and conductive features in contact with the substrate and extending through openings in the at least one dielectric layer; depositing a silicon nitride barrier layer over the device intermediate via atomic layer deposition; depositing a gap fill material on the barrier layer, the gap fill material comprising a flowable dielectric material; and annealing the device intermediate having the barrier layer thereon at a temperature of about 400° C. to about 500° C. 14. The method of claim 13, wherein the barrier layer has a thickness of less than 30 angstroms. 15. The method of claim 13, wherein the deposition of silicon nitride comprises a pretreatment process, the pretreatment process comprising:
exposing the device intermediate to ionized or radicalized ammonia gas and argon gas at a pressure of about 5 torr to about 10 torr. 16. The method of claim 15, wherein the deposition of silicon nitride further comprises maintaining the substrate at a temperature of about 250° C. to about 550° C. 17. The method of claim 13, wherein the barrier layer is formed of two or more portions, each portion formed by a separate deposition process. 18. The method of claim 17, wherein the two or more portions have different thicknesses. 19. The method of claim 17, further comprising a nitridation treatment after formation of at least one portion of the barrier layer. 20. A method of forming a semiconductor device, comprising:
positioning a device intermediate in a process chamber, the device intermediate including a dielectric layer disposed on a substrate and conductive features in contact with the substrate and extending through openings in the dielectric layer; depositing a first portion of a silicon nitride barrier layer over the device intermediate via atomic layer deposition; performing a mid-deposition soak, the mid-deposition soak comprising a nitridation treatment; depositing a second portion of the silicon nitride barrier layer over the device intermediate, the second portion and the first portion of the silicon nitride barrier layer each having a thickness within a range of about 8 angstroms to about 30 angstroms; performing a post-deposition treatment, the post-deposition treatment comprising a nitridation treatment; depositing a gap fill material on the silicon nitride barrier layer, the gap fill material comprising a flowable dielectric material; and removing a portion of the gap fill material to planarize an upper surface of the device intermediate. | In one embodiment, a method of forming a barrier layer is provided. The method includes positioning a substrate in a processing chamber, forming a barrier layer over the substrate and in contact with the underlayer, and annealing the substrate. The substrate comprises at least one underlayer having cobalt, tungsten, or copper. The barrier layer has a thickness of less than 70 angstroms.1. A method of forming a semiconductor device, comprising:
positioning a device intermediate in a process chamber, the device intermediate including a dielectric layer disposed on a substrate and conductive features in contact with the substrate and extending through the dielectric layer; depositing a silicon nitride barrier layer having a thickness of less than 70 angstroms on exposed surfaces of the dielectric layer and the conductive features via atomic layer deposition, the substrate maintained at a temperature of about 250° C. to about 550° C. during deposition of the barrier layer; and annealing the device intermediate having the barrier layer thereon at a temperature of about 350° C. to about 550° C. and a pressure of about 6.5 torr to about 760 torr. 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the barrier layer has a thickness of less than 30 angstroms. 3. The method of claim 1, wherein the deposition of silicon nitride comprises a pretreatment process, the pretreatment process comprising:
exposing the device intermediate to ionized or radicalized ammonia gas and argon gas at a pressure of about 5 torr to about 10 torr. 4. The method of claim 1, wherein the barrier layer is formed of at least two portions, each portion formed by a separate deposition process. 5. The method of claim 4, wherein the at least two portions have different thicknesses. 6. The method of claim 4, wherein the deposition of the silicon nitride comprises a mid-deposition soak between the formation of the at least two portions of the barrier layer. 7. The method of claim 6, wherein the mid-deposition soak is a nitridation treatment of a first portion of the barrier layer. 8. The method of claim 4, wherein the deposition of the silicon nitride further comprises a post-deposition treatment. 9. The method of claim 8, wherein the post-deposition treatment is a nitridation treatment of the barrier layer. 10. The method of claim 1, further comprising:
depositing a flowable gap fill material on the barrier layer; planarizing an upper surface of the gap fill material. 11. The method of claim 10, wherein the flowable gap fill material is selected from the group consisting of silicon oxide, silicon nitride, silicon oxynitride, and carbon-doped silicon oxide. 12. The method of claim 1, wherein the barrier layer is conformal and has a step coverage greater than 90 percent. 13. A method of forming a semiconductor device, comprising:
positioning a device intermediate in a process chamber, the device intermediate including at least one dielectric layer disposed on a substrate and conductive features in contact with the substrate and extending through openings in the at least one dielectric layer; depositing a silicon nitride barrier layer over the device intermediate via atomic layer deposition; depositing a gap fill material on the barrier layer, the gap fill material comprising a flowable dielectric material; and annealing the device intermediate having the barrier layer thereon at a temperature of about 400° C. to about 500° C. 14. The method of claim 13, wherein the barrier layer has a thickness of less than 30 angstroms. 15. The method of claim 13, wherein the deposition of silicon nitride comprises a pretreatment process, the pretreatment process comprising:
exposing the device intermediate to ionized or radicalized ammonia gas and argon gas at a pressure of about 5 torr to about 10 torr. 16. The method of claim 15, wherein the deposition of silicon nitride further comprises maintaining the substrate at a temperature of about 250° C. to about 550° C. 17. The method of claim 13, wherein the barrier layer is formed of two or more portions, each portion formed by a separate deposition process. 18. The method of claim 17, wherein the two or more portions have different thicknesses. 19. The method of claim 17, further comprising a nitridation treatment after formation of at least one portion of the barrier layer. 20. A method of forming a semiconductor device, comprising:
positioning a device intermediate in a process chamber, the device intermediate including a dielectric layer disposed on a substrate and conductive features in contact with the substrate and extending through openings in the dielectric layer; depositing a first portion of a silicon nitride barrier layer over the device intermediate via atomic layer deposition; performing a mid-deposition soak, the mid-deposition soak comprising a nitridation treatment; depositing a second portion of the silicon nitride barrier layer over the device intermediate, the second portion and the first portion of the silicon nitride barrier layer each having a thickness within a range of about 8 angstroms to about 30 angstroms; performing a post-deposition treatment, the post-deposition treatment comprising a nitridation treatment; depositing a gap fill material on the silicon nitride barrier layer, the gap fill material comprising a flowable dielectric material; and removing a portion of the gap fill material to planarize an upper surface of the device intermediate. | 3,600 |
343,763 | 16,803,205 | 3,649 | Proppant compositions for hydraulic fracturing that include Portland cement clinker are provided. A cement clinker proppant composition for hydraulic fracturing may include Portland cement clinker and another proppant. Another cement clinker proppant composition for hydraulic fracturing may include resin-coated Portland cement clinker and another proppant. Methods of hydraulic fracturing using the cement clinker proppant compositions and manufacturing the cement clinker proppant compositions are also provided. | 1. A proppant composition for use in hydraulic fracturing, the proppant composition comprising:
a first proppant comprising Portland cement clinker; and a second proppant selected from the group consisting of frac sand, bauxite proppant, ceramic proppant, and polymer proppant. 2. The proppant composition of claim 1, wherein the Portland cement clinker is coated with a resin. 3. The proppant composition of claim 2, wherein the resin comprises a phenol-formaldehyde resin. 4. The proppant composition of claim 1, wherein the Portland cement clinker comprises ASTM Type I Portland cement clinker. 5. The proppant composition of claim 1, wherein the Portland cement clinker has a sieve cut of 20/40, 16/20, or 40/70. 6. The proppant composition of claim 1, wherein the Portland cement clinker comprises API Class G Portland Cement clinker. | Proppant compositions for hydraulic fracturing that include Portland cement clinker are provided. A cement clinker proppant composition for hydraulic fracturing may include Portland cement clinker and another proppant. Another cement clinker proppant composition for hydraulic fracturing may include resin-coated Portland cement clinker and another proppant. Methods of hydraulic fracturing using the cement clinker proppant compositions and manufacturing the cement clinker proppant compositions are also provided.1. A proppant composition for use in hydraulic fracturing, the proppant composition comprising:
a first proppant comprising Portland cement clinker; and a second proppant selected from the group consisting of frac sand, bauxite proppant, ceramic proppant, and polymer proppant. 2. The proppant composition of claim 1, wherein the Portland cement clinker is coated with a resin. 3. The proppant composition of claim 2, wherein the resin comprises a phenol-formaldehyde resin. 4. The proppant composition of claim 1, wherein the Portland cement clinker comprises ASTM Type I Portland cement clinker. 5. The proppant composition of claim 1, wherein the Portland cement clinker has a sieve cut of 20/40, 16/20, or 40/70. 6. The proppant composition of claim 1, wherein the Portland cement clinker comprises API Class G Portland Cement clinker. | 3,600 |
343,764 | 16,803,194 | 3,649 | According to one embodiment, a method of manufacturing a semiconductor device includes forming a first film on a substrate. The method further includes forming a second film on the first film. The second film includes fluoride of a first metal element having a first boiling point of 800° C. or higher and fluoride of a second metal element having a second boiling point of 800° C. or higher. The second metal element is different from the first metal element. The method further includes etching the first film using the second film as an etching mask and etching gas that includes fluorine. | 1. A method of manufacturing a semiconductor device, the method comprising:
forming a first film on a substrate; forming a second film on the first film, the second film including fluoride of a first metal element having a first boiling point of 800° C. or higher and fluoride of a second metal element having a second boiling point of 800° C. or higher, the second metal element being different from the first metal element; and etching the first film using the second film as an etching mask and etching gas that includes fluorine. 2. The method according to claim 1,
wherein chloride of the first metal element has a third boiling point of 500° C. or less and chloride of the second metal element has a fourth boiling point of 500° C. or less, the method further comprising etching the second film using the etching gas prior to etching the first film. 3. The method according to claim 1,
wherein the second boiling point of the fluoride of the second metal element is lower than the first boiling point of the fluoride of the first metal element, and wherein a composition ratio of the second metal element to the first metal element and the second metal element in the second film is 25% or higher and 63% or less. 4. The method according to claim 1,
wherein the second boiling point of the fluoride of the second metal element is lower than the first boiling point of the fluoride of the first metal element, and wherein a fourth boiling point of the chloride of the second metal element is higher than a third boiling point of the chloride of the first metal element. 5. The method according to claim 1, wherein the first metal element is aluminum. 6. The method according to claim 1, wherein the second metal element is at least one of: zirconium, bismuth, gallium, or hafnium. 7. The method according to claim 1, wherein the second film comprises the first metal element, the second metal element, and at least one of nitrogen or oxygen. 8. The method according to claim 1, wherein the second film is formed as an amorphous layer comprising the first metal element and the second metal element. 9. The method according to claim 1, wherein the first film includes a plurality of metal layers and a plurality of insulating layers, the metal layers and the insulating layers alternately stacked on top of one another. 10. The method according to claim 9, wherein each of the metal layers includes tungsten. 11. The method according to claim 1,
wherein the first boiling point is higher than the second boiling point, and wherein the third boiling point is less than the fourth boiling point. 12. The method according to claim 1, wherein the first metal element includes Al. 13. The method according to claim 1, wherein the second metal element includes Zr. 14. The method according to claim 1, wherein the etching gas includes at least one of chlorine-based gas or fluoride-based gas in a reactive ion etching (RIE) process. | According to one embodiment, a method of manufacturing a semiconductor device includes forming a first film on a substrate. The method further includes forming a second film on the first film. The second film includes fluoride of a first metal element having a first boiling point of 800° C. or higher and fluoride of a second metal element having a second boiling point of 800° C. or higher. The second metal element is different from the first metal element. The method further includes etching the first film using the second film as an etching mask and etching gas that includes fluorine.1. A method of manufacturing a semiconductor device, the method comprising:
forming a first film on a substrate; forming a second film on the first film, the second film including fluoride of a first metal element having a first boiling point of 800° C. or higher and fluoride of a second metal element having a second boiling point of 800° C. or higher, the second metal element being different from the first metal element; and etching the first film using the second film as an etching mask and etching gas that includes fluorine. 2. The method according to claim 1,
wherein chloride of the first metal element has a third boiling point of 500° C. or less and chloride of the second metal element has a fourth boiling point of 500° C. or less, the method further comprising etching the second film using the etching gas prior to etching the first film. 3. The method according to claim 1,
wherein the second boiling point of the fluoride of the second metal element is lower than the first boiling point of the fluoride of the first metal element, and wherein a composition ratio of the second metal element to the first metal element and the second metal element in the second film is 25% or higher and 63% or less. 4. The method according to claim 1,
wherein the second boiling point of the fluoride of the second metal element is lower than the first boiling point of the fluoride of the first metal element, and wherein a fourth boiling point of the chloride of the second metal element is higher than a third boiling point of the chloride of the first metal element. 5. The method according to claim 1, wherein the first metal element is aluminum. 6. The method according to claim 1, wherein the second metal element is at least one of: zirconium, bismuth, gallium, or hafnium. 7. The method according to claim 1, wherein the second film comprises the first metal element, the second metal element, and at least one of nitrogen or oxygen. 8. The method according to claim 1, wherein the second film is formed as an amorphous layer comprising the first metal element and the second metal element. 9. The method according to claim 1, wherein the first film includes a plurality of metal layers and a plurality of insulating layers, the metal layers and the insulating layers alternately stacked on top of one another. 10. The method according to claim 9, wherein each of the metal layers includes tungsten. 11. The method according to claim 1,
wherein the first boiling point is higher than the second boiling point, and wherein the third boiling point is less than the fourth boiling point. 12. The method according to claim 1, wherein the first metal element includes Al. 13. The method according to claim 1, wherein the second metal element includes Zr. 14. The method according to claim 1, wherein the etching gas includes at least one of chlorine-based gas or fluoride-based gas in a reactive ion etching (RIE) process. | 3,600 |
343,765 | 16,803,220 | 3,649 | Transportation systems have artificial intelligence including neural networks for recognition and classification of objects and behavior including natural language processing and computer vision systems. The transportation systems involve sets of complex chemical processes, mechanical systems, and interactions with behaviors of operators. System-level interactions and behaviors are classified, predicted and optimized using neural networks and other artificial intelligence systems through selective deployment, as well as hybrids and combinations of the artificial intelligence systems, neural networks, expert systems, cognitive systems, genetic algorithms and deep learning. | 1. An artificial intelligence system for voice processing to improve rider satisfaction in a transportation system, comprising:
a rider voice capture system deployed to capture voice output of a rider occupying a vehicle; a voice-analysis circuit trained using machine learning that classifies an emotional state of the rider for the captured voice output of the rider; and an expert system trained using machine learning that optimizes at least one operating parameter of the vehicle to change the rider emotional state to an emotional state classified as an improved emotional state. 2. The artificial intelligence system of claim 1 wherein the rider voice capture system comprises an intelligent agent that engages in a dialog with the rider to obtain rider feedback for use by the voice-analysis circuit for rider emotional state classification. 3. The artificial intelligence system of claim 1 wherein the voice-analysis circuit uses a first machine learning system and the expert system uses a second machine learning system. 4. The artificial intelligence system of claim 1 wherein the expert system is trained to optimize the at least one operating parameter based on feedback of outcomes of the emotional states when adjusting the at least one operating parameter for a set of individuals. 5. The artificial intelligence system of claim 1 further comprising a rule-based rider state model that configures a set of iterations of the vehicle state while continuously monitoring the emotional state of the rider via an ongoing dialog with respect to the parameters of the model. 6. The artificial intelligence system of claim 1 wherein the emotional state of the rider is determined by a combination of the captured voice output of the rider and at least one other parameter. 7. The artificial intelligence system of claim 6 wherein the at least one other parameter is a camera-based emotional state determination of the rider. 8. The artificial intelligence system of claim 6 wherein the at least one other parameter is traffic information. 9. The artificial intelligence system of claim 6 wherein the at least one other parameter is weather information. 10. The artificial intelligence system of claim 6 wherein the at least one other parameter is a vehicle state. 11. The artificial intelligence system of claim 6 wherein the at least one other parameter is at least one pattern of physiological data of the rider. 12. The artificial intelligence system of claim 6 wherein the at least one other parameter is a route of the vehicle. 13. The artificial intelligence system of claim 6 wherein the at least one other parameter is in-vehicle audio content. 14. The artificial intelligence system of claim 6 wherein the at least one other parameter is a speed of the vehicle. 15. The artificial intelligence system of claim 6 wherein the at least one other parameter is acceleration of the vehicle. 16. The artificial intelligence system of claim 6 wherein the at least one other parameter is deceleration of the vehicle. 17. The artificial intelligence system of claim 6 wherein the at least one other parameter is proximity to objects along the route. 18. The artificial intelligence system of claim 6 wherein the at least one other parameter is proximity to other vehicles along the route. 19. An artificial intelligence system for voice processing to improve rider satisfaction, comprising:
a first neural network trained to classify emotional states based on analysis of human voices detects an emotional state of a rider through recognition of aspects of the voice of the rider captured while the rider is occupying the vehicle that correlate to at least one emotional state of the rider; and a second neural network that optimizes, for achieving a favorable emotional state of the rider, an operational parameter of the vehicle in response to the detected emotional state of the rider. 20. The artificial intelligence system of claim 19 wherein at least one of the neural networks is a convolutional neural network. 21. The artificial intelligence system of claim 19 wherein the first neural network is trained through use of a training data set that associates emotional state classes with human voice patterns. 22. The artificial intelligence system of claim 19 wherein the first neural network is trained through the use of a training data set of voice recordings that are tagged with emotional state identifying data. 23. The artificial intelligence system of claim 19 further comprising a rule-based rider state model that configures a set of iterations of the vehicle state while continuously monitoring the emotional state of the rider via an ongoing dialog with respect to the parameters of the model. 24. The artificial intelligence system of claim 19 wherein the emotional state of the rider is determined by a combination of the captured voice output of the rider and at least one other parameter. 25. The artificial intelligence system of claim 24 wherein the at least one other parameter is a camera-based emotional state determination of the rider. 26. The artificial intelligence system of claim 24 wherein the at least one other parameter is traffic information. 27. The artificial intelligence system of claim 24 wherein the at least one other parameter is weather information. 28. The artificial intelligence system of claim 24 wherein the at least one other parameter is a vehicle state. 29. The artificial intelligence system of claim 24 wherein the at least one other parameter is at least one pattern of physiological data of the rider. 30. The artificial intelligence system of claim 24 wherein the at least one other parameter is a route of the vehicle. 31. The artificial intelligence system of claim 24 wherein the at least one other parameter is in-vehicle audio content. 32. The artificial intelligence system of claim 24 wherein the at least one other parameter is a speed of the vehicle. 33. The artificial intelligence system of claim 24 wherein the at least one other parameter is acceleration of the vehicle. 34. The artificial intelligence system of claim 24 wherein the at least one other parameter is deceleration of the vehicle. 35. The artificial intelligence system of claim 24 wherein the at least one other parameter is proximity to objects along the route. 36. The artificial intelligence system of claim 24 wherein the at least one other parameter is proximity to other vehicles along the route. | Transportation systems have artificial intelligence including neural networks for recognition and classification of objects and behavior including natural language processing and computer vision systems. The transportation systems involve sets of complex chemical processes, mechanical systems, and interactions with behaviors of operators. System-level interactions and behaviors are classified, predicted and optimized using neural networks and other artificial intelligence systems through selective deployment, as well as hybrids and combinations of the artificial intelligence systems, neural networks, expert systems, cognitive systems, genetic algorithms and deep learning.1. An artificial intelligence system for voice processing to improve rider satisfaction in a transportation system, comprising:
a rider voice capture system deployed to capture voice output of a rider occupying a vehicle; a voice-analysis circuit trained using machine learning that classifies an emotional state of the rider for the captured voice output of the rider; and an expert system trained using machine learning that optimizes at least one operating parameter of the vehicle to change the rider emotional state to an emotional state classified as an improved emotional state. 2. The artificial intelligence system of claim 1 wherein the rider voice capture system comprises an intelligent agent that engages in a dialog with the rider to obtain rider feedback for use by the voice-analysis circuit for rider emotional state classification. 3. The artificial intelligence system of claim 1 wherein the voice-analysis circuit uses a first machine learning system and the expert system uses a second machine learning system. 4. The artificial intelligence system of claim 1 wherein the expert system is trained to optimize the at least one operating parameter based on feedback of outcomes of the emotional states when adjusting the at least one operating parameter for a set of individuals. 5. The artificial intelligence system of claim 1 further comprising a rule-based rider state model that configures a set of iterations of the vehicle state while continuously monitoring the emotional state of the rider via an ongoing dialog with respect to the parameters of the model. 6. The artificial intelligence system of claim 1 wherein the emotional state of the rider is determined by a combination of the captured voice output of the rider and at least one other parameter. 7. The artificial intelligence system of claim 6 wherein the at least one other parameter is a camera-based emotional state determination of the rider. 8. The artificial intelligence system of claim 6 wherein the at least one other parameter is traffic information. 9. The artificial intelligence system of claim 6 wherein the at least one other parameter is weather information. 10. The artificial intelligence system of claim 6 wherein the at least one other parameter is a vehicle state. 11. The artificial intelligence system of claim 6 wherein the at least one other parameter is at least one pattern of physiological data of the rider. 12. The artificial intelligence system of claim 6 wherein the at least one other parameter is a route of the vehicle. 13. The artificial intelligence system of claim 6 wherein the at least one other parameter is in-vehicle audio content. 14. The artificial intelligence system of claim 6 wherein the at least one other parameter is a speed of the vehicle. 15. The artificial intelligence system of claim 6 wherein the at least one other parameter is acceleration of the vehicle. 16. The artificial intelligence system of claim 6 wherein the at least one other parameter is deceleration of the vehicle. 17. The artificial intelligence system of claim 6 wherein the at least one other parameter is proximity to objects along the route. 18. The artificial intelligence system of claim 6 wherein the at least one other parameter is proximity to other vehicles along the route. 19. An artificial intelligence system for voice processing to improve rider satisfaction, comprising:
a first neural network trained to classify emotional states based on analysis of human voices detects an emotional state of a rider through recognition of aspects of the voice of the rider captured while the rider is occupying the vehicle that correlate to at least one emotional state of the rider; and a second neural network that optimizes, for achieving a favorable emotional state of the rider, an operational parameter of the vehicle in response to the detected emotional state of the rider. 20. The artificial intelligence system of claim 19 wherein at least one of the neural networks is a convolutional neural network. 21. The artificial intelligence system of claim 19 wherein the first neural network is trained through use of a training data set that associates emotional state classes with human voice patterns. 22. The artificial intelligence system of claim 19 wherein the first neural network is trained through the use of a training data set of voice recordings that are tagged with emotional state identifying data. 23. The artificial intelligence system of claim 19 further comprising a rule-based rider state model that configures a set of iterations of the vehicle state while continuously monitoring the emotional state of the rider via an ongoing dialog with respect to the parameters of the model. 24. The artificial intelligence system of claim 19 wherein the emotional state of the rider is determined by a combination of the captured voice output of the rider and at least one other parameter. 25. The artificial intelligence system of claim 24 wherein the at least one other parameter is a camera-based emotional state determination of the rider. 26. The artificial intelligence system of claim 24 wherein the at least one other parameter is traffic information. 27. The artificial intelligence system of claim 24 wherein the at least one other parameter is weather information. 28. The artificial intelligence system of claim 24 wherein the at least one other parameter is a vehicle state. 29. The artificial intelligence system of claim 24 wherein the at least one other parameter is at least one pattern of physiological data of the rider. 30. The artificial intelligence system of claim 24 wherein the at least one other parameter is a route of the vehicle. 31. The artificial intelligence system of claim 24 wherein the at least one other parameter is in-vehicle audio content. 32. The artificial intelligence system of claim 24 wherein the at least one other parameter is a speed of the vehicle. 33. The artificial intelligence system of claim 24 wherein the at least one other parameter is acceleration of the vehicle. 34. The artificial intelligence system of claim 24 wherein the at least one other parameter is deceleration of the vehicle. 35. The artificial intelligence system of claim 24 wherein the at least one other parameter is proximity to objects along the route. 36. The artificial intelligence system of claim 24 wherein the at least one other parameter is proximity to other vehicles along the route. | 3,600 |
343,766 | 16,803,212 | 3,649 | A motor driver control system is configured for connection to a plurality of motors, the motor control system includes a motor driver command module, and the motor driver command module is configured to: access information related to one or more operating metrics of the plurality of motors; analyze the information to determine whether a maintenance condition exists in any of the plurality of motors; and if a maintenance condition exists in any of the plurality of motors: prevent electrical power from reaching any of the plurality of motors, identify which one or more of the plurality of motors has the maintenance condition, disconnect the one or more identified motors from the motor driver control system, and restore electrical power to all of the plurality of motors other than the identified motors after disconnecting the one or more identified motors. | 1. A motor driver control system configured for connection to a plurality of motors, the motor control system comprising a motor driver command module, the motor driver command module configured to:
access information related to one or more operating metrics of the plurality of motors; analyze the information to determine whether a maintenance condition exists in any of the plurality of motors; and if a maintenance condition exists in any of the plurality of motors:
prevent electrical power from reaching any of the plurality of motors,
identify which one or more of the plurality of motors has the maintenance condition,
disconnect the one or more identified motors from the motor driver control system, and
restore electrical power to all of the plurality of motors other than the identified motors after disconnecting the one or more identified motors. 2. The motor driver control system of claim 1, wherein the maintenance condition comprises a failure condition, the failure condition comprising an overvoltage, an overcurrent, a short circuit, a thermal overload, and/or a loss of a phase. 3. The motor driver control system of claim 1, wherein the information related to the one or more operating metrics comprises the average or peak current collectively drawn by the plurality of motors, a phase of current drawn collectively by the plurality of motors, a voltage applied to the plurality of motors, a waveform that represents current collectively drawn by the plurality of motors over a period of time, and/or a waveform that represents voltage applied to the plurality of motors over a period of time. 4. The motor driver control system of claim 3, wherein the motor driver command module being configured to analyze the information related to the one or more operating metrics comprises the motor driver command module being configured to compare the information to a specification, and a maintenance condition is determined to exist when the information does not meet the specification. 5. The motor driver control system of claim 4, wherein the specification is a range of values, and the information does not meet the specification when the information comprises a value that is not within the range of values. 6. The motor driver control system of claim 5, wherein
the specification is a single value, the information does not meet the specification when the information comprises a value that is greater than or less than the single value, and the information meets the specification when the information comprises a value that is equal to the single value. 7. The motor driver control system of claim 1, wherein the motor driver command module being configured to identify which one or more of the plurality of motors has a maintenance condition comprises the motor driver command module being configured to:
provide electrical power to only one of the plurality of motors at any given time during a testing cycle time period to produce test information related to the one or more operating metrics for the one of the plurality of motors, determine whether the maintenance condition exists in the one of the motors based on the test information, and if the maintenance condition exists, identify the one of the motors as a motor with a maintenance condition. 8. The motor driver control system of claim 1, further comprising a plurality of protection modules, and wherein each protection module comprises a motor overload device and a switching relay, and the switching relay has a current interruption rating that is lower than the continuous current rating of the particular one of the plurality of motors, and wherein
the motor driver command module being configured to prevent electrical power from reaching any of the plurality of motors comprises the motor driver command module being configured to break a current supply to the plurality of motors in response to determining that the maintenance condition exists in any of the plurality of motors, the motor driver command module is further configured to control a state of the switching relay, the motor driver command module being configured to disconnect the one or more identified motors comprises the motor driver command module being configured to change a state of the switching relay in each protection module that is connected to one of the one or more identified motors. 9. The motor driver control system of claim 8, wherein the motor overload device comprises a motor overload relay. 10. The motor driver control system of claim 8, wherein the motor overload relay comprises a normally open relay and a normally closed relay. 11. The motor driver control system of claim 8, wherein the motor overload relay comprises an electronic overload relay. 12. The motor driver control system of claim 1, further comprising a plurality of protection modules, and wherein each protection module comprises an overload relay and contactor that has a current interruption rating equal to or greater than the continuous current rating of the particular one of the plurality of motors, and wherein
the motor driver command module is further configured to control a state of the contactor, and the motor drive control module being configured to disconnect the one or more identified motors comprises the motor driver command module being configured to change a state of the contactor in each protection module that is connected to one of the one or more identified motors. 13. The motor driver control system of claim 1, wherein the motor driver command module is further configured to analyze the information to determine a measure of wellness for the plurality of motors, the measure of wellness being an indication of an amount of time or an amount of use remaining prior to a maintenance condition occurring. 14. The motor driver control system of claim 13, wherein the motor driver command module is further configured to determine the measure of wellness for each of the plurality of motors. 15. The motor driver control system of claim 1, wherein
each of the plurality of motors comprises an element configured to spin, and the motor driver command module is further configured to estimate a speed at which the element of at least one motor not identified as having the maintenance condition is spinning. 16. The motor driver control system of claim 15, wherein the motor driver command module is configured to restore electrical power after disconnecting the one or more identified motors and while at least one motor not identified as having the maintenance condition is spinning, and the motor driver command module is further configured to generate a driver signal that, when applied to the at least one motor not identified as having the maintenance condition, the at least one motor not identified as having the maintenance condition continues to operate at the estimated speed. 17. The motor driver control system of claim 11, wherein
each of the plurality of motors comprises an element configured to spin, and the motor driver command module is configured to restore electrical power after disconnecting the one or more identified motors and only after any motor not identified as having the maintenance condition is not spinning. 18. A method of protecting a plurality of motors connected to a motor driver control system, the method comprising:
allowing electrical power to reach all of the plurality of motors, the electrical power being sufficient to cause the motors to operate; receiving information related to one or more operating metrics of the plurality of motors; analyzing the received information to determine whether one or more of the plurality of motors has a maintenance condition;
if at least one of the motors has a maintenance condition:
preventing the electrical power from reaching any of the plurality of motors such that none of the motors operate,
identifying which one or more of the plurality of motors has the maintenance condition, and
disconnecting the one or more identified motors from the motor driver control system, and
allowing electrical power to flow to the plurality of motors other than the one or more identified motors after disconnecting the one or more identified motors. 19. The method of claim 18, wherein identifying which one or more of the plurality of motors has the maintenance condition comprises testing each motor separately in a testing cycle, wherein the testing for each motor comprises:
providing electrical power to one of the plurality of motors at a given time during the testing cycle to produce test information related to the one or more operating metrics of the one of the plurality of motors; and analyzing the test information to determine whether the one of the plurality of motors has the maintenance condition. | A motor driver control system is configured for connection to a plurality of motors, the motor control system includes a motor driver command module, and the motor driver command module is configured to: access information related to one or more operating metrics of the plurality of motors; analyze the information to determine whether a maintenance condition exists in any of the plurality of motors; and if a maintenance condition exists in any of the plurality of motors: prevent electrical power from reaching any of the plurality of motors, identify which one or more of the plurality of motors has the maintenance condition, disconnect the one or more identified motors from the motor driver control system, and restore electrical power to all of the plurality of motors other than the identified motors after disconnecting the one or more identified motors.1. A motor driver control system configured for connection to a plurality of motors, the motor control system comprising a motor driver command module, the motor driver command module configured to:
access information related to one or more operating metrics of the plurality of motors; analyze the information to determine whether a maintenance condition exists in any of the plurality of motors; and if a maintenance condition exists in any of the plurality of motors:
prevent electrical power from reaching any of the plurality of motors,
identify which one or more of the plurality of motors has the maintenance condition,
disconnect the one or more identified motors from the motor driver control system, and
restore electrical power to all of the plurality of motors other than the identified motors after disconnecting the one or more identified motors. 2. The motor driver control system of claim 1, wherein the maintenance condition comprises a failure condition, the failure condition comprising an overvoltage, an overcurrent, a short circuit, a thermal overload, and/or a loss of a phase. 3. The motor driver control system of claim 1, wherein the information related to the one or more operating metrics comprises the average or peak current collectively drawn by the plurality of motors, a phase of current drawn collectively by the plurality of motors, a voltage applied to the plurality of motors, a waveform that represents current collectively drawn by the plurality of motors over a period of time, and/or a waveform that represents voltage applied to the plurality of motors over a period of time. 4. The motor driver control system of claim 3, wherein the motor driver command module being configured to analyze the information related to the one or more operating metrics comprises the motor driver command module being configured to compare the information to a specification, and a maintenance condition is determined to exist when the information does not meet the specification. 5. The motor driver control system of claim 4, wherein the specification is a range of values, and the information does not meet the specification when the information comprises a value that is not within the range of values. 6. The motor driver control system of claim 5, wherein
the specification is a single value, the information does not meet the specification when the information comprises a value that is greater than or less than the single value, and the information meets the specification when the information comprises a value that is equal to the single value. 7. The motor driver control system of claim 1, wherein the motor driver command module being configured to identify which one or more of the plurality of motors has a maintenance condition comprises the motor driver command module being configured to:
provide electrical power to only one of the plurality of motors at any given time during a testing cycle time period to produce test information related to the one or more operating metrics for the one of the plurality of motors, determine whether the maintenance condition exists in the one of the motors based on the test information, and if the maintenance condition exists, identify the one of the motors as a motor with a maintenance condition. 8. The motor driver control system of claim 1, further comprising a plurality of protection modules, and wherein each protection module comprises a motor overload device and a switching relay, and the switching relay has a current interruption rating that is lower than the continuous current rating of the particular one of the plurality of motors, and wherein
the motor driver command module being configured to prevent electrical power from reaching any of the plurality of motors comprises the motor driver command module being configured to break a current supply to the plurality of motors in response to determining that the maintenance condition exists in any of the plurality of motors, the motor driver command module is further configured to control a state of the switching relay, the motor driver command module being configured to disconnect the one or more identified motors comprises the motor driver command module being configured to change a state of the switching relay in each protection module that is connected to one of the one or more identified motors. 9. The motor driver control system of claim 8, wherein the motor overload device comprises a motor overload relay. 10. The motor driver control system of claim 8, wherein the motor overload relay comprises a normally open relay and a normally closed relay. 11. The motor driver control system of claim 8, wherein the motor overload relay comprises an electronic overload relay. 12. The motor driver control system of claim 1, further comprising a plurality of protection modules, and wherein each protection module comprises an overload relay and contactor that has a current interruption rating equal to or greater than the continuous current rating of the particular one of the plurality of motors, and wherein
the motor driver command module is further configured to control a state of the contactor, and the motor drive control module being configured to disconnect the one or more identified motors comprises the motor driver command module being configured to change a state of the contactor in each protection module that is connected to one of the one or more identified motors. 13. The motor driver control system of claim 1, wherein the motor driver command module is further configured to analyze the information to determine a measure of wellness for the plurality of motors, the measure of wellness being an indication of an amount of time or an amount of use remaining prior to a maintenance condition occurring. 14. The motor driver control system of claim 13, wherein the motor driver command module is further configured to determine the measure of wellness for each of the plurality of motors. 15. The motor driver control system of claim 1, wherein
each of the plurality of motors comprises an element configured to spin, and the motor driver command module is further configured to estimate a speed at which the element of at least one motor not identified as having the maintenance condition is spinning. 16. The motor driver control system of claim 15, wherein the motor driver command module is configured to restore electrical power after disconnecting the one or more identified motors and while at least one motor not identified as having the maintenance condition is spinning, and the motor driver command module is further configured to generate a driver signal that, when applied to the at least one motor not identified as having the maintenance condition, the at least one motor not identified as having the maintenance condition continues to operate at the estimated speed. 17. The motor driver control system of claim 11, wherein
each of the plurality of motors comprises an element configured to spin, and the motor driver command module is configured to restore electrical power after disconnecting the one or more identified motors and only after any motor not identified as having the maintenance condition is not spinning. 18. A method of protecting a plurality of motors connected to a motor driver control system, the method comprising:
allowing electrical power to reach all of the plurality of motors, the electrical power being sufficient to cause the motors to operate; receiving information related to one or more operating metrics of the plurality of motors; analyzing the received information to determine whether one or more of the plurality of motors has a maintenance condition;
if at least one of the motors has a maintenance condition:
preventing the electrical power from reaching any of the plurality of motors such that none of the motors operate,
identifying which one or more of the plurality of motors has the maintenance condition, and
disconnecting the one or more identified motors from the motor driver control system, and
allowing electrical power to flow to the plurality of motors other than the one or more identified motors after disconnecting the one or more identified motors. 19. The method of claim 18, wherein identifying which one or more of the plurality of motors has the maintenance condition comprises testing each motor separately in a testing cycle, wherein the testing for each motor comprises:
providing electrical power to one of the plurality of motors at a given time during the testing cycle to produce test information related to the one or more operating metrics of the one of the plurality of motors; and analyzing the test information to determine whether the one of the plurality of motors has the maintenance condition. | 3,600 |
343,767 | 16,803,200 | 3,649 | A display device includes a light emitting element, and a sealing member on the light emitting element and sealing the light emitting element, wherein the sealing member includes a first inorganic layer on the light emitting element, an organic layer on the first inorganic layer, and a second inorganic layer on the organic layer. | 1. A display device comprising:
a light emitting element; and a sealing member on the light emitting element and sealing the light emitting element, wherein the sealing member comprises:
a first inorganic layer on the light emitting element and having a refractive index of 1.58 to 1.64;
an organic layer on the first inorganic layer; and
a second inorganic layer on the organic layer and having a refractive index of 1.58 to 2.00. 2. The display device of claim 1, wherein a thickness of the first inorganic layer is 0.5 μm to 1.5 μm. 3. The display device of claim 1, wherein the first inorganic layer comprises at least one of silicon oxynitride, silicon nitride, and silicon oxide. 4. The display device of claim 1, wherein a thickness of the second inorganic layer is 0.5 μm to 1.5 μm. 5. The display device of claim 1, wherein the second inorganic layer comprises two or more sub inorganic layers having refractive indices different from each other. 6. The display device of claim 1, wherein the second inorganic layer comprises a first sub inorganic layer having a refractive index of 1.58 to 1.64, and a second sub inorganic layer having a refractive index of 1.80 to 2.00. 7. The display device of claim 6, wherein a ratio of a thickness of the first sub inorganic layer to a thickness of the second sub inorganic layer is 3:1 to 5:1. 8. The display device of claim 7, wherein the thickness of the first sub inorganic layer is 0.5 μm to 0.6 μm. 9. The display device of claim 7, wherein the thickness of the second sub inorganic layer is 0.1 μm to 0.2 μm. 10. The display device of claim 6, wherein the first sub inorganic layer comprises silicon oxynitride or silicon oxide. 11. The display device of claim 6, wherein the second sub inorganic layer comprises at least one of silicon nitride, aluminum oxide, and titanium oxide. 12. The display device of claim 6, wherein the second sub inorganic layer is at a top of the sealing member. 13. The display device of claim 1, wherein the second inorganic layer comprises silicon nitride that does not comprise a Si—O bond, and has a thickness of 0.15 μm to 0.25 μm. 14. The display device of claim 13, wherein a hydrogen content of the second inorganic layer is less than or equal to 2.8×1022 atom/cm3. 15. The display device of claim 13, wherein a molar ratio of nitrogen to silicon is 1 to 1.3 for an entirety of the second inorganic layer. 16. The display device of claim 13, wherein the second inorganic layer has a density of 2.3 g/cm3 to 2.6 g/cm3. 17. The display device of claim 1, wherein the light emitting element comprises:
a first electrode; a second electrode on the first electrode; and an intermediate layer between the first electrode and the second electrode, and comprises a light emitting layer having at least one of an organic light emitting material and a quantum dot light emitting material. 18. The display device of claim 1, further comprising a capping layer between the light emitting element and the sealing member. 19. The display device of claim 18, further comprising a cover layer between the capping layer and the sealing member and has a refractive index of 1.3 to 1.4. 20. The display device of claim 1, further comprising a color control layer on the sealing member and comprises a quantum dot. 21. A display device comprising:
a light emitting element; a first inorganic layer on the light emitting element and has a first thickness; an organic layer on the first inorganic layer; and a second inorganic layer on the organic layer, wherein the second inorganic layer comprises a first sub inorganic layer having a second thickness less than the first thickness, and a second sub inorganic layer on the first sub inorganic layer and has a third thickness less than the second thickness. 22. The display device of claim 21, wherein a ratio of the second thickness to the third thickness is 3:1 to 5:1. 23. The display device of claim 21,
wherein the first inorganic layer has a first refractive index, wherein the first sub inorganic layer has a second refractive index, and wherein the second sub inorganic layer has a third refractive index greater than the first refractive index and the second refractive index. 24. The display device of claim 23, wherein the first refractive index is 1.58 to 1.64. 25. The display device of claim 23, wherein the second refractive index is 1.58 to 1.64, and the third refractive index is 1.80 to 2.00. 26. A display device comprising:
a light emitting element; and a sealing member on the light emitting element and sealing the light emitting element, wherein the sealing member comprises:
a first inorganic layer;
an organic layer on the first inorganic layer; and
a second inorganic layer on the organic layer, and
wherein the second inorganic layer
comprises silicon nitride that does not comprise a Si—O bond,
has a thickness of 0.15 μm to 0.25 μm,
has a molar ratio of nitrogen to silicon of 1 to 1.3 for an entirety of the second inorganic layer, and
has a hydrogen content less than or equal to 2.8×1022 atom/cm3. 27. The display device of claim 26, wherein the second inorganic layer has a density of 2.3 g/cm3 to 2.6 g/cm3. 28. The display device of claim 26, wherein a refractive index of the first inorganic layer is 1.58 to 1.64, and a refractive index of the second inorganic layer is 1.58 to 2.00. | A display device includes a light emitting element, and a sealing member on the light emitting element and sealing the light emitting element, wherein the sealing member includes a first inorganic layer on the light emitting element, an organic layer on the first inorganic layer, and a second inorganic layer on the organic layer.1. A display device comprising:
a light emitting element; and a sealing member on the light emitting element and sealing the light emitting element, wherein the sealing member comprises:
a first inorganic layer on the light emitting element and having a refractive index of 1.58 to 1.64;
an organic layer on the first inorganic layer; and
a second inorganic layer on the organic layer and having a refractive index of 1.58 to 2.00. 2. The display device of claim 1, wherein a thickness of the first inorganic layer is 0.5 μm to 1.5 μm. 3. The display device of claim 1, wherein the first inorganic layer comprises at least one of silicon oxynitride, silicon nitride, and silicon oxide. 4. The display device of claim 1, wherein a thickness of the second inorganic layer is 0.5 μm to 1.5 μm. 5. The display device of claim 1, wherein the second inorganic layer comprises two or more sub inorganic layers having refractive indices different from each other. 6. The display device of claim 1, wherein the second inorganic layer comprises a first sub inorganic layer having a refractive index of 1.58 to 1.64, and a second sub inorganic layer having a refractive index of 1.80 to 2.00. 7. The display device of claim 6, wherein a ratio of a thickness of the first sub inorganic layer to a thickness of the second sub inorganic layer is 3:1 to 5:1. 8. The display device of claim 7, wherein the thickness of the first sub inorganic layer is 0.5 μm to 0.6 μm. 9. The display device of claim 7, wherein the thickness of the second sub inorganic layer is 0.1 μm to 0.2 μm. 10. The display device of claim 6, wherein the first sub inorganic layer comprises silicon oxynitride or silicon oxide. 11. The display device of claim 6, wherein the second sub inorganic layer comprises at least one of silicon nitride, aluminum oxide, and titanium oxide. 12. The display device of claim 6, wherein the second sub inorganic layer is at a top of the sealing member. 13. The display device of claim 1, wherein the second inorganic layer comprises silicon nitride that does not comprise a Si—O bond, and has a thickness of 0.15 μm to 0.25 μm. 14. The display device of claim 13, wherein a hydrogen content of the second inorganic layer is less than or equal to 2.8×1022 atom/cm3. 15. The display device of claim 13, wherein a molar ratio of nitrogen to silicon is 1 to 1.3 for an entirety of the second inorganic layer. 16. The display device of claim 13, wherein the second inorganic layer has a density of 2.3 g/cm3 to 2.6 g/cm3. 17. The display device of claim 1, wherein the light emitting element comprises:
a first electrode; a second electrode on the first electrode; and an intermediate layer between the first electrode and the second electrode, and comprises a light emitting layer having at least one of an organic light emitting material and a quantum dot light emitting material. 18. The display device of claim 1, further comprising a capping layer between the light emitting element and the sealing member. 19. The display device of claim 18, further comprising a cover layer between the capping layer and the sealing member and has a refractive index of 1.3 to 1.4. 20. The display device of claim 1, further comprising a color control layer on the sealing member and comprises a quantum dot. 21. A display device comprising:
a light emitting element; a first inorganic layer on the light emitting element and has a first thickness; an organic layer on the first inorganic layer; and a second inorganic layer on the organic layer, wherein the second inorganic layer comprises a first sub inorganic layer having a second thickness less than the first thickness, and a second sub inorganic layer on the first sub inorganic layer and has a third thickness less than the second thickness. 22. The display device of claim 21, wherein a ratio of the second thickness to the third thickness is 3:1 to 5:1. 23. The display device of claim 21,
wherein the first inorganic layer has a first refractive index, wherein the first sub inorganic layer has a second refractive index, and wherein the second sub inorganic layer has a third refractive index greater than the first refractive index and the second refractive index. 24. The display device of claim 23, wherein the first refractive index is 1.58 to 1.64. 25. The display device of claim 23, wherein the second refractive index is 1.58 to 1.64, and the third refractive index is 1.80 to 2.00. 26. A display device comprising:
a light emitting element; and a sealing member on the light emitting element and sealing the light emitting element, wherein the sealing member comprises:
a first inorganic layer;
an organic layer on the first inorganic layer; and
a second inorganic layer on the organic layer, and
wherein the second inorganic layer
comprises silicon nitride that does not comprise a Si—O bond,
has a thickness of 0.15 μm to 0.25 μm,
has a molar ratio of nitrogen to silicon of 1 to 1.3 for an entirety of the second inorganic layer, and
has a hydrogen content less than or equal to 2.8×1022 atom/cm3. 27. The display device of claim 26, wherein the second inorganic layer has a density of 2.3 g/cm3 to 2.6 g/cm3. 28. The display device of claim 26, wherein a refractive index of the first inorganic layer is 1.58 to 1.64, and a refractive index of the second inorganic layer is 1.58 to 2.00. | 3,600 |
343,768 | 16,803,196 | 3,649 | A method for enabling a base station to control adaptive reporting in a TDD environment according to one embodiment of the present invention comprises the steps of: transmitting, from a base station to a terminal, an information element including reporting-setting information comprising reporting cycle and reporting offset of channel state information; transmitting information of a UL-DL setting change to the terminal; and receiving the channel state information by using the reporting cycle and the reporting offset of the reporting-setting information corresponding to the changed UL-DL setting. | 1. A method by a user equipment device (UE) in a Time Division Duplexing (TDD) environment, the method comprising:
at the UE:
receiving, from a base station, a downlink (DL)-reference uplink (UL)-DL configuration for the UE via higher layer signaling;
receiving, from the base station, information on an UL-DL configuration change for a cell on a physical downlink control channel (PDCCH) or enhanced PDCCH (EPDCCH), wherein the UL-DL configuration change results in a corresponding UL-DL configuration that is different from the DL-reference UL-DL configuration;
performing DL reception and UL transmission for the cell according to the corresponding UL-DL configuration; and
performing DL hybrid automatic request (HARQ) operation for the cell according to a timing based on the DL-reference UL-DL configuration. 2. The method of claim 1, wherein said performing DL HARQ operation for the cell according to the timing based on the DL-reference UL-DL configuration is performed regardless of the UL-DL configuration change. 3. The method of claim 1, wherein the cell is a PCell for the UE operating in a first TDD mode. 4. The method of claim 1, the method further comprising:
receiving, from the base station, reporting configuration information, ICQI/PMI, which indicates the reporting periodicity and the reporting offset for periodic channel status information reporting, wherein the reporting configuration information, ICQI/PMI, is applied to the DL-reference UL-DL configuration. 5. The method of claim 1, the method further comprising:
receiving, from the base station, reporting configuration information, ICQI/PMI, which indicates the reporting periodicity and the reporting offset for periodic channel status information reporting, wherein the reporting configuration information, ICQI/PMI, is applied to a common UL subframe as a reference. 6. The method of claim 1, wherein the timing comprises a set of one or more k values, wherein elements of the set indicate Acknowledgement/Negative-acknowledgement (Ack/Nack) timing in a UL subframe n in response to a transmission in DL subframe n-k. 7. A user equipment device (UE) configured for operation in a Time Division Duplexing (TDD) environment, the UE comprising:
a radio; and a processor configured to cause the UE to:
receive, from a base station, a downlink (DL)-reference uplink (UL)-DL configuration for the UE via higher layer signaling;
receive, from the base station, information on an UL-DL configuration change for a cell on a physical downlink control channel (PDCCH) or enhanced PDCCH (EPDCCH), wherein the UL-DL configuration change results in a corresponding UL-DL configuration that is different from the DL-reference UL-DL configuration;
perform DL reception and UL transmission for the cell according to the corresponding UL-DL configuration; and
perform DL hybrid automatic request (HARQ) operation for the cell according to a timing based on the DL-reference UL-DL configuration. 8. The UE of claim 7, wherein said performing DL HARQ operation for the cell according to the timing based on the DL-reference UL-DL configuration is performed regardless of the UL-DL configuration change. 9. The UE of claim 7, wherein the cell is a PCell for the UE operating in a first TDD mode. 10. The UE of claim 7, wherein the processor is further configured to cause the UE to:
receive, from the base station, reporting configuration information, ICQI/PMI, which indicates the reporting periodicity and the reporting offset for periodic channel status information reporting, wherein the reporting configuration information, ICQI/PMI, is applied to the DL-reference UL-DL configuration. 11. The UE of claim 7, wherein the processor is further configured to cause the UE to:
receive, from the base station, reporting configuration information, ICQI/PMI, which indicates the reporting periodicity and the reporting offset for periodic channel status information reporting, wherein the reporting configuration information, ICQI/PMI, is applied to a common UL subframe as a reference. 12. The UE of claim 7, wherein the timing comprises a set of one or more k values, wherein elements of the set indicate Acknowledgement/Negative-acknowledgement (Ack/Nack) timing in a UL subframe n in response to a transmission in DL subframe n-k. 13. An apparatus for operating a user equipment device (UE) configured for operation in a Time Division Duplexing (TDD) environment, the apparatus comprising:
a processor configured to cause the UE to:
receive, from a base station, a downlink (DL)-reference uplink (UL)-DL configuration via higher layer signaling;
receive, from the base station, an information element including a reporting configuration, wherein the reporting configuration information includes a value corresponding to a reporting periodicity and a reporting offset of channel status information based in part on the DL-reference UL-DL configuration;
receive, from the base station, information on an UL-DL configuration change on a physical downlink control channel (PDCCH) or enhanced PDCCH (EPDCCH), wherein the UL-DL configuration change results in a corresponding UL-DL configuration that is different from the DL-reference UL-DL configuration;
perform, with the base station, UL reception and DL transmission according to the corresponding UL-DL configuration; and
transmit, to the base station, the channel status information according to the DL-reference UL-DL configuration and reporting configuration information. 14. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the channel status information comprises Channel Quality Indicator. 15. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the channel status information comprises Precoding Matrix Indicator. 16. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the higher layer signaling comprises radio resource control signaling. 17. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the channel status information is transmitted after the information on the UL-DL configuration change is received. 18. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the processor is further configured to cause the UE to perform a DL HARQ operation according to a timing based on the DL-reference UL-DL configuration regardless of the UL-DL configuration change. 19. The apparatus of claim 18, wherein to perform the DL HARQ operation, the processor is further configured to cause the UE to:
receive, from the base station, a message on a physical downlink shared channel (PDSCH) during a first subframe (n-k); and transmit, to the base station, a HARQ response associated with the message from the UE during a second subframe (n). 20. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the information element is received in a first subframe, wherein the information on the UL-DL configuration change is received in a second subframe, wherein the first subframe is prior to the second subframe. | A method for enabling a base station to control adaptive reporting in a TDD environment according to one embodiment of the present invention comprises the steps of: transmitting, from a base station to a terminal, an information element including reporting-setting information comprising reporting cycle and reporting offset of channel state information; transmitting information of a UL-DL setting change to the terminal; and receiving the channel state information by using the reporting cycle and the reporting offset of the reporting-setting information corresponding to the changed UL-DL setting.1. A method by a user equipment device (UE) in a Time Division Duplexing (TDD) environment, the method comprising:
at the UE:
receiving, from a base station, a downlink (DL)-reference uplink (UL)-DL configuration for the UE via higher layer signaling;
receiving, from the base station, information on an UL-DL configuration change for a cell on a physical downlink control channel (PDCCH) or enhanced PDCCH (EPDCCH), wherein the UL-DL configuration change results in a corresponding UL-DL configuration that is different from the DL-reference UL-DL configuration;
performing DL reception and UL transmission for the cell according to the corresponding UL-DL configuration; and
performing DL hybrid automatic request (HARQ) operation for the cell according to a timing based on the DL-reference UL-DL configuration. 2. The method of claim 1, wherein said performing DL HARQ operation for the cell according to the timing based on the DL-reference UL-DL configuration is performed regardless of the UL-DL configuration change. 3. The method of claim 1, wherein the cell is a PCell for the UE operating in a first TDD mode. 4. The method of claim 1, the method further comprising:
receiving, from the base station, reporting configuration information, ICQI/PMI, which indicates the reporting periodicity and the reporting offset for periodic channel status information reporting, wherein the reporting configuration information, ICQI/PMI, is applied to the DL-reference UL-DL configuration. 5. The method of claim 1, the method further comprising:
receiving, from the base station, reporting configuration information, ICQI/PMI, which indicates the reporting periodicity and the reporting offset for periodic channel status information reporting, wherein the reporting configuration information, ICQI/PMI, is applied to a common UL subframe as a reference. 6. The method of claim 1, wherein the timing comprises a set of one or more k values, wherein elements of the set indicate Acknowledgement/Negative-acknowledgement (Ack/Nack) timing in a UL subframe n in response to a transmission in DL subframe n-k. 7. A user equipment device (UE) configured for operation in a Time Division Duplexing (TDD) environment, the UE comprising:
a radio; and a processor configured to cause the UE to:
receive, from a base station, a downlink (DL)-reference uplink (UL)-DL configuration for the UE via higher layer signaling;
receive, from the base station, information on an UL-DL configuration change for a cell on a physical downlink control channel (PDCCH) or enhanced PDCCH (EPDCCH), wherein the UL-DL configuration change results in a corresponding UL-DL configuration that is different from the DL-reference UL-DL configuration;
perform DL reception and UL transmission for the cell according to the corresponding UL-DL configuration; and
perform DL hybrid automatic request (HARQ) operation for the cell according to a timing based on the DL-reference UL-DL configuration. 8. The UE of claim 7, wherein said performing DL HARQ operation for the cell according to the timing based on the DL-reference UL-DL configuration is performed regardless of the UL-DL configuration change. 9. The UE of claim 7, wherein the cell is a PCell for the UE operating in a first TDD mode. 10. The UE of claim 7, wherein the processor is further configured to cause the UE to:
receive, from the base station, reporting configuration information, ICQI/PMI, which indicates the reporting periodicity and the reporting offset for periodic channel status information reporting, wherein the reporting configuration information, ICQI/PMI, is applied to the DL-reference UL-DL configuration. 11. The UE of claim 7, wherein the processor is further configured to cause the UE to:
receive, from the base station, reporting configuration information, ICQI/PMI, which indicates the reporting periodicity and the reporting offset for periodic channel status information reporting, wherein the reporting configuration information, ICQI/PMI, is applied to a common UL subframe as a reference. 12. The UE of claim 7, wherein the timing comprises a set of one or more k values, wherein elements of the set indicate Acknowledgement/Negative-acknowledgement (Ack/Nack) timing in a UL subframe n in response to a transmission in DL subframe n-k. 13. An apparatus for operating a user equipment device (UE) configured for operation in a Time Division Duplexing (TDD) environment, the apparatus comprising:
a processor configured to cause the UE to:
receive, from a base station, a downlink (DL)-reference uplink (UL)-DL configuration via higher layer signaling;
receive, from the base station, an information element including a reporting configuration, wherein the reporting configuration information includes a value corresponding to a reporting periodicity and a reporting offset of channel status information based in part on the DL-reference UL-DL configuration;
receive, from the base station, information on an UL-DL configuration change on a physical downlink control channel (PDCCH) or enhanced PDCCH (EPDCCH), wherein the UL-DL configuration change results in a corresponding UL-DL configuration that is different from the DL-reference UL-DL configuration;
perform, with the base station, UL reception and DL transmission according to the corresponding UL-DL configuration; and
transmit, to the base station, the channel status information according to the DL-reference UL-DL configuration and reporting configuration information. 14. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the channel status information comprises Channel Quality Indicator. 15. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the channel status information comprises Precoding Matrix Indicator. 16. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the higher layer signaling comprises radio resource control signaling. 17. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the channel status information is transmitted after the information on the UL-DL configuration change is received. 18. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the processor is further configured to cause the UE to perform a DL HARQ operation according to a timing based on the DL-reference UL-DL configuration regardless of the UL-DL configuration change. 19. The apparatus of claim 18, wherein to perform the DL HARQ operation, the processor is further configured to cause the UE to:
receive, from the base station, a message on a physical downlink shared channel (PDSCH) during a first subframe (n-k); and transmit, to the base station, a HARQ response associated with the message from the UE during a second subframe (n). 20. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the information element is received in a first subframe, wherein the information on the UL-DL configuration change is received in a second subframe, wherein the first subframe is prior to the second subframe. | 3,600 |
343,769 | 16,803,177 | 3,649 | Hidradenitis suppurativa can be treated by administering a pharmaceutical composition that includes a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier and a therapeutically effective amount of an agent that selectively binds IL-1α. | 1. A method of treating hidradenitis suppurativa in a human subject having lesions associated with hidradenitis suppurativa, the method comprising the step of administering to the subject a pharmaceutical composition comprising a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier and an amount of an anti-IL-1α antibody effective to treat a symptom of hidradenitis suppurativa in the subject. 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the anti-IL-1α antibody is a monoclonal antibody. 3. The method of claim 2, wherein the monoclonal antibody is an IgG1. 4. The method of claim 3, wherein the monoclonal antibody is MABp1. 5. The method of claim 1, wherein the subject's HiSCR score is improved after administration of the pharmaceutical composition 6. The method of claim 1, wherein the median size of the subject's hidradenitis suppurativa lesions is reduced after administration of the pharmaceutical composition. 7. The method of claim 1, wherein the subject's pain associated with the subject's hidradenitis suppurativa lesions is reduced after administration of the pharmaceutical composition. 8. The method of claim 1, wherein the subject's time to new hidradenitis suppurativa lesions is increased after administration of the pharmaceutical composition. 9. The method of claim 1, wherein the hidradenitis suppurativa in the human subject has failed to resolve after treatment with tumor necrosis factor alpha inhibitors. 10. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of administering to the subject a pharmaceutical composition comprising a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier and an anti-S. aureus antibody. 11. The method of claim 10, wherein the anti-S. aureus antibody comprises a Fab region paratope that specifically binds to S. aureus protein A (SpA) and an Fc region that does not specifically bind SpA. | Hidradenitis suppurativa can be treated by administering a pharmaceutical composition that includes a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier and a therapeutically effective amount of an agent that selectively binds IL-1α.1. A method of treating hidradenitis suppurativa in a human subject having lesions associated with hidradenitis suppurativa, the method comprising the step of administering to the subject a pharmaceutical composition comprising a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier and an amount of an anti-IL-1α antibody effective to treat a symptom of hidradenitis suppurativa in the subject. 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the anti-IL-1α antibody is a monoclonal antibody. 3. The method of claim 2, wherein the monoclonal antibody is an IgG1. 4. The method of claim 3, wherein the monoclonal antibody is MABp1. 5. The method of claim 1, wherein the subject's HiSCR score is improved after administration of the pharmaceutical composition 6. The method of claim 1, wherein the median size of the subject's hidradenitis suppurativa lesions is reduced after administration of the pharmaceutical composition. 7. The method of claim 1, wherein the subject's pain associated with the subject's hidradenitis suppurativa lesions is reduced after administration of the pharmaceutical composition. 8. The method of claim 1, wherein the subject's time to new hidradenitis suppurativa lesions is increased after administration of the pharmaceutical composition. 9. The method of claim 1, wherein the hidradenitis suppurativa in the human subject has failed to resolve after treatment with tumor necrosis factor alpha inhibitors. 10. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of administering to the subject a pharmaceutical composition comprising a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier and an anti-S. aureus antibody. 11. The method of claim 10, wherein the anti-S. aureus antibody comprises a Fab region paratope that specifically binds to S. aureus protein A (SpA) and an Fc region that does not specifically bind SpA. | 3,600 |
343,770 | 16,803,215 | 2,846 | A system for controlling a plurality of motors includes: a variable frequency drive (VFD) configured to control at least one property of the motors, the VFD having a current interruption rating that is greater than a continuous current rating of all of the plurality of motors combined; a bus electrically connected to the VFD; and a plurality of protection modules, each protection module including: a motor overload device electrically connected to a particular one of the plurality of motors; and a switching relay in series with the motor overload device, the switching relay configured to connect the protection module to and disconnect the protection module from the bus. A state of the switching relay determines whether the protection module is electrically connected to the bus, the VFD is configured to control the state of the switching relay, and the switching relay has a current interruption rating that is less than the continuous current rating of the particular one of the plurality of motors. | 1. A system for controlling a plurality of motors, the system comprising:
a variable frequency drive (VFD) configured to control at least one property of the motors, the VFD having a current interruption rating that is greater than a continuous current rating of all of the plurality of motors combined; a bus electrically connected to the VFD; and a plurality of protection modules, each protection module comprising:
a motor overload device electrically connected to a particular one of the plurality of motors; and
a switching relay in series with the motor overload device, the switching relay configured to connect the protection module to and disconnect the protection module from the bus, wherein
a state of the switching relay determines whether the protection module is electrically connected to the bus, the VFD is configured to control the state of the switching relay, and the switching relay has a current interruption rating that is less than the continuous current rating of the particular one of the plurality of motors. 2. The system of claim 1, further comprising a housing that holds the VFD, the bus, and the plurality of protection modules. 3. The system of claim 2, wherein each protection module further comprises a printed circuit board (PCB) that is mountable in the housing, and the motor overload device and the switching relay are mounted to the PCB. 4. The system of claim 3, wherein each protection module further comprises a terminal block mounted on each PCB, and the particular one of the motors and the motor overload device are electrically connected to each other via the terminal block. 5. The system of claim 3, wherein the bus is a backplane that is mountable in the housing, the backplane comprises a plurality of electrical connectors in parallel with each other, and each PCB is mounted to one of the plurality of electrical connectors such that all of the protection modules are connected to the backplane and are in parallel with each other. 6. The system of claim 1, wherein each motor overload device comprises at least one sensing device configured to determine at least one operating metric of the particular one of the plurality of motors, and the VFD receives information about the at least one operating metric from all of the protection modules that are electrically connected to the bus. 7. The system of claim 6, wherein the at least one sensing device comprises a current sensor and/or a voltage sensor, and the operating metric comprises an amount of current drawn by the particular one of the plurality of motors, a phase of current drawn by the particular one of the motors, and/or a voltage applied to the particular one of the plurality of motors. 8. The system of claim 7, wherein the VFD is configured to analyze the information and determine whether one or more of the plurality of motors is in a fault condition. 9. The system of claim 8, wherein the VFD is configured to prevent electricity from flowing to the bus based on a determination that at least one of the plurality of motors is in a fault condition. 10. The system of claim 9, wherein the VFD is configured to determine which one or more of the plurality of motors is in a fault condition and to change the state of the switching relay in the one or more protection modules connected to the one or more of the plurality of motors in the fault condition such the one or more protection modules are disconnected from the bus. 11. The system of claim 10, wherein, the VFD is configured to allow electricity to flow to the bus such that electricity is provided to all of the motors except for the one or more motors that are in the fault condition after the one or more protection modules are disconnected from the bus. 12. The system of claim 11, wherein each of the motors comprises an element that is configured to spin, and the VFD is configured to allow electricity to flow to the bus after the one or more protection modules are disconnected from the bus and before all of the motors stop spinning. 13. The system of claim 1, wherein the motor overload device is configured to: sense at least one operating metric of a current drawn by the particular one of the motors and determine an indication of the at least one operating metric, and wherein the VFD is configured to control the state of the switching relay based on the indication of the sensed operating metric. 14. The system of claim 13, wherein the motor overload device comprises: a sensing device, an electronic storage, and one or more electronic processors, and wherein, the electronic storage comprises information related to at least one current threshold at which to disconnect the protection module from the bus. 15. The system of claim 14, wherein to determine an indication of the at least one operating metric, the motor overload device is configured to compare a sensed amount of current drawn by the particular one of the plurality of motors to the information related to the at least one current threshold at which to disconnect the protection module from the bus, and the indication of the at least one operating metric comprises an indication of whether the sensed amount of current drawn meets or exceeds the at least one current threshold at which to disconnect the protection module from the bus. 16. The system of claim 1, wherein the motor overload device comprises a normally open relay and a normally closed relay. 17. An apparatus for use with a plurality of motors, the apparatus comprising:
a plurality of protection modules, each protection module being configured for connection to a bus and to a particular one of the plurality of motors, each protection module comprising:
a motor overload device electrically connected to a particular one of the plurality of motors; and
a switching relay in series with the motor overload device, the switching relay configured to connect the protection module to and disconnect the protection module from the bus, wherein
a state of the switching relay determines whether the protection module is electrically connected to the bus, and the switching relay has a current interruption rating that is less than the continuous current rating of the particular one of the plurality of motors. 18. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein the bus is configured for connection to a variable-frequency drive (VFD) that has a current interruption rating that is at least equal to a continuous current rating of all of the plurality of motors combined. 19. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein each protection module further comprises a printed circuit board (PCB), and the motor overload device and the switching relay are mounted on the PCB. 20. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein the motor overload device comprises a sensor configured to sense an operating metric of the particular one of the plurality of motors and to determine an indication of the operating metric, and wherein the state of the switching relay is based on the indication of the operating metric. | A system for controlling a plurality of motors includes: a variable frequency drive (VFD) configured to control at least one property of the motors, the VFD having a current interruption rating that is greater than a continuous current rating of all of the plurality of motors combined; a bus electrically connected to the VFD; and a plurality of protection modules, each protection module including: a motor overload device electrically connected to a particular one of the plurality of motors; and a switching relay in series with the motor overload device, the switching relay configured to connect the protection module to and disconnect the protection module from the bus. A state of the switching relay determines whether the protection module is electrically connected to the bus, the VFD is configured to control the state of the switching relay, and the switching relay has a current interruption rating that is less than the continuous current rating of the particular one of the plurality of motors.1. A system for controlling a plurality of motors, the system comprising:
a variable frequency drive (VFD) configured to control at least one property of the motors, the VFD having a current interruption rating that is greater than a continuous current rating of all of the plurality of motors combined; a bus electrically connected to the VFD; and a plurality of protection modules, each protection module comprising:
a motor overload device electrically connected to a particular one of the plurality of motors; and
a switching relay in series with the motor overload device, the switching relay configured to connect the protection module to and disconnect the protection module from the bus, wherein
a state of the switching relay determines whether the protection module is electrically connected to the bus, the VFD is configured to control the state of the switching relay, and the switching relay has a current interruption rating that is less than the continuous current rating of the particular one of the plurality of motors. 2. The system of claim 1, further comprising a housing that holds the VFD, the bus, and the plurality of protection modules. 3. The system of claim 2, wherein each protection module further comprises a printed circuit board (PCB) that is mountable in the housing, and the motor overload device and the switching relay are mounted to the PCB. 4. The system of claim 3, wherein each protection module further comprises a terminal block mounted on each PCB, and the particular one of the motors and the motor overload device are electrically connected to each other via the terminal block. 5. The system of claim 3, wherein the bus is a backplane that is mountable in the housing, the backplane comprises a plurality of electrical connectors in parallel with each other, and each PCB is mounted to one of the plurality of electrical connectors such that all of the protection modules are connected to the backplane and are in parallel with each other. 6. The system of claim 1, wherein each motor overload device comprises at least one sensing device configured to determine at least one operating metric of the particular one of the plurality of motors, and the VFD receives information about the at least one operating metric from all of the protection modules that are electrically connected to the bus. 7. The system of claim 6, wherein the at least one sensing device comprises a current sensor and/or a voltage sensor, and the operating metric comprises an amount of current drawn by the particular one of the plurality of motors, a phase of current drawn by the particular one of the motors, and/or a voltage applied to the particular one of the plurality of motors. 8. The system of claim 7, wherein the VFD is configured to analyze the information and determine whether one or more of the plurality of motors is in a fault condition. 9. The system of claim 8, wherein the VFD is configured to prevent electricity from flowing to the bus based on a determination that at least one of the plurality of motors is in a fault condition. 10. The system of claim 9, wherein the VFD is configured to determine which one or more of the plurality of motors is in a fault condition and to change the state of the switching relay in the one or more protection modules connected to the one or more of the plurality of motors in the fault condition such the one or more protection modules are disconnected from the bus. 11. The system of claim 10, wherein, the VFD is configured to allow electricity to flow to the bus such that electricity is provided to all of the motors except for the one or more motors that are in the fault condition after the one or more protection modules are disconnected from the bus. 12. The system of claim 11, wherein each of the motors comprises an element that is configured to spin, and the VFD is configured to allow electricity to flow to the bus after the one or more protection modules are disconnected from the bus and before all of the motors stop spinning. 13. The system of claim 1, wherein the motor overload device is configured to: sense at least one operating metric of a current drawn by the particular one of the motors and determine an indication of the at least one operating metric, and wherein the VFD is configured to control the state of the switching relay based on the indication of the sensed operating metric. 14. The system of claim 13, wherein the motor overload device comprises: a sensing device, an electronic storage, and one or more electronic processors, and wherein, the electronic storage comprises information related to at least one current threshold at which to disconnect the protection module from the bus. 15. The system of claim 14, wherein to determine an indication of the at least one operating metric, the motor overload device is configured to compare a sensed amount of current drawn by the particular one of the plurality of motors to the information related to the at least one current threshold at which to disconnect the protection module from the bus, and the indication of the at least one operating metric comprises an indication of whether the sensed amount of current drawn meets or exceeds the at least one current threshold at which to disconnect the protection module from the bus. 16. The system of claim 1, wherein the motor overload device comprises a normally open relay and a normally closed relay. 17. An apparatus for use with a plurality of motors, the apparatus comprising:
a plurality of protection modules, each protection module being configured for connection to a bus and to a particular one of the plurality of motors, each protection module comprising:
a motor overload device electrically connected to a particular one of the plurality of motors; and
a switching relay in series with the motor overload device, the switching relay configured to connect the protection module to and disconnect the protection module from the bus, wherein
a state of the switching relay determines whether the protection module is electrically connected to the bus, and the switching relay has a current interruption rating that is less than the continuous current rating of the particular one of the plurality of motors. 18. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein the bus is configured for connection to a variable-frequency drive (VFD) that has a current interruption rating that is at least equal to a continuous current rating of all of the plurality of motors combined. 19. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein each protection module further comprises a printed circuit board (PCB), and the motor overload device and the switching relay are mounted on the PCB. 20. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein the motor overload device comprises a sensor configured to sense an operating metric of the particular one of the plurality of motors and to determine an indication of the operating metric, and wherein the state of the switching relay is based on the indication of the operating metric. | 2,800 |
343,771 | 16,803,201 | 2,846 | A method for joining at least two joining partners includes performing a plurality of ultrasonic joining operations in direct succession, wherein performing an individual ultrasonic joining operation includes, with a second joining tool, applying pressure to a second joining partner arranged adjacent to a first joining partner, thereby pressing the second joining partner against the first joining partner, and, with the second joining tool, applying high-frequency ultrasonic vibrations to the joining partners. The method further includes, during at least one intermediate time interval between two directly successive ultrasonic joining operations, at least one of actively cooling and heating the second joining tool. | 1. A method for joining at least two joining partners, the method comprising:
performing a plurality of ultrasonic joining operations in direct succession, wherein performing an individual ultrasonic joining operation comprises, with a second joining tool, applying pressure to a second joining partner arranged adjacent to a first joining partner, thereby pressing the second joining partner against the first joining partner, and, with the second joining tool, applying high-frequency ultrasonic vibrations to the joining partners; and during at least one intermediate time interval between two directly successive ultrasonic joining operations, at least one of actively cooling and heating the second joining tool. 2. The method of claim 1, wherein during at least one intermediate time interval between two directly successive ultrasonic joining operations, the second joining tool is actively cooled down to a predefined temperature. 3. The method of claim 1, wherein the second joining tool is actively heated to a predefined temperature before performing a first one of the plurality of ultrasonic joining operations. 4. The method of claim 1, wherein the second joining tool is actively heated during intermediate time intervals between less 50% of the plurality of ultrasonic joining operations. 5. The method of claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of ultrasonic joining operations has a duration of between 50 ms and 10 s. 6. The method of claim 1, wherein each of the intermediate time intervals has a duration of between 200 ms and 30 s. 7. The method of claim 1, wherein the second joining tool is heated or cooled by a temperature unit, and wherein the temperature unit is inactive during each of the plurality of ultrasonic joining operations. 8. An ultrasonic joining arrangement, comprising:
a first joining tool comprising a first support surface; and a second joining tool configured to perform a plurality of ultrasonic joining operations in direct succession, wherein performing an ultrasonic joining operation comprises applying pressure to a second joining partner and a first joining partner that are stacked on top of each other on the first support surface, thereby pressing the second joining partner against the first joining partner, and applying high-frequency ultrasonic vibrations to the joining partners, wherein the second joining tool comprises a temperature unit configured to at least one of actively cool down and heat up the second joining tool at least during one intermediate time interval between two directly successive ultrasonic joining operations. 9. The ultrasonic joining arrangement of claim 8, wherein the second joining tool comprises a temperature sensor configured to detect a temperature of the second joining tool. 10. The ultrasonic joining arrangement of claim 8, wherein the temperature unit comprises a laser unit or an induction unit configured to actively heat the second joining tool. 11. The ultrasonic joining arrangement of claim 8, wherein the temperature unit comprises an evaporative cooling unit or a fan unit configured to actively cool down the second joining tool. 12. The ultrasonic joining arrangement of claim 11, wherein the temperature unit comprises an evaporative cooling unit, wherein the evaporative cooling unit comprises a capillary comprising a first section having a first diameter and a second section having a second diameter that is smaller than the diameter of the first section, and wherein cooling liquid that passes through the capillary passes the second section and changes phase to a gaseous state when reaching the first section with the larger diameter. 13. The ultrasonic joining arrangement of claim 8, wherein the second joining tool comprises a sonotrode. 14. The ultrasonic joining arrangement of claim 8, further comprising a joining arrangement configured to adjust a temperature profile of the first joining partner, a temperature profile of the second joining partner, a temperature profile of the first joining tool and a temperature profile of the second joining tool such that each temperature profile is identical or at least similar for each ultrasonic joining operation in a sequence of joining operations. 15. The ultrasonic joining arrangement of claim 14, further comprising a temperature sensor configured to determine a temperature of the second joining tool, wherein the joining arrangement is further configured to, by means of the temperature unit, adjust a temperature profile of the second joining tool such that an initial temperature of the second joining tool is identical or at least similar at the beginning of each joining operation in a sequence of joining operations. 16. The ultrasonic joining arrangement of claim 15, further comprising a proportional integral derivative regulator configured to adjust the temperature profile of the second joining tool based on the temperature determined by the temperature sensor. 17. The ultrasonic joining arrangement of claim 8, further comprising a joining arrangement configured to, during an intermediate time interval between two directly successive ultrasonic joining operations, adjust an initial temperature of the first joining partner and an initial temperature of the second joining partner such that the initial temperature of the first joining partner and the initial temperature of the second joining partner each are identical or at least similar at the beginning of each joining operation in a sequence of joining operations. | A method for joining at least two joining partners includes performing a plurality of ultrasonic joining operations in direct succession, wherein performing an individual ultrasonic joining operation includes, with a second joining tool, applying pressure to a second joining partner arranged adjacent to a first joining partner, thereby pressing the second joining partner against the first joining partner, and, with the second joining tool, applying high-frequency ultrasonic vibrations to the joining partners. The method further includes, during at least one intermediate time interval between two directly successive ultrasonic joining operations, at least one of actively cooling and heating the second joining tool.1. A method for joining at least two joining partners, the method comprising:
performing a plurality of ultrasonic joining operations in direct succession, wherein performing an individual ultrasonic joining operation comprises, with a second joining tool, applying pressure to a second joining partner arranged adjacent to a first joining partner, thereby pressing the second joining partner against the first joining partner, and, with the second joining tool, applying high-frequency ultrasonic vibrations to the joining partners; and during at least one intermediate time interval between two directly successive ultrasonic joining operations, at least one of actively cooling and heating the second joining tool. 2. The method of claim 1, wherein during at least one intermediate time interval between two directly successive ultrasonic joining operations, the second joining tool is actively cooled down to a predefined temperature. 3. The method of claim 1, wherein the second joining tool is actively heated to a predefined temperature before performing a first one of the plurality of ultrasonic joining operations. 4. The method of claim 1, wherein the second joining tool is actively heated during intermediate time intervals between less 50% of the plurality of ultrasonic joining operations. 5. The method of claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of ultrasonic joining operations has a duration of between 50 ms and 10 s. 6. The method of claim 1, wherein each of the intermediate time intervals has a duration of between 200 ms and 30 s. 7. The method of claim 1, wherein the second joining tool is heated or cooled by a temperature unit, and wherein the temperature unit is inactive during each of the plurality of ultrasonic joining operations. 8. An ultrasonic joining arrangement, comprising:
a first joining tool comprising a first support surface; and a second joining tool configured to perform a plurality of ultrasonic joining operations in direct succession, wherein performing an ultrasonic joining operation comprises applying pressure to a second joining partner and a first joining partner that are stacked on top of each other on the first support surface, thereby pressing the second joining partner against the first joining partner, and applying high-frequency ultrasonic vibrations to the joining partners, wherein the second joining tool comprises a temperature unit configured to at least one of actively cool down and heat up the second joining tool at least during one intermediate time interval between two directly successive ultrasonic joining operations. 9. The ultrasonic joining arrangement of claim 8, wherein the second joining tool comprises a temperature sensor configured to detect a temperature of the second joining tool. 10. The ultrasonic joining arrangement of claim 8, wherein the temperature unit comprises a laser unit or an induction unit configured to actively heat the second joining tool. 11. The ultrasonic joining arrangement of claim 8, wherein the temperature unit comprises an evaporative cooling unit or a fan unit configured to actively cool down the second joining tool. 12. The ultrasonic joining arrangement of claim 11, wherein the temperature unit comprises an evaporative cooling unit, wherein the evaporative cooling unit comprises a capillary comprising a first section having a first diameter and a second section having a second diameter that is smaller than the diameter of the first section, and wherein cooling liquid that passes through the capillary passes the second section and changes phase to a gaseous state when reaching the first section with the larger diameter. 13. The ultrasonic joining arrangement of claim 8, wherein the second joining tool comprises a sonotrode. 14. The ultrasonic joining arrangement of claim 8, further comprising a joining arrangement configured to adjust a temperature profile of the first joining partner, a temperature profile of the second joining partner, a temperature profile of the first joining tool and a temperature profile of the second joining tool such that each temperature profile is identical or at least similar for each ultrasonic joining operation in a sequence of joining operations. 15. The ultrasonic joining arrangement of claim 14, further comprising a temperature sensor configured to determine a temperature of the second joining tool, wherein the joining arrangement is further configured to, by means of the temperature unit, adjust a temperature profile of the second joining tool such that an initial temperature of the second joining tool is identical or at least similar at the beginning of each joining operation in a sequence of joining operations. 16. The ultrasonic joining arrangement of claim 15, further comprising a proportional integral derivative regulator configured to adjust the temperature profile of the second joining tool based on the temperature determined by the temperature sensor. 17. The ultrasonic joining arrangement of claim 8, further comprising a joining arrangement configured to, during an intermediate time interval between two directly successive ultrasonic joining operations, adjust an initial temperature of the first joining partner and an initial temperature of the second joining partner such that the initial temperature of the first joining partner and the initial temperature of the second joining partner each are identical or at least similar at the beginning of each joining operation in a sequence of joining operations. | 2,800 |
343,772 | 16,803,173 | 2,846 | In an aspect of the present inventions, provided herein is a non-noble metal-based catalyst for an electrode of a fuel cell. The non-noble metal-based catalyst comprise a porous carbon having a first pore and a second pore smaller than the first pore. The first pore has a pore size of about 5 to 100 nm and has an inner wall into which an active site of the non-noble metal-based catalyst is introduced. | 1-9. (canceled) 10. A method of manufacturing a non-noble metal-based catalyst for an electrode of a fuel cell, the method comprising:
mixing a porous carbon with a non-noble metal-based catalyst precursor; heat-treating the mixture at a temperature of about 600 to 1200° C.; stirring the heat-treated mixture in an acidic solution; and washing and drying the stirred mixture. 11. The method of claim 10, wherein the porous carbon has a first pore and a second pore smaller than the first pore, and the first pore has a pore size of about 5 to 100 nm in the mixing of the porous carbon with the non-noble metal-based catalyst precursor. 12. The method of claim 11, wherein the first pore has a pore size of about 15 to 60 nm. 13. The method of claim 10, further comprising heat-treating solid powder acquired after the drying in an ammonia (NH3) gas atmosphere at a temperature of about 600 to 1200° C. for about 5 to 60 minutes. 14. The method of claim 10, further comprising forming an anchoring site on a surface of a pore of the porous carbon by heat-treating the porous carbon in an ammonia (NH3) gas atmosphere at a temperature of about 600 to 1200° C. for about 5 to 60 minutes. 15. The method of claim 10, wherein the non-noble metal-based catalyst precursor has a form in which at least one of phthalocyanine, phthalocyanine tetrasulfonate, octabutoxy phthalocyanine, hexadecafluoro phthalocyanine, octakis octyloxy phthalocyanine, tetra-tert-butyl phthalocyanine, tetraaza phthalocyanine, tetraphenoxy phthalocyanine, tetra-tert-butyl tetrakis dimethylamino phthalocyanine, tetrakis cumylphenoxy phthalocyanine, tetrakis pyridiniomethyl phthalocyanine, tetranitrophthalocyanine, naphthalocyanine, tetra-tert-butyl naphthalocyanine, tetraphenyl porphine, tetrakis pentafluorophenyl porphyrin, tetrakis methylpyridinio porphyrin tetratoluenesulfonate, tetrakistrimethylammoniophenyl porphyrin tetratoluenesulfonate, tetramethyl divinyl porphinedipropionic acid, tetrapyridyl porphine, octaethyl porphyrin, tetrakis methoxyphenyl porphine, tetraphenylporphine tetracarboxylic acid, tetrakis hydroxyphenyl porphine, tetrakis sulfonatophenyl porphine, etioporphyrin, 1,10-phenanthroline, 1,10-phenanthroline-5,6-dionedimethyl-1,10-phenanthroline, dimethyl-1,10-phenanthroline, dimethoxy-1,10-phenanthroline, dimethoxy-1,10-phenanthroline, amino-1,10-phenanthroline, methyl-1,10-phenanthroline, dihydroxy-1,10-phenanthroline, tetramethyl-1,10-phenanthroline, chloro-1,10-phenanthroline, dichloro-1,10-phenanthroline, nitro-1,10-phenanthroline, bromo-1,10-phenanthroline, tetrabromo-1,10-phenanthroline, pyrazino[1,10]phenanthroline, diphenyl-1,10-phenanthroline, dimethyl diphenyl-1,10-phenanthroline, ethenyl formyl(hydroxy trimethyltetradecyl) trimethyl porphine dipropanoato, diethenyl tetramethyl porphine dipropanoato, bis((amino carboxyethyl)thio)ethyl tetramethyl porphine dipropanoato, dihydro dihydroxy tetramethyl divinyl porphine dipropionic acid lactonato, ethenyl(hydroxy trimethyl tetradecatrienyl) tetramethyl porphine dipropanoato, carboxyethenyl carboxyethyl dihydro bis(hydroxymethyl) tetramethyl porphine dicarboxylato, (dimethylbenzimidazolyl)cyanocobamide, curtis macrocycle, Jäger macrocycle and DOTA macrocycle, is coordinated to a metal, in the mixing of the porous carbon with the non-noble metal-based catalyst precursor. 16. The method of claim 15, wherein the metal comprises at least one transition metal selected from iron (Fe), cobalt (Co), manganese (Mn), nickel (Ni), and chromium (Cr). 17. The method of claim 10, wherein the non-noble metal-based catalyst precursor comprises a transition metal having a weight of about 1 to 50 wt % based on a total weight of the porous carbon, in the mixing of the porous carbon with the non-noble metal-based catalyst precursor. 18. The method of claim 10, wherein the heat-treating of the mixture at a temperature of about 600 to 1200° C. comprises heat-treating the mixture in an inert gas atmosphere at a temperature of 600 to 1200° C. for about 10 to 300 minutes. 19. The method of claim 10, wherein the stirring of the heat-treated mixture in an acidic solution comprises adding the heat-treated mixture to an acidic solution having a concentration of about 0.1 M or greater and stirring the resultant mixture. | In an aspect of the present inventions, provided herein is a non-noble metal-based catalyst for an electrode of a fuel cell. The non-noble metal-based catalyst comprise a porous carbon having a first pore and a second pore smaller than the first pore. The first pore has a pore size of about 5 to 100 nm and has an inner wall into which an active site of the non-noble metal-based catalyst is introduced.1-9. (canceled) 10. A method of manufacturing a non-noble metal-based catalyst for an electrode of a fuel cell, the method comprising:
mixing a porous carbon with a non-noble metal-based catalyst precursor; heat-treating the mixture at a temperature of about 600 to 1200° C.; stirring the heat-treated mixture in an acidic solution; and washing and drying the stirred mixture. 11. The method of claim 10, wherein the porous carbon has a first pore and a second pore smaller than the first pore, and the first pore has a pore size of about 5 to 100 nm in the mixing of the porous carbon with the non-noble metal-based catalyst precursor. 12. The method of claim 11, wherein the first pore has a pore size of about 15 to 60 nm. 13. The method of claim 10, further comprising heat-treating solid powder acquired after the drying in an ammonia (NH3) gas atmosphere at a temperature of about 600 to 1200° C. for about 5 to 60 minutes. 14. The method of claim 10, further comprising forming an anchoring site on a surface of a pore of the porous carbon by heat-treating the porous carbon in an ammonia (NH3) gas atmosphere at a temperature of about 600 to 1200° C. for about 5 to 60 minutes. 15. The method of claim 10, wherein the non-noble metal-based catalyst precursor has a form in which at least one of phthalocyanine, phthalocyanine tetrasulfonate, octabutoxy phthalocyanine, hexadecafluoro phthalocyanine, octakis octyloxy phthalocyanine, tetra-tert-butyl phthalocyanine, tetraaza phthalocyanine, tetraphenoxy phthalocyanine, tetra-tert-butyl tetrakis dimethylamino phthalocyanine, tetrakis cumylphenoxy phthalocyanine, tetrakis pyridiniomethyl phthalocyanine, tetranitrophthalocyanine, naphthalocyanine, tetra-tert-butyl naphthalocyanine, tetraphenyl porphine, tetrakis pentafluorophenyl porphyrin, tetrakis methylpyridinio porphyrin tetratoluenesulfonate, tetrakistrimethylammoniophenyl porphyrin tetratoluenesulfonate, tetramethyl divinyl porphinedipropionic acid, tetrapyridyl porphine, octaethyl porphyrin, tetrakis methoxyphenyl porphine, tetraphenylporphine tetracarboxylic acid, tetrakis hydroxyphenyl porphine, tetrakis sulfonatophenyl porphine, etioporphyrin, 1,10-phenanthroline, 1,10-phenanthroline-5,6-dionedimethyl-1,10-phenanthroline, dimethyl-1,10-phenanthroline, dimethoxy-1,10-phenanthroline, dimethoxy-1,10-phenanthroline, amino-1,10-phenanthroline, methyl-1,10-phenanthroline, dihydroxy-1,10-phenanthroline, tetramethyl-1,10-phenanthroline, chloro-1,10-phenanthroline, dichloro-1,10-phenanthroline, nitro-1,10-phenanthroline, bromo-1,10-phenanthroline, tetrabromo-1,10-phenanthroline, pyrazino[1,10]phenanthroline, diphenyl-1,10-phenanthroline, dimethyl diphenyl-1,10-phenanthroline, ethenyl formyl(hydroxy trimethyltetradecyl) trimethyl porphine dipropanoato, diethenyl tetramethyl porphine dipropanoato, bis((amino carboxyethyl)thio)ethyl tetramethyl porphine dipropanoato, dihydro dihydroxy tetramethyl divinyl porphine dipropionic acid lactonato, ethenyl(hydroxy trimethyl tetradecatrienyl) tetramethyl porphine dipropanoato, carboxyethenyl carboxyethyl dihydro bis(hydroxymethyl) tetramethyl porphine dicarboxylato, (dimethylbenzimidazolyl)cyanocobamide, curtis macrocycle, Jäger macrocycle and DOTA macrocycle, is coordinated to a metal, in the mixing of the porous carbon with the non-noble metal-based catalyst precursor. 16. The method of claim 15, wherein the metal comprises at least one transition metal selected from iron (Fe), cobalt (Co), manganese (Mn), nickel (Ni), and chromium (Cr). 17. The method of claim 10, wherein the non-noble metal-based catalyst precursor comprises a transition metal having a weight of about 1 to 50 wt % based on a total weight of the porous carbon, in the mixing of the porous carbon with the non-noble metal-based catalyst precursor. 18. The method of claim 10, wherein the heat-treating of the mixture at a temperature of about 600 to 1200° C. comprises heat-treating the mixture in an inert gas atmosphere at a temperature of 600 to 1200° C. for about 10 to 300 minutes. 19. The method of claim 10, wherein the stirring of the heat-treated mixture in an acidic solution comprises adding the heat-treated mixture to an acidic solution having a concentration of about 0.1 M or greater and stirring the resultant mixture. | 2,800 |
343,773 | 16,803,190 | 2,846 | In an aspect of the present inventions, provided herein is a non-noble metal-based catalyst for an electrode of a fuel cell. The non-noble metal-based catalyst comprise a porous carbon having a first pore and a second pore smaller than the first pore. The first pore has a pore size of about 5 to 100 nm and has an inner wall into which an active site of the non-noble metal-based catalyst is introduced. | 1-9. (canceled) 10. A method of manufacturing a non-noble metal-based catalyst for an electrode of a fuel cell, the method comprising:
mixing a porous carbon with a non-noble metal-based catalyst precursor; heat-treating the mixture at a temperature of about 600 to 1200° C.; stirring the heat-treated mixture in an acidic solution; and washing and drying the stirred mixture. 11. The method of claim 10, wherein the porous carbon has a first pore and a second pore smaller than the first pore, and the first pore has a pore size of about 5 to 100 nm in the mixing of the porous carbon with the non-noble metal-based catalyst precursor. 12. The method of claim 11, wherein the first pore has a pore size of about 15 to 60 nm. 13. The method of claim 10, further comprising heat-treating solid powder acquired after the drying in an ammonia (NH3) gas atmosphere at a temperature of about 600 to 1200° C. for about 5 to 60 minutes. 14. The method of claim 10, further comprising forming an anchoring site on a surface of a pore of the porous carbon by heat-treating the porous carbon in an ammonia (NH3) gas atmosphere at a temperature of about 600 to 1200° C. for about 5 to 60 minutes. 15. The method of claim 10, wherein the non-noble metal-based catalyst precursor has a form in which at least one of phthalocyanine, phthalocyanine tetrasulfonate, octabutoxy phthalocyanine, hexadecafluoro phthalocyanine, octakis octyloxy phthalocyanine, tetra-tert-butyl phthalocyanine, tetraaza phthalocyanine, tetraphenoxy phthalocyanine, tetra-tert-butyl tetrakis dimethylamino phthalocyanine, tetrakis cumylphenoxy phthalocyanine, tetrakis pyridiniomethyl phthalocyanine, tetranitrophthalocyanine, naphthalocyanine, tetra-tert-butyl naphthalocyanine, tetraphenyl porphine, tetrakis pentafluorophenyl porphyrin, tetrakis methylpyridinio porphyrin tetratoluenesulfonate, tetrakistrimethylammoniophenyl porphyrin tetratoluenesulfonate, tetramethyl divinyl porphinedipropionic acid, tetrapyridyl porphine, octaethyl porphyrin, tetrakis methoxyphenyl porphine, tetraphenylporphine tetracarboxylic acid, tetrakis hydroxyphenyl porphine, tetrakis sulfonatophenyl porphine, etioporphyrin, 1,10-phenanthroline, 1,10-phenanthroline-5,6-dionedimethyl-1,10-phenanthroline, dimethyl-1,10-phenanthroline, dimethoxy-1,10-phenanthroline, dimethoxy-1,10-phenanthroline, amino-1,10-phenanthroline, methyl-1,10-phenanthroline, dihydroxy-1,10-phenanthroline, tetramethyl-1,10-phenanthroline, chloro-1,10-phenanthroline, dichloro-1,10-phenanthroline, nitro-1,10-phenanthroline, bromo-1,10-phenanthroline, tetrabromo-1,10-phenanthroline, pyrazino[1,10]phenanthroline, diphenyl-1,10-phenanthroline, dimethyl diphenyl-1,10-phenanthroline, ethenyl formyl(hydroxy trimethyltetradecyl) trimethyl porphine dipropanoato, diethenyl tetramethyl porphine dipropanoato, bis((amino carboxyethyl)thio)ethyl tetramethyl porphine dipropanoato, dihydro dihydroxy tetramethyl divinyl porphine dipropionic acid lactonato, ethenyl(hydroxy trimethyl tetradecatrienyl) tetramethyl porphine dipropanoato, carboxyethenyl carboxyethyl dihydro bis(hydroxymethyl) tetramethyl porphine dicarboxylato, (dimethylbenzimidazolyl)cyanocobamide, curtis macrocycle, Jäger macrocycle and DOTA macrocycle, is coordinated to a metal, in the mixing of the porous carbon with the non-noble metal-based catalyst precursor. 16. The method of claim 15, wherein the metal comprises at least one transition metal selected from iron (Fe), cobalt (Co), manganese (Mn), nickel (Ni), and chromium (Cr). 17. The method of claim 10, wherein the non-noble metal-based catalyst precursor comprises a transition metal having a weight of about 1 to 50 wt % based on a total weight of the porous carbon, in the mixing of the porous carbon with the non-noble metal-based catalyst precursor. 18. The method of claim 10, wherein the heat-treating of the mixture at a temperature of about 600 to 1200° C. comprises heat-treating the mixture in an inert gas atmosphere at a temperature of 600 to 1200° C. for about 10 to 300 minutes. 19. The method of claim 10, wherein the stirring of the heat-treated mixture in an acidic solution comprises adding the heat-treated mixture to an acidic solution having a concentration of about 0.1 M or greater and stirring the resultant mixture. | In an aspect of the present inventions, provided herein is a non-noble metal-based catalyst for an electrode of a fuel cell. The non-noble metal-based catalyst comprise a porous carbon having a first pore and a second pore smaller than the first pore. The first pore has a pore size of about 5 to 100 nm and has an inner wall into which an active site of the non-noble metal-based catalyst is introduced.1-9. (canceled) 10. A method of manufacturing a non-noble metal-based catalyst for an electrode of a fuel cell, the method comprising:
mixing a porous carbon with a non-noble metal-based catalyst precursor; heat-treating the mixture at a temperature of about 600 to 1200° C.; stirring the heat-treated mixture in an acidic solution; and washing and drying the stirred mixture. 11. The method of claim 10, wherein the porous carbon has a first pore and a second pore smaller than the first pore, and the first pore has a pore size of about 5 to 100 nm in the mixing of the porous carbon with the non-noble metal-based catalyst precursor. 12. The method of claim 11, wherein the first pore has a pore size of about 15 to 60 nm. 13. The method of claim 10, further comprising heat-treating solid powder acquired after the drying in an ammonia (NH3) gas atmosphere at a temperature of about 600 to 1200° C. for about 5 to 60 minutes. 14. The method of claim 10, further comprising forming an anchoring site on a surface of a pore of the porous carbon by heat-treating the porous carbon in an ammonia (NH3) gas atmosphere at a temperature of about 600 to 1200° C. for about 5 to 60 minutes. 15. The method of claim 10, wherein the non-noble metal-based catalyst precursor has a form in which at least one of phthalocyanine, phthalocyanine tetrasulfonate, octabutoxy phthalocyanine, hexadecafluoro phthalocyanine, octakis octyloxy phthalocyanine, tetra-tert-butyl phthalocyanine, tetraaza phthalocyanine, tetraphenoxy phthalocyanine, tetra-tert-butyl tetrakis dimethylamino phthalocyanine, tetrakis cumylphenoxy phthalocyanine, tetrakis pyridiniomethyl phthalocyanine, tetranitrophthalocyanine, naphthalocyanine, tetra-tert-butyl naphthalocyanine, tetraphenyl porphine, tetrakis pentafluorophenyl porphyrin, tetrakis methylpyridinio porphyrin tetratoluenesulfonate, tetrakistrimethylammoniophenyl porphyrin tetratoluenesulfonate, tetramethyl divinyl porphinedipropionic acid, tetrapyridyl porphine, octaethyl porphyrin, tetrakis methoxyphenyl porphine, tetraphenylporphine tetracarboxylic acid, tetrakis hydroxyphenyl porphine, tetrakis sulfonatophenyl porphine, etioporphyrin, 1,10-phenanthroline, 1,10-phenanthroline-5,6-dionedimethyl-1,10-phenanthroline, dimethyl-1,10-phenanthroline, dimethoxy-1,10-phenanthroline, dimethoxy-1,10-phenanthroline, amino-1,10-phenanthroline, methyl-1,10-phenanthroline, dihydroxy-1,10-phenanthroline, tetramethyl-1,10-phenanthroline, chloro-1,10-phenanthroline, dichloro-1,10-phenanthroline, nitro-1,10-phenanthroline, bromo-1,10-phenanthroline, tetrabromo-1,10-phenanthroline, pyrazino[1,10]phenanthroline, diphenyl-1,10-phenanthroline, dimethyl diphenyl-1,10-phenanthroline, ethenyl formyl(hydroxy trimethyltetradecyl) trimethyl porphine dipropanoato, diethenyl tetramethyl porphine dipropanoato, bis((amino carboxyethyl)thio)ethyl tetramethyl porphine dipropanoato, dihydro dihydroxy tetramethyl divinyl porphine dipropionic acid lactonato, ethenyl(hydroxy trimethyl tetradecatrienyl) tetramethyl porphine dipropanoato, carboxyethenyl carboxyethyl dihydro bis(hydroxymethyl) tetramethyl porphine dicarboxylato, (dimethylbenzimidazolyl)cyanocobamide, curtis macrocycle, Jäger macrocycle and DOTA macrocycle, is coordinated to a metal, in the mixing of the porous carbon with the non-noble metal-based catalyst precursor. 16. The method of claim 15, wherein the metal comprises at least one transition metal selected from iron (Fe), cobalt (Co), manganese (Mn), nickel (Ni), and chromium (Cr). 17. The method of claim 10, wherein the non-noble metal-based catalyst precursor comprises a transition metal having a weight of about 1 to 50 wt % based on a total weight of the porous carbon, in the mixing of the porous carbon with the non-noble metal-based catalyst precursor. 18. The method of claim 10, wherein the heat-treating of the mixture at a temperature of about 600 to 1200° C. comprises heat-treating the mixture in an inert gas atmosphere at a temperature of 600 to 1200° C. for about 10 to 300 minutes. 19. The method of claim 10, wherein the stirring of the heat-treated mixture in an acidic solution comprises adding the heat-treated mixture to an acidic solution having a concentration of about 0.1 M or greater and stirring the resultant mixture. | 2,800 |
343,774 | 16,803,227 | 2,846 | A process for recycling polyolefins comprising the steps of extruding used polyolefin material, producing granules from the polyolefin material exiting from the extrusion into a liquid cooling medium, separating the cooling medium to obtain a dry polyolefin granulate, and treating the dry polyolefin granulate in a treatment space with a treatment gas, preferably by counter-current flow, immediately after separation of the cooling medium, the dry polyolefin granules still have a granule temperature (T2) which is above a temperature (T1) of the liquid cooling medium and in the range of 71° C.-20020 C., preferably 80° C.-160° C., but below the melting point of the granules, and at least 75% of the dry polyolefin granules, in the treatment space, have a dry temperature (T3) which is in the range of granule temperature (T2)±20° C., but below the melting point of the granules. | 1-14. (canceled) 15. A process for recycling polyolefins, the process comprising the steps of:
a) extruding a used polyolefin material, b) producing granules from the polyolefin material emerging from the extrusion into a liquid cooling medium, c) separating the cooling medium to obtain dry polyolefin granules, and d) treating the dry polyolefin granules in a treatment space with a treatment gas, wherein carrying out the process in such a way that the dry polyolefin granules, directly after separation of the cooling medium in step c), still have a granule temperature (T2) which is above a temperature of the liquid cooling medium (T1) in step b) and is in the range of 71° C.-200° C., but below a melting point of the dry polyolefin granules, and at least 75% of the dry polyolefin granules, in the treatment space, have a treatment space temperature (T3) which is in the range of the granule temperature (T2)±20° C., but below the melting point of the dry polyolefin granules, 16. The process according to claim 15, wherein the liquid cooling medium hi step b) is water. 17. The process according to claim 15, wherein step c) is carried out in a centrifugal dryer. 18. The process according to claim 16, wherein step c) is carried out in a centrifugal dryer. 19. The process according to claim 15, wherein the treatment gas in step d) is air. 20. The process according to claim 15, wherein the treatment gas, on entering the treatment space, either has a gas temperature (T4) below the granule temperature (T2) of the dry polyolefin granules, or is introduced into the treatment space in an amount corresponding to less than half a throughput of polyolefin granules through the treatment space. 21. The process according to claim 15, wherein the dry polyolefin granules remain in the treatment space for a period of 0.5 to 20 hours. 22. The process according to claim 15, wherein the dry polyolefin granules are treated in the treatment space at an elevated pressure. 23. The process according to claim 15, wherein the dry polyolefin granules are treated in the treatment space at a reduced pressure. 24. The process according to claim 15, wherein the treatment gas, after leaving the treatment space, is cleaned with a liquid. 25. The process according to claim 15, wherein the temperature of the liquid cooling medium, in step b), is in a range from 50 to 100° C. 26. The process according to claim 15, wherein a contact time of granulate and liquid cooling medium is a few seconds. 27. The process according to claim 15, wherein components are removed during extruding by one of melt degassing and/or filtration. 28. The process according to claim 15, wherein the polyolefin material is pretreated prior to extrusion, and the pre-treatment is selected from the group consisting of sorting by colour, sorting by polymer type, comminution, surface cleaning such as washing, pre-drying, and combinations thereof. 29. The process according to claim 15, wherein transfer of the dry polyolefin granules into the treatment space is effected by pneumatic conveying. | A process for recycling polyolefins comprising the steps of extruding used polyolefin material, producing granules from the polyolefin material exiting from the extrusion into a liquid cooling medium, separating the cooling medium to obtain a dry polyolefin granulate, and treating the dry polyolefin granulate in a treatment space with a treatment gas, preferably by counter-current flow, immediately after separation of the cooling medium, the dry polyolefin granules still have a granule temperature (T2) which is above a temperature (T1) of the liquid cooling medium and in the range of 71° C.-20020 C., preferably 80° C.-160° C., but below the melting point of the granules, and at least 75% of the dry polyolefin granules, in the treatment space, have a dry temperature (T3) which is in the range of granule temperature (T2)±20° C., but below the melting point of the granules.1-14. (canceled) 15. A process for recycling polyolefins, the process comprising the steps of:
a) extruding a used polyolefin material, b) producing granules from the polyolefin material emerging from the extrusion into a liquid cooling medium, c) separating the cooling medium to obtain dry polyolefin granules, and d) treating the dry polyolefin granules in a treatment space with a treatment gas, wherein carrying out the process in such a way that the dry polyolefin granules, directly after separation of the cooling medium in step c), still have a granule temperature (T2) which is above a temperature of the liquid cooling medium (T1) in step b) and is in the range of 71° C.-200° C., but below a melting point of the dry polyolefin granules, and at least 75% of the dry polyolefin granules, in the treatment space, have a treatment space temperature (T3) which is in the range of the granule temperature (T2)±20° C., but below the melting point of the dry polyolefin granules, 16. The process according to claim 15, wherein the liquid cooling medium hi step b) is water. 17. The process according to claim 15, wherein step c) is carried out in a centrifugal dryer. 18. The process according to claim 16, wherein step c) is carried out in a centrifugal dryer. 19. The process according to claim 15, wherein the treatment gas in step d) is air. 20. The process according to claim 15, wherein the treatment gas, on entering the treatment space, either has a gas temperature (T4) below the granule temperature (T2) of the dry polyolefin granules, or is introduced into the treatment space in an amount corresponding to less than half a throughput of polyolefin granules through the treatment space. 21. The process according to claim 15, wherein the dry polyolefin granules remain in the treatment space for a period of 0.5 to 20 hours. 22. The process according to claim 15, wherein the dry polyolefin granules are treated in the treatment space at an elevated pressure. 23. The process according to claim 15, wherein the dry polyolefin granules are treated in the treatment space at a reduced pressure. 24. The process according to claim 15, wherein the treatment gas, after leaving the treatment space, is cleaned with a liquid. 25. The process according to claim 15, wherein the temperature of the liquid cooling medium, in step b), is in a range from 50 to 100° C. 26. The process according to claim 15, wherein a contact time of granulate and liquid cooling medium is a few seconds. 27. The process according to claim 15, wherein components are removed during extruding by one of melt degassing and/or filtration. 28. The process according to claim 15, wherein the polyolefin material is pretreated prior to extrusion, and the pre-treatment is selected from the group consisting of sorting by colour, sorting by polymer type, comminution, surface cleaning such as washing, pre-drying, and combinations thereof. 29. The process according to claim 15, wherein transfer of the dry polyolefin granules into the treatment space is effected by pneumatic conveying. | 2,800 |
343,775 | 16,803,229 | 2,846 | A system and method for computer vision driven applications in an environment that can include collecting image data across an environment; maintaining an environmental object graph from the image data whereby maintaining the environmental object graph is an iterative process that includes: classifying objects, tracking object locations, detecting interaction events, instantiating object associations in the environmental object graph, and updating the environmental object graph by propagating change in at least one object instance across object associations; and inspecting object state for at least one object instance in the environmental object graph and executing an action associated with the object state. The system and method can be applied to automatic checkout, inventory management, and/or other system integrations. | 1. A method for expediting a checkout process comprising:
collecting image data across an environment; maintaining an environmental object graph from the image data wherein the environmental object graph is a data representation of computer vision classified objects in space and time across the environment, the environmental object graph comprising at least a subset of objects having probabilistic object associations; wherein maintaining the environmental object graph comprises at least one instance of:
in a first region captured in the image data, classifying a first object and at least a shopper object,
in the first region, detecting an interaction event between the first object and the shopper object, and
updating the environmental object graph whereby the first object is probabilistically associated with the shopper object;
inspecting objects that are probabilistically associated with the shopper object and thereby generating a checkout list. | A system and method for computer vision driven applications in an environment that can include collecting image data across an environment; maintaining an environmental object graph from the image data whereby maintaining the environmental object graph is an iterative process that includes: classifying objects, tracking object locations, detecting interaction events, instantiating object associations in the environmental object graph, and updating the environmental object graph by propagating change in at least one object instance across object associations; and inspecting object state for at least one object instance in the environmental object graph and executing an action associated with the object state. The system and method can be applied to automatic checkout, inventory management, and/or other system integrations.1. A method for expediting a checkout process comprising:
collecting image data across an environment; maintaining an environmental object graph from the image data wherein the environmental object graph is a data representation of computer vision classified objects in space and time across the environment, the environmental object graph comprising at least a subset of objects having probabilistic object associations; wherein maintaining the environmental object graph comprises at least one instance of:
in a first region captured in the image data, classifying a first object and at least a shopper object,
in the first region, detecting an interaction event between the first object and the shopper object, and
updating the environmental object graph whereby the first object is probabilistically associated with the shopper object;
inspecting objects that are probabilistically associated with the shopper object and thereby generating a checkout list. | 2,800 |
343,776 | 16,803,239 | 2,846 | A memory device includes a memory cell connected to a bit line and a source line, a read and write circuit configured to read data of the memory cell and/or write data in the memory cell, and a switch circuit configured to receive a selection signal based on a power supply voltage. The switch circuit includes a first switch connected between the bit line and the read and write circuit, a second switch connected between the source line and the read and write circuit, and a switch controller configured to turn on or turn off the first and the second switches based on the selection signal using one of a read voltage and a write voltage that are different from the power supply voltage. | 1. A memory device comprising:
a memory cell connected to a bit line and a source line; a read and write circuit configured to read data of the memory cell and/or write data in the memory cell; and a switch circuit configured to receive a selection signal based on a power supply voltage; wherein the switch circuit includes: a first switch connected between the bit line and the read and write circuit; a second switch connected between the source line and the read and write circuit; and a switch controller configured to turn on or turn off the first and the second switches based on the selection signal using one of a read voltage and a write voltage that are different from the power supply voltage. 2. The memory device of claim 1, wherein levels of the read voltage and the write voltage are higher than a level of the power supply voltage. 3. The memory device of claim 1, wherein the first switch comprises a first transistor and a second transistor connected between the bit line and the read and write circuit,
wherein the second switch comprises a third transistor and a fourth transistor connected between the source line and the read and write circuit, and wherein the switch controller is further configured to: apply a ground voltage to gate terminals of the first transistor and the third transistor in a read mode or a write mode; apply the read voltage to gate terminals of the second transistor and the fourth transistor in the read mode; and apply the write voltage to the gate terminals of the second transistor and the fourth transistor in the write mode. 4. The memory device of claim 3, wherein the switch controller comprises:
a fifth transistor configured to electrically connect the gate terminals of the first transistor and the third transistor to the ground voltage based on the selection signal; a sixth transistor configured to electrically connect the gate terminals of the second transistor and the fourth transistor to the ground voltage based on an inverted selection signal; a seventh transistor configured to electrically connect the bit line to the ground voltage based on the inverted selection signal; an eighth transistor configured to electrically connect the source line to the ground voltage based on the inverted selection signal; a ninth transistor configured to apply one of the read voltage and the write voltage to the gate terminals of the second transistor and the fourth transistor based on the selection signal; and a tenth transistor configured to apply one of the read voltage and the write voltage to the gate terminals of the first transistor and the third transistor based on the inverted selection signal. 5. The memory device of claim 4, wherein a gate terminal of the ninth transistor, a drain terminal of the tenth transistor, the gate terminal of the first transistor, the gate terminal of the third transistor, and a drain terminal of the fifth transistor are connected to each other, and
wherein a gate terminal of the tenth transistor, a drain terminal of the ninth transistor, the gate terminal of the second transistor, the gate terminal of the fourth transistor, and a drain terminal of the sixth transistor are connected to each other. 6. The memory device of claim 1, wherein the read and write circuit comprises:
a read voltage generator configured to generate the read voltage; a write voltage generator configured to generate the write voltage; and a sense amplifier configured to generate a sensing voltage and sense the data of the memory cell using the sensing voltage. 7. The memory device of claim 6, wherein the switch controller turns on the first and the second switches using the read voltage in a read mode,
wherein a ground voltage is applied to the bit line through the first switch in the read mode, and wherein the sensing voltage is applied to the source line through the second switch in the read mode. 8. The memory device of claim 7, wherein the read and write circuit further comprises:
a third switch configured to provide the read voltage to the switch controller in the read mode; a fourth switch configured to provide the ground voltage to the first switch in the read mode; and a fifth switch configured to provide the sensing voltage to the second switch in the read mode. 9. The memory device of claim 7, wherein the sense amplifier is further configured to:
compare a first current flowing through the memory cell receiving the sensing voltage and the ground voltage with a second current flowing through a reference resistor receiving the sensing voltage and the ground voltage to generate a comparison result, and sense the data of the memory cell based on the comparison result. 10. The memory device of claim 6, wherein the switch controller turns on the first and the second switches using the write voltage in a write mode,
wherein one of a ground voltage and the write voltage is applied to the bit line through the first switch in the write mode, and wherein the other one of the ground and the write voltage is applied to the source line through the second switch in the write mode. 11. The memory device of claim 10, wherein the read and write circuit further comprises:
a third switch configured to provide the write voltage to the switch controller in the write mode; a fourth switch configured to provide the ground voltage to the first switch in the write mode; a fifth switch configured to provide the write voltage to the first switch in the write mode; a sixth switch configured to provide the ground voltage to the second switch in the write mode; and a seventh switch configured to provide the write voltage to the second switch in the write mode. 12. A memory device comprising:
a memory cell connected to a bit line and a source line; and a switch circuit, wherein the switch circuit comprises: a first terminal connected to the bit line; a second terminal connected to the source line; a third terminal receiving one of a ground voltage and a write voltage; a fourth terminal receiving one of the ground voltage, the write voltage, and a sensing voltage; a fifth terminal receiving one of the ground voltage, the write voltage, and a read voltage; and a sixth terminal receiving a selection signal based on a power supply voltage, and wherein the switch circuit is configured to electrically connect the third terminal to the first terminal and electrically connect the fourth terminal to the second terminal based on the selection signal using one of the read voltage and the write voltage that are different from the power supply voltage. 13. The memory device of claim 12, further comprising:
a read voltage generator configured to generate the read voltage; a write voltage generator configured to generate the write voltage; and a sense amplifier configured to generate the sensing voltage and sense data of the memory cell using the sensing voltage. 14. The memory device of claim 13, wherein, in a read mode, the switch circuit is further configured to:
output the ground voltage that is received through the third terminal to the first terminal; output the sensing voltage that is received through the fourth terminal to the second terminal; and receive the read voltage through the fifth terminal. 15. The memory device of claim 13, wherein, in a write mode, the switch circuit is further configured to:
output one of the ground voltage and the write voltage that is received through the third terminal to the first terminal; output the other one of the ground voltage and the write voltage that is received through the fourth terminal to the second terminal; and receive the write voltage through the fifth terminal. 16. The memory device of claim 13, wherein, in a precharge mode that is different from a read mode or a write mode, the switch circuit is further configured to:
receive the ground voltage through the third terminal; receive the ground voltage through the fourth terminal; and receive the ground voltage through the fifth terminal. 17. A memory device comprising:
a memory cell array comprising a first memory cell and a second memory cell; a read voltage generator configured to generate a read voltage; a write voltage generator configured to generate a write voltage; a sense amplifier configured to generate a sensing voltage; a first switch circuit configured to electrically connect the sense amplifier to the first memory cell using the read voltage or electrically connect the write voltage generator to the first memory cell using the write voltage responsive to a first selection signal that is based on a power supply voltage; and a second switch circuit configured to electrically connect the sense amplifier to the second memory cell using the read voltage or electrically connect the write voltage generator to the second memory cell using the write voltage responsive to a second selection signal that is based on the power supply voltage. 18. The memory device of claim 17, wherein the sensing voltage and a ground voltage are applied to the first memory cell through the first switch circuit responsive to the first selection signal being activated in a read mode, and
wherein the sensing voltage and the ground voltage are applied to the second memory cell through the second switch circuit responsive to the second selection signal being activated in the read mode. 19. The memory device of claim 17, wherein the write voltage and a ground voltage are applied to the first memory cell through the first switch circuit responsive to the first selection signal being activated in a write mode, and
wherein the write voltage and the ground voltage are applied to the second memory cell through the second switch circuit responsive to the second selection signal being activated in the write mode. 20. The memory device of claim 17, wherein levels of the read voltage and the write voltage are higher than a level of the power supply voltage. | A memory device includes a memory cell connected to a bit line and a source line, a read and write circuit configured to read data of the memory cell and/or write data in the memory cell, and a switch circuit configured to receive a selection signal based on a power supply voltage. The switch circuit includes a first switch connected between the bit line and the read and write circuit, a second switch connected between the source line and the read and write circuit, and a switch controller configured to turn on or turn off the first and the second switches based on the selection signal using one of a read voltage and a write voltage that are different from the power supply voltage.1. A memory device comprising:
a memory cell connected to a bit line and a source line; a read and write circuit configured to read data of the memory cell and/or write data in the memory cell; and a switch circuit configured to receive a selection signal based on a power supply voltage; wherein the switch circuit includes: a first switch connected between the bit line and the read and write circuit; a second switch connected between the source line and the read and write circuit; and a switch controller configured to turn on or turn off the first and the second switches based on the selection signal using one of a read voltage and a write voltage that are different from the power supply voltage. 2. The memory device of claim 1, wherein levels of the read voltage and the write voltage are higher than a level of the power supply voltage. 3. The memory device of claim 1, wherein the first switch comprises a first transistor and a second transistor connected between the bit line and the read and write circuit,
wherein the second switch comprises a third transistor and a fourth transistor connected between the source line and the read and write circuit, and wherein the switch controller is further configured to: apply a ground voltage to gate terminals of the first transistor and the third transistor in a read mode or a write mode; apply the read voltage to gate terminals of the second transistor and the fourth transistor in the read mode; and apply the write voltage to the gate terminals of the second transistor and the fourth transistor in the write mode. 4. The memory device of claim 3, wherein the switch controller comprises:
a fifth transistor configured to electrically connect the gate terminals of the first transistor and the third transistor to the ground voltage based on the selection signal; a sixth transistor configured to electrically connect the gate terminals of the second transistor and the fourth transistor to the ground voltage based on an inverted selection signal; a seventh transistor configured to electrically connect the bit line to the ground voltage based on the inverted selection signal; an eighth transistor configured to electrically connect the source line to the ground voltage based on the inverted selection signal; a ninth transistor configured to apply one of the read voltage and the write voltage to the gate terminals of the second transistor and the fourth transistor based on the selection signal; and a tenth transistor configured to apply one of the read voltage and the write voltage to the gate terminals of the first transistor and the third transistor based on the inverted selection signal. 5. The memory device of claim 4, wherein a gate terminal of the ninth transistor, a drain terminal of the tenth transistor, the gate terminal of the first transistor, the gate terminal of the third transistor, and a drain terminal of the fifth transistor are connected to each other, and
wherein a gate terminal of the tenth transistor, a drain terminal of the ninth transistor, the gate terminal of the second transistor, the gate terminal of the fourth transistor, and a drain terminal of the sixth transistor are connected to each other. 6. The memory device of claim 1, wherein the read and write circuit comprises:
a read voltage generator configured to generate the read voltage; a write voltage generator configured to generate the write voltage; and a sense amplifier configured to generate a sensing voltage and sense the data of the memory cell using the sensing voltage. 7. The memory device of claim 6, wherein the switch controller turns on the first and the second switches using the read voltage in a read mode,
wherein a ground voltage is applied to the bit line through the first switch in the read mode, and wherein the sensing voltage is applied to the source line through the second switch in the read mode. 8. The memory device of claim 7, wherein the read and write circuit further comprises:
a third switch configured to provide the read voltage to the switch controller in the read mode; a fourth switch configured to provide the ground voltage to the first switch in the read mode; and a fifth switch configured to provide the sensing voltage to the second switch in the read mode. 9. The memory device of claim 7, wherein the sense amplifier is further configured to:
compare a first current flowing through the memory cell receiving the sensing voltage and the ground voltage with a second current flowing through a reference resistor receiving the sensing voltage and the ground voltage to generate a comparison result, and sense the data of the memory cell based on the comparison result. 10. The memory device of claim 6, wherein the switch controller turns on the first and the second switches using the write voltage in a write mode,
wherein one of a ground voltage and the write voltage is applied to the bit line through the first switch in the write mode, and wherein the other one of the ground and the write voltage is applied to the source line through the second switch in the write mode. 11. The memory device of claim 10, wherein the read and write circuit further comprises:
a third switch configured to provide the write voltage to the switch controller in the write mode; a fourth switch configured to provide the ground voltage to the first switch in the write mode; a fifth switch configured to provide the write voltage to the first switch in the write mode; a sixth switch configured to provide the ground voltage to the second switch in the write mode; and a seventh switch configured to provide the write voltage to the second switch in the write mode. 12. A memory device comprising:
a memory cell connected to a bit line and a source line; and a switch circuit, wherein the switch circuit comprises: a first terminal connected to the bit line; a second terminal connected to the source line; a third terminal receiving one of a ground voltage and a write voltage; a fourth terminal receiving one of the ground voltage, the write voltage, and a sensing voltage; a fifth terminal receiving one of the ground voltage, the write voltage, and a read voltage; and a sixth terminal receiving a selection signal based on a power supply voltage, and wherein the switch circuit is configured to electrically connect the third terminal to the first terminal and electrically connect the fourth terminal to the second terminal based on the selection signal using one of the read voltage and the write voltage that are different from the power supply voltage. 13. The memory device of claim 12, further comprising:
a read voltage generator configured to generate the read voltage; a write voltage generator configured to generate the write voltage; and a sense amplifier configured to generate the sensing voltage and sense data of the memory cell using the sensing voltage. 14. The memory device of claim 13, wherein, in a read mode, the switch circuit is further configured to:
output the ground voltage that is received through the third terminal to the first terminal; output the sensing voltage that is received through the fourth terminal to the second terminal; and receive the read voltage through the fifth terminal. 15. The memory device of claim 13, wherein, in a write mode, the switch circuit is further configured to:
output one of the ground voltage and the write voltage that is received through the third terminal to the first terminal; output the other one of the ground voltage and the write voltage that is received through the fourth terminal to the second terminal; and receive the write voltage through the fifth terminal. 16. The memory device of claim 13, wherein, in a precharge mode that is different from a read mode or a write mode, the switch circuit is further configured to:
receive the ground voltage through the third terminal; receive the ground voltage through the fourth terminal; and receive the ground voltage through the fifth terminal. 17. A memory device comprising:
a memory cell array comprising a first memory cell and a second memory cell; a read voltage generator configured to generate a read voltage; a write voltage generator configured to generate a write voltage; a sense amplifier configured to generate a sensing voltage; a first switch circuit configured to electrically connect the sense amplifier to the first memory cell using the read voltage or electrically connect the write voltage generator to the first memory cell using the write voltage responsive to a first selection signal that is based on a power supply voltage; and a second switch circuit configured to electrically connect the sense amplifier to the second memory cell using the read voltage or electrically connect the write voltage generator to the second memory cell using the write voltage responsive to a second selection signal that is based on the power supply voltage. 18. The memory device of claim 17, wherein the sensing voltage and a ground voltage are applied to the first memory cell through the first switch circuit responsive to the first selection signal being activated in a read mode, and
wherein the sensing voltage and the ground voltage are applied to the second memory cell through the second switch circuit responsive to the second selection signal being activated in the read mode. 19. The memory device of claim 17, wherein the write voltage and a ground voltage are applied to the first memory cell through the first switch circuit responsive to the first selection signal being activated in a write mode, and
wherein the write voltage and the ground voltage are applied to the second memory cell through the second switch circuit responsive to the second selection signal being activated in the write mode. 20. The memory device of claim 17, wherein levels of the read voltage and the write voltage are higher than a level of the power supply voltage. | 2,800 |
343,777 | 16,803,238 | 2,846 | A method and a hardware accelerator device are provided for performing erasure coding on the hardware accelerator device that includes a dedicated buffer memory that is resident on the hardware accelerator device and that is connected to a second device via a bus, the method includes receiving, at the dedicated buffer memory, write data directly from the second device via the bus such that receiving the data at the dedicated buffer memory bypasses a buffer memory connected to a central processing unit (CPU), performing, at the hardware accelerator, an erasure coding operation on the write data received at the dedicated buffer memory to generate parity data based on the received write data, transmitting the parity data directly to a storage device connected to the hardware accelerator device via the bus such that transmitting the parity data bypasses the buffer memory connected to the CPU. | 1. A method for performing erasure coding on a hardware accelerator device that includes a dedicated buffer memory that is resident on the hardware accelerator device and that is connected to a second device via a bus, the method comprising:
receiving, at the dedicated buffer memory, write data directly from the second device via the bus such that receiving the data at the dedicated buffer memory bypasses a buffer memory connected to a central processing unit (CPU); performing, at the hardware accelerator, an erasure coding operation on the write data received at the dedicated buffer memory to generate parity data based on the received write data; transmitting the parity data directly to a storage device connected to the hardware accelerator device via the bus such that transmitting the parity data bypasses the buffer memory connected to the CPU. 2. The method of claim 1, wherein transmitting the parity data is performed in response to a trigger. 3. The method of claim 2, wherein the trigger comprises one or more of receiving, at the dedicated buffer memory, a predetermined amount of write data, generating, at the hardware accelerator, a predetermined amount of parity data since the parity data was last transmitted, determining that a predetermined amount of time has elapsed since parity data was last transmitted. 4. The method of claim 1, wherein the dedicated memory buffer resident on the hardware accelerator device is connected to the second device via a network interface card (NIC), and wherein receiving write data directly from the second device comprises receiving the write data over a network via the NIC. 5. The method of claim 1, wherein the hardware accelerator device is connected to the storage device via a network interface card (NIC) such that transmitting the parity data directly to the storage device comprises transmitting the parity data over a network via the NIC. 6. The method of claim 1, wherein the bus is a peripheral component interconnect express (PCIe) bus. 7. A hardware accelerator device that is connectable to a second device and a storage node via a bus, the hardware accelerator device comprising:
a dedicated buffer memory configured to receive write data directly from the second device such that the data received at the dedicated buffer memory bypasses a buffer memory connected to a central processing unit (CPU) of the hardware accelerator device: a hardware accelerator connected to the dedicated buffer memory, the hardware accelerator configured to:
perform an erasure coding operation on write data to generate parity data based on the received write data, wherein the write data that is received directly from the second device such that the data received at the dedicated buffer memory bypasses a buffer memory connected to a central processing unit (CPU) of the hardware accelerator device;
transmit the parity data directly to the storage device such that transmission of the parity data bypasses the buffer memory connected to the CPU. 8. The hardware accelerator device of claim 7, wherein the hardware accelerator is configured to transmit the parity data is performed in response to a trigger. 9. The hardware accelerator device of claim 8, wherein the trigger comprises one or more of a predetermined amount of write data being received at the dedicated buffer memory from the second device, a predetermined amount of parity data being generated since a parity data was last transmitted, a predetermined amount of time having elapsed since parity data was last transmitted. 10. The hardware accelerator device of claim 7, wherein the dedicated memory buffer is connected to the second device via a network interface card (NIC), and the dedicated memory buffer being configured to receive write data directly from the second device comprises the dedicated memory buffer being configured to receive the write data over a network via the NIC. 11. The hardware accelerator device of claim 7, wherein the hardware accelerator is connected to the storage device via a network interface card (NIC) such that the hardware accelerator being configured to transmit the parity data directly to the storage device comprises the hardware accelerator being configured to transmit the parity data over a network via the NIC. 12. The hardware accelerator device of claim 7, wherein the bus is a peripheral component interconnect express (PCIe) bus. | A method and a hardware accelerator device are provided for performing erasure coding on the hardware accelerator device that includes a dedicated buffer memory that is resident on the hardware accelerator device and that is connected to a second device via a bus, the method includes receiving, at the dedicated buffer memory, write data directly from the second device via the bus such that receiving the data at the dedicated buffer memory bypasses a buffer memory connected to a central processing unit (CPU), performing, at the hardware accelerator, an erasure coding operation on the write data received at the dedicated buffer memory to generate parity data based on the received write data, transmitting the parity data directly to a storage device connected to the hardware accelerator device via the bus such that transmitting the parity data bypasses the buffer memory connected to the CPU.1. A method for performing erasure coding on a hardware accelerator device that includes a dedicated buffer memory that is resident on the hardware accelerator device and that is connected to a second device via a bus, the method comprising:
receiving, at the dedicated buffer memory, write data directly from the second device via the bus such that receiving the data at the dedicated buffer memory bypasses a buffer memory connected to a central processing unit (CPU); performing, at the hardware accelerator, an erasure coding operation on the write data received at the dedicated buffer memory to generate parity data based on the received write data; transmitting the parity data directly to a storage device connected to the hardware accelerator device via the bus such that transmitting the parity data bypasses the buffer memory connected to the CPU. 2. The method of claim 1, wherein transmitting the parity data is performed in response to a trigger. 3. The method of claim 2, wherein the trigger comprises one or more of receiving, at the dedicated buffer memory, a predetermined amount of write data, generating, at the hardware accelerator, a predetermined amount of parity data since the parity data was last transmitted, determining that a predetermined amount of time has elapsed since parity data was last transmitted. 4. The method of claim 1, wherein the dedicated memory buffer resident on the hardware accelerator device is connected to the second device via a network interface card (NIC), and wherein receiving write data directly from the second device comprises receiving the write data over a network via the NIC. 5. The method of claim 1, wherein the hardware accelerator device is connected to the storage device via a network interface card (NIC) such that transmitting the parity data directly to the storage device comprises transmitting the parity data over a network via the NIC. 6. The method of claim 1, wherein the bus is a peripheral component interconnect express (PCIe) bus. 7. A hardware accelerator device that is connectable to a second device and a storage node via a bus, the hardware accelerator device comprising:
a dedicated buffer memory configured to receive write data directly from the second device such that the data received at the dedicated buffer memory bypasses a buffer memory connected to a central processing unit (CPU) of the hardware accelerator device: a hardware accelerator connected to the dedicated buffer memory, the hardware accelerator configured to:
perform an erasure coding operation on write data to generate parity data based on the received write data, wherein the write data that is received directly from the second device such that the data received at the dedicated buffer memory bypasses a buffer memory connected to a central processing unit (CPU) of the hardware accelerator device;
transmit the parity data directly to the storage device such that transmission of the parity data bypasses the buffer memory connected to the CPU. 8. The hardware accelerator device of claim 7, wherein the hardware accelerator is configured to transmit the parity data is performed in response to a trigger. 9. The hardware accelerator device of claim 8, wherein the trigger comprises one or more of a predetermined amount of write data being received at the dedicated buffer memory from the second device, a predetermined amount of parity data being generated since a parity data was last transmitted, a predetermined amount of time having elapsed since parity data was last transmitted. 10. The hardware accelerator device of claim 7, wherein the dedicated memory buffer is connected to the second device via a network interface card (NIC), and the dedicated memory buffer being configured to receive write data directly from the second device comprises the dedicated memory buffer being configured to receive the write data over a network via the NIC. 11. The hardware accelerator device of claim 7, wherein the hardware accelerator is connected to the storage device via a network interface card (NIC) such that the hardware accelerator being configured to transmit the parity data directly to the storage device comprises the hardware accelerator being configured to transmit the parity data over a network via the NIC. 12. The hardware accelerator device of claim 7, wherein the bus is a peripheral component interconnect express (PCIe) bus. | 2,800 |
343,778 | 16,803,224 | 2,846 | The invention relates to a marking object that can be placed on a vehicle child seat for adaptive actuation of an airbag, which is configured to reflect electromagnetic radiation and mark a position and/or orientation of the vehicle child seat in relation to a vehicle seat for an imaging sensor based on the reflection, in order to actuate the airbag depending on the position and/or orientation of the vehicle child seat, wherein the marking object is a Quick Response code, radar reflector, lidar reflector, or infrared reflector. The invention also relates to a vehicle child seat, a method for determining a position and/or orientation of a vehicle child seat in relation to a vehicle seat, and interior monitoring system, a computer program for adaptive actuation of an airbag and a computer readable data carrier. | 1. (canceled) 2. (canceled) 3. A method for determining at least one of a position or an orientation of a vehicle child seat in relation to a vehicle seat, the method comprising:
placing a marking object on the vehicle child seat, wherein the marking object comprises at least one of a Quick Response code, a radar reflector, a lidar reflector, or an infrared reflector, and wherein the marking object is configured to reflect electromagnetic radiation and mark the at least one of the position or the orientation of the vehicle child seat in relation to the vehicle seat for at least one interior imaging sensor based on the reflection; detecting, by the at least one interior imaging sensor, the at least one of the position or the orientation of the vehicle child seat by means of the marking object; sending the detection to a control unit for an airbag; and actuating, by the control unit, the airbag depending on the at least one of the position or the orientation of the vehicle child seat. 4. The method according to claim 3, wherein the method is implemented by a computer. 5. An interior monitoring system comprising:
at least one imaging sensor configured to:
detect at least one of a position or an orientation of a vehicle child seat by means of a marking object;
wherein the marking object comprises at least one of a Quick Response code, a radar reflector, a lidar reflector, or an infrared reflector placed on the vehicle child seat, and wherein the marking object is configured to reflect electromagnetic radiation and mark the at least one of the position or the orientation of the vehicle child seat in relation to the vehicle seat for the at least one imaging sensor based on the reflection;
at least one interface to a control unit for an airbag, configured to send the detection to the control unit for the airbag, wherein the control unit for the airbag is configured to actuate the airbag depending on the at least one of the position or the orientation of the vehicle child seat. 6. The interior monitoring system according to claim 5,
wherein the imaging sensor comprises at least one of a 2D camera, a 3D camera, a radar sensor, or a lidar sensor. 7. A non-transitory computer readable medium configured to store thereon a computer program for adaptive actuation of an airbag that, when executed by at least one processing device of an interior monitoring system, the interior monitoring system comprising at least one imaging sensor, at least one interface to a control unit for an airbag, and the control unit for the airbag, cause the interior monitoring system to perform a method comprising:
detecting, by the at least one imaging sensor, at least one of a position or an orientation of a vehicle child seat by means of a marking object, wherein the marking object comprises at least one of a Quick Response code, a radar reflector, a lidar reflector, or an infrared reflector placed on the vehicle child seat, and wherein the marking object is configured to reflect electromagnetic radiation and mark the at least one of the position or the orientation of the vehicle child seat in relation to the vehicle seat for at least one interior imaging sensor based on the reflection; sending the detection to the control unit for the airbag; and actuating, by the control unit, the airbag depending on the at least one of the position or the orientation of the vehicle child seat. 8. (canceled) | The invention relates to a marking object that can be placed on a vehicle child seat for adaptive actuation of an airbag, which is configured to reflect electromagnetic radiation and mark a position and/or orientation of the vehicle child seat in relation to a vehicle seat for an imaging sensor based on the reflection, in order to actuate the airbag depending on the position and/or orientation of the vehicle child seat, wherein the marking object is a Quick Response code, radar reflector, lidar reflector, or infrared reflector. The invention also relates to a vehicle child seat, a method for determining a position and/or orientation of a vehicle child seat in relation to a vehicle seat, and interior monitoring system, a computer program for adaptive actuation of an airbag and a computer readable data carrier.1. (canceled) 2. (canceled) 3. A method for determining at least one of a position or an orientation of a vehicle child seat in relation to a vehicle seat, the method comprising:
placing a marking object on the vehicle child seat, wherein the marking object comprises at least one of a Quick Response code, a radar reflector, a lidar reflector, or an infrared reflector, and wherein the marking object is configured to reflect electromagnetic radiation and mark the at least one of the position or the orientation of the vehicle child seat in relation to the vehicle seat for at least one interior imaging sensor based on the reflection; detecting, by the at least one interior imaging sensor, the at least one of the position or the orientation of the vehicle child seat by means of the marking object; sending the detection to a control unit for an airbag; and actuating, by the control unit, the airbag depending on the at least one of the position or the orientation of the vehicle child seat. 4. The method according to claim 3, wherein the method is implemented by a computer. 5. An interior monitoring system comprising:
at least one imaging sensor configured to:
detect at least one of a position or an orientation of a vehicle child seat by means of a marking object;
wherein the marking object comprises at least one of a Quick Response code, a radar reflector, a lidar reflector, or an infrared reflector placed on the vehicle child seat, and wherein the marking object is configured to reflect electromagnetic radiation and mark the at least one of the position or the orientation of the vehicle child seat in relation to the vehicle seat for the at least one imaging sensor based on the reflection;
at least one interface to a control unit for an airbag, configured to send the detection to the control unit for the airbag, wherein the control unit for the airbag is configured to actuate the airbag depending on the at least one of the position or the orientation of the vehicle child seat. 6. The interior monitoring system according to claim 5,
wherein the imaging sensor comprises at least one of a 2D camera, a 3D camera, a radar sensor, or a lidar sensor. 7. A non-transitory computer readable medium configured to store thereon a computer program for adaptive actuation of an airbag that, when executed by at least one processing device of an interior monitoring system, the interior monitoring system comprising at least one imaging sensor, at least one interface to a control unit for an airbag, and the control unit for the airbag, cause the interior monitoring system to perform a method comprising:
detecting, by the at least one imaging sensor, at least one of a position or an orientation of a vehicle child seat by means of a marking object, wherein the marking object comprises at least one of a Quick Response code, a radar reflector, a lidar reflector, or an infrared reflector placed on the vehicle child seat, and wherein the marking object is configured to reflect electromagnetic radiation and mark the at least one of the position or the orientation of the vehicle child seat in relation to the vehicle seat for at least one interior imaging sensor based on the reflection; sending the detection to the control unit for the airbag; and actuating, by the control unit, the airbag depending on the at least one of the position or the orientation of the vehicle child seat. 8. (canceled) | 2,800 |
343,779 | 16,803,180 | 2,846 | Systems and methods for estimating contact force on an anatomical structure during a surgical procedure are disclosed. A system may include at least one processor configured to receive, from at least one image sensor arranged to capture images of a surgical procedure, image data associated with a first event during the surgical procedure and determine, based on the image data, a predicted outcome associated with the surgical procedure. The processor may receive, from at least one image sensor arranged to capture images of a surgical procedure, image data associated with a second event during the surgical procedure and determine, based on the image data associated with the second event, a change in the predicted outcome, causing the predicted outcome to drop below a threshold. The processor may access a data structure of image-related data based on prior surgical procedures; identify a recommended remedial action; and output the recommended remedial action. | 1-222. (canceled) 223. A non-transitory computer readable medium including instructions that, when executed by at least one processor, cause the at least one processor to execute operations enabling updating a predicted outcome during a surgical procedure, the operations comprising:
receiving, from at least one image sensor arranged to capture images of a surgical procedure, image data associated with a first event during the surgical procedure; determining, based on the received image data associated with the first event, a predicted outcome associated with the surgical procedure; receiving, from at least one image sensor arranged to capture images of a surgical procedure, image data associated with a second event during the surgical procedure; determining, based on the received image data associated with the second event, a change in the predicted outcome, causing the predicted outcome to drop below a threshold; accessing a data structure of image-related data based on prior surgical procedures; identifying, based on the accessed image-related data, a recommended remedial action; and outputting the recommended remedial action. 224. The non-transitory computer readable medium of claim 223, wherein the recommended remedial action includes a recommendation for a surgeon to take a break from the surgical procedure. 225. The non-transitory computer readable medium of claim 223, wherein the recommended remedial action includes a recommendation to request assistance from another surgeon. 226. The non-transitory computer readable medium of claim 223, wherein the recommended remedial action includes a revision to the surgical procedure. 227. The non-transitory computer readable medium of claim 223, wherein the predicted outcome includes a likelihood of hospital readmission. 228. The non-transitory computer readable medium of claim 223, wherein determining the change n the predicted outcome is based on a magnitude of bleeding. 229. The non-transitory computer readable medium of claim 223, wherein identifying the remedial action is based on an indication that the remedial action is likely to raise the predicted outcome above the threshold. 230. The non-transitory computer readable medium of claim 223, wherein identifying the remedial action includes using a machine learning model trained to identify remedial actions using historical examples of remedial actions and surgical outcomes. 231. The non-transitory computer readable medium of claim 223, wherein determining the predicted outcome includes using a machine learning model trained to determine predicted outcomes based on historical surgical videos and information indicating surgical outcome corresponding to the historical surgical videos. 232. The non-transitory computer readable medium of claim 223, wherein determining the predicted outcome includes identifying an interaction between a surgical tool and an anatomical structure, and determining the predicted outcome based on the identified interaction. 233. The non-transitory computer readable medium of claim 223, wherein determining the predicted outcome is based on a skill level of a surgeon depicted in the image data. 234. The non-transitory computer readable medium of claim 223, wherein the operations further comprise determining a skill level of a surgeon depicted in the image data; and wherein determining the change in the predicted outcome is based on the skill level. 235. The non-transitory computer readable medium of claim 223, wherein the operations further comprise, in response to the predicted outcome dropping below a threshold, updating a scheduling record associated with a surgical room related to the surgical procedure. 236. The non-transitory computer readable medium of claim 223, wherein determining the change in the predicted outcome is based on a time elapsed between a particular point in the surgical procedure and the second event. 237. The non-transitory computer readable medium of claim 223, wherein determining the predicted outcome is based on a condition of an anatomical structure depicted in the image data. 238. The non-transitory computer readable medium of claim 237, wherein the operations further comprising determining the condition of the anatomical structure. 239. The non-transitory computer readable medium of claim 223, wherein determining the change in the predicted outcome is based on a change of a color of at least part of the anatomical structure. 240. The non-transitory computer readable medium of claim 223, wherein determining the change in the predicted outcome is based on a change of appearance of at least part of the anatomical structure. 241. A computer-implemented method for updating a predicted outcome during a surgical procedure, the method including:
receiving, from at least one image sensor arranged to capture images of a surgical procedure, image data associated with a first event during the surgical procedure; determining, based on the received image data associated with the first event, a predicted outcome associated with the surgical procedure; receiving, from at least one image sensor arranged to capture images of a surgical procedure, image data associated with a second event during the surgical procedure; determining, based on the received image data associated with the second event, a change in the predicted outcome, causing the predicted outcome to drop below a threshold; accessing a data structure of image-related data based on prior surgical procedures; identifying, based on the data structure, a recommended remedial action; and outputting the recommended remedial action. 242. A system for updating a predicted outcome during a surgical procedure, the system including:
at least one processor configured to: receive, from at least one image sensor arranged to capture images of a surgical procedure, image data associated with a first event during the surgical procedure; determine, based on the received image data associated with the first event, a predicted outcome associated with the surgical procedure; receive, from at least one image sensor arranged to capture images of a surgical procedure, image data associated with a second event during the surgical procedure; determine, based on the received image data associated with the second event, a change in the predicted outcome, causing the predicted outcome to drop below a threshold; access a data structure of image-related data based on prior surgical procedures; identify, based on the data structure, a recommended remedial action; and output the recommended remedial action. 243-282. (canceled) | Systems and methods for estimating contact force on an anatomical structure during a surgical procedure are disclosed. A system may include at least one processor configured to receive, from at least one image sensor arranged to capture images of a surgical procedure, image data associated with a first event during the surgical procedure and determine, based on the image data, a predicted outcome associated with the surgical procedure. The processor may receive, from at least one image sensor arranged to capture images of a surgical procedure, image data associated with a second event during the surgical procedure and determine, based on the image data associated with the second event, a change in the predicted outcome, causing the predicted outcome to drop below a threshold. The processor may access a data structure of image-related data based on prior surgical procedures; identify a recommended remedial action; and output the recommended remedial action.1-222. (canceled) 223. A non-transitory computer readable medium including instructions that, when executed by at least one processor, cause the at least one processor to execute operations enabling updating a predicted outcome during a surgical procedure, the operations comprising:
receiving, from at least one image sensor arranged to capture images of a surgical procedure, image data associated with a first event during the surgical procedure; determining, based on the received image data associated with the first event, a predicted outcome associated with the surgical procedure; receiving, from at least one image sensor arranged to capture images of a surgical procedure, image data associated with a second event during the surgical procedure; determining, based on the received image data associated with the second event, a change in the predicted outcome, causing the predicted outcome to drop below a threshold; accessing a data structure of image-related data based on prior surgical procedures; identifying, based on the accessed image-related data, a recommended remedial action; and outputting the recommended remedial action. 224. The non-transitory computer readable medium of claim 223, wherein the recommended remedial action includes a recommendation for a surgeon to take a break from the surgical procedure. 225. The non-transitory computer readable medium of claim 223, wherein the recommended remedial action includes a recommendation to request assistance from another surgeon. 226. The non-transitory computer readable medium of claim 223, wherein the recommended remedial action includes a revision to the surgical procedure. 227. The non-transitory computer readable medium of claim 223, wherein the predicted outcome includes a likelihood of hospital readmission. 228. The non-transitory computer readable medium of claim 223, wherein determining the change n the predicted outcome is based on a magnitude of bleeding. 229. The non-transitory computer readable medium of claim 223, wherein identifying the remedial action is based on an indication that the remedial action is likely to raise the predicted outcome above the threshold. 230. The non-transitory computer readable medium of claim 223, wherein identifying the remedial action includes using a machine learning model trained to identify remedial actions using historical examples of remedial actions and surgical outcomes. 231. The non-transitory computer readable medium of claim 223, wherein determining the predicted outcome includes using a machine learning model trained to determine predicted outcomes based on historical surgical videos and information indicating surgical outcome corresponding to the historical surgical videos. 232. The non-transitory computer readable medium of claim 223, wherein determining the predicted outcome includes identifying an interaction between a surgical tool and an anatomical structure, and determining the predicted outcome based on the identified interaction. 233. The non-transitory computer readable medium of claim 223, wherein determining the predicted outcome is based on a skill level of a surgeon depicted in the image data. 234. The non-transitory computer readable medium of claim 223, wherein the operations further comprise determining a skill level of a surgeon depicted in the image data; and wherein determining the change in the predicted outcome is based on the skill level. 235. The non-transitory computer readable medium of claim 223, wherein the operations further comprise, in response to the predicted outcome dropping below a threshold, updating a scheduling record associated with a surgical room related to the surgical procedure. 236. The non-transitory computer readable medium of claim 223, wherein determining the change in the predicted outcome is based on a time elapsed between a particular point in the surgical procedure and the second event. 237. The non-transitory computer readable medium of claim 223, wherein determining the predicted outcome is based on a condition of an anatomical structure depicted in the image data. 238. The non-transitory computer readable medium of claim 237, wherein the operations further comprising determining the condition of the anatomical structure. 239. The non-transitory computer readable medium of claim 223, wherein determining the change in the predicted outcome is based on a change of a color of at least part of the anatomical structure. 240. The non-transitory computer readable medium of claim 223, wherein determining the change in the predicted outcome is based on a change of appearance of at least part of the anatomical structure. 241. A computer-implemented method for updating a predicted outcome during a surgical procedure, the method including:
receiving, from at least one image sensor arranged to capture images of a surgical procedure, image data associated with a first event during the surgical procedure; determining, based on the received image data associated with the first event, a predicted outcome associated with the surgical procedure; receiving, from at least one image sensor arranged to capture images of a surgical procedure, image data associated with a second event during the surgical procedure; determining, based on the received image data associated with the second event, a change in the predicted outcome, causing the predicted outcome to drop below a threshold; accessing a data structure of image-related data based on prior surgical procedures; identifying, based on the data structure, a recommended remedial action; and outputting the recommended remedial action. 242. A system for updating a predicted outcome during a surgical procedure, the system including:
at least one processor configured to: receive, from at least one image sensor arranged to capture images of a surgical procedure, image data associated with a first event during the surgical procedure; determine, based on the received image data associated with the first event, a predicted outcome associated with the surgical procedure; receive, from at least one image sensor arranged to capture images of a surgical procedure, image data associated with a second event during the surgical procedure; determine, based on the received image data associated with the second event, a change in the predicted outcome, causing the predicted outcome to drop below a threshold; access a data structure of image-related data based on prior surgical procedures; identify, based on the data structure, a recommended remedial action; and output the recommended remedial action. 243-282. (canceled) | 2,800 |
343,780 | 16,803,219 | 2,846 | A user may select one or more potential common ancestors with a DNA match to view the target individual's relationship with them. The process may include identifying, from a first genealogical profile of the target individual. A first individual has a first linkage that connects the target individual towards the selected potential common ancestor. The process may also include identifying, from a second genealogical profile of the DNA match, a second individual who has a second linkage that connects the DNA match towards the selected potential common ancestor. The process may further include connecting the first linkage and the second linkage with the selected potential common ancestor by adding one or more individuals whose profiles are retrieved from other searchable genealogical profiles stored in the online system. With the nodes and connections available, the process may generate a map of visual connections between the target individual and the DNA match. | 1. A computer-implemented method, comprising:
transmitting for display, at an electronic device, one or more potential common ancestors between a DNA match of a target individual and the target individual; receiving, from the electronic device, a selection of one of the potential common ancestors; identifying, from a first genealogical profile of the target individual stored at an online system, a first individual who has a first linkage that connects the target individual towards the selected potential common ancestor; identifying, from a second genealogical profile of the DNA match stored at the online system, a second individual who has a second linkage that connects the DNA match towards the selected potential common ancestor; connecting the first linkage and the second linkage with the selected potential common ancestor by adding one or more individuals whose profiles are retrieved from other searchable genealogical profiles stored in the online system; and generating a map of visual connections between the target individual and the DNA match through the selected potential common ancestor, the map comprising the first linkage, the second linkage, and the added one or more individuals. 2. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, further comprising:
receiving a command from the electronic device to expand the map; and expanding the map to an expanded map, which comprises a first branch including the first linkage, a second branch including the second linkage, and a third branch including one or more additional descendants of the selected potential common ancestor. 3. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein the selected potential common ancestor is not in the target individual's genealogical profile or the DNA match's genealogical profile. 4. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, further comprising:
receiving a command from the electronic device to change a view of the map of visual connections; and transmitting for display a list of potentially related individuals, the list replacing the map of visual connections. 5. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein one or more of the individuals in the map are displayed as private without revealing personal information. 6. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein individuals who are potentially related to the target individual are displayed using a first graphical element and individuals who are confirmed to be related with the target individual are displayed using a second graphical element different from the first graphical element. 7. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein the individuals in the map are associated with metadata that are classified as groups and are displayed in the map as color codes. 8. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein the individuals in the map are associated with metadata, the method further comprising:
receiving a selection based on one or more of the following filters: groups, viewed, notes, messaged, private linked trees, public linked trees, unlinked trees or common ancestors. 9. The computer-implemented method of claim 8, wherein the common ancestors filter suggests one or more matches who might share common ancestors with the target individual. 10. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein the DNA match is selected from a list of potential DNA matches displayed at the electronic device. 11. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein the map is represented in a form of family tree. 12. A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium for storing instructions that when executed by one or more processors cause the one or more processors to perform steps comprising:
transmitting for display, at an electronic device, one or more potential common ancestors between a DNA match of a target individual and the target individual; receiving, from the electronic device, a selection of one of the potential common ancestors; identifying, from a first genealogical profile of the target individual stored at an online system, a first individual who has a first linkage that connects the target individual towards the selected potential common ancestor; identifying, from a second genealogical profile of the DNA match stored at the online system, a second individual who has a second linkage that connects the DNA match towards the selected potential common ancestor; connecting the first linkage and the second linkage with the selected potential common ancestor by adding one or more individuals whose profiles are retrieved from other searchable genealogical profiles stored in the online system; and generating a map of visual connections between the target individual and the DNA match through the selected potential common ancestor, the map comprising the first linkage, the second linkage, and the added one or more individuals. 13. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 12, further comprising:
receiving a command from the electronic device to expand the map; and expanding the map to a complete map, which comprises a first branch including the first linkage, a second branch including the second linkage, and a third branch including one or more additional descendants of the selected potential common ancestor. 14. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 12, wherein the selected potential common ancestor is not in the target individual's genealogical profile or the match's genealogical profile. 15. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 12, further comprising:
receiving a command from the electronic device to change a view of the map of visual connections; and transmitting for display a list of potentially related individuals, the list replacing the map of visual connections. 16. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 12, wherein one or more of the individuals in the map are displayed as private without revealing personal information. 17. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 12, wherein individuals who are potentially related to the target individual are displayed using a first graphical element and individuals who are confirmed to be related with the target individual are displayed using a second graphical element different from the first graphical element. 18. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 12, wherein the individuals in the map are associated with metadata that are classified as groups and are displayed in the map as color codes. 19. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 12, wherein the individuals in the map are associated with metadata, the method further comprising:
receiving a selection based on one or more of the following filters: groups, viewed, notes, messaged, private linked trees, public linked trees, unlinked trees or common ancestors. 20. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 19, wherein the common ancestors filter suggests one or more matches who might share common ancestors with the target individual. 21. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 12, wherein the DNA match is selected from a list of potential DNA matches displayed at the electronic device. 22. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 12, wherein the map is represented in a form of family tree. | A user may select one or more potential common ancestors with a DNA match to view the target individual's relationship with them. The process may include identifying, from a first genealogical profile of the target individual. A first individual has a first linkage that connects the target individual towards the selected potential common ancestor. The process may also include identifying, from a second genealogical profile of the DNA match, a second individual who has a second linkage that connects the DNA match towards the selected potential common ancestor. The process may further include connecting the first linkage and the second linkage with the selected potential common ancestor by adding one or more individuals whose profiles are retrieved from other searchable genealogical profiles stored in the online system. With the nodes and connections available, the process may generate a map of visual connections between the target individual and the DNA match.1. A computer-implemented method, comprising:
transmitting for display, at an electronic device, one or more potential common ancestors between a DNA match of a target individual and the target individual; receiving, from the electronic device, a selection of one of the potential common ancestors; identifying, from a first genealogical profile of the target individual stored at an online system, a first individual who has a first linkage that connects the target individual towards the selected potential common ancestor; identifying, from a second genealogical profile of the DNA match stored at the online system, a second individual who has a second linkage that connects the DNA match towards the selected potential common ancestor; connecting the first linkage and the second linkage with the selected potential common ancestor by adding one or more individuals whose profiles are retrieved from other searchable genealogical profiles stored in the online system; and generating a map of visual connections between the target individual and the DNA match through the selected potential common ancestor, the map comprising the first linkage, the second linkage, and the added one or more individuals. 2. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, further comprising:
receiving a command from the electronic device to expand the map; and expanding the map to an expanded map, which comprises a first branch including the first linkage, a second branch including the second linkage, and a third branch including one or more additional descendants of the selected potential common ancestor. 3. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein the selected potential common ancestor is not in the target individual's genealogical profile or the DNA match's genealogical profile. 4. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, further comprising:
receiving a command from the electronic device to change a view of the map of visual connections; and transmitting for display a list of potentially related individuals, the list replacing the map of visual connections. 5. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein one or more of the individuals in the map are displayed as private without revealing personal information. 6. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein individuals who are potentially related to the target individual are displayed using a first graphical element and individuals who are confirmed to be related with the target individual are displayed using a second graphical element different from the first graphical element. 7. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein the individuals in the map are associated with metadata that are classified as groups and are displayed in the map as color codes. 8. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein the individuals in the map are associated with metadata, the method further comprising:
receiving a selection based on one or more of the following filters: groups, viewed, notes, messaged, private linked trees, public linked trees, unlinked trees or common ancestors. 9. The computer-implemented method of claim 8, wherein the common ancestors filter suggests one or more matches who might share common ancestors with the target individual. 10. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein the DNA match is selected from a list of potential DNA matches displayed at the electronic device. 11. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein the map is represented in a form of family tree. 12. A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium for storing instructions that when executed by one or more processors cause the one or more processors to perform steps comprising:
transmitting for display, at an electronic device, one or more potential common ancestors between a DNA match of a target individual and the target individual; receiving, from the electronic device, a selection of one of the potential common ancestors; identifying, from a first genealogical profile of the target individual stored at an online system, a first individual who has a first linkage that connects the target individual towards the selected potential common ancestor; identifying, from a second genealogical profile of the DNA match stored at the online system, a second individual who has a second linkage that connects the DNA match towards the selected potential common ancestor; connecting the first linkage and the second linkage with the selected potential common ancestor by adding one or more individuals whose profiles are retrieved from other searchable genealogical profiles stored in the online system; and generating a map of visual connections between the target individual and the DNA match through the selected potential common ancestor, the map comprising the first linkage, the second linkage, and the added one or more individuals. 13. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 12, further comprising:
receiving a command from the electronic device to expand the map; and expanding the map to a complete map, which comprises a first branch including the first linkage, a second branch including the second linkage, and a third branch including one or more additional descendants of the selected potential common ancestor. 14. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 12, wherein the selected potential common ancestor is not in the target individual's genealogical profile or the match's genealogical profile. 15. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 12, further comprising:
receiving a command from the electronic device to change a view of the map of visual connections; and transmitting for display a list of potentially related individuals, the list replacing the map of visual connections. 16. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 12, wherein one or more of the individuals in the map are displayed as private without revealing personal information. 17. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 12, wherein individuals who are potentially related to the target individual are displayed using a first graphical element and individuals who are confirmed to be related with the target individual are displayed using a second graphical element different from the first graphical element. 18. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 12, wherein the individuals in the map are associated with metadata that are classified as groups and are displayed in the map as color codes. 19. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 12, wherein the individuals in the map are associated with metadata, the method further comprising:
receiving a selection based on one or more of the following filters: groups, viewed, notes, messaged, private linked trees, public linked trees, unlinked trees or common ancestors. 20. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 19, wherein the common ancestors filter suggests one or more matches who might share common ancestors with the target individual. 21. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 12, wherein the DNA match is selected from a list of potential DNA matches displayed at the electronic device. 22. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 12, wherein the map is represented in a form of family tree. | 2,800 |
343,781 | 16,803,243 | 2,846 | A chip antenna module includes a first dielectric layer; a solder layer disposed on a first surface of the first dielectric layer; a patch antenna pattern disposed on a second surface of the first dielectric layer; a coupling pattern disposed on the second surface of the first dielectric layer, and spaced apart from the patch antenna pattern without overlapping the patch antenna pattern in a thickness direction; a first feed via extending through the first dielectric layer in the thickness direction so as not to overlap the patch antenna pattern and the coupling pattern in the thickness direction; a first feed pattern extending from a first end of the first feed to overlap at least a portion of the coupling pattern; and a second feed pattern extending from a second end of the first feed via to overlap at least a portion of the coupling pattern. | 1. A chip antenna module comprising:
a first dielectric layer; a solder layer disposed on a first surface of the first dielectric layer; a patch antenna pattern disposed on a second surface of the first dielectric layer; a coupling pattern disposed on the second surface of the first dielectric layer, and spaced apart from the patch antenna pattern without overlapping the patch antenna pattern in a thickness direction of the chip antenna module; a first feed via extending through the first dielectric layer in the thickness direction so as not to overlap the patch antenna pattern and the coupling pattern in the thickness direction; a first feed pattern extending from a first end of the first feed via to overlap at least a portion of the coupling pattern in the thickness direction; and a second feed pattern extending from a second end of the first feed via to overlap at least a portion of the coupling pattern in the thickness direction. 2. The chip antenna module according to claim 1, wherein the coupling pattern extends in a first direction, and
the first feed pattern extends from the first end of the first feed via in a second direction that is different from the first direction. 3. The chip antenna module according to claim 2, wherein the second feed pattern extends from the second end of the first feed via in the second direction. 4. The chip antenna module according to claim 2, wherein a length of the first feed pattern in the second direction is greater than a length of the coupling pattern in the first direction. 5. The chip antenna module according to claim 1, wherein the first feed pattern overlaps a portion of the patch antenna pattern in the thickness direction. 6. The chip antenna module according to claim 1, further comprising a detour pattern disposed coplanar with the second feed pattern or offset from the second feed pattern along the thickness direction, electrically connected to the second feed pattern, and having a shape that rotates around a point. 7. The chip antenna module according to claim 1, wherein the second surface of the first dielectric layer has a polygonal shape, and
the patch antenna pattern has a polygonal shape in which at least some sides of the patch antenna pattern are oblique with respect to each side of the second surface of the first dielectric layer. 8. The chip antenna module according to claim 7, wherein the coupling pattern extends in a direction that is oblique with respect to each side of the second surface of the first dielectric layer. 9. The chip antenna module according to claim 7, wherein the first feed pattern extends in a direction that is oblique with respect to each side of the second surface of the first dielectric layer. 10. The chip antenna module according to claim 1, further comprising a second dielectric layer disposed on the second surface of the first dielectric layer; and
a third dielectric layer disposed on a surface of the second dielectric layer opposite to the first dielectric layer, wherein the patch antenna pattern comprises: a first patch antenna pattern disposed between the first dielectric layer and the third dielectric layer; and a second patch antenna pattern disposed on a surface of the third dielectric layer opposite to the second dielectric layer. 11. The chip antenna module according to claim 10, further comprising a second feed via that passes through the first dielectric layer and is configured to provide an electricity feed path for the second patch antenna pattern; and
shielding vias that pass through the first dielectric layer, are electrically connected to the first patch antenna pattern, and surround the second feed via, wherein the first patch antenna pattern defines a through-hole through which the second feed via passes, and is fed from the first feed pattern. 12. A chip antenna module comprising:
a first dielectric layer; a solder layer disposed on a first surface of the first dielectric layer; a second dielectric layer disposed on a second surface of the first dielectric layer; a third dielectric layer disposed on a surface of the second dielectric layer opposite to the first dielectric layer; a first patch antenna pattern disposed between the first dielectric layer and the third dielectric layer, and having a through-hole; a second patch antenna pattern disposed on a surface of the third dielectric layer opposite to the first dielectric layer; a second feed via that passes through the first dielectric layer and through the through-hole of the first patch antenna pattern, and is configured to provide an electricity feed path to the second patch antenna pattern; shielding vias that pass through the first dielectric layer, are electrically connected to the first patch antenna pattern, and surround the second feed via; a coupling pattern disposed on the second surface of the first dielectric layer, and spaced apart from the first patch antenna pattern without overlapping the first patch antenna pattern in a thickness direction of the chip antenna module; and a first feed via extending through the first dielectric layer in the thickness direction, and configured to provide an electricity feed path for the coupling pattern. 13. The chip antenna module according to claim 12, wherein the coupling pattern is disposed closer to a side surface of the first dielectric layer than the first patch antenna pattern. 14. The chip antenna module according to claim 12, wherein the second surface of the first dielectric layer has a polygonal shape,
the first patch antenna pattern has a polygonal shape in which at least some sides of the first patch antenna pattern are oblique with respect to each side of the second surface of the first dielectric layer, and the coupling pattern is disposed closer to a corner of the first dielectric layer than the first patch antenna pattern. 15. The chip antenna module according to claim 14, wherein the coupling pattern extends in a direction that is oblique with respect to each side of the second surface of the first dielectric layer. 16. The chip antenna module according to claim 12, wherein the coupling pattern does not to overlap the second patch antenna pattern in the thickness direction, and
a dielectric constant of the second dielectric layer is lower than a dielectric constant of the first dielectric layer and a dielectric constant of the third dielectric layer. | A chip antenna module includes a first dielectric layer; a solder layer disposed on a first surface of the first dielectric layer; a patch antenna pattern disposed on a second surface of the first dielectric layer; a coupling pattern disposed on the second surface of the first dielectric layer, and spaced apart from the patch antenna pattern without overlapping the patch antenna pattern in a thickness direction; a first feed via extending through the first dielectric layer in the thickness direction so as not to overlap the patch antenna pattern and the coupling pattern in the thickness direction; a first feed pattern extending from a first end of the first feed to overlap at least a portion of the coupling pattern; and a second feed pattern extending from a second end of the first feed via to overlap at least a portion of the coupling pattern.1. A chip antenna module comprising:
a first dielectric layer; a solder layer disposed on a first surface of the first dielectric layer; a patch antenna pattern disposed on a second surface of the first dielectric layer; a coupling pattern disposed on the second surface of the first dielectric layer, and spaced apart from the patch antenna pattern without overlapping the patch antenna pattern in a thickness direction of the chip antenna module; a first feed via extending through the first dielectric layer in the thickness direction so as not to overlap the patch antenna pattern and the coupling pattern in the thickness direction; a first feed pattern extending from a first end of the first feed via to overlap at least a portion of the coupling pattern in the thickness direction; and a second feed pattern extending from a second end of the first feed via to overlap at least a portion of the coupling pattern in the thickness direction. 2. The chip antenna module according to claim 1, wherein the coupling pattern extends in a first direction, and
the first feed pattern extends from the first end of the first feed via in a second direction that is different from the first direction. 3. The chip antenna module according to claim 2, wherein the second feed pattern extends from the second end of the first feed via in the second direction. 4. The chip antenna module according to claim 2, wherein a length of the first feed pattern in the second direction is greater than a length of the coupling pattern in the first direction. 5. The chip antenna module according to claim 1, wherein the first feed pattern overlaps a portion of the patch antenna pattern in the thickness direction. 6. The chip antenna module according to claim 1, further comprising a detour pattern disposed coplanar with the second feed pattern or offset from the second feed pattern along the thickness direction, electrically connected to the second feed pattern, and having a shape that rotates around a point. 7. The chip antenna module according to claim 1, wherein the second surface of the first dielectric layer has a polygonal shape, and
the patch antenna pattern has a polygonal shape in which at least some sides of the patch antenna pattern are oblique with respect to each side of the second surface of the first dielectric layer. 8. The chip antenna module according to claim 7, wherein the coupling pattern extends in a direction that is oblique with respect to each side of the second surface of the first dielectric layer. 9. The chip antenna module according to claim 7, wherein the first feed pattern extends in a direction that is oblique with respect to each side of the second surface of the first dielectric layer. 10. The chip antenna module according to claim 1, further comprising a second dielectric layer disposed on the second surface of the first dielectric layer; and
a third dielectric layer disposed on a surface of the second dielectric layer opposite to the first dielectric layer, wherein the patch antenna pattern comprises: a first patch antenna pattern disposed between the first dielectric layer and the third dielectric layer; and a second patch antenna pattern disposed on a surface of the third dielectric layer opposite to the second dielectric layer. 11. The chip antenna module according to claim 10, further comprising a second feed via that passes through the first dielectric layer and is configured to provide an electricity feed path for the second patch antenna pattern; and
shielding vias that pass through the first dielectric layer, are electrically connected to the first patch antenna pattern, and surround the second feed via, wherein the first patch antenna pattern defines a through-hole through which the second feed via passes, and is fed from the first feed pattern. 12. A chip antenna module comprising:
a first dielectric layer; a solder layer disposed on a first surface of the first dielectric layer; a second dielectric layer disposed on a second surface of the first dielectric layer; a third dielectric layer disposed on a surface of the second dielectric layer opposite to the first dielectric layer; a first patch antenna pattern disposed between the first dielectric layer and the third dielectric layer, and having a through-hole; a second patch antenna pattern disposed on a surface of the third dielectric layer opposite to the first dielectric layer; a second feed via that passes through the first dielectric layer and through the through-hole of the first patch antenna pattern, and is configured to provide an electricity feed path to the second patch antenna pattern; shielding vias that pass through the first dielectric layer, are electrically connected to the first patch antenna pattern, and surround the second feed via; a coupling pattern disposed on the second surface of the first dielectric layer, and spaced apart from the first patch antenna pattern without overlapping the first patch antenna pattern in a thickness direction of the chip antenna module; and a first feed via extending through the first dielectric layer in the thickness direction, and configured to provide an electricity feed path for the coupling pattern. 13. The chip antenna module according to claim 12, wherein the coupling pattern is disposed closer to a side surface of the first dielectric layer than the first patch antenna pattern. 14. The chip antenna module according to claim 12, wherein the second surface of the first dielectric layer has a polygonal shape,
the first patch antenna pattern has a polygonal shape in which at least some sides of the first patch antenna pattern are oblique with respect to each side of the second surface of the first dielectric layer, and the coupling pattern is disposed closer to a corner of the first dielectric layer than the first patch antenna pattern. 15. The chip antenna module according to claim 14, wherein the coupling pattern extends in a direction that is oblique with respect to each side of the second surface of the first dielectric layer. 16. The chip antenna module according to claim 12, wherein the coupling pattern does not to overlap the second patch antenna pattern in the thickness direction, and
a dielectric constant of the second dielectric layer is lower than a dielectric constant of the first dielectric layer and a dielectric constant of the third dielectric layer. | 2,800 |
343,782 | 16,803,242 | 2,846 | An agricultural mowing assembly that includes an agricultural vehicle and at least one mowing device connected to the agricultural vehicle. The at least one mowing device includes a frame and a cutter bar movably connected to the frame. The cutter bar is configured for mowing a crop material in a field. The agricultural mowing assembly also includes a cut quality detection system that includes a plurality of sensors connected to the frame and configured for sensing color variations on the field and a controller operably connected to the plurality of sensors and receiving the sensed color variations on the field from the plurality of sensors. The controller is configured for determining a cut quality of the cutter bar based upon the sensed color variations on the field. | 1. An agricultural mowing assembly, comprising:
an agricultural vehicle; at least one mowing device connected to the agricultural vehicle and comprising a frame and a cutter bar movably connected to the frame, and the cutter bar being configured for mowing a crop material in a field; and a cut quality detection system, comprising:
a plurality of sensors connected to the frame and configured for sensing color variations on the field; and
a controller operably connected to the plurality of sensors and receiving the sensed color variations on the field from the plurality of sensors, and the controller being configured for determining a cut quality of the cutter bar based upon the sensed color variations on the field. 2. The agricultural mowing assembly of claim 1, wherein the plurality of sensors is configured for sensing a first color associated with a cut surface of the field upon the field being cut by the cutter bar and a second color associated with the crop material remaining on the field, and the controller is configured for determining the cut quality of the cutter bar by comparing an amount of the first color and an amount of the second color. 3. The agricultural mowing assembly of claim 1, wherein the cut quality detection system comprises a lighting device connected to the frame adjacent to the plurality of sensors, and the lighting device is configured for illuminating the field. 4. The agricultural mowing assembly of claim 3, wherein the lighting device comprises a plurality of lights arranged in an array. 5. The agricultural mowing assembly of claim 3, wherein the cut quality detection system further comprises a protective hood connected to the frame, and the protective hood at least partially houses at least one sensor of the plurality of the sensors and the lighting device. 6. The agricultural mowing assembly of claim 1, wherein the cut quality detection system further comprises at least one color-baseline sensor supported by the frame and operably connected to the controller, and the at least one color-baseline sensor is configured for sensing a baseline color of at least one of the crop material and the field and for providing the sensed baseline color to the controller, and the controller is configured for comparing the sensed baseline color and the sensed color variations on the field from the plurality of sensors. 7. The agricultural mowing assembly of claim 6, wherein the at least one mowing device further comprises a crop gate connected to the frame and configured for directing the crop material out of the at least one mowing device and onto the field, and the at least one color-baseline sensor is connected to the crop gate and is further configured for sensing the baseline color of the crop material as the crop material travels through the crop gate. 8. The agricultural mowing assembly of claim 1, wherein the at least one mowing device is in the form of at least one mower conditioner that further comprises a conditioner, and the plurality of sensors comprises a left set of sensors located leftward of the conditioner, a middle set of sensors located adjacent to and rearward of the conditioner, and a right set of sensors located rightward of the conditioner. 9. The agricultural mowing assembly of claim 1, wherein the plurality of sensors comprises two or more of a camera and a color sensor. 10. The agricultural mowing assembly of claim 1, wherein each sensor of the plurality of sensors is configured for sensing a color on the field in a viewing zone which corresponds to a section of the cutter bar, and the controller is configured for pinpointing the section of the cutter bar which is cutting poorly by determining which corresponding viewing zone has a differing color from the other viewing zones. 11. A method for operating an agricultural mowing assembly, comprising:
providing an agricultural vehicle, at least one mowing device connected to the agricultural vehicle, the at least one mowing device comprising a frame and a cutter bar movably connected to the frame, and the cutter bar being configured for mowing a crop material in a field, and a cut quality detection system, the cut quality detection system comprising a plurality of sensors connected to the frame and a controller operably connected to the plurality of sensors; mowing the field by the at least one mowing device; sensing, by the plurality of sensors, color variations on the field; and determining, by the controller, a cut quality of the cutter bar based upon the sensed color variations on the field. 12. The method of claim 11, wherein the step of sensing by the plurality of sensors comprises sensing a first color associated with a cut surface of the field upon the field being cut by the cutter bar and sensing a second color associated with the crop material remaining on the field. 13. The method of claim 12, wherein the step of determining the cut quality of the cutter bar by the controller further comprises comparing an amount of the first color and an amount of the second color. 14. The method of claim 11, wherein the cut quality detection system comprises a lighting device connected to the frame adjacent to the plurality of sensors, and the method further comprises illuminating the field by the lighting device. 15. The method of claim 14, wherein the lighting device comprises a plurality of lights arranged in an array. 16. The method of claim 14, wherein the cut quality detection system further comprises a protective hood connected to the frame, and the protective hood at least partially houses at least one sensor of the plurality of the sensors and the lighting device. 17. The method of claim 11, wherein the cut quality detection system further comprises at least one color-baseline sensor supported by the frame and operably connected to the controller, and the method further comprises sensing, by the at least one crop-color-baseline, a baseline color of at least one of the crop material and the field and for providing the sensed baseline color to the controller, and the step of determining the cut quality of the cutter bar by the controller further comprises comparing the sensed baseline color and the sensed color variations on the field from the plurality of sensors. 18. The method of claim 17, wherein the at least one mowing device further comprises a crop gate connected to the frame and configured for directing the crop material out of the at least one mowing device and onto the field, and the at least one color-baseline sensor is connected to the crop gate and is further configured for sensing the baseline color of the crop material as the crop material travels through the crop gate. 19. The method of claim 11, wherein the at least one mowing device is in the form of at least one mower conditioner that further comprises a conditioner, and the plurality of sensors comprises a left set of sensors located leftward of the conditioner, a middle set of sensors located adjacent to and rearward of the conditioner, and a right set of sensors located rightward of the conditioner. 20. The method of claim 11, wherein the step of sensing by the plurality of sensors further comprises sensing, by each sensor of the plurality of sensors, a color on the field in a viewing zone which corresponds to a section of the cutter bar, and the method further includes a step of pinpointing, by the controller, the section of the cutter bar which is cutting poorly by determining which corresponding viewing zone has a differing color from the other viewing zones. | An agricultural mowing assembly that includes an agricultural vehicle and at least one mowing device connected to the agricultural vehicle. The at least one mowing device includes a frame and a cutter bar movably connected to the frame. The cutter bar is configured for mowing a crop material in a field. The agricultural mowing assembly also includes a cut quality detection system that includes a plurality of sensors connected to the frame and configured for sensing color variations on the field and a controller operably connected to the plurality of sensors and receiving the sensed color variations on the field from the plurality of sensors. The controller is configured for determining a cut quality of the cutter bar based upon the sensed color variations on the field.1. An agricultural mowing assembly, comprising:
an agricultural vehicle; at least one mowing device connected to the agricultural vehicle and comprising a frame and a cutter bar movably connected to the frame, and the cutter bar being configured for mowing a crop material in a field; and a cut quality detection system, comprising:
a plurality of sensors connected to the frame and configured for sensing color variations on the field; and
a controller operably connected to the plurality of sensors and receiving the sensed color variations on the field from the plurality of sensors, and the controller being configured for determining a cut quality of the cutter bar based upon the sensed color variations on the field. 2. The agricultural mowing assembly of claim 1, wherein the plurality of sensors is configured for sensing a first color associated with a cut surface of the field upon the field being cut by the cutter bar and a second color associated with the crop material remaining on the field, and the controller is configured for determining the cut quality of the cutter bar by comparing an amount of the first color and an amount of the second color. 3. The agricultural mowing assembly of claim 1, wherein the cut quality detection system comprises a lighting device connected to the frame adjacent to the plurality of sensors, and the lighting device is configured for illuminating the field. 4. The agricultural mowing assembly of claim 3, wherein the lighting device comprises a plurality of lights arranged in an array. 5. The agricultural mowing assembly of claim 3, wherein the cut quality detection system further comprises a protective hood connected to the frame, and the protective hood at least partially houses at least one sensor of the plurality of the sensors and the lighting device. 6. The agricultural mowing assembly of claim 1, wherein the cut quality detection system further comprises at least one color-baseline sensor supported by the frame and operably connected to the controller, and the at least one color-baseline sensor is configured for sensing a baseline color of at least one of the crop material and the field and for providing the sensed baseline color to the controller, and the controller is configured for comparing the sensed baseline color and the sensed color variations on the field from the plurality of sensors. 7. The agricultural mowing assembly of claim 6, wherein the at least one mowing device further comprises a crop gate connected to the frame and configured for directing the crop material out of the at least one mowing device and onto the field, and the at least one color-baseline sensor is connected to the crop gate and is further configured for sensing the baseline color of the crop material as the crop material travels through the crop gate. 8. The agricultural mowing assembly of claim 1, wherein the at least one mowing device is in the form of at least one mower conditioner that further comprises a conditioner, and the plurality of sensors comprises a left set of sensors located leftward of the conditioner, a middle set of sensors located adjacent to and rearward of the conditioner, and a right set of sensors located rightward of the conditioner. 9. The agricultural mowing assembly of claim 1, wherein the plurality of sensors comprises two or more of a camera and a color sensor. 10. The agricultural mowing assembly of claim 1, wherein each sensor of the plurality of sensors is configured for sensing a color on the field in a viewing zone which corresponds to a section of the cutter bar, and the controller is configured for pinpointing the section of the cutter bar which is cutting poorly by determining which corresponding viewing zone has a differing color from the other viewing zones. 11. A method for operating an agricultural mowing assembly, comprising:
providing an agricultural vehicle, at least one mowing device connected to the agricultural vehicle, the at least one mowing device comprising a frame and a cutter bar movably connected to the frame, and the cutter bar being configured for mowing a crop material in a field, and a cut quality detection system, the cut quality detection system comprising a plurality of sensors connected to the frame and a controller operably connected to the plurality of sensors; mowing the field by the at least one mowing device; sensing, by the plurality of sensors, color variations on the field; and determining, by the controller, a cut quality of the cutter bar based upon the sensed color variations on the field. 12. The method of claim 11, wherein the step of sensing by the plurality of sensors comprises sensing a first color associated with a cut surface of the field upon the field being cut by the cutter bar and sensing a second color associated with the crop material remaining on the field. 13. The method of claim 12, wherein the step of determining the cut quality of the cutter bar by the controller further comprises comparing an amount of the first color and an amount of the second color. 14. The method of claim 11, wherein the cut quality detection system comprises a lighting device connected to the frame adjacent to the plurality of sensors, and the method further comprises illuminating the field by the lighting device. 15. The method of claim 14, wherein the lighting device comprises a plurality of lights arranged in an array. 16. The method of claim 14, wherein the cut quality detection system further comprises a protective hood connected to the frame, and the protective hood at least partially houses at least one sensor of the plurality of the sensors and the lighting device. 17. The method of claim 11, wherein the cut quality detection system further comprises at least one color-baseline sensor supported by the frame and operably connected to the controller, and the method further comprises sensing, by the at least one crop-color-baseline, a baseline color of at least one of the crop material and the field and for providing the sensed baseline color to the controller, and the step of determining the cut quality of the cutter bar by the controller further comprises comparing the sensed baseline color and the sensed color variations on the field from the plurality of sensors. 18. The method of claim 17, wherein the at least one mowing device further comprises a crop gate connected to the frame and configured for directing the crop material out of the at least one mowing device and onto the field, and the at least one color-baseline sensor is connected to the crop gate and is further configured for sensing the baseline color of the crop material as the crop material travels through the crop gate. 19. The method of claim 11, wherein the at least one mowing device is in the form of at least one mower conditioner that further comprises a conditioner, and the plurality of sensors comprises a left set of sensors located leftward of the conditioner, a middle set of sensors located adjacent to and rearward of the conditioner, and a right set of sensors located rightward of the conditioner. 20. The method of claim 11, wherein the step of sensing by the plurality of sensors further comprises sensing, by each sensor of the plurality of sensors, a color on the field in a viewing zone which corresponds to a section of the cutter bar, and the method further includes a step of pinpointing, by the controller, the section of the cutter bar which is cutting poorly by determining which corresponding viewing zone has a differing color from the other viewing zones. | 2,800 |
343,783 | 16,803,232 | 2,849 | An agricultural mowing assembly that includes an agricultural vehicle and at least one mowing device connected to the agricultural vehicle. The at least one mowing device includes a frame and a cutter bar movably connected to the frame. The cutter bar is configured for mowing a crop material in a field. The agricultural mowing assembly also includes a cut quality detection system that includes a plurality of sensors connected to the frame and configured for sensing color variations on the field and a controller operably connected to the plurality of sensors and receiving the sensed color variations on the field from the plurality of sensors. The controller is configured for determining a cut quality of the cutter bar based upon the sensed color variations on the field. | 1. An agricultural mowing assembly, comprising:
an agricultural vehicle; at least one mowing device connected to the agricultural vehicle and comprising a frame and a cutter bar movably connected to the frame, and the cutter bar being configured for mowing a crop material in a field; and a cut quality detection system, comprising:
a plurality of sensors connected to the frame and configured for sensing color variations on the field; and
a controller operably connected to the plurality of sensors and receiving the sensed color variations on the field from the plurality of sensors, and the controller being configured for determining a cut quality of the cutter bar based upon the sensed color variations on the field. 2. The agricultural mowing assembly of claim 1, wherein the plurality of sensors is configured for sensing a first color associated with a cut surface of the field upon the field being cut by the cutter bar and a second color associated with the crop material remaining on the field, and the controller is configured for determining the cut quality of the cutter bar by comparing an amount of the first color and an amount of the second color. 3. The agricultural mowing assembly of claim 1, wherein the cut quality detection system comprises a lighting device connected to the frame adjacent to the plurality of sensors, and the lighting device is configured for illuminating the field. 4. The agricultural mowing assembly of claim 3, wherein the lighting device comprises a plurality of lights arranged in an array. 5. The agricultural mowing assembly of claim 3, wherein the cut quality detection system further comprises a protective hood connected to the frame, and the protective hood at least partially houses at least one sensor of the plurality of the sensors and the lighting device. 6. The agricultural mowing assembly of claim 1, wherein the cut quality detection system further comprises at least one color-baseline sensor supported by the frame and operably connected to the controller, and the at least one color-baseline sensor is configured for sensing a baseline color of at least one of the crop material and the field and for providing the sensed baseline color to the controller, and the controller is configured for comparing the sensed baseline color and the sensed color variations on the field from the plurality of sensors. 7. The agricultural mowing assembly of claim 6, wherein the at least one mowing device further comprises a crop gate connected to the frame and configured for directing the crop material out of the at least one mowing device and onto the field, and the at least one color-baseline sensor is connected to the crop gate and is further configured for sensing the baseline color of the crop material as the crop material travels through the crop gate. 8. The agricultural mowing assembly of claim 1, wherein the at least one mowing device is in the form of at least one mower conditioner that further comprises a conditioner, and the plurality of sensors comprises a left set of sensors located leftward of the conditioner, a middle set of sensors located adjacent to and rearward of the conditioner, and a right set of sensors located rightward of the conditioner. 9. The agricultural mowing assembly of claim 1, wherein the plurality of sensors comprises two or more of a camera and a color sensor. 10. The agricultural mowing assembly of claim 1, wherein each sensor of the plurality of sensors is configured for sensing a color on the field in a viewing zone which corresponds to a section of the cutter bar, and the controller is configured for pinpointing the section of the cutter bar which is cutting poorly by determining which corresponding viewing zone has a differing color from the other viewing zones. 11. A method for operating an agricultural mowing assembly, comprising:
providing an agricultural vehicle, at least one mowing device connected to the agricultural vehicle, the at least one mowing device comprising a frame and a cutter bar movably connected to the frame, and the cutter bar being configured for mowing a crop material in a field, and a cut quality detection system, the cut quality detection system comprising a plurality of sensors connected to the frame and a controller operably connected to the plurality of sensors; mowing the field by the at least one mowing device; sensing, by the plurality of sensors, color variations on the field; and determining, by the controller, a cut quality of the cutter bar based upon the sensed color variations on the field. 12. The method of claim 11, wherein the step of sensing by the plurality of sensors comprises sensing a first color associated with a cut surface of the field upon the field being cut by the cutter bar and sensing a second color associated with the crop material remaining on the field. 13. The method of claim 12, wherein the step of determining the cut quality of the cutter bar by the controller further comprises comparing an amount of the first color and an amount of the second color. 14. The method of claim 11, wherein the cut quality detection system comprises a lighting device connected to the frame adjacent to the plurality of sensors, and the method further comprises illuminating the field by the lighting device. 15. The method of claim 14, wherein the lighting device comprises a plurality of lights arranged in an array. 16. The method of claim 14, wherein the cut quality detection system further comprises a protective hood connected to the frame, and the protective hood at least partially houses at least one sensor of the plurality of the sensors and the lighting device. 17. The method of claim 11, wherein the cut quality detection system further comprises at least one color-baseline sensor supported by the frame and operably connected to the controller, and the method further comprises sensing, by the at least one crop-color-baseline, a baseline color of at least one of the crop material and the field and for providing the sensed baseline color to the controller, and the step of determining the cut quality of the cutter bar by the controller further comprises comparing the sensed baseline color and the sensed color variations on the field from the plurality of sensors. 18. The method of claim 17, wherein the at least one mowing device further comprises a crop gate connected to the frame and configured for directing the crop material out of the at least one mowing device and onto the field, and the at least one color-baseline sensor is connected to the crop gate and is further configured for sensing the baseline color of the crop material as the crop material travels through the crop gate. 19. The method of claim 11, wherein the at least one mowing device is in the form of at least one mower conditioner that further comprises a conditioner, and the plurality of sensors comprises a left set of sensors located leftward of the conditioner, a middle set of sensors located adjacent to and rearward of the conditioner, and a right set of sensors located rightward of the conditioner. 20. The method of claim 11, wherein the step of sensing by the plurality of sensors further comprises sensing, by each sensor of the plurality of sensors, a color on the field in a viewing zone which corresponds to a section of the cutter bar, and the method further includes a step of pinpointing, by the controller, the section of the cutter bar which is cutting poorly by determining which corresponding viewing zone has a differing color from the other viewing zones. | An agricultural mowing assembly that includes an agricultural vehicle and at least one mowing device connected to the agricultural vehicle. The at least one mowing device includes a frame and a cutter bar movably connected to the frame. The cutter bar is configured for mowing a crop material in a field. The agricultural mowing assembly also includes a cut quality detection system that includes a plurality of sensors connected to the frame and configured for sensing color variations on the field and a controller operably connected to the plurality of sensors and receiving the sensed color variations on the field from the plurality of sensors. The controller is configured for determining a cut quality of the cutter bar based upon the sensed color variations on the field.1. An agricultural mowing assembly, comprising:
an agricultural vehicle; at least one mowing device connected to the agricultural vehicle and comprising a frame and a cutter bar movably connected to the frame, and the cutter bar being configured for mowing a crop material in a field; and a cut quality detection system, comprising:
a plurality of sensors connected to the frame and configured for sensing color variations on the field; and
a controller operably connected to the plurality of sensors and receiving the sensed color variations on the field from the plurality of sensors, and the controller being configured for determining a cut quality of the cutter bar based upon the sensed color variations on the field. 2. The agricultural mowing assembly of claim 1, wherein the plurality of sensors is configured for sensing a first color associated with a cut surface of the field upon the field being cut by the cutter bar and a second color associated with the crop material remaining on the field, and the controller is configured for determining the cut quality of the cutter bar by comparing an amount of the first color and an amount of the second color. 3. The agricultural mowing assembly of claim 1, wherein the cut quality detection system comprises a lighting device connected to the frame adjacent to the plurality of sensors, and the lighting device is configured for illuminating the field. 4. The agricultural mowing assembly of claim 3, wherein the lighting device comprises a plurality of lights arranged in an array. 5. The agricultural mowing assembly of claim 3, wherein the cut quality detection system further comprises a protective hood connected to the frame, and the protective hood at least partially houses at least one sensor of the plurality of the sensors and the lighting device. 6. The agricultural mowing assembly of claim 1, wherein the cut quality detection system further comprises at least one color-baseline sensor supported by the frame and operably connected to the controller, and the at least one color-baseline sensor is configured for sensing a baseline color of at least one of the crop material and the field and for providing the sensed baseline color to the controller, and the controller is configured for comparing the sensed baseline color and the sensed color variations on the field from the plurality of sensors. 7. The agricultural mowing assembly of claim 6, wherein the at least one mowing device further comprises a crop gate connected to the frame and configured for directing the crop material out of the at least one mowing device and onto the field, and the at least one color-baseline sensor is connected to the crop gate and is further configured for sensing the baseline color of the crop material as the crop material travels through the crop gate. 8. The agricultural mowing assembly of claim 1, wherein the at least one mowing device is in the form of at least one mower conditioner that further comprises a conditioner, and the plurality of sensors comprises a left set of sensors located leftward of the conditioner, a middle set of sensors located adjacent to and rearward of the conditioner, and a right set of sensors located rightward of the conditioner. 9. The agricultural mowing assembly of claim 1, wherein the plurality of sensors comprises two or more of a camera and a color sensor. 10. The agricultural mowing assembly of claim 1, wherein each sensor of the plurality of sensors is configured for sensing a color on the field in a viewing zone which corresponds to a section of the cutter bar, and the controller is configured for pinpointing the section of the cutter bar which is cutting poorly by determining which corresponding viewing zone has a differing color from the other viewing zones. 11. A method for operating an agricultural mowing assembly, comprising:
providing an agricultural vehicle, at least one mowing device connected to the agricultural vehicle, the at least one mowing device comprising a frame and a cutter bar movably connected to the frame, and the cutter bar being configured for mowing a crop material in a field, and a cut quality detection system, the cut quality detection system comprising a plurality of sensors connected to the frame and a controller operably connected to the plurality of sensors; mowing the field by the at least one mowing device; sensing, by the plurality of sensors, color variations on the field; and determining, by the controller, a cut quality of the cutter bar based upon the sensed color variations on the field. 12. The method of claim 11, wherein the step of sensing by the plurality of sensors comprises sensing a first color associated with a cut surface of the field upon the field being cut by the cutter bar and sensing a second color associated with the crop material remaining on the field. 13. The method of claim 12, wherein the step of determining the cut quality of the cutter bar by the controller further comprises comparing an amount of the first color and an amount of the second color. 14. The method of claim 11, wherein the cut quality detection system comprises a lighting device connected to the frame adjacent to the plurality of sensors, and the method further comprises illuminating the field by the lighting device. 15. The method of claim 14, wherein the lighting device comprises a plurality of lights arranged in an array. 16. The method of claim 14, wherein the cut quality detection system further comprises a protective hood connected to the frame, and the protective hood at least partially houses at least one sensor of the plurality of the sensors and the lighting device. 17. The method of claim 11, wherein the cut quality detection system further comprises at least one color-baseline sensor supported by the frame and operably connected to the controller, and the method further comprises sensing, by the at least one crop-color-baseline, a baseline color of at least one of the crop material and the field and for providing the sensed baseline color to the controller, and the step of determining the cut quality of the cutter bar by the controller further comprises comparing the sensed baseline color and the sensed color variations on the field from the plurality of sensors. 18. The method of claim 17, wherein the at least one mowing device further comprises a crop gate connected to the frame and configured for directing the crop material out of the at least one mowing device and onto the field, and the at least one color-baseline sensor is connected to the crop gate and is further configured for sensing the baseline color of the crop material as the crop material travels through the crop gate. 19. The method of claim 11, wherein the at least one mowing device is in the form of at least one mower conditioner that further comprises a conditioner, and the plurality of sensors comprises a left set of sensors located leftward of the conditioner, a middle set of sensors located adjacent to and rearward of the conditioner, and a right set of sensors located rightward of the conditioner. 20. The method of claim 11, wherein the step of sensing by the plurality of sensors further comprises sensing, by each sensor of the plurality of sensors, a color on the field in a viewing zone which corresponds to a section of the cutter bar, and the method further includes a step of pinpointing, by the controller, the section of the cutter bar which is cutting poorly by determining which corresponding viewing zone has a differing color from the other viewing zones. | 2,800 |
343,784 | 16,803,221 | 2,849 | Systems and methods provide airflow to a first area from a second area within a vehicle. The system includes a fan mounted within a door separating the first area from the second area. The fan is configured to direct airflow from the second area into the first area. The fan having a shield positioned adjacent to the second area that is configured to conceal the fan. | 1. A system for providing airflow in a vehicle, the system comprising:
a fan mounted within a door separating a first area from a second area, the fan being configured to direct airflow from the second area into the first area; and a shield positioned adjacent to the fan and facing the second area, the shield configured to conceal the fan. 2. The system of claim 1, wherein the airflow increases an air pressure within the first area. 3. The system of claim 2, wherein the door includes a vent valve configured to reduce the air pressure within the first area. 4. The system of claim 1, further comprising a filter situated between the shield and the fan within the door, the filter configured to remove particles from the airflow. 5. The system of claim 4, wherein the filter is a high efficiency particulate air (HEPA) type filter. 6. The system of claim 1, wherein the fan includes a light source configured to indicate at least one of operation of the fan, a status of a filter, or a condition within the first area. 7. The system of claim 1, wherein the fan is operably coupled to an environmental control system (ECS), the fan being configured to activate based on instructions received from the ECS. 8. The system of claim 1, wherein the first area includes a user interface, the fan being configured to activate based on instructions received from the user interface. 9. The system of claim 1, further comprising a second fan mounted within the door configured to direct airflow from the second area into the first area, wherein the shield is configured to conceal both the first fan and the second fan. 10. The system of claim 1, further comprising an elastomeric mount configured to dampen sound emitted by the fan. 11. The system of claim 1, wherein the shield is a metal or ceramic plate configured to absorb an impact or stop penetration of an external projectile into the fan. 12. A method for providing airflow in a vehicle, the method comprising:
mounting a fan within a door that separates a first area from a second area, wherein the fan is coupled to a shield positioned adjacent to the second area, and wherein the fan is configured to direct an airflow from the second area into the first area. 13. The method of claim 12, wherein the directing operation includes adjusting an air pressure within the first area. 14. The method of claim 13, further comprising releasing air pressure from the first area via a vent valve positioned on the door. 15. The method of claim 12, further comprising filtering the airflow from the second area by removing particles from the airflow into the first area. 16. The method of claim 12, further comprising activating a light source that indicates at least one of operation of the fan, a status of a filter, or a condition within the first area. 17. The method of claim 12, further comprising activating the fan based on instructions received from an environmental control system or a user interface. 18. The method of claim 12, further comprising activating a second fan mounted within the door to direct airflow from the second area into the first area, wherein the shield is configured to conceal the second fan. 19. The method of claim 12, further comprising dampening sound emitted by the fan by an elastomeric mount. 20. A method for providing airflow in a vehicle, the method comprising:
causing a fan to direct airflow from a first area to a second area, wherein the fan is within a door that separates the first area from the second area, and wherein the fan is coupled to a shield positioned adjacent to the second area. | Systems and methods provide airflow to a first area from a second area within a vehicle. The system includes a fan mounted within a door separating the first area from the second area. The fan is configured to direct airflow from the second area into the first area. The fan having a shield positioned adjacent to the second area that is configured to conceal the fan.1. A system for providing airflow in a vehicle, the system comprising:
a fan mounted within a door separating a first area from a second area, the fan being configured to direct airflow from the second area into the first area; and a shield positioned adjacent to the fan and facing the second area, the shield configured to conceal the fan. 2. The system of claim 1, wherein the airflow increases an air pressure within the first area. 3. The system of claim 2, wherein the door includes a vent valve configured to reduce the air pressure within the first area. 4. The system of claim 1, further comprising a filter situated between the shield and the fan within the door, the filter configured to remove particles from the airflow. 5. The system of claim 4, wherein the filter is a high efficiency particulate air (HEPA) type filter. 6. The system of claim 1, wherein the fan includes a light source configured to indicate at least one of operation of the fan, a status of a filter, or a condition within the first area. 7. The system of claim 1, wherein the fan is operably coupled to an environmental control system (ECS), the fan being configured to activate based on instructions received from the ECS. 8. The system of claim 1, wherein the first area includes a user interface, the fan being configured to activate based on instructions received from the user interface. 9. The system of claim 1, further comprising a second fan mounted within the door configured to direct airflow from the second area into the first area, wherein the shield is configured to conceal both the first fan and the second fan. 10. The system of claim 1, further comprising an elastomeric mount configured to dampen sound emitted by the fan. 11. The system of claim 1, wherein the shield is a metal or ceramic plate configured to absorb an impact or stop penetration of an external projectile into the fan. 12. A method for providing airflow in a vehicle, the method comprising:
mounting a fan within a door that separates a first area from a second area, wherein the fan is coupled to a shield positioned adjacent to the second area, and wherein the fan is configured to direct an airflow from the second area into the first area. 13. The method of claim 12, wherein the directing operation includes adjusting an air pressure within the first area. 14. The method of claim 13, further comprising releasing air pressure from the first area via a vent valve positioned on the door. 15. The method of claim 12, further comprising filtering the airflow from the second area by removing particles from the airflow into the first area. 16. The method of claim 12, further comprising activating a light source that indicates at least one of operation of the fan, a status of a filter, or a condition within the first area. 17. The method of claim 12, further comprising activating the fan based on instructions received from an environmental control system or a user interface. 18. The method of claim 12, further comprising activating a second fan mounted within the door to direct airflow from the second area into the first area, wherein the shield is configured to conceal the second fan. 19. The method of claim 12, further comprising dampening sound emitted by the fan by an elastomeric mount. 20. A method for providing airflow in a vehicle, the method comprising:
causing a fan to direct airflow from a first area to a second area, wherein the fan is within a door that separates the first area from the second area, and wherein the fan is coupled to a shield positioned adjacent to the second area. | 2,800 |
343,785 | 16,803,213 | 2,849 | An inspection method of an embodiment includes: positively charging a substrate on which a pattern is formed by irradiating the substrate with a first electron beam; generating a secondary electron on a surface of the substrate by irradiating the substrate with a second electron beam; detecting the generated secondary electron; and inspecting the pattern based on the detected secondary electron, in which when the substrate is irradiated with the first electron beam, the first electron beam is made incident on the substrate at an incident angle different from an incident angle of the second electron beam with respect to the substrate, while positions of an emission source of the first electron beam and the substrate are being moved relatively. | 1. An inspection method comprising:
positively charging a substrate on which a pattern is formed by irradiating the substrate with a first electron beam; generating a secondary electron on a surface of the substrate by irradiating the substrate with a second electron beam, detecting the generated secondary electron; and inspecting the pattern based on the detected secondary electron, wherein when the substrate is irradiated with the first electron beam, the first electron beam is made incident on the substrate at an incident angle different from an incident angle of the second electron beam with respect to the substrate, while positions of an emission source of the first electron beam and the substrate are being moved relatively. 2. The inspection method according to claim 1, wherein
when the substrate is irradiated with the first electron beam, an incident direction of the first electron beam toward the substrate has a vector component in a direction from a first area that has already been scanned with the first electron beam to a second area that has not been scanned. 3. The inspection method according to claim 1, wherein
when the substrate is irradiated with the first electron beam, the substrate is scanned with the first electron beam in an opposite direction to a first direction while the substrate is continuously being moved in the first direction, and an incident direction of the first electron beam toward the substrate has a vector component along the opposite direction. 4. The inspection method according to claim 3, wherein
when the substrate is irradiated with the first electron beam, the substrate is moved in the first direction while the first electron beam is being moved in a second direction intersecting the first direction by deflecting the first electron beam. 5. The inspection method according to claim 1, wherein
when the substrate is irradiated with the first electron beam, the incident angle of the first electron beam is made different from the incident angle of the second electron beam by deflecting the first electron beam. 6. The inspection method according to claim 5, wherein
the incident angle of the first electron beam with respect to the substrate is set to 10° or less. 7. The inspection method according to claim 1, wherein
when the substrate is irradiated with the first electron beam, an optical column that houses the emission source of the first electron beam is arranged with respect to the substrate at an angle different from an angle of an optical column that houses an emission source of the second electron beam. 8. The inspection method according to claim 7, wherein
the incident angle of the first electron beam with respect to the substrate is set to more than 10°. 9. The inspection method according to claim 1, wherein
on the substrate, a stacked body having a stepped portion in which a plurality of conductive layers are stacked via insulating layers and end portions of the plurality of conductive layers terminate in a stepped shape, and a plurality of contacts that are arranged for each step of the stepped portion and are to be respectively conducted with the conductive layers of the respective steps, are formed, the plurality of contacts are positively charged by irradiating the substrate with the first electron beam, potential contrasts are generated in the plurality of contacts by irradiating the substrate with the second electron beam, and based on the potential contrasts, it is determined whether or not an open failure occurs in at least one of the plurality of contacts. 10. The inspection method according to claim 9, wherein
of the plurality of contacts, a contact in which the open failure occurs is observed at a lower brightness than a contact in which the open failure does not occur. 11. The inspection method according to claim 9, wherein
the secondary electrons from, of the plurality of contacts, a contact in which the open failure occurs are detected at a lower release amount than a contact in which the open failure does not occur. 12. An inspection apparatus comprising:
a first optical column that positively charges a substrate on which a pattern is formed by irradiating the substrate with a first electron beam; and a second optical column that generates a secondary electron on a surface of the substrate by irradiating the substrate with a second electron beam, the pattern being inspected by detecting the secondary electron, wherein the first optical column and the second optical column are arranged at different angles with respect to the substrate. 13. The inspection apparatus according to claim 12, wherein
an optical axis of the first optical column and an optical axis of the second optical column do not intersect each other in traveling directions of the electron beams. 14. The inspection apparatus according to claim 12, further comprising:
a stage on which the substrate is mounted; and a control unit that controls the first and second optical columns and the stage, wherein when the substrate is irradiated with the first electron beam, the control unit causes: the substrate to be scanned with the first electron beam in an opposite direction to a first direction while the stage on which the substrate is mounted is continuously being moved in the first direction; and the first electron beam to be emitted such that an incident direction of the first electron beam toward the substrate has a vector component along the opposite direction. 15. The inspection apparatus according to claim 14, wherein
when the substrate is irradiated with the first electron beam, the control unit causes the stage on which the substrate is mounted to be moved in the first direction while the first electron beam is being moved in a second direction intersecting the first direction by deflecting the first electron beam. 16. The inspection apparatus according to claim 14, wherein
the substrate has a first area, a second area, and a third area that are lined up along the opposite direction, and the control unit causes: while the stage on which the substrate is mounted is being moved in the first direction, the first area to be scanned with the first electron beam; next, the second area to be scanned with the first electron beam, and in parallel with this, the first area to be scanned with the second electron beam; and next, the third area to be scanned with the first electron beam, and in parallel with this, the second area to be scanned with the second electron beam. 17. The inspection apparatus according to claim 12, wherein
a dimension of the first optical column is smaller than a dimension of the second optical column. 18. The inspection apparatus according to claim 12, wherein
the second optical column is arranged such that a longitudinal direction of the second optical column is substantially perpendicular to the substrate. 19. The inspection apparatus according to claim 18, wherein
an optical axis of the first optical column and an optical axis of the second optical column form an angle of more than 10°. 20. The inspection apparatus according to claim 18, wherein
the first optical column has two optical columns arranged to be tilted in opposite directions with respect to the second optical column. | An inspection method of an embodiment includes: positively charging a substrate on which a pattern is formed by irradiating the substrate with a first electron beam; generating a secondary electron on a surface of the substrate by irradiating the substrate with a second electron beam; detecting the generated secondary electron; and inspecting the pattern based on the detected secondary electron, in which when the substrate is irradiated with the first electron beam, the first electron beam is made incident on the substrate at an incident angle different from an incident angle of the second electron beam with respect to the substrate, while positions of an emission source of the first electron beam and the substrate are being moved relatively.1. An inspection method comprising:
positively charging a substrate on which a pattern is formed by irradiating the substrate with a first electron beam; generating a secondary electron on a surface of the substrate by irradiating the substrate with a second electron beam, detecting the generated secondary electron; and inspecting the pattern based on the detected secondary electron, wherein when the substrate is irradiated with the first electron beam, the first electron beam is made incident on the substrate at an incident angle different from an incident angle of the second electron beam with respect to the substrate, while positions of an emission source of the first electron beam and the substrate are being moved relatively. 2. The inspection method according to claim 1, wherein
when the substrate is irradiated with the first electron beam, an incident direction of the first electron beam toward the substrate has a vector component in a direction from a first area that has already been scanned with the first electron beam to a second area that has not been scanned. 3. The inspection method according to claim 1, wherein
when the substrate is irradiated with the first electron beam, the substrate is scanned with the first electron beam in an opposite direction to a first direction while the substrate is continuously being moved in the first direction, and an incident direction of the first electron beam toward the substrate has a vector component along the opposite direction. 4. The inspection method according to claim 3, wherein
when the substrate is irradiated with the first electron beam, the substrate is moved in the first direction while the first electron beam is being moved in a second direction intersecting the first direction by deflecting the first electron beam. 5. The inspection method according to claim 1, wherein
when the substrate is irradiated with the first electron beam, the incident angle of the first electron beam is made different from the incident angle of the second electron beam by deflecting the first electron beam. 6. The inspection method according to claim 5, wherein
the incident angle of the first electron beam with respect to the substrate is set to 10° or less. 7. The inspection method according to claim 1, wherein
when the substrate is irradiated with the first electron beam, an optical column that houses the emission source of the first electron beam is arranged with respect to the substrate at an angle different from an angle of an optical column that houses an emission source of the second electron beam. 8. The inspection method according to claim 7, wherein
the incident angle of the first electron beam with respect to the substrate is set to more than 10°. 9. The inspection method according to claim 1, wherein
on the substrate, a stacked body having a stepped portion in which a plurality of conductive layers are stacked via insulating layers and end portions of the plurality of conductive layers terminate in a stepped shape, and a plurality of contacts that are arranged for each step of the stepped portion and are to be respectively conducted with the conductive layers of the respective steps, are formed, the plurality of contacts are positively charged by irradiating the substrate with the first electron beam, potential contrasts are generated in the plurality of contacts by irradiating the substrate with the second electron beam, and based on the potential contrasts, it is determined whether or not an open failure occurs in at least one of the plurality of contacts. 10. The inspection method according to claim 9, wherein
of the plurality of contacts, a contact in which the open failure occurs is observed at a lower brightness than a contact in which the open failure does not occur. 11. The inspection method according to claim 9, wherein
the secondary electrons from, of the plurality of contacts, a contact in which the open failure occurs are detected at a lower release amount than a contact in which the open failure does not occur. 12. An inspection apparatus comprising:
a first optical column that positively charges a substrate on which a pattern is formed by irradiating the substrate with a first electron beam; and a second optical column that generates a secondary electron on a surface of the substrate by irradiating the substrate with a second electron beam, the pattern being inspected by detecting the secondary electron, wherein the first optical column and the second optical column are arranged at different angles with respect to the substrate. 13. The inspection apparatus according to claim 12, wherein
an optical axis of the first optical column and an optical axis of the second optical column do not intersect each other in traveling directions of the electron beams. 14. The inspection apparatus according to claim 12, further comprising:
a stage on which the substrate is mounted; and a control unit that controls the first and second optical columns and the stage, wherein when the substrate is irradiated with the first electron beam, the control unit causes: the substrate to be scanned with the first electron beam in an opposite direction to a first direction while the stage on which the substrate is mounted is continuously being moved in the first direction; and the first electron beam to be emitted such that an incident direction of the first electron beam toward the substrate has a vector component along the opposite direction. 15. The inspection apparatus according to claim 14, wherein
when the substrate is irradiated with the first electron beam, the control unit causes the stage on which the substrate is mounted to be moved in the first direction while the first electron beam is being moved in a second direction intersecting the first direction by deflecting the first electron beam. 16. The inspection apparatus according to claim 14, wherein
the substrate has a first area, a second area, and a third area that are lined up along the opposite direction, and the control unit causes: while the stage on which the substrate is mounted is being moved in the first direction, the first area to be scanned with the first electron beam; next, the second area to be scanned with the first electron beam, and in parallel with this, the first area to be scanned with the second electron beam; and next, the third area to be scanned with the first electron beam, and in parallel with this, the second area to be scanned with the second electron beam. 17. The inspection apparatus according to claim 12, wherein
a dimension of the first optical column is smaller than a dimension of the second optical column. 18. The inspection apparatus according to claim 12, wherein
the second optical column is arranged such that a longitudinal direction of the second optical column is substantially perpendicular to the substrate. 19. The inspection apparatus according to claim 18, wherein
an optical axis of the first optical column and an optical axis of the second optical column form an angle of more than 10°. 20. The inspection apparatus according to claim 18, wherein
the first optical column has two optical columns arranged to be tilted in opposite directions with respect to the second optical column. | 2,800 |
343,786 | 16,803,233 | 2,849 | Various methods and systems are provided for a patient monitoring compliance system. In one embodiment, a method includes determining, over a duration, a relative amount of monitored time where data from the one or more monitoring devices was usable for monitoring one or more parameters of a patient, and if the relative amount of monitored time is less than a threshold amount of monitored time, outputting a first notification. | 1. A method for patient monitoring, comprising:
determining, over a duration, a relative amount of monitored time where data from one or more monitoring devices was usable for monitoring one or more parameters of a patient; and if the relative amount of monitored time is less than a threshold amount of monitored time, outputting a first notification. 2. The method of claim 1, further comprising, prior to determining the relative amount of monitored time:
obtaining a monitoring protocol for the patient that includes one or more target parameters from a set of possible parameters to be monitored; identifying one or more current parameters of the patient that are currently being monitored; determining whether the one or more current parameters match the one or more target parameters; and responsive to determining that the one or more current parameters do not match the one or more target parameters, outputting a second notification. 3. The method of claim 2, wherein determining whether the one or more current parameters match the one or more target parameters comprises determining that the patient is being under-monitored in response to the one or more current parameters including fewer parameters than the one or more target parameters; and
wherein outputting the second notification comprises outputting the second notification responsive to determining that the patient is being under-monitored. 4. The method of claim 2, wherein determining whether the one or more current parameters match the one or more target parameters comprises determining that the patient is being over-monitored in response to the one or more current parameters including more parameters than the one or more target parameters; and
wherein outputting the second notification comprises outputting the second notification responsive to determining that the patient is being over-monitored. 5. The method of claim 1, wherein outputting the first notification comprises outputting the first notification for display on a display device. 6. The method of claim 1, further comprising determining, over the duration, a relative amount of alarm time, the relative amount of alarm time including a total amount of time over the duration that any of the one or more monitoring devices were issuing an alarm; and
if the relative amount of alarm time is greater than a threshold alarm time, outputting a second notification. 7. The method of claim 1, further comprising:
determining a duration of a connection delay, the duration of the connection delay including an amount of time from when a monitoring order was entered for the patient to when the one or more monitoring devices were actually monitoring the patient; and if the duration of the connection delay is greater than a threshold connection delay, outputting a third notification. 8. The method of claim 1, further comprising determining a duration of a disconnect delay, the duration of the disconnect delay including an amount of time from when a monitoring disconnect order was entered for the patient to when the one or more monitoring devices were actually disconnected from the patient; and
if the duration of the disconnect delay is greater than a threshold disconnect delay, outputting a fourth notification. 9. The method of claim 1, wherein determining the relative amount of monitored time comprises determining an amount of unmonitored time, over the duration, where the data from the one or more monitoring devices was not usable for monitoring the one or more parameters, including time where data from the one or more monitoring devices was not received, based on a signal quality of the data;
correcting the amount of unmonitored time by planned unmonitored time and/or based on a location of the one or more clinicians relative to the patient; and determining the relative amount of monitored time based on the corrected amount of unmonitored time relative to a total length of the duration. 10. The method of claim 1, further comprising generating a patient list that includes a relative amount of monitored time for each of a plurality of patients and outputting the patient list for display on a display device. 11. A monitoring compliance management system, comprising:
one or more monitoring devices configured to monitor a patient; a display device; a processor; and a non-transitory memory configured with executable instructions stored thereon that when executed cause the processor to:
receive data from the one or more monitoring devices;
determine, over a duration, a relative amount of monitored time where the data from the one or more monitoring devices was usable for monitoring one or more parameters of the patient, the relative amount of monitored time determined at least in part based on planned unmonitored time, a location of one or more clinicians relative to the patient, and/or a signal quality of the data; and
if the relative amount of monitored time is less than a threshold amount of monitored time, output a first notification for display on the display device. 12. The system of claim 11, wherein the instructions, when executed, further cause the processor to:
determine, over the duration, a relative amount of alarm time, the relative amount of alarm time including a total amount of time over the duration that any of the one or more monitoring devices were issuing an alarm; and if the relative amount of alarm time is greater than a threshold alarm time, output a second notification. 13. The system of claim 11, wherein the instructions, when executed, further cause the processor to:
determine a duration of a connection delay, the duration of the connection delay including an amount of time from when a monitoring order was entered for the patient to when the one or more monitoring devices were actually monitoring the patient; and if the duration of the connection delay is greater than a threshold connection delay, output a third notification. 14. The system of claim 11, wherein the instructions, when executed, further cause the processor to:
determine a duration of a disconnect delay, the duration of the disconnect delay including an amount of time from when a monitoring disconnect order was entered for the patient to when the one or more monitoring devices were actually disconnected from the patient; and if the duration of the disconnect delay is greater than a threshold disconnect delay, output a fourth notification. 15. The system of claim 11, wherein determining the relative amount of monitored time at least in part based on the planned unmonitored time, the location of one or more clinicians relative to the patient, and/or the signal quality of the data comprises:
determining an amount of unmonitored time, over the duration, where the data from the one or more monitoring devices was not usable for monitoring the one or more parameters, including time where data from the one or more monitoring devices was not received, based on the signal quality of the data; correcting the amount of unmonitored time by the planned unmonitored time and/or based on the location of the one or more clinicians relative to the patient; and determining the relative amount of monitored time based on the corrected amount of unmonitored time relative to a total length of the duration. 16. A method for patient monitoring, comprising:
obtaining a monitoring protocol for a patient including one or more target parameters from a set of possible parameters to be monitored; receiving data from one or more monitoring devices configured to monitor one or more current parameters of the patient; determining a monitoring condition of the patient based on the monitoring protocol and the data received from the one or more monitoring devices; and outputting an indication of the monitoring condition for display on a display device. 17. The method of claim 16, wherein determining the monitoring condition of the patient comprises determining that the patient is being under-monitored in response to the one or more current parameters being less than the one or more target parameters; and
wherein outputting the indication of the monitoring condition comprises outputting a notification indicating that the patient is being under-monitored in response to determining that the patient is being under-monitored. 18. The method of claim 16, wherein determining the monitoring condition of the patient comprises determining that the patient is being over-monitored in response to the one or more current parameters being more than the one or more target parameters; and
wherein outputting the indication of the monitoring condition comprises outputting a notification indicating that the patient is being over-monitored in response to determining that the patient is being over-monitored. 19. The method of claim 16, wherein determining the monitoring condition of the patient comprises determining, over a duration, a relative amount of monitored time where the data from the one or more monitoring devices was usable for monitoring the one or more target parameters of the patient; and
wherein outputting the indication of the monitoring condition comprises outputting a representation of the relative amount of monitored time. 20. The method of claim 16, wherein the monitoring protocol is generated based on one or more of user input from a clinician, department and/or facility guidelines, and medical governing body guidelines. | Various methods and systems are provided for a patient monitoring compliance system. In one embodiment, a method includes determining, over a duration, a relative amount of monitored time where data from the one or more monitoring devices was usable for monitoring one or more parameters of a patient, and if the relative amount of monitored time is less than a threshold amount of monitored time, outputting a first notification.1. A method for patient monitoring, comprising:
determining, over a duration, a relative amount of monitored time where data from one or more monitoring devices was usable for monitoring one or more parameters of a patient; and if the relative amount of monitored time is less than a threshold amount of monitored time, outputting a first notification. 2. The method of claim 1, further comprising, prior to determining the relative amount of monitored time:
obtaining a monitoring protocol for the patient that includes one or more target parameters from a set of possible parameters to be monitored; identifying one or more current parameters of the patient that are currently being monitored; determining whether the one or more current parameters match the one or more target parameters; and responsive to determining that the one or more current parameters do not match the one or more target parameters, outputting a second notification. 3. The method of claim 2, wherein determining whether the one or more current parameters match the one or more target parameters comprises determining that the patient is being under-monitored in response to the one or more current parameters including fewer parameters than the one or more target parameters; and
wherein outputting the second notification comprises outputting the second notification responsive to determining that the patient is being under-monitored. 4. The method of claim 2, wherein determining whether the one or more current parameters match the one or more target parameters comprises determining that the patient is being over-monitored in response to the one or more current parameters including more parameters than the one or more target parameters; and
wherein outputting the second notification comprises outputting the second notification responsive to determining that the patient is being over-monitored. 5. The method of claim 1, wherein outputting the first notification comprises outputting the first notification for display on a display device. 6. The method of claim 1, further comprising determining, over the duration, a relative amount of alarm time, the relative amount of alarm time including a total amount of time over the duration that any of the one or more monitoring devices were issuing an alarm; and
if the relative amount of alarm time is greater than a threshold alarm time, outputting a second notification. 7. The method of claim 1, further comprising:
determining a duration of a connection delay, the duration of the connection delay including an amount of time from when a monitoring order was entered for the patient to when the one or more monitoring devices were actually monitoring the patient; and if the duration of the connection delay is greater than a threshold connection delay, outputting a third notification. 8. The method of claim 1, further comprising determining a duration of a disconnect delay, the duration of the disconnect delay including an amount of time from when a monitoring disconnect order was entered for the patient to when the one or more monitoring devices were actually disconnected from the patient; and
if the duration of the disconnect delay is greater than a threshold disconnect delay, outputting a fourth notification. 9. The method of claim 1, wherein determining the relative amount of monitored time comprises determining an amount of unmonitored time, over the duration, where the data from the one or more monitoring devices was not usable for monitoring the one or more parameters, including time where data from the one or more monitoring devices was not received, based on a signal quality of the data;
correcting the amount of unmonitored time by planned unmonitored time and/or based on a location of the one or more clinicians relative to the patient; and determining the relative amount of monitored time based on the corrected amount of unmonitored time relative to a total length of the duration. 10. The method of claim 1, further comprising generating a patient list that includes a relative amount of monitored time for each of a plurality of patients and outputting the patient list for display on a display device. 11. A monitoring compliance management system, comprising:
one or more monitoring devices configured to monitor a patient; a display device; a processor; and a non-transitory memory configured with executable instructions stored thereon that when executed cause the processor to:
receive data from the one or more monitoring devices;
determine, over a duration, a relative amount of monitored time where the data from the one or more monitoring devices was usable for monitoring one or more parameters of the patient, the relative amount of monitored time determined at least in part based on planned unmonitored time, a location of one or more clinicians relative to the patient, and/or a signal quality of the data; and
if the relative amount of monitored time is less than a threshold amount of monitored time, output a first notification for display on the display device. 12. The system of claim 11, wherein the instructions, when executed, further cause the processor to:
determine, over the duration, a relative amount of alarm time, the relative amount of alarm time including a total amount of time over the duration that any of the one or more monitoring devices were issuing an alarm; and if the relative amount of alarm time is greater than a threshold alarm time, output a second notification. 13. The system of claim 11, wherein the instructions, when executed, further cause the processor to:
determine a duration of a connection delay, the duration of the connection delay including an amount of time from when a monitoring order was entered for the patient to when the one or more monitoring devices were actually monitoring the patient; and if the duration of the connection delay is greater than a threshold connection delay, output a third notification. 14. The system of claim 11, wherein the instructions, when executed, further cause the processor to:
determine a duration of a disconnect delay, the duration of the disconnect delay including an amount of time from when a monitoring disconnect order was entered for the patient to when the one or more monitoring devices were actually disconnected from the patient; and if the duration of the disconnect delay is greater than a threshold disconnect delay, output a fourth notification. 15. The system of claim 11, wherein determining the relative amount of monitored time at least in part based on the planned unmonitored time, the location of one or more clinicians relative to the patient, and/or the signal quality of the data comprises:
determining an amount of unmonitored time, over the duration, where the data from the one or more monitoring devices was not usable for monitoring the one or more parameters, including time where data from the one or more monitoring devices was not received, based on the signal quality of the data; correcting the amount of unmonitored time by the planned unmonitored time and/or based on the location of the one or more clinicians relative to the patient; and determining the relative amount of monitored time based on the corrected amount of unmonitored time relative to a total length of the duration. 16. A method for patient monitoring, comprising:
obtaining a monitoring protocol for a patient including one or more target parameters from a set of possible parameters to be monitored; receiving data from one or more monitoring devices configured to monitor one or more current parameters of the patient; determining a monitoring condition of the patient based on the monitoring protocol and the data received from the one or more monitoring devices; and outputting an indication of the monitoring condition for display on a display device. 17. The method of claim 16, wherein determining the monitoring condition of the patient comprises determining that the patient is being under-monitored in response to the one or more current parameters being less than the one or more target parameters; and
wherein outputting the indication of the monitoring condition comprises outputting a notification indicating that the patient is being under-monitored in response to determining that the patient is being under-monitored. 18. The method of claim 16, wherein determining the monitoring condition of the patient comprises determining that the patient is being over-monitored in response to the one or more current parameters being more than the one or more target parameters; and
wherein outputting the indication of the monitoring condition comprises outputting a notification indicating that the patient is being over-monitored in response to determining that the patient is being over-monitored. 19. The method of claim 16, wherein determining the monitoring condition of the patient comprises determining, over a duration, a relative amount of monitored time where the data from the one or more monitoring devices was usable for monitoring the one or more target parameters of the patient; and
wherein outputting the indication of the monitoring condition comprises outputting a representation of the relative amount of monitored time. 20. The method of claim 16, wherein the monitoring protocol is generated based on one or more of user input from a clinician, department and/or facility guidelines, and medical governing body guidelines. | 2,800 |
343,787 | 16,803,226 | 2,849 | A capacitive element is located in an active region of the substrate and on a front face of the substrate. The capacitive element includes a first electrode and a second electrode. The first electrode is formed by a first conductive region and the active region. The second electrode is formed by a second conductive region and a monolithic conductive region having one part covering a surface of said front face and at least one part extending into the active region perpendicularly to said front face. The first conductive region is located between and is insulated from the monolithic conductive region and a second conductive region. | 1. A method for manufacturing a capacitive element which includes a first electrode and a second electrode, comprising:
delimiting an active region in a semiconductor substrate having a front face; forming a monolithic conductive region by:
etching a trench extending into the active region perpendicularly to the front face, and
filling said trench with a conductive material overflowing from the trench over part of the front face, so that the monolithic conductive region comprises one part covering a surface of said front face and at least one part extending into the active region perpendicularly to said front face;
form a first conductive region; form a second conductive region; making electrical couplings to form the first electrode including the first conductive region and the active region and the second electrode including the monolithic conductive region and the second conductive region; wherein the first conductive region is located between and insulated from the monolithic conductive region and the second conductive region. 2. The method according to claim 1, further comprising:
doping the active region with a first type of conductivity; implanting counter-implant dopants with a second type of conductivity opposed to the first type of conductivity into the front face for form a counter-implant region; forming a first contact area in the active region having a local overdoping with the first type of conductivity; and forming a second contact area coupled to the counter-implant region having a local overdoping with the second type of conductivity. 3. The method according to claim 1, wherein forming the first conductive region, forming the second conductive region and forming the monolithic conductive region each comprise depositing polycrystalline silicon. 4. The method according to claim 1, further comprising forming dielectric regions which electrically isolate the first electrode and the second electrode. 5. The method according to claim 4, wherein forming dielectric regions comprises:
forming a first dielectric layer between said monolithic conductive region and said active region; forming a second dielectric layer between said first conductive region and the monolithic conductive region; and forming a third dielectric layer between said second conductive region and the first conductive region. 6. The method according to claim 5, wherein the first dielectric layer has a thickness of between 3 nm and 4 nm, the second dielectric layer has a thickness of between 7 nm and 8 nm, and the third dielectric layer has a thickness of between 14 nm and 15 nm. 7. The method according to claim 5, wherein the first dielectric layer has a thickness of between 8 nm and 9 nm, the second dielectric layer has a thickness of between 8 nm and 9 nm, and the third dielectric layer has a thickness of between 12 nm and 13 nm. 8. The method according to claim 5, wherein forming the first dielectric layer is carried out simultaneously with forming a vertical gate oxide layer of a vertical-gate transistor. 9. The method according to claim 5, wherein form the second dielectric layer is carried out simultaneously with forming a tunnel dielectric of a floating-gate transistor, and forming the third dielectric layer is carried out simultaneously with forming a control gate oxide of the floating-gate transistor. 10. The method according to claim 1, wherein forming the monolithic conductive region is carried out simultaneously with form a vertical gate of a vertical-gate buried transistor. 11. The method according to claim 1, wherein the forming the first conductive region is carried out simultaneously with forming a floating gate of a floating-gate transistor, and forming the third dielectric layer is carried out simultaneously with forming a control gate oxide of the floating-gate transistor, and forming the second conductive layer is carried out simultaneously with forming a control gate oxide of the floating-gate transistor. 12. An integrated circuit, comprising:
a semiconductor substrate having an active region and a front face; and a capacitive element located in the active region and on part of the front face, the capacitive element comprising:
a first electrode and a second electrode, wherein the first electrode comprises a first conductive region and the active region, wherein the second electrode comprises a second conductive region and a monolithic conductive region;
wherein the monolithic conductive region comprises one part covering a surface of said front face and at least one part extending into the active region perpendicularly to said front face;
wherein the first conductive region is located between and insulated from the monolithic conductive region and the second conductive region. 13. The integrated circuit according to claim 12, wherein the active region is doped with a first type of conductivity and comprises, at the front face, a counter-implant layer doped with a second type of conductivity opposed to the first type of conductivity, wherein the first electrode comprises, in the active region, a first contact area overdoped with the first type of conductivity and a second contact area overdoped with the second type of conductivity electrically that is connected to the counter-implant layer. 14. The integrated circuit according to claim 12, wherein the first conductive region, the second conductive region and the monolithic conductive region each comprise polycrystalline silicon. 15. The integrated circuit according to claim 12, wherein the capacitive element comprises a dielectric region which electrically isolates the first electrode and the second electrode. 16. The integrated circuit according to claim 15, wherein the dielectric region comprises a first dielectric layer which electrically isolates said monolithic conductive region and said active region, a second dielectric layer which electrically isolates said first conductive region and said monolithic conductive region, and a third dielectric layer which electrically isolates said second conductive region and the first conductive region. 17. The integrated circuit according to claim 16, wherein the first dielectric layer has a thickness of between 3 nm and 4 nm, the second dielectric layer has a thickness of between 7 nm and 8 nm, and the third dielectric layer has a thickness of between 14 nm and 15 nm. 18. The integrated circuit according to claim 16, wherein the first dielectric layer has a thickness of between 8 nm and 9 nm, the second dielectric layer has a thickness of between 8 nm and 9 nm, and the third dielectric layer has a thickness of between 12 nm and 13 nm. 19. The integrated circuit according to claim 12, further comprising a nonvolatile memory device incorporating at least one memory cell comprising a floating-gate transistor, wherein said floating-gate transistor comprises a floating gate formed in the material of the first conductive region and a control gate formed in the material of the second conductive region. 20. The integrated circuit according to claim 19:
wherein the dielectric region comprises a first dielectric layer which electrically isolates said monolithic conductive region and said active region, a second dielectric layer which electrically isolates said first conductive region and said monolithic conductive region, and a third dielectric layer which electrically isolates said second conductive region and the first conductive region; and wherein said floating-gate transistor comprises a tunnel oxide formed by a layer of material which forms the second dielectric layer, and a control gate dielectric region formed by a layer of material which forms the third dielectric layer. 21. The integrated circuit according to claim 12, further comprising a nonvolatile memory device incorporating at least one memory cell comprising a vertical-gate buried transistor, wherein said vertical-gate buried transistor comprises a vertical gate formed in the material of the monolithic conductive region. 22. The integrated circuit according to claim 21:
wherein the dielectric region comprises a first dielectric layer which electrically isolates said monolithic conductive region and said active region, a second dielectric layer which electrically isolates said first conductive region and said monolithic conductive region, and a third dielectric layer which electrically isolates said second conductive region and the first conductive region; and wherein said vertical-gate buried transistor comprises a vertical gate oxide formed by a layer of material which forms the first dielectric layer, said floating-gate transistor comprises a tunnel oxide formed in the material of the second dielectric layer, and/or said floating-gate transistor comprises a control gate dielectric region formed in the material of the third dielectric layer. | A capacitive element is located in an active region of the substrate and on a front face of the substrate. The capacitive element includes a first electrode and a second electrode. The first electrode is formed by a first conductive region and the active region. The second electrode is formed by a second conductive region and a monolithic conductive region having one part covering a surface of said front face and at least one part extending into the active region perpendicularly to said front face. The first conductive region is located between and is insulated from the monolithic conductive region and a second conductive region.1. A method for manufacturing a capacitive element which includes a first electrode and a second electrode, comprising:
delimiting an active region in a semiconductor substrate having a front face; forming a monolithic conductive region by:
etching a trench extending into the active region perpendicularly to the front face, and
filling said trench with a conductive material overflowing from the trench over part of the front face, so that the monolithic conductive region comprises one part covering a surface of said front face and at least one part extending into the active region perpendicularly to said front face;
form a first conductive region; form a second conductive region; making electrical couplings to form the first electrode including the first conductive region and the active region and the second electrode including the monolithic conductive region and the second conductive region; wherein the first conductive region is located between and insulated from the monolithic conductive region and the second conductive region. 2. The method according to claim 1, further comprising:
doping the active region with a first type of conductivity; implanting counter-implant dopants with a second type of conductivity opposed to the first type of conductivity into the front face for form a counter-implant region; forming a first contact area in the active region having a local overdoping with the first type of conductivity; and forming a second contact area coupled to the counter-implant region having a local overdoping with the second type of conductivity. 3. The method according to claim 1, wherein forming the first conductive region, forming the second conductive region and forming the monolithic conductive region each comprise depositing polycrystalline silicon. 4. The method according to claim 1, further comprising forming dielectric regions which electrically isolate the first electrode and the second electrode. 5. The method according to claim 4, wherein forming dielectric regions comprises:
forming a first dielectric layer between said monolithic conductive region and said active region; forming a second dielectric layer between said first conductive region and the monolithic conductive region; and forming a third dielectric layer between said second conductive region and the first conductive region. 6. The method according to claim 5, wherein the first dielectric layer has a thickness of between 3 nm and 4 nm, the second dielectric layer has a thickness of between 7 nm and 8 nm, and the third dielectric layer has a thickness of between 14 nm and 15 nm. 7. The method according to claim 5, wherein the first dielectric layer has a thickness of between 8 nm and 9 nm, the second dielectric layer has a thickness of between 8 nm and 9 nm, and the third dielectric layer has a thickness of between 12 nm and 13 nm. 8. The method according to claim 5, wherein forming the first dielectric layer is carried out simultaneously with forming a vertical gate oxide layer of a vertical-gate transistor. 9. The method according to claim 5, wherein form the second dielectric layer is carried out simultaneously with forming a tunnel dielectric of a floating-gate transistor, and forming the third dielectric layer is carried out simultaneously with forming a control gate oxide of the floating-gate transistor. 10. The method according to claim 1, wherein forming the monolithic conductive region is carried out simultaneously with form a vertical gate of a vertical-gate buried transistor. 11. The method according to claim 1, wherein the forming the first conductive region is carried out simultaneously with forming a floating gate of a floating-gate transistor, and forming the third dielectric layer is carried out simultaneously with forming a control gate oxide of the floating-gate transistor, and forming the second conductive layer is carried out simultaneously with forming a control gate oxide of the floating-gate transistor. 12. An integrated circuit, comprising:
a semiconductor substrate having an active region and a front face; and a capacitive element located in the active region and on part of the front face, the capacitive element comprising:
a first electrode and a second electrode, wherein the first electrode comprises a first conductive region and the active region, wherein the second electrode comprises a second conductive region and a monolithic conductive region;
wherein the monolithic conductive region comprises one part covering a surface of said front face and at least one part extending into the active region perpendicularly to said front face;
wherein the first conductive region is located between and insulated from the monolithic conductive region and the second conductive region. 13. The integrated circuit according to claim 12, wherein the active region is doped with a first type of conductivity and comprises, at the front face, a counter-implant layer doped with a second type of conductivity opposed to the first type of conductivity, wherein the first electrode comprises, in the active region, a first contact area overdoped with the first type of conductivity and a second contact area overdoped with the second type of conductivity electrically that is connected to the counter-implant layer. 14. The integrated circuit according to claim 12, wherein the first conductive region, the second conductive region and the monolithic conductive region each comprise polycrystalline silicon. 15. The integrated circuit according to claim 12, wherein the capacitive element comprises a dielectric region which electrically isolates the first electrode and the second electrode. 16. The integrated circuit according to claim 15, wherein the dielectric region comprises a first dielectric layer which electrically isolates said monolithic conductive region and said active region, a second dielectric layer which electrically isolates said first conductive region and said monolithic conductive region, and a third dielectric layer which electrically isolates said second conductive region and the first conductive region. 17. The integrated circuit according to claim 16, wherein the first dielectric layer has a thickness of between 3 nm and 4 nm, the second dielectric layer has a thickness of between 7 nm and 8 nm, and the third dielectric layer has a thickness of between 14 nm and 15 nm. 18. The integrated circuit according to claim 16, wherein the first dielectric layer has a thickness of between 8 nm and 9 nm, the second dielectric layer has a thickness of between 8 nm and 9 nm, and the third dielectric layer has a thickness of between 12 nm and 13 nm. 19. The integrated circuit according to claim 12, further comprising a nonvolatile memory device incorporating at least one memory cell comprising a floating-gate transistor, wherein said floating-gate transistor comprises a floating gate formed in the material of the first conductive region and a control gate formed in the material of the second conductive region. 20. The integrated circuit according to claim 19:
wherein the dielectric region comprises a first dielectric layer which electrically isolates said monolithic conductive region and said active region, a second dielectric layer which electrically isolates said first conductive region and said monolithic conductive region, and a third dielectric layer which electrically isolates said second conductive region and the first conductive region; and wherein said floating-gate transistor comprises a tunnel oxide formed by a layer of material which forms the second dielectric layer, and a control gate dielectric region formed by a layer of material which forms the third dielectric layer. 21. The integrated circuit according to claim 12, further comprising a nonvolatile memory device incorporating at least one memory cell comprising a vertical-gate buried transistor, wherein said vertical-gate buried transistor comprises a vertical gate formed in the material of the monolithic conductive region. 22. The integrated circuit according to claim 21:
wherein the dielectric region comprises a first dielectric layer which electrically isolates said monolithic conductive region and said active region, a second dielectric layer which electrically isolates said first conductive region and said monolithic conductive region, and a third dielectric layer which electrically isolates said second conductive region and the first conductive region; and wherein said vertical-gate buried transistor comprises a vertical gate oxide formed by a layer of material which forms the first dielectric layer, said floating-gate transistor comprises a tunnel oxide formed in the material of the second dielectric layer, and/or said floating-gate transistor comprises a control gate dielectric region formed in the material of the third dielectric layer. | 2,800 |
343,788 | 16,803,167 | 2,849 | A better compromise between encoding complexity and achievable rate distortion ratio, and/or to achieve a better rate distortion ratio is achieved by using multitree sub-divisioning not only in order to subdivide a continuous area, namely the sample array, into leaf regions, but using the intermediate regions also to share coding parameters among the corresponding collocated leaf blocks. By this measure, coding procedures performed in tiles—leaf regions—locally, may be associated with coding parameters individually without having to, however, explicitly transmit the whole coding parameters for each leaf region separately. Rather, similarities may effectively exploited by using the multitree subdivision. | 1. A decoder for reconstructing an array of information samples from a data stream, the array of information samples representing a spatially sampled information signal, the decoder comprising:
a divider configured to: subdivide the array of information samples into prediction blocks associated with prediction coding according to first subdivision information, subdivide at least one of the prediction blocks that is greater than a maximum size into a root block of the maximum size, wherein the maximum size and the root block are associated with transform coding, determine whether the root block is to be subdivided based on second subdivision information, and responsive to a determination that the root block is to be subdivided, subdivide the root block into the residual blocks associated with transform coding; an extractor configured to: extract, for at least one of the prediction blocks that is greater than the maximum size, inheritance information from the data stream, the inheritance information indicating whether inheritance is used in relation to transform coding, and if inheritance is indicated to be used, share a coding parameter among the residual blocks corresponding to the at least one of the prediction blocks; and a reconstructor configured to: determine a residual signal for each of the residual blocks based on the coding parameter in transform coding, and reconstruct the array of information samples based on a combination of a prediction signal and the residual signal. 2. The decoder according to claim 1, wherein the spatially sampled information signal is a video accompanied with depth information. 3. The decoder according to claim 1, wherein the spatially sampled information signal is a sequence of pictures with each picture comprising an array of luma samples along with two arrays of chroma samples per frame, wherein a scaling factor for a spatial resolution of the arrays of chroma samples relative to the array of luma samples in the horizontal direction differs from a scaling factor for a spatial resolution vertical direction. 4. The decoder according to claim 1, wherein the array of information samples is one of samples arrays related to different color components and forming color planes of a picture, and the decoder is configured to decode the different color planes of the picture independently. 5. The decoder according to claim 1, wherein the extractor is configured to, if inheritance is indicated not to be used, extract the coding parameter from the data stream for each of the residual blocks corresponding to the respective prediction block. 6. The decoder according to claim 1, wherein the decoder is configured to reconstruct the array information samples by prediction using a prediction mode which is extracted and decoded from the data stream. 7. The decoder according to claim 1, wherein subdivision into the prediction blocks, subdivision into the residual blocks, or both is based on a quadtree partitioning technique. 8. A method for reconstructing an array of information samples from a data stream, the array of information samples representing a spatially sampled information signal, the method comprising:
subdividing the array of information samples into prediction blocks associated with prediction coding according to first subdivision information; subdividing at least one of the prediction blocks that is greater than a maximum size into a root block of the maximum size, wherein the maximum size and the root block are associated with transform coding; determining whether the root block is to be subdivided based on second subdivision information, responsive to a determination that the root block is to be subdivided, subdividing the root block into the residual blocks associated with transform coding; extracting, for at least one of the prediction blocks that is greater than the maximum size, inheritance information from the data stream, the inheritance information indicating whether inheritance is used in relation to transform coding, and, if inheritance is indicated to be used, sharing a coding parameter among the residual blocks corresponding to the at least one of the prediction blocks; determining a residual signal for each of the residual blocks based on the coding parameter in transform coding; and reconstructing the array of information samples based on a combination of a prediction signal and the residual signal. 9. The method according to claim 8, wherein the spatially sampled information signal is a video accompanied with depth information. 10. The method according to claim 8, wherein the spatially sampled information signal is a sequence of pictures with each picture comprising an array of luma samples along with two arrays of chroma samples per frame, wherein a scaling factor for a spatial resolution of the arrays of chroma samples relative to the array of luma samples in the horizontal direction differs from a scaling factor for a spatial resolution vertical direction. 11. The method according to claim 8, wherein the array of information samples is one of samples arrays related to different color components and forming color planes of a picture, and the decoder is configured to decode the different color planes of the picture independently. 12. The method according to claim 8, further comprising: if inheritance is indicated not to be used, extracting the coding parameter from the data stream for each of the residual blocks corresponding to the respective prediction block. 13. The method according to claim 8, wherein the array information samples is reconstructed by prediction using a prediction mode which is extracted and decoded from the data stream. 14. The method according to claim 8, wherein subdivision into the prediction blocks, subdivision into the residual blocks, or both is based on a quadtree partitioning technique. 15. An encoder for encoding an array of information samples into a data stream, the array of information samples representing a spatially sampled information signal, the encoder comprising:
a divider configured to: subdivide the array of information samples into prediction blocks associated with prediction coding according to first subdivision information, subdivide at least one of the prediction blocks that is greater than a maximum size into a root block of the maximum size, wherein the maximum size and the root block are associated with transform coding, 16. The encoder according to claim 15, wherein the spatially sampled information signal is a video accompanied with depth information. 17. The encoder according to claim 15, wherein the spatially sampled information signal is a sequence of pictures with each picture comprising an array of luma samples along with two arrays of chroma samples per frame, wherein a scaling factor for a spatial resolution of the arrays of chroma samples relative to the array of luma samples in the horizontal direction differs from a scaling factor for a spatial resolution vertical direction. 18. The encoder according to claim 15, wherein the array of information samples is one of samples arrays related to different color components and forming color planes of a picture, and the decoder is configured to decode the different color planes of the picture independently. 19. The encoder according to claim 15, wherein the inserter is configured to, if inheritance is indicated not to be used, insert the coding parameter into the data stream for each of the residual blocks corresponding to the respective prediction block. 20. The encoder according to claim 15, wherein the encoder is configured to encode the array information samples by prediction using a prediction mode which is inserted into the data stream. 21. The encoder according to claim 15, wherein subdivision into the prediction blocks, subdivision into the residual blocks, or both is based on a quadtree partitioning technique. 22. The encoder according to claim 21, wherein, according to the quadtree partitioning technique, the array of information samples is subdivided into prediction blocks such that a plurality of hierarchical levels are created, wherein each of the prediction blocks is associated with one of the plurality of hierarchical levels. 23. A non-transitory computer-readable medium for storing data, comprising:
a data stream stored in the non-transitory computer-readable medium, the data stream comprising encoded information associated with an array of information samples representing a spatially sampled information signal, the encoded information including inheritance information, wherein the array of information samples is reconstructed based on a plurality of instructions including: subdividing the array of information samples into prediction blocks associated with prediction coding according to first subdivision information; subdividing at least one of the prediction blocks that is greater than a maximum size into a root block of the maximum size, wherein the maximum size and the root block are associated with transform coding; determining whether the root block is to be subdivided based on second subdivision information, responsive to a determination that the root block is to be subdivided, subdividing the root block into the residual blocks associated with transform coding; extracting, for at least one of the prediction blocks of the prediction blocks that is greater than the maximum size, the inheritance information from the data stream, the inheritance information indicating whether inheritance is used in relation to transform coding, and if inheritance is indicated to be used, sharing a coding parameter among the residual blocks corresponding to the at least one of the prediction blocks; determining a residual signal for each of the residual blocks based on the coding parameter in transform coding; and reconstructing the array of information samples based on a combination of a prediction signal and a residual signal. 24. The computer-readable medium of claim 23, wherein the spatially sampled information signal is a video accompanied with depth information. 25. The computer-readable medium of claim 23, wherein the spatially sampled information signal is a sequence of pictures with each picture comprising an array of luma samples along with two arrays of chroma samples per frame, wherein a scaling factor for a spatial resolution of the arrays of chroma samples relative to the array of luma samples in the horizontal direction differs from a scaling factor for a spatial resolution vertical direction. 26. The computer-readable medium of claim 23, wherein the array of information samples is one of samples arrays related to different color components and forming color planes of a picture, and the decoder is configured to decode the different color planes of the picture independently. 27. The computer-readable medium of claim 23, the plurality of instructions including further including: if inheritance is indicated not to be used, extracting the coding parameter from the data stream for each of the residual blocks corresponding to the respective prediction block. 28. The computer-readable medium of claim 23, wherein the array information samples is reconstructed by prediction using a prediction mode which is extracted and decoded from the data stream. 29. The computer-readable medium of claim 23, wherein subdivision into the prediction blocks, subdivision into the residual blocks, or both is based on a quadtree partitioning technique. 30. The computer-readable medium of claim 29, wherein, according to the quadtree partitioning technique, the array of information samples is subdivided into prediction blocks such that a plurality of hierarchical levels are created, wherein each of the prediction blocks is associated with one of the plurality of hierarchical levels. | A better compromise between encoding complexity and achievable rate distortion ratio, and/or to achieve a better rate distortion ratio is achieved by using multitree sub-divisioning not only in order to subdivide a continuous area, namely the sample array, into leaf regions, but using the intermediate regions also to share coding parameters among the corresponding collocated leaf blocks. By this measure, coding procedures performed in tiles—leaf regions—locally, may be associated with coding parameters individually without having to, however, explicitly transmit the whole coding parameters for each leaf region separately. Rather, similarities may effectively exploited by using the multitree subdivision.1. A decoder for reconstructing an array of information samples from a data stream, the array of information samples representing a spatially sampled information signal, the decoder comprising:
a divider configured to: subdivide the array of information samples into prediction blocks associated with prediction coding according to first subdivision information, subdivide at least one of the prediction blocks that is greater than a maximum size into a root block of the maximum size, wherein the maximum size and the root block are associated with transform coding, determine whether the root block is to be subdivided based on second subdivision information, and responsive to a determination that the root block is to be subdivided, subdivide the root block into the residual blocks associated with transform coding; an extractor configured to: extract, for at least one of the prediction blocks that is greater than the maximum size, inheritance information from the data stream, the inheritance information indicating whether inheritance is used in relation to transform coding, and if inheritance is indicated to be used, share a coding parameter among the residual blocks corresponding to the at least one of the prediction blocks; and a reconstructor configured to: determine a residual signal for each of the residual blocks based on the coding parameter in transform coding, and reconstruct the array of information samples based on a combination of a prediction signal and the residual signal. 2. The decoder according to claim 1, wherein the spatially sampled information signal is a video accompanied with depth information. 3. The decoder according to claim 1, wherein the spatially sampled information signal is a sequence of pictures with each picture comprising an array of luma samples along with two arrays of chroma samples per frame, wherein a scaling factor for a spatial resolution of the arrays of chroma samples relative to the array of luma samples in the horizontal direction differs from a scaling factor for a spatial resolution vertical direction. 4. The decoder according to claim 1, wherein the array of information samples is one of samples arrays related to different color components and forming color planes of a picture, and the decoder is configured to decode the different color planes of the picture independently. 5. The decoder according to claim 1, wherein the extractor is configured to, if inheritance is indicated not to be used, extract the coding parameter from the data stream for each of the residual blocks corresponding to the respective prediction block. 6. The decoder according to claim 1, wherein the decoder is configured to reconstruct the array information samples by prediction using a prediction mode which is extracted and decoded from the data stream. 7. The decoder according to claim 1, wherein subdivision into the prediction blocks, subdivision into the residual blocks, or both is based on a quadtree partitioning technique. 8. A method for reconstructing an array of information samples from a data stream, the array of information samples representing a spatially sampled information signal, the method comprising:
subdividing the array of information samples into prediction blocks associated with prediction coding according to first subdivision information; subdividing at least one of the prediction blocks that is greater than a maximum size into a root block of the maximum size, wherein the maximum size and the root block are associated with transform coding; determining whether the root block is to be subdivided based on second subdivision information, responsive to a determination that the root block is to be subdivided, subdividing the root block into the residual blocks associated with transform coding; extracting, for at least one of the prediction blocks that is greater than the maximum size, inheritance information from the data stream, the inheritance information indicating whether inheritance is used in relation to transform coding, and, if inheritance is indicated to be used, sharing a coding parameter among the residual blocks corresponding to the at least one of the prediction blocks; determining a residual signal for each of the residual blocks based on the coding parameter in transform coding; and reconstructing the array of information samples based on a combination of a prediction signal and the residual signal. 9. The method according to claim 8, wherein the spatially sampled information signal is a video accompanied with depth information. 10. The method according to claim 8, wherein the spatially sampled information signal is a sequence of pictures with each picture comprising an array of luma samples along with two arrays of chroma samples per frame, wherein a scaling factor for a spatial resolution of the arrays of chroma samples relative to the array of luma samples in the horizontal direction differs from a scaling factor for a spatial resolution vertical direction. 11. The method according to claim 8, wherein the array of information samples is one of samples arrays related to different color components and forming color planes of a picture, and the decoder is configured to decode the different color planes of the picture independently. 12. The method according to claim 8, further comprising: if inheritance is indicated not to be used, extracting the coding parameter from the data stream for each of the residual blocks corresponding to the respective prediction block. 13. The method according to claim 8, wherein the array information samples is reconstructed by prediction using a prediction mode which is extracted and decoded from the data stream. 14. The method according to claim 8, wherein subdivision into the prediction blocks, subdivision into the residual blocks, or both is based on a quadtree partitioning technique. 15. An encoder for encoding an array of information samples into a data stream, the array of information samples representing a spatially sampled information signal, the encoder comprising:
a divider configured to: subdivide the array of information samples into prediction blocks associated with prediction coding according to first subdivision information, subdivide at least one of the prediction blocks that is greater than a maximum size into a root block of the maximum size, wherein the maximum size and the root block are associated with transform coding, 16. The encoder according to claim 15, wherein the spatially sampled information signal is a video accompanied with depth information. 17. The encoder according to claim 15, wherein the spatially sampled information signal is a sequence of pictures with each picture comprising an array of luma samples along with two arrays of chroma samples per frame, wherein a scaling factor for a spatial resolution of the arrays of chroma samples relative to the array of luma samples in the horizontal direction differs from a scaling factor for a spatial resolution vertical direction. 18. The encoder according to claim 15, wherein the array of information samples is one of samples arrays related to different color components and forming color planes of a picture, and the decoder is configured to decode the different color planes of the picture independently. 19. The encoder according to claim 15, wherein the inserter is configured to, if inheritance is indicated not to be used, insert the coding parameter into the data stream for each of the residual blocks corresponding to the respective prediction block. 20. The encoder according to claim 15, wherein the encoder is configured to encode the array information samples by prediction using a prediction mode which is inserted into the data stream. 21. The encoder according to claim 15, wherein subdivision into the prediction blocks, subdivision into the residual blocks, or both is based on a quadtree partitioning technique. 22. The encoder according to claim 21, wherein, according to the quadtree partitioning technique, the array of information samples is subdivided into prediction blocks such that a plurality of hierarchical levels are created, wherein each of the prediction blocks is associated with one of the plurality of hierarchical levels. 23. A non-transitory computer-readable medium for storing data, comprising:
a data stream stored in the non-transitory computer-readable medium, the data stream comprising encoded information associated with an array of information samples representing a spatially sampled information signal, the encoded information including inheritance information, wherein the array of information samples is reconstructed based on a plurality of instructions including: subdividing the array of information samples into prediction blocks associated with prediction coding according to first subdivision information; subdividing at least one of the prediction blocks that is greater than a maximum size into a root block of the maximum size, wherein the maximum size and the root block are associated with transform coding; determining whether the root block is to be subdivided based on second subdivision information, responsive to a determination that the root block is to be subdivided, subdividing the root block into the residual blocks associated with transform coding; extracting, for at least one of the prediction blocks of the prediction blocks that is greater than the maximum size, the inheritance information from the data stream, the inheritance information indicating whether inheritance is used in relation to transform coding, and if inheritance is indicated to be used, sharing a coding parameter among the residual blocks corresponding to the at least one of the prediction blocks; determining a residual signal for each of the residual blocks based on the coding parameter in transform coding; and reconstructing the array of information samples based on a combination of a prediction signal and a residual signal. 24. The computer-readable medium of claim 23, wherein the spatially sampled information signal is a video accompanied with depth information. 25. The computer-readable medium of claim 23, wherein the spatially sampled information signal is a sequence of pictures with each picture comprising an array of luma samples along with two arrays of chroma samples per frame, wherein a scaling factor for a spatial resolution of the arrays of chroma samples relative to the array of luma samples in the horizontal direction differs from a scaling factor for a spatial resolution vertical direction. 26. The computer-readable medium of claim 23, wherein the array of information samples is one of samples arrays related to different color components and forming color planes of a picture, and the decoder is configured to decode the different color planes of the picture independently. 27. The computer-readable medium of claim 23, the plurality of instructions including further including: if inheritance is indicated not to be used, extracting the coding parameter from the data stream for each of the residual blocks corresponding to the respective prediction block. 28. The computer-readable medium of claim 23, wherein the array information samples is reconstructed by prediction using a prediction mode which is extracted and decoded from the data stream. 29. The computer-readable medium of claim 23, wherein subdivision into the prediction blocks, subdivision into the residual blocks, or both is based on a quadtree partitioning technique. 30. The computer-readable medium of claim 29, wherein, according to the quadtree partitioning technique, the array of information samples is subdivided into prediction blocks such that a plurality of hierarchical levels are created, wherein each of the prediction blocks is associated with one of the plurality of hierarchical levels. | 2,800 |
343,789 | 16,803,195 | 2,849 | The present disclosure relates to flexible energy absorbing systems and body armor, helmets and protective garments incorporating flexible energy absorbing systems. A flexible energy absorbing system may comprise a first plurality of cells having a first re-entrant geometry and a second plurality of cells having a second, different geometry. The first plurality of cells and the second plurality of cells may comprise an elastomeric material. | 1. A flexible energy absorbing system, comprising:
a first plurality of cells comprising a first re-entrant geometry; and a second plurality of cells comprising a second geometry, different from the first re-entrant geometry, wherein the first plurality of cells and the second plurality of cells comprise an elastomeric material. 2. The system according to claim 1, wherein cells in the first plurality of cells are orientated along a first axis and cells in the second plurality of cells are orientated along a second axis, different from the first axis. 3. The system according to claim 2, wherein one or more of the first axis and the second axis are not aligned with a surface normal to the system. 4. The system according to claim 2, wherein one or more of the first axis or the second axis are aligned with a direction in which an injection molding tool used to manufacture the system opens. 5. The system according to claim 2, wherein at least one cell in the first plurality of cells comprises an anisotropic geometry along a different axis than the first axis. 6. The system according to claim 2, wherein at least one cell in the second plurality of cells comprises an anisotropic geometry along a different axis than the second axis. 7. The system according to claim 1, wherein one or more of the first re-entrant geometry or the second geometry comprise an internal cell wall re-entrant geometry. 8. The system according to claim 1, wherein cells in the first plurality of cells are located in a first area of the system and cells in the second plurality of cells are located in a second area of the system, different from the first area of the system. 9. The system according to claim 8, wherein cells in the first area are packed at a different density than cells in the second area. 10. The system according to claim 8, wherein cells in the first area are packed at a higher density than cells in the second area. 11. The system according to claim 8, wherein the first area comprises a core area and the second area comprises an edge area surrounding the core area. 12. The system according to claim 8, wherein cells in the second area are located closer to one or more edges of the system than cells in the first area. 13. The system according to claim 8, wherein a geometry of the first plurality of cells and a geometry of the second plurality of cells gradually changes from the first re-entrant geometry in the first area to the second geometry in the second area. 14. The system according to claim 8, wherein a packing density of the first plurality of cells and a packing density of the second plurality of cells gradually changes from a relatively higher packing density in the first area to a relatively lower packing density in the second area. 15. The system according to claim 1, wherein the second geometry comprises a second re-entrant geometry, different from the first re-entrant geometry. 16. The system according to claim 1, wherein cells in the second plurality of cells comprise straight walls. 17. The system according to claim 1, wherein the elastomeric material comprises a strain rate sensitive material. 18. The system according to claim 1, wherein the system comprises a tensile layer attached to at least one of the first plurality of cells or the second plurality of cells. 19. The system according to claim 8, wherein the flexible energy absorbing system comprises body armor. 20. The system of claim 19, wherein the first area is associated with a first body area to be protected and the second area is associated with a second, body area to be protected, different from the first body area to be protected. 21. The system according to claim 20, wherein the first area provides a higher level of protection than the second area. 22. The system according to claim 20, wherein the first body area is a relatively more vulnerable anatomical body area than the second body area. 23. The system according to claim 20, wherein:
the body armor comprises a knee protector, and the first body area comprises one or more of:
a patella,
a bony protrusions at an end of a tibia, and
a bony protrusions at an end of a femur. 24. The system according to claim 20, wherein:
the body armor comprises a back protector, the first body area comprises a core spine area, and the second body area comprises an area further away from a spine than the core spine area. 25. The system according to claim 1, wherein the flexible energy absorbing system comprises a protective garment. 26. A helmet, comprising:
a flexible energy absorbing system, comprising:
a first plurality of cells comprising a first re-entrant geometry; and
a second plurality of cells comprising a second geometry, different from the first re-entrant geometry,
wherein the first plurality of cells and the second plurality of cells comprise an elastomeric material. 27. A method of manufacturing a flexible energy absorbing system, comprising:
forming a first plurality of cells comprising a first re-entrant geometry; and forming a second plurality of cells comprising a second geometry, different from the first re-entrant geometry, wherein one or more of the first plurality of cells and the second plurality of cells comprises an elastomeric material. | The present disclosure relates to flexible energy absorbing systems and body armor, helmets and protective garments incorporating flexible energy absorbing systems. A flexible energy absorbing system may comprise a first plurality of cells having a first re-entrant geometry and a second plurality of cells having a second, different geometry. The first plurality of cells and the second plurality of cells may comprise an elastomeric material.1. A flexible energy absorbing system, comprising:
a first plurality of cells comprising a first re-entrant geometry; and a second plurality of cells comprising a second geometry, different from the first re-entrant geometry, wherein the first plurality of cells and the second plurality of cells comprise an elastomeric material. 2. The system according to claim 1, wherein cells in the first plurality of cells are orientated along a first axis and cells in the second plurality of cells are orientated along a second axis, different from the first axis. 3. The system according to claim 2, wherein one or more of the first axis and the second axis are not aligned with a surface normal to the system. 4. The system according to claim 2, wherein one or more of the first axis or the second axis are aligned with a direction in which an injection molding tool used to manufacture the system opens. 5. The system according to claim 2, wherein at least one cell in the first plurality of cells comprises an anisotropic geometry along a different axis than the first axis. 6. The system according to claim 2, wherein at least one cell in the second plurality of cells comprises an anisotropic geometry along a different axis than the second axis. 7. The system according to claim 1, wherein one or more of the first re-entrant geometry or the second geometry comprise an internal cell wall re-entrant geometry. 8. The system according to claim 1, wherein cells in the first plurality of cells are located in a first area of the system and cells in the second plurality of cells are located in a second area of the system, different from the first area of the system. 9. The system according to claim 8, wherein cells in the first area are packed at a different density than cells in the second area. 10. The system according to claim 8, wherein cells in the first area are packed at a higher density than cells in the second area. 11. The system according to claim 8, wherein the first area comprises a core area and the second area comprises an edge area surrounding the core area. 12. The system according to claim 8, wherein cells in the second area are located closer to one or more edges of the system than cells in the first area. 13. The system according to claim 8, wherein a geometry of the first plurality of cells and a geometry of the second plurality of cells gradually changes from the first re-entrant geometry in the first area to the second geometry in the second area. 14. The system according to claim 8, wherein a packing density of the first plurality of cells and a packing density of the second plurality of cells gradually changes from a relatively higher packing density in the first area to a relatively lower packing density in the second area. 15. The system according to claim 1, wherein the second geometry comprises a second re-entrant geometry, different from the first re-entrant geometry. 16. The system according to claim 1, wherein cells in the second plurality of cells comprise straight walls. 17. The system according to claim 1, wherein the elastomeric material comprises a strain rate sensitive material. 18. The system according to claim 1, wherein the system comprises a tensile layer attached to at least one of the first plurality of cells or the second plurality of cells. 19. The system according to claim 8, wherein the flexible energy absorbing system comprises body armor. 20. The system of claim 19, wherein the first area is associated with a first body area to be protected and the second area is associated with a second, body area to be protected, different from the first body area to be protected. 21. The system according to claim 20, wherein the first area provides a higher level of protection than the second area. 22. The system according to claim 20, wherein the first body area is a relatively more vulnerable anatomical body area than the second body area. 23. The system according to claim 20, wherein:
the body armor comprises a knee protector, and the first body area comprises one or more of:
a patella,
a bony protrusions at an end of a tibia, and
a bony protrusions at an end of a femur. 24. The system according to claim 20, wherein:
the body armor comprises a back protector, the first body area comprises a core spine area, and the second body area comprises an area further away from a spine than the core spine area. 25. The system according to claim 1, wherein the flexible energy absorbing system comprises a protective garment. 26. A helmet, comprising:
a flexible energy absorbing system, comprising:
a first plurality of cells comprising a first re-entrant geometry; and
a second plurality of cells comprising a second geometry, different from the first re-entrant geometry,
wherein the first plurality of cells and the second plurality of cells comprise an elastomeric material. 27. A method of manufacturing a flexible energy absorbing system, comprising:
forming a first plurality of cells comprising a first re-entrant geometry; and forming a second plurality of cells comprising a second geometry, different from the first re-entrant geometry, wherein one or more of the first plurality of cells and the second plurality of cells comprises an elastomeric material. | 2,800 |
343,790 | 16,803,257 | 2,849 | The present disclosure relates to flexible energy absorbing systems and body armor, helmets and protective garments incorporating flexible energy absorbing systems. A flexible energy absorbing system may comprise a first plurality of cells having a first re-entrant geometry and a second plurality of cells having a second, different geometry. The first plurality of cells and the second plurality of cells may comprise an elastomeric material. | 1. A flexible energy absorbing system, comprising:
a first plurality of cells comprising a first re-entrant geometry; and a second plurality of cells comprising a second geometry, different from the first re-entrant geometry, wherein the first plurality of cells and the second plurality of cells comprise an elastomeric material. 2. The system according to claim 1, wherein cells in the first plurality of cells are orientated along a first axis and cells in the second plurality of cells are orientated along a second axis, different from the first axis. 3. The system according to claim 2, wherein one or more of the first axis and the second axis are not aligned with a surface normal to the system. 4. The system according to claim 2, wherein one or more of the first axis or the second axis are aligned with a direction in which an injection molding tool used to manufacture the system opens. 5. The system according to claim 2, wherein at least one cell in the first plurality of cells comprises an anisotropic geometry along a different axis than the first axis. 6. The system according to claim 2, wherein at least one cell in the second plurality of cells comprises an anisotropic geometry along a different axis than the second axis. 7. The system according to claim 1, wherein one or more of the first re-entrant geometry or the second geometry comprise an internal cell wall re-entrant geometry. 8. The system according to claim 1, wherein cells in the first plurality of cells are located in a first area of the system and cells in the second plurality of cells are located in a second area of the system, different from the first area of the system. 9. The system according to claim 8, wherein cells in the first area are packed at a different density than cells in the second area. 10. The system according to claim 8, wherein cells in the first area are packed at a higher density than cells in the second area. 11. The system according to claim 8, wherein the first area comprises a core area and the second area comprises an edge area surrounding the core area. 12. The system according to claim 8, wherein cells in the second area are located closer to one or more edges of the system than cells in the first area. 13. The system according to claim 8, wherein a geometry of the first plurality of cells and a geometry of the second plurality of cells gradually changes from the first re-entrant geometry in the first area to the second geometry in the second area. 14. The system according to claim 8, wherein a packing density of the first plurality of cells and a packing density of the second plurality of cells gradually changes from a relatively higher packing density in the first area to a relatively lower packing density in the second area. 15. The system according to claim 1, wherein the second geometry comprises a second re-entrant geometry, different from the first re-entrant geometry. 16. The system according to claim 1, wherein cells in the second plurality of cells comprise straight walls. 17. The system according to claim 1, wherein the elastomeric material comprises a strain rate sensitive material. 18. The system according to claim 1, wherein the system comprises a tensile layer attached to at least one of the first plurality of cells or the second plurality of cells. 19. The system according to claim 8, wherein the flexible energy absorbing system comprises body armor. 20. The system of claim 19, wherein the first area is associated with a first body area to be protected and the second area is associated with a second, body area to be protected, different from the first body area to be protected. 21. The system according to claim 20, wherein the first area provides a higher level of protection than the second area. 22. The system according to claim 20, wherein the first body area is a relatively more vulnerable anatomical body area than the second body area. 23. The system according to claim 20, wherein:
the body armor comprises a knee protector, and the first body area comprises one or more of:
a patella,
a bony protrusions at an end of a tibia, and
a bony protrusions at an end of a femur. 24. The system according to claim 20, wherein:
the body armor comprises a back protector, the first body area comprises a core spine area, and the second body area comprises an area further away from a spine than the core spine area. 25. The system according to claim 1, wherein the flexible energy absorbing system comprises a protective garment. 26. A helmet, comprising:
a flexible energy absorbing system, comprising:
a first plurality of cells comprising a first re-entrant geometry; and
a second plurality of cells comprising a second geometry, different from the first re-entrant geometry,
wherein the first plurality of cells and the second plurality of cells comprise an elastomeric material. 27. A method of manufacturing a flexible energy absorbing system, comprising:
forming a first plurality of cells comprising a first re-entrant geometry; and forming a second plurality of cells comprising a second geometry, different from the first re-entrant geometry, wherein one or more of the first plurality of cells and the second plurality of cells comprises an elastomeric material. | The present disclosure relates to flexible energy absorbing systems and body armor, helmets and protective garments incorporating flexible energy absorbing systems. A flexible energy absorbing system may comprise a first plurality of cells having a first re-entrant geometry and a second plurality of cells having a second, different geometry. The first plurality of cells and the second plurality of cells may comprise an elastomeric material.1. A flexible energy absorbing system, comprising:
a first plurality of cells comprising a first re-entrant geometry; and a second plurality of cells comprising a second geometry, different from the first re-entrant geometry, wherein the first plurality of cells and the second plurality of cells comprise an elastomeric material. 2. The system according to claim 1, wherein cells in the first plurality of cells are orientated along a first axis and cells in the second plurality of cells are orientated along a second axis, different from the first axis. 3. The system according to claim 2, wherein one or more of the first axis and the second axis are not aligned with a surface normal to the system. 4. The system according to claim 2, wherein one or more of the first axis or the second axis are aligned with a direction in which an injection molding tool used to manufacture the system opens. 5. The system according to claim 2, wherein at least one cell in the first plurality of cells comprises an anisotropic geometry along a different axis than the first axis. 6. The system according to claim 2, wherein at least one cell in the second plurality of cells comprises an anisotropic geometry along a different axis than the second axis. 7. The system according to claim 1, wherein one or more of the first re-entrant geometry or the second geometry comprise an internal cell wall re-entrant geometry. 8. The system according to claim 1, wherein cells in the first plurality of cells are located in a first area of the system and cells in the second plurality of cells are located in a second area of the system, different from the first area of the system. 9. The system according to claim 8, wherein cells in the first area are packed at a different density than cells in the second area. 10. The system according to claim 8, wherein cells in the first area are packed at a higher density than cells in the second area. 11. The system according to claim 8, wherein the first area comprises a core area and the second area comprises an edge area surrounding the core area. 12. The system according to claim 8, wherein cells in the second area are located closer to one or more edges of the system than cells in the first area. 13. The system according to claim 8, wherein a geometry of the first plurality of cells and a geometry of the second plurality of cells gradually changes from the first re-entrant geometry in the first area to the second geometry in the second area. 14. The system according to claim 8, wherein a packing density of the first plurality of cells and a packing density of the second plurality of cells gradually changes from a relatively higher packing density in the first area to a relatively lower packing density in the second area. 15. The system according to claim 1, wherein the second geometry comprises a second re-entrant geometry, different from the first re-entrant geometry. 16. The system according to claim 1, wherein cells in the second plurality of cells comprise straight walls. 17. The system according to claim 1, wherein the elastomeric material comprises a strain rate sensitive material. 18. The system according to claim 1, wherein the system comprises a tensile layer attached to at least one of the first plurality of cells or the second plurality of cells. 19. The system according to claim 8, wherein the flexible energy absorbing system comprises body armor. 20. The system of claim 19, wherein the first area is associated with a first body area to be protected and the second area is associated with a second, body area to be protected, different from the first body area to be protected. 21. The system according to claim 20, wherein the first area provides a higher level of protection than the second area. 22. The system according to claim 20, wherein the first body area is a relatively more vulnerable anatomical body area than the second body area. 23. The system according to claim 20, wherein:
the body armor comprises a knee protector, and the first body area comprises one or more of:
a patella,
a bony protrusions at an end of a tibia, and
a bony protrusions at an end of a femur. 24. The system according to claim 20, wherein:
the body armor comprises a back protector, the first body area comprises a core spine area, and the second body area comprises an area further away from a spine than the core spine area. 25. The system according to claim 1, wherein the flexible energy absorbing system comprises a protective garment. 26. A helmet, comprising:
a flexible energy absorbing system, comprising:
a first plurality of cells comprising a first re-entrant geometry; and
a second plurality of cells comprising a second geometry, different from the first re-entrant geometry,
wherein the first plurality of cells and the second plurality of cells comprise an elastomeric material. 27. A method of manufacturing a flexible energy absorbing system, comprising:
forming a first plurality of cells comprising a first re-entrant geometry; and forming a second plurality of cells comprising a second geometry, different from the first re-entrant geometry, wherein one or more of the first plurality of cells and the second plurality of cells comprises an elastomeric material. | 2,800 |
343,791 | 16,803,246 | 2,849 | A fluid control valve includes a multi-stage piston actuator unit with first piston and second pistons coaxially and slidably arranged therein and a valve unit provided with an inlet port for inflow of a control fluid and an outlet port for outflow of the control fluid. The first and second pistons are slidable in a sliding direction perpendicular to an imaginary line connecting the center of the inlet port and the center of the outlet port. The multi-stage piston actuator unit has a smaller thickness in a direction perpendicular to the imaginary line and perpendicular to the sliding direction than the thickness of the valve unit in the direction perpendicular to the imaginary line and perpendicular to the sliding direction. The first and second pistons have either an elliptic or oval cross-section taken perpendicular to the sliding direction, the cross-section having a long axis parallel to the imaginary line. | 1. A fluid control valve comprising:
a multi-stage piston actuator unit including a plurality of pistons arranged coaxially and slidably within the multi-stage piston actuator unit; a valve unit provided with an inlet port configured to allow a control fluid to flow in the valve unit and an outlet port configured to allow a control fluid to flow out of the valve unit, wherein the pistons are slidable in a sliding direction perpendicular to an imaginary line connecting a center of the inlet port and a center of the outlet port, the multi-stage piston actuator unit has a thickness defined in a direction that is perpendicular to the imaginary line and perpendicular to the sliding direction, the thickness being equal to or smaller than a thickness of the valve unit in the direction that is perpendicular to the imaginary line and perpendicular to the sliding direction, and the plurality of pistons has either one of an elliptic cross-section and an oval cross-section, taken perpendicular to the sliding direction, the cross-section having a long axis extending parallel to the imaginary line. 2. The fluid control valve according to claim 1, wherein
the multi-stage piston actuator unit includes a first cylinder and a second cylinder arranged coaxially in the sliding direction of the pistons, and the first cylinder is coupled to the valve unit, the first cylinder including holder portions at both ends of a surface of the first cylinder in a direction of the imaginary line, the surface being located on an opposite side to a side of the first cylinder coupled to the valve unit, and the second cylinder is assembled in between the holder portions. 3. The fluid control valve according to claim 2, wherein
the holder portions protrude, at the both ends of the first cylinder in the direction of the imaginary line, from the surface of the first cylinder on the opposite side to the side of the first cylinder coupled to the valve unit, the second cylinder includes end surfaces at both ends in the direction of the imaginary line, the end surfaces being held apart from inner surfaces of the holder portions with a gap, the second cylinder is internally provided with a piston chamber configured to install one of the pistons, the multi-stage piston actuator unit further includes an elastic member biasing the one piston in a valve closing direction, the one piston is provided with an O-ring compressed between an outer peripheral surface of the piston and an inner wall surface of the piston chamber, and the gap is provided with a predetermined dimension to allow the second cylinder to follow tilting of an axis of the one piston even if this axis is tilted due to an unbalanced biasing force of the elastic member acting on the one piston, so that the O-ring is prevented from being deformed at a nonuniform compression rate. | A fluid control valve includes a multi-stage piston actuator unit with first piston and second pistons coaxially and slidably arranged therein and a valve unit provided with an inlet port for inflow of a control fluid and an outlet port for outflow of the control fluid. The first and second pistons are slidable in a sliding direction perpendicular to an imaginary line connecting the center of the inlet port and the center of the outlet port. The multi-stage piston actuator unit has a smaller thickness in a direction perpendicular to the imaginary line and perpendicular to the sliding direction than the thickness of the valve unit in the direction perpendicular to the imaginary line and perpendicular to the sliding direction. The first and second pistons have either an elliptic or oval cross-section taken perpendicular to the sliding direction, the cross-section having a long axis parallel to the imaginary line.1. A fluid control valve comprising:
a multi-stage piston actuator unit including a plurality of pistons arranged coaxially and slidably within the multi-stage piston actuator unit; a valve unit provided with an inlet port configured to allow a control fluid to flow in the valve unit and an outlet port configured to allow a control fluid to flow out of the valve unit, wherein the pistons are slidable in a sliding direction perpendicular to an imaginary line connecting a center of the inlet port and a center of the outlet port, the multi-stage piston actuator unit has a thickness defined in a direction that is perpendicular to the imaginary line and perpendicular to the sliding direction, the thickness being equal to or smaller than a thickness of the valve unit in the direction that is perpendicular to the imaginary line and perpendicular to the sliding direction, and the plurality of pistons has either one of an elliptic cross-section and an oval cross-section, taken perpendicular to the sliding direction, the cross-section having a long axis extending parallel to the imaginary line. 2. The fluid control valve according to claim 1, wherein
the multi-stage piston actuator unit includes a first cylinder and a second cylinder arranged coaxially in the sliding direction of the pistons, and the first cylinder is coupled to the valve unit, the first cylinder including holder portions at both ends of a surface of the first cylinder in a direction of the imaginary line, the surface being located on an opposite side to a side of the first cylinder coupled to the valve unit, and the second cylinder is assembled in between the holder portions. 3. The fluid control valve according to claim 2, wherein
the holder portions protrude, at the both ends of the first cylinder in the direction of the imaginary line, from the surface of the first cylinder on the opposite side to the side of the first cylinder coupled to the valve unit, the second cylinder includes end surfaces at both ends in the direction of the imaginary line, the end surfaces being held apart from inner surfaces of the holder portions with a gap, the second cylinder is internally provided with a piston chamber configured to install one of the pistons, the multi-stage piston actuator unit further includes an elastic member biasing the one piston in a valve closing direction, the one piston is provided with an O-ring compressed between an outer peripheral surface of the piston and an inner wall surface of the piston chamber, and the gap is provided with a predetermined dimension to allow the second cylinder to follow tilting of an axis of the one piston even if this axis is tilted due to an unbalanced biasing force of the elastic member acting on the one piston, so that the O-ring is prevented from being deformed at a nonuniform compression rate. | 2,800 |
343,792 | 16,803,240 | 2,849 | A portable electronic device includes: a sensor configured to detect a physical amount related to an amount of activity of a user; a communication unit configured to perform wireless communication; a controller configured to control supply of power to the sensor; and a storage unit configured to record, when pairing between the communication unit and an external device used by the user is executed, pairing information between the communication unit and the external device. A permission condition under which the controller permits the supply of power to the sensor includes a condition that pairing information is recorded in the storage unit. | 1. A portable electronic device, comprising:
a sensor configured to detect a physical amount; a communication unit configured to perform wireless communication; a controller configured to control supply of power to the sensor; and a storage unit configured to record, when pairing between the communication unit and an external device used by a user is executed, pairing information between the communication unit and the external device, wherein a permission condition under which the controller permits the supply of power to the sensor includes a condition that the pairing information is recorded in the storage unit. 2. The portable electronic device according to claim 1, wherein
when profile information on the user is acquired by wireless communication between the communication unit and the external device, the profile information is recorded in the storage unit, and the permission condition includes a condition that the profile information is recorded in the storage unit. 3. The portable electronic device according to claim 2, wherein,
when operation to erase the pairing information is performed by the user, the pairing information and the profile information are erased from the storage unit. 4. The portable electronic device according to claim 3, wherein
the supply of power to the sensor is prohibited until at least the pairing information is recorded in the storage unit next time. 5. The portable electronic device according to claim 1, wherein
the sensor is an acceleration sensor that outputs a signal of amplitude corresponding to magnitude of acceleration, and the controller stops the supply of power to the sensor when a state in which the amplitude of the signal output from the sensor is smaller than a predetermined value continues for a predetermined period. 6. The portable electronic device according to claim 1, further comprising:
a tilt switch that switches between an on state and an off state in accordance with a tilt angle, wherein the controller permits recovery from a power-saving mode when a recovery condition is satisfied during execution of the power-saving mode, and the recovery condition includes a condition that the pairing information is recorded in the storage unit and a condition that the tilt switch has detected a change in the tilt angle. 7. The portable electronic device according to claim 6, wherein
when profile information on the user is acquired by wireless communication between the communication unit and the external device, the profile information is recorded in the storage unit, and the recovery condition includes a condition that the profile information is recorded in the storage unit. 8. The portable electronic device according to claim 1, wherein
the portable electronic device is a wristwatch type device. | A portable electronic device includes: a sensor configured to detect a physical amount related to an amount of activity of a user; a communication unit configured to perform wireless communication; a controller configured to control supply of power to the sensor; and a storage unit configured to record, when pairing between the communication unit and an external device used by the user is executed, pairing information between the communication unit and the external device. A permission condition under which the controller permits the supply of power to the sensor includes a condition that pairing information is recorded in the storage unit.1. A portable electronic device, comprising:
a sensor configured to detect a physical amount; a communication unit configured to perform wireless communication; a controller configured to control supply of power to the sensor; and a storage unit configured to record, when pairing between the communication unit and an external device used by a user is executed, pairing information between the communication unit and the external device, wherein a permission condition under which the controller permits the supply of power to the sensor includes a condition that the pairing information is recorded in the storage unit. 2. The portable electronic device according to claim 1, wherein
when profile information on the user is acquired by wireless communication between the communication unit and the external device, the profile information is recorded in the storage unit, and the permission condition includes a condition that the profile information is recorded in the storage unit. 3. The portable electronic device according to claim 2, wherein,
when operation to erase the pairing information is performed by the user, the pairing information and the profile information are erased from the storage unit. 4. The portable electronic device according to claim 3, wherein
the supply of power to the sensor is prohibited until at least the pairing information is recorded in the storage unit next time. 5. The portable electronic device according to claim 1, wherein
the sensor is an acceleration sensor that outputs a signal of amplitude corresponding to magnitude of acceleration, and the controller stops the supply of power to the sensor when a state in which the amplitude of the signal output from the sensor is smaller than a predetermined value continues for a predetermined period. 6. The portable electronic device according to claim 1, further comprising:
a tilt switch that switches between an on state and an off state in accordance with a tilt angle, wherein the controller permits recovery from a power-saving mode when a recovery condition is satisfied during execution of the power-saving mode, and the recovery condition includes a condition that the pairing information is recorded in the storage unit and a condition that the tilt switch has detected a change in the tilt angle. 7. The portable electronic device according to claim 6, wherein
when profile information on the user is acquired by wireless communication between the communication unit and the external device, the profile information is recorded in the storage unit, and the recovery condition includes a condition that the profile information is recorded in the storage unit. 8. The portable electronic device according to claim 1, wherein
the portable electronic device is a wristwatch type device. | 2,800 |
343,793 | 16,803,230 | 2,849 | In certain aspects, the disclosure provides soluble heteromeric polypeptide complexes comprising an extracellular domain of an ALK4 receptor and an extracellular domain of ActRIIB. In certain aspects, such soluble ALK4:ActRIIB complexes may be used to regulate (promote or inhibit) growth of tissues or cells including, for example, muscle, bone, cartilage, fat, neural tissue, tumors, and/or cancerous cells. In certain aspects, such ALK4:ActRIIB complexes are can be used to improve muscle formation, bone formation, metabolic parameters, and disorders associated with these tissues, cellular networks, kidney, and endocrine systems. | 1-120. (canceled) 121. An isolated nucleic acid sequence comprising a coding sequence for an ALK4 polypeptide, wherein the nucleic acid comprises a nucleotide sequence that is at least 95% 96%, 97%, 98%, 99% or 100% identical to SEQ ID NO: 43. 122. (canceled) 123. An isolated nucleic acid sequence comprising a coding sequence for an ActRIIB polypeptide, wherein the nucleic acid comprises a nucleotide sequence that is at least 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, 99%, or 100% identical to SEQ ID NO: 40. 124. An isolated nucleic acid sequence comprising a coding sequence for a ALK4 polypeptide and a coding sequence for an ActRIIB polypeptide. 125. The isolated nucleic acid sequence of claim 124, wherein the nucleic acid:
a) comprises a nucleotide sequence that is at least 95%, 96%, 97% 98%, 99%, or 100% identical to SEQ ID NO: 43, and b) comprises a nucleotide sequence that is at least 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, 99%, or 100% identical to SEQ ID NO: 40. 126. A recombinant polynucleotide comprising a promoter sequence operably linked to the coding sequence of the ALK4 polypeptide claim 121. 127. A recombinant polynucleotide comprising a promoter sequence operably linked to the coding sequence of the ActRIIB polypeptide claim 123. 128. A recombinant polynucleotide comprising a promoter sequence operably linked to the coding sequence of the ALK4 polypeptide and the coding sequence of the ActRIIB polypeptide of claim 125. 129. A vector comprising the recombinant polynucleotide of claim 128. 130. A cell transformed with the recombinant polynucleotide of claim 128. 131. The cell of claim 130, wherein the cell is a CHO cell. 132. (canceled) 133. A method of making a heteromultimer comprising an ALK4 polypeptide and an ActRIIB polypeptide comprising:
a) culturing a cell under conditions suitable for expression of an ALK4 polypeptide and an ActRIIB polypeptide, wherein the cell comprises the recombinant polynucleotide of claim 128; and b) recovering the heteromultimer so expressed. 134. A method of making a heteromultimer comprising an ALK4 polypeptide and an ActRIIB polypeptide comprising:
a) culturing a first cell under conditions suitable for expression of an ALK4 polypeptide, wherein the first cell comprises the recombinant polynucleotide of claim 126; b) recovering the ALK4 polypeptide so expressed; c) culturing a second cell under conditions suitable for expression of an ActRIIB polypeptide, wherein the second cell comprises the recombinant polynucleotide of claim 127; d) recovering the ActRIIB polypeptide so expressed; e) combining the recovered ALK4 polypeptide and the recovered ActRIIB polypeptide under conditions suitable for ALK4:ActRIIB heteromultimer formation; and f) recovering the ALK4:ActRIIB heteromultimer. 135. The method of claim 131, wherein the ALK4 polypeptide or ActRIIB polypeptide is expressed using a TPA leader sequence. 136. (canceled) 137. The method of claim 135, wherein the TPA leader comprises; of SEQ ID NO: 38. 138. The method of claim 133, wherein the cell is a CHO cell. 139. The method of claim 133, wherein the heteromultimer is a heterodimer. 140-214. (canceled) | In certain aspects, the disclosure provides soluble heteromeric polypeptide complexes comprising an extracellular domain of an ALK4 receptor and an extracellular domain of ActRIIB. In certain aspects, such soluble ALK4:ActRIIB complexes may be used to regulate (promote or inhibit) growth of tissues or cells including, for example, muscle, bone, cartilage, fat, neural tissue, tumors, and/or cancerous cells. In certain aspects, such ALK4:ActRIIB complexes are can be used to improve muscle formation, bone formation, metabolic parameters, and disorders associated with these tissues, cellular networks, kidney, and endocrine systems.1-120. (canceled) 121. An isolated nucleic acid sequence comprising a coding sequence for an ALK4 polypeptide, wherein the nucleic acid comprises a nucleotide sequence that is at least 95% 96%, 97%, 98%, 99% or 100% identical to SEQ ID NO: 43. 122. (canceled) 123. An isolated nucleic acid sequence comprising a coding sequence for an ActRIIB polypeptide, wherein the nucleic acid comprises a nucleotide sequence that is at least 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, 99%, or 100% identical to SEQ ID NO: 40. 124. An isolated nucleic acid sequence comprising a coding sequence for a ALK4 polypeptide and a coding sequence for an ActRIIB polypeptide. 125. The isolated nucleic acid sequence of claim 124, wherein the nucleic acid:
a) comprises a nucleotide sequence that is at least 95%, 96%, 97% 98%, 99%, or 100% identical to SEQ ID NO: 43, and b) comprises a nucleotide sequence that is at least 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, 99%, or 100% identical to SEQ ID NO: 40. 126. A recombinant polynucleotide comprising a promoter sequence operably linked to the coding sequence of the ALK4 polypeptide claim 121. 127. A recombinant polynucleotide comprising a promoter sequence operably linked to the coding sequence of the ActRIIB polypeptide claim 123. 128. A recombinant polynucleotide comprising a promoter sequence operably linked to the coding sequence of the ALK4 polypeptide and the coding sequence of the ActRIIB polypeptide of claim 125. 129. A vector comprising the recombinant polynucleotide of claim 128. 130. A cell transformed with the recombinant polynucleotide of claim 128. 131. The cell of claim 130, wherein the cell is a CHO cell. 132. (canceled) 133. A method of making a heteromultimer comprising an ALK4 polypeptide and an ActRIIB polypeptide comprising:
a) culturing a cell under conditions suitable for expression of an ALK4 polypeptide and an ActRIIB polypeptide, wherein the cell comprises the recombinant polynucleotide of claim 128; and b) recovering the heteromultimer so expressed. 134. A method of making a heteromultimer comprising an ALK4 polypeptide and an ActRIIB polypeptide comprising:
a) culturing a first cell under conditions suitable for expression of an ALK4 polypeptide, wherein the first cell comprises the recombinant polynucleotide of claim 126; b) recovering the ALK4 polypeptide so expressed; c) culturing a second cell under conditions suitable for expression of an ActRIIB polypeptide, wherein the second cell comprises the recombinant polynucleotide of claim 127; d) recovering the ActRIIB polypeptide so expressed; e) combining the recovered ALK4 polypeptide and the recovered ActRIIB polypeptide under conditions suitable for ALK4:ActRIIB heteromultimer formation; and f) recovering the ALK4:ActRIIB heteromultimer. 135. The method of claim 131, wherein the ALK4 polypeptide or ActRIIB polypeptide is expressed using a TPA leader sequence. 136. (canceled) 137. The method of claim 135, wherein the TPA leader comprises; of SEQ ID NO: 38. 138. The method of claim 133, wherein the cell is a CHO cell. 139. The method of claim 133, wherein the heteromultimer is a heterodimer. 140-214. (canceled) | 2,800 |
343,794 | 16,803,248 | 2,849 | A display device in which damage and carbonization of a display substrate is substantially minimized and a method of manufacturing the display device are provided. A display device includes: a substrate including a first area having a first thickness and a second area having a second thickness which is different from the first thickness; a display layer at the first area of the substrate; and a functional member on the display layer at the first area. The first area and the second area are arranged along a first direction, the substrate includes a protruding portion at the second area, and the protruding portion includes a side portion having an inclination of about 5 degrees or more with respect to the first direction toward a second direction which intersects the first direction. | 1. A method of manufacturing a display device, the method comprising:
preparing a mother substrate including a first area and a second area which are sequentially located along a first direction; forming a display layer at the first area of the mother substrate; forming a functional member at the first area so as to overlap with the display layer; irradiating a first laser beam in the first direction along a first cutting line of the first area; irradiating a second laser beam in a second direction which is from the second area toward the first area along a second cutting line of the first area; and irradiating a third laser beam in the first direction at the first area and the second area along a third cutting line of the first area and the second area, wherein the first laser beam has an intensity greater than an intensity of the second laser beam and an intensity of the third laser beam, wherein the intensity of the second laser beam is greater than the intensity of the third laser beam, and wherein the second cutting line overlaps with at least a part of the first cutting line and at least a part of the third cutting line at the first area. 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the display device has a first thickness at the first area and a second thickness which is larger than the first thickness at the second area. 3. The method of claim 1, wherein the first cutting line overlaps with at least a part of the third cutting line at the first area. 4. The method of claim 1,
wherein the mother substrate further includes a third area, wherein the method further comprises, after irradiating the third laser beam in the first direction at the first area, the second area, and the third area along the third cutting line of the first area, the second area, and the third area: irradiating a fourth laser beam in the second direction at the third area along a fourth cutting line of the third area; and irradiating a fifth laser beam in the first direction at the third area along a fifth cutting line of the third area, wherein the fourth laser beam has an intensity greater than an intensity of the third laser beam and less than an intensity of the fifth laser beam, wherein the fifth laser beam has an intensity greater than the intensities of the second laser beam and the fourth laser beam, and wherein the fourth cutting line overlaps with at least a part of the third cutting line and at least a part of the fifth cutting line. 5. The method of claim 4, wherein the display device has a first thickness at the first area, a second thickness which is larger than the first thickness at the second area, and a third thickness which is less than the first thickness and larger than the second thickness at the third area. 6. The method of claim 4, wherein at least a part of the first cutting line overlaps with at least a part of the second cutting line and at least a part of the third cutting line at the first area. 7. The method of claim 4, wherein at least a part of the third cutting line overlaps with the first cutting line at the first area, and another part of the third cutting line overlaps with the fifth cutting line at the third area. 8. The method of claim 4, wherein the mother substrate has a groove at the second area. | A display device in which damage and carbonization of a display substrate is substantially minimized and a method of manufacturing the display device are provided. A display device includes: a substrate including a first area having a first thickness and a second area having a second thickness which is different from the first thickness; a display layer at the first area of the substrate; and a functional member on the display layer at the first area. The first area and the second area are arranged along a first direction, the substrate includes a protruding portion at the second area, and the protruding portion includes a side portion having an inclination of about 5 degrees or more with respect to the first direction toward a second direction which intersects the first direction.1. A method of manufacturing a display device, the method comprising:
preparing a mother substrate including a first area and a second area which are sequentially located along a first direction; forming a display layer at the first area of the mother substrate; forming a functional member at the first area so as to overlap with the display layer; irradiating a first laser beam in the first direction along a first cutting line of the first area; irradiating a second laser beam in a second direction which is from the second area toward the first area along a second cutting line of the first area; and irradiating a third laser beam in the first direction at the first area and the second area along a third cutting line of the first area and the second area, wherein the first laser beam has an intensity greater than an intensity of the second laser beam and an intensity of the third laser beam, wherein the intensity of the second laser beam is greater than the intensity of the third laser beam, and wherein the second cutting line overlaps with at least a part of the first cutting line and at least a part of the third cutting line at the first area. 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the display device has a first thickness at the first area and a second thickness which is larger than the first thickness at the second area. 3. The method of claim 1, wherein the first cutting line overlaps with at least a part of the third cutting line at the first area. 4. The method of claim 1,
wherein the mother substrate further includes a third area, wherein the method further comprises, after irradiating the third laser beam in the first direction at the first area, the second area, and the third area along the third cutting line of the first area, the second area, and the third area: irradiating a fourth laser beam in the second direction at the third area along a fourth cutting line of the third area; and irradiating a fifth laser beam in the first direction at the third area along a fifth cutting line of the third area, wherein the fourth laser beam has an intensity greater than an intensity of the third laser beam and less than an intensity of the fifth laser beam, wherein the fifth laser beam has an intensity greater than the intensities of the second laser beam and the fourth laser beam, and wherein the fourth cutting line overlaps with at least a part of the third cutting line and at least a part of the fifth cutting line. 5. The method of claim 4, wherein the display device has a first thickness at the first area, a second thickness which is larger than the first thickness at the second area, and a third thickness which is less than the first thickness and larger than the second thickness at the third area. 6. The method of claim 4, wherein at least a part of the first cutting line overlaps with at least a part of the second cutting line and at least a part of the third cutting line at the first area. 7. The method of claim 4, wherein at least a part of the third cutting line overlaps with the first cutting line at the first area, and another part of the third cutting line overlaps with the fifth cutting line at the third area. 8. The method of claim 4, wherein the mother substrate has a groove at the second area. | 2,800 |
343,795 | 16,803,244 | 2,849 | Proppant compositions for hydraulic fracturing that include Portland cement clinker are provided. A cement clinker proppant composition for hydraulic fracturing may include Portland cement clinker and another proppant. Another cement clinker proppant composition for hydraulic fracturing may include resin-coated Portland cement clinker and another proppant. Methods of hydraulic fracturing using the cement clinker proppant compositions and manufacturing the cement clinker proppant compositions are also provided. | 1. A method of manufacturing a proppant composition for use in hydraulic fracturing, the method comprising:
heating Portland cement clinker in a mixer to a temperature of at least 370° F.; adding a resin to the Portland cement clinker to form a clinker-resin mixture; mixing the clinker-resin mixture for a mixing time period; adding a curing agent to the clinker-resin mixture; and curing the resin for a curing time period to produce resin-coated Portland cement clinker. 2. The method of claim 1, comprising mixing the resin-coated Portland cement clinker with a proppant selected from the group consisting of a frac sand, a bauxite proppant, a ceramic proppant, and a polymer proppant. 3. The method of claim 1, wherein the resin comprises a phenol-formaldehyde resin. 4. The method of claim 1, wherein the curing agent comprises hexamethylenetetramine. 5. The method of claim 1, wherein the Portland cement clinker comprises ASTM Type I Portland cement clinker. 6. The method of claim 1, wherein the Portland cement clinker has a sieve cut of 20/40. 7. The method of claim 1, wherein the mixing time period comprises at least 3 minutes. 8. The method of claim 1, wherein the curing time period comprises at least 3 minutes. | Proppant compositions for hydraulic fracturing that include Portland cement clinker are provided. A cement clinker proppant composition for hydraulic fracturing may include Portland cement clinker and another proppant. Another cement clinker proppant composition for hydraulic fracturing may include resin-coated Portland cement clinker and another proppant. Methods of hydraulic fracturing using the cement clinker proppant compositions and manufacturing the cement clinker proppant compositions are also provided.1. A method of manufacturing a proppant composition for use in hydraulic fracturing, the method comprising:
heating Portland cement clinker in a mixer to a temperature of at least 370° F.; adding a resin to the Portland cement clinker to form a clinker-resin mixture; mixing the clinker-resin mixture for a mixing time period; adding a curing agent to the clinker-resin mixture; and curing the resin for a curing time period to produce resin-coated Portland cement clinker. 2. The method of claim 1, comprising mixing the resin-coated Portland cement clinker with a proppant selected from the group consisting of a frac sand, a bauxite proppant, a ceramic proppant, and a polymer proppant. 3. The method of claim 1, wherein the resin comprises a phenol-formaldehyde resin. 4. The method of claim 1, wherein the curing agent comprises hexamethylenetetramine. 5. The method of claim 1, wherein the Portland cement clinker comprises ASTM Type I Portland cement clinker. 6. The method of claim 1, wherein the Portland cement clinker has a sieve cut of 20/40. 7. The method of claim 1, wherein the mixing time period comprises at least 3 minutes. 8. The method of claim 1, wherein the curing time period comprises at least 3 minutes. | 2,800 |
343,796 | 16,803,252 | 2,849 | Proppant compositions for hydraulic fracturing that include Portland cement clinker are provided. A cement clinker proppant composition for hydraulic fracturing may include Portland cement clinker and another proppant. Another cement clinker proppant composition for hydraulic fracturing may include resin-coated Portland cement clinker and another proppant. Methods of hydraulic fracturing using the cement clinker proppant compositions and manufacturing the cement clinker proppant compositions are also provided. | 1. A method of manufacturing a proppant composition for use in hydraulic fracturing, the method comprising:
heating Portland cement clinker in a mixer to a temperature of at least 370° F.; adding a resin to the Portland cement clinker to form a clinker-resin mixture; mixing the clinker-resin mixture for a mixing time period; adding a curing agent to the clinker-resin mixture; and curing the resin for a curing time period to produce resin-coated Portland cement clinker. 2. The method of claim 1, comprising mixing the resin-coated Portland cement clinker with a proppant selected from the group consisting of a frac sand, a bauxite proppant, a ceramic proppant, and a polymer proppant. 3. The method of claim 1, wherein the resin comprises a phenol-formaldehyde resin. 4. The method of claim 1, wherein the curing agent comprises hexamethylenetetramine. 5. The method of claim 1, wherein the Portland cement clinker comprises ASTM Type I Portland cement clinker. 6. The method of claim 1, wherein the Portland cement clinker has a sieve cut of 20/40. 7. The method of claim 1, wherein the mixing time period comprises at least 3 minutes. 8. The method of claim 1, wherein the curing time period comprises at least 3 minutes. | Proppant compositions for hydraulic fracturing that include Portland cement clinker are provided. A cement clinker proppant composition for hydraulic fracturing may include Portland cement clinker and another proppant. Another cement clinker proppant composition for hydraulic fracturing may include resin-coated Portland cement clinker and another proppant. Methods of hydraulic fracturing using the cement clinker proppant compositions and manufacturing the cement clinker proppant compositions are also provided.1. A method of manufacturing a proppant composition for use in hydraulic fracturing, the method comprising:
heating Portland cement clinker in a mixer to a temperature of at least 370° F.; adding a resin to the Portland cement clinker to form a clinker-resin mixture; mixing the clinker-resin mixture for a mixing time period; adding a curing agent to the clinker-resin mixture; and curing the resin for a curing time period to produce resin-coated Portland cement clinker. 2. The method of claim 1, comprising mixing the resin-coated Portland cement clinker with a proppant selected from the group consisting of a frac sand, a bauxite proppant, a ceramic proppant, and a polymer proppant. 3. The method of claim 1, wherein the resin comprises a phenol-formaldehyde resin. 4. The method of claim 1, wherein the curing agent comprises hexamethylenetetramine. 5. The method of claim 1, wherein the Portland cement clinker comprises ASTM Type I Portland cement clinker. 6. The method of claim 1, wherein the Portland cement clinker has a sieve cut of 20/40. 7. The method of claim 1, wherein the mixing time period comprises at least 3 minutes. 8. The method of claim 1, wherein the curing time period comprises at least 3 minutes. | 2,800 |
343,797 | 16,803,150 | 2,849 | The present specification discloses a method and an apparatus for training a transaction feature generation model, and a method and an apparatus for generating a transaction feature. The method for generating a transaction feature can include the following: obtaining a target dataset, where the target dataset includes some pieces of transaction data; obtaining some original features of the transaction data and determining one or more combination methods for the original features; determining a feature vector of a new feature that is obtained by combining the original features based on each combination method; inputting the feature vector into a trained transaction feature generation model, and outputting a prediction result of the new feature; and selecting some new features whose prediction results meet a specified condition as transaction features generated for the target dataset. | 1. A computer-implemented method for generating a transaction feature, wherein the transaction feature is used to identify an illegal transaction, the method comprising:
obtaining a target dataset, wherein the target dataset comprises transaction data; obtaining original features of the transaction data and storing the original features as a first original feature group, wherein the original features comprise data of one or more types that can be combined; determining one or more combination methods for the original features of the first original feature group; obtaining a new feature by combining the original features of the first original feature group based on the one or more combination methods; generating a feature vector based on the new feature; inputting the feature vector into a trained transaction feature generation model, and outputting a prediction result of the new feature; generating one or more features and selecting the one or more features as transaction features based on a corresponding prediction result for each of the one or more features, wherein the one or more features comprise the new feature; and identifying one or more illegal transactions based on the transaction features. 2. The method according to claim 1, wherein obtaining the original features of the transaction data comprises:
obtaining the original features wherein two or more of the original features obtained from the transaction data are of a first data type; and wherein determining the one or more combination methods for the original features comprises: determining a combination method that matches the first data type as the combination method for the original features. 3. The method according to claim 2, wherein
when the first data type is a numeric type, the combination method comprises one or more of the following: an arithmetic operation, logarithmic sum calculation, or quadratic sum calculation. 4. The method according to claim 2, wherein
when the first data type is a string, the combination method comprises one or more of the following: an arithmetic operation of string lengths, a logarithmic sum of string lengths, or a quadratic sum of string lengths. 5. The method according to claim 1, wherein
the feature vector is generated based on meta information of the original features and the one or more combination methods. 6. The method according to claim 5, wherein the meta information comprises one or more of the following:
an average value, a variance, or a number of unique data of the original features. 7. The method according to claim 1, wherein generating the feature vector comprises:
generating the feature vector based on meta information of the original features, the one or more combination methods, and meta features of two or more sample datasets used to create the trained transaction feature generation model. 8. The method according to claim 7, wherein the meta features of the two or more sample datasets comprise one or more of the following:
a number of original features, a number of original features of a numeric type, or a ratio of positive and negative samples. 9. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein the trained transaction feature generation model comprises elements trained, in part, by:
obtaining a sample dataset, wherein the sample dataset comprises sample transaction data with a transaction label, and the transaction label is used to mark whether corresponding sample transaction data is an illegal transaction; obtaining original features of the sample transaction data and determining one or more combination methods for the original features; determining a feature vector of a new feature that is obtained by combining the original features based on the one or more combination methods; calculating a difference between the new feature and the transaction label as a feature label of the new feature; and generating the trained transaction feature generation model based, in part, on the feature vector and the feature label of the new feature. 10. The method according to claim 9, wherein obtaining the original features of the sample transaction data comprises:
obtaining the original features of the same type in the sample transaction data; and the determining a combination method for the original features comprises: determining a combination method that matches the same type as the combination method for the original features. 11. The method according to claim 9, wherein the calculating a difference between the new feature and the transaction label comprises:
for each piece of sample transaction data in the sample dataset, calculating a value of a new feature of the sample transaction data based on the combination method; and using a transaction label of the sample transaction data as a real value, calculating a mean square error between the value of the new feature of the sample transaction data and the real value, and using the mean square error as the difference between the new feature and the transaction label. 12. A non-transitory, computer-readable medium storing one or more instructions executable by a computer system to perform operations comprising:
obtaining a target dataset, wherein the target dataset comprises transaction data; obtaining original features of the transaction data and storing the original features as a first original feature group, wherein the original features comprise data of one or more types that can be combined; determining one or more combination methods for the original features of the first original feature group; obtaining a new feature by combining the original features of the first original feature group based on the one or more combination methods; generating a feature vector based on the new feature; inputting the feature vector into a trained transaction feature generation model, and outputting a prediction result of the new feature; generating one or more features and selecting the one or more features as transaction features based on a corresponding prediction result for each of the one or more features, wherein the one or more features comprise the new feature; and identifying one or more illegal transactions based on the transaction features. 13. The non-transitory, computer-readable medium of claim 12, wherein obtaining the original features of the transaction data comprises:
obtaining the original features wherein two or more of the original features obtained from the transaction data are of a first data type; and wherein determining the one or more combination methods for the original features comprises: determining a combination method that matches the first data type as the combination method for the original features. 14. The non-transitory, computer-readable medium of claim 12, wherein the trained transaction feature generation model comprises elements trained, in part, by:
obtaining a sample dataset, wherein the sample dataset comprises sample transaction data with a transaction label, and the transaction label is used to mark whether corresponding sample transaction data is an illegal transaction; obtaining original features of the sample transaction data and determining one or more combination methods for the original features; determining a feature vector of a new feature that is obtained by combining the original features based on the one or more combination methods; calculating a difference between the new feature and the transaction label as a feature label of the new feature; and generating the trained transaction feature generation model based, in part, on the feature vector and the feature label of the new feature. 15. The non-transitory, computer-readable medium of claim 14, wherein obtaining the original features of the sample transaction data comprises:
obtaining the original features of the same type in the sample transaction data; and the determining a combination method for the original features comprises: determining a combination method that matches the same type as the combination method for the original features. 16. The non-transitory, computer-readable medium of claim 14, wherein the calculating a difference between the new feature and the transaction label comprises:
for each piece of sample transaction data in the sample dataset, calculating a value of a new feature of the sample transaction data based on the combination method; and using a transaction label of the sample transaction data as a real value, calculating a mean square error between the value of the new feature of the sample transaction data and the real value, and using the mean square error as the difference between the new feature and the transaction label. 17. 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: obtaining a target dataset, wherein the target dataset comprises transaction data; obtaining original features of the transaction data and storing the original features as a first original feature group, wherein the original features comprise data of one or more types that can be combined; determining one or more combination methods for the original features of the first original feature group; obtaining a new feature by combining the original features of the first original feature group based on the one or more combination methods; generating a feature vector based on the new feature; inputting the feature vector into a trained transaction feature generation model, and outputting a prediction result of the new feature; generating one or more features and selecting the one or more features as transaction features based on a corresponding prediction result for each of the one or more features, wherein the one or more features comprise the new feature; and identifying one or more illegal transactions based on the transaction features. 18. The computer-implemented system of claim 17, wherein obtaining the original features of the transaction data comprises:
obtaining the original features wherein two or more of the original features obtained from the transaction data are of a first data type; and wherein determining the one or more combination methods for the original features comprises: determining a combination method that matches the first data type as the combination method for the original features. 19. The computer-implemented system of claim 17, wherein the trained transaction feature generation model comprises elements trained, in part, by:
obtaining a sample dataset, wherein the sample dataset comprises sample transaction data with a transaction label, and the transaction label is used to mark whether corresponding sample transaction data is an illegal transaction; obtaining original features of the sample transaction data and determining one or more combination methods for the original features; determining a feature vector of a new feature that is obtained by combining the original features based on the one or more combination methods; calculating a difference between the new feature and the transaction label as a feature label of the new feature; and generating the trained transaction feature generation model based, in part, on the feature vector and the feature label of the new feature. 20. The computer-implemented system of claim 19, wherein obtaining the original features of the sample transaction data comprises:
obtaining the original features of the same type in the sample transaction data; and the determining a combination method for the original features comprises: determining a combination method that matches the same type as the combination method for the original features. | The present specification discloses a method and an apparatus for training a transaction feature generation model, and a method and an apparatus for generating a transaction feature. The method for generating a transaction feature can include the following: obtaining a target dataset, where the target dataset includes some pieces of transaction data; obtaining some original features of the transaction data and determining one or more combination methods for the original features; determining a feature vector of a new feature that is obtained by combining the original features based on each combination method; inputting the feature vector into a trained transaction feature generation model, and outputting a prediction result of the new feature; and selecting some new features whose prediction results meet a specified condition as transaction features generated for the target dataset.1. A computer-implemented method for generating a transaction feature, wherein the transaction feature is used to identify an illegal transaction, the method comprising:
obtaining a target dataset, wherein the target dataset comprises transaction data; obtaining original features of the transaction data and storing the original features as a first original feature group, wherein the original features comprise data of one or more types that can be combined; determining one or more combination methods for the original features of the first original feature group; obtaining a new feature by combining the original features of the first original feature group based on the one or more combination methods; generating a feature vector based on the new feature; inputting the feature vector into a trained transaction feature generation model, and outputting a prediction result of the new feature; generating one or more features and selecting the one or more features as transaction features based on a corresponding prediction result for each of the one or more features, wherein the one or more features comprise the new feature; and identifying one or more illegal transactions based on the transaction features. 2. The method according to claim 1, wherein obtaining the original features of the transaction data comprises:
obtaining the original features wherein two or more of the original features obtained from the transaction data are of a first data type; and wherein determining the one or more combination methods for the original features comprises: determining a combination method that matches the first data type as the combination method for the original features. 3. The method according to claim 2, wherein
when the first data type is a numeric type, the combination method comprises one or more of the following: an arithmetic operation, logarithmic sum calculation, or quadratic sum calculation. 4. The method according to claim 2, wherein
when the first data type is a string, the combination method comprises one or more of the following: an arithmetic operation of string lengths, a logarithmic sum of string lengths, or a quadratic sum of string lengths. 5. The method according to claim 1, wherein
the feature vector is generated based on meta information of the original features and the one or more combination methods. 6. The method according to claim 5, wherein the meta information comprises one or more of the following:
an average value, a variance, or a number of unique data of the original features. 7. The method according to claim 1, wherein generating the feature vector comprises:
generating the feature vector based on meta information of the original features, the one or more combination methods, and meta features of two or more sample datasets used to create the trained transaction feature generation model. 8. The method according to claim 7, wherein the meta features of the two or more sample datasets comprise one or more of the following:
a number of original features, a number of original features of a numeric type, or a ratio of positive and negative samples. 9. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein the trained transaction feature generation model comprises elements trained, in part, by:
obtaining a sample dataset, wherein the sample dataset comprises sample transaction data with a transaction label, and the transaction label is used to mark whether corresponding sample transaction data is an illegal transaction; obtaining original features of the sample transaction data and determining one or more combination methods for the original features; determining a feature vector of a new feature that is obtained by combining the original features based on the one or more combination methods; calculating a difference between the new feature and the transaction label as a feature label of the new feature; and generating the trained transaction feature generation model based, in part, on the feature vector and the feature label of the new feature. 10. The method according to claim 9, wherein obtaining the original features of the sample transaction data comprises:
obtaining the original features of the same type in the sample transaction data; and the determining a combination method for the original features comprises: determining a combination method that matches the same type as the combination method for the original features. 11. The method according to claim 9, wherein the calculating a difference between the new feature and the transaction label comprises:
for each piece of sample transaction data in the sample dataset, calculating a value of a new feature of the sample transaction data based on the combination method; and using a transaction label of the sample transaction data as a real value, calculating a mean square error between the value of the new feature of the sample transaction data and the real value, and using the mean square error as the difference between the new feature and the transaction label. 12. A non-transitory, computer-readable medium storing one or more instructions executable by a computer system to perform operations comprising:
obtaining a target dataset, wherein the target dataset comprises transaction data; obtaining original features of the transaction data and storing the original features as a first original feature group, wherein the original features comprise data of one or more types that can be combined; determining one or more combination methods for the original features of the first original feature group; obtaining a new feature by combining the original features of the first original feature group based on the one or more combination methods; generating a feature vector based on the new feature; inputting the feature vector into a trained transaction feature generation model, and outputting a prediction result of the new feature; generating one or more features and selecting the one or more features as transaction features based on a corresponding prediction result for each of the one or more features, wherein the one or more features comprise the new feature; and identifying one or more illegal transactions based on the transaction features. 13. The non-transitory, computer-readable medium of claim 12, wherein obtaining the original features of the transaction data comprises:
obtaining the original features wherein two or more of the original features obtained from the transaction data are of a first data type; and wherein determining the one or more combination methods for the original features comprises: determining a combination method that matches the first data type as the combination method for the original features. 14. The non-transitory, computer-readable medium of claim 12, wherein the trained transaction feature generation model comprises elements trained, in part, by:
obtaining a sample dataset, wherein the sample dataset comprises sample transaction data with a transaction label, and the transaction label is used to mark whether corresponding sample transaction data is an illegal transaction; obtaining original features of the sample transaction data and determining one or more combination methods for the original features; determining a feature vector of a new feature that is obtained by combining the original features based on the one or more combination methods; calculating a difference between the new feature and the transaction label as a feature label of the new feature; and generating the trained transaction feature generation model based, in part, on the feature vector and the feature label of the new feature. 15. The non-transitory, computer-readable medium of claim 14, wherein obtaining the original features of the sample transaction data comprises:
obtaining the original features of the same type in the sample transaction data; and the determining a combination method for the original features comprises: determining a combination method that matches the same type as the combination method for the original features. 16. The non-transitory, computer-readable medium of claim 14, wherein the calculating a difference between the new feature and the transaction label comprises:
for each piece of sample transaction data in the sample dataset, calculating a value of a new feature of the sample transaction data based on the combination method; and using a transaction label of the sample transaction data as a real value, calculating a mean square error between the value of the new feature of the sample transaction data and the real value, and using the mean square error as the difference between the new feature and the transaction label. 17. 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: obtaining a target dataset, wherein the target dataset comprises transaction data; obtaining original features of the transaction data and storing the original features as a first original feature group, wherein the original features comprise data of one or more types that can be combined; determining one or more combination methods for the original features of the first original feature group; obtaining a new feature by combining the original features of the first original feature group based on the one or more combination methods; generating a feature vector based on the new feature; inputting the feature vector into a trained transaction feature generation model, and outputting a prediction result of the new feature; generating one or more features and selecting the one or more features as transaction features based on a corresponding prediction result for each of the one or more features, wherein the one or more features comprise the new feature; and identifying one or more illegal transactions based on the transaction features. 18. The computer-implemented system of claim 17, wherein obtaining the original features of the transaction data comprises:
obtaining the original features wherein two or more of the original features obtained from the transaction data are of a first data type; and wherein determining the one or more combination methods for the original features comprises: determining a combination method that matches the first data type as the combination method for the original features. 19. The computer-implemented system of claim 17, wherein the trained transaction feature generation model comprises elements trained, in part, by:
obtaining a sample dataset, wherein the sample dataset comprises sample transaction data with a transaction label, and the transaction label is used to mark whether corresponding sample transaction data is an illegal transaction; obtaining original features of the sample transaction data and determining one or more combination methods for the original features; determining a feature vector of a new feature that is obtained by combining the original features based on the one or more combination methods; calculating a difference between the new feature and the transaction label as a feature label of the new feature; and generating the trained transaction feature generation model based, in part, on the feature vector and the feature label of the new feature. 20. The computer-implemented system of claim 19, wherein obtaining the original features of the sample transaction data comprises:
obtaining the original features of the same type in the sample transaction data; and the determining a combination method for the original features comprises: determining a combination method that matches the same type as the combination method for the original features. | 2,800 |
343,798 | 16,803,228 | 2,849 | According to one embodiment, a semiconductor device includes a substrate, a logic circuit provided on the substrate, and a memory cell array provided over the logic circuit that includes a plurality of electrode layers stacked on top of one another and a semiconductor layer provided over the plurality of electrode layers. The semiconductor device further includes a first plug and a second plug provided above the logic circuit and electrically connected to the logic circuit, a bonding pad provided on the first plug, and a metallic wiring layer provided on the memory cell array, electrically connected to the semiconductor layer, and electrically connected to the second plug. | 1. A semiconductor device comprising:
a substrate; a logic circuit provided on the substrate;
a memory cell array, provided over the logic circuit, that includes a plurality of electrode layers stacked on top of one another and a semiconductor layer provided over the plurality of electrode layers;
a first plug and a second plug provided above the logic circuit and electrically connected to the logic circuit; a bonding pad provided on the first plug; and a metallic wiring layer provided on the memory cell array, electrically connected to the semiconductor layer and the second plug. 2. The semiconductor device according to claim 1, wherein the bonding pad and the metallic wiring layer are provided in a same wiring layer. 3. The semiconductor device according to claim 1, wherein the first and second plugs are laterally spaced apart from the memory cell array. 4. The semiconductor device according to claim 1, wherein the semiconductor layer is provided in a source line, and the metallic wiring layer is provided in a source wiring layer. 5. The semiconductor device according to claim 1, wherein the metallic wiring layer is provided over the semiconductor layer. 6. The semiconductor device according to claim 5, wherein the metallic wiring layer is provided on an upper surface and on a side surface of the semiconductor layer. 7. The semiconductor device according to claim 1, wherein the metallic wiring layer is provided on the semiconductor layer and on the second plug. 8. The semiconductor device according to claim 1, wherein the semiconductor layer is provided on the second plug, and
wherein the metallic wiring layer is provided on the semiconductor layer and electrically connected to the second plug via the semiconductor layer. 9. The semiconductor device according to claim 1, further comprising a first insulating film provided on the memory cell array,
wherein the metallic wiring layer includes a first portion provided on the memory cell array with the first insulating film disposed therebetween and a second portion provided on the memory cell array in the first insulating film. 10. The semiconductor device according to claim 1, further comprising:
a plurality of first pads provided on the substrate; and a plurality of second pads respectively provided on the plurality of first pads, wherein each of the memory cell array, the first plug, and the second plug is electrically connected to the logic circuit via at least one of the plurality of first pads and at least one of the plurality of second pads. 11. A method for manufacturing a semiconductor device, the method comprising:
providing a logic circuit on a first substrate;
providing a memory cell array over the logic circuit, the memory cell array including a plurality of electrode layers stacked on top of one another and a semiconductor layer provided above the plurality of electrode layers;
providing a first plug and a second plug over the logic circuit, the first plug and the second plug being electrically connected to the logic circuit; forming a bonding pad on the first plug; and forming a metallic wiring layer on the memory cell array, the metallic wiring layer being electrically connected to the semiconductor layer and the second plug. 12. A method for manufacturing a semiconductor device, the method comprising:
forming a logic circuit on a first substrate; forming a memory cell array above a second substrate, the memory cell array including a semiconductor layer and a plurality of electrode layers stacked on top of one another over the semiconductor layer; forming a first plug and a second plug over the second substrate; providing the memory cell array, the first plug, and the second plug over the logic circuit by bonding the first substrate and the second substrate to each other; removing the second substrate after bonding the first substrate and the second substrate; forming a bonding pad on the first plug after removing the second substrate; and forming a metallic wiring layer on the memory cell array after removing the second substrate, the metallic wiring layer being electrically connected to the semiconductor layer and the second plug. 13. The method for manufacturing a semiconductor device, according to claim 11, wherein the bonding pad and the metallic wiring layer are formed by processing a same wiring layer formed on the first plug and the memory cell array after removing the second substrate. 14. The method for manufacturing a semiconductor device, according to claim 12, wherein the bonding pad and the metallic wiring layer are formed by processing a same wiring layer formed on the first plug and the memory cell array after removing the second substrate. | According to one embodiment, a semiconductor device includes a substrate, a logic circuit provided on the substrate, and a memory cell array provided over the logic circuit that includes a plurality of electrode layers stacked on top of one another and a semiconductor layer provided over the plurality of electrode layers. The semiconductor device further includes a first plug and a second plug provided above the logic circuit and electrically connected to the logic circuit, a bonding pad provided on the first plug, and a metallic wiring layer provided on the memory cell array, electrically connected to the semiconductor layer, and electrically connected to the second plug.1. A semiconductor device comprising:
a substrate; a logic circuit provided on the substrate;
a memory cell array, provided over the logic circuit, that includes a plurality of electrode layers stacked on top of one another and a semiconductor layer provided over the plurality of electrode layers;
a first plug and a second plug provided above the logic circuit and electrically connected to the logic circuit; a bonding pad provided on the first plug; and a metallic wiring layer provided on the memory cell array, electrically connected to the semiconductor layer and the second plug. 2. The semiconductor device according to claim 1, wherein the bonding pad and the metallic wiring layer are provided in a same wiring layer. 3. The semiconductor device according to claim 1, wherein the first and second plugs are laterally spaced apart from the memory cell array. 4. The semiconductor device according to claim 1, wherein the semiconductor layer is provided in a source line, and the metallic wiring layer is provided in a source wiring layer. 5. The semiconductor device according to claim 1, wherein the metallic wiring layer is provided over the semiconductor layer. 6. The semiconductor device according to claim 5, wherein the metallic wiring layer is provided on an upper surface and on a side surface of the semiconductor layer. 7. The semiconductor device according to claim 1, wherein the metallic wiring layer is provided on the semiconductor layer and on the second plug. 8. The semiconductor device according to claim 1, wherein the semiconductor layer is provided on the second plug, and
wherein the metallic wiring layer is provided on the semiconductor layer and electrically connected to the second plug via the semiconductor layer. 9. The semiconductor device according to claim 1, further comprising a first insulating film provided on the memory cell array,
wherein the metallic wiring layer includes a first portion provided on the memory cell array with the first insulating film disposed therebetween and a second portion provided on the memory cell array in the first insulating film. 10. The semiconductor device according to claim 1, further comprising:
a plurality of first pads provided on the substrate; and a plurality of second pads respectively provided on the plurality of first pads, wherein each of the memory cell array, the first plug, and the second plug is electrically connected to the logic circuit via at least one of the plurality of first pads and at least one of the plurality of second pads. 11. A method for manufacturing a semiconductor device, the method comprising:
providing a logic circuit on a first substrate;
providing a memory cell array over the logic circuit, the memory cell array including a plurality of electrode layers stacked on top of one another and a semiconductor layer provided above the plurality of electrode layers;
providing a first plug and a second plug over the logic circuit, the first plug and the second plug being electrically connected to the logic circuit; forming a bonding pad on the first plug; and forming a metallic wiring layer on the memory cell array, the metallic wiring layer being electrically connected to the semiconductor layer and the second plug. 12. A method for manufacturing a semiconductor device, the method comprising:
forming a logic circuit on a first substrate; forming a memory cell array above a second substrate, the memory cell array including a semiconductor layer and a plurality of electrode layers stacked on top of one another over the semiconductor layer; forming a first plug and a second plug over the second substrate; providing the memory cell array, the first plug, and the second plug over the logic circuit by bonding the first substrate and the second substrate to each other; removing the second substrate after bonding the first substrate and the second substrate; forming a bonding pad on the first plug after removing the second substrate; and forming a metallic wiring layer on the memory cell array after removing the second substrate, the metallic wiring layer being electrically connected to the semiconductor layer and the second plug. 13. The method for manufacturing a semiconductor device, according to claim 11, wherein the bonding pad and the metallic wiring layer are formed by processing a same wiring layer formed on the first plug and the memory cell array after removing the second substrate. 14. The method for manufacturing a semiconductor device, according to claim 12, wherein the bonding pad and the metallic wiring layer are formed by processing a same wiring layer formed on the first plug and the memory cell array after removing the second substrate. | 2,800 |
343,799 | 16,803,250 | 2,643 | According to one embodiment, a semiconductor device includes a substrate, a logic circuit provided on the substrate, and a memory cell array provided over the logic circuit that includes a plurality of electrode layers stacked on top of one another and a semiconductor layer provided over the plurality of electrode layers. The semiconductor device further includes a first plug and a second plug provided above the logic circuit and electrically connected to the logic circuit, a bonding pad provided on the first plug, and a metallic wiring layer provided on the memory cell array, electrically connected to the semiconductor layer, and electrically connected to the second plug. | 1. A semiconductor device comprising:
a substrate; a logic circuit provided on the substrate;
a memory cell array, provided over the logic circuit, that includes a plurality of electrode layers stacked on top of one another and a semiconductor layer provided over the plurality of electrode layers;
a first plug and a second plug provided above the logic circuit and electrically connected to the logic circuit; a bonding pad provided on the first plug; and a metallic wiring layer provided on the memory cell array, electrically connected to the semiconductor layer and the second plug. 2. The semiconductor device according to claim 1, wherein the bonding pad and the metallic wiring layer are provided in a same wiring layer. 3. The semiconductor device according to claim 1, wherein the first and second plugs are laterally spaced apart from the memory cell array. 4. The semiconductor device according to claim 1, wherein the semiconductor layer is provided in a source line, and the metallic wiring layer is provided in a source wiring layer. 5. The semiconductor device according to claim 1, wherein the metallic wiring layer is provided over the semiconductor layer. 6. The semiconductor device according to claim 5, wherein the metallic wiring layer is provided on an upper surface and on a side surface of the semiconductor layer. 7. The semiconductor device according to claim 1, wherein the metallic wiring layer is provided on the semiconductor layer and on the second plug. 8. The semiconductor device according to claim 1, wherein the semiconductor layer is provided on the second plug, and
wherein the metallic wiring layer is provided on the semiconductor layer and electrically connected to the second plug via the semiconductor layer. 9. The semiconductor device according to claim 1, further comprising a first insulating film provided on the memory cell array,
wherein the metallic wiring layer includes a first portion provided on the memory cell array with the first insulating film disposed therebetween and a second portion provided on the memory cell array in the first insulating film. 10. The semiconductor device according to claim 1, further comprising:
a plurality of first pads provided on the substrate; and a plurality of second pads respectively provided on the plurality of first pads, wherein each of the memory cell array, the first plug, and the second plug is electrically connected to the logic circuit via at least one of the plurality of first pads and at least one of the plurality of second pads. 11. A method for manufacturing a semiconductor device, the method comprising:
providing a logic circuit on a first substrate;
providing a memory cell array over the logic circuit, the memory cell array including a plurality of electrode layers stacked on top of one another and a semiconductor layer provided above the plurality of electrode layers;
providing a first plug and a second plug over the logic circuit, the first plug and the second plug being electrically connected to the logic circuit; forming a bonding pad on the first plug; and forming a metallic wiring layer on the memory cell array, the metallic wiring layer being electrically connected to the semiconductor layer and the second plug. 12. A method for manufacturing a semiconductor device, the method comprising:
forming a logic circuit on a first substrate; forming a memory cell array above a second substrate, the memory cell array including a semiconductor layer and a plurality of electrode layers stacked on top of one another over the semiconductor layer; forming a first plug and a second plug over the second substrate; providing the memory cell array, the first plug, and the second plug over the logic circuit by bonding the first substrate and the second substrate to each other; removing the second substrate after bonding the first substrate and the second substrate; forming a bonding pad on the first plug after removing the second substrate; and forming a metallic wiring layer on the memory cell array after removing the second substrate, the metallic wiring layer being electrically connected to the semiconductor layer and the second plug. 13. The method for manufacturing a semiconductor device, according to claim 11, wherein the bonding pad and the metallic wiring layer are formed by processing a same wiring layer formed on the first plug and the memory cell array after removing the second substrate. 14. The method for manufacturing a semiconductor device, according to claim 12, wherein the bonding pad and the metallic wiring layer are formed by processing a same wiring layer formed on the first plug and the memory cell array after removing the second substrate. | According to one embodiment, a semiconductor device includes a substrate, a logic circuit provided on the substrate, and a memory cell array provided over the logic circuit that includes a plurality of electrode layers stacked on top of one another and a semiconductor layer provided over the plurality of electrode layers. The semiconductor device further includes a first plug and a second plug provided above the logic circuit and electrically connected to the logic circuit, a bonding pad provided on the first plug, and a metallic wiring layer provided on the memory cell array, electrically connected to the semiconductor layer, and electrically connected to the second plug.1. A semiconductor device comprising:
a substrate; a logic circuit provided on the substrate;
a memory cell array, provided over the logic circuit, that includes a plurality of electrode layers stacked on top of one another and a semiconductor layer provided over the plurality of electrode layers;
a first plug and a second plug provided above the logic circuit and electrically connected to the logic circuit; a bonding pad provided on the first plug; and a metallic wiring layer provided on the memory cell array, electrically connected to the semiconductor layer and the second plug. 2. The semiconductor device according to claim 1, wherein the bonding pad and the metallic wiring layer are provided in a same wiring layer. 3. The semiconductor device according to claim 1, wherein the first and second plugs are laterally spaced apart from the memory cell array. 4. The semiconductor device according to claim 1, wherein the semiconductor layer is provided in a source line, and the metallic wiring layer is provided in a source wiring layer. 5. The semiconductor device according to claim 1, wherein the metallic wiring layer is provided over the semiconductor layer. 6. The semiconductor device according to claim 5, wherein the metallic wiring layer is provided on an upper surface and on a side surface of the semiconductor layer. 7. The semiconductor device according to claim 1, wherein the metallic wiring layer is provided on the semiconductor layer and on the second plug. 8. The semiconductor device according to claim 1, wherein the semiconductor layer is provided on the second plug, and
wherein the metallic wiring layer is provided on the semiconductor layer and electrically connected to the second plug via the semiconductor layer. 9. The semiconductor device according to claim 1, further comprising a first insulating film provided on the memory cell array,
wherein the metallic wiring layer includes a first portion provided on the memory cell array with the first insulating film disposed therebetween and a second portion provided on the memory cell array in the first insulating film. 10. The semiconductor device according to claim 1, further comprising:
a plurality of first pads provided on the substrate; and a plurality of second pads respectively provided on the plurality of first pads, wherein each of the memory cell array, the first plug, and the second plug is electrically connected to the logic circuit via at least one of the plurality of first pads and at least one of the plurality of second pads. 11. A method for manufacturing a semiconductor device, the method comprising:
providing a logic circuit on a first substrate;
providing a memory cell array over the logic circuit, the memory cell array including a plurality of electrode layers stacked on top of one another and a semiconductor layer provided above the plurality of electrode layers;
providing a first plug and a second plug over the logic circuit, the first plug and the second plug being electrically connected to the logic circuit; forming a bonding pad on the first plug; and forming a metallic wiring layer on the memory cell array, the metallic wiring layer being electrically connected to the semiconductor layer and the second plug. 12. A method for manufacturing a semiconductor device, the method comprising:
forming a logic circuit on a first substrate; forming a memory cell array above a second substrate, the memory cell array including a semiconductor layer and a plurality of electrode layers stacked on top of one another over the semiconductor layer; forming a first plug and a second plug over the second substrate; providing the memory cell array, the first plug, and the second plug over the logic circuit by bonding the first substrate and the second substrate to each other; removing the second substrate after bonding the first substrate and the second substrate; forming a bonding pad on the first plug after removing the second substrate; and forming a metallic wiring layer on the memory cell array after removing the second substrate, the metallic wiring layer being electrically connected to the semiconductor layer and the second plug. 13. The method for manufacturing a semiconductor device, according to claim 11, wherein the bonding pad and the metallic wiring layer are formed by processing a same wiring layer formed on the first plug and the memory cell array after removing the second substrate. 14. The method for manufacturing a semiconductor device, according to claim 12, wherein the bonding pad and the metallic wiring layer are formed by processing a same wiring layer formed on the first plug and the memory cell array after removing the second substrate. | 2,600 |
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