A flexible medical needle for extended indwelling periods is provided. The medical needle apparatus includes a spine body and a flexible shaft portion. The spine body has a length between a first end, comprising a piercing tip, and a second end. The flexible shaft portion may be disposed on at least a portion of the spine body, forming a needle shaft having a passage along a portion of the length of the spine body. The spine body may also be coiled forming an axial passage within the spine body. In this latter embodiment, the flexible shaft portion surrounds the spine body. In each embodiment, the spine body is configured to facilitate bending, allowing for the medical needle to remain indwelling with reduced discomfort.
A61M 5/32 - Syringes - Details - Details of needles pertaining to their connection with syringe or hub; Accessories for bringing the needle into, or holding the needle on, the body; Devices for protection of needles
An automatic injection device has an insertion needle configured to be inserted into a patient and a drug container which contains a pharmaceutical product. The drug container includes a stopper. The automatic injection device also has a fluid path which fluidly connects the drug container to the insertion needle. The automatic injection device further has a drive system configured to cause parallel linear movement of the stopper to force the pharmaceutical product into the fluid path. The drive system has a driving element and a movable element. The automatic injection device additionally has electronics configured to provide a signal to the drive system to move the stopper and have means for sensing the stopper position. The movable element has an outer magnet at least partially surrounding the drug container and an inner magnet inside the drug container.
A fluid control valve and valve assembly including the fluid control valve are disclosed. The valve includes a valve body comprising a supply port and an exhaust port, each of which are in selective communication with a control port. A valve sealing member is located between a supply valve seat and an exhaust valve seat, and is supported for linear displacement between at least a first valve position and a second valve position. In the first valve position, the valve sealing member is pressed against the exhaust valve seat such that the supply port is in fluid communication with the control port and fluid pressure at the control port is high. In the second valve position, the valve sealing member is pressed against the supply valve seat such that the control port is in fluid communication with the exhaust port and fluid pressure at the control port is low.
An actuator for use with an on/off solenoid configured to maintain a position corresponding to the energized state of the solenoid when the solenoid is de-energized. The actuator is comprised of a guide that rotates a selector between one of two positions each time the solenoid is energized. One position of the actuator places the selector in an extended position and the other position of the actuator places the selector in a retracted position. To move the selector between the first and second positions, the solenoid is momentarily energized, and in each position of the selector, the solenoid is de-energized. The actuator can be coupled to a poppet valve to maintain the valve in one of two positions when the solenoid is de-energized.
F16K 31/10 - Operating means; Releasing devices magnetic using a magnet with additional mechanism between armature and closure member
F16K 31/524 - Mechanical actuating means with crank, eccentric, or cam with a cam
F16K 11/048 - Multiple-way valves, e.g. mixing valves; Pipe fittings incorporating such valves; Arrangement of valves and flow lines specially adapted for mixing fluid with all movable sealing faces moving as one unit comprising only lift valves with valve seats positioned between movable valve members
Described herein is a system and method for securing a printed circuit board without the use of screws in a housing assembly comprising a bottom housing made of plastic and a top housing made of metal. The top housing comprises a plurality of ribs. The bottom housing comprises a plurality of flexible snap arms each having a head portion, which includes an angled lower face, a horizontal crush rib, and a vertical crush rib. Upon coupling of the assembly, the ribs exert a horizontal force on the flexible snap arms resulting in climbing of the angled lower face further onto the printed circuit board. The horizontal force may also crush the horizontal crush ribs allowing for increased flexibility between the components to adjust for interference, preventing potential damage to the printed circuit board. Vertical forces may also crush the vertical crush ribs allowing for increased flexibility between the components.
Described herein is a system and method for securing a battery in an enclosure with some degree of flexibility between the components to adjust for variations in size of the components. A battery holder assembly comprises a first housing component, a second housing component, and a battery. The first component includes a battery receptacle, comprising a plurality of flexible arms to surround a battery. The second component comprises a plurality of crush ribs having a solid support, that will wedge in-between the second housing component wall and the flexible arms, and that have a specially designed protrusion that is crushable. The flexible arms, which are in contact with the battery are wide enough to spread out the force, so as not to damage the battery, while the crush ribs will dig only into the plastic to arrest the battery's vibration while compensating for the remaining tolerance or variation between components.
A display system, has a flexible display screen which has a front side and a back side, and a plurality of haptic elements arranged in an array on the back side of the screen. The display system also has a controller board connected to the plurality of haptic elements and the flexible display screen. The controller board is configured to display a plurality of interactive buttons on the front side of the flexible display screen in locations corresponding to the plurality of haptic elements. The plurality of haptic elements are configured to provide haptic feedback based on touch input provided to the front side of the screen. The haptic feedback includes actuating a haptic element which corresponds to the location of an interactivebutton selected by the touch input.
G06F 3/02 - Input arrangements using manually operated switches, e.g. using keyboards or dials
G06F 3/01 - Input arrangements or combined input and output arrangements for interaction between user and computer
G06F 3/041 - Digitisers, e.g. for touch screens or touch pads, characterised by the transducing means
G06F 3/0488 - Interaction techniques based on graphical user interfaces [GUI] using specific features provided by the input device, e.g. functions controlled by the rotation of a mouse with dual sensing arrangements, or of the nature of the input device, e.g. tap gestures based on pressure sensed by a digitiser using a touch-screen or digitiser, e.g. input of commands through traced gestures
8.
AUTOMATIC INJECTION DEVICE HAVING A DRIVE SYSTEM WITH A SHAPE MEMORY SPRING
An automatic injection device has an insertion needle configured to be inserted into a patient and a drug container which contains a pharmaceutical product and includes a plunger. The automatic injection device also has a fluid path which fluidly connects the drug container to the insertion needle, and a drive system configured to cause linear movement of the plunger to force the pharmaceutical product into the fluid path. The drive system has a movable element. The movable element has a shape memory alloy and is configured to change shape to move the plunger.
A61M 5/315 - Pistons; Piston-rods; Guiding, blocking or restricting the movement of the rod; Appliances on the rod for facilitating dosing
F03G 7/06 - Mechanical-power-producing mechanisms, not otherwise provided for or using energy sources not otherwise provided for using expansion or contraction of bodies due to heating, cooling, moistening, drying, or the like
A61M 5/20 - Automatic syringes, e.g. with automatically actuated piston rod, with automatic needle injection, filling automatically
A61M 5/44 - Devices for bringing media into the body in a subcutaneous, intra-vascular or intramuscular way; Accessories therefor, e.g. filling or cleaning devices, arm rests having means for cooling or heating the devices or media
9.
AUTOMATIC INJECTION DEVICE HAVING A MAGNETIC DRIVE SYSTEM
An automatic injection device has an insertion needle configured to be inserted into a patient and a drug container which contains a pharmaceutical product. The drug container includes a plunger. The automatic injection device also has a fluid path which fluidly connects the drug container to the insertion needle. The automatic injection device further has a drive system configured to cause linear movement of the plunger to force the pharmaceutical product into the fluid path. The drive system has a driving element and a movable element. The automatic injection device additionally has electronics configured to provide a signal to the drive system to move the plunger. The movable element has an outer magnet at least partially surrounding the drug container and an inner magnet inside the drug container.
Embodiments of the disclosure provide systems and methods for estimating battery discharge time duration during high-rate battery discharging. Generally speaking, embodiments of the present disclosure are directed to a prediction of battery run times for short duration, high-current discharge events that are scaled in seconds rather than minutes, and which are continuously compensated for ambient temperature which can alter discharge times as a result of reaching thermal limitations before chemical capacity has actually been exhausted.
H01M 10/48 - Accumulators combined with arrangements for measuring, testing or indicating the condition of cells, e.g. the level or density of the electrolyte
An apparatus and method for the aseptic delivery of a biologic medication in a wearable form factor. The apparatus and method allow for standard off-the-shelf drug cartridges to be utilized without compromising the sterility of the biologic. Further, by utilizing a two part assembly, manufacturing costs are minimized.
An LED lighting unit (300) may include a flexible circuit substrate having a an obverse side and a reverse side. The obverse side may include a plurality of mounting points for LEDs (120) and the reverse side may include a thermal conduction material. A plurality of LEDs may be mounted to the plurality of mounting points and may be in thermal communication with the thermal conduction material. A heat sink (200) may be attached to the reverse side of the substrate and may have a hollow conical-frustum geometry. The heat sink may include a top circumference, a bottom circumference, a top opening, a bottom opening, at least one cooling fin (260) extending into an interior of the heat sink.
F21V 29/77 - Cooling arrangements characterised by passive heat-dissipating elements, e.g. heat-sinks with fins or blades with essentially identical diverging planar fins or blades, e.g. with fan-like or star-like cross-section
F21V 29/83 - Cooling arrangements characterised by passive heat-dissipating elements, e.g. heat-sinks the elements having apertures, ducts or channels, e.g. heat radiation holes
F21V 23/00 - Arrangement of electric circuit elements in or on lighting devices
F21Y 111/00 - Light sources of a form not covered by groups
13.
OIL PAN WITH INTEGRATED CAPACITIVE SENSOR FOR MEASURING OIL LEVEL
Embodiments provide an oil pan that includes an oil pan having a reservoir configured to hold oil and defined by one or more oil pan walls and an oil pan bottom. The oil pan includes one or more capacitance sensors coupled to a portion of the oil pan walls and configured to sense a capacitance. The oil pan includes a capacitance measuring unit electrically connected to the one or more sensors via one or more conductors and configured to receive each of the sensed capacitances via the one or more conductors and determine capacitance values for each of the sensed capacitances. The oil pan also includes a processor configured to receive the capacitance values and determine the oil level in the oil pan based on the capacitance values.
G01F 23/26 - Indicating or measuring liquid level or level of fluent solid material, e.g. indicating in terms of volume or indicating by means of an alarm by measuring physical variables, other than linear dimensions, pressure or weight, dependent on the level to be measured, e.g. by difference of heat transfer of steam or water by measuring variations of capacity or inductance of capacitors or inductors arising from the presence of liquid or fluent solid material in the electric or electromagnetic fields
A method for characterizing a fluid control solenoid with current compensation is described. A current command is sent to the fluid control solenoid. The current command indicates a desired current value related to a desired fluid output pressure to be applied to the solenoid. An actual fluid output pressure is measured at a valve associated with the fluid control solenoid for the desired current value applied to the solenoid. An actual current received value at the fluid control solenoid is also measured. Post processing is then applied. A compensated current value related to the actual fluid output pressure is determined based on a difference between the current command and the actual current received value. Methods for dynamic current compensation are also described.
H01F 7/18 - Circuit arrangements for obtaining desired operating characteristics, e.g. for slow operation, for sequential energisation of windings, for high-speed energisation of windings
B60T 8/00 - Arrangements for adjusting wheel-braking force to meet varying vehicular or ground-surface conditions, e.g. limiting or varying distribution of braking force
F16H 61/02 - Control functions within change-speed- or reversing-gearings for conveying rotary motion characterised by the signals used
15.
VEHICLE LANE DEPARTURE SYSTEM BASED ON MAGNETIC FIELD FLUX DETECTION
Described herein is a system and method that recognizes vehicle lane departure in road conditions affected by environmental conditions. The system uses magnetic field flux detection to determine if a vehicle is departing from a projected vehicle trajectory or a determined vehicle position between lanes. A magnetic material is applied to the stripes painted on road surfaces or on other applicable lane boundary indicators. The system uses magnetic field flux sensors or Hall Effect sensors mounted in the vehicle to recognize changes in magnetic field flux from the magnetized road stripe. These changes in magnetic field flux are interpreted by the system to determine whether alarms should be initiated for vehicle lane departure.
Described herein is a system which provides a portable and rechargeable device to charge portable devices. The system includes an entertainment hub or similar structure in a vehicle and a portable and rechargeable device which connects with the entertainment hub to charge batteries in the portable and rechargeable device. The entertainment hub is connected to the vehicle power system and has a connection port for holding and powering the portable and rechargeable device. The connection port and the portable and rechargeable device have mated connectors. An ejection button disengages the portable and rechargeable device from the entertainment hub. The portable and rechargeable device has a connector for connecting to and charging a portable device.
H02J 7/00 - Circuit arrangements for charging or depolarising batteries or for supplying loads from batteries
H02J 7/14 - Circuit arrangements for charging or depolarising batteries or for supplying loads from batteries for charging batteries from dynamo-electric generators driven at varying speed, e.g. on vehicle
B60R 11/02 - Arrangements for holding or mounting articles, not otherwise provided for for radio sets, television sets, telephones, or the like; Arrangement of controls thereof
G06F 1/16 - Constructional details or arrangements
17.
MULTI-TOUCH GESTURE RECOGNITION USING MULTIPLE SINGLE-TOUCH TOUCH PADS
A device and method using multiple touch-sensors on multiple ergonomically separated surfaces together with centralized, common processing to enable multi-touch performance for multi-touch applications. The device uses a combination of two or more separate touch-sensors with common processing to allow use of a wider portfolio of touch technologies which would otherwise only offer single-touch capabilities, for multi-touch applications. The usage of multiple separated sensors allows coverage of various surfaces using sensor technologies that might otherwise be unavailable. The segmented ergonomically formed touch sensitive devices use ergonomic single-touch and multi-touch gestures for controlling or passing general input information to electronic devices having a human-machine input. The devices fit a variety of surface conditions and are operable via a combination of a number of different human body parts. The multiple touch sensors are ergonomically separated or dedicated to body parts.
G06F 3/0488 - Interaction techniques based on graphical user interfaces [GUI] using specific features provided by the input device, e.g. functions controlled by the rotation of a mouse with dual sensing arrangements, or of the nature of the input device, e.g. tap gestures based on pressure sensed by a digitiser using a touch-screen or digitiser, e.g. input of commands through traced gestures
G06F 3/0354 - Pointing devices displaced or positioned by the user; Accessories therefor with detection of 2D relative movements between the device, or an operating part thereof, and a plane or surface, e.g. 2D mice, trackballs, pens or pucks
A method is disclosed for determining off-temperature behavior of a solenoid fluid control valve. The method comprises performing a current sweep at a first temperature. The method further comprises choosing a first and second characterization control pressure for characterizing the solenoid fluid control valve. A first current may be determined that corresponds to the first characterization control pressure based on the current sweep, and a first metric may be assigned to the solenoid fluid control valve based on the first current. A second current corresponding to the second characterization control pressure may be determined based on the current sweep, and a second metric may be assigned to the solenoid fluid control valve based on the second current. Information regarding the behavior of the solenoid fluid control valve at a second temperature may be determined based on the first and second metrics.
A method is disclosed for determining off-temperature accuracy information of a solenoid fluid control valve. The method comprises performing a current sweep at a first temperature, and for at least one command pressure, determining an error in a control pressure based on the current sweep. The error may be determined at the first temperature. A metric may then calculated based on the current sweep, and a pressure error offset may be determined for a second temperature based on the metric. The pressure error offset may describe a difference between the error in control pressure at the first temperature and an expected error in control pressure at the second temperature.
A solenoid fluid control valve is disclosed for controlling fluid flow. The solenoid fluid control valve may comprise a transceiver that receives a signal via a controller area network (CAN) bus, and a micro controller unit that decodes the signal to determine a temperature. The micro controller unit may send a signal to a driver circuit based on the temperature. The driver circuit may send a current through a coil in response to the signal, wherein an armature moves in response to the current through the coil. The movement of the armature may direct a cooling fluid flow.
F16K 31/06 - Operating means; Releasing devices magnetic using a magnet
H01F 7/18 - Circuit arrangements for obtaining desired operating characteristics, e.g. for slow operation, for sequential energisation of windings, for high-speed energisation of windings
F01P 7/16 - Controlling of coolant flow the coolant being liquid by thermostatic control
F01P 11/14 - Indicating devices; Other safety devices
A mechanism for connecting a first object, such as a chassis and/or motherboard, to a second object, such as a faceplate and/or daughterboard. A first link may be connected to the first object and a second link may be connected to the second object. The second link may have a slot and the first link may have a pin which is releasably connectable to the slot to form a pivot connecting the first link to the second link. The pin may be releasable from the slot at a first point of travel of the pivot and the pin may not be releasable from the slot at a second point of travel of the pivot. The first link may include a first retaining lobe and the second link may include a second retaining lobe disposed to interlock with the first retaining lobe.
A circuit arrangement is disclosed for controlling the switching of a field effect transistor (FET). A current controlled amplifier may be configured to amplify a current in a current sense device to generate an amplified current, wherein the current in the current sense device indicates a current through the FET. A comparator may be coupled to the current sense amplifier to compare a voltage corresponding to the amplified current with a voltage reference and to generate a comparator output based on the comparison, wherein the comparator output controls whether the FET is on or off.
H03K 17/082 - Modifications for protecting switching circuit against overcurrent or overvoltage by feedback from the output to the control circuit
H02M 3/335 - Conversion of dc power input into dc power output with intermediate conversion into ac by static converters using discharge tubes with control electrode or semiconductor devices with control electrode to produce the intermediate ac using devices of a triode or a transistor type requiring continuous application of a control signal using semiconductor devices only
H03K 17/687 - Electronic switching or gating, i.e. not by contact-making and -breaking characterised by the use of specified components by the use, as active elements, of semiconductor devices the devices being field-effect transistors
H03K 17/14 - Modifications for compensating variations of physical values, e.g. of temperature
H03K 17/18 - Modifications for indicating state of switch
H02M 1/00 - APPARATUS FOR CONVERSION BETWEEN AC AND AC, BETWEEN AC AND DC, OR BETWEEN DC AND DC, AND FOR USE WITH MAINS OR SIMILAR POWER SUPPLY SYSTEMS; CONVERSION OF DC OR AC INPUT POWER INTO SURGE OUTPUT POWER; CONTROL OR REGULATION THEREOF - Details of apparatus for conversion
H03K 17/691 - Electronic switching or gating, i.e. not by contact-making and -breaking characterised by the use of specified components by the use, as active elements, of semiconductor devices the devices being field-effect transistors with galvanic isolation between the control circuit and the output circuit using transformer coupling
H03K 17/16 - Modifications for eliminating interference voltages or currents
H03K 3/012 - Modifications of generator to improve response time or to decrease power consumption
23.
VEHICLE ENTRY POWER SYSTEMS ACTIVATION BASED ON STRUCTURED LIGHT DETECTION
A method and apparatus for activating a vehicle entry power system using structured light detection are described herein. The method may include waking up the vehicle entry power system utilizing keyfob detection, waking up a smart camera, turning on, by the smart camera, a laser diode, wherein the laser diode projects a light pattern on the ground for a predetermined period of time, stepping, by a user, on the light pattern, detecting, by the smart camera, a shape change in the light pattern, and signaling to the vehicle entry power system to activate a lift gate opening.
Described herein is a device and method for current flow control for dual battery vehicle architecture. The dual battery vehicle architecture includes a second energy source (150) that is used to support electrical loads (152), such as radio and navigation systems, during re-cranking in stop-start situations. A quasi-diode device (105) is configured to effectively split a main battery (140) and starter (142) circuit (110) from the rest of the vehicle electrical system (115) including the second energy source (150). The quasi-diode device includes a plurality of field effect transistors, FET (107), that conducts current in both directions between the main battery and starter circuit and the rest of the vehicle electrical system when the FETs are turned on and conducts current only from the main battery and starter circuit to the rest of the vehicle electrical system when the FETs are turned off, i.e. when re-cranking is occurring during a start-stop situation.
F02N 11/08 - Circuits specially adapted for starting of engines
H02J 7/14 - Circuit arrangements for charging or depolarising batteries or for supplying loads from batteries for charging batteries from dynamo-electric generators driven at varying speed, e.g. on vehicle
B60R 16/03 - Electric or fluid circuits specially adapted for vehicles and not otherwise provided for; Arrangement of elements of electric or fluid circuits specially adapted for vehicles and not otherwise provided for electric for supply of electrical power to vehicle subsystems
B60R 16/023 - Electric or fluid circuits specially adapted for vehicles and not otherwise provided for; Arrangement of elements of electric or fluid circuits specially adapted for vehicles and not otherwise provided for electric for transmission of signals between vehicle parts or subsystems
H03K 17/082 - Modifications for protecting switching circuit against overcurrent or overvoltage by feedback from the output to the control circuit
25.
METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR CREATING PERFECT MICROWAVE ABSORBING SKINS
A method and apparatus for producing a radio frequency absorber (RFA) or perfect microwave absorber (PMA) skin is described herein. A metamaterial layer may be applied to a low dielectric substrate. Resistive and capacitive components may then be added to the metamaterial layer. The metamaterial layer may then be formed into an RFA or PMA skin, which may then be applied to a multi-layered assembly for absorption of electromagnetic radiation in a frequency range such as the microwave frequency spectrum in a final product including but limited to cell phones, communication devices, or other electronic devices.
A method and apparatus for producing a radio frequency absorbing (RFA) or perfect microwave absorbing (PMA) printed circuit board (PCB) is described herein. A metamaterial layer may be applied to a low dielectric substrate. Resistive and capacitive components may then be added to the metamaterial layer. The metamaterial layer may then be formed into an RFA or PMA PCB, which may comprise a multi-layered assembly for absorption of electromagnetic radiation in a targeted frequency range such as the microwave frequency range in the PCB.
A method for producing a magnetic resonant frequency (MRF) absorber and apparatus for an MRF absorber are described herein. The method comprises processing a high permeability material such as permalloy comprising 80% nickel, 18% iron, 2% molybdenum to create a specific geometric form factor such as a flake, sphere, or rod. The geometric form factor may then be encapsulated in an insulating matrix. The insulating matrix may be a Potassium Silicate (SiO3K2). The insulated flake, sphere, or rod form factor may be introduced to a powder coating process. The insulated flake, sphere, or rod form factor may then be mixed with a polymetric coating powder at a weight ratio based on a desired performance for absorbing electromagnetic interference (EMI).
An LED device and method of manufacture including separately coupling a thin flexible interposer and an LED die to a heat sink structure and then electrically coupling the interposer and the LED die together with a wirebond. A specifically shaped perimeter of an aperture within the interposer negates the need for a cavity or alignment markings within the heat sink structure by limiting the orientation in which the die fits within the aperture. Alternatively, an LED device and method of manufacture include coupling a rigid circuit board to an LED die such that electrical contacts of the die are electrically coupled with electrical input/output terminals of the circuit board. This die/board unit is then able to be coupled to a heat sink structure to form a portion of the device.
A system and method receive, by a postal service, non-electronic or electronic communication, convert, by the postal service, the non-electronic or electronic communication into the other of the non-electronic or electronic communication, and deliver or cause delivery, by the postal service, to a receiver of the other of the non-electronic or electronic communication.
G06F 15/16 - Combinations of two or more digital computers each having at least an arithmetic unit, a program unit and a register, e.g. for a simultaneous processing of several programs
30.
METERED DOSE INHALER WITH AN ELECTRONIC DOSE COUNTER
A metered dose inhaler with an electronic dose counter, and method of operating and forming the same. In one embodiment, the metered dose inhaler includes a pressurized canister assembly formed with a memory device affixed thereto. The metered dose inhaler also includes a canister housing into which the pressurized canister assembly is inserted, the canister housing formed with an electronic dose counter including a display configured to display a dose count of a drug in the pressurized canister assembly stored in the memory device.
A method of and device for generating an identifiable signal to facilitate an order picking process are disclosed. The method and device can be used on an order picking station having containers with items to be picked. In some embodiments, the station has multiple shelves having signal generating devices coupled with each of the containers on the shelves. The device takes the information of the items to be picked and generate identifiable signals, such that the device provides visual effects to facilitate workers' picking and gathering efficiency.
Methods and systems for reporting user activity are provided. Sequentially numbering the reports allows for reports being sent at regular intervals to be associated with a timestamp, even if the system clock has not been set. Furthermore, the reporting period may default to an initial value, such as every 24 hours, but receive instructions to be reset to a different value.
An intelligent television is provided. One aspect of the intelligent television is the ability to preserve status information across power cycles. Once a report is generated, the intelligent television may then transmit the report to a recipient, such as a server. If any one or more reports are successfully sent, they may then be deleted from a memory, storage device, or other non-volatile memory associated with the intelligent television.
An intelligent television is provided with a storage, such as a database, for a number of reports. As reports are created, and free space in the storage decreases, reports may be deleted. Reports may be deleted upon delivery to a server or deleted upon determining an older report exists. Optionally, one report, such as one containing first time data associated with an initial power-up of the television, may be preserved.
An intelligent television is provided with reporting abilities. The intelligent television may report information regarding a number of applications installed on the intelligent television. Additionally, an indicia of applications installed and then de¬ installed may be maintained and reported such that the report includes removed applications. Once a report is created, it may then be stored in a data storage of the intelligent television and delivered to a server. Once successfully delivered, the oldest report may then be removed. Should the delivery of the report fail and free space fall below a threshold, the oldest report, as identified by a sequential or serial number, may then be removed.
An Intelligent TV having a silo manager, a panel manager and a panel controller. The various managers and controllers managing a global panel and an application panel. The global panel includes various types of information and the various types of input and content available. The global panel includes various information including, for example, Live TV information, on demand information, media center information, application information, HDMl 1 information, HDMl 2 information, HDMl 3 information, component 1 information, component 2 information, AV 1 information, AV 2 information, VGA information, as well as an option to hide undetected inputs. The application panel is dynamic and can optionally change based on one or more of context and content of the underlying application being viewed. The application panel can include various subcategories of information, with the number and type of the subcategories also capable of being dynamic based on the underlying context or content.
A collection, aggregation and reporting of activities associated with applications of an Intelligent TV set is provided. Activates may include most used, least used, installed, available and removed. Periodically, a report is generated and sent to a receiver over a network.
A thumbnail management system is provided for an intelligent TV. Thumbnails may accumulate over time and require removal from a data storage device. Thumbnails may expire based, in part, on the type of media they represent, such as broadcast programs, movies, pay-per-view, games, and user content, such as music and images. Thumbnails may also be removed upon removal of the referencing media file.
An Intelligent TV having a silo manager, a panel manager and a panel controller. The various managers and controllers managing a global panel and an application panel. The global panel includes various types of information and the various types of input and content available. The global panel includes various information including, for example, Live TV information, on demand information, media center information, application information, HDMl 1 information, HDMl 2 information, HDMl 3 information, component 1 information, component 2 information, AV 1 information, AV 2 information, VGA information, as well as an option to hide undetected inputs. The application panel is dynamic and can optionally change based on one or more of context and content of the underlying application being viewed. The application panel can include various subcategories of information, with the number and type of the subcategories also capable of being dynamic based on the underlying context or content.
G06F 3/00 - Input arrangements for transferring data to be processed into a form capable of being handled by the computer; Output arrangements for transferring data from processing unit to output unit, e.g. interface arrangements
H04N 5/445 - Receiver circuitry for displaying additional information
An architecture to assemble and manage usage information and populate one or more panels in an intelligent TV. The architecture includes a usage statistics provider module adapted to assemble one or more of usage information and installation information and query the one or more of usage information and installation information to populate one or more of icons and information in a view or panel on the intelligent TV. The architecture further includes a panel manager adapted to assemble the one or more of icons and information into a requested view. A display controller displays the view on a display of the intelligent TV. A silo manager sorts information in at least one panel subcategory based at least on the one or more of usage information and installation information, where the at least one subpanel panel includes a plurality of icons each representing an app or content.
An application framework includes user interface components and TV resources which facilitate development of intelligent TV applications, including third party applications. These components and resources are complimented by one or more data services that can generally be run at a services level, to provide access to a variety of data, such as media and program metadata for one or more of local or remote sources. These data services can reside in one and more libraries within the software system components and modules. The various third party apps are further supported by a third party application support module, in conjunction with an app center application that supports various different views of the installed apps - a master view, a collection view, and a detail view.
A driving board folding machine comprises a machine housing, a movable table and one or more pre-folding stations for holding an unfolded flexible circuit and a circuit housing. When the driving board folding machine is activated, the one or more pre-folding stations are moved to a folding station located within the machine housing and the flexible circuit is folded and inserted within the circuit housing. The driving board folding station is able to comprise multiple pre-folding stations on one or more sides of the movable table. A holding pin holds the flexible circuit in place while a forming press moves in order to preform the flexible circuit, fold the flexible circuit and move the circuit housing to insert the flexible circuit into the housing.
An media data service for an Intelligent TV can search a network to identify media sources and determine a number of media items associated with the media sources. The media items can be media of any type, such as videos, music files, photos, text files, social networking postings, and the like. The media data service can scan the media items to identify metadata associated with them. The media data service may record personalized metadata associated with users such as a list of media items viewed or a list of media items tagged as a favorite. The metadata may be processed, organized into one or more data models, and stored in memory. The metadata stored in memory may be used by a user interface presented to a user.
An Intelligent TV having a silo manager, a panel manager and a panel controller. The various managers and controllers managing a global panel and an application panel. The global panel includes various types of information and the various types of input and content available. The global panel includes various information including, for example, Live TV information, on demand information, media center information, application information, HDMl 1 information, HDMl 2 information, HDMl 3 information, component 1 information, component 2 information, AV 1 information, AV 2 information, VGA information, as well as an option to hide undetected inputs. The application panel is dynamic and can optionally change based on one or more of context and content of the underlying application being viewed. The application panel can include various subcategories of information, with the number and type of the subcategories also capable of being dynamic based on the underlying context or content.
A data service system in an Intelligent Television (TV) includes an internal content provider module configured to provide content to video hardware or display of the Intelligent TV or to a content provider module or application of the Intelligent TV and a subservice configured to provide the internet content provider module with requested data for a pre-defined data model. The internal content provider module is loaded on the Intelligent TV responsive to a user action or a schedule event on the Intelligent TV, and the internal content provider module organizes the received data from the subservice as the content according to a pre-defined format. The internal content provider module includes an EPG data provider, a media data provider, a media browser, a media scanner, and/or a thumbnail engine.
A data service function for an intelligent television (TV) includes a source plugin that communicates with and receives data from an external content provider and processes the received data into a data model format. The data service function further includes a subservice corresponding to the source plugin, the subservice communicates with and provides the converted data as content to the Intelligent TV. Data formats include video-on-demand, electronic programming guide, and media. The data service function further includes a database to store the received data or the converted data, a resource arbitrator to provide access to the subservice to provide content to the various hardware of the Intelligent TV, and a thumbnail cache manager to manage thumbnail images associated with the received data and to store the thumbnail images in a storage of the Intelligent TV.
H04N 21/2343 - Processing of video elementary streams, e.g. splicing of video streams or manipulating MPEG-4 scene graphs involving reformatting operations of video signals for distribution or compliance with end-user requests or end-user device requirements
An EPG data service for an Intelligent TV includes various of source plugins polling and retrieving updated EPG information from a plurality of respective EPG information sources and an EPG subservice receiving the EPG information retrieved by the various source plugins, aggregate the EPG information, and provide a relevant portion of the EPG information to an application of the Intelligent TV. For an EPG source with substantially no updated EPG information, the respective source plugin associates EPG information from the EPG source with dummy EPG data. The EPG subservice aggregates the updated EPG information from the plurality of EPG sources and resolve conflicts between duplicate EPG information from the plurality of EPG sources according to various rules.
An intelligent television and methods for user interaction between the intelligent television and the user are provided. In general, a user is provided with navigation, notification, and setup options which enable one or more functions associated with the intelligent television. The presentation of options is based on input received by the intelligent television. As a user provides input to the intelligent television via a remote control or other input device, the intelligent television is configured to interpret the input and provide interactive functionality in the form of content presented to the display of the intelligent television.
A Digital Living Network Alliance (DLNA) subservice module for an intelligent television (TV) is configured to run periodic discovery scans for DLNA devices on a local network. The DLNA subservice module retrieves status data for DLNA devices connected to the network, updates an internal status data for the DLNA device using the retrieved data, and notifying a media scanner module of the Intelligent TV with the updated internal status data. The DLNA subservice module further works with internal provider modules of the Intelligent TV that deals with non-DLNA devices. The media browser includes a plug-in for retrieving metadata from DLNA content servers in addition to non-DLNA devices. The media scanner aggregates unified metadata retrieved from media browser content provider modules that includes data from DLNA devices.
A method and apparatus for connecting a housing unit for an electronics module to an adapter member are disclosed. The method includes providing a housing with a first connection member and a second connection member, wherein the first connection member includes a flex rib and an abuse protection rib, attaching the first connection member to an adapter member, pivoting the housing on the first connection member to allow the second connection member to swing into position, and snapping the second connection member into the adapter member at an adapter member opening.
H05K 5/00 - Casings, cabinets or drawers for electric apparatus
B60R 16/023 - Electric or fluid circuits specially adapted for vehicles and not otherwise provided for; Arrangement of elements of electric or fluid circuits specially adapted for vehicles and not otherwise provided for electric for transmission of signals between vehicle parts or subsystems
H02G 3/10 - Distribution boxes; Connection or junction boxes for surface mounting on a wall
Described herein is an apparatus for dissipating or transferring heat from electronics secured in a housing unit. A housing unit includes a cover having a first fastener part and a base having a second fastener part. The base further includes a support structure for holding a printed circuit board (PCB) with mounted electronic components. A heat sink is placed within the base. The first fastener part and the second fastener part lock the cover and base together, with the heat sink and the PCB being secured between the support structure and the cover.
A system, method, and computer instructions is provided to render an on screen channel changer on a television. A request is received from a user to activate the on screen channel changer. An on screen channel changer for an Intelligent TV may include a display of a number bar, miniature (mini) electronic program guide (EPG), a dynamic EPG, and a program preview. The EPG information comes from EPG information sources including EPG information embedded in a content feed from a cable provider and EPG information from an internet source. The EPG information displayed can include a schedule of past, current, and upcoming TV programs. The on screen channel changer may be displayed on top of a TV program currently being viewed. The user changes the channel by making a channel number selection using the on screen channel changer.
An Intelligent TV can receive a selection associated with an item of content or the content source associated with a television display. Based on the selection, the Intelligent TV can associate a badge with the item of content or the content source. The badge is a user interface device having visual indicia that indicates the item of content or the content source includes a feature, a state, or a designation. The badge can indicate that the program or the content source is a favorite, is new, or has been previously viewed. Further, the Intelligent TV can receive a second selection for a user interface containing information about the item of content or the content source. Based on the second selection, the Intelligent TV can present both the information about and the badge associated with the item of content or the content source.
An intelligent television and methods for interactive channel navigation and channel switching are disclosed. Specifically, an input may be received at the intelligent television that prompts the display of a channel information card layout to a viewing area of an intelligent television. The display of the layout may depend on the input received. The layout may include at least one channel information card that can visually represent broadcast content available on a channel via an image, without tuning to a channel to retrieve the image. Upon receiving a navigational input, an alternate channel information card may be displayed in the channel information card layout or selection area. Upon receiving a selection input, the television tunes to the channel that is associated with a specific displayed channel information card.
An Intelligent TV can organize content into silos, a silo is a logical representation of a content source for the Intelligent television. Silo can include content applications (e.g., Live TV, VOD, media center, application center, etc.) and/or input sources. The Intelligent TV can receive a designation for a silo through the reception of signals from a remote control or a user interface. Based on the designation, the Intelligent TV can determine the silo desired by the user. Then, the Intelligent TV can transition to the desired silo and provide content from the silo.
An intelligent television and methods for displaying content are disclosed. Specifically, a user may cause a global panel or application panel to be displayed; the global panel is independent of the currently viewed content and provides functionality at a system level. The application panel displays content based on the content being actively displayed on the intelligent television; that is, the layout, information, and content depends on the content being displayed by the intelligent television. For example, upon receiving a selection from the user, the intelligent television may display one or more items of information that are associated with the content currently being displayed in an active content window. Moreover, as the global and application panels are used to navigate through various screens in the intelligent television, the global panels themselves do not obstruct the user from viewing content displayed on the screen of the intelligent television.
An Intelligent TV can dynamically arrange applications in an application center based on usage. The application center provides contextual panels with detailed information about selected applications and provides recommended applications. The panels may be both interactive or informational. The Intelligent TV can receive a request to activate a panel through the reception of signals from a remote control or a user interface. The layout, information, and content of a panel may depend on the application with focus when a user activates the panel. An Intelligent TV may also provide a widget panel which simplifies selection, use, and display of widgets.
An Intelligent TV can organize metadata about media items for display in a variety of contextual panels. The panels may be interactive or informational and may provide recommendations of other media items to the user. The Intelligent TV can receive a request to activate a panel through the reception of signals from a remote control or a user interface. Based on the request, the Intelligent TV can determine the type of panel requested by the user. The layout, information, and content of a panel may depend on the context and content of the media item with focus when a user activates the panel. The Intelligent TV can retrieve metadata for the requested panel and can then transition to the desired panel and provide the retrieved metadata.
A method, system, and executable instructions are provided that receive from a network accessible content provider, electronic program guide ("EPG") information, the EPG information comprising, for each program, airtime, program name, program channel, and program description, to maintain, in the local computer readable medium, a set of favorite channels and programs, to receive from a remote control of a user, a request for channels and programs marked as favorites, to display, on the television screen, a listing of the set of favorite channels and programs, the listing comprising EPG information, to receive, from the at least one of an infrared and radio frequency module, a selected channel or program from the listing, and to change to the selected channel.
A method, system, and executable instructions are provided that obtain, from a network accessible content provider, electronic program guide ("EPG") information, the EPG information comprising, for each program, airtime, program name, program channel, and program description, display, on a screen of a television, a search panel, the search panel comprising a search term field to receive a search term and at least one previous search term used by the user in a prior search, wherein selection of the at least one previous search term initiates a search of the EPG information using the at least one previous search term as one or more selected search term, perform the search using one or more selected search terms, the one or more selected search terms being received in the search term field or a selected previous search term, obtain a set of search results, the set of search results comprising EPG information corresponding to multiple channels and/or programs, display the search results on the television screen, receive, from a remote control of the user, a program selection from the displayed search results, and change a current channel to a channel broadcasting the program selection.
A method, system, and executable instructions are provided that receive a request to change a programming channel, display, on the television screen, an on screen channel changer, the on screen channel changer comprising electronic program guide ("EPG") information and a number input bar comprising digits, receive, from the remote control, a channel selection based on digits using the on screen channel changer, and change to the selected channel.
An intelligent television and methods for user interaction between the intelligent television and the user are provided. In general, a user is provided with navigation, notification, and setup options which enable one or more functions associated with the intelligent television. The presentation of options is based on input received by the intelligent television. As a user provides input to the intelligent television via a remote control or other input device, the intelligent television is configured to interpret the input and provide interactive functionality in the form of content presented to the display of the intelligent television.
An intelligent television can store and retrieve data about various functions of the television or associated with user behavior. The stored data streamlines the processes of providing electronic programming guide information, providing search results, providing statistics about content, providing channel information, etc. The unique set of data services in the intelligent television receive, store, manage, and retrieve the data for various of the applications or components.
An Intelligent Television provides unique user interfaces and user interface interactions to provide social media. The interfaces and interface are intuitive and allow the user to quickly retrieve and view social media with respect to content displayed on the Intelligent Television. Further, intuitive user interface interactions are provided to allow for the quick and efficient posting of social media from the Intelligent Television to a social media site.
An intelligent television can provide various interfaces for navigating processes associated with providing content. The user interfaces include unique visual representations and organizations that allow the user to utilize the intelligent television more easily and more effectively. Particularly, the user interfaces pertain to the display of media content, electronic programming guide information, television content, and other content. Further, the user interfaces provide unique process of transitioning between the content.
The present disclosure is related to methods and systems of displaying content on a television, including: receiving an indication associated with a selection by a user; determining, based on the received indication, a global panel to display via the television; retrieving from memory, a first content information for display in the global panel; and displaying, via the television, the retrieved content information in the specified global panel.
A remote control for a television is provided that can include at least one hotkey having an assigned function that depends on at least one of a currently selected silo and panel displayed by the television.
An intelligent television, methods for displaying content, and methods for user interaction between the intelligent television and the user are provided. In general, a user is provided with a side menu allowing for navigation, selection, additional content, display, and search options that enable one or more functions associated with the intelligent television. The presentation of options is based on input received by the intelligent television. As a user provides input to the intelligent television via a remote control or other input device. The intelligent television is configured to interpret the input and provide interactive functionality in the form of content presented to the display of the intelligent television without obstructing the user from viewing content displayed on the screen of the intelligent television.
An EPG data service for an Intelligent TV includes various of source plugins receiving EPG information from various respective EPG information sources, an EPG subservice aggregating the EPG information received by source plugins, an EPG database storing the aggregated EPG information from the EPG subservice, and an EPG provider providing a relevant portion of the aggregated EPG information to an application of the Intelligent TV. The EPG data service further includes a tag subservice receiving notification from a second application of the Intelligent TV to set or unset tags for programs or channels, storing the tag in a database, and serving the EPG subservice with information regarding tagged programs or channels. The EPG data service further includes a thumbnail cache manager storing thumbnails in a database and serve the thumbnails to the application.
G06F 3/00 - Input arrangements for transferring data to be processed into a form capable of being handled by the computer; Output arrangements for transferring data from processing unit to output unit, e.g. interface arrangements
G06F 13/00 - Interconnection of, or transfer of information or other signals between, memories, input/output devices or central processing units
H04N 5/445 - Receiver circuitry for displaying additional information
An intelligent TV is provided. The intelligent TV provides a management system for favorites and reminders. Selecting a program, associated with a television channel, allows a user to be presented with a list of options, such as making the program a favorite, the associated channel a favorite, or setting a reminder for programs of a like title, channel, and time.
H04H 60/72 - Systems specially adapted for using specific information, e.g. geographical or meteorological information using electronic programme guides [EPG]
H04N 5/445 - Receiver circuitry for displaying additional information
71.
ON-SCREEN SETTINGS INTERACTION FOR INTERACTIVE TELEVISION
A means for setting a television's settings with a particular value is provided. As the user selects a graphical target associated with a particular setting value, the value is applied and the user is provided with immediate feedback. If the user accepts the setting, they can navigate away from the graphical target or navigate to another target to change the setting to a different value. The setting may be associated with a particular silo of the television.
G06F 3/0481 - Interaction techniques based on graphical user interfaces [GUI] based on specific properties of the displayed interaction object or a metaphor-based environment, e.g. interaction with desktop elements like windows or icons, or assisted by a cursor's changing behaviour or appearance
G06F 3/0482 - Interaction with lists of selectable items, e.g. menus
The system, method, and computer instructions search a network to identify media sources. A process determines a number of media items associated with the media sources. A media item can be any type of media item, such as a video, a music file, a photo, a social networking posting, and the like. Metadata associated with the determined number of media items is identified. The metadata is stored in a memory. A request is received from a user to display one or more of the media item. The one or media items are displayed to the user based on the stored metadata.
G06F 3/00 - Input arrangements for transferring data to be processed into a form capable of being handled by the computer; Output arrangements for transferring data from processing unit to output unit, e.g. interface arrangements
An Electronic Programming Guide (EPG) display for a intelligent television (TV) includes a display of EPG information sourced from aggregated EPG information sources including embedded EPG information in a content feed, an Internet EPG information source, and an EPG channel. The EPG information display further includes a schedule of past, current, and upcoming TV programs built from the aggregated EPG information. EPG information may also be displayed on a partial-screen along with a currently playing TV program. The partial-screen EPG information may be displayed on a banner located to the top of the TV program. The partial-screen EPG information may also be displayed to the side of the TV program and include further detailed information and additional contents related to the TV program.
A method, system, and executable instructions are provided that, in a first mode, display, on the television screen, a thumbnail preview comprising EPG information associated with the selected program and the graphical image, wherein the selected program corresponds to an in focus program in a listing of EPG information for multiple channels and/or programs and wherein the graphical image is not related with a currently viewed program and in a second mode, display, on the television screen, a header bar, the header bar comprising EPG information associated with the selected program and the graphical image, wherein the selected program corresponds to a currently viewed program and is not related to an in focus program in a listing of EPG information for multiple channels and/or programs.
A method, system, and executable instructions are provided that receive a request to change a television tuner from a first channel to a second channel, the first channel providing first programming and the second channel providing second programming, wherein the first and second programming are different and changing from the first channel to the second channel causes a delay in providing, by the television tuner, the second programming, determine, based on metadata associated with the second channel and/or second programming, an image associated with the second programming, and, during the delay, display, on a screen of the television, the image.
An intelligent television and methods for user interaction between the intelligent television and the user are provided. In general, a user is provided with navigation, notification, and setup options which enable one or more functions associated with the intelligent television. The presentation of options is based on input received by the intelligent television. As a user provides input to the intelligent television via a remote control or other input device, the intelligent television is configured to interpret the input and provide interactive functionality in the form of content presented to the display of the intelligent television.
An intelligent television and methods for user interaction between the intelligent television and the user are provided. In general, a user is provided with navigation, notification, and setup options which enable one or more functions associated with the intelligent television. The presentation of options is based on input received by the intelligent television. As a user provides input to the intelligent television via a remote control or other input device, the intelligent television is configured to interpret the input and provide interactive functionality in the form of content presented to the display of the intelligent television.
An intelligent television and methods for user interaction between the intelligent television and the user are provided. In general, a user is provided with navigation, notification, and setup options which enable one or more functions associated with the intelligent television. The presentation of options is based on input received by the intelligent television. As a user provides input to the intelligent television via a remote control or other input device, the intelligent television is configured to interpret the input and provide interactive functionality in the form of content presented to the display of the intelligent television.
An intelligent television and methods for displaying content are disclosed. Specifically, a user may cause an application panel to be displayed, which displays content based on the panel tab selected by the user and the content being actively displayed on the intelligent television; that is, the layout, information, and content of the application panel depends on the content being displayed by the intelligent television. For example, upon receiving a selection from the user, the intelligent television may display one or more items of information that are associated with the content currently being displayed in an active content window. Additionally, the user may select a tab corresponding to specific information about the active content window. As the application panel is used to navigate through various screens in the intelligent television, the application panel itself does not obstruct the user from viewing content displayed on the screen of the intelligent television.
An intelligent television and methods for interactive channel navigation and channel switching are disclosed. Specifically, an input may be received at the intelligent television that prompts the display of a list or other collection of channel tiles to a display area of an intelligent television. The list or other collection may include at least one channel tile that can visually represent broadcast content available on a channel via an image, without tuning to a channel to retrieve the image. Upon receiving a navigational input, a focus may move to an alternate channel tile. Upon receiving a selection input, the television may tune to the channel that is associated with a channel tile currently associated with a focus. The list or other collection of one or more channel tiles may contain one or more subsets of channel tiles, which may be associated with a collection of favorite or recommended channels.
An intelligent television, methods for displaying content, and methods for user interaction between the intelligent television and the user are provided. In general, a user is provided with an application panel allowing for navigation, categories, favorites, and search options that enable one or more functions associated with the intelligent television. The presentation of options is based on input received by the intelligent television. As a user provides input to the intelligent television via a remote control or other input device. The intelligent television is configured to interpret the input and provide interactive functionality in the form of content presented to the display of the intelligent television without obstructing the user from viewing content displayed on the screen of the intelligent television.
G06F 3/00 - Input arrangements for transferring data to be processed into a form capable of being handled by the computer; Output arrangements for transferring data from processing unit to output unit, e.g. interface arrangements
G06F 13/00 - Interconnection of, or transfer of information or other signals between, memories, input/output devices or central processing units
H04N 5/445 - Receiver circuitry for displaying additional information
A display for an Intelligent television (TV) includes a live TV display and an Electronic Programming Guide (EPG) display. The EPG display is positioned at a side of the live TV display and includes a favorite channel portion showing EPG information for a plurality of favorite tagged channels and a favorite show portion showing EPG information for a plurality of favorite tagged shows. An EPG display application generates the EPG display portion and retrieves the EPG information for the plurality of favorite tagged channels and the plurality of favorite tagged shows through an EPG subservice. The EPG subservice retrieves channels and shows tagged as favorite through a tag subservice. A second application sets and clears favorite tags for channels and shows through the tag subservice.
G06F 3/00 - Input arrangements for transferring data to be processed into a form capable of being handled by the computer; Output arrangements for transferring data from processing unit to output unit, e.g. interface arrangements
G06F 13/00 - Interconnection of, or transfer of information or other signals between, memories, input/output devices or central processing units
H04N 5/445 - Receiver circuitry for displaying additional information
An intelligent television can provide various interfaces for providing video-on-demand (VOD). The user interfaces include unique visual representations and organizations that allow the user to utilize the intelligent television more easily and more effectively. Particularly, the user interfaces pertain to the display of VOD content and better organizations thereof. Further, the user interfaces provide unique process of transitioning between the VOD content.
G06F 3/00 - Input arrangements for transferring data to be processed into a form capable of being handled by the computer; Output arrangements for transferring data from processing unit to output unit, e.g. interface arrangements
An intelligent television can provide various interfaces for navigating processes associated with providing content. The user interfaces include unique visual representations and organizations that allow the user to utilize the intelligent television more easily and more effectively. Particularly, the user interfaces' layout, aspect ratio of elements, display of elements, and size of selectable images are dependent on the type of content presented. Further, the user interfaces provide unique process of transitioning between the content.
G06F 3/0481 - Interaction techniques based on graphical user interfaces [GUI] based on specific properties of the displayed interaction object or a metaphor-based environment, e.g. interaction with desktop elements like windows or icons, or assisted by a cursor's changing behaviour or appearance
An intelligent television and methods for user interaction between the intelligent television and the user are provided. In general, a user is provided with navigation, notification, and setup options which enable one or more functions associated with the intelligent television. The presentation of options is based on input received by the intelligent television. As a user provides input to the intelligent television via a remote control or other input device, the intelligent television is configured to interpret the input and provide interactive functionality in the form of content presented to the display of the intelligent television.
Described is a package delivery kiosk (PDK) including an integrated robotic package lifting assembly and shelving system. The system may include a PDK, front and back end package delivery management systems, consumer and retailer portals and/or common carrier, sender, and recipient portals, package inventory management system, integrated retailer access, and real and automated retailer bidding system. A kiosk includes a kiosk body having a package delivery slot and an interface slot. The system includes a shelving system with shelves having receiving apertures. Dividers fit into the receiving apertures, each divider having a receiving slot. A package retrieving apparatus includes a base, vertical support interconnected with the base, and package picker module. The package picker module is oriented on the vertical support such that the package picker module moves up and down. Grippers surround and grip the object and receiving slots allow for the grippers to grab the object.
Described herein are an on demand kiosk commerce system and method. The on demand kiosk commerce system and method may include a Package Delivery Kiosk (PDK), associated front end and back end package delivery management systems, portals for the consumer and the retailer, portals for the common carrier, sender, and recipient, a package inventory management system, integrated retailer access, a real and automated retailer bidding system and a kiosk for distribution. A system for fulfilling customer orders includes an Internet accessed shopping site that permits customers to purchase a product and a product fulfillment page that allows a customer to choose among fulfillment choices including common carrier delivery and kiosk pickup. The system includes kiosks for fulfilling the kiosk pickup choice, each of the kiosks being an automatic purchase fulfillment center. The system for rapid fulfillment may include an order for immediate pickup button as part of a web interface.
Described herein are a robotic distribution apparatus, system and method. The robotic distribution system may include a Package Delivery Kiosk (PDK), associated frontend and backend package delivery management systems, a package inventory management system. The PDK includes a Robotic Package Lifting Assembly which may be configured to remember the location of packages and slots and provide for automated retrieval and placement of the packages. In an embodiment, a package retrieving apparatus includes a track, a base slidably interconnected with the track, and a vertical support interconnected with the base. The apparatus includes a package picker module oriented on the vertical support to vertically move on the vertical support. The package picker module including a conveyer belt oriented in a plane parallel to the ground and first and second grippers oriented parallel to the conveyer belt to surround and grip an object beyond the surface of the conveyer belt.
Described herein are a robotic distribution apparatus, system and method. The robotic distribution system may include a Package Delivery Kiosk (PDK). The PDK includes a distribution kiosk and shelving system. The kiosk and shelving system includes configurable shelves and dividers (410) to enable access to the packages. The shelving system handles packages from a robotic placement mechanism and includes shelves that have receiving apertures (510). The shelving system further includes dividers (410) that fit into the receiving apertures (510). Each of the dividers (410) has a receiving slot (411) that allows a robotic gripper arm to grab or handle a package with respect to a slot between a pair of dividers (410).
A47B 57/58 - Cabinets, racks or shelf units, characterised by features for adjusting shelves or partitions with means for adjusting partitions horizontally
G07F 17/12 - Coin-freed apparatus for hiring articles; Coin-freed facilities or services for means for safe-keeping of property, left temporarily, e.g. by fastening the property comprising lockable containers, e.g. for accepting clothes to be cleaned
G07F 11/42 - Coin-freed apparatus for dispensing, or the like, discrete articles from non-movable magazines in which the magazines are horizontal the articles being delivered by motor-driven means
Described herein are an automatic package delivery and retrieval apparatus, system and method. The automatic package delivery and retrieval includes a Package Delivery Kiosk (PDK), associated front end and back end package delivery management systems, portals for the consumer and the retailer, portals for the common carrier, sender, and recipient, a package inventory management system, integrated retailer access, a real and automated retailer bidding system and a kiosk for distribution. In one embodiment, a system for automated package retrieval and delivery includes a kiosk, package retrieval apparatus, and various computing systems for running the systems. A method for providing packages to customers includes providing a notification with a code to a user that a package is available for retrieval. The method includes storing a package in the kiosk. The method further includes receiving the code from a user at the kiosk and retrieving the package with the automatic retrieval mechanism.
Systems and methods of vehicle climate control are provided. Specifically, a vehicle with climate control includes a number of sensors for sensing climate control information, such as human bodily conditions, e.g., temperature or heart rate, of the human occupants of the vehicle, a processing unit, and a climate control. The processing unit uses the sensed human bodily conditions data from the sensors to activate the climate control the adjust the climate conditions for the human occupants. In another aspect of the disclosure, stress level of the human operator of a vehicle can be detected by sensing the bodily conditions of the human operator, determining the stress level of the human operator based on the sensed bodily conditions, and displaying a warning if the stress level is over a certain limit.
A power converter system, method and device powers a load when coupled to the load and draws a quasi-zero amount of power from the power supply when not coupled to the load. The power converter system maintains an output voltage such that the power converter system is able to properly "wake-up" when a load is coupled by intermittently operating the power converter for a preselected number of cycles when it is detected that the output voltage has fallen below a threshold level.
H02M 3/28 - Conversion of dc power input into dc power output with intermediate conversion into ac by static converters using discharge tubes with control electrode or semiconductor devices with control electrode to produce the intermediate ac
H02M 3/24 - Conversion of dc power input into dc power output with intermediate conversion into ac by static converters
H02M 3/22 - Conversion of dc power input into dc power output with intermediate conversion into ac
A solenoid actuator comprising an armature member that engages a spool including a spool cap on an end of the spool that is axially movable relative to the spool. A bore in the spool allows fluid to flow from a control port to the spool cap, such that pressure is established in the spool cap. The pressure established in the spool cap acts on the spool with a force directly proportional to the control pressure and the fluid-contacting area inside the spool cap.
A direct acting solenoid actuator includes an armature and associated push pin that are suspended from certain fixed solenoid components, such as a pole piece and/or flux sleeve, by a fully floating cage of rolling elements. The fixed solenoid component may comprise a pole piece and/or a flux sleeve. The pole piece may include stops to limit movement of the cage of rolling elements in the axial direction.
The present disclosure is directed to various computational systems for structuring, financing, and/or managing inventory transfers from an original supplier to a servicing entity. The global economy has created many challenges for businesses. Inventory or stock is frequently purchased in one country and shipped for sale and/or use in another country.
The present disclosure discloses a supply chain management system that can coordinate and estimate manufactured item delivery times at a facility, manufactured item costs or prices, and dynamically control supply chain performance, in a supply chain comprising a tier 1 control tower, tier 2 product assembler, tier 3 part and/or component manufacturer, and tier 4 material supplier being associated with a different and independent enterprise and/or organization.
A lighting assembly includes a plurality of LEDs configured as a multi-facet light engine. A first group of LEDs are arrayed as a main light source and the remaining LEDs are angled relative to the first group of LEDs to generate an intended lighting pattern. The first group of LEDs are arrayed on a first planar surface of a first substrate, and the remaining LEDs are arrayed on second planar surfaces of additional substrates positioned around the first substrate. The planar surfaces of the additional substrates are angled relative to the planar surface of the first substrate. The angles of the second planar surfaces to the first planar surface can be application specific and can be acute or obtuse.
F21V 21/00 - Supporting, suspending, or attaching arrangements for lighting devices; Hand grips
F21V 14/02 - Controlling the distribution of the light emitted by adjustment of elements by movement of light sources
F21V 17/00 - Fastening of component parts of lighting devices, e.g. shades, globes, refractors, reflectors, filters, screens, grids or protective cages
A lighting assembly includes a plurality of LEDs mounted on a flexible substrate such as a printed circuit board. The printed circuit board is bonded thermally and physically to a thicker, rigid substrate, such as a metal plate, to form a board assembly. The rigid substrate is made of a thermally conductive material, such as aluminum. As such, the board assembly provides structural rigidity and thermal conductance. Bonding the metal plate to the printed circuit board also provides improved thermal communication over the entire overlapping areas of the metal plate and printed circuit board. The board assembly is fastened to a heat exchanging device, such as an evaporator. The rigid substrate of the board assembly provides continuous contact of the substrate with the heat exchanging device in response to a reduced number of fastening points.
F21V 17/00 - Fastening of component parts of lighting devices, e.g. shades, globes, refractors, reflectors, filters, screens, grids or protective cages
F21V 29/00 - Protecting lighting devices from thermal damage; Cooling or heating arrangements specially adapted for lighting devices or systems
F21V 21/00 - Supporting, suspending, or attaching arrangements for lighting devices; Hand grips
A lighting assembly includes a cooling system configured to enable the dissipation of a large amount of energy in the form of heat generated by a light source. Heat is dissipated without heating surrounding components, such as the one or more power supply units and device electronics. The cooling system is configured as a gravity feed system that does not require a powered fluid pump. In some embodiments, the cooling loop is configured as a thermal siphon that uses a boiling fluid to transport heat between the evaporator and the radiators. In some embodiments, the evaporator also functions as a device chassis, which reduces the overall part count. In some embodiments, the light source is a plurality of LEDs.
H04N 5/445 - Receiver circuitry for displaying additional information
G06F 3/00 - Input arrangements for transferring data to be processed into a form capable of being handled by the computer; Output arrangements for transferring data from processing unit to output unit, e.g. interface arrangements
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