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11431518

TECHNICAL FIELD The present disclosure generally relates to localized multicast in a low power and lossy network based on rank-based distance. BACKGROUND This section describes approaches that could be employed, but are not necessarily approaches that have been previously conceived or employed. Hence, unless explicitly specified otherwise, any approaches described in this section are not prior art to the claims in this application, and any approaches described in this section are not admitted to be prior art by inclusion in this section. A Low-power and Lossy Network (LLN) is a network that can include dozens or thousands of low-power router devices configured for routing data packets according to a routing protocol designed for such low power and lossy networks (RPL): such low-power router devices can be referred to as LLN devices or “RPL nodes”. Each RPL node in the LLN typically is constrained by processing power, memory, and energy (e.g., battery power); interconnecting wireless links between the RPL nodes typically are constrained by high loss rates, low data rates, and instability with relatively low packet delivery rates. A network topology (a “RPL instance”) can be established based on creating routes in the form of a directed acyclic graph (DAG) toward a single “root” network device, also referred to as a “DAG root” or a “DAG destination”. Hence, the DAG also is referred to as a Destination Oriented DAG (DODAG). Network traffic moves either “up” towards the DODAG root or “down” towards the DODAG leaf nodes. The constraints in processing power, memory, and energy in the RPL nodes described above also prevent a given RPL node from maintaining a multicast routing topology, especially since the inherently dynamic properties in the wireless links prevent the RPL nodes from maintaining any multicast routing topology in response to dynamic changes in the wireless links. Hence, a substantial problem is that multicast transmission of a multicast data message within an LLN utilizing a DODAG-based topology and comprising thousands of LLN devices can cause substantial interference for LLN devices that have no need for the multicast data message, for example where the multicast data message is intended only for LLN devices located within a relatively small subDAG within the LLN.

11280712

BACKGROUND Collection and transport of biological samples from subjects are important steps in clinical diagnosis. Maintaining the integrity of a biological sample during collection and transport is often critical for obtaining valid clinical results. Where small volumes of sample are obtained, reducing loss of sample may also be a critical factor in obtaining valid clinical results. However, current methods of obtaining, transporting, maintaining integrity, and utilizing small volume samples may be inadequate to reduce degradation, reduce sample loss, and to provide valid clinical results. INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE All publications, patents, and patent applications mentioned in this specification are herein incorporated by reference to the same extent as if each individual publication, patent, or patent application was specifically and individually indicated to be incorporated by reference. SUMMARY Applicant discloses herein devices, systems, and methods useful for one or more of obtaining, collecting, combining, and analyzing small volume fluid samples. Small volume fluid samples suitable for use with the devices, systems, and methods disclosed herein include small volume blood samples; for example, devices, systems, and methods disclosed herein provide advantages in the collection, transport, and analysis of fingerstick blood samples and other small volume fluid samples. In one embodiment, Applicant discloses vessels for receiving biological samples, termed herein “transfer vessels”. In embodiments, transfer vessels may be useful for receiving biological samples from sample collection vessels, from sample transport vessels, or other vessels. In embodiments, transfer vessels may be useful for combining biological samples from sample collection vessels, from sample transport vessels, or other vessels. In embodiments, transfer vessels may be useful for receiving portions, or fractions, of biological samples from sample collection vessels, from sample transport vessels, or other vessels. In embodiments, transfer vessels may be useful for combining portions, or fractions, of biological samples from sample collection vessels, from sample transport vessels, or other vessels. In many instances, the entire sample, or a portion of the sample, must be removed from a collection or transport vessel and transferred to another vessel in order to analyze the sample. Applicant has identified sample loss upon such transfer as a critical limiting factor in obtaining sufficient sample for analysis. Transfer vessels as disclosed herein are suitable for receiving fluid samples from sample collection and sample transport vessels, to combine fluid samples effective to reduce loss of sample during analysis. Applicant discloses herein transfer vessels suitable for receiving a sample from a sample collection vessel, or from a sample transport vessel, or from another vessel containing a fluid sample. In embodiments, transfer vessels suitable for receiving samples as disclosed herein are configured to receive sample from two or more sample collection vessels, or two or more sample transport vessels, or a sample collection vessel and a sample transport vessel, or from other vessels containing a fluid sample, or combinations thereof. In embodiments, Applicant discloses herein transfer vessels suitable for combining samples from two or more sample collection vessels, or two or more sample transport vessels, or a sample collection vessel and a sample transport vessel, or from other vessels containing a fluid sample, or combinations thereof. Transfer vessels suitable for these, and other uses, include a cavity and include an upper lip. An upper lip of a transfer vessel having features as disclosed herein may include a bevel. In embodiments, a bevel of an upper lip of a transfer vessel may include an inner bevel; a bevel of an upper lip of a transfer vessel may include an outer bevel; a bevel of an upper lip of a transfer vessel may include a bevel portion extending from the lip in a direction distal to the vessel cavity; and may include combinations thereof. In embodiments, a bevel may extend for the entire perimeter of a lip of a transfer vessel having features as disclosed herein. In embodiments, a bevel may extend for only a portion of the perimeter of a lip of a transfer vessel having features as disclosed herein. In embodiments, a lip of a transfer vessel having features as disclosed herein may include two or more bevels; in embodiments, each of the two or more bevels may extend for only a portion of the perimeter of the lip of a transfer vessel. In embodiments, a lip of a transfer vessel having features as disclosed herein may include a tab, or a notch, or other feature suitable for guiding the placement of a sample collection vessel, or a sample transport vessel, or other vessel, for positioning for transfer of the contents of the sample collection vessel, or a sample transport vessel, or other vessel, into the transfer vessel. In embodiments, such a tab, or notch, or other feature may extend outwardly from the lip of the transfer vessel away from the cavity of the transfer vessel. In embodiments, such a tab, or notch, or other feature may extend inwardly from the lip of the transfer vessel into or towards the cavity of the transfer vessel. In embodiments, a transfer vessel having features as disclosed herein may include combinations of some or all of such lip, bevel, tab, notch, and other features disclosed herein. In embodiments, a transfer vessel having features as disclosed herein may include a shoulder, or catch, or other feature configured to rest on a support. In embodiments, such a shoulder, or catch, or other feature may extend outwardly from the transfer vessel away from the cavity of the transfer vessel. In embodiments, such a shoulder, or catch, or other feature may extend outwardly from the lip of the transfer vessel away from the cavity of the transfer vessel. In embodiments, such a shoulder, or catch, or other feature may be configured to be held, or captured, by a transport mechanism, effective to control the placement of the transfer vessel, or effective to move the transfer vessel from one location to another location. In embodiments, such movement of the transfer vessel from one location to another location may comprise movement within an automated sample analysis device, e.g., within the housing of an automated sample analysis device. In embodiments, such movement may be suitable to allow the transfer of a fluid sample, or portion or fraction thereof, from a sample collection vessel, or a sample transport vessel, or other vessel, to the transfer vessel. Applicant discloses herein vessels for holding a fluid sample that are configured to provide fluid sample to transfer vessels disclosed herein; such vessels are termed herein “holding vessels”. In embodiments, holding vessels as disclosed herein are configured to provide fluid sample to transfer vessels, and may include sample collection vessels, sample transport vessels, and other vessels suitable for holding a fluid sample, or portion of a fluid sample, or fraction of a fluid sample. In embodiments, holding vessels suitable for providing samples to transfer vessels as disclosed herein are configured to provide two or more fluid samples, or two or more portions of a fluid sample, to a single transfer vessel. In embodiments, holding vessels suitable for providing samples to transfer vessels as disclosed herein are configured to provide a fluid sample, or portion of a fluid sample, or fraction of a fluid sample, to a transfer vessel which also receives a fluid sample, or a portion of a fluid sample, or a fraction of a fluid sample, from a different holding vessel, effective that fluid samples, or portions or fractions thereof, are combined in a single transfer vessel. In embodiments, combined in a single transfer vessel includes combining such samples or portions or fractions thereof within a cavity of a single transfer vessel. In embodiments, the entire fluid sample held by a holding vessel may be provided to a transfer vessel. In embodiments, less than the entire fluid sample held by a holding vessel may be provided to a transfer vessel. In embodiments, a portion of a fluid sample held by a holding vessel may be provided to a transfer vessel. In embodiments, a fraction of a fluid sample held by a holding vessel may be provided to a transfer vessel. Holding vessels suitable for these, and other uses, include a cavity and include an upper lip. An upper lip of a holding vessel having features as disclosed herein may include a bevel. In embodiments, a bevel of an upper lip of a holding vessel may include an inner bevel; a bevel of an upper lip of a holding vessel may include an outer bevel; a bevel of an upper lip of a holding vessel may include a bevel portion extending from the lip in a direction distal to the holding vessel cavity; and may include combinations thereof. In embodiments, a bevel may extend for the entire perimeter of a lip of a holding vessel having features as disclosed herein. In embodiments, a bevel may extend for only a portion of the perimeter of a lip of a holding vessel having features as disclosed herein. In embodiments, a lip of a holding vessel having features as disclosed herein may include two or more bevels; in embodiments, each of the two or more bevels may extend for only a portion of the perimeter of the lip of a holding vessel. In embodiments, a lip of a holding vessel having features as disclosed herein may include a tab, or a notch, or other feature suitable for guiding the placement of the holding vessel for positioning for transfer of the contents of the holding vessel into the transfer vessel. In embodiments, such a tab, or notch, or other feature may extend outwardly from the lip of the holding vessel away from the cavity of the holding vessel. In embodiments, such a tab, or notch, or other feature may extend inwardly from the lip of the holding vessel into or towards the cavity of the holding vessel. In embodiments, a holding vessel having features as disclosed herein may include combinations of some or all of such lip, bevel, tab, notch, and other features disclosed herein. In embodiments, a holding vessel having features as disclosed herein may include a shoulder, or catch, or other feature configured to rest on a support. In embodiments, such a shoulder, or catch, or other feature may extend outwardly from the holding vessel away from the cavity of the holding vessel. In embodiments, such a shoulder, or catch, or other feature may extend outwardly from the lip of the holding vessel away from the cavity of the holding vessel. In embodiments, such a shoulder, or catch, or other feature may be configured to be held, or captured, by a transport mechanism, effective to control the placement of the holding vessel, or effective to move the holding vessel from one location to another location. In embodiments, such movement of the holding vessel from one location to another location may comprise movement within an automated sample analysis device, e.g., within the housing of an automated sample analysis device. In embodiments, such movement may be suitable to allow the transfer of a fluid sample, or portion or fraction thereof, from a holding vessel to the transfer vessel. Applicant discloses herein systems including transfer vessels configured for receiving a fluid sample, or portion or fraction thereof, from a sample collection vessel, or from a sample transport vessel, or from another vessel containing a fluid sample. Applicant discloses herein systems including transfer vessels configured for receiving fluid samples, or portions or fractions thereof, from two or more holding vessels; in embodiments, such two or more holding vessels may include a sample collection vessel, or a sample transport vessel, or another vessel containing a fluid sample. Applicant discloses herein systems including holding vessels configured to provide a fluid sample, or a portion or a fraction thereof, to transfer vessels as disclosed herein. Applicant discloses herein systems including holding vessels configured to provide fluid samples, or portions or fractions thereof, in conjunction with one or more other holding vessels, to a transfer vessel, effective that such a transfer vessel holds, and combines, fluid samples, or portions or fractions thereof, from two or more holding vessels. In embodiments, Applicant discloses herein systems comprising a transfer vessel and a holding vessel. In embodiments, Applicant discloses herein systems comprising a transfer vessel and a plurality of holding vessels; for example, such systems may comprise a transfer vessel and two holding vessels, and may comprise a transfer vessel and three, or more, holding vessels. In embodiments, Applicant discloses herein systems comprising a transfer vessel, a holding vessel, and an automated sample analysis device. In embodiments, Applicant discloses herein systems comprising a transfer vessel, a holding vessel, and an automated sample analysis system. In embodiments, Applicant discloses herein systems comprising a transfer vessel, an automated sample analysis device, and a plurality of holding vessels; for example, such systems may comprise a transfer vessel and two holding vessels, and may comprise a transfer vessel and three, or more, holding vessels. In embodiments, Applicant discloses herein systems comprising a transfer vessel, an automated sample analysis system, and a plurality of holding vessels; for example, such systems may comprise a transfer vessel and two holding vessels, and may comprise a transfer vessel and three, or more, holding vessels. In embodiments, combining two, or more, small volume fluid samples in a transfer vessel as disclosed herein is effective to reduce the proportionate amount of sample lost during analysis. In embodiments, combining two, or more, small volume fluid samples in a transfer vessel as disclosed herein is effective to reduce the volume of sample lost during analysis. In embodiments, combining two, or more, small volume fluid samples in a transfer vessel as disclosed herein is effective to reduce the proportionate amount of sample lost during aliquotting of portions of a sample during analysis. In embodiments, combining two, or more, small volume fluid samples in a transfer vessel as disclosed herein is effective to reduce the volume of sample lost during aliquotting of portions of a sample during analysis. In embodiments, combining two, or more, small volume fluid samples in a transfer vessel as disclosed herein is effective to reduce the proportionate amount of sample lost during pipetting of portions of a sample during analysis. In embodiments, combining two, or more, small volume fluid samples in a transfer vessel as disclosed herein is effective to reduce the volume of sample lost during pipetting of portions of a sample during analysis. In embodiments, combining two, or more, small volume fluid samples in a transfer vessel as disclosed herein is effective to reduce the proportionate amount of sample remaining in vessels and unavailable for analysis. In embodiments, combining two, or more, small volume fluid samples in a transfer vessel as disclosed herein is effective to reduce the volume of sample remaining in vessels and unavailable for analysis. In embodiments, combining two, or more, small volume fluid samples in a transfer vessel as disclosed herein is effective to reduce contamination of a sample with non-sample material during analysis of a sample. In embodiments, combining two, or more, small volume fluid samples in a transfer vessel as disclosed herein is effective to reduce to reduce contamination of a sample with material from a sample collection vessel or from a sample transport vessel during analysis of a sample. In embodiments, Applicant discloses methods for obtaining small volume fluid samples which reduce the proportionate amount, and methods which reduce the volume, of sample lost during sample analysis. In embodiments, Applicant discloses methods for transferring two or more small volume fluid samples which reduce the proportionate amount, and methods which reduce the volume, of sample lost during sample analysis. In embodiments, Applicant discloses methods for combining two or more small volume fluid samples which reduce the proportionate amount, and methods which reduce the volume, of sample lost during sample analysis. In embodiments, Applicant discloses methods for combining two or more small volume fluid samples which increase the proportionate amount, and methods which increase the volume, of sample available for sample analysis as compared to methods which do not combine the small volume fluid samples in transfer vessels as disclosed herein. The methods, devices, and systems disclosed herein provide advantages over prior methods, devices, and systems. For example, methods, devices, and systems disclosed herein improve the efficiency of sample collection, reduce lost or wasted sample, and are suitable for use with small volume fluid samples. Such small volume fluid samples include small volume blood samples, including venous blood samples, arterial blood samples, capillary blood samples, fingerstick blood samples, and portions and fractions thereof. Use of methods, devices, and systems disclosed herein with small volume fluid samples reduces the amount of sample that may be unavailable for analysis; for example, use of methods, devices, and systems disclosed herein may reduce the amount of fluid sample left within a sample collection vessel, sample transport vessel, or other holding vessel, as compared with the amount of fluid sample left within previous vessels or left by previous methods. This Summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in a simplified form that are further described below in the Detailed Description. This Summary is not intended to identify key features or essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to be used to limit the scope of the claimed subject matter.

11456062

BACKGROUND The disclosure herein relates to systems, methods, and interfaces for use in the noninvasive evaluation of patients for cardiac therapy and noninvasive evaluation of cardiac therapy being performed on patients. Cardiac therapy, such as cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT), may correct symptoms of electrical dyssynchrony of a patient's heart by providing pacing therapy to one or both ventricles or atria, e.g., by providing pacing to encourage earlier activation of the left or right ventricles. By pacing the contraction of the ventricles, the ventricles may be controlled so that the ventricles contract in synchrony. Some patients undergoing cardiac therapy have experienced improved ejection fraction, increased exercise capacity, and an improved feeling of well-being. Providing cardiac therapy to a patient may involve determining whether the patient will derive benefit from the cardiac therapy prior to implantation of a cardiac rhythm device, determining optimal site for placement of one or more ventricular pacing leads, and programming of device parameters, such as selection of electrodes on multi polar right or left ventricular leads, as well as selection of the timing of the pacing pulses delivered to the electrodes, such as atrioventricular (A-V) and intra-ventricular (V-V) delays. SUMMARY The exemplary systems, methods, and interfaces described herein may be configured to assist a user (e.g., a physician) in evaluating a patient for cardiac therapy and/or evaluating on-going cardiac therapy (e.g., cardiac therapy being performed on a patient). The systems, methods, and interfaces may be described as being noninvasive. For example, the systems, methods, and interfaces may not use implantable devices such as leads, probes, catheters, etc. to evaluate a patient for cardiac therapy and/or to evaluate on-going cardiac therapy. Instead, the systems, methods, and interfaces may use electrical measurements taken noninvasively using, e.g., a plurality of external electrodes attached to the skin of a patient about the patient's torso. More specifically, the exemplary systems and methods may provide graphical user interfaces configured to assist a user in ascertaining, or assessing, whether a patient may benefit from cardiac therapy and/or whether cardiac therapy being delivered to the patient is beneficial. The exemplary graphical user interfaces may be configured to display electrical activation times about one or more portions of human anatomy, one or more metrics of the patient's cardiac health, and an indication of whether cardiac therapy may be beneficial for the patient and/or whether the on-going cardiac therapy appears to be beneficial (e.g., when compared to the patient's cardiac health prior to cardiac therapy, etc.). An exemplary system for assisting in noninvasive evaluation of a patient for cardiac therapy may include electrode apparatus, a display apparatus, and computing apparatus coupled to the electrode apparatus and the display apparatus. The electrode apparatus may include a plurality of external electrodes configured to be located proximate tissue of a patient (e.g., surface electrodes positioned in an array configured to be located proximate the skin of the torso of the patient). The display apparatus may include a graphical user interface configured to present cardiac electrical activation time information and cardiac health information. The computing apparatus may be configured to provide the graphical user interface displayed on the display apparatus to assist a user in noninvasively evaluating the patient for cardiac therapy. The computing apparatus may be further configured to: measure surrogate cardiac electrical activation times using one or more external electrodes of the plurality of external electrodes of the electrode apparatus proximate the patient's heart, display, on the graphical user interface, a graphical representation of the measured surrogate cardiac electrical activation times about a portion of human anatomy (e.g., color scaling the portion of human anatomy on the graphical user interface according to the measured surrogate cardiac electrical activation times), measure at least one metric of the patient's cardiac health (e.g., QRS width, electrical dyssynchrony, etc.) using one or more external electrodes of the plurality of external electrodes of the electrode apparatus proximate the patient's heart, display, on the graphical user interface, the at least one metric of the patient's cardiac health, and display, on the graphical user interface, an indication of whether cardiac therapy for the patient may be beneficial. An exemplary computer-implemented method for assisting in noninvasive evaluation of a patient for cardiac therapy may include measuring surrogate cardiac electrical activation times using one or more external electrodes proximate the patient's heart (e.g., surface electrodes positioned in an array configured to be located proximate the skin of the torso of the patient), displaying a graphical user interface a graphical representation of the measured surrogate cardiac electrical activation times about a portion of human anatomy (e.g., color scaling the portion of human anatomy on the graphical user interface according to the measured surrogate cardiac electrical activation times), measuring at least one metric of the patient's cardiac health (e.g., QRS width, electrical dyssynchrony, etc.) using one or more external electrodes proximate the patient's heart, displaying, on the graphical user interface, the at least one metric of the patient's cardiac health, and displaying, on the graphical user interface, an indication of whether cardiac therapy for the patient may be beneficial. Another exemplary system for assisting in noninvasive evaluation of a patient for cardiac therapy may include means for measuring surrogate cardiac electrical activation times representative of the electrical activation times of a patient's heart, means for measuring at least one metric of the patient's cardiac health (e.g., QRS width, electrical dyssynchrony, etc.), display means for displaying, on a graphical user interface, a graphical representation of the measured surrogate cardiac electrical activation times about a portion of human anatomy (e.g., color scaling the portion of human anatomy on the graphical user interface according to the measured surrogate cardiac electrical activation times), the at least one metric of the patient's cardiac health, and an indication of whether cardiac therapy for the patient may be beneficial. In one or more exemplary embodiments, displaying the graphical representation of the measured surrogate cardiac electrical activation times about a portion of human anatomy may include displaying a graphical representation of the measured surrogate cardiac electrical activation times about a graphical representation of at least one of an anterior side of a human torso and a posterior side of a human torso. In one or more exemplary embodiments, displaying the graphical representation of the measured surrogate cardiac electrical activation times about a portion of human anatomy may include displaying a graphical representation of the measured surrogate cardiac electrical activation times about a graphical representation of at least one of an anterior side of a heart and a posterior side of a heart. One or more exemplary embodiments may further include displaying, on the graphical user interface, at least one electrocardiogram of the patient, wherein each of the at least one electrocardiogram are captured using at least one different electrode, and wherein the at least one electrocardiogram is time-aligned on the graphical user interface and/or storing the surrogate cardiac electrical activation times, the at least one metric of the patient's cardiac health, and the at least one electrocardiogram for use in comparisons at a later time. An exemplary system for assisting in noninvasive evaluation of cardiac therapy may include electrode apparatus, a display apparatus, and computing apparatus coupled to the electrode apparatus and the display apparatus. The electrode apparatus may include a plurality of external electrodes configured to be located proximate tissue of a patient (e.g., surface electrodes positioned in an array configured to be located proximate the skin of the torso of the patient). The display apparatus may include a graphical user interface configured to present cardiac electrical activation time information and cardiac health information. The computing apparatus may be configured to provide the graphical user interface displayed on the display apparatus to assist a user in noninvasively evaluating cardiac therapy. The computing apparatus may be further configured to measure surrogate cardiac electrical activation times using one or more external electrodes of the plurality of external electrodes of the electrode apparatus proximate the patient's heart, display, on the graphical user interface, a graphical representation of presently-measured surrogate cardiac electrical activation times about a first human anatomy portion and a graphical representation of previously-measured surrogate cardiac electrical activation times about a second human anatomy portion (e.g., the first human anatomy portion and the second human anatomy portion may depict the same human anatomy), measure at least one metric of the patient's cardiac health (e.g., QRS width, electrical dyssynchrony, etc.) using one or more external electrodes of the plurality of external electrodes of the electrode apparatus proximate the patient's heart, display, on the graphical user interface, at least one presently-measured metric of the patient's cardiac health and at least one previously-measured metric of the patient's cardiac health, and display, on the graphical user interface, an indication of whether cardiac therapy for the patient appears to be beneficial (e.g., a percentage improvement between the at least one previously-measured metric of the patient's cardiac health and the at least one presently-measured metric of the patient's cardiac health). One exemplary method for assisting in noninvasive evaluation of cardiac therapy may include measuring surrogate cardiac electrical activation times using one or more external electrodes proximate the patient's heart and displaying a graphical user interface. The graphical user interface may include a graphical representation of presently-measured surrogate cardiac electrical activation times about a first human anatomy portion, and a graphical representation of previously-measured surrogate cardiac electrical activation times about a second human anatomy portion (e.g., the first human anatomy portion and the second human anatomy portion may depict the same human anatomy). The exemplary method may further include measuring at least one metric of the patient's cardiac health (e.g., QRS width, electrical dyssynchrony, etc.) using one or more external electrodes proximate the patient's heart and displaying, on the graphical user interface, at least one presently-measured metric of the patient's cardiac health and at least one previously-measured metric of the patient's cardiac health, and displaying, on the graphical user interface, an indication of whether cardiac therapy for the patient appears to be beneficial (e.g., a percentage improvement between the at least one previously-measured metric of the patient's cardiac health and the at least one presently-measured metric of the patient's cardiac health). One exemplary system for assisting in noninvasive evaluation of a patient for cardiac therapy may include means for measuring surrogate cardiac electrical activation times representative of the electrical activation times of a patient's heart, means for measuring at least one metric of the patient's cardiac health (e.g., QRS width, electrical dyssynchrony, etc.), and display means for displaying, on a graphical user interface, a graphical representation of presently-measured surrogate cardiac electrical activation times about a first human anatomy portion and a graphical representation of previously-measured surrogate cardiac electrical activation times about a second human anatomy portion (e.g., the first human anatomy portion and the second human anatomy portion may depict the same human anatomy), at least one presently-measured metric of the patient's cardiac health and at least one previously-measured metric of the patient's cardiac health, and an indication of whether cardiac therapy for the patient appears to be beneficial (e.g., a percentage improvement between the at least one previously-measured metric of the patient's cardiac health and the at least one presently-measured metric of the patient's cardiac health). One or more exemplary embodiments may further include allowing the user to change at least one pacing parameter of an implantable medical device providing cardiac therapy to the patient (e.g., at least one of a pacing timing interval, a pacing vector, and a pacing mode) and/or displaying, on the graphical user interface, mechanical motion information of one or more regions of at least a portion of blood vessel anatomy of the patient's heart. In one or more exemplary embodiments, displaying graphical representations of the measured surrogate cardiac electrical activation times about the first and second human anatomy portions may include displaying graphical representations of the measured surrogate cardiac electrical activation times about graphical representations of at least one of an anterior side of a human torso and a posterior side of a human torso. In one or more exemplary embodiments, displaying graphical representations of the measured surrogate cardiac electrical activation times about the first and second human anatomy portions may include displaying graphical representations of the measured surrogate cardiac electrical activation times about graphical representations of at least one of an anterior side of a heart and a posterior side of a heart. In one or more exemplary embodiments, displaying the graphical representations of the measured surrogate cardiac electrical activation times about a portion of human anatomy may include color scaling the portions of human anatomy on the graphical user interface according to the measured surrogate cardiac electrical activation times. One or more exemplary embodiments may further include displaying, on a graphical user interface, at least one electrocardiogram of the patient. Each of the at least one electrocardiogram may be captured using at least one different electrode and may be time-aligned on the graphical user interface. One exemplary system for assisting in noninvasive evaluation of cardiac therapy may include electrode apparatus (e.g., including a plurality of external electrodes configured to be located proximate tissue of a patient), a display apparatus (e.g., including a graphical user interface configured to present cardiac electrical activation time information and cardiac health information), and computing apparatus coupled to the electrode apparatus and the display apparatus. The computing apparatus may be configured to provide the graphical user interface displayed on the display apparatus. The computing apparatus may be further configured to measure surrogate cardiac electrical activation times using one or more external electrodes of the plurality of external electrodes of the electrode apparatus proximate the patient's heart, measure at least one metric of the patient's cardiac health using one or more external electrodes of the plurality of external electrodes of the electrode apparatus proximate the patient's heart, and allow a user to select one of initial examination mode for assisting a user in noninvasively evaluating the patient for cardiac therapy and follow-up examination mode for assisting a user in noninvasively evaluating cardiac therapy after implantation cardiac therapy. When in initial examination mode, the computing apparatus may be configured to display, on the graphical user interface, a graphical representation of the measured surrogate cardiac electrical activation times about a portion of human anatomy, at least one metric of the patient's cardiac health, and an indication of whether cardiac therapy for the patient may be beneficial. When in follow-up examination mode, the computing apparatus may be configured to display, display, on the graphical user interface, a graphical representation of presently-measured surrogate cardiac electrical activation times about a first human anatomy portion and a graphical representation of previously-measured surrogate cardiac electrical activation times about a second human anatomy portion and at least one presently-measured metric of the patient's cardiac health, at least one previously-measured metric of the patient's cardiac health, and an indication of whether cardiac therapy for the patient appears to be beneficial. One exemplary a computer-implemented method for assisting in noninvasive evaluation of a patient for cardiac therapy may include measuring surrogate cardiac electrical activation times using one or more external electrodes proximate the patient's heart, measuring at least one metric of the patient's cardiac health using one or more external electrodes proximate the patient's heart, and allowing a user to select one of initial examination mode and follow-up examination mode. The initial examination mode may be configured for assisting a user in noninvasively evaluating the patient for cardiac therapy and the follow-up examination mode may be configured for assisting a user in noninvasively evaluating cardiac therapy after implantation cardiac therapy. When in initial examination mode, the exemplary method display, on a graphical user interface, a graphical representation of the measured surrogate cardiac electrical activation times about a portion of human anatomy, at least one metric of the patient's cardiac health, and an indication of whether cardiac therapy for the patient may be beneficial. When in follow-up examination mode, the exemplary method display, on a graphical user interface, a graphical representation of presently-measured surrogate cardiac electrical activation times about a first human anatomy portion and a graphical representation of previously-measured surrogate cardiac electrical activation times about a second human anatomy portion and at least one presently-measured metric of the patient's cardiac health, at least one previously-measured metric of the patient's cardiac health, and an indication of whether cardiac therapy for the patient appears to be beneficial. Another exemplary system for assisting in noninvasive evaluation of a patient for cardiac therapy may include means for measuring surrogate cardiac electrical activation times representative of the electrical activation times of a patient's heart, means for measuring at least one metric of the patient's cardiac health, and computing means for allowing a user to select one of initial examination mode and follow-up examination mode. The initial examination mode may be configured for assisting a user in noninvasively evaluating the patient for cardiac therapy and the follow-up examination mode may be configured for assisting a user in noninvasively evaluating cardiac therapy after implantation cardiac therapy. The exemplary system may further include display means for, when in initial examination mode, displaying, on a graphical user interface, a graphical representation of the measured surrogate cardiac electrical activation times about a portion of human anatomy, at least one metric of the patient's cardiac health, and an indication of whether cardiac therapy for the patient may be beneficial, and when in follow-up examination mode, displaying, on a graphical user interface, a graphical representation of presently-measured surrogate cardiac electrical activation times about a first human anatomy portion and a graphical representation of previously-measured surrogate cardiac electrical activation times about a second human anatomy portion and at least one presently-measured metric of the patient's cardiac health, at least one previously-measured metric of the patient's cardiac health, and an indication of whether cardiac therapy for the patient appears to be beneficial. In one or more exemplary embodiments, a user may be allowed to select an implantation examination mode for assisting a user in noninvasively evaluating cardiac therapy during implantation and configuration of a cardiac therapy. When in implantation examination mode, a graphical representation of presently-measured surrogate cardiac electrical activation times about a first human anatomy portion and a graphical representation of previously-measured surrogate cardiac electrical activation times about a second human anatomy portion and at least one presently-measured metric of the patient's cardiac health, at least one previously-measured metric of the patient's cardiac health, and an indication of whether cardiac therapy for the patient appears to be beneficial may be displayed on a graphical user interface. In at least one embodiment, a user may be allowed to change at least one pacing parameter of an implantable medical device providing cardiac therapy to the patient. The above summary is not intended to describe each embodiment or every implementation of the present disclosure. A more complete understanding will become apparent and appreciated by referring to the following detailed description and claims taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

11278843

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS This application is a 371 of International PCT Application PCT/FR2018/051876, filed Jul. 23, 2018, which claims priority to French Patent Application No. 1757155, filed Jul. 27, 2017, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. BACKGROUND The present invention relates to a process for purifying a gas containing hydrocarbons heavier than methane, for example natural gas or a gas associated with oil production or a flare gas or a gaseous effluent from a refinery. Most conventional units used for extracting natural gas liquids (NGLs) or liquid petroleum gases (LPGs) are cryogenic units. These are generally expensive and consume a lot of electricity. Some alternative membrane technologies make it possible to concentrate the natural gas liquids on the residue (retentate) side of a membrane. The Applicant has, for example, developed a polymer fiber, resistant to the formation of liquids and selective with respect to methane compared to hydrocarbons containing more than two or more than three carbon atoms: light hydrocarbons (and hydrogen) permeate while the partial pressure of heavier hydrocarbons increases on the high pressure side (residue side of the membrane) thus resulting in partial or even complete condensation of the heavy hydrocarbons. SUMMARY The inventors of the present invention have developed a solution enabling the separation of a gas stream into a methane-enriched fraction and a fraction enriched in C2 and higher hydrocarbons, minimizing the losses of methane during this removal and while minimizing the costs involved in the deployment of processes of this type. The subject of the present invention is a process for purifying a feed gas stream comprising methane, and hydrocarbons containing at least two carbon atoms, comprising the following steps:Step a): cooling the feed gas stream in a heat exchanger;Step b): introducing the stream resulting from step a) into a first phase separator vessel in order to produce a liquid stream depleted in methane and enriched in hydrocarbons containing more than two carbon atoms and a gas stream;Step c): separating the gas stream resulting from step b) in a membrane permeation unit from which at least one methane-enriched gaseous permeate stream and one partially condensed residue stream enriched in hydrocarbons containing at least two carbon atoms exit;Step d): introducing the residue stream resulting from step c) into a second phase separator vessel in order to produce at least two phases including a liquid stream and a gas stream;Step e): introducing at least one portion of the gas stream resulting from step d) into a Joule-Thomson expansion means;Step f): heating at least one portion of the expanded stream resulting from step e) by introduction into the heat exchanger used in step a) counter-current to the feed stream in order to cool the latter. According to other embodiments, a subject of the invention is also:A process as defined above, characterized in that the heated stream resulting from step f) is recycled by mixing with the feed stream.A process as defined above, characterized in that at least one portion of the liquid stream resulting from step d) is introduced into the heat exchanger used in step a) counter-current to the feed stream,A process as defined above, characterized in that at least one portion of the liquid stream resulting from step b) is mixed with said at least one portion of the liquid stream resulting from step d) before being introduced into the heat exchanger used in step a) counter-current to the feed stream.A process as defined above, characterized in that at least one portion of the methane-enriched permeate stream resulting from step c) is heated by introduction into the heat exchanger used in step a) counter-current to the feed stream in order to cool the latter.A process as defined above, characterized in that said at least one portion of the permeate stream resulting from step d) undergoes a Joule-Thomson expansion prior to the introduction thereof into the heat exchanger,A process as defined above, characterized in that at least one portion of the liquid stream resulting from step d) is introduced into a third phase separator vessel in order to produce at least two phases, including a liquid stream and a gas stream.A process as defined above, characterized in that said gas stream at the outlet of the third phase separator vessel is mixed is heated by introduction into the heat exchanger used in step a) counter feed stream in order to cool the latter. The expression “feed stream” as used in the present patent application relates to any composition containing hydrocarbons, including at least methane. The heat exchanger may be any heat exchanger, any unit or other arrangement suitable for allowing the passage of a certain number of streams, and thus allowing direct or indirect exchange of heat between one or more refrigerant fluid lines and one or more feed streams. Preferably, the purified stream (liquid fraction of the residue) comprises at least 50 mol % of hydrocarbons other than methane. The membrane separation unit used during step c) has a greater selectivity for methane than for hydrocarbons containing at least two carbon atoms, preferably containing at least three carbon atoms and operates in the presence of liquid. Methane or even hydrogen is found in the permeate stream at the outlet of the membrane unit while the hydrocarbons heavier than methane are on the residue (retentate) side, giving rise to a partial or complete condensation of the liquid residue stream rich in hydrocarbons comprising at least two carbon atoms. The present invention consists of the combination of a membrane unit with partial or complete condensation on the residue (retentate) side and a heat exchanger between the feed gas cooled by the expanded gas fraction or the expanded liquid fraction of said residue in order to effectively separate methane from the heavier hydrocarbons. The lower temperature thus obtained for the feed stream makes it possible to increase the rate of formation of liquid hydrocarbons.

11530541

FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to the field of concrete construction and, more particularly, to an adjustable form to block concrete leakage in concrete pouring. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION In modern construction, particularly construction of large commercial or industrial structures, a common practice is to precast large concrete elements and assemble them on site. For example, precast flooring slabs are brought to a site and suspended between precast columns, wall structures, or the like. The approach enables relatively quick and robust assembly, but often a different finished surface is required or desired. In such cases, an on-site pour might be made over all or part of the tops of precast slabs once in place for the sake of drainage grading, appearance, or other purposes. Depending on building geometry, on-site pours often require the erection of temporary formwork to stop poured concrete flowing over sides of the precast slabs. The overflow problem is frequently met in parking garage construction. Referring toFIG.6, in a common precast parking garage46, precast slabs40are used to the form the driving/parking surfaces, including ramps48extending between levels. The slabs40are supported by precast vertical structures50. To allow light to penetrate through the interior of the garage46, the vertical structures50often feature internal openings38. When doing an on-site pour over the precast slabs40, temporary formwork must be installed across each opening38, requiring time and labor. A further complication is that the angle at which the slabs40traverse the openings38might not be precisely the same each time, nor might the effective length of the opening to be blocked by formwork be precisely the same. Additionally, edges of slabs40might not be perfectly aligned adjacent to the openings38. Currently, carpenters are employed to build a separate wood form for each opening38, with each separate form being custom cut and installed to fit. While the approach works, it might not be acceptable, because apart from the time and labor required the finished appearance of edges of the pour will often be quite inconsistent from opening to opening. It is therefore desirable to address this problem in a way that can save time and labor costs and achieve a more consistent result. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In view of the foregoing, it is an object of the present invention to provide an adjustable form for concrete construction. An adjustable form for installing across an opening at an edge of a concrete slab includes a form member having a first form portion and a second form portion slidably connected to reach an adjustable effective length of the form member. The adjustable form further includes an extension mechanism connected between the first and second form portions and is operable to vary the effective length of the form member to fit across the opening. Tension exerted between the first and second form portions at the effective length is sufficient to keep the adjustable form in place. A method of installing an adjustable form across an opening at an edge of one or more concrete slabs includes positioning the adjustable form between opposite sides of the opening and underside of the one or more concrete slabs. An extension mechanism of the adjustable form is operated to extend an overall length of the form member until tension exerted between the first and second form portions is sufficient to keep the adjustable form in place. The overall length of the form is then secured. These and other objects, aspects and advantages of the present invention will be better appreciated in view of the drawings and following detailed description of preferred embodiments.

11429100

FIELD The inventive subject matter described herein relates to inspecting vehicle systems. BACKGROUND Maintaining the health of a vehicle, such as a locomotive, is important to the safety and longevity of a vehicle. Routine maintenance is performed to ensure that components and systems of the vehicles are functioning properly. Over time, locomotive systems and components may become damaged and/or fail. Some locomotives may respond to failure by stopping movement of the vehicle, not performing at peak performance, or the like. Alternatively, damaged and/or failed locomotive systems and components may lead to catastrophic results leading to significant financial losses, loss of life, or the like. The locomotives may be manually inspected to diagnose the health of the vehicle and to maintain the health of the locomotive systems and components. When inspected, either for routine maintenance or as a result of a failure, locomotives may be taken to a repair center where a maintenance operator is provided a given set of troubleshooting instructions. These instructions can take a significant amount of time to complete with many tasks and steps to complete. Additionally, some tasks are difficult for the maintenance operator to execute because they require additional measurement equipment, are tedious to perform (e.g., if a specific execution sequence is essential), or may place the maintenance operator at an elevated risk (e.g., taking engine measurements near the engine while the engine is operating). BRIEF DESCRIPTION In one embodiment, a locomotive inspection system includes one or more sensors that are selectively coupled to a locomotive during one or more of an inspection event or a maintenance event for the locomotive and a controller that is operable to cause a control system of the locomotive that controls plural operations of the locomotive to initiate a first operation and a different, second operation of the plural operations of the locomotive. The controller is configured to determine whether the control system of the locomotive has first sensor information indicative of a state of the locomotive during the first operation of the locomotive. The controller is configured to send a command signal to the control system of the vehicle in order to direct the control system of the locomotive to change locomotive operations from the first operation to the second operation of the locomotive responsive to determining that the control system lacks the first sensor information that was requested. The controller obtains second sensor information from the one or more sensors based on the second operation of the locomotive and determines a condition of one or more components of the locomotive based on the first sensor information and the second sensor information. In one embodiment, a method for inspecting a locomotive includes selectively coupling one or more sensors of an inspection system to a locomotive during one or more of an inspection event or a maintenance event for the locomotive. The method includes operably coupling a controller with the one or more sensors of the inspection system wherein the controller is operable to cause a control system of the locomotive to initiate a first operation of the locomotive and a different, second operation of the locomotive. During the first operation of the locomotive it is determined whether the control system of the locomotive has first sensor information indicative of a state of the locomotive. Responsive to determining that the control system lacks the first sensor information, the controller sends a command signal to the control system of the locomotive in order to direct the control system of the locomotive to change locomotive operations from the first operation to the second operation of the locomotive. Second sensor information is obtained from the one or more sensors based on the second operations of the locomotive. A condition of one or more components of the locomotive is determined based on the first sensor information and the second sensor information. In one embodiment, a locomotive inspection system includes a first sensor configured to determine an operating characteristic of a locomotive and a second sensor configured to determine one or more of an externality characteristic of the first sensor or an externality characteristic of the locomotive. The externality characteristic of the first sensor is representative of one or more external conditions to which the first sensor is exposed. The externality characteristic of the locomotive is representative of one or more external conditions to which the locomotive is exposed. The system includes a controller configured to diagnose an operational state of the locomotive based on the operating characteristic of the locomotive and based on the one or more of the externality characteristic of the first sensor or the externality characteristic of the locomotive

11407694

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS This application is the U.S. national stage of international application No. PCT/KR2018/009459, filed on Aug. 17, 2018, and claims priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119 to Korean Application No. 10-2017-0154969, filed on Nov. 20, 2017, whose entire disclosures are herein incorporated by reference. TECHNICAL FIELD The present disclosure relates to a method for decomposing byproducts generated in a phenol production process, and more particularly, to a method for decomposing byproducts to improve thermal efficiency in terms of process and recovery of an active ingredient in a phenol production process. BACKGROUND ART About 95% of phenol used worldwide is generally produced by a three-step Hock process. The 3-step Hock process comprises (1) alkylating benzene with propylene to form cumene, (2) bonding cumene with oxygen to oxidize cumene to cumene hydroperoxide (CHP), (3) and decomposing CHIP into phenol and acetone under the presence of a sulfuric acid catalyst. In the cumene oxidizing step, byproducts such as acetophenone (AP), dimethylbenzyl alcohol (DMBA), dicumylperoxide (DCP), and dicumylum (DC), and the like, in addition to the CHIP, are produced, and in the CHIP decomposing step, hydroxyacetone (HA), 2-methylbenzofuran (2MBF), alpha-methylstyrene (AMS), mesityl oxide (MO), alpha-methylstyrene dimer (AMS dimmer), cumylphenol (CP), and the like, are produced as byproducts. In a stream in which phenol, acetone, and various byproducts generated through the above reaction process are mixed, an unreacted cumene, acetone, AMS, HA, and the like, are separated as the top of an acetone column and the phenol, some AMS, 2MBF, and other impurities, and the like, are separated as the bottom. The phenol mixture separated as the bottom is introduced into a phenol column so that impurities such as DCP, CP, AMS dimer, and tar are separated and removed as the bottom. Many studies have been conducted to increase a yield and purity of useful products contained in impurities in the recovery step of the tar of the impurities. DISCLOSURE Technical Problem An object of the present disclosure is to provide a method for decomposing byproducts in a phenol production process to improve recovery of an active ingredient contained in byproducts in a phenol production process and lower energy required for a decomposition reaction of the byproducts. Another object of the present disclosure is to provide a byproduct decomposition apparatus capable of effectively decomposing byproducts in a phenol production process. Technical Solution In one general aspect, a method for decomposing phenol byproducts produced in a phenol production process includes: supplying the phenol byproducts to a reactive distillation column; recovering tar from a lower part of the reactive distillation column; recovering acetophenone from the middle of the reactive distillation column; and recovering an active ingredient from an upper part of the reactive distillation column. The reactive distillation column may be operated under the condition of 0.5 to 3 bar. The method may further include: mixing the recovered acetophenone with the tar. The method may further include: exchanging heat between the mixed stream of the tar and the acetophenone and the phenol byproducts supplied to the distillation column to heat the phenol byproducts. The active ingredient may include phenol, alpha methyl styrene, and cumene. The acetophenone separated from a side part in the middle of the reactive distillation column may be 90 wt % or more of the acetophenone contained in the phenol byproducts, and the content of acetophenone contained in the active ingredient recovered from the upper part of the reactive distillation column may be 1 wt % or less of the content of the entire recovered active ingredient. Here, the percentage may refer to wt %, unless otherwise mentioned. In another general aspect, an apparatus for decomposing phenol byproducts includes: a phenol byproduct supply part for supplying byproducts of a phenol production process to a reactive distillation column; a tar recovery part provided at a lower part of the reactive distillation column; a tar transfer line transferring tar recovered from the tar recovery part; an acetophenone recovery part provided at a middle part of the side of the reactive distillation column; an acetophenone transfer line connected to the tar transfer line to mix the acetophenone recovered from the acetophenone recovery part with the recovered tar; and an active ingredient recovery part provided at an upper part of the reactive distillation column. The acetophenone recovery line may be provided at a position of 25 to 90% of a total number of stages of the reactive distillation column. The decomposition apparatus may further include: a heat-exchanger exchanging heat between a mixed stream of the recovered tar and acetophenone and the phenol byproducts. Advantageous Effects In the process of decomposing phenol byproducts using a decomposition apparatus (reactive distillation column) in which a reactor and a distillation column are integrated, acetophenone contained in the phenol byproducts is separated at normal pressure and mixed with tar recovered to the lower part of the reactive distillation column and transferred, whereby viscosity of the tar may be lowered so that the tar may be transferred at room temperature, and since acetophenone is separated at normal pressure, operation energy of the distillation column may be lowered as compared with a pressurizing process. Also, since the acetophenone recovery part is separately provided at the position of 25 to 90% of the total number of stages of the distillation column, acetophenone may be effectively separated from the active ingredient.

11252679

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS Examples of several of the various embodiments of the present invention are described herein with reference to the drawings, in which: FIG. 1is a diagram depicting example sets of OFDM subcarriers as per an aspect of an embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 2is a diagram depicting an example transmission time and reception time for two carriers in a carrier group as per an aspect of an embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 3is a diagram depicting OFDM radio resources as per an aspect of an embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 4is a block diagram of a base station and a wireless device as per an aspect of an embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 5is a diagram depicting uplink transmission timing of one or more cells in a first timing advance group (TAG) and a second TAG as per an aspect of an embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 6is an example message flow in a random access process in a secondary TAG as per an aspect of an embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 7shows example TAG configurations as per an aspect of an embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 8is an illustration of example uplink-downlink timing relation as per an aspect of an embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 9is an illustration of a cell group timing process in a wireless device for as per an aspect of an embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 10is an illustration of a cell group timing process in a base station for as per an aspect of an embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 11shows example transmission scenarios in a wireless network; FIG. 12is an example illustration of parallel transmission of SRS and other physical channel signals as per an aspect of an embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 13is an example illustration of parallel transmission of SRS and other physical channel signals as per an aspect of an embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 14is an illustration of power limitations during timing overlap between different subframes from different TAGs as per an aspect of an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 15is an example illustration of parallel transmission of SRS and PUCCH/PUSCH as per an aspect of an embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 16is an example illustration of parallel transmission of SRS and PUCCH/PUSCH, and transient period as per an aspect of an embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 17is an example illustration of parallel transmission of PUCCH/PUSCH and PUSCH as per an aspect of an embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 18is an example illustration of parallel transmission of PUCCH/PUSCH and PUSCH, and transient period as per an aspect of an embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 19depicts an example of the first parameter calculated over time as per an aspect of an embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 20depicts a flow chart showing the tasks performed in a wireless device as per an aspect of an embodiment of the present invention; and FIG. 21a claim flow showing the tasks performed in a wireless device as per an aspect of an embodiment of the present invention.

11528800

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS This application claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C. § 119(a) of Korean Patent Application No. 10-2020-0098917 filed on Aug. 7, 2020 in the Korean Intellectual Property Office, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference for all purposes. BACKGROUND 1. Field The following description relates to an electronic device module. 2. Description of Related Art There has been increased demand for portable electronic products in the electronic products market. To meet such demand, electronic devices mounted on such portable electronic products have been required to have a reduced size and weight. To reduce the size and weight of such electronic devices, a technique of reducing a size of an individual mounting component, a system on chip (SOC) technique for configuring a plurality of individual devices on a single chip, and a system in package (SIP) technique for integrating a plurality of individual devices as a single package have been continuously studied. In particular, a high frequency electronic device module, such as a communication module or a network module, which uses a high frequency signal, may generate a large amount of heat during operations thereof as a frequency band increases. In this regard, there has been demand for an electronic device module capable of effectively releasing heat. SUMMARY This Summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in simplified form that are further described below in the Detailed Description. This Summary is not intended to identify key features or essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to be used as an aid in determining the scope of the claimed subject matter. In one general aspect, an electronic device module includes: a substrate; a sealing portion disposed on a first surface of the substrate; an exothermic device disposed on the first surface of the substrate and embedded in the sealing portion; and a heat radiating portion at least partially embedded in the sealing portion. A lower surface of the heat radiating portion is bonded to one surface of the exothermic device. A side surface of the heat radiating portion is curved and is entirely in contact with the sealing portion. A plurality of grooves are disposed in the side surface of the heat radiating portion. The heat radiating portion may include an exposed surface exposed to an outside of the sealing portion and opposing the lower surface of the heat radiating portion. The heat radiating portion may have a horizontal cross-section area increasing toward the exposed surface. The side surface of the heat radiating portion may be inclined. The electronic device module may further include an electronic component mounted on the substrate in a position adjacent to the exothermic device. A portion of the heat radiating portion may face an upper surface of the electronic component. The exposed surface of the heat radiating portion may have a surface area larger than a surface area of the one surface of the exothermic device. A surface area of the lower surface of the heat radiating portion may be smaller than the surface area of the one surface of the exothermic device. The side surface of the heat radiating portion may include a first side surface portion formed to have an arch shape and a second side surface portion having a ridge and a valley repeatedly disposed therein. The electronic device module may further include a bonding layer disposed between the exothermic device and the heat radiating portion and bonding the exothermic device to the heat radiating portion. The electronic device module may further include an electronic component mounted on the substrate in a position adjacent to the exothermic device. A mounting height of the electronic component may be greater than a mounting height of the exothermic device. The electronic device module may further include an electronic component mounted on the first surface of the substrate and disposed outside of the sealing portion. The electronic device may further include an antenna disposed inside the substrate or on a second surface of the substrate. The antenna may include a patch antenna disposed in a region opposing the sealing portion. The antenna may include a dipole antenna disposed in a region not opposing the sealing portion. The electronic device module may further include a shielding layer disposed on a surface of the sealing portion and configured to shield an electromagnetic wave. One surface of the heat radiating portion may be bonded to the shielding layer. The electronic device module may further include a shielding wall disposed inside the sealing portion and electrically connecting the substrate to the shielding layer. In another general aspect, an electronic device module includes: a substrate; a sealing portion disposed on a first surface of the substrate; an exothermic device disposed on the first surface of the substrate and embedded in the sealing portion; and a heat radiating portion at least partially embedded in the sealing portion and having a lower surface bonded to one surface of the exothermic device. An entire interface between the heat radiating portion and the sealing portion is curved. A side surface of the heat radiating device and a side surface of the exothermic device are laterally spaced apart from each other by 150 μm or more. The heat radiating portion may include an upper surface having a same shape as the lower surface of the heat radiating portion. Other features and aspects will be apparent from the following detailed description, the drawings, and the claims.

11332466

BACKGROUND Cancer and other diseases, such as arthritis, lupus, and neurodegenerative disorders, for example, are associated with significant mortality and/or morbidity and remain major health concerns worldwide. Despite advances in the understanding of these diseases and disorders, there still exists a need for additional and/or improved treatments. SUMMARY In aspects, described herein are compounds according to Formula XXV wherein R1is wherein R2is wherein R3is H, CH3, or CH2CH3, and wherein X1, X2, and X3, are each independently selected from the group of: C or N. In aspects, the compound is selected from the group of: (70), (71), (72), (73), (74), (126), (130), (131), and (132). In aspects, described herein are compounds according to Formula XXIV wherein R1and R2are each independently selected from CH3or H, wherein R3is CH3or CH2CH3, and wherein X is C or N. In some aspects, the compound is selected from the group of: (22), (23), (30), and (31). In aspects, described herein are compounds according to Formula XXVI wherein R12is a C1-C3alkyl, a C1-C3haloalkyl, propylenyl, —CH2(CO)CH═CH2, oxiran-2-ylmethyl, or CH2(CO)CH2Cl, wherein R11is a nitrogen-containing bicyclic or tricyclic heteroaryl, an aryl, or a biaryl, each of which is optionally substituted with 1, 2, or 3 substituents each independently selected from the group of: —N(Ra)S(O)2Rb, —S(O)2NRaRb, —C(O)NRaRb—N(Ra)C(O)Rb—NRaRb, —(C1-C6alkylenyl)Rc, —(C1-C3cycloalkylenyl)Rc, an aryl, a heteroaryl, and —(C1-C6alkylenyl)RcRc′, —H, a halogen, —CN, a propylenyl, a C1-C3alkyl, a C1-C3haloalkyl, —OR70, —NR70R70, —C(O)OR70, —C(O)NR70R70, —S(O)2R70, —S(O)2NR70R70, —CH2(CO)CH═CH2, oxiran-2-ylmethyl, and CH2(CO)CH2Cl, and R70, wherein X is optionally present, and when present, is selected from —O—, —C(O)—, —N(R77)—, and —CH(R70)—, R77is selected from the group of: —H, a halogen, —CN, a C1-C3haloalkyl, —OR70, —NR70R70, —C(O)OR70, —C(O)NR70R70, —S(O)2R70, —S(O)2NR70R70, and R70, wherein R70, at each occurrence, are each independently selected from the group of: a C1-C6alkyl, a C2-C6alkenyl, a C2-C6alkynyl, a halogen, a C1-C6haloalkyl, —CN, NO2, —ORe, —S(O)2NReRf, —C(O)Re, —C(O)NReRf, —NReRf, —N(Re)C(O)Rf, a —(C1-C6alkylenyl)-ORe, a —(C1-C6alkylenyl)-C(O)NReRf, a —(C1-C6alkylenyl)-NReRf, and a —(C1-C6alkylenyl)-N(Re)C(O)Rf, wherein Raand Rb, at each occurrence, are independently selected from the group cof: H, a C1-C6alkenyl, a C1-C6alkynyl, a C1-C6haloalkyl, Rc, and a C1-C6alkyl, wherein the C1-C6alkyl is optionally substituted with one substituent selected from the group of: —ORe, —NReRf, —C(O)ORe, —C(O)NReRf, —S(O)2Re, —S(O)2NReRf, and Rc, wherein Rcand Rc′, at each occurrence, are each independently selected from the group of: an aryl, a heteroaryl, a heterocycle, a cycloalkyl, and a cycloalkenyl, and wherein each Rcgroup is optionally substituted with 1, 2, 3, 4, or 5 Rdgroups, wherein Rd, at each occurrence, are each independently selected from the group of: a C1-C6alkyl, a C2-C6alkenyl, a C2-C6alkynyl, a halogen, a C1-C6haloalkyl, —CN, NO2, —ORe, —S(O)2NReRf, —C(O)Re, —C(O)NReRf, —NReRf, —N(Re)C(O)Rf, a —(C1-C6alkylenyl)-ORe, a —(C1-C6alkylenyl)-C(O)NReRf, a —(C1-C6alkylenyl)-NReRf, and a —(C1-C6alkylenyl)-N(Re)C(O)Rf, and wherein Reand Rf, at each occurrence, are each independently selected from the group of: H, a C1-C6alkyl, a C1-C6cycloalkyl, a aryl, a heteroaryl and a C1-C6haloalkyl. In some aspects, the compound is according to Formula I wherein R12is a C1-C3alkyl, a C1-C3haloalkyl, propylenyl, —CH2(CO)CH═CH2, oxiran-2-ylmethyl, or CH2(CO)CH2Cl, wherein R11is a nitrogen-containing bicyclic or tricyclic heteroaryl, each of which is optionally substituted with 1, 2, or 3 substituents each independently selected from the group of: —N(Ra)S(O)2Rb, —S(O)2NRaRb, —C(O)NRaRb—N(Ra)C(O)Rb—NRaRb, —(C1-C6alkylenyl)Rc, —(C1-C3cycloalkylenyl)Rc, an aryl, a heteroaryl, and —(C1-C6alkylenyl)RcRc′, wherein Raand Rb, at each occurrence, are each independently selected from the group of: H, a C1-C6alkenyl, a C1-C6alkynyl, a C1-C6haloalkyl, Rc, and a C1-C6alkyl, wherein the C1-C6alkyl is optionally substituted with one substituent selected from the group of: —ORe, —NReRf, —C(O)ORe, —C(O)NReRf, —S(O)2Re, —S(O)2NReRf, and Rc, wherein Rcand Rc′, at each occurrence, are each independently selected from the group of: an aryl, a heteroaryl, a heterocycle, a cycloalkyl, and a cycloalkenyl, and wherein each Rcgroup is optionally substituted with 1, 2, 3, 4, or 5 Rdgroups, wherein Rd, at each occurrence, are each independently selected from the group of: a C1-C6alkyl, a C2-C6alkenyl, a C2-C6alkynyl, a halogen, a C1-C6haloalkyl, —CN, NO2, —ORe, —S(O)2NReRf, —C(O)Re, —C(O)NReRf, —NReRf, —N(Re)C(O)Rf, a —(C1-C6alkylenyl)-ORe, a —(C1-C6alkylenyl)-C(O)NReRf, a —(C1-C6alkylenyl)-NReRf, and a —(C1-C6alkylenyl)-N(Re)C(O)Rf, and wherein Reand Rf, at each occurrence, are each independently selected from the group of: H, a C1-C6alkyl, a C1-C6cycloalkyl, an aryl, a heteroaryl and a C1-C6haloalkyl. In aspects, the compound is according to Formula II wherein R21is —N(Ra)S(O)2Rb, —S(O)2NRaRb, S(O)2Ra, —C(O)NRaRb—N(Ra)C(O)Rb—NRaRb, or a —(C1-C6alkylenyl)Rc, wherein Raand Rb, at each occurrence, are each independently selected from the group of: H, a C1-C6alkyl, a C1-C6alkenyl, a C1-C6alkynyl, a C1-C6haloalkyl, Rc, and a C1-C6alkyl, wherein the C1-C6alkyl is optionally substituted with one substituent selected from the group of: —ORy1, —NRy3Ry4, —C(O)ORy2, —C(O)NRy3Ry4, —S(O)2Ry1, —S(O)2NRy3Ry4, and Rc, wherein Ry1, at each occurrence, can each be independently selected from the group of: H, a C1-C6alkyl, a C1-C6cycloalkyl, a aryl, a heteroaryl and a C1-C6haloalkyl, wherein Ry2, at each occurrence, can each be independently selected from the group of: H, a C1-C6alkyl, a C1-C6cycloalkyl, a aryl, a heteroaryl and a C1-C6haloalkyl, wherein Ry3, at each occurrence, can each be independently selected from the group of: H, a C1-C6alkyl, a C1-C6cycloalkyl, a aryl, a heteroaryl and a C1-C6haloalkyl, wherein Ry4, at each occurrence, can each be independently selected from the group of: H, a C1-C6alkyl, a C1-C6cycloalkyl, a aryl, a heteroaryl and a C1-C6haloalkyl, wherein R22is selected from the group of: a —(C1-C6alkylenyl)Rc, a —(C1-C3cycloalkylenyl)Rc, and a —(C1-C6alkylenyl)RcRc′, wherein Rcand Rc′, at each occurrence, are each independently selected from the group of: an aryl, a heteroaryl, a heterocycle, a cycloalkyl, and a cycloalkenyl; and each Rcgroup is optionally substituted with 1, 2, 3, 4, or 5 Rdgroups, where Rd, at each occurrence, are each independently selected from the group of: a C1-C6alkyl, a C2-C6alkenyl, a C2-C6alkynyl, a halogen, a C1-C6haloalkyl, —CN, NO2, —ORe, —S(O)2NReRf, —C(O)Re, —C(O)NReRf, —NReRf, —N(Re)C(O)Rf, a —(C1-C6alkylenyl)-ORe, —(C1-C6alkylenyl)-C(O)NReRf, a —(C1-C6alkylenyl)-NReRf, and a —(C1-C6alkylenyl)-N(Re)C(O)Rf, and wherein Reand Rf, at each occurrence, are each independently selected from the group of: H, a C1-C6alkyl, and a C1-C6haloalkyl. In aspects, the compound is according to Formula III wherein R31is selected from the group of: a C1-C6alkenyl, a C1-C6cycloalkyl, and a C1-C6haloalkyl, wherein R32is selected from the group of: a C1-C6alkenyl, a C1-C8cycloalkyl, —H, -D, a C1-C8substituted cycloalkylenyl, a substituted aryl, and a substituted heteroaryl, and wherein R33, R34, R35, R36, and R37are each independently selected from the group of: —H, a halogen, —CN, and a C1-C3haloalkyl. In aspects, the compound is according to Formula IV wherein R41is selected from the group of: a C1-C6alkylenyl, a C1-C6cycloalkyl, and a C1-C6haloalkyl, wherein R42is selected from the group of: C1-C6alkenyl, a C1-C8cycloalkyl, —H, -D, a C1-C8substituted cycloalkylenyl, a substituted aryl, a substituted heteroaryl, and wherein R43, R44, R45, R46, and R47are each independently selected from the group of: —H, a halogen, —CN, and a C1-C3haloalkyl. In aspects, the compound is according to Formula V wherein R51is selected from the group of: a C1-C6alkenyl, a C1-C6cycloalkyl, and a C1-C6haloalkyl, wherein R52is selected from the group of: a C1-C6alkenyl, a C1-C8cycloalkyl, —H, -D, a C1-C8substituted cycloalkylenyl, a substituted aryl, and a substituted heteroaryl, and wherein R53, R54, R55, R56, and R57are each independently selected from the group of: —H, a halogen, —CN, and a C1-C3haloalkyl. In aspects, the compound is according to Formula VI wherein X is C or N, wherein R61is selected from the group of: a C1-C6alkenyl, a C1-C6cycloalkyl, and a C1-C6haloalkyl, wherein R62is selected from the group of: a C1-C6alkenyl, a C1-C8cycloalkyl, —H, -D, a C1-C8substituted cycloalkylenyl, a substituted aryl, and a substituted heteroaryl, and wherein R63, R64, R65, R66, and R67are each independently selected from the group of: —H, a halogen, —CN, and a C1-C3haloalkyl. In aspects, the compound is according to Formula IX, wherein X is C or N, wherein R91is selected from the group of: a C1-C6alkenyl, a C1-C6cycloalkyl, and a C1-C6haloalkyl, wherein R92is selected from the group of: a C1-C6alkenyl, a C1-C8cycloalkyl, —H, -D, a C1-C8substituted cycloalkylenyl, a substituted aryl, and a substituted heteroaryl, and wherein R93, R94, R95, R96, and R97are each independently selected from the group of: —H, a halogen, —CN, and a C1-C3haloalkyl. In aspects, the compound is according to Formula XVI wherein R133is selected from the group of: a C1-C6alkenyl, a C1-C6cycloalkyl, and a C1-C6haloalkyl, wherein R134is selected from the group of: a C1-C6alkenyl, C1-C8cycloalkyl, —H, -D, a C1-C8substituted cycloalkylenyl, a substituted aryl, and a substituted heteroaryl, wherein R135, R136, R137, R138, and R139are each independently selected from the group of: —H, a halogen, —CN, and a C1-C3haloalkyl, In aspects, the compound is according to Formula XVII wherein R141is selected from the group of: a C1-C6alkenyl, a C1-C8cycloalkyl, —H, -D, a C1-C8substituted cycloalkylenyl, a substituted aryl, and a substituted heteroaryl, and wherein R142, R143, R144, R145, and R146are each independently selected from the group of: —H, a halogen, —CN, and a C1-C3haloalkyl. and wherein R140is selected from the group of: a C1-C6alkenyl, a C1-C8cycloalkyl, —H, -D, a C1-C8substituted cycloalkylenyl, a substituted aryl, and a substituted heteroaryl. In aspects, the compound is according to Formula XIX wherein R156is wherein R157is Me or CH2CH3, wherein R158is Me, CH2CH3, or wherein R159is H, CH2CH3, or wherein R160is wherein R161is H, Me, or Cl, wherein R162is H or F, wherein R163is H or F, and wherein R164is H or Me. In aspects, the compound is according to Formula XX wherein R165is wherein R166is H, Me, or Cl, wherein R167is H or F, wherein R168is H or F, and wherein R169is H or Me. In aspects, the compound is according to Formula XXI wherein R31is wherein R157is Me or CH2CH3, CH(CH3)2where R158can be Me, CH2CH3, CH(CH3)2or wherein R31is selected from the group of: a C1-C6alkyl, a C1-C6alkenyl, a C1-C6cycloalkyl, and a C1-C6haloalkyl, wherein R32is selected from the group of: a C1-C6alkyl, a C1-C6alkenyl, a C1-C8cycloalkyl, —H, -D, a C1-C8substituted cycloalkylenyl, a substituted aryl, and a substituted heteroaryl, and wherein R33, R34, R35, R36, R37, R33′, R34′, R35′, R36′, and R37′ are each independently selected from the group of: —H, a halogen, —CN, a C1-C3haloalkyl, a C1-C6 cycloalkyl, a C1-C6alkylamine, a C1-C6cycloalkylamine, a C1-C6alkylester and a C1-C6alkylamide. In aspects, the compound is according to Formula XXII, wherein R31is wherein R157is Me, CH2CH3, or CH(CH3)2 wherein R32is selected from the group of: a C1-C6alkyl, a C1-C6alkenyl, a C1-C8cycloalkyl, —H, -D, a C1-C8substituted cycloalkylenyl, a substituted aryl, and a substituted heteroaryl, and wherein R33, R34, R35, R36, R37, R34′, R35′, R36′ R37′ are each independently selected from the group of: —H, a halogen, —CN, C1-C3haloalkyl, a C1-C6cycloalkyl, a C1-a C6alkylamine, a C1-C6cycloalkylamine, a C1-C6alkylester and a C1-C6alkylamides. In aspects, the compound is according to Formula XXIII, wherein R21is —N(Ra)S(O)2Rb, —S(O)2NRaRb, S(O)2Ra—C(O)NRaRb—N(Ra)C(O)Rb—NRaRb, or a —(C1-C6alkylenyl)Rc, wherein Raand Rb, at each occurrence, are each independently selected from the group of: H, C1-C6alkyl, C1-C6alkenyl, C1-C6alkynyl, C1-C6haloalkyl, Rc, and C1-C6alkyl where the C1-C6alkyl can be substituted with one substituent selected from the group of: —ORy1, —NRy3Ry4, —C(O)ORy2, —C(O)NRy3Ry4, —S(O)2Ry1, —S(O)2NRy3Ry4, and Rc, wherein Ry1, at each occurrence, are each independently selected from the group of: H, Me or CH2CH3, CH(CH3)2, wherein Ry2, at each occurrence, are each independently selected from the group of: H, Me or CH2CH3, CH(CH3)2, wherein Ry3, at each occurrence, are each independently selected from the group of: H, Me or CH2CH3, CH(CH3)2, wherein Ry4, at each occurrence, are each independently selected from the group of: H, Me or CH2CH3, CH(CH3)2, wherein R22is selected from the group of: a —(C1-C6alkylenyl)Rc, a —(C1-C3cycloalkylenyl)Rc, and a —(C1-C6alkylenyl)RcRc′, wherein Rcand Rc′, at each occurrence, are each independently selected from the group of: an aryl, a heteroaryl, a heterocycle, a cycloalkyl, and a cycloalkenyl; and each Rcgroup can be optionally substituted with 1, 2, 3, 4, or 5 Rdgroups, where Rd, at each occurrence, are each independently selected from the group of: a C1-C6alkyl, a C2-C6alkenyl, a C2-C6alkynyl, a halogen, a C1-C6haloalkyl, —CN, NO2, —ORe, —S(O)2NReRf, —C(O)Re, —C(O)NReRf, —NReRf, —N(Re)C(O)Rf, a —(C1-C6alkylenyl)-ORe, a —(C1-C6alkylenyl)-C(O)NReRf, a —(C1-C6alkylenyl)-NReRf, and a —(C1-C6alkylenyl)-N(Re)C(O)Rf, and wherein Reand Rf, at each occurrence, can each be independently selected from the group of: H, a C1-C6alkyl, and a C1-C6haloalkyl. In aspects, the compound is according to Formula VII wherein X is selected from the group of: —O—, —C(O)—, —N(R77)—, and —CH(R70)—, wherein R71is selected from the group of: a C1-C3alkyl, a C1-C3haloalkyl, a propylenyl, —CH2(CO)CH═CH2, oxiran-2-ylmethyl, and CH2(CO)CH2Cl, wherein R72, R73, R74, R75, R76, and R77are each independently selected from the group of: —H, a halogen, —CN, a C1-C3haloalkyl, —OR70, —NR70R70, —C(O)OR70, —C(O)NR70R70, —S(O)2R70, —S(O)2NR70R70, and R70, wherein R70, at each occurrence, are each independently selected from the group of: a C1-C6alkyl, a C2-C6alkenyl, a C2-C6alkynyl, a halogen, a C1-C6haloalkyl, —CN, NO2, —ORe, —S(O)2NReRf, —C(O)Re, —C(O)NReRf, —NReRf, —N(Re)C(O)Rf, a —(C1-C6alkylenyl)-ORe, a —(C1-C6alkylenyl)-C(O)NReRf, a —(C1-C6alkylenyl)-NReRf, and a —(C1-C6alkylenyl)-N(Re)C(O)Rf, and wherein Reand Rf, at each occurrence, are each independently selected from the group of: H, a C1-C6alkyl, and a C1-C6haloalkyl. In aspects, the compound is according to Formula VIII wherein R81, R82, and R83are each independently selected from the group of: a C1-C3alkyl, a C1-C3haloalkyl, a propylenyl, —CH2(CO)CH═CH2, oxiran-2-ylmethyl, and CH2(CO)CH2Cl. In aspects, also described herein are compounds according to Formula X wherein each X, at each occurrence, is C or N, wherein R98is H or Me, wherein R99is selected from the group of: Me, Et, and CH(CH2)2, wherein R100is selected from the group of: wherein R101is selected from the group of: Cl, F, H, Me, a cycloheteroalkyl, and wherein R102is selected from the group of: H, Cl, F, OH, CF3and CN, wherein R103is selected from the group of: Cl, F, H, and Me, wherein R104is H or F, and wherein R105is H or In aspects, also described herein are compounds according to Formula XII wherein R109is wherein R110is Me or CH2CH3, wherein R111is F, H, Cl, or CN, wherein R112is H, Cl, or F, and wherein R113is H, Me, Cl, or F. In aspects, also described herein are compounds according to Formula XIII wherein R114is Me or CH2CH3, wherein R115is selected from the group of: wherein R116is H, F, or N(CH3)2, wherein R117is H, Cl, F, CF3, or Me, wherein R118is H, Me, or CF3, wherein R119is H, F, or N(CH3)2, wherein R120is H, Me, or CF3, and wherein R121is H or Me. In aspects, also described herein are compounds according to Formula XIV wherein R122is Me or CH2CH3, wherein R123is wherein R124is wherein R125is H or F, wherein R126is H or Me, and wherein R127is H or Me. In aspects, also described herein are compounds according to Formula XV wherein R128is wherein R129is Me or CH2CH3, wherein R130is H or F, wherein R131is H or Me, wherein R132is H or Me, and wherein X is C or N. In aspects, also described herein are compounds according to Formula XVIII wherein R147is H or Me, wherein R148is wherein R149is H, CH2CH3, or wherein R150is wherein R151is Me, Et, or CH(CH2)2, wherein R152is H, Me, or Cl, where R153can be H or F, wherein R154is H or F, and wherein R155is H or Me. In aspects, also described herein are compounds according to Formula XI wherein R107is H or Me, wherein R108is selected from the group of: Me, Et, and CH(CH2)2, and wherein R106is selected from the group of: In aspects, also described herein are compounds according to Formula VII wherein X is selected from the group of: —O—, —C(O)—, —N(R77)—, and —CH(R70)—, wherein R71is selected from the group of: a C1-C3alkyl, a C1-C3haloalkyl, a propylenyl, —CH2(CO)CH═CH2, oxiran-2-ylmethyl, and CH2(CO)CH2Cl, wherein R72, R73, R74, R75, R76, and R77are each independently selected from the group of: —H, a halogen, —CN, a C1-C3haloalkyl, —OR70, —NR70R70, —C(O)OR70, —C(O)NR70R70, —S(O)2R70, —S(O)2NR70R70, and R70, wherein R70, at each occurrence, are each independently selected from the group of: a C1-C6alkyl, a C2-C6alkenyl, a C2-C6alkynyl, a halogen, a C1-C6haloalkyl, —CN, NO2, —ORe, —S(O)2NReRf, —C(O)Re, —C(O)NReRf, —NReRf, —N(Re)C(O)Rf, a —(C1-C6alkylenyl)-ORe, a —(C1-C6alkylenyl)-C(O)NReRf, a —(C1-C6alkylenyl)-NReRf, and a —(C1-C6alkylenyl)-N(Re)C(O)Rf, and where Reand Rf, at each occurrence, are each independently selected from the group of: H, a C1-C6alkyl, and a C1-C6haloalkyl. In aspects, also described herein are compounds according to Formula VIII wherein R81, R82, and R83are each independently selected from the group of: a C1-C3alkyl, a C1-C3haloalkyl, a propylenyl, —CH2(CO)CH═CH2, oxiran-2-ylmethyl, and CH2(CO)CH2Cl. In aspects, a compound described herein is any one of compounds (1)-(132). In aspects, a compound described herein is any one of compounds (2), (10), (22), (23), (30), (31), (70), (71), (72), (73), (74), (126), (130), (131), (132), or any combination thereof. In aspects, a compound described herein is any one of compounds (22), (23), (30), (31), or any combination thereof. In aspects, a compound described herein is any one of compounds (70), (71), (72), (73), (74), (126), (130), (131), (132), or any combination thereof. In aspects, a compound described herein is any one of compounds (70), (71), (72), or any combination thereof. In aspects, a compound described herein is any one of compounds (126), (130), (131), (132), or any combination thereof. In aspects, a compound described herein is any one of compounds (70), (71), (72), (73), (74), or any combination thereof. In aspects, a compound described herein has an IC50against a cell of less than 0.001, less than 0.01, less than 0.1, less than 1 μM, less than 3 μM, and/or less than 5 μM. In aspects, a compound described herein has an IC50against a cell ranging from 0.0001 μM to 0.001 μM, from 0.001 to 0.01 μM, from 0.01 μM to 0.1 μM, 0.1 μM to 1 μM, 1 μM to 2 μM, 2 μM to 3 μM, 3 μM to 4 μM, or 4 μM to 5 μM. In aspects, the cell is a cancer cell and/or a resistant cancer cell. In aspects, a compound described herein is capable of specifically binding a bromodomain, a BRD protein, a BET protein, or any combination thereof. In aspects, a compound described herein capable of modulating an activity or a functionality of a BRD protein, a BET protein, or a BRD protein and a BET protein. In aspects, a compound described herein is capable of reducing, inhibiting, or eliminating an activity or a functionality of a BRD protein, a BET protein, or a BRD protein and a BET protein. In aspects, also described herein are pharmaceutical formulations that contain a compound as described herein and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier. In aspects, also described herein is the use of a compound as described herein in the manufacture of a medicament to treat or prevent a cancer or other disease that histone modifications can be modulated to treat and/or prevent a disease and/or a symptom thereof, which can include, but is not limited to, arthritis, lupus, pulmonary arterial hypertension, heart remodeling, a neurodegenerative disease and or combination thereof. In aspects, also described herein is the use of a compound as described herein or a pharmaceutical formulation thereof for the treatment or prevention of a cancer or other disease that histone modifications can be modulated to treat and/or prevent a disease and/or a symptom thereof, which can include, but is not limited to, arthritis, lupus, pulmonary arterial hypertension, heart remodeling, a neurodegenerative disease or any combination thereof. In aspects, described herein are methods that can include the step of administering a compound as described herein or a pharmaceutical formulation thereof to a subject. In aspects, the subject has or is suspected of having a cancer or other disease that histone modifications can be modulated to treat and/or prevent a disease and/or a symptom thereof, which can include, but is not limited to, arthritis, lupus, pulmonary arterial hypertension, heart remodeling, a neurodegenerative disease or any combination thereof. In aspects, also described herein are methods of treating or preventing a disease or disorder in a subject in need thereof that can include the step of administering a compound as described herein or a pharmaceutical formulation thereof to the subject in need thereof and wherein the disease or disorder is a cancer or other disease that histone modifications can be modulated to treat and/or prevent a disease and/or a symptom thereof, which can include, but is not limited to, arthritis, lupus, pulmonary arterial hypertension, heart remodeling, a neurodegenerative disease or any combination thereof. In aspects, also described herein are kits that can include a a compound as described herein or a pharmaceutical formulation thereof; and instructions fixed in a tangible medium of expression, wherein the instructions direct administration of the compound or pharmaceutical formulation to a subject in need thereof, wherein the subject in need thereof has or is suspected of having a cancer or other disease that histone modifications can be modulated to treat and/or prevent a disease and/or a symptom thereof, which can include, but is not limited to, arthritis, lupus, pulmonary arterial hypertension, heart remodeling, a neurodegenerative disease or any combination thereof. In aspects, the kit further contains an auxiliary agent. In aspects, the auxiliary agent is a chemotherapeutic agent. In aspects, described herein are methods that can include the step of contacting a cell with a compound as described herein or a pharmaceutical formulation thereof. In aspects, the cell is a cancer cell and/or a resistant cancer cell. In aspects, the method can further include the step of specifically binding the compound to a bromodomain of a protein within the cell. In aspects, the method can further include the step of specifically binding the compound to a BRD protein, a BET protein, or a BRD protein and a BET protein within the cell. In aspects, also described herein are methods of modulating an activity or a functionality a BRD protein, a BET protein, or a BRD protein and a BET protein in a cell, that can include the step of contacting the cell with a compound as described herein or a pharmaceutical formulation thereof. In aspects, the cell can be a cancer cell and/or a resistant cancer cell.

11282391

TECHNICAL FIELD The present disclosure generally relates to object detection. BACKGROUND A machine learning process may be required to operate at a wide range of illumination conditions. The large differences between one illumination condition to the other reduce the efficiency of using a single machine learning process to cope with images acquired at the wide range of different illumination conditions. For example—using a single machine learning process to perform image processing in both day light condition and night day condition (with low or no illumination) will result in a sub-optimal machine learning process image processing.

11274582

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION This Application is a 35 USC § 371 US National Stage filing of International Application No. PCT/EP2017/083319 filed on Dec. 18, 2017 which claims, priority under the Paris Convention to European Patent Application No. 1621977.6 filed on Dec. 22, 2016. TECHNICAL FIELD The present disclosure relates to a flow hood assembly, and in particular relates to a flow hood assembly for an engine aftertreatment system having a particulate filter and a selective catalytic reduction device. BACKGROUND Engine aftertreatment systems are used to reduce emissions in the exhaust stream of an internal combustion engine. One aftertreatment device used in engine aftertreatment systems is a particulate filter, used to remove particulate matter such as soot from the exhaust stream. Another aftertreatment device used in engine aftertreatment systems is a selective catalytic reduction (SCR) device, used to reduce NOx emissions in the exhaust stream. SCR devices typically inject a reducing agent into the exhaust stream which then reacts in a catalytic converter to reduce NOx emissions. In the case of a diesel engine, the reducing agent may be an aqueous urea solution made with urea and deionized water, known as diesel exhaust fluid (DEF). SCR devices are usually situated downstream from the particulate filter to avoid particulates in the exhaust stream from clogging up the catalytic converter. Aftertreatment systems having an SCR device may include NOx sensors to measure the performance of the SCR device. Typically one NOx sensor is used before the SCR device and another NOx sensor after the SCR device to permit measurement of the amount of NOx emissions removed by the SCR device. Due to the low concentration of NOx present in exhaust gases, many such sensors have requirements on a minimum velocity of gas flow past the sensor. In aftertreatment systems using an SCR device, the performance of the SCR device may reduce due to the reducing agent forming deposits that can build up on an injector nozzle and interfere with SCR device performance. One approach to reduce the amount of reducing agent deposited on the injector nozzle is to mount the injector with the injector nozzle vertical in use. Not all engine configurations permit the aftertreatment system to be installed with the injector in this orientation, however. Various configurations of the aftertreatment devices in an engine aftertreatment system are possible. In some cases, the aftertreatment devices are provided in sequence in a generally linear fashion. In other cases, the aftertreatment devices are placed in a parallel configuration. Aftertreatment systems employing the parallel configuration typically use a flow hood to direct exhaust gases from the outlet of one aftertreatment device to the inlet of the next aftertreatment device. SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE In an aspect of the present disclosure, a flow hood assembly is provided for an engine aftertreatment system having a particulate filter and a selective catalytic reduction device. The flow hood assembly comprises an outer case defining a cavity. The outer case has an inlet and an outlet formed therein, the inlet and the outlet being spaced apart along a longitudinal axis of the outer case, and a neck section formed between the inlet and the outlet. The inlet is configured for attachment to the particulate filter whereby exhaust gases from the particulate filter enter the cavity at the inlet and flow generally along the longitudinal axis toward the outlet. A socket is provided in the outer case in an opposed relationship to the outlet and shaped to receive an injector that introduces a reducing agent into the flow of exhaust gases, the injector having a nozzle that protrudes through an opening in the socket into the cavity. The outlet is configured for attachment to the selective catalytic reduction device, whereby the exhaust gases and reducing agent leave the cavity at the outlet and enter the selective catalytic reduction device. A sensor for detecting NOx in the flow of exhaust gases is provided at the neck section of the outer case, the sensor having a sensing end projecting into the cavity. A baffle is provided in the cavity, the baffle reducing a cross-sectional area of the cavity at the neck section. A deflector member provided in the cavity between the baffle and the socket, the deflector member being inclined towards the socket to direct a portion of the exhaust gases towards the socket and across the nozzle. In another aspect of the present disclosure, a method is provided for directing a flow of exhaust gases flow from a particulate filter to a selective catalytic reduction device in an engine aftertreatment system. The method comprises providing an outer case defining a cavity, the outer case having an inlet and an outlet formed therein, the inlet and the outlet being spaced apart along a longitudinal axis of the outer case, and a neck section formed between the inlet and the outlet. The inlet is configured for attachment to the particulate filter whereby exhaust gases from the particulate filter enter the cavity at the inlet and flow generally along the longitudinal axis toward the outlet. A socket is provided in the outer case in an opposed relationship to the outlet and shaping the socket to receive an injector that introduces a reducing agent into the flow of exhaust gases, the injector having a nozzle that protrudes through an opening in the socket into the cavity. The outlet is configured for attachment to the selective catalytic reduction device, whereby the exhaust gases and reducing agent leave the cavity at the outlet and enter the selective catalytic reduction device. The method continues by providing a sensor for detecting NOx in the flow of exhaust gases at the neck section of the outer case, the sensor having a sensing end projecting into the cavity, providing a baffle in the cavity to reduce a cross-sectional area of the cavity at the neck section, and providing a deflector member in the cavity between the baffle and the socket, the deflector member being inclined towards the socket to direct a portion of the exhaust gases towards the socket and across the nozzle. Other features and aspects of this disclosure will be apparent from the following description and the accompanying drawings.

11380211

COPYRIGHT STATEMENT A portion of the disclosure of this patent document contains material that is subject to copyright protection. The copyright owner has no objection to the facsimile reproduction by anyone of the patent document or the patent disclosure as it appears in the Patent and Trademark Office patent file or records, but otherwise reserves all copyright rights whatsoever. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Adaptive learning is an educational method using computers to adapt the presentation of educational material according to individuals' learning needs, as indicated by their responses to questions, tasks, and experiences. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Despite the potential for online/mobile learning (e.g., e-learning) systems to utilize computing power to deliver effective adaptive learning, existing e-learning technologies do not adequately provide true mastery learning. By way of example, current systems do not base learning on a thoughtfully planned map of learning objectives for each subject at each level of learning that acknowledges the hierarchical and prerequisite relationships between objectives. By way of further example, current systems fail to include adequate or effective checks for learner understanding before allowing a learner to advance from one prerequisite concept to another to progress along a map of objectives. By only testing for surface results, the state of the art fails to discover and address deficiencies that may exist in a learner's more fundamental skill set that must come into play for each top-level learning objective. By way of still further example, current systems fail to provide learning activities that adequately adapt, in a dynamic way, to a learner's level of mastery. Specifically, learning activities that are not only selected based on a learners level of mastery, but also evolve in terms of scaffolding, feedback, and content to address each learner's immediate needs. Moreover, current graphic user interface technologies are inadequate in providing a seamless interface for the learner to interact with the content and provide appropriate scaffolding assistance accordingly (e.g., relocating, adjusting, adding, removing, transforming, modifying graphic user interface visual elements on the graphic user interface properly). Hence, a technological tool to address these concerns is appropriate. Advantages offered by personalized learning mastery systems described herein include, for example, a foundational knowledge map describing each subject or topic at each level of learning, which represents learning objectives arranged hierarchically and so as to represent prerequisite relationships between learning objectives and associates one or more of the objectives with one or more interactive online or mobile learning activities (e.g., e-learning). Further advantages of the subject matter described herein include, inter alia, a plurality of learning activities, wherein activities are selected for each learner based on their individual level of mastery and their progression through each knowledge map. Importantly, as described herein, each learning activity includes dynamically variable scaffolding, feedback, and/or content that is configured to adapt to each learner's level of mastery as indicated by the learner's performance and, optionally, the preference of the learner. In one aspect, disclosed herein are computer-implemented systems comprising: a digital processing device comprising: at least one processor, an operating system configured to perform executable instructions, a memory, and a computer program including instructions executable by the digital processing device to create a personalized mastery learning application comprising: a knowledge map describing a subject or topic at a level of learning or proficiency, the knowledge map comprising a plurality of nodes, each node representing at least one learning objective, wherein the nodes are arranged in the knowledge map hierarchically and so as to represent prerequisite relationships between learning objectives; a plurality of learning activities, each learning activity comprising dynamically variable scaffolding, feedback, and/or content; a data storage associating one or more of the nodes with one or more of the learning activities; a learning activity selection module identifying at least one current node on the map for a particular learner based on performance of the learner and using the at least one current node and the data storage to select one or more learning activities for the learner; and a learning activity modification module dynamically varying one or more of the scaffolding, feedback, and content of at least one selected learning activity based on performance of the learner. In some embodiments, the application comprises a plurality of knowledge maps. In some embodiments, the data storage is a prerequisite map. In further embodiments, each node of the knowledge map is associated in the prerequisite map with one or more learning activities. In some embodiments, each learning activity comprises interactive instructions. In some embodiments, the subject or topic is math, reading, science, social studies, art, music, language arts, foreign language, or a combination thereof. In some embodiments, the level of learning is pre-K. In other embodiments, the level of learning is a K-12 grade level. In some embodiments, the level of learning is a proficiency level, a fluency level, a competency level, a mastery level, or a combination thereof. In some embodiments, the learning activity selection module identifies the at least one current node as the node immediately subsequent to the highest node in a portion of the hierarchy for which the learner has demonstrated mastery. In some embodiments, the learning activity selection module identifies the at least one current node after completion of each learning activity. In other embodiments, the learning activity selection module identifies the at least one current node after each learner interaction with a learning activity. In yet other embodiments, the learning activity selection module continuously identifies the at least one current node. In some embodiments, each learning activity comprises a content type and wherein the learning activity selection module selects a content type for the learner. In further embodiments, the content type is directed to a learning objective associated with a concept, a principle, a skill, or data. In some embodiments, the learning activity selection module selects a plurality of learning activities for the learner and presents a choice of learning activities to the learner. In some embodiments, the learning activity modification module varies the one or more selected learning activities after each learner interaction with a learning activity. In other embodiments, the learning activity modification module continuously varies the one or more selected learning activities. In some embodiments, the application further comprises an offline mode, wherein in the offline mode performance data for the learner is cached and the learning activity selection module and the learning activity modification module access the cached performance data. In some embodiments, the learning activity selection module and the learning activity modification module access the performance data for the learner occasionally, when a network connection is available, or once, upon installation of the application, to enable an offline mode. In another aspect, disclosed herein are non-transitory computer-readable storage media encoded with a computer program including instructions executable by a processor to create a personalized mastery learning application comprising: a knowledge map describing a subject or topic at a level of learning or proficiency, the knowledge map comprising a plurality of nodes, each node representing at least one learning objective, wherein the nodes are arranged in the knowledge map hierarchically and so as to represent prerequisite relationships between learning objectives; a plurality of learning activities, each learning activity comprising dynamically variable scaffolding, feedback, and/or content; a data storage associating one or more of the nodes with one or more of the learning activities; a learning activity selection module identifying at least one current node on the map for a particular learner based on performance of the learner and using the at least one current node and the data storage to select one or more learning activities for the learner; and a learning activity modification module dynamically varying one or more of the scaffolding, feedback, and content of at least one selected learning activity based on performance of the learner. In some embodiments, the application comprises a plurality of knowledge maps. In some embodiments, the data storage is a prerequisite map. In further embodiments, each node of the knowledge map is associated in the prerequisite map with one or more learning activities. In some embodiments, each learning activity comprises interactive instructions. In some embodiments, the subject or topic is math, reading, science, social studies, art, music, language arts, foreign language, or a combination thereof. In some embodiments, the level of learning is pre-K. In other embodiments, the level of learning is a K-12 grade level. In some embodiments, the level of learning is a proficiency level, a fluency level, a competency level, a mastery level, or a combination thereof. In some embodiments, the learning activity selection module identifies the at least one current node as the node immediately subsequent to the highest node in a portion of the hierarchy for which the learner has demonstrated mastery. In some embodiments, the learning activity selection module identifies the at least one current node after completion of each learning activity. In other embodiments, the learning activity selection module identifies the at least one current node after each learner interaction with a learning activity. In yet other embodiments, the learning activity selection module continuously identifies the at least one current node. In some embodiments, each learning activity comprises a content type and wherein the learning activity selection module selects a content type for the learner. In further embodiments, the content type is directed to a learning objective associated with a concept, a principle, a skill, or data. In some embodiments, the learning activity selection module selects a plurality of learning activities for the learner and presents a choice of learning activities to the learner. In some embodiments, the learning activity modification module varies the one or more selected learning activities after each learner interaction with a learning activity. In other embodiments, the learning activity modification module continuously varies the one or more selected learning activities. In some embodiments, the application further comprises an offline mode, wherein in the offline mode performance data for the learner is cached and the learning activity selection module and the learning activity modification module access the cached performance data. In some embodiments, the learning activity selection module and the learning activity modification module access the performance data for the learner occasionally, when a network connection is available, or once, upon installation of the application, to enable an offline mode. In another aspect, disclosed herein are computer-implemented methods for personalized mastery learning comprising: providing, in a computer storage, a knowledge map describing a subject or topic at a level of learning or proficiency, the knowledge map comprising a plurality of nodes, each node representing at least one learning objective, wherein the nodes are arranged in the map hierarchically and so as to represent prerequisite relationships between learning objectives; providing, in the computer storage, a plurality of learning activities, each learning activity comprising dynamically variable scaffolding, feedback, and/or content; maintaining, in the computer storage, a database associating one or more of the nodes with one or more of the learning activities; identifying, by a computer, at least one current node on the map for a particular learner based on performance of the learner and using the at least one current node and the data storage to select one or more learning activities for the learner; and dynamically varying, by the computer, one or more of the scaffolding, feedback, and content of at least one selected learning activity based on performance of the learner. In some embodiments, the method comprises providing a plurality of knowledge maps. In some embodiments, the database is a prerequisite map. In further embodiments, each node of the knowledge map is associated in the prerequisite map with one or more learning activities. In some embodiments, each learning activity comprises interactive instructions. In some embodiments, the subject or topic is math, reading, science, social studies, art, music, language arts, foreign language, or a combination thereof. In some embodiments, the level of learning is pre-K. In other embodiments, the level of learning is a K-12 grade level. In some embodiments, the level of learning is a proficiency level, a fluency level, a competency level, a mastery level, or a combination thereof. In some embodiments, identifying the at least one current node comprises identifying the node immediately subsequent to the highest node in a portion of the hierarchy for which the learner has demonstrated mastery. In some embodiments, identifying the at least one current node is performed after completion of each learning activity. In other embodiments, identifying the at least one current node is performed after each learner interaction with a learning activity. In yet other embodiments, identifying the at least one current node is performed continuously. In some embodiments, each learning activity comprises a content type and wherein the method further comprises selecting a content type for the learner. In further embodiments, the content type is directed to a learning objective associated with a concept, a principle, a skill, or data. In some embodiments, a plurality of learning activities are selected for the learner and a choice of learning activities is presented to the learner. In some embodiments, varying the one or more selected learning activities is performed after each learner interaction with a learning activity. In other embodiments, varying the one or more selected learning activities is performed continuously. In some embodiments, the method is implemented in an offline environment, wherein in the offline environment performance data for the learner is stored locally and the identification of the at least one current node and the dynamic variation of the learning activity is based on the locally stored performance data. In some embodiments, the performance data for the learner is accessed occasionally, when a network connection is available, or once, upon installation of the application, to enable implementation of the method in an offline mode. In another aspect, disclosed herein are personalized mastery learning platforms comprising: a server-side learning activity selection application comprising: a knowledge map describing a subject or topic at a level of learning or proficiency, the knowledge map comprising a plurality of nodes, each node representing at least one learning objective, wherein the nodes are arranged in the map hierarchically and so as to represent prerequisite relationships between learning objectives; a plurality of learning activities, each learning activity comprising dynamically variable scaffolding, feedback, and/or content; a data storage associating one or more of the nodes with one or more of the learning activities; and instructions, which when executed by one or more processors, causes the one or more processors to perform: identifying at least one current node on the map for a particular learner based on performance of the learner and using the at least one current node and the data storage to select one or more selected learning activities for the learner; a client-side learning activity modification application comprising instructions, which when executed by one or more processors, causes the one or more processors to perform: dynamically varying one or more of the scaffolding, feedback, and content of the one or more selected learning activities based on performance of the learner. In some embodiments, the server-side learning activity selection application is hosted on a server, on a plurality of servers, or on a cloud computing platform or service. In some embodiments, the client-side learning activity modification application is a component of a learner web application or a learner mobile application. In some embodiments, the data storage is a prerequisite map. In further embodiments, each node of the knowledge map is associated in the prerequisite map with one or more learning activities. In some embodiments, the server-side learning activity selection application comprises a plurality of knowledge maps. In some embodiments, each learning activity comprises interactive instructions. In some embodiments, the subject or topic is math, reading, science, social studies, art, music, language arts, foreign language, or a combination thereof. In some embodiments, the level of learning is pre-K. In other embodiments, the level of learning is a K-12 grade level. In some embodiments, the level of learning is a proficiency level, a fluency level, a competency level, a mastery level, or a combination thereof. In some embodiments, the learning activity selection application identifies the at least one current node as the node immediately subsequent to the highest node in a portion of the hierarchy for which the learner has demonstrated mastery. In some embodiments, the learning activity selection application identifies the at least one current node after completion of each learning activity. In other embodiments, the learning activity selection application identifies the at least one current node after each learner interaction with a learning activity. In yet other embodiments, the learning activity selection application continuously identifies the at least one current node. In some embodiments, each learning activity comprises a content type and wherein the learning activity selection module selects a content type for the learner. In further embodiments, the content type is directed to a learning objective associated with a concept, a principle, a skill, or data. In some embodiments, a plurality of learning activities are selected for the learner and a choice of learning activities is presented to the learner. In some embodiments, the learning activity modification module varies the one or more selected learning activities after each learner interaction with a learning activity. In other embodiments, the learning activity modification module continuously varies the one or more selected learning activities. In some embodiments, the application further comprises an offline mode, wherein in the offline mode performance data for the learner is cached and the learning activity selection module and the learning activity modification module access the cached performance data. In some embodiments, the learning activity selection module and the learning activity modification module access the performance data for the learner occasionally, when a network connection is available, or once, upon installation of the application, to enable an offline mode.

11226621

TECHNICAL FIELD The present disclosure generally relates to robotics and more specifically to optimizing a robotic transportation system. BACKGROUND Robotic systems are increasingly called upon to perform ever more complicated types of tasks. Such tasks often require complex coordination amongst various elements of a robotic system. However, coordinating control amongst several robotic elements (e.g., a moving arm, tool attached to the arm, mobile base, legs, and so on) has proven difficult and remains computationally intensive. Some have developed single degree of freedom mechanisms that can reproduce walking-type gaits. To date, these have primarily been used for art and performance applications. SUMMARY In one or more embodiments of the present disclosure, a robotic system is provided. The system may include a transportation mechanism having at least three legs and a computing device configured to receive a plurality of optimization components. Each optimization component may include a plurality of variables, wherein the computing device is further configured to perform a randomized simulation based upon, at least in part, each of the plurality of optimization components. The computing device may be further configured to provide one or more results of the randomized simulation to the transportation mechanism to enable locomotion via the at least three legs. One or more of the following features may be included. In some embodiments, the randomized simulation may be performed prior to locomotion of the transportation mechanism. The randomized simulation may be performed during locomotion of the transportation mechanism. The at least three legs may be configured to contact the ground along a single line. The at least three legs may include at least one of a Klann linkage and a Jansen linkage. The computing device may include a control system that may be optimized in real-time based on terrain information that is known a priori or sensed in real time. The computing device may include a quantum computer configured to perform at least a portion of the randomized simulation. In some embodiments, locomotion may include a walking-style gait controlled by a single degree of freedom shared between two or more of the at least three legs. The computing device may be configured to control balance of the transportation mechanism using an actively actuated hydraulic, pneumatic or electromechanical control system. The transportation mechanism may include at least one of a vehicle, a legged robot, and a mobile robot. In another embodiment of the present disclosure, a robotic method is provided. The method may include providing a transportation mechanism having at least three legs and receiving, at a computing device, a plurality of optimization components each including a plurality of variables. The method may include performing, using the computing device, a randomized simulation based upon, at least in part, each of the plurality of optimization components. The method may also include providing one or more results of the randomized simulation to the transportation mechanism to enable locomotion via the at least three legs. One or more of the following features may be included. In some embodiments, the randomized simulation may be performed prior to locomotion of the transportation mechanism. The randomized simulation may be performed during locomotion of the transportation mechanism. The at least three legs may be configured to contact the ground along a single line. The at least three legs may include at least one of a Klann linkage and a Jansen linkage. The method may include optimizing a control system in real-time based on terrain information that is known a priori or sensed in real-time. The method may further include performing at least a portion of the randomized simulation using a quantum computer. In some embodiments, locomotion may include a walking-style gait controlled by a single degree of freedom shared between two or more of the at least three legs. The method may include balancing the transportation mechanism using an actively actuated hydraulic, pneumatic or electromechanical control system. The transportation mechanism may include at least one of a vehicle, a legged robot, and a mobile robot. The transportation mechanism may also include a mobile bin-picking robot.

11443506

CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS The present patent application claims the priority of Japanese patent application No. 2018/106874 filed on Jun. 4, 2018, and the entire contents of Japanese patent application No. 2018/106874 are hereby incorporated by reference. TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to a biometric information sensor device. BACKGROUND ART An electronic device is known which is provided with a display and a controller which unlocks upon detection of an unlocking operation and shows a first screen on the display (see, e.g., Patent Literature 1). The electronic device is further provided with a fingerprint sensor. When a fingerprint information read by the fingerprint sensor and a fingerprint information of a pre-registered thumb match within a predetermined range, the controller determines that the unlocking operation is an operation performed by the thumb. Then, when the unlocking operation is an operation performed by the thumb, the controller shows a second screen, which is different from the first screen, on the display. CITATION LIST Patent Literature Patent Literature 1: JP 2016/143069 A SUMMARY OF INVENTION Technical Problem When, e.g., the thumb moves during reading of the fingerprint or the contact time is short, the fingerprint sensor provided on the electronic device disclosed in Patent Literature 1 cannot read the fingerprint and authentication or registration does not proceed. Since there is no notification that the fingerprint cannot be read, there is a problem that the user repeats attempt of fingerprint reading without recognizing the read failure and operability is thus poor. It is an object of the invention to provide a biometric information sensor device which can provide improved operability. Solution to Problem A biometric information sensor device in an embodiment of the invention comprises a control unit that issues a notification for failure to read biometric information of a detection target when reading of the biometric information fails after a contact of the detection target with a reading surface is detected. Advantageous Effects of Invention According to an embodiment of the invention, it is possible to provide a biometric information sensor device which provides improved operability.

11481159

BACKGROUND 1. Technical Field Disclosed embodiments or aspects relate generally to networked data storage, and, in one particular embodiment or aspect, to a system, method, and computer program product for generating a data storage server distribution pattern across multiple servers. 2. Technical Considerations To increase the reliability of data backups, data may be distributed across multiple servers. However, duplicating data on multiple servers may be memory intensive and inefficient, particularly if a set of data is duplicated in full on each individual backup server. Moreover, if a backup server belongs to a third party, there is also the risk of the third party accessing the stored data, which may be a security concern. To mitigate memory inefficiencies and the risk of third party access to stored data, portions of the data may be partially on each individual server, so that the overall memory use is reduced and so that no one third party has access to all the data. However, this reduces the usefulness of the backup system, Error-correcting code schemes may be used to transform and store a portion of data in a manner that the entirety of the data can be determined, or “reconstructed,” from the portion alone by a central data distributor, thereby reducing memory requirements. However, such error-correcting code schemes do not provide for a method of storing the transformed data across a set of available servers, nor do they provide a motivation for creating a server distribution pattern that might further improve storage efficiencies, increase system reliability, and reduce security risks. There is a need in the art for a system and method of generating a data storage server distribution pattern, particularly one that leverages the advantages of error-correcting code schemes. There is a need for such a system and method that minimizes data storage requirements, maximizes system reliability, prevents third party reverse-engineering of data, and allows for data to be recovered and redistributed if a server of a set of servers becomes inoperative. SUMMARY Accordingly, and generally, provided is an improved system, method, and computer program product for generating a data storage server distribution pattern. Preferably, provided is a system, method, and computer program product for determining a set of servers and raw data to be stored. Preferably, provided is a system, method, and computer program product for transforming the raw data according to an error-correcting code scheme to produce distributable data and determine a server reliability of each server in the set of servers. Preferably, provided is a system, method, and computer program product for generating the data storage server distribution pattern based on maximizing a system reliability relative to maximizing a system entropy and distributing the distributable data across at least two servers of the set of servers according to the data storage server distribution pattern. According to non-limiting embodiments or aspects, provided is a computer-implemented method for generating a data storage server distribution pattern. The method includes determining, with at least one processor, a set of servers. The method also includes determining, with at least one processor, raw data to be stored. The method further includes transforming, with at least one processor, the raw data according to an error-correcting code scheme to produce distributable data. The method further includes determining, with at least one processor, a server reliability of each server in the set of servers. The method further includes generating, with at least one processor, the data storage server distribution pattern based on maximizing a system reliability relative to maximizing a system entropy. The system reliability is determined at least partly by a minimum reliability yielded from permuting error vectors over various partitions of the distributable data across the set of servers. The system entropy is determined at least partly by a cumulated information entropy of each server of the set of servers using a probability mass function based on a ratio of bits stored on a given server relative to a total number of bits in the distributable data. The method further includes distributing, with at least one processor, the distributable data to be stored across at least two servers of the set of servers according to the data storage server distribution pattern. In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, the error-correcting code scheme may be a Reed-Solomon error-correcting code scheme. The number of bits in the distributable data may be at least twice a number of bits in the raw data. In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, the data storage server distribution pattern may be generated by weighting the system reliability and the system entropy to determine a pattern of distributed bits having a maximum value for the combined system reliability and system entropy. The maximum value for the combined system reliability and system entropy may be determined by iterating over all possible partitions of the distributable data across the set of servers. The maximum value for the combined system reliability and system entropy may be determined by iterating over permutations of partitions of bit allocations to identify an optimal assignment of bits to the set of servers. The maximum value for the combined system reliability and system entropy may be determined by a genetic algorithm permuting over a random subset of partitions of the distributable data. In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, the method may include encrypting, with at least one processor, the raw data prior to transforming the raw data according to the error-correcting code scheme to produce the distributable data. In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, the method may include, in response to a server of the at least two servers becoming inoperative, retrieving, with at least one processor, a portion of the distributable data from at least one operative server. The method may also include determining, with at least one processor, the raw data from the portion of the distributable data using the error-correcting code scheme. The method may further include transforming, with at least one processor, the raw data according to an error-correcting code scheme to produce new distributable data. The method may further include generating, with at least one processor, a new data storage server distribution pattern based on maximizing the system reliability relative to maximizing the system entropy. The system reliability may be determined at least partly by a minimum reliability yielded from permuting error vectors over various partitions of the new distributable data across the set of servers excluding the inoperative server. The system entropy may be determined at least partly by a cumulated information entropy of each server of the set of servers excluding the inoperative server using a probability mass function based on a ratio of bits stored on a given server relative to a total number of bits in the new distributable data. The method may further include distributing, with at least one processor, the new distributable data to be stored across at least two servers of the set of servers excluding the inoperative server according to the new data storage server distribution pattern. According to non-limiting embodiments or aspects, provided is a system for generating a data storage server distribution pattern, the system comprising a server comprising at least one processor, the server being programmed and/or configured to determine a set of servers and determine raw data to be stored. The server is also programmed and/or configured to transform the raw data according to an error-correcting code scheme to produce distributable data. The server is further programmed and/or configured to determine a server reliability of each server in the set of servers. The server is further programmed and/or configured to generate the data storage server distribution pattern based on maximizing a system reliability relative to maximizing a system entropy. The system reliability is determined at least partly by a minimum reliability yielded from permuting error vectors over various partitions of the distributable data across the set of servers. The system entropy is determined at least partly by a cumulated information entropy of each server of the set of servers using a probability mass function based on a ratio of bits stored on a given server relative to a total number of bits in the distributable data. The server is further programmed and/or configured to distribute the distributable data to be stored across at least two servers of the set of servers according to the data storage server distribution pattern. In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, the data storage server distribution pattern may be generated by weighting the system reliability and the system entropy to determine a pattern of distributed bits having a maximum value for the combined system reliability and system entropy. In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, the maximum value for the combined system reliability and system entropy may be determined by a genetic algorithm permuting over a random subset of partitions of the distributable data. In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, the server may be further programmed and/or configured to encrypt the raw data prior to transforming the raw data according to the error-correcting code scheme to produce the distributable data. In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, the server may be further programmed and/or configured to, in response to a server of the at least two servers becoming inoperative, retrieve a portion of the distributable data from at least one operative server. The server may be further programmed and/or configured to determine the raw data from the portion of the distributable data using the error-correcting code scheme. The server may be further programmed and/or configured to transform the raw data according to an error-correcting code scheme to produce new distributable data. The server may be further programmed and/or configured to generate a new data storage server distribution pattern based on maximizing the system reliability relative to maximizing the system entropy. The system reliability may be determined at least partly by a minimum reliability yielded from permuting error vectors over various partitions of the new distributable data across the set of servers excluding the inoperative server. The system entropy may be determined at least partly by a cumulated information entropy of each server of the set of servers excluding the inoperative server using a probability mass function based on a ratio of bits stored on a given server relative to a total number of bits in the new distributable data. The server may be further programmed and/or configured to distribute the new distributable data to be stored across at least two servers of the set of servers excluding the inoperative server according to the new data storage server distribution pattern. According to non-limiting embodiments or aspects, provided is a computer program product for generating a data storage server distribution pattern, the computer program product comprising at least one non-transitory computer-readable medium including program instructions that, when executed by at least one processor, cause the at least one processor to determine a set of servers and raw data to be stored. The program instructions also cause the at least one processor to transform the raw data according to an error-correcting code scheme to produce distributable data. The program instructions further cause the at least one processor to determine a server reliability of each server in the set of servers. The program instructions also cause the at least one processor to generate the data storage server distribution pattern based on maximizing a system reliability relative to maximizing a system entropy. The system reliability is determined at least partly by a minimum reliability yielded from permuting error vectors over various partitions of the distributable data across the set of servers. The system entropy is determined at least partly by a cumulated information entropy of each server of the set of servers using a probability mass function based on a ratio of bits stored on a given server relative to a total number of bits in the distributable data. The program instructions further cause the at least one processor to distribute the distributable data to be stored across at least two servers of the set of servers according to the data storage server distribution pattern. In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, the data storage server distribution pattern may be generated by weighting the system reliability and the system entropy to determine a pattern of distributed bits having a maximum value for the combined system reliability and system entropy. In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, the maximum value for the combined system reliability and system entropy may be determined by a genetic algorithm permuting over a random subset of partitions of the distributable data. In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, the program instructions may further cause the at least one processor to, in response to a server of the at least two servers becoming inoperative, retrieve a portion of the distributable data from at least one operative server. The program instructions may further cause the at least one processor to determine the raw data from the portion of the distributable data using the error-correcting code scheme. The program instructions may further cause the at least one processor to transform the raw data according to an error-correcting code scheme to produce new distributable data. The program instructions may further cause the at least one processor to generate a new data storage server distribution pattern based on maximizing the system reliability relative to maximizing the system entropy. The system reliability may be determined at least partly by a minimum reliability yielded from permuting error vectors over various partitions of the new distributable data across the set of servers excluding the inoperative server. The system entropy may be determined at least partly by a cumulated information entropy of each server of the set of servers excluding the inoperative server using a probability mass function based on a ratio of bits stored on a given server relative to a total number of bits in the new distributable data. The program instructions may further cause the at least one processor to distribute the new distributable data to be stored across at least two servers of the set of servers excluding the inoperative server according to the new data storage server distribution pattern. Other non-limiting embodiments or aspects of the present disclosure will be set forth in the following numbered clauses: Clause 1: A computer-implemented method for generating a data storage server distribution pattern, the method comprising: determining, with at least one processor, a set of servers; determining, with at least one processor, raw data to be stored; transforming, with at least one processor, the raw data according to an error-correcting code scheme to produce distributable data; determining, with at least one processor, a server reliability of each server in the set of servers; generating, with at least one processor, the data storage server distribution pattern based on maximizing a system reliability relative to maximizing a system entropy, wherein the system reliability is determined at least partly by a minimum reliability yielded from permuting error vectors over various partitions of the distributable data across the set of servers, and wherein the system entropy is determined at least partly by a cumulated information entropy of each server of the set of servers using a probability mass function based on a ratio of bits stored on a given server relative to a total number of bits in the distributable data; and distributing, with at least one processor, the distributable data to be stored across at least two servers of the set of servers according to the data storage server distribution pattern. Clause 2: The method of clause 1, wherein the error-correcting code scheme is a Reed-Solomon error-correcting code scheme and a number of bits in the distributable data is at least twice a number of bits in the raw data. Clause 3: The method of clause 1 or 2, wherein the data storage server distribution pattern is generated by weighting the system reliability and the system entropy to determine a pattern of distributed bits having a maximum value for the combined system reliability and system entropy. Clause 4: The method of any of clauses 1-3, wherein the maximum value for the combined system reliability and system entropy is determined by iterating over all possible partitions of the distributable data across the set of servers. Clause 5: The method of any of clauses 1-4, wherein the maximum value for the combined system reliability and system entropy is determined by iterating over permutations of partitions of bit allocations to identify an optimal assignment of bits to the set of servers. Clause 6: The method of any of clauses 1-5, wherein the maximum value for the combined system reliability and system entropy is determined by a genetic algorithm permuting over a random subset of partitions of the distributable data. Clause 7: The method of any of clauses 1-6, further comprising encrypting, with at least one processor, the raw data prior to transforming the raw data according to the error-correcting code scheme to produce the distributable data. Clause 8: The method of any of clauses 1-7, further comprising, in response to a server of the at least two servers becoming inoperative: retrieving, with at least one processor, a portion of the distributable data from at least one operative server; and determining, with at least one processor, the raw data from the portion of the distributable data using the error-correcting code scheme. Clause 9: The method of any of clauses 1-8, further comprising: transforming, with at least one processor, the raw data according to an error-correcting code scheme to produce new distributable data; generating, with at least one processor, a new data storage server distribution pattern based on maximizing the system reliability relative to maximizing the system entropy, wherein the system reliability is determined at least partly by a minimum reliability yielded from permuting error vectors over various partitions of the new distributable data across the set of servers excluding the inoperative server, and wherein the system entropy is determined at least partly by a cumulated information entropy of each server of the set of servers excluding the inoperative server using a probability mass function based on a ratio of bits stored on a given server relative to a total number of bits in the new distributable data; and distributing, with at least one processor, the new distributable data to be stored across at least two servers of the set of servers excluding the inoperative server according to the new data storage server distribution pattern. Clause 10: A system for generating a data storage server distribution pattern, the system comprising a server comprising at least one processor, the server being programmed and/or configured to: determine a set of servers; determine raw data to be stored; transform the raw data according to an error-correcting code scheme to produce distributable data; determine a server reliability of each server in the set of servers; generate the data storage server distribution pattern based on maximizing a system reliability relative to maximizing a system entropy, wherein the system reliability is determined at least partly by a minimum reliability yielded from permuting error vectors over various partitions of the distributable data across the set of servers, and wherein the system entropy is determined at least partly by a cumulated information entropy of each server of the set of servers using a probability mass function based on a ratio of bits stored on a given server relative to a total number of bits in the distributable data; and distribute the distributable data to be stored across at least two servers of the set of servers according to the data storage server distribution pattern. Clause 11: The system of clause 10, wherein the data storage server distribution pattern is generated by weighting the system reliability and the system entropy to determine a pattern of distributed bits having a maximum value for the combined system reliability and system entropy. Clause 12: The system of clause 10 or 11, wherein the maximum value for the combined system reliability and system entropy is determined by a genetic algorithm permuting over a random subset of partitions of the distributable data. Clause 13: The system of any of clauses 10-12, wherein the server is further programmed and/or configured to encrypt the raw data prior to transforming the raw data according to the error-correcting code scheme to produce the distributable data. Clause 14: The system of any of clauses 10-13, wherein the server is further programmed and/or configured to, in response to a server of the at least two servers becoming inoperative: retrieve a portion of the distributable data from at least one operative server; and determine the raw data from the portion of the distributable data using the error-correcting code scheme. Clause 15: The system of any of clauses 10-14, wherein the server is further programmed and/or configured to: transform the raw data according to an error-correcting code scheme to produce new distributable data; generate a new data storage server distribution pattern based on maximizing the system reliability relative to maximizing the system entropy, wherein the system reliability is determined at least partly by a minimum reliability yielded from permuting error vectors over various partitions of the new distributable data across the set of servers excluding the inoperative server, and wherein the system entropy is determined at least partly by a cumulated information entropy of each server of the set of servers excluding the inoperative server using a probability mass function based on a ratio of bits stored on a given server relative to a total number of bits in the new distributable data; and distribute the new distributable data to be stored across at least two servers of the set of servers excluding the inoperative server according to the new data storage server distribution pattern. Clause 16: A computer program product for generating a data storage server distribution pattern, the computer program product comprising at least one non-transitory computer-readable medium including program instructions that, when executed by at least one processor, cause the at least one processor to: determine a set of servers; determine raw data to be stored; transform the raw data according to an error-correcting code scheme to produce distributable data; determine a server reliability of each server in the set of servers; generate the data storage server distribution pattern based on maximizing a system reliability relative to maximizing a system entropy, wherein the system reliability is determined at least partly by a minimum reliability yielded from permuting error vectors over various partitions of the distributable data across the set of servers, and wherein the system entropy is determined at least partly by a cumulated information entropy of each server of the set of servers using a probability mass function based on a ratio of bits stored on a given server relative to a total number of bits in the distributable data; and distribute the distributable data to be stored across at least two servers of the set of servers according to the data storage server distribution pattern. Clause 17: The computer program product of clause 16, wherein the data storage server distribution pattern is generated by weighting the system reliability and the system entropy to determine a pattern of distributed bits having a maximum value for the combined system reliability and system entropy. Clause 18: The computer program product of clause 16 or 17, wherein the maximum value for the combined system reliability and system entropy is determined by a genetic algorithm permuting over a random subset of partitions of the distributable data. Clause 19: The computer program product of any of clauses 16-18, wherein the program instructions further cause the at least one processor to, in response to a server of the at least two servers becoming inoperative: retrieve a portion of the distributable data from at least one operative server; and determine the raw data from the portion of the distributable data using the error-correcting code scheme. Clause 20: The computer program product of any of clauses 16-19, wherein the program instructions further cause the at least one processor to: transform the raw data according to an error-correcting code scheme to produce new distributable data; generate a new data storage server distribution pattern based on maximizing the system reliability relative to maximizing the system entropy, wherein the system reliability is determined at least partly by a minimum reliability yielded from permuting error vectors over various partitions of the new distributable data across the set of servers excluding the inoperative server, and wherein the system entropy is determined at least partly by a cumulated information entropy of each server of the set of servers excluding the inoperative server using a probability mass function based on a ratio of bits stored on a given server relative to a total number of bits in the new distributable data; and distribute the new distributable data to be stored across at least two servers of the set of servers excluding the inoperative server according to the new data storage server distribution pattern. These and other features and characteristics of the present disclosure, as well as the methods of operation and functions of the related elements of structures and the combination of parts and economies of manufacture, will become more apparent upon consideration of the following description and the appended claims with reference to the accompanying drawings, all of which form a part of this specification, wherein like reference numerals designate corresponding parts in the various figures. It is to be expressly understood, however, that the drawings are for the purpose of illustration and description only and are not intended as a definition of the limits of the present disclosure. As used in the specification and the claims, the singular form of “a,” “an,” and “the” include plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.

11440842

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION This application claims the priority of Chinese Patent Application No. 202010327169.3, filed on Apr. 23, 2020, entitled “Method for preparing a cementing material using smelting industrial waste slag after utilizing the simultaneous removal of SO2and NOxin flue gas and application of the cementing material obtained by the same”, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention belongs to the technical field of resource treatment of industrial wastes, and particularly relates to a method for preparing a cementing material using smelting industrial waste slag after utilizing the simultaneous removal of SO2and NOxin flue gas and application of the cementing material obtained by the same. BACKGROUND ART SO2and NOxare the main pollutants released in the non-ferrous metal smelting process, which are the main causes for environmental problems such as acid rain, photochemical smog and greenhouse effect, and so on, seriously threatening the living environment and health of human beings. At present, the mature technology for simultaneously treating SO2and nitrogen oxide (NOx) mainly includes the combination of the use of wet flue gas desulfurization (WFGD) and selective catalytic reduction (SCR) technology, which have high desulfurization and denitration efficiency, stable operation, while have large water consumption and relatively high cost in the investment and the operation. Therefore, there is an urgent need in non-ferrous metal smelting industry for a new technology of simultaneous desulfurization and denitration of flue gas with low cost and simple process. Ore slurry desulfurization is a technology which is capable of removing SO2from flue gas by liquid phase catalytic oxidation of SO2to form SO42−by using a lot of metal oxides and metal ions in ore slurry. However, since the solubility of NO in the ore slurry is very low, it is still worthwhile to further study how to convert NO into more soluble N-species (including NO2, N2O4, N2O5), thus removing NOxinto liquid phase of ore slurry while controlling the SO2emission. A large amount of iron-manganese alloy slag and copper smelting slag would be produced in the iron-manganese alloy and copper smelting industries. The XRD and XRF techniques were carried out on iron-manganese alloy slag and copper smelting slag to characterize the mineral phase and chemical composition, respectively. The results showed that the content of SiO2, CaO, MgO and Al2O3in two slags can reach 30-40%, 20-30%, 5-10% and 8-10% respectively. Meanwhile, the phase of MnS, FeS, MnO, Fe3O4, silicate and the like were also existed in two slags. That is, the slags are solid wastes containing high calcium, magnesium and aluminum. At present, the method for treating said solid wastes is mainly to use them as an admixture only for preparing high-performance concrete. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In view of this, an object of the present invention is to provide a method for preparing a cementing material using smelting industrial waste slag after utilizing the simultaneous removal of SO2and NOxin flue gas, which can perform simultaneously desulfurization and denitration treatment of flue gas by adequately utilizing smelting industrial waste slag containing high calcium, magnesium and aluminum to finally obtain the cementing material with high hydration activity to realize high-efficiency utilization of the industrial waste. The present invention also provides an application of the cementing material obtained by the method according to the invention. In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides the following technical scheme: The present invention provides a method for preparing a cementing material using smelting industrial waste slag after utilizing the simultaneous removal of SO2and NOxin flue gas, comprising the following steps: mixing the smelting industrial waste slag with a phase regulator to form a mixture, and then performing thermal activation pretreatment on the mixture to obtain an activated slag; mixing the activated slag, an oxidant and water to obtain the slurry for desulfurization and denitration; contacting the slurry with flue gas to be treated such that the flue gas is subjected to the simultaneously desulfurization and denitration treatment to obtain a slurry containing sulfate and nitrate; performing solid-liquid separation on the slurry containing sulfate and nitrate to obtain a solid phase and a liquid phase; and drying the solid phase to obtain the cementing material. Preferably, the smelting industrial waste slag comprises ferromanganese alloy slag and/or copper smelting slag, and the phase regulator is CaO, Na2CO3or B2O3. Preferably, the mass ratio of the smelting industrial waste slag to the phase regulator is 10:(1-3). Preferably, the thermal activation pretreatment comprises: sequentially performing first grinding, roasting and second grinding on the mixture, wherein the roasting temperature is 800-1200° C., and the roasting time is 60-180 minutes, and wherein the products obtained by the first grinding and the second grinding each independently has a particle size of 200-300 mesh. Preferably, the oxidant comprises KMnO4or NaClO2. Preferably, the mass ratio of the activated slag to the oxidant is 10:(0.3-0.8), and the concentration of activated slag in the slurry is 50 g/L. Preferably, the volume concentration of SO2, NO and O2in the flue gas each is 300-1000 ppm, 200-500 ppm and 1-10%, and the flow rate of the flue gas is 200-800 mL/min. Preferably, the volume ratio of the slurry to the flue gas in the desulfurization and denitration treatment is 1:(600-1000), and the temperature of the desulfurization and denitration treatment is 30-45° C., and the time of the treatment is 5-12 h. Preferably, the post-treatment of the liquid phase comprises sequential impurity removal and concentration. Furthermore, the present invention provides an application of the cementing material obtained by the method described in above technical schemes as a building material in the building field. The present invention provides a method for preparing a cementing material using smelting industrial waste slag after utilizing the simultaneous removal of SO2and NOxin flue gas, comprising the following steps: mixing the smelting industrial waste slag with a phase regulator, and then performing thermal activation pretreatment on the resulting mixtures to obtain activated slag; mixing the activated slag, an oxidant and water to obtain the slurry for desulfurization and denitration; contacting the slurry with flue gas to be treated, thereby performing simultaneously desulfurization and denitration treatment on the flue gas to obtain a slurry containing sulfate and nitrate; performing solid-liquid separation on the slurry containing sulfate and nitrate to obtain a solid phase and a liquid phase; and drying the solid phase to obtain the cementing material. According to the present invention, the smelting industrial waste slag is initially subjected to thermal activation pretreatment, so as to convert the phase MnS or FeS and fayalite in the original slag into manganese oxides or iron oxides in a large amount, the manganese oxides and iron oxides being able to react with SO2and NOxin desulfurization and denitration treatment to generate a water-soluble sulfate and nitrate. In short, thermal activation pretreatment can not only improve the removal rate of SO2and NOx, but also leaching excess manganese and iron from the slag by utilizing the strong reducibility of SO2and NOxas well as the sulfate and nitrate generated in the product, thereby improving the hydration activity of the slag and facilitating the preparation of the cementing material. According to the present invention, the smelting waste slag generated in the metal smelting industry could be used to treat SO2and NOxin the smelting industrial waste gas, meeting the requirements in terms of low cost and high efficiency of the desulfurization and denitration of the flue gas in the metal smelting industry; further, the smelting industrial waste slag can be purified and separated by means of waste gas resources to obtain a cementing material, realizing the resource utilization of the smelting industrial waste slag and waste gas.

11350752

FIELD Examples of the present disclosure relate to portable chairs that can be folded for transportation and storage and, more particularly, portable chairs having a sunshade. BACKGROUND Portable chairs are commonly used to create a comfortable seating arrangement without needing to transport cumbersome furniture. Portable chairs, typically consisting of lightweight poles and a metal or fabric seat, can be folded or otherwise collapsed to conveniently move the portable chair from one location to another. For example, many individuals use portable chairs outdoors during activities such as camping, attending sporting events, fishing, going to the beach, attending large outdoor gatherings, or other activities where sitting is desirable but chairs or other furniture are not normally present. Because portable chairs are often used outdoors, many users find themselves exposed to the sun's harmful rays while using the portable chair in locations where shade is unavailable (e.g., while at a sporting event or at the beach). One solution to this problem is to use a portable umbrella to provide shade by placing the umbrella near the portable chair. However, using a portable umbrella can be undesirable because it requires the user to transport additional items to the seating location and the umbrella is often unable to provide enough shade to adequately block the sun's harmful rays. Furthermore, the portable chairs are often used in locations where placing an umbrella near the portable chair may not be feasible (e.g., when using the chair on pavement where the umbrella cannot be inserted into the ground). Many users of portable chairs also transport food items in containers, such as coolers, so that they can enjoy food or drink while using the portable chair. The user generally places the cooler near the portable chair so that the food is within a convenient reaching location. Placing the cooler near the portable chair, however, can create a dangerous tripping hazard or cause the user to tip the portable chair over while reaching for a food item or drink in the cooler. What is needed, therefore, is a portable chair that can provide protection from the sun's harmful rays while also storing food or drinks in a convenient and safe location. The solution of this disclosure resolves these and other problems in the art. SUMMARY Accordingly, the inventors of this disclosure have recognized that there is a need for the following solution. In some examples, a dual folding chair system can include a first plurality of rigid support poles joined by pins to form a collapsible chair support frame. The dual folding chair system can include a plurality of fabric sections affixed to, and suspended by, the collapsible chair support frame to form a plurality of chairs. Each chair of the plurality of chairs can be configured to support a user when in a deployed state. The dual chair folding chair system can further include a second plurality of rigid support poles joined by pins to form a collapsible sunshade support frame. The second plurality of rigid support poles can include a plurality of vertical support poles and a plurality of sunshade support poles. A continuous fabric section can be affixed to, and supported by, the collapsible sunshade support frame to form a substantially planar and substantially rectangular sunshade positioned above the collapsible chair support frame when in a deployed state. A plurality of attachment brackets can be attached to the collapsible chair support frame and configured to receive the plurality of vertical support poles of the collapsible sunshade support frame such that the collapsible sunshade support frame can be removeably attached to the collapsible chair support frame. Furthermore, a plurality of adjustable brackets can be affixed to the plurality of vertical support poles and the plurality of sunshade support poles. The plurality of adjustable brackets can be configured to adjust the sunshade between a plurality of angles such that the plurality of sunshade support poles can be rotated substantially 90 and/or 180 degrees in relation to the plurality of vertical support poles between a deployed state and a collapsed state. Each of the plurality of adjustable brackets can include an adjustable angle bracket with a plurality of holes configured to receive a locking pin. Alternatively, or in addition, each of the plurality of adjustable brackets can include an adjustable angle bracket with a plurality of holes configured to receive a spring-loaded releasable push button. Further still, each of the plurality of adjustable brackets can include bracket connections having raised edges that can be configured to align with raised edges of a corresponding bracket connection to prevent the sunshade support poles from moving in relation to the vertical support poles. The bracket connections, when the raised edges of each bracket connection are aligned with the raised edges of the corresponding bracket connection, can be secured in place with a threaded connection. Alternatively, the bracket connections, when the raised edges of each bracket connection are aligned with the raised edges of the corresponding bracket connection, can be secured in place with a spring-loaded tension knob. The collapsible sunshade support frame can be collapsed with the collapsible chair support frame while attached to the collapsible chair support frame. Similarly, the collapsible sunshade support frame can be deployed with the collapsible chair support frame while attached to the collapsible chair support frame. The plurality of chairs can include a breathable mesh material configured to facilitate heat dissipation. Furthermore, the plurality of fabric sections can include a reinforcing fabric proximate the collapsible chair support frame to provide support to the plurality of fabric sections. The dual folding chair system can include a compartment configured to hold objects when in a deployed state. The compartment can be a cooler configured to provide thermal insulation to an object stored within the compartment and include a top opening for a user to access the object within the cooler. The top opening can include a zipper, a hook and loop fastener, and/or a magnetic fastener. The compartment can include a pocket affixed to an outer surface of the cooler to hold an object. In another example of the disclosed technology, a method of erecting a chair can include gripping opposing ends of the portable chair and pulling outwardly until a plurality of chairs are deployed. The method can further include gripping opposing ends of a sunshade frame and pulling outwardly until the sunshade frame is extended, aligning a plurality of vertical support poles of the sunshade frame with a plurality of attachment brackets of the plurality of chairs, and inserting the plurality of vertical support poles into the plurality of attachment brackets. The method can also include releasing a plurality of adjustable brackets of the sunshade frame, gripping a plurality of upper poles of the sunshade frame and lifting the plurality of upper poles until a sunshade reaches a desirable angle, and engaging the plurality of adjustable brackets of the sunshade frame to retain the sunshade at the desirable angle. Releasing a plurality of adjustable brackets of the sunshade frame can include loosening a plurality of twistable locks while engaging the plurality of adjustable brackets of the sunshade frame can include tightening the plurality of twistable locks. Alternatively, releasing a plurality of adjustable brackets of the sunshade frame can include removing a plurality of lock pins from the plurality of adjustable brackets while engaging the plurality of adjustable brackets of the sunshade frame can include inserting the plurality of lock pins into the plurality of adjustable brackets. As yet another example, releasing a plurality of adjustable brackets of the sunshade frame can include depressing a plurality of spring-loaded buttons of the plurality of adjustable brackets while engaging the plurality of adjustable brackets of the sunshade frame can include releasing the plurality of spring-loaded buttons. In another example of the disclosed technology, a method of folding a portable chair can include releasing a plurality of adjustable brackets of a sunshade frame, gripping a plurality of upper poles of the sunshade frame and lowering the plurality of upper poles until a sunshade reaches a collapsed position. The method can further include removing a plurality of vertical supports of the sunshade frame from a plurality of attachment brackets of the portable chair, gripping opposing ends of the sunshade frame and pushing inwardly until the sunshade frame is collapsed, and gripping opposing ends of the portable chair and pushing inwardly until the portable chair is collapsed. Releasing a plurality of adjustable brackets of the sunshade frame can include loosening a plurality of twistable locks of the plurality of adjustable brackets. Alternatively, releasing a plurality of adjustable brackets of the sunshade frame can include removing a plurality of lock pins from the plurality of adjustable brackets. As yet another example, releasing a plurality of adjustable brackets of the sunshade frame can include depressing a plurality of spring-loaded buttons of the plurality of adjustable brackets. The present disclosure will be more fully understood from the following detailed description of embodiments thereof, taken together with the drawings.

11235119

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a face mask apparatus, and more particularly, to a face mask apparatus for sleep apnea treatment, and methods of making same. 2. Description of the Prior Art Sleep apnea is a condition characterized by pauses in breathing or shallow breaths while sleeping. The pauses in breathing may last for a few seconds to a few minutes, and may occur more than 30 times an hour. Left untreated, sleep apnea leads to excessive daytime sleepiness and an increased risk of high blood pressure, heart attack, stroke, obesity, diabetes, and heart failure. Treatment options for sleep apnea generally include lifestyle changes (e.g., weight loss, avoiding sleeping on one's back, avoiding alcohol, smoking cessation), surgery, mouth pieces, and breathing devices. The most common treatment for sleep apnea is a continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) or automatic positive airway pressure (APAP) device. These devices blow pressurized air via a hose to a nasal pillow, nose mask, or facial mask at a pressure high enough to splint the airway open during sleep. It is known in the prior art to provide sleep apnea treatment medical devices. Currently, masks are made from plastic, and are adjusted by either foam or gel to suit the comfort level of the patient. In addition, the gel or foam is also utilized to form the seal between the mask and the patient's skin. The seal is an important part of the effectiveness of the mask because it ensures that air does not leak out. It is also known in the art to provide customizable masks for facial application. It is further known in the art to use computer aided design for custom face mask design and manufacture. And it is also known to provide three-dimensional (3D) facial data for use for fabrication of a custom fit mask for medical procedures. Examples of relevant prior art reference documents include the following: U.S. Publication No. 20120305003 for “Rapid Production Of Customized Masks” by inventor Mark, filed Oct. 21, 2009 and published Dec. 6, 2012, is directed to a system designed for the rapid preparation of anatomically customized mask employing data from a patient. The data may take the form of a multidimensional image of a target area of a patient's face obtained by optical 3 dimensional imaging, or a dot or line scan form laser imaging, pattern laser photography or stereo photography. Also disclosed is a mask that is made of a thin layer, so it is lightweight and closely hugs the targeted region upon which it rests (e.g. the nasal region). The body of the mask is made of a thin layer, so it is lightweight and closely hugs the targeted region upon which it rests (e.g. the nasal region). Methods for producing anatomically customized masks are also described. U.S. Pat. No. 5,280,305 for “Method and apparatus for forming a stylized, three-dimensional object” by inventors Monroe et al., filed Oct. 30, 1992 and issued Jan. 18, 1994, is directed to a device that produces a three-dimensional object with custom art work from an electronic signal. More particularly, the preferred implementation is a device for making masquerade-type masks, and includes a digital camera that captures a front-on image of an individual's face and converts the captured image to an electronic signal that is downloaded into a personal computer. The computer is utilized to select an image, process that image to remove background, scale the image to correspond to the dimensions and features of a facial die that will be used to mold the mask, and to provide for special effects processing of the selected image. An ink jet plotter is then directed to print the processed image upon thin, flat plastic, which is aligned with the facial features of the die and deformed to skin tight conformance with the die by a vacuum-forming process. The finished mask bears art work, upon its convex exterior, that realistically imitates the face of the individual which served as the model for the mask. U.S. Pat. No. 4,985,116 for “Three dimensional plating or etching process and masks therefor” by inventors Mettler et al., filed Feb. 23, 1990 and issued Jan. 15, 1991, is directed to a process for plating or etching metalization patterns on the surface of a three dimensional substrate, wherein a flexible plastic mask is fabricated by first coating the surface of a thin plastic sheet with vacuum formable ink. The mask is then molded into the shape of the surface into which the pattern is to be formed. A low power YAG laser is used to remove areas of the ink through which light is to be allowed to pass. This mask may then be used in either a print and plate process or a print and etch process by drawing the mask into intimate contact with the workpiece by applying a vacuum between the mask and the workpiece. The workpiece may then be exposed to light through the clear areas of the mask. U.S. Pat. No. 8,020,276 for “System and method for custom-orienting a medical mask to an oral appliance” by inventor Thornton, filed Nov. 29, 2007 and issued Nov. 20, 2011, is directed a medical mask including a body and an orientation structure. The body includes a first polymer, is configured to cover portions of a user's face comprising the user's mouth and at least portions of the user's nose comprising the nostrils, and is further configured to contact the user's face surrounding the covered portions of the user's face to substantially prevent gas from escaping between the body and the contacted portions of the user's face. The orientation structure is configured to receive an oral appliance post to establish and maintain a custom orientation between the medical mask and the oral appliance post and the orientation structure includes a deformable material which includes a second polymer capable of transitioning between deformable and non-deformable states. U.S. Pat. No. 8,254,637 for “Mask fitting system and method” by inventors Abourizk et al., filed Jul. 26, 2007 and issued Aug. 28, 2012, is directed a system and methods for selecting a mask system for a patient, where certain example embodiments include generating 3D contours of patients and selecting mask systems based at least on those contours. These contours may be generated by using, for example, a cushion of translatable pins, a nasal cannular scanning device, and/or a shadow stereopsis sensor. Certain other example embodiments allow images and/or videos to be captured and optionally synchronized. Then, images of various mask systems may be overlaid to determine how well a mask system fits. In still other embodiments, a user can hold a transparency corresponding to a mask design in front of the patient's face to determine how well a mask system fits. U. S. Pat. No. 7,827,038 for “Mask fitting system and method” by inventors Richard et al., filed Jun. 6, 2005 and issued Nov. 2, 2010, is directed to a mask fitting system for selecting a mask system for a patient includes at least one terminal which receives data unique to a patient. The patient data can be scanned in using a scanner, such as a handheld or 3-D scanner, or the relevant dimensions of the patient can be simply input into the terminal. A database is provided to store mask system data relating to a plurality of potential mask system solutions for the patient. A communication channel is provided by which the data received by the terminal can be compared with mask system data stored in a mask system database, so as to generate a best-fit mask system result. The best-fit result may include one or more mask system recommendations for the patient. U.S. Publication No. 20060023228 for “Custom fit facial, nasal, and nostril masks” by inventor Geng, filed Jun. 10, 2005 and issued Feb. 2, 2006, is directed to a process for fabricating a facial mask to custom fit a patient's face for a comfortable fit for facilitating various medical procedures including the steps of generating a 3D data set to define a portion of a patient's face to be fitted with a custom mask, fabricating a patient's mask utilizing a patient's 3D facial data set, and fitting a patient with a custom fit facial mask for facilitating a desired medical procedure. U.S. Publication No. 20040263863 for “System and method for design and manufacture of custom face masks” by inventors Rogers et al., filed Jan. 27, 2004 and issued Dec. 30, 2004, is directed to methods and systems for forming face masks. Embodiments may utilize computer-aided design and computer-aided manufacturing to form custom fitted face masks. System software may be configured to acquire facial topography information, design a mask based on the topography information, and send mask information to a computerized manufacturing device. The software may communicate with a scanning device for facial topography acquisition and a milling machine for pattern fabrication. In an embodiment, the scanning device may include a linear scan non-contact laser imager. In an embodiment, the scanning device may be manually moved with respect to an individual being scanned, thereby eliminating the need for motive apparatus. In such embodiments, position information may be determined based on data from a position sensor coupled to the scanning device. U.S. Publication No. 20100199992 for “Cushion inside a cushion patient interface” by inventors Ho et al., filed Apr. 27, 2010 and published Aug. 12, 2010, is directed to a patient interface device that includes a mask shell and a cushion assembly. The cushion assembly includes a seal cushion and a support cushion. The seal cushion contacts a first area of a patient's face to form a seal therewith. The support cushion defines a second area over a face of such a patient when the patient interface device is being worn. The second area overlaps at least a portion of the first area. U.S. Publication No. 20100258133 for “Face mask” by inventors Todd et al., filed Nov. 11, 2008 and published Oct. 14, 2010, is directed to a mask assembly for delivering gas to a patient that includes a mask body and a breathing circuit interface. The mask body includes an opening for reception of the gas and includes a seal structure for sealingly engaging with the face of the patient and surrounding at least the nose and mouth of the patient. The breathing circuit interface includes a first portion rotatably connected with the mask body and a second portion that is constructed and arranged to releasably connect with a conduit for delivering the gas to the patient through the opening. U.S. Publication No. 20080060648 for “Stability Medical Mask” by inventors Thornton et al., filed Sep. 11, 2007 and published Mar. 13, 2008, is directed to a medical mask including a rigid sealing portion configured to cover and seal around at least a portion of a user's nose including the user's nostrils and a rigid stabilizing frame coupled to the rigid sealing portion. The rigid stabilizing frame includes a generally horizontal upper support member configured to bear against the user's forehead, a generally vertical support member coupled between the rigid sealing portion and the upper support member, and lower left and right support members coupled between the rigid sealing portion and the upper support member and configured to bear against the user's cheeks. The rigid stabilizing frame defines two openings configured to allow the user to see through the medical mask when the medical mask is positioned on the user's face. WIPO Publication No. WO2013026091 for “Manufactured to shape headgear and masks” by inventors Dunn et al., filed Aug. 21, 2012 and published Feb. 28, 2013, is directed to a headgear or headgear segments that are manufactured to shape thereby producing little or no waste material. Techniques such as knitting, braiding, crocheting, and 3D printing can be used produce the headgear. U.S. Pat. No. 5,492,116 for “Respiratory mask with floating seal responsive to pressurized gas” by inventors Scarberry et al., filed Jun. 3, 1994 and issued Feb. 20, 1996, is directed to a respiratory mask adapted to confront the face of a user in a manner to float with respect to the user's face on a cushion of gaseous medium contained within the mask for user breathing, the gaseous medium being contained within the mask by a flexible seal means carried by the mask and maintained in sealing engagement with the user's face while providing essentially no structural support for the mask with respect to the user's face. U.S. Publication No. 20180064897 for “Delivery of respiratory therapy” by inventors Kwok et al., filed Nov. 10, 2017 and published Mar. 8, 2018, is directed to a patient interface including a sealing arrangement adapted to provide an effective seal with the patient's nose, an inlet conduit arrangement adapted to deliver breathable gas to the sealing arrangement, and a cover that substantially encloses the sealing arrangement and/or the inlet conduit arrangement. U.S. Publication No. 20170173289 for “Methods and systems for providing interface components for respiratory therapy” by inventors Lucey et al., filed Nov. 7, 2016 and published Jun. 22, 2017 is directed to systems and methods that permit generation of a digital scan of a user's face such as for obtaining of a patient respiratory mask, or component(s) thereof, based on the digital scan. The method may include: receiving video data comprising a plurality of video frames of the user's face taken from a plurality of angles relative to the user's face, generating a three-dimensional representation of a surface of the user's face based on the plurality of video frames, receiving scale estimation data associated with the received video data, the scale estimation data indicative of a relative size of the user's face, and scaling the digital three-dimensional representation of the user's face based on the scale estimation data. In some aspects, the scale estimation data may be derived from motion information collected by the same device that collects the scan of the user's face. U.S. Publication No. 20150250971 for “Facial mask and method of making” by inventors Bachelder et al., filed Mar. 6, 2015 and published Sep. 10, 2015, is directed to masks for various uses and methods for manufacture thereof, including masks for use in continuous positive air pressure (CPAP) therapies. An example includes a mask having a first, relatively softer material for contact with the face of the user, and a second, relatively harder or more structural material used away from the face of the user, with a gradient therebetween. The mask can be produced by additive manufacturing to avoid a discernible boundary between the first and second materials. U.S. Publication No. 20150045926 for “System and method for forming a custom medical mask from a three-dimensional electronic model” by inventor Thornton, filed Oct. 27, 2014 and published Feb. 12, 2015, is directed to a custom medical mask formed for a particular user from a three-dimensional electronic model includes a body formed from a polymerized photopolymer material. An interior surface of the body is configured to seat on the particular user's face and comprises a physical embodiment of a three-dimensional electronic model corresponding to unique facial features of the particular user. The publication also describes a method of creating a three-dimensional electronic model for use in forming a custom medical mask for a particular user that includes scanning a portion of the particular user's face using an electronic scanning device, generating a three-dimensional electronic model of the portion of the particular user's face based on the scanning, and transmitting the three-dimensional electronic model of the portion of the particular user's face for use in forming the custom medical mask for the particular user from a photopolymer using a stereolithography apparatus. U.S. Publication No. 20180325206 for “Custom fit mask and strap assembly and method of producing a custom fit mask and strap assembly” by inventors Siska et al., filed May 9, 2018 and published Nov. 15, 2018, is directed to a method of producing a custom mask and strap assembly for an aviator's helmet, including: creating a custom mold using additive manufacturing based on at least two physiognomy parameters; forming the custom mask made of an elastomer from the custom mold; assembling the custom mask with a hard shell; and, securing the custom mask and the hard shell to the helmet by a strap assembly, the strap assembly including a strap anchor securable to the helmet and a strap slidably connected to the strap anchor. The strap includes a first side and a second side and further includes a first end securable to a first portion of the mask with the first side facing the mask and a second end securable to a second portion of the mask with the second side facing the mask. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to extended wear contoured facial masks. It is an object of this invention to provide a customized, contoured facial mask constructed and configured to cover and to contact a corresponding contoured surface area covering a substantial surface area of a human face. A further object of this invention is to provide methods of making the customized, contoured facial mask using three dimensional (3D) printing methods and materials. Accordingly, a broad embodiment of this invention is directed to customized, contoured facial masks for sleep apnea treatment. In one embodiment, the present invention provides a facial mask for addressing sleep apnea in an individual user, including a customized, contoured facial mask portion constructed and configured to matingly cover a corresponding contoured surface area of a face of the individual user and match facial contours of the face of the individual user, further including strap attachments and at least one strap for securing the customized, contoured facial mask portion to the face of the individual user during use, wherein the customized, contoured facial mask portion includes a contact portion for matingly contacting the face of the individual user during use, wherein the contact portion is formed based on a three-dimensional (3-D) scan of the face of the individual user, and the contact portion is adapted to conform to unique facial features and match the facial contours of the individual user, wherein the customized, contoured facial mask portion is adapted to extend below a chin of the individual user during use, wherein the contact portion is configured to not contact a chin boss of the individual user during use, wherein the contact portion is configured to not contact a nose of the individual user during use, wherein the contact portion is configured to not contact a philtrum of the individual user during use, wherein the contact portion is configured to not contact a glabella of the individual user during use, wherein the contact portion is adapted to substantially contact a forehead of the individual user during use, wherein the contact portion is adapted to substantially contact cheeks of the individual user during use, wherein the facial mask is configured to not cover and not contact eyes of the individual user during use, and wherein the at least one strap is sized to extend around the user's head and is for applying a pressure distributed across the customized, contoured facial mask portion. In another embodiment, the present invention provides a facial mask for addressing sleep apnea in an individual user, including a customized, contoured facial mask portion constructed and configured to matingly cover a corresponding contoured surface area of a face of the individual user and match facial contours of the face of the individual user, further including strap attachments and at least one strap for securing the customized, contoured facial mask portion to the face of the individual user during use, wherein the customized, contoured facial mask portion includes a contact portion for matingly contacting the face of the individual user during use, wherein the contact portion is formed based on a three-dimensional (3-D) scan of the face of the individual user, and the contact portion is adapted to conform to unique facial features and match the facial contours of the individual user, wherein the customized, contoured facial mask portion is adapted to extend below a chin of the individual user during use, wherein the contact portion is configured to not contact a chin boss of the individual user during use, wherein the contact portion is configured to not contact a nose of the individual user during use, wherein the contact portion is configured to not contact a philtrum of the individual user during use, wherein the contact portion is configured to not contact a glabella of the individual user during use, wherein the contact portion is adapted to substantially contact a forehead of the individual user during use, wherein the contact portion is adapted to substantially contact cheeks of the individual user during use, wherein the customized, contoured facial mask portion is sized to matingly contact at least 50% of the surface area of the face of the individual user, and wherein the at least one strap is sized to extend around the user's head and is for applying a pressure distributed across the customized, contoured facial mask portion. In yet another embodiment, the present invention provides a facial mask for addressing sleep apnea in an individual user, including a customized, contoured facial mask portion constructed and configured to matingly cover a corresponding contoured surface area of a face of the individual user and match facial contours of the face of the individual user, further including strap attachments and at least one strap for securing the customized, contoured facial mask portion to the face of the individual user during use, wherein the customized, contoured facial mask portion includes a contact portion for matingly contacting the face of the individual user during use, wherein the contact portion is formed based on a three-dimensional (3-D) scan of the face of the individual user, and the contact portion is adapted to conform to unique facial features and match the facial contours of the individual user, wherein the customized, contoured facial mask portion is adapted to extend below a chin of the individual user during use, wherein the contact portion is configured to not contact a chin boss of the individual user during use, wherein the contact portion is configured to not contact a nose of the individual user during use, wherein the contact portion is configured to not contact a philtrum of the individual user during use, wherein the contact portion is configured to not contact a glabella of the individual user during use, wherein the contact portion is adapted to substantially contact a forehead of the individual user during use, wherein the contact portion is adapted to substantially contact cheeks of the individual user during use, wherein the contact portion is adapted to contact supraorbital ridges of the individual user during use, wherein the customized, contoured facial mask portion is sized to matingly contact at least 80% of the surface area of the face of the individual user, and wherein the at least one strap is sized to extend around the user's head and is for applying a pressure distributed across the customized, contoured facial mask portion. These and other aspects of the present invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art after a reading of the following description of the preferred embodiment when considered with the drawings, as they support the claimed invention.

11268462

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS This is a US national phase application based on the PCT International Patent Application No. PCT/JP2019/021332 filed on May 29, 2019, and claiming the priority of Japanese Patent Application No. 2018-171536 filed on Sep. 13, 2018, the entire contents of which are herewith incorporated by reference. TECHNICAL FIELD The present disclosure relates to an evaporated fuel treatment apparatus for supplying evaporated fuel generated in a fuel tank to an internal combustion engine through an intake passage. BACKGROUND ART In an evaporated fuel treatment apparatus disclosed in Patent Document 1, there are set a purge condition for executing a purge treatment and a pre condition to be satisfied just before the purge condition is satisfied. When the pre condition is satisfied, a purge pump is started to operate at an idle rotation speed lower than a rated rotation speed. When the purge condition is then satisfied, a purge valve is opened and the purge pump is driven at a rated rotation speed. RELATED ART DOCUMENTS Patent Documents Patent Document 1: Japanese unexamined patent application publication No. 2017-67008 SUMMARY OF INVENTION Problems to be Solved by the Invention In the evaporated fuel treatment apparatus disclosed in Patent Document 1, however, the purge pump is caused to gradually increase the rotation speed from the idle rotation speed to the rated rotation speed after satisfaction of the purge condition. Therefore, at the time point when the purge condition is met, the purge pump is not being driven at the rated rotation speed, so that a purge flow rate (i.e., a flow rate of purge gas to be introduced into the intake passage) may be insufficient. The present disclosure has been made to address the above problems and has a purpose to provide an evaporated fuel treatment apparatus capable of supplying a sufficient purge flow rate at the time point when a purge condition is satisfied. Means of Solving the Problems To achieve the above-mentioned purpose, one aspect of the present disclosure provides an evaporated fuel treatment apparatus comprising: a canister configured to store evaporated fuel; a purge passage that is connected to an intake passage connected to an internal combustion engine and is connected to the canister; a purge pump provided in the purge passage; and a purge valve configured to open and close the purge passage, wherein the evaporated fuel treatment apparatus is configured to open the purge valve while driving the purge pump to perform a purge control to introduce purge gas containing the evaporated fuel from the canister to the intake passage through the purge passage, wherein when there are set a purge condition for performing the purge control, a first pre purge condition that is satisfied before the purge condition is satisfied, and a second pre purge condition that is satisfied between the purge condition and the first pre purge condition, the apparatus is configured such that: when the first pre purge condition is satisfied, the purge pump is driven at an idle rotation speed lower than a rated rotation speed to execute idle rotation; when the second pre purge condition is satisfied, the purge pump is driven at the rated rotation speed to execute rated rotation; and when the purge condition is satisfied, the purge valve is opened while the rated rotation is executed. According to this configuration, the purge pump can be driven at the rated rotation speed at the time point when the purge condition is satisfied, so that a sufficient purge flow rate can be provided. In the foregoing aspect, preferably, a time lag from when the second pre purge condition is satisfied to when the purge condition is satisfied is set to equal to or more than a time required to increase a rotation speed of the purge pump from the idle rotation speed up to the rated rotation speed. According to this configuration, the purge pump can be further reliably driven at the rated rotation speed at the time point when the purge condition is satisfied, so that a sufficient purge flow rate can be ensured. In the foregoing aspect, preferably, each condition of the first pre purge condition, the second pre purge condition, and the purge condition is set based on a state of charge of a battery mounted in a vehicle. According to this configuration, observation of the state of charge of the battery enables to predict when the purge condition will be satisfied, and thus the first pre purge condition and the second pre purge condition can be set to appropriate timings. This configuration can therefore enhance the accuracy of controlling the purge pump to be driven at the rated rotation speed when the purge condition is satisfied. In the foregoing aspect, preferably, each condition of the first pre purge condition, the second pre purge condition, and the purge condition is set based on running data of a vehicle. According to this configuration, the satisfaction time of the purge condition can be predicted based on the running data of a vehicle, so that the first pre purge condition and the second pre purge condition can be set to appropriate timings. This configuration can therefore enhance the accuracy of controlling the purge pump to be driven at the rated rotation speed when the purge condition is satisfied. In the foregoing aspect, preferably, the purge pump is stopped from driving at a time point when a time for executing the idle rotation exceeds a first predetermined time. This configuration can eliminate the need to uselessly continue the rotation of the purge pump if a time period from when the first pre purge condition is satisfied until the second pre purge condition is satisfied is long. In the foregoing aspect, preferably, wherein at a time point when a time for executing the rated rotation under a situation where the purge condition is not satisfied exceeds a second predetermined time, the rotation speed of the purge pump is decreased from the rated rotation speed to the idle rotation speed to execute the idle rotation, and then at a time point when a time for executing the idle rotation exceeds a third predetermined time, the purge pump is stopped from driving. This configuration can eliminate the need to uselessly continue the rotation of the purge pump if a time period from when the second pre purge condition is satisfied until the purge condition is satisfied is long. Effects of the Invention According to the evaporated fuel treatment apparatus of the present disclosure, it is possible to ensure a sufficient purge flow rate at the time of satisfaction of a purge condition.

11342034

BACKGROUND Memory applications often incorporate high density non-volatile memory devices where retention of memory contents is desired when no power is supplied to the memory device. For example, NAND memory, such as 3D flash NAND memory, offers storage in the form of compact, high density configurations. The compact nature of the 3D flash NAND structure means word lines are common to many memory cells within a block of memory. During a programming operation a selected memory cell(s) may be programmed with the application of a programming voltage to a selected word line. Due to the word line being common to multiple memory cells, unselected memory cells may be subject to the same programming voltage as the selected memory cell(s). If not otherwise preconditioned, the unselected memory cells may experience effects from the programming voltage on the common word line. These programming effects compromise the condition of charge stored in the unselected memory cells which are expected to maintain stored data. This programming voltage effect is termed a “programming disturbance” or “programming disturb” effect by those of ordinary skill in the art.

11306570

FIELD OF THE INVENTION This invention relates generally to well configurations that can advantageously produce oil. In particular, electric heaters are deployed in the main or motherbore of a horizontal well and open-hole fishbones drilled off of the motherbore are filled with thermally conductive proppants. The heaters heat the region around the motherbore and the proppants, which are highly conductive, transmit heat to the reservoir to enhance the production of heavy oil. In Arctic environments, the use of downhole heaters avoids high heat levels at the surface, thus avoiding melting of the permafrost, and potential catastrophic results. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Many countries in the world have large heavy oil deposits, including the United States, Russia, and the Middle East, but the world's largest deposits occur in Canada and Venezuela. Bitumen is a thick, sticky form of crude oil, so heavy and viscous (thick) that it will not flow unless heated or diluted with lighter hydrocarbons. At room temperature, bitumen is much like cold molasses. Often times, the viscosity can be in excess of 1,000,000 cP. One common way to heat bitumen is by injecting steam into the reservoir—most commonly by cyclic steam stimulation (CSS) or Steam Assisted Gravity Drainage (SAGD). In CSS steam is injected into a well to drive heated oil towards a second well. Typically, the wells are vertical, but they do not have to be. SAGD, however, is the most extensively used technique for in situ recovery of bitumen resources in the McMurray Formation in the Alberta Oil Sands. In a typical SAGD process, shown inFIG. 1, two horizontal wells are vertically spaced by 4 to 10 meters (m). The production well is located near the bottom of the pay and the steam injection well is located directly above and parallel to the production well. In SAGD, steam is injected continuously into the injection well, where it rises in the reservoir and forms a steam chamber. With continuous steam injection, the steam chamber will continue to grow upward and laterally into the surrounding formation. At the interface between the steam chamber and cold oil, steam condenses and heat is transferred to the surrounding oil. This heated oil becomes mobile and drains, together with the condensed water from the steam, into the production well due to gravity segregation within steam chamber. This use of gravity gives SAGD an advantage over CSS methods. SAGD employs gravity as the driving force and the heated oil remains warm and movable when flowing toward the production well. In contrast, conventional steam injection displaces oil to a cold area, where its viscosity increases and the oil mobility is again reduced. Conventional SAGD tends to develop a cylindrical steam chamber with a somewhat tear-drop or inverted triangular cross section. With several SAGD well-pairs operating side by side, the steam chambers tend to coalesce near the top of the pay, leaving the lower “wedge” shaped regions midway between the steam chambers to be drained more slowly, if at all. Operators may install additional producing wells in these midway regions to accelerate recovery, as shown inFIG. 2, and such wells are called “infill” wells, filling in the area where oil would normally be stranded between SAGD well-pairs. Although quite successful, SAGD does require enormous amounts of water in order to generate a barrel of oil. Some estimates provide that 1 barrel of oil from the Athabasca oil sands requires on average 2 to 3 barrels of water, although with recycling the total amount can be reduced to 0.5 barrel. In addition to using a precious resource, additional costs are added to convert those barrels of water to high quality steam for downhole injection. Therefore, any technology that can reduce water or steam consumption has the potential to have significant positive environmental and cost impacts. Another problem with steam-based methods is that they may be less appropriate for use in the Artic, where injecting large amounts of steam for months and years on end has high potential to melt the permafrost, allowing pad equipment and wells to sink, with potentially catastrophic consequences. Indeed, the media is already reporting the slow sinking of Artic cities, and cracking and collapsing homes are a growing problem in cities such as Norilsk in northern Russia. One concept for improving production is the “multilateral” or “fishbone” well configuration idea. The concept of fishbone wells for non-thermal horizontal wells was developed by Petrozuata in Venezuela starting in 1999. That operation was a cold, viscous oil development in the Faja del Orinoco Heavy Oil Belt. The basic concept was to drill open-hole side lateral wells or “ribs” off the main spine of a producing well prior to running slotted liner into the spine of the well (FIG. 3). Such ribs appeared to significantly contribute to the productivity of the wells when compared to wells without the ribs in similar geology (FIG. 4). A variety of multilateral well configurations are possible, seeFIG. 5, although many have not yet been tested. The advantages of multilateral wells can include: 1) Higher Production. In the cases where thin pools are targeted, vertical wells provide minimal contact with the reservoir, which causes lower production. Drilling several laterals in thin reservoirs and increasing contact improves recovery. Slanted laterals can be of particular benefit in thin, stacked pay zones. 2) Decreased Water/Gas Coning. By increasing the length of “wellbore” in a horizontal strata, the inflow flux around the wellbore can be reduced. This allows a higher withdrawal rate with less pressure gradient around the producer. Coning is aggravated by pressure gradients that exceed the gravity forces that stabilize fluid contacts (oil/water or gas/water), so that coning is minimized with the use of multilaterals, which minimize the pressure gradient. 3) Improved sweep efficiency. By using multilateral wells, the sweep efficiency may be improved, and/or the recovery may be increased due to the additional area covered by the laterals. 4) Faster Recovery. Production from the multilateral wells is at a higher rate than that in single vertical or horizontal wells, because the reservoir contact is higher in multilateral wells. 5) Decreased environmental impact. The volume of consumed drilling fluids and the generated cuttings during drilling multilateral wells are less than the consumed drilling fluid and generated cuttings from separated wells, at least to the extent that two conventional horizontal wells are replaced by one dual lateral well and to the extent that laterals share the same mother-bore. Therefore, the impact of the multilateral wells on the environment can be reduced. 6) Saving time and cost. Drilling several laterals in a single well may result in time and cost saving in comparison with drilling several separate wells in the reservoir. US20140345861 describes the application of fishbone wells to modified SAGD, wherein the well-pairs are laterally spaced, rather than being vertically stacked. US20140345855 relates to a particularly effective well configuration, wherein a central wellpad originates injector and/or producer wells, arranged in a radial pattern, and either or both provided with multilateral wells, thus effectively expanding the coverage. US20150198022 combines fishbone multilateral wells with steam drive, effectively allowing drive processes to be used where previously the reservoir lacked sufficient injectivity to allow steam drive or cyclic steam based methods. Although an improvement, the multilateral well methods have disadvantages too. One disadvantage is that fishbone wells are more complex to drill and clean up. Indeed, some estimate that multilaterals cost about 20% more to drill and complete than conventional slotted liner wells. Another disadvantage is increased risk of accident or damage, due to the complexity of the operations and tools. Sand control can also be difficult. In drilling multilateral wells, the mother well bore can be cased to control sand production, however, the legs branched from the mother well bore are open-hole. Therefore, the sand control from the branches is not easy to perform. There is also increased difficulty in modeling and prediction due to the sophisticated architecture of multilateral wells. Another area of uncertainty with the fishbone concept is stability—whether the ribs will establish and maintain communication with the offset steam chambers, or will the open-hole ribs collapse early and block flow. One of the characteristics of the Athabasca Oil Sands is that they are unconsolidated sands that are bound by the million-plus centipoises bitumen. When heated to 50-80° C. the bitumen becomes slightly mobile. At this point the open-hole rib could easily collapse. If so, flow would slow to a trickle, temperature would drop, and the rib would be plugged. However, if the conduit remains open at least long enough that the bitumen in the near vicinity is swept away with the warm steam condensate before the sand grains collapse, then it may be possible that a very high permeability, high water saturation channel might remain even with the collapse of the rib. In this case, the desired conduit would still remain effective. Yet another uncertainty with many ribs along a fishbone producer of this type is that one rib may tend to develop preferentially at the expense of all the other ribs leading to very poor conformance and poor results. This would imply that some form of inflow control may be warranted to encourage more uniform development of all the ribs. Therefore, although beneficial, the multilateral well concept could be further developed to address some of these disadvantages or uncertainties. In particular, a method that combines multilateral well architecture with electrical heating would be beneficial, especially if such methods conserved the water, energy, and/or cost to produce a barrel of oil, and especially for Artic tundra environments, where steam based methods may be hazardous. SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE Current SAGD practice involves arranging horizontal production wells low in the reservoir pay interval and horizontal steam injection wells approximately 4-10 meters above and parallel to the producing wells. Well-pairs may be spaced between 50 and 150 meters laterally from one another in parallel sets to extend drainage across reservoir areas developed from a single surface drilling pad. Typically such wells are “preheated” by circulating steam from the surface down a toe tubing string that ends near the toe of the horizontal liner; steam condensate returns through the tubing-liner annulus to a heel tubing string that ends near the liner hanger and flows back to the surface through this heel tubing string. After such a period of “startup” circulation in both the producer and the injector wells for a period of about 3-6 months, the two wells will eventually reach fluid communication. The reservoir midway between the injector and producer wells will reach a temperature high enough (50-100° C.) so that the bitumen becomes mobile and can drain by gravity downward, while live steam vapor ascends by the same gravity forces to establish a steam chamber. At this time, the well-pair is placed into SAGD operation with injection in the upper well and production from the lower well, and production can begin. US20140345861 took the concept of SAGD and combined it with a fishbone well architecture to improve steam recovery of oil, especially heavy oils. In general, fishbone wells replace conventional wellbores in SAGD operations. Either or both injector and producer wells are multilateral, and the arrangement of lateral wells—called “ribs”—is such as to provide overlapping coverage of the pay zone between the injector and producer wells. The injection wells may or may not be placed directly vertically above the producing well, but a preferred embodiment placed the injectors and producers are spaced laterally apart by about 50 to 150 meters, using the lateral wells to bridge the steam gaps. Where both well types have laterals, a pair of ribs can cover or nearly cover the distance between two wells, but where only one of the well types is outfitted with laterals, the lateral length can be doubled such that the single rib covers most of the distance between adjacent wells. It is also possible for laterals to intersect with each other or with one of the main wellbores. The open-hole ribs may be horizontal, slanted, or curved in the vertical dimension to optimize performance. Where pay is thin, horizontal laterals may suffice, but if the pay is thick and/or there are many stacked thin pay zones, it may be beneficial to combine horizontal and slanted laterals, thus contacting more of the pay zone. The use of this well configuration allowed the producer to significantly reduce or even eliminate the startup time needed to bring the well-pairs into fluid communication, saving 3-6 months of “startup” time. We have now taken the next step in the development of the fishbone wells and combined fishbone wells, electric heaters and thermally conductive proppants. The proposed method requires drilling fishbones or multilateral wellbores from the producer or from both the injector (herein called an upper well) and the lower producer or from just the upper well. The open-hole fishbones are then filled with a material of high thermal conductivity. The producer wells or the upper wells or both wells are configured with downhole electrical heaters in the wellbores. The heaters heat the near wellbore area, and also heat the proppant, allowing the heat to slowly propagate down the fishbones and thus heating the reservoir and heavy oil contained therein. By drilling fishbones or multilaterals, the surface area of the reservoir exposed to the heat as well as the oil drainage area are increased. This improves oil recovery and production rates in comparison to using downhole electrical heating alone from one or two horizontal wells. Additionally, since the laterals are filled with proppant, the risk of hole collapse is greatly reduced. As with SAGD, once the well-pairs are in thermal communication, production can begin, however, as with the prior multilateral well designs, the startup period is expected to be greatly reduced, and if the coverage between upper and producer wells is sufficiently good, it could even be eliminated. Further, since the heating zone of a electric heater can be controlled by changing the conductivity/resistance and insulation of the wire, the method avoids high heat levels at the surface that are provided by steam based methods. This method can thus be used in areas where SAGD and other steam injection processes are less viable due to high risk and cost associated with operating at high temperature and pressure conditions. In particular, Artic tundra wells are less amendable to steam injection methods because the injection of steam from the surface tends to melt the permafrost, which can then allow pad equipment and tubing to become destabilized and even sink. Strictly speaking, since the method allows the heating of heavy oil without steam, the upper well should not be called an injector well. Thus, we have instead referred to the “upper” well and the producer well. However, the method is still gravity based, and once the two wells are in fluid communication, production can begin from the lower producer. Furthermore, the method may in some instances be combined with steam injection, e.g., at later time periods, and so it will be understood that the upper well can sometimes be called an injector well. There is no impact on the completion, other than adding open-hole fishbones filled with conductive proppant. Only the motherbores are cased, and the completion is the same as any other horizontal well, being configured for injection if steam is to be used, and being configured for production otherwise. In addition, the wells need not be arranged in traditional well-pairs, but other arrangements are contemplated. One example is producer wells with upwardly curving laterals and no upper wells. The laterals will still allow gravity drainage to the lower producer. Also contemplated are well-pairs that are more laterally separated, such as described in US20140345861. Here, the upper wells are laterally spaced from the producer wells by tens of meters, instead of being directly overhead (also known as “vertically stacked”), and the multilaterals can be horizontal or can curve up or down to a nearest neighbor. In yet another arrangement, the laterals snake or undulate up and down through the depth of a narrow play, thus collecting oil from throughout the play. As used herein, “thermally conductive” refers materials that have low thermal resistance, e.g., >10 watts per meter kelvin (Wm−1K−1), preferably 20-30, or even >30 Wm−1K−1 for certain high quality bauxites, and values in the hundreds for pure metals, such as copper. Thermal ConductivityMaterialCt(W/cm-K)Andalucite0.11Barite0.017Calcite0.038 (IIa),0.044 (IIc)Cordierite0.022Diamond5.4, 20(synthetic)Dolomite0.029Epoxy0.002Fluorite0.01Forsterite0.059Graphite1.7Gypsum0.013Hematite0.13Kyanite0.17Magnetite0.05Mica0.042 (IIa, b),0.007 (IIc)Obsidian0.014Orthoclase0.042Periclase0.69Quartz0.065 (IIa),0.12 (IIc)Rutile0.088 (IIa),0.13 (IIc)Sapphire0.34Silvite0.07Spinel0.14Zicron0.042 Thermal ConductivityThermal conductivityThermal conductivityMaterial(cal/sec)/(cm2C/cm)(W/m K)*Diamond. . .1000Silver1.01406.0Copper0.99385.0Gold. . .314Brass. . .109.0Aluminum0.50205.0Iron0.16379.5Steel. . .50.2Lead0.08334.7 Typically thermal conductivity is measured in geology for consolidated rock samples using the divided bar. There are various modifications to these devices depending on the temperatures and pressures needed as well as sample sizes. A sample of unknown conductivity is placed between two samples of known conductivity (usually brass plates). The setup is usually vertical with the hot brass plate at the top, the sample in between then the cold brass plate at the bottom. Heat is supplied at the top and made to move downwards to stop any convection within the sample. Measurements are taken after the sample has reached to the steady state (with zero heat gradient or constant heat over entire sample), this usually takes about 30 minutes and over. The transient techniques can also be used, wherein one perform a measurement during the process of heating up, usually carried out by needle probes. Non-steady-state methods to measure the thermal conductivity do not require the signal to obtain a constant value. Instead, the signal is studied as a function of time. The advantage of these methods is that they can in general be performed more quickly, since there is no need to wait for a steady-state situation. The disadvantage is that the mathematical analysis of the data is in general more difficult. As used herein, “proppants” means a solid particle of sufficient size as to still allow fluid flow through the proppant. Typical proppants include sand, treated sand or man-made ceramic materials, and are used to keep an induced hydraulic fracture open, during or following a fracturing treatment. The purpose of the proppant differs in the instant invention, however, and the proppant should have low thermal resistance, such that it effectively conducts heat to the reservoir and heavy oils contained therein. The ideal thermally conductive proppant will be inert to the oil at reservoir and heater temperatures, have good mechanical strength, high roundness, small thermal expansion coefficient, and be inexpensive. Preferred materials allow flow of produced fluids, are medium to high strength, about 45-150 um mean diameter (D50), narrow size distribution, roundness and sphericity >0.6. The quality control of the proppants is described mainly in ISO 13503-2. Thermally conductive proppant materials include sintered bauxite. In addition to sintered bauxite proppants, ceramic proppants and other proppants with high content of aluminum could also be used. Bauxite is a mixture of hydrous aluminum oxides, aluminum hydroxides, clay minerals, and insoluble materials such as quartz, hematite, magnetite, siderite, and goethite. The aluminum minerals in bauxite can include: gibbsite Al(OH)3, boehmite AlO(OH), and, diaspore, AlO(OH). Because of the aluminum content, bauxite is a good thermal conductor, and because there are significant reserves, the cost is modest (50-100$/ton depending on quality). Other thermally conductive material that could be used in this process include materials that contain beryllium, copper, carbon nanotubes, graphite, iron, nickel, carbon steel, tungsten, zinc and any other high thermally conductive metals. The electrical downhole heater can be any known in the art or to be developed. For example, the patent literature provides some examples: U.S. Pat. Nos. 7,069,993, 6,353,706 and 8,265,468. There are also commercially available downhole electric heaters. ANDMIR™, for example, sells a downhole heater called ADDHEAT,™ which may be suitable for use herein. One particularly useful example is the PETROTRACE™ by PENTAIR™. The typical system including a downhole electric heating cable, ESP electrical cable, power connection and end termination kits, clamping systems, temperature sensors, wellhead connectors and topside control and monitoring equipment. The cable has an operating temperature up to 122° F. (50° C.), provides up to 41 W/m, and is housed in a flexible armored polymer jacket, allowing for ease of installation on the outside of the production tube. Further, the cables are available in different sizes and power levels and in lengths of up to 3,937 ft (1,200 m). Advantageously, the heater can be configured so that more power and heat is delivered to the toe of a well. Heaters can also be deployed inside the other casing, outside production tubing, in coiled tubing, and the like. The heater could be strapped to the outer casing, however, this may limit future ability to repair it. Preferably the heating cable lies outside the production tubing and/or in contact with the slotted liner. The invention can comprise any one or more of the following embodiments, in any combination:A well configuration for electrically heated production of hydrocarbons, the well configuration comprising:a plurality of horizontal producer wells, each producer well separated from an adjacent producer well by a distance D and configured for heating with an electric downhole heater;each producer well at a first depth at or near the bottom of a hydrocarbon play;a plurality of open hole lateral wells originating from said plurality of producer wells and covering at least 95% of said distance D;wherein said plurality of lateral wells are filled with a thermally conductive proppant, such that said electric downhole heater heats said thermally conductive proppant, which then conveys heat to hydrocarbons, which can then be (and is) produced at said producer well.A well configuration for electrically heated production of hydrocarbons, the well configuration comprising:a plurality of horizontal producer wells, each producer well separated from an adjacent producer well by a distance D and configured for heating with an electric downhole heater;each producer well at a first depth at or near the bottom of a hydrocarbon play;a plurality of upper wells, each upper well being higher in said play than a producer well by 4-10 m, each upper well configured for heating with an electric downhole heater;a plurality of lateral wells originating from said plurality of producer wells or said plurality of upper wells, or both producer wells and upper wells, and covering at least 95% of said distance D;wherein said plurality of lateral wells are filled with a thermally conductive proppant material, such that said electric downhole heater heats said thermally conductive proppant which then conveys heat to hydrocarbons which can then be produced at said producer well.A well configuration for electrically heated production of hydrocarbons, the well configuration comprising:a plurality of horizontal producer wells, each producer well separated from an adjacent producer well by a distance D and configured for heating with an electric downhole heater;each producer well at a first depth at or near the bottom of a hydrocarbon play;a plurality of upper wells, each upper well being higher in said play than a producer well by 4-10 m, each upper well configured for heating with an electric downhole heater;a plurality of lateral wells originating from said plurality of producer wells or said plurality of upper wells, or both producer wells and upper wells, and covering at least 95% (or 98, 99% or 100%) of said distance D;wherein said plurality of lateral wells are filled with a thermally conductive proppant material, such that said electric downhole heater heats said thermally conductive proppant having a thermal conductivity of at least 20 watts per meter kelvin (Wm−1K−1).Any well configuration herein described, wherein each of said a plurality of horizontal producer wells are arranged in a plurality of well-pairs, wherein each producer well has an horizontal upper well about 4-10 meters vertically stacked above said producer well, said upper well configured for heating with an electric downhole heater.Any well configuration herein described, wherein each of said plurality of horizontal producer wells are arranged in a plurality of well-pairs, wherein each producer well has an horizontal upper well about 4-10 meters above and laterally spaced from said producer well, said upper well configured for heating with an electric downhole heater. The lateral spacing is at least 25 m, 50 m, 75 m or 100 m or more.Any well configuration herein described, wherein said plurality of lateral wells originate from each of producer wells and each of said upper wells.Any well configuration herein described, wherein said plurality of lateral wells originate from each of said plurality of horizontal producer wells, and intersect with an adjacent upper well or a lateral extending from an adjacent upper well.Any well configuration herein described, wherein said plurality of lateral wells originate from each of said plurality of horizontal producer wells and slant upwards towards an adjacent upper well.Any well configuration herein described, wherein said plurality of lateral wells are arranged in an alternating pattern.Any well configuration herein described, wherein said plurality of lateral wells originate from each of said producer wells and each of said upper wells and are arranged in an alternating pattern such that ends of lateral wells from adjacent wells overlap, such that together a pair of lateral wells cover about 100% of said distance D.Any well configuration herein described, wherein said distance D is at least 50 meters.Any well configuration herein described, wherein said thermally conductive proppant has a thermal conductivity of at least 20 watts per meter kelvin (Wm−1K−1). Any well configuration herein described, wherein said thermally conductive proppant is a bauxite.A method of producing heavy oil, comprising:providing a plurality of well-pairs separated by a distance D, each well-pair comprising a horizontal production well at or near a bottom of a play, and a horizontal upper well 4-5 meters above said production well, each well in a well-pair configured for heating with an electric downhole heater;a plurality of open-hole lateral wells extending from said upper well or said production well or both, said plurality of lateral wells extending towards a nearest well-pair and covering at least 95% of D;each of said lateral wells filled with a thermally conductive proppant;applying electricity to said heater, thereby heating said proppant and mobilizing oil; andproducing said mobilized oil at said production well in each well-pair. Any method herein described, wherein said upper well is both laterally and vertically spaced from a production well in a given well-pair.A method of production of hydrocarbons, said method comprisingproviding a well configuration as recited herein;applying electricity to heat said heater(s);heating said proppant and thereby producing mobilized hydrocarbons; andproducing said mobilized hydrocarbons from said producer wells. “Vertical” drilling is the traditional type of drilling in oil and gas drilling industry, and includes well <45° of vertical. “Horizontal” drilling is the same as vertical drilling until the “kickoff point” which is located just above the target oil or gas reservoir (pay zone), from that point deviating the drilling direction from the vertical to horizontal. By “horizontal” what is included is an angle within 45° (<45°) of horizontal. All horizontal wells will have a vertical portion, but the majority of the well is within 45° of horizontal. A “lateral” well as used herein refers to a well that branches off an originating well. An originating well may have several such lateral wells (together referred to as multilateral wells), and the lateral wells themselves may also have lateral wells. “Multilateral” wells are wells having multiple branches or laterals tied back to a “mother” wellbore (also called the “originating” well), which conveys fluids to or from the surface. The branch or lateral is typically horizontal, but can curve up or down. An “alternate pattern” or “alternating pattern” as used herein means that subsequent lateral wells alternate in direction from the originating well, first projecting to one side, then to the other. A “pinnate” pattern has lateral on both sides of a motherbore. As used herein a “slanted” well with respect to lateral wells, means that the well is not in the same plane as the originating well or kickoff point, but travels upwards or downwards from same. As used herein, “overlapping” multilateral wells, means the ends of lateral wells from adjacent wellbores nearly reach or even pass each other or the next adjacent main wellbore, when viewed from the top. Such lateral wells may also “intersect” if direct fluid communication is achieved by direct intersection of two lateral wells, but intersection is not necessarily implied in the terms “overlapping” wells. Where intersecting wells are specifically intended, the specification and claims will so specify. Overlapping lateral wells is one option, but it may be more cost effective to provide e.g., only producers with lateral wells. In such cases, the laterals can be made longer so as to reach or nearly reach or even intersect with an adjacent well. In this way, fewer laterals are needed, but the reservoir between adjacent main wellbores is still adequately covered to enable efficient communication and drainage. By “nearly reach” we mean at least 95% of the distance between adjacent main wellbores is covered by a lateral or a pair of laterals. By “main wellbores” what is meant are injector/upper and producer wells. They can also be called “motherbores,” if multilaterals originate off them. The phrase “directly above” or “vertically stacked” refers to typical well-pair configuration for SAGD, but does not imply a high degree of geometric precision or perfection, as wells meander a small amount due to drilling errors and changes in reservoir rock characteristics. Thus, the term allows the normal degree of variation that is typically observed in in SAGD well-pairs. By “laterally spaced” we mean to the side, when viewed from a top view. An upper well can be both vertically and laterally spaced from its cognate producer, or can be vertically stacked, roughly directly over the producer. By “open-hole” what is meant is that the well is not cased. The use of the word “a” or “an” when used in conjunction with the term “comprising” in the claims or the specification means one or more than one, unless the context dictates otherwise. The term “about” means the stated value plus or minus the margin of error of measurement or plus or minus 10% if no method of measurement is indicated. The use of the term “or” in the claims is used to mean “and/or” unless explicitly indicated to refer to alternatives only or if the alternatives are mutually exclusive. The terms “comprise”, “have”, “include” and “contain” (and their variants) are open-ended linking verbs and allow the addition of other elements when used in a claim. The phrase “consisting of” is closed, and excludes all additional elements. The phrase “consisting essentially of” excludes additional material elements, but allows the inclusions of non-material elements that do not substantially change the nature of the invention. The following abbreviations are used herein: SAGDSteam assisted gravity Drainage

11352011

INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE The disclosure of Japanese Patent Application No. 2018-238715 filed on Dec. 20, 2018 including the specification, drawings and abstract is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. BACKGROUND 1. Technical Field The disclosure relates to an information processing system, a program, and an information processing method. 2. Description of Related Art In the related art, a technology for acquiring information on snow cover has been known. For example, Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2013-061726 (JP 2013-061726 A) discloses a technology in which an in-vehicle camera mounted on a vehicle images snowfall to visually observe the snowball amount and acquires snowfall amount measurement data by analyzing the imaged image data. SUMMARY However, the technology disclosed in JP 2013-061726 A is based on the premise that snowfall is captured in the image of the in-vehicle camera. In this way, for example, snowfall amount measurement data cannot be acquired in a place where there is no snowfall. Therefore, there is room for improvement in the related art for acquiring information on snow cover on a road. An object of the disclosure made in consideration of the above circumstances is to improve a technology for acquiring information on snow cover on a road. A first aspect of the disclosure relates to an information processing system including one or more vehicles and a server communicable with the one or more vehicles. The vehicle is configured to acquire an image obtained by imaging a road on which a host vehicle is located. The vehicle or the server is configured to execute determination processing for determining a degree of difficulty in traveling on the road due to snow cover from the image. The server is configured to store the degree of difficulty in traveling for each of one or more roads and provide information to a client by using the stored degree of difficulty in traveling for each of the one or more roads. A second aspect of the disclosure relates to a program. The program causes a vehicle communicable with a server to execute steps of acquiring an image obtained by imaging a road on which a host vehicle is located and determining a degree of difficulty in traveling on the road due to snow cover from the image. A third aspect of the disclosure relates to an information processing method executed by an information processing system including one or more vehicles and a server communicable with the one or more vehicles. The method includes acquiring, by the vehicle, an image obtained by imaging a road on which a host vehicle is located, determining, by the vehicle or the server, a degree of difficulty in traveling on the road due to snow cover from the image, storing, by the server, the degree of difficulty in traveling for each of one or more roads, and providing, by the server, information to a client by using the stored degree of difficulty in traveling for each of the one or more roads. With the information processing system, the program, and the information processing method according to the aspects of the disclosure, the technology for acquiring information on snow cover on road is improved.

11342469

BACKGROUND The semiconductor industry continues to see demands for devices having lower cost, size, and power consumption, particularly for monolithic microwave integrated circuit (MMIC) devices. MIMIC devices encompass integrated circuits (IC) designed for operation over microwave frequencies. MMIC devices can be relied upon for mixing, power amplification, low-noise amplification, and high-frequency switching, among other operations.

11375500

TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to the communications field, and in particular, to a communication method, a base station, and user equipment (UE). BACKGROUND 5th Generation New Radio (5G NR) is a new subject proposed by the 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) organization. In 5G NR, a self-contained subframe structure is proposed. The self-contained subframe structure includes three parts. A first part is a downlink control (DL control) part. Specifically, downlink grant (DL grant) information or uplink grant (UL grant) information may be transmitted. That is, a base station informs UE of a manner of configuring a downlink resource or an uplink resource. A second part is a service data (data) part. Specifically, the base station may transmit downlink data, or the UE may transmit uplink data based on the uplink resource indicated by the UL grant information in the first part. A third part is an uplink control (UL control) part. Specifically, in the third part, the base station may return a reception status of the uplink data for the uplink data received in the second part, or the UE may transmit uplink channel state information (CSI) to facilitate subsequent scheduling and use by the base station. In some cases, the UL control part is occupied by UL data. To distinguish subframes of different types, a self-contained subframe for transmitting downlink service data is referred to as a downlink-dominant self-contained subframe, and a self-contained subframe for transmitting uplink service data is referred to as an uplink-dominant self-contained subframe. Specifically, in the downlink-dominant self-contained subframe, the base station informs the UE in the first part of some resources on which the base station is to transmit the downlink data. Then, the base station transmits the downlink data in the second part. After the downlink data is transmitted, the UE returns, in the third part after a guard period (GP), an acknowledgement (ACK) or a negative acknowledgement (NACK) based on a downlink data reception result. In the uplink-dominant self-contained subframe, a specific case is that the base station informs, in the first part, the UE of some resources that should be used to transmit the uplink data, and then the UE transmits the uplink data in both the second part and the third part till the end of the subframe. Another specific case is that the base station informs, in the first part, the UE of some resources that should be used to transmit the uplink data, and after a GP, the UE transmits the uplink data in the second part, and transmits uplink control information, for example, CSI, in the third part. Although 5G NR proposes how the base station informs the UE of configuration information of a resource, how the base station or the UE transmits the service data, and how the UE uploads the uplink control information, 5G NR does not propose a method used by the UE to transmit the uplink resource request message to the base station. Consequently, some UEs cannot obtain configuration information of a resource for transmitting the uplink data, and therefore, cannot transmit the uplink data to the base station. SUMMARY The present invention provides a communication method, a base station, UE, a communications system, and a frame structure, so that the UE can send an uplink resource request message to the base station, to obtain resource information used to transmit uplink service data and to transmit the uplink service data to the base station. According to a first aspect, the present invention provides a communication method, including sending, by a base station, first downlink control information to first user equipment UE on a first time domain resource of a first subframe, sending, by the base station, downlink data to the first UE on a second time domain resource of the first subframe, and receiving, by the base station on a third time domain resource of the first subframe, an uplink resource request message sent by second UE, where the first time domain resource of the first subframe is located before the second time domain resource of the first subframe, the second time domain resource of the first subframe is located before the third time domain resource of the first subframe, the first downlink control information includes first resource indication information, the first resource indication information is used to indicate a first downlink resource used by the base station to send the downlink data, and the uplink resource request message includes identification information of the second UE. In the communication method, the base station not only may send downlink control information and downlink data to another UE in a first subframe, but also may receive, on a fixed third time domain resource of the first subframe, an uplink resource request message sent by UE. In this way, the base station can allocate an uplink resource to the UE based on the uplink resource request message, and then the UE can send uplink data to the base station based on the allocated uplink resource. In a possible implementation, the communication method further includes receiving, by the base station on a fourth time domain resource of the first subframe, uplink control information sent by the first UE, where the uplink control information includes first reception status indication information, and the first reception status indication information is used to indicate a reception status of the downlink data. In the communication method, the base station may further receive, in the first subframe, uplink control information sent by the another UE. In a possible implementation, the third time domain resource of the first subframe is located before the fourth time domain resource of the first subframe. In the communication method, the base station receives the uplink resource request message from the UE before receiving the uplink control message from the another UE, that is, before a non-end time domain resource of the first subframe, so that the base station can allocate the uplink resource to the UE within a time period corresponding to a time domain resource after the third time domain resource of the first subframe. That is, the base station can allocate the uplink resource to the UE at an ultra low latency. In addition, because the base station receives the uplink resource request message from the UE and the uplink control information from the another UE on different time domain resources, interference of the uplink control information of the another UE to the uplink resource request message can be avoided. In this way, the uplink resource can be more reliably allocated to the UE based on the uplink resource request message. That is, communication having higher reliability can be realized. In a possible implementation, the communication method further includes allocating, by the base station, a first uplink resource to the second UE based on the uplink resource request message within a time period corresponding to a time domain resource after the third time domain resource of the first subframe, and sending, by the base station, second downlink control information to the second UE on a first time domain resource of a second subframe, where the second downlink control information includes second resource indication information, and the second resource indication information is used to indicate the first uplink resource. In the communication method, the base station allocates the uplink resource to the UE within the time period corresponding to the time domain resource after the third time domain resource of the first subframe, so that the base station can allocate the uplink resource to the UE at an ultra low latency. In addition, because the base station receives the uplink resource request message from the UE and the uplink control information from the another UE on the different time domain resources, interference of the uplink control information of the another UE to the uplink resource request message can be avoided. In this way, the uplink resource can be more reliably allocated to the UE based on the uplink resource request message. That is, communication having higher reliability can be realized. In a possible implementation, the communication method further includes receiving, by the base station on a second time domain resource of the second subframe, uplink data sent by the second UE by using the first uplink resource based on the second downlink control information. Because first uplink resource indicated by second downlink control information is allocated by the base station to the UE in a case of an ultra low latency and ultra high reliability, ultra-low-latency ultra-reliable communication is realized when the base station receives the uplink data sent by the UE by using the first uplink resource. In a possible implementation, the communication method further includes sending, by the base station, third downlink control information to the second UE on a first time domain resource of a third subframe, where the third downlink control information includes second reception status indication information, and the second reception status indication information is used to indicate a reception status of the uplink data. In the communication method, the base station may send, to the UE, a reception status that is in the base station and that is of the uplink data sent by the UE, so that the base station and the UE can perform subsequent communication based on the reception status. In a possible implementation, the allocating, by the base station, a first uplink resource to the second UE based on the uplink resource request message within a time period corresponding to a time domain resource after the third time domain resource of the first subframe includes allocating, by the base station within the time period corresponding to the time domain resource after the third time domain resource of the first subframe, the first uplink resource to the second UE based on the uplink resource request message and first configuration information that is pre-agreed between the base station and the second UE. The receiving, by the base station on a second time domain resource of the second subframe, uplink data sent by the second UE by using the first uplink resource based on the second downlink control information includes receiving, by the base station on the second time domain resource of the second subframe and based on the first configuration information, the uplink data sent by the second UE by using the first uplink resource based on the first configuration information. The first configuration information includes at least one of the following information, including modulation and coding scheme (MCS) information of the uplink data, size information of each resource block required for transmitting the uplink data, frequency hopping resource information of the uplink data, information about a quantity of time-domain repetitions of one data packet in the uplink data, power information used by the second UE to send the uplink data, a quantity of layers of a plurality of antennas and precoding information that are used by the second UE to send the uplink data, quality information of a channel used by the second UE to send the uplink data, or carrier identification information used by the second UE to send the uplink data. In the communication method, the base station allocates the uplink resource to the UE based on the pre-agreed configuration information. In addition, before the base station allocates the uplink resource, the UE may process, in advance based on the configuration information, the uplink data needing to be sent. In this way, the UE can send the processed uplink data at a lower latency after receiving information indicating the uplink resource. In addition, the uplink resource request message received by the base station may include only identification information of the UE. Therefore, transmission resources can be reduced. In a possible implementation, the uplink resource request message further includes second configuration information. The allocating, by the base station, a first uplink resource to the second UE based on the uplink resource request message within a time period corresponding to a time domain resource after the third time domain resource of the first subframe includes allocating, by the base station, the first uplink resource to the second UE based on the second configuration information within the time period corresponding to the time domain resource after the third time domain resource of the first subframe. The receiving, by the base station on a second time domain resource of the second subframe, uplink data sent by the second UE by using the first uplink resource based on the second downlink control information includes receiving, by the base station on the second time domain resource of the second subframe and based on the second configuration information, the uplink data sent by the second UE by using the first uplink resource based on the second configuration information. The second configuration information includes at least one of the following information, including a cell radio network temporary identifier (C-RNTI) of the second UE, modulation and coding scheme (MCS) information of the uplink data, size information of each resource block required for transmitting the uplink data, frequency hopping resource information of the uplink data, information about a quantity of time-domain repetitions of one data packet in the uplink data, power information used by the second UE to send the uplink data, a quantity of layers of a plurality of antennas and precoding information that are used by the second UE to send the uplink data, quality information of a channel used by the second UE to send the uplink data, or carrier identification information used by the second UE to send the uplink data. In the communication method, the base station may allocate the uplink resource to the UE based on some configuration information carried in the uplink resource request message of the UE and some of the configuration information that is pre-agreed between the base station and the UE. In addition, before the base station allocates the uplink resource, the UE may process, in advance based on the some configuration information carried in the uplink resource request message and the some configuration information that is pre-agreed between the base station and the UE, the uplink data needing to be sent. In this way, the UE can send the processed uplink data at a lower latency after receiving the information indicating the uplink resource, and flexibility of allocating the uplink resource to the UE by the base station is improved by the base station. According to a second aspect, the present invention provides a communication method, including sending, by a base station, first downlink control information to first user equipment UE on a first time domain resource of a first subframe, receiving, by the base station on a second time domain resource of the first subframe, first uplink data sent by the first UE based on the first downlink control information, and receiving, by the base station on a third time domain resource of the first subframe, an uplink resource request message sent by second UE, where the first time domain resource of the first subframe is located before the second time domain resource and the third time domain of the first subframe, the first downlink control information includes first resource indication information, the first resource indication information is used to indicate a first uplink resource to be used by the first UE to send the first uplink data, and the uplink resource request message includes identification information of the second UE. In the communication method, the base station not only may send downlink control information to another UE and receive uplink data in a first subframe, but also may receive, on a fixed third time domain resource of the first subframe, an uplink resource request message sent by UE. In this way, the base station can allocate an uplink resource to the UE based on the uplink resource request message, and then the UE can send uplink data to the base station based on the allocated uplink resource. In a possible implementation, the communication method further includes receiving, by the base station, uplink control information within a time period corresponding to a fourth time domain resource of the first subframe, where the fourth time domain resource of the first subframe is located after the second time domain resource of the first subframe. In the communication method, the base station may further receive, in the first subframe, uplink control information sent by the another UE. In a possible implementation, the third time domain resource of the first subframe is located before the fourth time domain resource of the first subframe. In the communication method, the base station receives the uplink resource request message from the UE before receiving the uplink control message from the another UE, that is, before a non-end time domain resource of the first subframe, so that the base station can allocate the uplink resource to the UE within a time period corresponding to a time domain resource after the third time domain resource of the first subframe. That is, the base station can allocate the uplink resource to the UE at an ultra low latency. In addition, because the base station receives the uplink resource request message from the UE and the uplink control information from the another UE on different time domain resources, interference of the uplink control information of the another UE to the uplink resource request message can be avoided. In this way, the uplink resource can be more reliably allocated to the UE based on the uplink resource request message. That is, communication having higher reliability can be realized. In a possible implementation, the communication method further includes allocating, by the base station, a first uplink resource to the second UE based on the uplink resource request message within a time period corresponding to a time domain resource after the third time domain resource of the first subframe, and sending, by the base station, second downlink control information to the second UE on a first time domain resource of a second subframe, where the second downlink control information includes second resource indication information, and the second resource indication information is used to indicate the first uplink resource. In the communication method, the base station allocates the uplink resource to the UE within the time period corresponding to the time domain resource after the third time domain resource of the first subframe, so that the base station can allocate the uplink resource to the UE at an ultra low latency. In addition, because the base station receives the uplink resource request message from the UE and the uplink control information from the another UE on the different time domain resources, interference of the uplink control information of the another UE to the uplink resource request message can be avoided. In this way, the uplink resource can be more reliably allocated to the UE based on the uplink resource request message. That is, communication having higher reliability can be realized. In a possible implementation, the communication method further includes receiving, by the base station on a second time domain resource of the second subframe, uplink data sent by the second UE by using the first uplink resource based on the second downlink control information. Because first uplink resource indicated by second downlink control information is allocated by the base station to the UE in a case of an ultra low latency and ultra high reliability, ultra-low-latency ultra-reliable communication is realized when the base station receives the uplink data sent by the UE by using the first uplink resource. In a possible implementation, the communication method further includes sending, by the base station, third downlink control information to the second UE on a first time domain resource of a third subframe, where the third downlink control information includes second reception status indication information, and the second reception status indication information is used to indicate a reception status of the uplink data. In the communication method, the base station may send, to the UE, a reception status that is in the base station and that is of the uplink data sent by the UE, so that the base station and the UE can perform subsequent communication based on the reception status. In a possible implementation, the allocating, by the base station, a first uplink resource to the second UE based on the uplink resource request message within a time period corresponding to a time domain resource after the third time domain resource of the first subframe includes allocating, by the base station within the time period corresponding to the time domain resource after the third time domain resource of the first subframe, the first uplink resource to the second UE based on the uplink resource request message and first configuration information that is pre-agreed between the base station and the second UE. The receiving, by the base station on a second time domain resource of the second subframe, uplink data sent by the second UE by using the first uplink resource based on the second downlink control information includes receiving, by the base station on the second time domain resource of the second subframe and based on the first configuration information, the uplink data sent by the second UE by using the first uplink resource based on the first configuration information. The first configuration information includes at least one of the following information, including modulation and coding scheme (MCS) information of the uplink data, size information of each resource block required for transmitting the uplink data, frequency hopping resource information of the uplink data, information about a quantity of time-domain repetitions of one data packet in the uplink data, power information used by the second UE to send the uplink data, a quantity of layers of a plurality of antennas and precoding information that are used by the second UE to send the uplink data, quality information of a channel used by the second UE to send the uplink data, or carrier identification information used by the second UE to send the uplink data. In the communication method, the base station allocates the uplink resource to the UE based on the pre-agreed configuration information. In addition, before the base station allocates the uplink resource, the UE may process, in advance based on the configuration information, the uplink data needing to be sent. In this way, the UE can send the processed uplink data at a lower latency after receiving information indicating the uplink resource. In addition, the uplink resource request message received by the base station may include only identification information of the UE. Therefore, transmission resources can be reduced. In a possible implementation, the uplink resource request message further includes second configuration information. The allocating, by the base station, a first uplink resource to the second UE based on the uplink resource request message within a time period corresponding to a time domain resource after the third time domain resource of the first subframe includes allocating, by the base station, the first uplink resource to the second UE based on the second configuration information within the time period corresponding to the time domain resource after the third time domain resource of the first subframe. The receiving, by the base station on a second time domain resource of the second subframe, uplink data sent by the second UE by using the first uplink resource based on the second downlink control information includes receiving, by the base station on the second time domain resource of the second subframe and based on the second configuration information, the uplink data sent by the second UE by using the first uplink resource based on the second configuration information. The second configuration information includes at least one of the following information, including a cell radio network temporary identifier C-RNTI of the second UE, MCS information of the uplink data, size information of each resource block required for transmitting the uplink data, frequency hopping resource information of the uplink data, information about a quantity of time-domain repetitions of one data packet in the uplink data, power information used by the second UE to send the uplink data, a quantity of layers of a plurality of antennas and precoding information that are used by the second UE to send the uplink data, quality information of a channel used by the second UE to send the uplink data, or carrier identification information used by the second UE to send the uplink data. In the communication method, the base station may allocate the uplink resource to the UE based on some configuration information carried in the uplink resource request message of the UE and some of the configuration information that is pre-agreed between the base station and the UE. In addition, before the base station allocates the uplink resource, the UE may process, in advance based on the some configuration information carried in the uplink resource request message and the some configuration information that is pre-agreed between the base station and the UE, the uplink data needing to be sent. In this way, the UE can send the processed uplink data at a lower latency after receiving the information indicating the uplink resource, and flexibility of allocating the uplink resource to the UE by the base station is improved by the base station. According to a third aspect, the present invention provides a communication method, including generating, by UE, an uplink resource request message, and sending, by the UE, the uplink resource request message to a base station on a third time domain resource of a first subframe, where the first subframe includes a first time domain resource, a second time domain resource, and the third time domain resource, the first time domain resource of the first subframe is located before the second time domain resource of the first subframe, the second time domain resource of the first subframe is located before the third time domain resource of the first subframe, the first time domain resource of the first subframe is used by the base station to send first downlink control information, the second time domain resource of the first subframe is used by the base station to send downlink data, the first downlink control information includes first resource indication information, the first resource indication information is used to indicate a first downlink resource used by base station to send the downlink data to the first UE, and the uplink resource request message includes identification information of the second UE. In the communication method, the UE may receive an uplink resource request message, sent by the UE, on a fixed third time domain resource of a first subframe in which downlink control information and downlink data can be sent. In this way, the base station can allocate an uplink resource to the UE based on the uplink resource request message, and then the UE can send uplink data to the base station based on the allocated uplink resource. In a possible implementation, the first subframe further includes a fourth time domain resource. The fourth time domain resource of the first subframe is used by the base station to receive uplink control information, where the uplink control information includes first reception status indication information, and the first reception status indication information is used to indicate a reception status of the downlink data. In the communication method, further, another UE may send, in the first subframe, uplink control information to the base station. In a possible implementation, the third time domain resource of the first subframe is located before the fourth time domain resource of the first subframe. In the communication method, second UE sends the uplink resource request message to the base station before the another UE sends the uplink control message to the base station, that is, before a non-end time domain resource of the first subframe, so that the base station can allocate the uplink resource to the UE within a time period corresponding to a time domain resource after the third time domain resource of the first subframe. That is, the base station can allocate the uplink resource to the UE at an ultra low latency. In addition, because the base station receives the uplink resource request message from the UE and the uplink control information from the another UE on different time domain resources, interference of the uplink control information of the another UE to the uplink resource request message can be avoided. In this way, the uplink resource can be more reliably allocated to the UE based on the uplink resource request message. That is, communication having higher reliability can be realized. In a possible implementation, the communication method further includes receiving, by the UE, second downlink control information sent by the base station on a first time domain resource of a second subframe. The second downlink control information includes second resource indication information, and the second resource indication information is used to indicate a first uplink resource, where the first uplink resource is an uplink resource allocated by the base station to the UE based on the uplink resource request message within a time period corresponding to a time domain resource after the third time domain resource of the first subframe. In the communication method, the uplink resource allocated by the base station to the UE and received by the UE is an uplink resource allocated by the base station to the UE within the time period corresponding to the time domain resource after the third time domain resource of the first subframe. In this way, the base station can allocate the uplink resource to the UE at an ultra low latency. In addition, because the uplink resource is allocated by the base station when the base station receives the uplink resource request message from the UE and the uplink control information from the another UE on the different time domain resources, interference of the uplink control information of the another UE to the uplink resource request message can be avoided, thereby realizing communication having higher reliability. In a possible implementation, the communication method further includes sending, by the UE, uplink data to the base station on a second time domain resource of the second subframe by using the first uplink resource based on the second downlink control information. Because the first uplink resource indicated by the second downlink control information is allocated by the base station in a case of an ultra low latency and ultra high reliability, ultra-low-latency ultra-reliable communication is realized when the UE sends the uplink data to the base station by using the first uplink resource. In a possible implementation, the communication method further includes receiving, by the UE on a first time domain resource of a third subframe, third downlink control information sent by the base station, where the third downlink control information includes second reception status indication information, and the second reception status indication information is used to indicate a reception status of the uplink data. In the communication method, the UE may receive, from the base station, a reception status that is in the base station and that is of the uplink data sent by the UE, so that the UE and the base station can perform subsequent communication based on the reception status. In a possible implementation, the sending, by the UE, uplink data to the base station on a second time domain resource of the second subframe by using the first uplink resource based on the second downlink control information includes sending, by the UE, the uplink data to the base station on the second time domain resource of the second subframe by using the first uplink resource based on first configuration information that is pre-agreed between the UE and the base station. The first configuration information includes at least one of the following information, including modulation and coding scheme (MCS) information of the uplink data, size information of each resource block required for transmitting the uplink data, frequency hopping resource information of the uplink data, information about a quantity of time-domain repetitions of one data packet in the uplink data, power information used by the second UE to send the uplink data, a quantity of layers of a plurality of antennas and precoding information that are used by the second UE to send the uplink data, quality information of a channel used by the second UE to send the uplink data, or carrier identification information used by the second UE to send the uplink data. In the communication method, before the base station allocates the uplink resource, the UE may process, in advance based on pre-agreed configuration information between the base station and the UE, the uplink data needing to be sent, so that the UE can send the processed uplink data at a lower latency after receiving information indicating the uplink resource. In addition, the uplink resource request message sent by the UE to the base station may include only identification information of the UE. Therefore, transmission resources can be reduced. In a possible implementation, the uplink resource request message further includes second configuration information. The sending, by the UE, uplink data to the base station on a second time domain resource of the second subframe by using the first uplink resource based on the second downlink control information includes sending, by the UE, the uplink data to the base station on the second time domain resource of the second subframe by using the first uplink resource based on the second configuration information. The second configuration information includes at least one of the following information, including a cell radio network temporary identifier (C-RNTI) of the second UE, MCS information of the uplink data, size information of each resource block required for transmitting the uplink data, frequency hopping resource information of the uplink data, information about a quantity of time-domain repetitions of one data packet in the uplink data, power information used by the second UE to send the uplink data, a quantity of layers of a plurality of antennas and precoding information that are used by the second UE to send the uplink data, quality information of a channel used by the second UE to send the uplink data, or carrier identification information used by the second UE to send the uplink data. In the communication method, the UE may add some configuration information to the uplink resource request message. In this case, the base station may allocate the uplink resource to the UE based on the some configuration information carried in the uplink resource request message of the UE and some of the configuration information that is pre-agreed between the base station and the UE. In addition, before the base station allocates the uplink resource, the UE may process, in advance based on the some configuration information carried in the uplink resource request message and the some configuration information that is pre-agreed between the base station and the UE, the uplink data needing to be sent. In this way, the UE can send the processed uplink data at a lower latency after receiving the information indicating the uplink resource, and flexibility of allocating the uplink resource to the UE by the base station is improved by the base station. According to a fourth aspect, the present invention provides a communication method, including generating, by user equipment UE, an uplink resource request message, and sending, by the UE, the uplink resource request message to a base station on a third time domain resource of a first subframe, where the first subframe includes a first time domain resource, a second time domain resource, and the third time domain resource, the first time domain resource of the first subframe is located before the second time domain resource and the third time domain of the first subframe, the first time domain resource of the first subframe is used by the base station to send first downlink control information, the second time domain resource of the first subframe is used by another UE to send first uplink data, the first downlink control information includes first resource indication information, the first resource indication information is used to indicate a first uplink resource to be used by the another UE to send the first uplink data, and the uplink resource request message includes identification information of the UE. In the communication method, the UE may receive an uplink resource request message, sent by the UE, on a fixed third time domain resource of a first subframe in which downlink control information and uplink data can be sent. In this way, the base station can allocate an uplink resource to the UE based on the uplink resource request message, and then the UE can send uplink data to the base station based on the allocated uplink resource. In a possible implementation, the first subframe further includes a fourth time domain resource. The fourth time domain resource of the first subframe is located after the second time domain resource of the first subframe, and the fourth time domain resource of the first subframe is used by the base station to receive uplink control information. In the communication method, further, another UE may send, in the first subframe, uplink control information to the base station. In a possible implementation, the third time domain resource of the first subframe is located before the fourth time domain resource of the first subframe. In the communication method, second UE sends the uplink resource request message to the base station before the another UE sends the uplink control message to the base station, that is, before a non-end time domain resource of the first subframe, so that the base station can allocate the uplink resource to the UE within a time period corresponding to a time domain resource after the third time domain resource of the first subframe. That is, the base station can allocate the uplink resource to the UE at an ultra low latency. In addition, because the base station receives the uplink resource request message from the UE and the uplink control information from the another UE on different time domain resources, interference of the uplink control information of the another UE to the uplink resource request message can be avoided. In this way, the uplink resource can be more reliably allocated to the UE based on the uplink resource request message. That is, communication having higher reliability can be realized. In a possible implementation, the communication method further includes receiving, by the UE, second downlink control information sent by the base station on a first time domain resource of a second subframe. The second downlink control information includes second resource indication information, and the second resource indication information is used to indicate a first uplink resource, where the first uplink resource is an uplink resource allocated by the base station to the UE based on the uplink resource request message within a time period corresponding to a time domain resource after the third time domain resource of the first subframe. In the communication method, the uplink resource allocated by the base station to the UE and received by the UE is an uplink resource allocated by the base station to the UE within the time period corresponding to the time domain resource after the third time domain resource of the first subframe. In this way, the base station can allocate the uplink resource to the UE at an ultra low latency. In addition, because the uplink resource is allocated by the base station when the base station receives the uplink resource request message from the UE and the uplink control information from the another UE on the different time domain resources, interference of the uplink control information of the another UE to the uplink resource request message can be avoided, thereby realizing communication having higher reliability. In a possible implementation, the communication method further includes sending, by the UE, uplink data to the base station on a second time domain resource of the second subframe by using the first uplink resource based on the second downlink control information. Because the first uplink resource indicated by the second downlink control information is allocated by the base station in a case of an ultra low latency and ultra high reliability, ultra-low-latency ultra-reliable communication is realized when the UE sends the uplink data to the base station by using the first uplink resource. In a possible implementation, the communication method further includes receiving, by the UE on a first time domain resource of a third subframe, third downlink control information sent by the base station, where the third downlink control information includes second reception status indication information, and the second reception status indication information is used to indicate a reception status of the uplink data. In the communication method, the UE may receive, from the base station, a reception status that is in the base station and that is of the uplink data sent by the UE, so that the UE and the base station can perform subsequent communication based on the reception status. In a possible implementation, the sending, by the UE, uplink data to the base station on a second time domain resource of the second subframe by using the first uplink resource based on the second downlink control information includes sending, by the UE, the uplink data to the base station on the second time domain resource of the second subframe by using the first uplink resource based on first configuration information that is pre-agreed between the UE and the base station. The first configuration information includes at least one of the following information, including modulation and coding scheme (MCS) information of the uplink data, size information of each resource block required for transmitting the uplink data, frequency hopping resource information of the uplink data, information about a quantity of time-domain repetitions of one data packet in the uplink data, power information used by the second UE to send the uplink data, a quantity of layers of a plurality of antennas and precoding information that are used by the second UE to send the uplink data, quality information of a channel used by the second UE to send the uplink data, or carrier identification information used by the second UE to send the uplink data. In the communication method, before the base station allocates the uplink resource, the UE may process, in advance based on pre-agreed configuration information between the base station and the UE, the uplink data needing to be sent, so that the UE can send the processed uplink data at a lower latency after receiving information indicating the uplink resource. In addition, the uplink resource request message sent by the UE to the base station may include only identification information of the UE. Therefore, transmission resources can be reduced. In a possible implementation, the uplink resource request message further includes second configuration information. The sending, by the UE, uplink data to the base station on a second time domain resource of the second subframe by using the first uplink resource based on the second downlink control information includes sending, by the UE, the uplink data to the base station on the second time domain resource of the second subframe by using the first uplink resource based on the second configuration information. The second configuration information includes at least one of the following information, including a cell radio network temporary identifier C-RNTI of the second UE, modulation and coding scheme (MCS) information of the uplink data, size information of each resource block required for transmitting the uplink data, frequency hopping resource information of the uplink data, information about a quantity of time-domain repetitions of one data packet in the uplink data, power information used by the second UE to send the uplink data, a quantity of layers of a plurality of antennas and precoding information that are used by the second UE to send the uplink data, quality information of a channel used by the second UE to send the uplink data, or carrier identification information used by the second UE to send the uplink data. In the communication method, the UE may add some configuration information to the uplink resource request message. In this case, the base station may allocate the uplink resource to the UE based on the some configuration information carried in the uplink resource request message of the UE and some of the configuration information that is pre-agreed between the base station and the UE. In addition, before the base station allocates the uplink resource, the UE may process, in advance based on the some configuration information carried in the uplink resource request message and the some configuration information that is pre-agreed between the base station and the UE, the uplink data needing to be sent. In this way, the UE can send the processed uplink data at a lower latency after receiving the information indicating the uplink resource, and flexibility of allocating the uplink resource to the UE by the base station is improved by the base station. According to a fifth aspect, the present invention provides a base station. The base station includes a module configured to perform the communication method according to the first aspect or any possible implementation of the first aspect. The communication method may be implemented by hardware, or may be implemented by hardware executing corresponding software. The hardware or software includes one or more modules corresponding to the foregoing function. Optionally, the base station may be a network side device, for example, a base station. According to a sixth aspect, the present invention provides a base station. The base station includes a module configured to perform the communication method according to the second aspect or any possible implementation of the second aspect. The communication method may be implemented by hardware, or may be implemented by hardware executing corresponding software. The hardware or software includes one or more modules corresponding to the foregoing function. Optionally, the base station may be a network side device, for example, a base station. According to a seventh aspect, the present invention provides UE. The UE includes a module configured to perform the communication method according to the third aspect or any possible implementation of the third aspect. The communication method may be implemented by hardware, or may be implemented by hardware executing corresponding software. The hardware or software includes one or more modules corresponding to the foregoing function. According to an eighth aspect, the present invention provides UE. The UE includes a module configured to perform the communication method according to the fourth aspect or any possible implementation of the fourth aspect. The communication method may be implemented by hardware, or may be implemented by hardware executing corresponding software. The hardware or software includes one or more modules corresponding to the foregoing function. According to a ninth aspect, the present invention provides a base station, including a receiver, a transmitter, a processor, and a memory. The memory is configured to store code, the processor is configured to execute the code stored in the memory, and the receiver and the transmitter are configured to communicate with another device. When the code is executed, the processor invokes the receiver and the transmitter to implement the communication method according to the first aspect or any possible implementation of the first aspect. According to a tenth aspect, the present invention provides a base station, including a receiver, a transmitter, a processor, and a memory. The memory is configured to store code, the processor is configured to execute the code stored in the memory, and the receiver and the transmitter are configured to communicate with another device. When the code is executed, the processor invokes the receiver and the transmitter to implement the communication method according to the second aspect or any possible implementation of the second aspect. According to an eleventh aspect, the present invention provides UE, including a transmitter, a processor, and a memory. The memory is configured to store code, the processor is configured to execute the code stored in the memory, and the receiver and the transmitter are configured to communicate with another device. When the code is executed, the processor invokes the transmitter to implement the communication method according to the third aspect or any possible implementation of the third aspect. Optionally, the UE may further include a receiver, configured to receive, when being invoked by the processor, a message sent by the another communications device. According to a twelfth aspect, the present invention provides UE, including a transmitter, a processor, and a memory. The memory is configured to store code, the processor is configured to execute the code stored in the memory, and the transmitter is configured to communicate with another device. When the code is executed, the processor invokes the receiver and the transmitter to implement the communication method according to the fourth aspect or any possible implementation of the fourth aspect. Optionally, the UE may further include a receiver, configured to receive, when being invoked by the processor, a message sent by the another communications device. According to a thirteenth aspect, the present invention provides a communications system, including the base station according to the ninth aspect and the UE according to the eleventh aspect. According to a fourteenth aspect, the present invention provides a communications system, including the base station according to the tenth aspect and the UE according to the twelfth aspect. According to a fifteenth aspect, the present invention provides a computer-readable medium. The computer-readable medium stores program code to be executed by a base station. The program code includes an instruction used to perform the communication method according to the first aspect or any possible implementation of the first aspect. According to a sixteenth aspect, the present invention provides a computer-readable medium. The computer-readable medium stores program code to be executed by a base station. The program code includes an instruction used to perform the communication method according to the second aspect or any possible implementation of the second aspect. According to a seventeenth aspect, the present invention provides a computer-readable medium. The computer-readable medium stores program code to be executed by UE. The program code includes an instruction used to perform the communication method according to the third aspect or any possible implementation of the third aspect. According to an eighteenth aspect, the present invention provides a computer-readable medium. The computer-readable medium stores program code to be executed by UE. The program code includes an instruction used to perform the communication method according to the fourth aspect or any possible implementation of the fourth aspect. According to a nineteenth aspect, the present invention provides a frame structure. The frame structure includes a first time domain resource, a second time domain resource, a third time domain resource, and a fourth time domain resource. The first time domain resource is located before the second time domain resource, and the second time domain resource is located before the third time domain resource. The first time domain resource is used by a base station to send first downlink control information, the second time domain resource is used by the base station to send downlink data, the third time domain resource is used by UE to send an uplink resource request message, and the fourth time domain resource is used by the UE to send uplink control information. According to a twentieth aspect, the present invention provides a frame structure. The frame structure includes a first time domain resource, a second time domain resource, and a third time domain resource. The first time domain resource is located before the second time domain resource and the third time domain. The first time domain resource is used by a base station to send first downlink control information, the second time domain resource is used by UE to send uplink data based on the first downlink control information, and the third time domain resource is used by the UE to send an uplink resource request message. Optionally, the frame structure further includes a fourth time domain resource. The fourth time domain resource is after the second time domain resource, and the fourth time domain resource is used by the UE to send uplink control information.

11501365

FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE The present disclosure relates to managing property loan information and, more particularly, to network-based systems and methods for generating and managing property loan information using blockchain technologies. BACKGROUND When obtaining and/or refinancing a loan for a personal property asset (e.g., a vehicle, a property or building, etc.), a user or customer may be required to provide information about any existing liens on the personal property asset. In order to decide whether to offer a new loan on the personal property asset, the loan-providing entity may use customer-provided data (e.g., customer data, data about the personal property asset) to determine and/or confirm information about the existing loan. In at least some known systems, the process to retrieve information about the existing loan is a manual process, performed by a human analyst tasked with reaching out to the provider of the existing loan (e.g., over the phone). Generally, loan providers have teams of analysts to perform this process, which is prone to error, inefficient, time-consuming, and (in terms of required personnel) expensive. In at least some cases, a customer may have to wait days to weeks for a response indicating whether they will be offered a new loan. In addition, even if a new loan is offered and the customer accepts the terms of the new loan, a transfer of funds between the loan-providing entities (e.g., a payoff of the existing loan) and a subsequent transfer of title and/or lien is executed and performed manually, which further extends the time it takes to complete the provision of the new loan. Accordingly, the current systems and methods for managing property loan information may be undesirable for customers as well as loan-providing entities. BRIEF SUMMARY The present embodiments may relate to blockchain-based systems and methods for managing property loan information, such as for vehicle loans, home loans, and/or any other loan or lien associated with a personal property asset. A Loan Management (LM) computer system may include an access computer device and at least one blockchain node computing device of a blockchain network. The access computer device may be associated with a loan provider and/or a loan applicant (“user”). The blockchain network may function as a storage platform for loan information association with a plurality of personal property assets, such as vehicles and buildings. The access computing device may be configured to communicate with the at least one blockchain node computing device to retrieve information from a blockchain associated with a particular personal property asset and/or to update information stored on the blockchain, such as by adding a new block thereto. In one aspect, a computer-implemented method of operating a computer system to manage loan information using blockchains may be provided. The method may be implemented using an access computing device of the computer system. The method may include accessing a blockchain network through a first blockchain node computing device, the blockchain network including a plurality of node computing devices that store a respective copy of a plurality of blockchains, each blockchain including a sequence of one or more blocks that are cryptographically verifiable and enforce a chronological order of data stored in subsequent blocks, wherein each block after a first block includes a description of data stored in a previous block. The method may also include receiving a request for information from a first blockchain of the plurality of blockchains, the request including an asset identifier associated with a personal property asset. The method may further include transmitting a query including the asset identifier to the first blockchain node computing device, the asset identifier identifying the first blockchain and causing the blockchain node computing device to identify a last block in the first blockchain, the last block including an encryption of existing loan information for an existing loan associated with the personal property asset. The method may additionally include receiving the encryption of the existing loan information from the first blockchain node computing device, and accessing a public key to decrypt the encryption of the existing loan information. The method may further include transmitting new loan information for a new loan associated with the personal property asset based at least in part upon the decrypted existing loan information, the new loan information superseding the existing loan information. In addition, the method may include receiving an acceptance notification indicating acceptance of the new loan information, and, in response to said receiving the acceptance notification, automatically transmitting an update instruction to the first blockchain node computing device, the update instruction including the new loan information, the update instruction causing the first blockchain node computing device to generate and store a new block subsequent to the last block, the new block including an encryption of the new loan information and a description of data stored in the last block. The method may include additional, fewer, or alternative steps, including those described elsewhere herein. In another aspect, an access computing device for managing loan information using blockchains may be provided. The access computing device may include at least one processor in communication with at least one memory device. The access computing device may be configured to access a blockchain network through a first blockchain node computing device, the blockchain network including a plurality of node computing devices that store a respective copy of a plurality of blockchains, each blockchain including a sequence of one or more blocks that are cryptographically verifiable and enforce a chronological order of data stored in subsequent blocks, wherein each block after a first block includes a description of data stored in a previous block. The access computing device may also be configured to receive a request for information from a first blockchain of the plurality of blockchains, the request including an asset identifier associated with a personal property asset. The access computing device may be further configured to transmit a query including the asset identifier to the first blockchain node computing device, the asset identifier identifying the first blockchain and causing the blockchain node computing device to identify a last block in the first blockchain, the last block including an encryption of existing loan information for an existing loan associated with the personal property asset. The access computing device may additionally be configured to receive the encryption of the existing loan information from the first blockchain node computing device, and access a public key to decrypt the encryption of the existing loan information. The access computing device may also be configured to transmit new loan information for a new loan associated with the personal property asset based at least in part upon the decrypted existing loan information, the new loan information superseding the existing loan information. In addition, the access computing device may be configured to receive an acceptance notification indicating acceptance of the new loan information, and, in response to receiving the acceptance notification, automatically transmit an update instruction to the first blockchain node computing device, the update instruction including the new loan information, the update instruction causing the first blockchain node computing device to generate and store a new block subsequent to the last block, the new block including an encryption of the new loan information and a description of data stored in the last block. The access computing device may have additional, less, or alternate functionality, including that discussed elsewhere herein. In yet another aspect, at least one non-transitory computer-readable storage medium having computer-executable instructions embodied thereon may be provided. When executed by at least one processor of an access computing device, the computer-executable instructions may cause the at least one processor to access a blockchain network through a first blockchain node computing device, the blockchain network including a plurality of node computing devices that store a respective copy of a plurality of blockchains, each blockchain including a sequence of one or more blocks that are cryptographically verifiable and enforce a chronological order of data stored in subsequent blocks, wherein each block after a first block includes a description of data stored in a previous block. The computer-executable instructions may also cause the at least one processor to receive a request for information from a first blockchain of the plurality of blockchains, the request including an asset identifier associated with a personal property asset. The computer-executable instructions may further cause the at least one processor to transmit a query including the asset identifier to the first blockchain node computing device, the asset identifier identifying the first blockchain and causing the blockchain node computing device to identify a last block in the first blockchain, the last block including an encryption of existing loan information for an existing loan associated with the personal property asset. Additionally, the computer-executable instructions may cause the at least one processor to receive the encryption of the existing loan information from the first blockchain node computing device, and access a public key to decrypt the encryption of the existing loan information. The computer-executable instructions may also cause the at least one processor to transmit new loan information for a new loan associated with the personal property asset based at least in part upon the decrypted existing loan information, the new loan information superseding the existing loan information. In addition, the computer-executable instructions may also cause the at least one processor to receive an acceptance notification indicating acceptance of the new loan information, and, in response to receiving the acceptance notification, automatically transmit an update instruction to the first blockchain node computing device, the update instruction including the new loan information, the update instruction causing the first blockchain node computing device to generate and store a new block subsequent to the last block, the new block including an encryption of the new loan information and a description of data stored in the last block. The computer-executable instructions may cause the at least one processor to perform additional, fewer, and/or alternative functions. In a further aspect, a loan management (LM) computer system for managing property loan information using blockchains may be provided. The LM computer system may include a first blockchain node computing device integral to a blockchain network. The blockchain network may include a plurality of blockchain node computing devices including the first blockchain node computing device. The first blockchain node computing device may be configured to store a local copy of a plurality of blockchains, each blockchain including a sequence of one or more blocks, wherein each block is cryptographically verifiable and enforces a chronological order of data stored in subsequent blocks, and wherein each block after a first block includes a description of data stored in a previous block. The LM computer system may also include an access computing device communicatively coupled to the first blockchain node computing device such that the access computing device has access to the plurality of blockchains stored in the blockchain network. The LM computer system may be configured to receive, at the access computing device, a request to access the blockchain network, the request including an asset identifier associated with a personal property asset, and transmit, from the access computing device to the first blockchain node computing device, an instruction associated with the request, the instruction including the asset identifier. The LM computer system may also be configured to, in response to receiving the query, at the first blockchain node computing device, when the asset identifier is associated with a first existing blockchain stored at the first blockchain node computing device, retrieve encrypted existing loan information from a last block of the first existing blockchain and transmit the encrypted existing loan information to the access computing device. Additionally, the LM computer system bay be configured to, in response to receiving the query, at the first blockchain node computing device, when the asset identifier is not associated with any existing blockchain stored at the first blockchain node computing device, generate a first block of a new blockchain associated with the asset identifier. Advantages will become more apparent to those skilled in the art from the following description of the preferred embodiments which have been shown and described by way of illustration. As will be realized, the present embodiments may be capable of other and different embodiments, and their details are capable of modification in various respects. Accordingly, the drawings and description are to be regarded as illustrative in nature and not as restrictive.

11257623

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION This application claims the benefit of priority to Korean Patent Applications No. 10-2020-0005276 filed on Jan. 15, 2020 and No. 10-2020-0073857 filed on Jun. 17, 2020, with the Korean Intellectual Property Office, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. BACKGROUND The present disclosure relates to a multilayer electronic component and a board having the same mounted thereon. A multilayer ceramic capacitor (MLCC), a type of multilayer electronic component, is a chip type condenser, mounted on the printed circuit boards of various types of electronic products, including image display devices, such as a liquid crystal display (LCD) and a plasma display panel (PDP), a computer, a smartphone, a mobile phone, and the like, serving to charge electricity therein or discharge electricity therefrom. The multilayer ceramic capacitor may be used as a component of various electronic devices due to advantages thereof, such as miniaturization, high capacity, and ease of mounting. As electronic devices such as computers and mobile devices are miniaturized and implemented with high output, demand for miniaturization and implementation of high capacity of a multilayer ceramic capacitor are increasing. In order to achieve miniaturization and high capacity for the multilayer ceramic capacitor, thinning of a dielectric layer and an internal electrode is progressing. In addition, in addition to thinning of the dielectric layer and the internal electrode, there is a need to develop a configuration of an external electrode for maximizing utilization of space on the substrate. SUMMARY An aspect of the present disclosure is to provide a multilayer electronic component for maximizing utilization of space on a substrate. An aspect of the present disclosure is to provide a multilayer electronic component that can be mounted on a substrate without using a solder. However, an object of the present disclosure is not limited thereto, and it will be more easily understood in a course of describing the specific embodiment of the present disclosure. According to an aspect of the present disclosure, a multilayer electronic component includes: a body including a dielectric layer and an internal electrode alternately disposed with the dielectric layer; and an external electrode including an electrode layer disposed on the body and an Sn plating layer disposed on the electrode layer. A thickness of the body is defined as Tb, a thickness of the Sn plating layer is defined as Ts, Tb is 0.22 mm or less, and Ts is 4.5 μm or more. According to another aspect of the present disclosure, in a mounting substrate on which a multilayer electronic component according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is mounted, the mounting substrate includes: an electrode pad disposed on one surface of the substrate, wherein an Sn plating layer of the multilayer electronic component is disposed to be in contact with the electrode pad.

11289380

BACKGROUND 1. Technical Field Aspects of this document relate generally to die singulation systems and methods. More specific implementations involve methods of singulating semiconductor die from a thinned substrate. 2. Background Semiconductor devices include integrated circuits found in common electrical and electronic devices, such as phones, desktops, tablets, other computing devices, and other electronic devices. The devices are separated through singulating a wafer of semiconducting material into a plurality of semiconductor die. Various layers may be coupled to the front side and/or the backside of the wafer. Upon singulation, the die can be mounted on a package and electrically integrated with the package which may then be used in the electrical or electronic device. SUMMARY Implementations of methods of singulating a plurality of die comprised in a substrate may include forming a plurality of die on a first side of a substrate, forming a backside metal layer on a second side of a substrate, applying an organic layer over the backside metal layer and forming a groove entirely through the organic layer and partially through a thickness of the backside metal layer. The groove may be located in a die street of the substrate. The method may also include etching through a remaining portion of the backside metal layer located in the die street, removing the organic layer, singulating the plurality of die in the substrate by removing substrate material in the die street. Implementations of methods of singulating a plurality of die in a substrate may include one, all, or any of the following: The method may include thinning the second side of the substrate. A thickness of the backmetal layer may be 10 micrometers. The groove may be formed using either a laser beam or a saw blade. Etching may include wet etching through the remaining portion of the backside metal layer. The backside metal layer may be copper. Removing substrate material in the die street may include using one of a laser beam or a saw blade. The method may include remote plasma healing a sidewall of the die. Removing substrate material in the die street may include plasma etching. Implementations of methods of singulating a plurality of die in a substrate may include forming a plurality of die on a first side of a substrate, forming a backside metal layer on the second side of a substrate, applying an organic layer over the backside metal layer, forming a groove entirely through the organic layer and partially through the backside metal layer in a die street, and etching the backside metal layer. The etch may expose a portion of the substrate in the die street. The method may also include removing the organic layer and singulating the plurality of die in the substrate through plasma etching at the portion of the substrate exposed by the etching. Implementations of methods of singulating a plurality of die in a substrate may include one, all, or any of the following: The method may include thinning the second side of the substrate and the substrate may be thinned to less than 50 micrometers thick. The method may include thinning the second side of the substrate and the substrate may be thinned to less than 30 micrometers thick. The groove may be formed using either a laser beam or a saw blade. Etching may include wet etching through the remaining portion of the backside metal layer. The backside metal layer may be copper. A portion of the backside metal layer may be between the groove and the substrate, and the portion may have a thickness of five micrometers. The backside metal layer may have a thickness of 10 micrometers. Implementations of methods of singulating a plurality of die in a substrate may include forming a plurality of die on a first side of a substrate, forming a backside metal layer on the second side of a substrate, applying a photoresist layer over the backside metal layer, patterning the photoresist layer using either a laser beam or a saw blade, and forming a groove partially through the backside metal layer in a die street using either the laser beam or the saw blade. Forming the groove and patterning the photoresist layer may be done simultaneously. The method may also include etching through the backside metal layer in the die street, removing the photoresist layer, and singulating the plurality of die in the substrate through removing substrate material of the substrate in the die street. Implementations of methods of singulating a plurality of die in a substrate may include one, all, or any of the following: Removing substrate material in the die street may include plasma etching. Etching may include wet etching through the remaining portion of the backside metal layer. The backside metal layer may be copper. Removing substrate material in the die street may include using one of a laser beam or a saw blade. The method may include monitoring the formation of the groove using a camera facing the second side of the substrate. The foregoing and other aspects, features, and advantages will be apparent to those artisans of ordinary skill in the art from the DESCRIPTION and DRAWINGS, and from the CLAIMS.

11503712

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION This application claims the benefit under 35 USC § 119(a) of Chinese Patent Application No. 202010819722.5, filed on Aug. 14, 2020, in the China Intellectual Property Office, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference for all purposes. BACKGROUND 1. Technical Field The present invention relates to device packaging, and specifically to a passive device packaging structure embedded in a glass medium and having low loss and relay as well as a method for manufacturing the same. 2. Background of the Invention With the vigorous development of the electronics industry, it is time for the electronic products to have multiple functions, miniaturized appearance and high performance. The increasing requirements on high density, multifunction and miniaturization bring new challenges to packages and substrates. Many new packaging technologies are developed accordingly, comprising the embedded package technology. With the embedded package technology, passive devices (such as resistors, capacitors, inductors) or even active devices (such as IC) are embedded into the inside of the packaged substrate. This method can shorten the line length between elements and improve electrical characteristics, and also can improve effective PCB packaging area and reduce many welding points on the PCB surface, thus improving packaging reliability and lowering cost, and thus is a perfect high-density packaging technology. A Chinese patent CN103985698B discloses a composite electronic structure wherein at least one capacitor and at least one inductor embedded in the polymer matrix are coupled by an upright Cu via pillar, achieving an embedded filter structure. However, the above structure has the following disadvantages: (1) the capacitor and the inductor are placed in different stacking layers in a vertical direction such that the size miniaturization of the elements is affected; (2) the capacitor and the inductor are embedded in an ordinary polymer matrix which is difficult to be very low in dielectric constant Dk and dielectric loss Df, thus leading to problems of a relatively large signal loss and a relatively long transmission delay time of the electric signal, and is not suitable for high frequency products; (3) the used film capacitor, having a regular capacitor structure, is prone to be damaged in a harsh environment due to its relatively thin dielectric layer and is even shorted due to ion migration between upper and lower electrodes, thus being low in life and reliability; and (4) it is necessary in the production process to repetitively laminate the polymer dielectric to form an insulating layer embedded with the capacitor and inductor, complicated in processing and flow and high in cost. Therefore, now there is a need for a passive device embedded structure having a low loss, a low relay, a small size and a high density for high frequency applications in industries of electronics, communication, etc. SUMMARY One of the objectives of the present invention is to provide the embodiments of the present invention involve providing a solution for a passive device packaging structure embedded in a glass medium as well as a method for manufacturing the same, to overcome the technical defect(s) in the prior art. In a first aspect of the present invention, a passive device packaging structure embedded in a glass medium is provided, comprising: a glass substrate and at least one capacitor embedded in the glass substrate, wherein the capacitor comprises an upper electrode, a dielectric layer, and a lower electrode, wherein the glass substrate is provided on its upper surface with a cavity, the dielectric layer covers a surface of the cavity and has an area larger than that of the cavity, the upper electrode is provided on the dielectric layer, and the dielectric layer and the lower electrode are conductively connected by a metal via pillar passing through the glass substrate. Preferably, the upper electrode has an area larger than that of the dielectric layer. Preferably, the lower electrode has an area equal to that of the dielectric layer. In some embodiments, the dielectric layer is selected from a group comprising Ta2O5, TiO2, BaO4SrTi and Al2O3, but it is not limited thereto. In some embodiments, the upper electrode and the lower electrode comprise a Cu layer, but they are not limited thereto and may comprise Al, Ag, Au, Ti, Pt or other metal layer, for example. Preferably, the metal via pillar comprises a Cu via pillar. In some embodiments, on the upper and lower surfaces of the glass substrate, first and second wiring layers are formed, respectively. Preferably, the first and second wiring layers are connected by a Cu via pillar pass through the glass substrate. In some embodiments, the packaging structure further comprises at least one inductor embedded in the glass substrate. Preferably, the at least one inductor comprises an annular Cu column embedded in the glass substrate. Preferably, the at least one capacitor and the at least one inductor are interconnected by the first wiring layer and/or the second wiring layer. In a second aspect of the present invention, a method for manufacturing a passive device packaging structure embedded in a glass medium is provided, wherein the method comprises the following steps: A. forming a cavity on an upper surface of a glass substrate; B. applying a dielectric layer onto the cavity such that the dielectric layer completely covers the cavity; C. forming a first seed layer on the upper surface of the glass substrate and the dielectric layer; D. forming a first wiring layer on the first seed layer wherein the first wiring layer comprises an upper electrode above the dielectric layer; E. forming a via-hole on a lower surface of the glass substrate; and F. plating Cu on the lower surface of the glass substrate, forming a Cu via pillar filling the via-hole and a second wiring layer below the Cu via pillar, wherein the second wiring layer comprises a lower electrode conducted with the Cu via pillar. In some embodiments, the step A further comprises: a1. applying a first photoresist layer onto the upper surface of a glass substrate; a2. patterning the first photoresist layer to form a cavity pattern; a3. performing etching to the cavity pattern to form the cavity on the glass substrate; and a4. removing the first photoresist layer. Preferably, the step A further comprises: a5. after removing the first photoresist layer, drilling the glass substrate by laser to form an etching guiding hole. In some embodiments, the step B further comprises: b1. sputtering the dielectric layer to the upper surface of the glass substrate; b2. applying a thin Cu layer onto the dielectric layer; b3. forming an etching resisting layer in a predetermined position on the thin Cu layer; b4. performing etching to the thin Cu layer and the dielectric layer; and b5. removing the etching resisting layer. Preferably, the step b3 further comprises: applying a second photoresist layer onto the thin Cu layer, and forming the etching resisting layer by exposure and development. In some embodiments, the step D comprises: d1. applying a third photoresist layer onto the first seed layer, and forming a first pattern by exposure and development; d2. forming the first wiring layer in the first pattern by electroplating; d3. removing the third photoresist layer; and d4. performing etching to the first seed layer. In some embodiments, the step E further comprises: e1. applying a protection layer on the upper surface of the glass substrate; and e2. performing etching to the etching guiding hole to form the via-hole, and revealing the dielectric layer below the glass substrate. In some embodiments, the step F further comprises: f1. applying a protection layer on the upper surface of the glass substrate; f2. applying a second seed layer on the lower surface of the glass substrate; f3. applying a fourth photoresist layer on the second seed layer, and forming a second pattern by exposure and development; f4. forming the second wiring layer and the Cu via pillar filling the via-hole in the second pattern by electroplating, wherein the second wiring layer comprises the lower electrode conducted with the Cu via pillar; and f5. removing the fourth photoresist layer and the protection layer. Preferably, the dielectric layer is selected from a group comprising Ta2O5, TiO2, BaO4SrTi and Al2O3, but it is not limited thereto. In some embodiments, the step F further comprises: electroplating Cu in the via-hole of the glass substrate to form at least one inductor, wherein the at least one capacitor and the at least one inductor are interconnected by the first wiring layer and/or the second wiring layer.

11231173

COPYRIGHT NOTICE © 2017-2018 T K Products, LLC. A portion of the disclosure of this patent document contains material which is subject to copyright protection. The copyright owner has no objection to the facsimile reproduction by anyone of the patent document or the patent disclosure, as it appears in the Patent and Trademark Office patent file or records, but otherwise reserves all copyright rights whatsoever. 37 CFR § 1.71(d). BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Fire is often used for decorative or entertainment effects, for example, in fire pits or theatrical displays. Sometimes, bursts of flame may be triggered in conjunction with music or other inputs. Examples are disclosed, for example, in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,890,485; 6,413,079; and 8,823,714 (Thielvoldt). Thielvoldt's “Music-Reactive Fire Display” utilizes a digital signal processor programmed to analyze a music input signal and generate a “visualization signal” output to control a flame display responsive to the music. That type of system requires relatively expensive and complicated digital components and software. The need remains for simpler, less expensive, yet effective methods and circuits to control a fire display responsive to music, so that the music and fire display together form an attractive and compelling audio-visual experience. The disclosure that follows solves this and other problems. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The following is a summary of the invention in order to provide a basic understanding of some aspects of the invention. This summary is not intended to identify key/critical elements of the invention or to delineate the scope of the invention. Its sole purpose is to present some concepts of the invention in a simplified form as a prelude to the more detailed description that is presented later. In one aspect, a system according to invention may comprise: a base unit including an analog base unit controller circuit arranged to receive an audio input signal and generate an analog control signal that is responsive to the audio input signal; a control wire connectable to the base unit to distribute the analog control signal; and a flame display unit electrically connectable to the control wire to receive the analog control signal; the flame display unit including a combustible fuel source to generate an open flame; and the flame display unit including a proportional valve to control flow of fuel from the fuel source so as to controllably vary a height of the open flame responsive to the analog control circuit during operation of the flame display unit. In some embodiments, the flame display unit includes a flame control circuit arranged to receive the analog control signal and generate an analog valve position signal; and the flame control circuit is arranged to utilize the analog valve position signal to control electrical current in the proportional valve during operation, thereby producing an active flame show responsive to the audio input signal. In one embodiment, the flame control circuit may be arranged to present a high impedance to the control wire while receiving the analog control signal so as to minimize loading the analog control signal. Multiple flame display units may each contain a corresponding flame control circuit, and all of the control circuits may be coupled to the common control wire to control their operation. In some embodiments, the control units may be electrically (mechanically) connected to a common control wire to receive the analog control signal. In other embodiments, the control signal may be distributed from a base unit using wireless (radio) technology. Many flame display units may be controlled by a single base unit. In another aspect, a system may provide multiple flames during operation, each of them varying synchronously responsive to the analog control signal. The specific flame size, color, height, and magnitude of variations may vary across different flame display units within a system. For example, in one system, a given flame display unit may vary the flame dramatically in response to the analog input signal, while a smaller flame display unit may make more subtle changes, still synchronized to the common input signal. In another aspect, a method comprises taking an audio input signal, full wave rectifying it, low-pass filter the signal to limit changes to the response characteristics of the gas valve. The slope of the filtered signal may be determined as positive (+/up) or negative (−/down). If up the valve is opened, if down the valve is closed. This up/down voltage may be combined with a DC offset voltage in a current summer circuit. This offset may be used to set the minimum valve drive current. In some embodiments, this voltage both sets a pilot light function and puts the valve is the maximum drive range. Additional aspects and advantages of this invention will be apparent from the following detailed description of preferred embodiments, which proceeds with reference to the accompanying schematic diagram.

11367198

FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE The present invention is of a system, method and apparatus for tracking a body or portions thereof, and in particular, to such a system, method and apparatus for performing such tracking with a depth sensor and/or camera. BACKGROUND A body of a subject that is in motion may be considered to change shape and position; it may be considered to change shape because of changing of the overall outline of the body. The prior art attempts to determine shape and position either via explicit point correspondences or using a deformation model as part of a Gaussian Mixture Model (GMM). For example, U.S. Pat. No. 8,724,906 describes shape and position of a moving body determined by applying a mesh to a model of the body, and then attempting to fit data points to the mesh by using a random walk classifier; and U.S. Pat. No. 9,344,707 describes fitting such data points but by searching for a global minima for matching the data points to points on a model. An example of a GMM is disclosed in “Real-time Simultaneous Pose and Shape Estimation for Articulated Objects Using a Single Depth Camera” by Mao Ye and Ruigang Yang,IEEE Transactions on Pattern Analysis&Machine Intelligence,2016, vol. 38, Issue No. 08. SUMMARY OF AT LEAST THE INVENTION Embodiments of the present disclosure are directed to systems, methods and apparatuses for tracking at least a portion of a body by fitting data points received from a depth sensor and/or other sensors and/or “markers” as described herein to a body model. For example, in some embodiments, certain of such data points are identified as “super points,” and apportioned greater weight as compared to other points. Such super points can be obtained from objects attached to the body, including, but not limited to, active markers that provide a detectable signal, or a passive object, including, without limitation, headgear or a mask (for example for VR (virtual reality)), or a smart watch. Such super points may also be obtained from specific data points that are matched to the model, such as data points that are matched to vertices that correspond to joints in the model. According to at least some embodiments, there is provided a system for tracking at least a portion of a body, comprising: a depth sensor for providing data to determine the three-dimensional location of the body in space according to a distance of the body from the depth sensor; a body model, comprising a skeleton; and a computational device having computer instructions operating thereon configured to fit data points from the depth sensor to the body model according to a probabilistic fitting algorithm, wherein a plurality of data points is identified as super points and are given additional weight in the fitting algorithm; said super points are defined according to an object attached to the body, the data points are identified with joints of the body or a combination thereof, and said probabilistic fitting algorithm is constrained according to at least one constraint defined by the body. Optionally said computational device comprises a hardware processor configured to perform a defined set of basic operations in response to receiving a corresponding basic instruction selected from a defined native instruction set of codes; and memory; wherein said computer instructions comprise a first set of machine codes selected from the native instruction set. Optionally said constraint is selected from the group consisting of a constraint against self-intersection, an angle constraint and a pose prior constraint, Optionally the body model comprises a template, said template including a standard model of a skeleton and skinning, Optionally said template is adjusted as an input to the body model; and wherein said probabilistic fitting algorithm comprises a GMM (Gaussian mixture model) for mapping the data points to the body model. Optionally said object attached to the body comprises one or more of active markers that provide a detectable signal, or a passive object that is so attached, including without limitation headgear (for example for VR (virtual reality)) or a smart watch. Optionally said data points identified with joints of the body are identified according to a previously determined position as an estimate. Optionally said template including a standard model of a skeleton according to a hierarchy of joints as vertices and skinning, and a first determination of a position of said joints of the body are determined according to said template. Optionally for a given joint, the angle constraints are determined according to a rotational model, for determining 1, 2 or 3 degrees of freedom, and for each degree of freedom, a minimum and maximum angle is determined. Optionally the system further comprises a camera, and one or more processors having computer instructions operating thereon configured to cause the processor to fit data points from at least one of the camera and the depth sensor relative to a user. Optionally the camera is configured to collect video data of one or more movements of the user in an environment via optionally a plurality of markers affixed to points on the user's body, the depth sensor is configured to provide at least one of: data to determine the three-dimensional location or position of a user, or a combination thereof, in the environment according to a distance(s) of one or more of the markers from depth sensor in the volume; and TOF (time of flight) data; and the instructions are additionally configured to cause the processor to combine the data from the depth sensor with the video data from the camera to produce a three-dimensional map of the user in an environment of the user. Optionally each marker comprises either an active or passive sensor. Optionally each marker comprises an active optical marker for emitting light. Optionally computer instructions include instructions configured to cause the processor to perform as a calibration module configured to calibrate the system according to tracking one or more active markers. Optionally at least one of the markers includes an inertial sensor. Optionally the system further comprises an orientation sensor for determining an orientation of the camera, the instructions are additionally configured to cause the processor to combine the data from the depth sensor with the video data from the camera according to the orientation of the camera. Optionally the system further comprises one or more additional sensors, wherein at least one of the one or more additional sensors are configured to collect biological signals of the user. Optionally at least one of the one or more sensors comprise an inertial sensor. Optionally the instructions are additionally configured to cause the processor to convert sensor signals to sensor data which is sensor-agnostic. Optionally the computer instructions are additionally configured to cause the processor to clean signals by either removing or at least reducing noise, and or normalizing the signals. Optionally the computer instructions are additionally configured to cause the processor to perform data analysis on the sensor data. Optionally computer instructions include instructions which cause the processor to perform as a tracking engine. Optionally the tracking engine is configured to either track the position of the user's body, track the position of one or more body parts of the user, including but not limited, to one or more of arms, legs, hands, feet, and head, or both. Optionally the tracking engine is configured to decompose signals representing physical actions made by the user into data representing a series of gestures. Optionally the tracking engine is configured to decompose signals representing physical actions made by the user into data representing a series of gestures via classifier functionality. Optionally computer instructions include instructions which cause the processor to perform as a calibration module configured to calibrate the system with respect to the position of the user. Optionally the system further comprises a plurality of templates, wherein the computer instructions are further configured to cause the processor to initialize a template of the plurality of templates. Optionally the template features a model of a human body configured only as a plurality of parameters, only as a plurality of features, or both. Optionally the plurality of parameters and/or features include a skeleton, and one or more joints. Optionally instructions are additionally configured to cause the processor to utilize the plurality of parameters and/or features to assist in tracking of the user's movements. Optionally the instructions are configured to map the sensor data onto a GMM (Gaussian mixture model). Optionally the body model includes a sparse-skin representation. Optionally the instructions are additionally configured to cause the processor to suppress corresponding gaussians. Optionally data is mapped to a GMM. Optionally the data is mapped by a classifier. Optionally the tracking engine includes a template engine configured to read a template from a template database, and the instructions are additionally configured to cause the processor to operate as a GMM mapper, and to send the template to the GMM mapper. Optionally instructions are additionally configured to cause the processor to operate as a point cloud decomposer, and to enable the GMM mapper to receive point cloud information therefrom. Optionally the instructions are configured to apply Kalman filter to determine a pose of the user. Optionally the instructions are configured to cause the processor to operate as a calibration module configured to calibrate the system according to a scale of the user. Optionally instructions are configured to cause the processor to operate as a calibration module configured to calibrate the system according to removal of an inanimate object. Optionally said inanimate object comprises a table which is segmented out of the tracking of the point cloud. Optionally the instructions are configured to exclude a plurality of points from tracking analysis. According to at least some embodiments, there is provided a system for tracking at least a portion of a body, comprising: a depth sensor for providing data to determine the three-dimensional location of the body in space according to the distance from depth sensor; a body model, comprising a skeleton; and a computational device having computer instructions operating thereon configured to fit data points from the depth sensor to a body model according to a probabilistic fitting algorithm, wherein said probabilistic fitting algorithm is constrained according to at least one constraint defined by the human body, said constraint being selected from the group consisting of a constraint against self-intersection, an angle constraint and a pose prior constraint, the body model comprises a template, said template including a standard model of a skeleton and skinning, said template is adjusted as an input to the body model; and wherein said probabilistic fitting algorithm comprises a GMM (Gaussian mixture model) for mapping the data points to the body model. According to at least some embodiments, there is provided a system comprising: a camera; a depth sensor; a body model; one or more additional sensors; and one or more processors having computer instructions operating thereon configured to cause the processor to fit data points from at least one of the camera and the depth sensor relative to a user, to the body model according to a probabilistic fitting algorithm, wherein: the camera is configured to collect video data of one or more movements of the user in an environment via optionally a plurality of markers affixed to points on the user's body, the depth sensor is configured to provide at least one of: data to determine the three-dimensional location or position of a user, or a combination thereof in the environment according to one or more distances of one or more of the markers from depth sensor in the volume; TOF (time of flight) data; the instructions are additionally configured to cause the processor to combine the data from the depth sensor with the video data from the camera to produce a three-dimensional map of the user in the environment. According to at least some embodiments, there is provided a method for creating and/or using templates for a markerless tracking system comprising: scanning at least a portion of a user's body to form a standard body; modeling the body in 3D; creating a mesh for representing a human body or at least a portion thereof; wherein: vertexes of the mesh are assigned as joints and/or bones, the model is configured to impose a constraint on positions of the vertices, and to reposition skin vertices in terms of joint positions, corresponding the modeled body to one or more template parameters; and exporting the template and/or parameters thereof as a file. Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs. The materials, methods, and examples provided herein are illustrative only and not intended to be limiting. Implementation of the apparatuses, devices, methods and systems of the present disclosure involve performing or completing certain selected tasks or steps manually, automatically, or a combination thereof. Specifically, several selected steps can be implemented by hardware or by software on an operating system, of a firmware, and/or a combination thereof. For example, as hardware, selected steps of at least some embodiments of the disclosure can be implemented as a chip or circuit (e.g., ASIC). As software, selected steps of at least some embodiments of the disclosure can be implemented as a number of software instructions being executed by a computer (e.g., a processor of the computer) using an operating system. In any case, selected steps of-methods of at least some embodiments of the disclosure can be described as being performed by a processor, such as a computing platform for executing a plurality of instructions. Software (e.g., an application, computer instructions) which is configured to perform (or cause to be performed) certain functionality may also be referred to as a “module” for performing that functionality, and also may be referred to a “processor” for performing such functionality. Thus, processor, according to some embodiments, may be a hardware component, or, according to some embodiments, a software component. Further to this end, in some embodiments: a processor may also be referred to as a module; in some embodiments, a processor may comprise one or more modules; in some embodiments, a module may comprise computer instructions—which can be a set of instructions, an application, software—which are operable on a computational device (e.g., a processor) to cause the computational device to conduct and/or achieve one or more specific functionality. Furthermore, the phrase “abstraction layer” or “abstraction interface,” as used with some embodiments, can refer to computer instructions (which can be a set of instructions, an application, software) which are operable on a computational device (as noted, e.g., a processor) to cause the computational device to conduct and/or achieve one or more specific functionality. The abstraction layer may also be a circuit (e.g., an ASIC) to conduct and/or achieve one or more specific functionality. Thus, for some embodiments, and claims which correspond to such embodiments, the noted feature/functionality can be described/claimed in a number of ways (e.g., abstraction layer, computational device, processor, module, software, application, computer instructions, and the like). Some embodiments are described with regard to a “computer,” a “computer network,” and/or a “computer operational on a computer network.” It is noted that any device featuring a processor (which may be referred to as “data processor”; “pre-processor” may also be referred to as “processor”) and the ability to execute one or more instructions may be described as a computer, a computational device, and a processor (e.g., see above), including but not limited to a personal computer (PC), a server, a cellular telephone, an IP telephone, a smart phone, a PDA (personal digital assistant), a thin client, a mobile communication device, a smart watch, head mounted display or other wearable that is able to communicate externally, a virtual or cloud based processor, a pager, and/or a similar device. Two or more of such devices in communication with each other may be a “computer network.”

11239143

BACKGROUND Semiconductor devices are essential for many modern applications. With the advancement of electronic technology, the semiconductor devices are becoming increasingly smaller in size while having greater functionality and greater amounts of integrated circuitry. Due to the miniaturized scale of the semiconductor device, a number of semiconductor components are assembled on the semiconductor device. Furthermore, numerous manufacturing operations are implemented within such a small semiconductor device. However, the manufacturing operations of the semiconductor device involve many steps and operations on such a small and thin semiconductor device. The manufacturing of the semiconductor device in a miniaturized scale becomes more complicated. An increase in a complexity of manufacturing the semiconductor device may cause deficiencies such as poor electrical interconnection, high noise level, delamination of components or other issues, resulting in a high yield loss of the semiconductor device. The semiconductor device is produced in an undesired configuration, which would further exacerbate materials wastage and thus increase the manufacturing cost. As such, there is a continuous need to modify a structure of the semiconductor devices and improve the manufacturing operations of the semiconductor devices.

11414930

BACKGROUND The unconventional market is very competitive. The market is trending towards longer horizontal wells to increase reservoir contact. Multilateral wellbores offer an alternative approach to maximize reservoir contact. Multilateral wellbores include one or more lateral wellbores extending from a main wellbore. A lateral wellbore is a wellbore that is diverted from the main wellbore. A multilateral wellbore can include one or more windows or casing exits to allow corresponding lateral wellbores to be formed. The window or casing exit for a multilateral wellbore can be formed by positioning a whipstock assembly in a casing string with a running tool at a desired location in the main wellbore. The whipstock assembly may be used to deflect a window mill relative to the casing string. The deflected window mill penetrates part of the casing joint to form the window or casing exit in the casing string and is then withdrawn from the wellbore. Drill assemblies can be subsequently inserted through the casing exit in order to cut the lateral wellbore, fracture the lateral wellbore, and/or service the lateral wellbore. SUMMARY Provided, in one aspect, is a deflector assembly. The deflector assembly, in one embodiment, includes a deflector body having a deflector window located therein, and a deflector ramp positioned at least partially across the deflector window, the deflector ramp configured to move between first ({circle around (1)}), second ({circle around (2)}) and third ({circle around (3)}) different positions when a downhole tool moves back and forth within the deflector body.

11458378

TECHNICAL FIELD This disclosure relates generally to facilitating an interactive baseball gamification. For example this disclosure relates to a virtual reality system for baseball gamification. BACKGROUND Baseball is a game that relies heavily on statistics. Statistics are used to assess a player's skill and are reviewed in great detail when determining if the player is able to reach higher levels of expertise. A player's ability to improve his performance and the associated statistics over the course of a season or career will greatly enhance the probability of his success at a variety of levels. Additionally, the ability to gamify and simulate certain baseball environments can assist in development of baseball players and their skill sets. With respect to various baseball practice components, conventional indoor baseball facilities offer year round clinics utilizing batting cages and pitching machines to improve the players' swing mechanics, bat speed, and ability to hit the ball on the sweet spot of the bat. As a result, the dedicated baseball facilities can help to improve the players' batting average. The above-described background relating to a baseball facilities is merely intended to provide a contextual overview of some current issues, and is not intended to be exhaustive. Other contextual information may become further apparent upon review of the following detailed description.

11215668

TECHNICAL FIELD Various embodiments relate generally to measuring battery energy. BACKGROUND A battery is an energy storage element. An electric battery may store and deliver energy in the form of electric charge to a connected load. For example, an electric battery may be connected to a load such as, for example, a device requiring electric power to operate. In an illustrative example, the connected device may operate using electric energy delivered by the battery. As electric energy is delivered by a battery to a connected load, the electric charge retained by the battery will decrease. Such decrease in battery electric charge may be referred to as battery discharge. In some scenarios, a battery may discharge to a charge level insufficient to operably power a particular device. Some batteries are rechargeable, based on replenishing the battery charge from an external energy source connected to the battery. In an illustrative example, some battery powered devices may be operated for extended time periods, based on repeatedly recharging the battery powering the device. The performance of some types of battery, such as, for example, a lithium battery, may benefit from precision control and monitoring in various scenarios. SUMMARY Apparatus and associated methods relate to a system or method of precision battery charge measurement. Some embodiments may include precise charge and discharge control based on precision battery voltage and current sensing. In an illustrative example, energy either going in or out of the battery may be multiplied or computed using novel circuitry. In various embodiments, energy may be computed in a precision energy small unit determined as a percentage of total battery capacity. In an illustrative example, the precision unit may be, for example, 0.0018% of the total battery capacity. In some embodiments, the energy meter value may be in digital form, so it can be stored in memory and transmitted to external users as desired using USB type C or any other method. Various embodiments may advantageously provide extended battery life, based on using the measured energy meter value to maintain the state of charge of the battery. Various embodiments may achieve one or more advantages. In some embodiments, battery life may be extended. This facilitation may be a result of monitoring key parameters of a battery during charging and discharging of the battery. Various designs may improve the precision of battery charge or discharge control. Such improved battery charge and discharge control precision may be a result of sensing energy either going in or out of the battery in a precision energy small unit. In some examples, the precision energy small unit may be determined as a percentage of the total battery capacity. Some implementations may improve a user's access to measured battery performance parameters. Such improved access to battery performance parameters may be a result of communicating digitized battery performance parameter measurements to external users via a communication means such as, for example, USB C. Some embodiments may improve multi-cell battery monitoring. Such improved multi-cell battery monitoring may be a result of configuring a battery monitoring system with novel circuitry adapted to monitor each cell of a multi-cell battery, permitting the monitoring system to provide access to battery performance parameters measured at a per-cell resolution. In an illustrative example, some battery monitoring systems may advantageously provide charge and discharge monitoring and control based on per-cell battery performance parameters. In some examples, such per-cell battery performance parameters may be measured from each cell of multi-cell batteries used in, for example, automotive or tool applications, which may include a battery having five, or even more, battery cells. Some designs may improve the accuracy of battery charging and discharging analysis. Such improved charging and discharging analysis may be a result of a battery monitoring system or method storing measured battery charging and discharging characteristics and measured performance parameters in non-volatile memory (NVM). In an illustrative example, charging and discharging characteristics and measured performance parameters stored in NVM could be transferred to a battery manufacturer, improving the manufacturer's access to data useful to improve understanding battery performance and usage in real field environments. Some embodiments may improve access to battery performance parameter data. Such increased access to battery performance parameter data may be a result of storing performance parameters and charging and discharging characteristics in NVM, and transferring the performance parameters and data using a cell phone or similar method, such as, for example, USB, or WiFi. In some examples, performance parameters and charging and discharging characteristics may be logged in NVM, and transferred upon detection of an advantageous data transfer opportunity, such as when an embodiment battery monitoring system operating in a region without communications infrastructure moves within range of a cell tower or mobile device wireless data interface. Various implementations may improve battery charge and discharge rate control. This facilitation may be a result of configuring a battery monitoring system to sense the temperature of each battery cell individually and communicate each cell temperature to the controller, so that the battery charge and discharge may be adapted as a function of measured battery cell temperature. In some designs, detection of failing battery cells may be improved, for example, by advantageously detecting a failing battery cell earlier based on anomalous cell temperature. Such improved failing battery cell detection may be a result of sensing the temperature of each battery cell individually, so that battery cell condition may be determined based on comparing measured individual battery cell temperature to reference or theoretical battery cell temperatures. Some embodiments may provide a self-monitoring battery energy measurement and control system. This facilitation may be a result of configuring precision battery energy measurement and control with a type C communication platform adapted to communicate measured battery performance parameters to a remote user or a monitoring and control service in a network cloud. Various implementations may improve reliability of battery energy measurement and monitoring. Such improved battery energy measurement and monitoring reliability may be a result of a battery energy measurement and monitoring system configured with a backup communication path. For example, some embodiments may be configured to communicate with a destination via a default path (CC pin), switching communication with a destination device to a backup path if an undesirable condition is detected in the default path. In some exemplary scenarios, USB type C may be adopted as power delivery for battery charging systems, including systems having capacity up to 100 Watt, 2.7 to 20V. In an illustrative example, availability of USB type C power delivery systems opens opportunities to perform several precision monitoring functions in the battery itself while being used in the field. This accumulated data could be transferred, for example, through a cell phone or any computer system, to anyone interested in the long-term battery performance data, such as, for example, battery manufacturers, or researchers. In some examples, the monitored parameters may include battery voltage, battery charging and discharging current, measurement system of the energy stored during charging and energy delivered out of the battery during use, temperature of the battery, or temperature of one or more cell of a multi-cell battery. The present disclosure describes various embodiments, including an illustrative implementation of an exemplary battery charge measurement system function. In an illustrative example, such information may be useful to keep the state of charge, to extend life of the battery during a short or long duration pause in battery usage. The details of various embodiments are set forth in the accompanying drawings and the description below. Other features and advantages will be apparent from the description and drawings, and from the claims.

11323508

REFERENCE TO APPENDICES Attached hereto are Appendices A and B1-B3 listing software code for a framework and three (3) microservice-specific modules, respectively, implementing various features described herein using the Python programming language. FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE The present disclosure relates generally to web services, and to an approach for distributing functionality among discrete web services on addressable nodes of a network. BACKGROUND The exponential expansion of the Internet, and, in particular, the World Wide Web, has facilitated the growth and increased popularity of web services. A web service may be a software system designed to support interoperable machine-to-machine interaction over a network. Such web services are defined, for example, by the World Wide Web Consortium, and include, for example, a common website intended for human consumption, or a web application programming interfaces (APIs) that can be accessed over a network, such as the Internet, and executed on a remote system supporting the requested services. A need exists to improve the efficiency in deploying web services on a network, such as the World Wide Web. Traditional approaches for upgrading web services include replacing existing applications, recompilation to reuse existing modules, clustering/load-balancing of monolithic software systems to provide scale, and integrated caching strategies and configurations. Applicant has identified, however, significant shortcomings in these approaches. For example, replacing an existing application of a software service to create a completely new web application is error prone and causes the cache associated with the old application to be lost. Recompilation for reuse traditionally requires that the existing functionality be implemented in a compile-time-compatible language and be easily extracted. However, such functionality is not often implemented in a compile-time-compatible language, nor is it easily extracted. For example, the specific functionality desired may be only a small part of a large software library, requiring the whole library to be included when only a part is desired. Monolithic software systems cannot be scaled at a granular level (e.g. subsystem level) without special-purpose code. Furthermore, caching must be pre-contemplated and built into existing software stacks. The result of these shortcomings is a relatively rigid, essentially “hard-wired” distribution of functionality, in which the load balancing and caching ability of the operating systems and existing infrastructure is not leveraged. SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE The present disclosure involves, among other things, a recognition that distributed programming such as that used in web services may be designed to be portable, multi-tasking and multi-user in a time-sharing configuration. These characteristics may use various concepts including using plain text for storing data, instituting a hierarchical file system, treating devices and certain types of inter-process communication (IPC) as files, and using a large number of software programs that can be strung together using software links in a common framework interface, as opposed to using a single, monolithic program. Specifically, with these philosophical underpinnings, the present disclosure introduces the concept of discrete “microservices” of a larger web service, each microservice located on an individually addressable node in the network. In other words, a web service may be broken down into individual microservices that are individually maintained, addressed, and deployed in the network. Each microservice typically (although not necessarily) executes a particular function. Two or more different microservices cooperate or function interactively to provide a single web service. For example, cooperating microservices may involve a first microservice generating a reply based on the reply of a second microservice. To this end, the first microservice may initiate a secondary request to the second microservice in the course of generating its reply. Therefore, the example embodiments herein may provide discrete portions of functionality in separately-deployable microservices. Examples of microservices include an interface to a single database table, a slice of application functionality (e.g. user favorites), search indices, and messaging systems, among others. The microservices may adhere to a common deployment model (e.g., one microservice for each system process) and runtime environment (e.g., REST/XML/HTTP web services) to enable simple integration with other web services and granular scalability. In some embodiments, monolithic programs can be reduced to separately addressable microservices to perform one or more discrete function(s). The microservice therefore embodies the philosophy of doing one thing, and doing it well. Complex systems can be created by assembling small web services using a common communication protocol. More specifically, by segregating functions to discrete microservices that are supported by different nodes, complex systems can be formed by the nodes using a standard web service protocol, such as HTTP. Specifically, “composite” microservices can combine or coordinate the usage of other microservices by functioning as a client of those microservices. Generating a composite microservice that comprises disparate microservices into a complex system. Building relatively complex systems using relatively simple microservices on discrete nodes, provides a number of advantages including (1) scalability, (2) efficiency, (3) uniformity, and (4) deployability, (1) Scalability Some embodiments may have each microservice resident in a separately addressable node, and such a system can be readily scaled up by just deploying additional instances of a particular microservice on existing or new nodes. For example, because the microservices are separately deployable, a programmer may add capacity for only the functions that are slow. In other words, if a particular microservice is “bottlenecked,” just that microservice needs to be augmented. This avoids the need to add instances of a larger, monolithic program containing superfluous functions. Additionally, the separate deployability of the microservices facilitates the replacement, modification or upgrade of one or more “functions” without having to replace the entire application—just a particular microservice can be modified or added. This approach avoids replacing entire programs and may thus leave the cache intact. Moreover, because the nodes of the web service need not be homogeneous, but rather can be configured and/or populated with one or more different microservices depending on demand, the system has full flexibility as to number of microservice instances to deploy and where to deploy them. (2) Efficiency Features herein may also promote efficiency by exploiting the existing infrastructure of the physical node supporting each microservice. Conventionally, a program would have a variety of “threads” or subprocesses for which the programmer would need to allocate processing resources. Typically this resource allocation was performed at compile time, or the programmer would specifically have to program in the ability to modify the resource allocation at runtime. This was not only inconvenient, but also did not leverage the ability of the operating system to multiplex hardware resources. In contrast, some embodiments herein break down each subprocess or thread into a smaller number of microservices. In one embodiment, the microservice executes essentially only a single thread (although the present invention is not limited to this embodiment). By reducing the number of threads or subprocesses in a microservice, the function of the microservice becomes more “transparent” to the operating system of the node, thereby allowing the node to load balance between the various microservices residing on it. In other words, rather than resource allocation being static and pre-determined by a programmer prior to compilation of the program, some embodiments herein may allow the operating system of the node to dynamically allocate resources during run time of the microservice. This allows real-time environmental factors like which microservices are bottlenecks to be considered. Furthermore, because microservices require less memory because the nodes/network are bearing more of the load, more memory can be allocated to the filesystem cache as discussed below. Microservices may be deployed and connected using a common transmission web protocol, thereby allowing well-established web service caching programs to be used. For example, HTTP has caching controls built into the protocol (See RFC 2616, Sec. 13), which can capture essentially any necessary caching semantics. Furthermore, commercially available or open source, “off-the-shelf” web caches can be used including, for example, Squid and Sun's Web Proxy Server. This exploits caches that have already been optimized. There are even protocols to support distributed caching (ICP, CARP, etc.). Furthermore, as mentioned above, because microservices can be deployed as needed and entire applications need not be replaced wholesale, the cache remains intact. (3) Uniformity Functions executed by a particular web service may vary greatly and may even be written in different languages. Embodiments herein may provide uniformity by connecting the various microservices with a common communication protocol. Specifically, the microservice comprises a common interface or framework that may be linked to a microservice-specific module. The microservice-specific module executes the specific function or process of the microservice. Although the microservice-specific module may be written in any language suitable for executing the function of a particular microservice, the framework provides a common communication protocol among all the microservices to facilitate the microservice's integration within the network. Such an interface offers a number of benefits. For example, the interface may be essentially the same for all microservice-specific modules of a particular language. Specifically, the framework comprises general “boilerplate” that renders it compliant with the communication protocol used, and provides it with access to the various libraries available in these protocols (e.g. HTTP and XML libraries). As used herein, a library can be viewed as a collection of subroutines that provide services to independent programs. This allows code and data to be shared and changed in a modular fashion. Most modern operating systems provide libraries that implement the majority of system services. Thus, the interface module can connect programs or libraries written in a communication protocol such as HTTP with scripting languages such as Tcl, Perl, C/C+, Python, Ruby, PHP, Lua, R, Java, C#, Scheme and Ocaml. Therefore, as with the load balancing and cache mentioned above, the present invention exploits the operating system of the nodes to reduce the resources requirements at the application level. (4) Deployability The use of a common interface in each microservice allows the interface to exercise common installation/deployment procedures to ensure all prerequisite microservices are available. Specifically, because the web services may be distributed over discrete microservices, and because microservices can be deployed individually as needed, there is a need to ascertain whether prerequisite microservices are available for a given microservice when it is deployed on the network. To this end, the common interface microservices have may be configured to quickly identify itself in response to a request from a microservice being installed. For example, in an HTTP environment, the deployment procedure may be to send out a HEAD request to all necessary, prerequisite microservices. This is easily performed since each microservice may be discretely addressable. A microservice knows that a prerequisite microservice is available when a reply to its HEAD request is returned by the various instances of the prerequisite microservices. Such a deployment scheme offers a number of benefits. First, it may minimize reliance on a table of installed/uninstalled programs to serve as the index to the prerequisite services—which may be out-dated or otherwise incomplete, and which does not incorporate realtime availability (e.g. a prerequisite microservice may be deployed but malfunctioning). Rather, the deployment scheme herein may receive confirmation that the prerequisite microservice actually exists and is operational. The ease of installation/deployment afforded by using simple presence confirmation, such as a HEAD request, extends beyond installation/deployment to the actual development of the microservice. Specifically, developers may run a physical node on their workstation to test new microservices. This allows the developer to run just the microservices he or she is working on, and any that depend on it, at their local work station. In general, features herein may offer significant cost savings by simplifying operational functions associated with upgrades and installations, and by tolerating non-homogeneous nodes such that computers having different microservices and operating systems can be used together. Accordingly, one aspect described herein is a web service system that uses microservices located in discretely addressable nodes to perform specific functions for the web service. For example, a web service may be a movie database website that has distinct microservices for supporting different aspects of the site. One microservice may handle the display of advertising and managing click-throughs (e.g., determining what ad content to display for the user), another microservice may handle the ability to search through movie listings using user-entered keywords, while another microservice may process orders to purchase a movie. These microservices may be instanced on different physical nodes in the system. In one embodiment, a web service system comprises: (a) at least one load balancer for routing a request from one node for a microservice to one or more virtual addresses; (b) each virtual address corresponding to a unique microservice, and (c) one or more physical nodes associated with each virtual address, each physical node comprising one or more microservices, each microservice comprising a microservice-specific module for executing a particular function. Another aspect is a physical node of the web service system described above. In one embodiment, the physical node comprises: (a) a load balancer for distributing a request from the network to one of one or more different ports within the physical node; and (b) a microservice associated with each port for generating a reply to the request and outputting the reply to the network. Another aspect involves a method of using the system described above. In one embodiment, the method comprises: (a) receiving a request from a first node to execute a microservice having a particular function; (b) routing the request to a particular address of a physical node supporting the microservice; (c) performing the function using the microservice is response to the request and generating a reply; and (d) returning the reply to the first node if the reply does not comprise a request for another microservice. Yet another aspect is a node configured with the microservice. In one embodiment, the node comprises a processor, I/O circuitry, memory, and at least one addressable microservice stored in the memory for instructing the processor to perform a function, each microservice comprising at least (a) a framework having one or more utilities for communicating with the nodes in a common protocol within the web service network, and at least one link to a microservice-specific module for requesting the microservice-specific module to execute the function and for receiving a reply in response to a request; and (b) the microservice-specific module comprising at least one routine for executing the function and providing the reply in response to the request over the link. Another aspect is a computer-readable medium comprising at least one addressable microservice for instructing a processor to execute a function in response to a request and provide a reply to a web service network, the microservice comprising at least a framework having one or more utilities for communicating in a common protocol with addressable nodes within the web service network, and at least one link to a microservice-specific module for requesting the microservice-specific module to execute a particular function and for receiving a reply in response to a request. In one embodiment, the medium also comprises a microservice further comprising the microservice-specific module comprising at least one routine for executing the function and providing the reply over the link in response to the request. Yet another aspect is a process for executing a function in response to a request for a microservice on a web service network of addressable nodes. In one embodiment, the process comprises: (a) receiving the request at a physical node from a first addressable node, the physical node supporting the microservice, the microservice comprising at least a framework having one or more utilities for communicating in a common protocol with the addressable nodes within a web service network and a microservice-specific module linked to the framework, the microservice-specific module having at least one routine for executing the function in response to a request; and (b) requesting the microservice-specific module to execute the function; (c) executing the routine to generate a reply and providing the reply to the framework in response to the request; and (d) responding to the first addressable node by the framework transmitting the reply in the common communication protocol to the first addressable node. Another aspect is a method of deploying the microservices in the network described above. In one embodiment, the method comprises: (a) loading a microservice in a physical node, the microservice comprising at least a framework having one or more utilities for communicating in a common protocol with the addressable nodes within a web service network and a microservice-specific module linked to the framework, the microservice-specific module having at least one routine for executing the function in response to a request from the framework, the microservice-specific module requiring at least one prerequisite microservice to execute the function; (b) generating a list of prerequisite microservices from the microservice, the list including the prerequisite microservice, wherein the prerequisite microservice has a particular prefix and port number; (c) transmitting a request to the port number to determine if the prerequisite microservice is operating; (d) starting the microservice if a reply is received from the prerequisite microservice.

11277556

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS This application claims priority from Japanese Applications No. 2019-070008, No. 2019-070009, and No. 2019-070010, filed on Apr. 1, 2019, the contents of which are incorporated by reference herein in its entirety. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a control device for an automatic tracking camera. 2. Description of the Related Art A system that automatically tracks and captures an image of a tracking target that has been registered is known. Described in Patent Literature 1 (WO2016/151925) is a device that predicts, based on a movement history of a target, a position of the target after a predetermined time period, and calculates amounts of adjustment for panning and tilting of a camera such that the target after the predetermined time period is positioned at a predetermined position on an image capturing screen of the camera. If the tracking target is in a state of moving at a constant velocity, the tracking target is able to be tracked accurately by the method described in Patent Literature 1. However, if the amount of movement of the tracking target changes, the panning and tilting operation of the camera may largely differ from the movement of the tracking target. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to at least partially solve the problems in the conventional technology. In the present embodiment, a control device for an automatic tracking camera that automatically tracks and images a tracking target is provided, the control device comprising: a tracking target detecting unit that is configured to detect, based on information on the tracking target, the tracking target from an image captured by the automatic tracking camera; an influencing factor detecting unit that is configured to detect an influencing factor that influences a movement amount of the tracking target and set an influence degree, based on information on the influencing factor; and an adjustment amount calculating unit that is configured to calculate an imaging direction adjustment amount for the automatic tracking camera, based on the influence degree set by the influencing factor detecting unit and a past movement amount of the tracking target. Provided according to the present embodiment is an automatic tracking camera including: the above mentioned control device for the automatic tracking camera; an imaging unit; an imaging direction moving unit that moves, based on the imaging direction adjustment amount calculated by the adjustment amount calculating unit, imaging direction of the imaging unit; and a storage unit that stores therein information on the tracking target and information on the influencing factor. Provided according to the present embodiment is a control method for an automatic tracking camera that automatically tracks and images a tracking target, the control method including: a tracking target detecting step of detecting, based on information on the tracking target, the tracking target from an image captured by the automatic tracking camera; an influencing factor detecting step of detecting an influencing factor that influences movement amount of the tracking target and sets an influence degree, based on information on the tracking target; and an adjustment amount calculating step of calculating, based on the set influence degree and a past movement amount of the tracking target, an imaging direction adjustment amount for the automatic tracking camera. A control device for an automatic tracking camera, the automatic tracking camera, and a control method for the automatic tracking camera, according to the present embodiment enable a tracking target to be automatically tracked accurately even if the amount of movement of the tracking target changes. The above and other objects, features, advantages and technical and industrial significance of this invention will be better understood by reading the following detailed description of presently preferred embodiments of the invention, when considered in connection with the accompanying drawings.

11256943

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION The present disclosure claims priority to Chinese Patent Application No. 201711341981.6 filed on Dec. 14, 2017, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. TECHNICAL FIELD Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to the technical field of image processing, and in particular, to a method and an apparatus for verifying an identity document, an electronic device, and a storage medium. BACKGROUND Identity recognition and verification for a target person are involved in many fields, such as security, business administration and finance. Usually, scanning the identity card of a target person and entering identity information are required. Sometimes, verifying a target person by his/her the identity card can be involved. In general, identity card information is read from a chip in the identity card by means of an identity card reader. However, the identity of a person could be faked by placing the chip in the identity card of a first person into the identity card of a second person who is about to have the fake identity, and then tampering information on the surface of the identity card of the second person as fake personal information. Therefore, criminals may have opportunities in a scenario where identity card information is merely read by using an identity card reader without being subjected to any identity card information verification. SUMMARY Embodiments of the present disclosure provide technical solutions of identity document verification. According to a first aspect of the embodiments of the present disclosure, a method for verifying an identity document is provided, which includes: collecting an identity document image of a current identity document by means of a first camera; recognizing characters in the identity document image to obtain first identity document data; obtaining second identity document data of the identity document by means of an identity document reader; and verifying authenticity of the identity document according to the first identity document data and the second identity document data. According to a second aspect of the embodiments of the present disclosure, an apparatus for verifying an identity document is provided, which includes: an image collection module, configured to collect an identity document image of a current identity document by means of a first camera; a character recognition module, configured to recognize characters in the identity document image to obtain first identity document data; a data obtaining module, configured to obtain second identity document data of the identity document by means of an identity document reader; and a data verification module, configured to verify authenticity of the identity document according to the first identity document data and the second identity document data. According to a third aspect of the embodiments of the present disclosure, an electronic device is provided, which includes: a processor and a memory, where the memory is configured to store at least one executable instruction and the executable instruction enables the processor to execute the method for verifying an identity document according to the first aspect. According to a fourth aspect of the embodiments of the present disclosure, a computer readable storage medium is provided, which stores: an executable instruction configured to collect an identity document image of a current identity document by means of a first camera; an executable instruction configured to recognize characters in the identity document image to obtain first identity document data; an executable instruction configured to obtain second identity document data of the identity document by means of an identity document reader; and an executable instruction configured to verify authenticity of the identity document according to the first identity document data and the second identity document data. According to a fifth aspect of the embodiments of the present disclosure, a computer program product is provided, which includes: at least one executable instruction, which is configured to implement the method for verifying an identity document according to any one item in the first aspect when the executable instruction is executed by a processor. According to the embodiments of the present disclosure, during verification on the identity document of the target user, the first identity document data and the second identity document data are separately obtained, where the first identity document data is obtained by collecting an identity document image of the current identity document by means of the first camera and recognizing the characters in the identity document image; and the second identity document data is obtained by means of the identity document reader. Furthermore, authenticity of the identity document of the target user is verified according to the first identity document data and the second identity document data. According to the embodiments of the present disclosure, during verification on the identity document of the target user, by combining the first identity document data obtained by means of character recognition and the second identity document data read from a chip of the identity document, whether personal information stored in the chip of the identity document is consistent with personal information displayed on the surface of the identity document can be verified, so that the situation of faking information on the surface of an identity document or faking information in a chip of an identity document may be avoided, thereby improving accuracy and applicability of identity document verification.

PP33871

Latin name of the genus and species: Genus:Vaccinium. Species:corymbosumhybrid. Variety denomination: The new blueberry plant claimed is of the variety denominated ‘FC14-062’. STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY-SPONSORED RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT None. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to the discovery of a new and distinct cultivar of northern highbush blueberry (Vaccinium corymbosumL. hybrid) plant, referred to as ‘FC14-062’, as herein described and illustrated. The new blueberry plant variety ‘FC14-062’ is a commercial variety intended for the fresh fruit market. The variety has high plant vigor, with an upright growth habit, and produces large fruit with excellent storability. ‘FC14-062’ was selected for its above average fruit quality and superior environmental adaptability compared to other early-mid-season varieties. ‘FC14-062’ differs from the female parent ‘Blue Ribbon’ in that ‘FC14-062’ has an upright plant shape and ‘Blue Ribbon’ has a sprawling plant shape. ‘FC14-062’ differs from the male parent ‘FC10-069’ in that it produces larger fruit with a better balance of leaves to fruit. Pedigree and History: The new blueberry plant originated from a cross of ‘Blue Ribbon’ (female parent, U.S. Plant Pat. No. 24,636 patented Jul. 15, 2014) and ‘FC10-069’ (male parent, unpatented) made in Lowell, Oreg., USA in 2011. The new blueberry variety ‘FC14-062’ was initially propagated in Lowell, Oreg., USA in 2011 and planted in the Spring of 2012. ‘FC14-062’ has been found to undergo asexual propagation in Lowell, Oreg. by a number of routes, such as in vitro propagation. Asexual propagation techniques in Lowell, Oreg., such as in vitro propagation, have shown that the characteristics of the new variety are homogenous, stable, and strictly transmissible by such asexual propagation from one generation to another. Accordingly, the new variety undergoes asexual propagation in a true-to-type manner. ‘FC14-062’ was selected for its superior fruit quality and plant performance. ‘FC14-062’ is a vigorous, precocious plant with concentrated fruit ripening and high yields competitive with other varieties in the same ripening season. The fruit is large with excellent storability to 45 days and beyond. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The new blueberry plant variety ‘FC14-062’ has not been observed under all possible environmental conditions. The phenotype may vary somewhat with variations in environment and cultural practices such as temperature and light intensity without, however, any variance in genotype. ‘FC14-062’ is distinguished by its vigorous, strong growth habit and fruit quality. The following characteristics of the new cultivar have been repeatedly observed and are determined to be the unique characteristics of the new blueberry plant variety ‘FC14-062’:1) Vigorous, strong plant growth with exceptional precocity2) Early-mid season, concentrated ripening3) Large fruit size with firm fruit texture4) Very good, long-term cold storage performance

11379266

COPYRIGHT NOTICE A portion of the disclosure of this patent document contains material which is subject to copyright protection. The copyright owner has no objection to the facsimile reproduction by anyone of the patent document or the patent disclosure, as it appears in the United States Patent and Trademark Office patent file or records, but otherwise reserves all copyright rights whatsoever. TECHNICAL FIELD One or more implementations relate generally to container instances, and more specifically to automatically identifying and right sizing container instances. BACKGROUND The material discussed in this background section should not be assumed to be prior art merely as a result of its mention in the background section. Similarly, a problem mentioned in the background section or associated with the subject matter of the background section should not be assumed to have been previously recognized in the prior art. The subject matter in the background section merely represents different approaches, which in and of themselves may also correspond to implementations of the claimed technology. Infrastructure as a service (IaaS) is a form of cloud computing that provides virtualized computing resources over the internet. In an IaaS model, a cloud provider hosts the infrastructure components traditionally present in an on-premises data center, including servers, storage and networking hardware, as well as the virtualization or hypervisor layer. The IaaS provider also supplies a range of services to accompany those infrastructure components. The services can be provided by an application that can run across one to many instances of containers. A container is mapped to an instance type. The underutilization of instances that are provided by an IaaS service in terms of their CPU/Memory/Storage usage can be problematic from a cost perspective. In particular, when an instance is purchased on a per year basis the full cost of the instance must be paid whether usage of the resources associated with the instance is maximized or not.

11465525

This application is the National Stage of International Application No. PCT/EP2018/077858, filed Oct. 12, 2018, which claims the benefit of German Patent Application No. 10 2017 221 298.5, filed Nov. 28, 2017. The entire contents of these documents are hereby incorporated herein by reference. BACKGROUND The present embodiments relate to capturing electrical energy transferred from a charging station. Electric vehicles or vehicles at least partially driven with electrical energy have at least one rechargeable battery that is to be regularly charged during ongoing operation of the electric vehicle. The electric vehicle is charged at a charging station (e.g., electric vehicle supply equipment (EVSE)) that is connected to the electric vehicle via a charging cable. A measuring apparatus provided in the charging station or assigned to the charging station is used to capture the electrical energy transferred from the charging station to the electric vehicle. This transferred electrical energy may be charged to the vehicle owner. According to statutory calibration specifications, the transferred electrical energy may be measured at the transfer point (e.g., at the location at which the electrical energy is fed into the electric vehicle). However, energy is currently predominantly measured in a measuring apparatus of the charging station. However, the energy measured there also includes an energy component that is converted into thermal energy in a non-reactive resistance of the charging cable and is therefore not transferred as electrical energy at the transfer point. In the case of fast-charging operations with high charging powers that are strived for nowadays (e.g., high power charging), the energy component converted into thermal energy (e.g., thermal reactive energy) may well exceed 2% of the energy provided by the charging station. On account of the conditions in the environment of a charging station, the transfer point is to be measured at the vehicle end of the charging cable (e.g., at the connector that is inserted into a corresponding socket on the vehicle). However, it is not practical to provide a measuring device at this location on account of, for example, size and weight restrictions of the connector. A blanket consideration of the thermal reactive energy when charging for the electrical energy (e.g., by subtracting a percentage amount) is not permissible in statutory calibration since this subtraction would be based on a mere estimated value that is subject to fluctuations on account of technical conditions. Charging that is compliant with statutory calibration requires, for example, verifiable and indisputable proof of the electrical energy transferred at a transfer point. SUMMARY AND DESCRIPTION The scope of the present invention is defined solely by the appended claims and is not affected to any degree by the statements within this summary. The present embodiments may obviate one or more of the drawbacks or limitations in the related art. For example, an electrical energy transferred from a charging station is determined in a manner compliant with statutory calibration, which makes it unnecessary for a measurement at the transfer point, such as at the vehicle end of the charging cable. A charging cable for forming an electrical connection between a connection point of the charging cable on the charging station and a transfer point of the charging cable on an energy sink (e.g., an electric vehicle) may be at least occasionally assigned to the measuring apparatus according to the present embodiments for capturing electrical energy transferred from a charging station. This charging cable includes a conductor set having a plurality of conductors. According to the present embodiments, the measuring apparatus includes two measuring units and a determination unit. A first measuring unit is configured to measure a first electrical power on at least two conductors at the connection point of the charging cable. In the case of an alternating single-phase charging current or in case of a direct current, the first electrical power is measured on two conductors and, in the case of a multi-phase charging current, is measured on at least three conductors of the charging cable. A second measuring unit is provided for measuring at least one second electrical variable at the connection point. A determination unit determines a reactive power component from the at least one second electrical variable, from which electrical energy transferred at the transfer point is determined based on the first electrical power compensated for by the reactive power component. The first measuring unit and the second measuring unit and the determination unit are optionally also combined in one or more units and may each or all be in the form of analog, digital, or hybrid units. In this context, the terms “reactive power component” and “reactive power” may be electrical energy that is converted into thermal energy along the charging cable (e.g., “resistive transmission loss”) and therefore is not available as electrical energy at the transfer point. In this description, a reactive power is not to be confused with the term known from AC technology, which, for setting up and removing electromagnetic fields via the AC network, may be understood as reactive power as opposed to an active power. The measuring apparatus according to the present embodiments determines the electrical energy transferred from a charging station in a manner compliant with statutory calibration by measuring the energy before the transfer point. The reactive power component from the termination point to the transfer point is compensated for by the measuring apparatus. For this purpose, the reactive power component is determined from at least one second electrical variable (e.g., a non-reactive resistance of a conductor or of a conductor shield) that is in a fixed relationship with respect to an analog electrical variable relevant to the transferred electrical energy (e.g., a non-reactive total resistance of at least two conductors involved in a charging circuit) or the analog electrical variable of which, for example, a respective voltage drop across the respective non-reactive resistance of the conductors involved in a charging circuit is used to compensate for intermediate measured values without determining the value of the second electrical variable. In the first case, determination of a second electrical variable that is in a fixed relationship with respect to an analog electrical variable relevant to the transferred electrical energy, according to one configuration, the resistance of a conductor shield, which, for example, is in a fixed relationship with respect to the non-reactive resistance of the conductor involved in the charging circuit for a given charging cable length, may be captured. An advantage is that a resistance change on account of a temperature increase changes both the second electrical variable determined according to the present embodiments (e.g., the non-reactive resistance of the conductor shield) and the relevant analog electrical variable (e.g., the non-reactive total resistance of the conductors involved in the charging circuit) in the same manner, with the result that the reactive power component and finally the transferred electrical energy may be determined in a verifiable and indisputable manner from the second electrical variable in a manner that cannot be objected to in terms of statutory calibration. In the second case, determination of a second electrical variable, the analog electrical variable of which is used to compensate for intermediate measured values without determining the value of the second electrical variable, according to one configuration, the resistance of a conductor shield that is, for example, in a fixed relationship with respect to the non-reactive resistance of the conductor involved in the charging circuit for a given charging cable length may be captured in order to add, in terms of circuitry, a respective voltage drop across the conductor involved in the charging circuit as an analog intermediate value. This results in the respective reactive power in the case of a charging current that is to be measured or is known. In this case, the analog electrical variable may not be captured as a value, but rather, may be integrated in the capture of the electrical energy transferred from the charging station in terms of circuitry or in an analog form, for example. A further advantage according to the present embodiments is that replacement of the charging cable changes both the second electrical variable determined according to the present embodiments (e.g., the non-reactive resistance of the conductor shield or of another conductor) and the relevant analog electrical variable (e.g., the non-reactive total resistance of the conductors involved in the charging circuit) in the same manner. As a result, the reactive power component and the electrical energy transferred may also be determined in a verifiable and indisputable manner from the second electrical variable in a manner that cannot be objected to in terms of statutory calibration. As a result of such mechanical coupling of the second electrical variable determined according to the present embodiments to the analog electrical variable used to compensate for the reactive power, manipulation may made difficult and may also be easily discernible. In addition, a cable may be shortened during installation, a cable may be extended with further cables with possibly different conductor materials, or a cable may be replaced during repair. The measuring apparatus according to the present embodiments also allows the distance between the connection point, the location of the measurement, and the transfer point, the location of the supply to the energy sink, to be selected to be considerably greater. Therefore, this allows the measuring apparatus to also be provided in a unit that is remote from the actual charging location (e.g., in a central unit supplying a plurality of charging posts). Such a central unit accommodates the devices of a charging station and is provided with a plurality of remote charging posts by connection cables. In comparison with a charging station, a charging post remote from the central unit then includes only the mechanism for handling the charging cable. The provision of a remote central unit with charging posts connected thereto facilitates operation of the measuring apparatus within prescribed temperature limits since a plurality of measuring apparatuses may be installed in an air-conditioned housing of the central unit. In addition, a respective installation space requirement of charging posts connected to a remote central unit is considerably reduced by providing the remote central unit. In addition, there is no need for an auxiliary power supply for such charging posts in the vicinity of the transfer point at least for operating a respective measuring apparatus that may be operated in the remote central unit. On account of the various advantages of the present embodiments, a central unit for a plurality of charging posts enabling fast-charging operations with high charging power may be constructed and maintained in a considerably simpler and more cost-effective manner, for example. According to one configuration, the at least one second electrical variable is measured on at least one conductor that does not correspond to any of the conductors provided for measuring the first electrical power (e.g., is not measured on the at least two conductors on which the first electrical power is measured). Even though, within the scope of the present embodiments, the second electrical variable may also be measured on the same conductors on which the first electrical variable is also measured, the measurement of the second electrical variable on different conductors of the charging cable according to this configuration provides advantages in many cases. Whereas a measurement of the second electrical variable on the same conductors may take into account that measurements of a particular second electrical variable (e.g., a measurement of the electrical resistance) may not be carried out during the charging operation and, therefore, may be carried out only before or after a charging operation or in a toggling manner during a charging operation, a continuous measurement on other conductors is possible. This configuration is therefore appropriate, for example, if the second electrical variable is intended to be determined continuously (e.g., during the charging operation). According to an alternative configuration, the second electrical variable is measured at least partially on at least one conductor shield or on a charging cable shield (e.g., a shield braid that surrounds a conductor of the complete conductor set inside the charging cable). A two-pole measurement (e.g., of the resistance) is carried out either completely using two conductor shields (e.g., on one circuit to the energy sink and back on a conductor shield of another conductor) or partially (e.g., on one circuit to the energy sink and back on another conductor). In the case of a measurement of the non-reactive resistance as the second electrical variable, the measured non-reactive resistance is also in a particular previously known relationship with respect to that of the conductor, with the involvement of a conductor shield, which is reflected in a particular relationship of the cross sections when using the same conductive material. The relationship may be easily checked for manufactured lines but may be changed only with difficulty. In addition, a change in the electrical resistance (e.g., on account of a rising temperature of the charging cable during the charging operation) is effected both on the lines carrying the charging current and on the conductor shield. As a result, the reactive power component determined with the aid of the measured non-reactive resistance may be determined exactly. An energy measurement includes, for example, a measurement of the electrical resistance of a conductor shield multiplied by the proportional relationship with respect to the electrical resistance of the charging current lines and multiplied by the square of an integral of a charging current measured in another manner. Alternatively, an equivalent voltage is applied to a conductor shield with respect to a ground potential, and the voltage at the second end of the conductor shield is set such that the current through the shield is again in a fixed relationship with respect to the measured current. This relationship is again determined by the cross-sectional relationship of the conductor and the shield. As a result of this, the second voltage represents the voltage at the transfer point. In this manner, the reactive power component may be determined from the voltage, the second electrical variable, without this being measured.

11464125

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION This application claims the priority benefit of Taiwan application serial no. 109124675, filed on Jul. 22, 2020. The entirety of the above-mentioned patent application is hereby incorporated by reference herein and made a part of this specification. BACKGROUND Technical Field The disclosure relates to an electronic device, and in particular, to an electronic device with an exposed wire assembly. Description of Related Art Generally speaking, water-proof glue is provided at a junction of an outer case of an electronic device and a wire assembly protruding from the outer case, to achieve a waterproof effect at the junction. However, because an outermost flexible tube of the wire assembly may collapse or deform under long-term use or temperature changes, a gap between the outer case and the wire assembly may increase, causing the water-proof glue to break and waterproof failure. SUMMARY The disclosure provides an electronic device, which may reduce the probability of collapse or deformation of a flexible tube of a wire assembly. An electronic device of the disclosure includes an outer case, a wire assembly, and a water-proof glue member. The outer case has an inner space and a hole communicating with the inner space. The wire assembly extends from the inner space of the outer case to outside of the outer case through the hole and includes a plurality of wires, a flexible tube covering the wires, and a hard supporting tube located between the wires and the flexible tube. The water-proof glue member is disposed between a wall surface of the outer case surrounding the hole and the wire assembly. In an embodiment of the disclosure, the hard supporting tube is at least located in the hole and at least surrounds positions of the wires corresponding to the wall surface. In an embodiment of the disclosure, an outer diameter of the hard supporting tube is greater than or equal to an inner diameter of the flexible tube. In an embodiment of the disclosure, the hard supporting tube has a first end portion and a second end portion opposite to each other, the first end portion is located in the inner space of the outer case or in the hole and close to the inner space, the second end portion is located outside the outer case or in the hole and away from the inner space, and the first end portion is in a horn shape that expands toward the inner space. In an embodiment of the disclosure, the second end portion has a chamfer or a rounded corner. In an embodiment of the disclosure, the water-proof glue member has a barb portion extending to an inner surface of the first end portion. In an embodiment of the disclosure, the electronic device further includes a flexible water-proof member sleeved at a junction of the outer case and a position at which the wire assembly passes through the outer case, where the flexible water-proof member includes a first part and a second part respectively pressing against the outer case and the wire assembly, and second part corresponds to a local portion of the hard supporting tube. In an embodiment of the disclosure, an outer surface of the outer case is a conical surface inclined toward the second part at a position beside the hole, and the water-proof glue member has an inclined corner portion extending to the conical surface. In an embodiment of the disclosure, the electronic device further includes a flexible water-proof member located in the hole of the outer case and sleeved on the wire assembly, to press against the outer case and the wire assembly, where the flexible water-proof member corresponds to a local portion of the hard supporting tube. In an embodiment of the disclosure, the wall surface has a conical surface inclined outward, and the water-proof glue member has an inclined corner portion extending to the conical surface. In an embodiment of the disclosure, the water-proof glue member has an annular recess corresponding to the local portion, and the flexible water-proof member is disposed in the annular recess. In an embodiment of the disclosure, the outer case includes a plurality of positioning ribs located in the hole and protruding from the wall surface, the plurality of positioning ribs extend in an axial direction of the hole, the wire assembly is located between the plurality of positioning ribs, a plurality of glue grooves are formed among the plurality of positioning ribs, and the water-proof glue member is at least located in the plurality of glue grooves. Based on the above, in the electronic device of the disclosure, a hard supporting tube is disposed between the wire and the flexible tube, and the hard supporting tube is located inside the flexible tube and is capable of providing support for the flexible tube. In this way, the probability of collapse or deformation of the flexible tube of the wire assembly may be reduced, the probability of rupture of the water-proof glue member between the wall surface of the outer case around the hole and the wire assembly is thereby reduced, and waterproof stability is further improved. To make the aforementioned more comprehensible, several embodiments accompanied with drawings are described in detail as follows.

11412950

FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to implantable markers or tags, e.g., RFID tags, and to systems and methods for localizing such tags within a patient's body, e.g., during surgical procedures or other procedures, such as during lumpectomy procedures. BACKGROUND Before a biopsy or surgical procedure to remove a lesion within a breast, e.g., during a lumpectomy procedure, the location of the lesion must be identified. For example, mammography or ultrasound imaging may be used to identify and/or confirm the location of the lesion before the procedure. The resulting images may be used by a surgeon during the procedure to identify the location of the lesion and guide the surgeon, e.g., during dissection to access and/or remove the lesion. However, such images are generally two dimensional and therefore provide only limited guidance for localization of the lesion since the breast and any lesion to be removed are three-dimensional structures. Further, such images may provide only limited guidance in determining a proper margin around the lesion, i.e., defining a desired specimen volume to be removed. To facilitate localization, immediately before a procedure, a wire may be inserted into the breast, e.g., via a needle, such that a tip of the wire is positioned at the location of the lesion. Once the wire is positioned, it may be secured in place, e.g., using a bandage or tape applied to the patient's skin where the wire emerges from the breast. With the wire placed and secured in position, the patient may proceed to surgery, e.g., to have a biopsy or lumpectomy performed. One problem with using a wire for localization is that the wire may move between the time of placement and the surgical procedure. For example, if the wire is not secured sufficiently, the wire may move relative to the tract used to access the lesion and consequently the tip may misrepresent the location of the lesion. If this occurs, when the location is accessed and tissue removed, the lesion may not be fully removed and/or healthy tissue may be unnecessarily removed. In addition, during the procedure, the surgeon may merely estimate the location of the wire tip and lesion, e.g., based on mammograms or other images obtained during wire placement, and may proceed with dissection without any further guidance. Again, since such images are two dimensional, they may provide limited guidance to localize the lesion being treated or removed. Alternatively, it has been suggested to place a radioactive seed to provide localization during a procedure. For example, a needle may be introduced through a breast into a lesion, and then a seed may be deployed from the needle. The needle may be withdrawn, and the position of the seed may be confirmed using mammography. During a subsequent surgical procedure, a hand-held gamma probe may be placed over the breast to identify a location overlying the seed. An incision may be made and the probe may be used to guide excision of the seed and lesion. Because the seed is delivered through a needle that is immediately removed, there is risk that the seed may migrate within the patient's body between the time of placement and the surgical procedure. Thus, similar to using a localization wire, the seed may not accurately identify the location of the lesion, particularly, since there is no external way to stabilize the seed once placed. Further, such gamma probes may not provide desired precision in identifying the location of the seed, e.g., in three dimensions, and therefore may only provide limited guidance in localizing a lesion. Accordingly, apparatus and methods for localization of lesions or other tissue structures in advance of and/or during surgical, diagnostic, or other medical procedures would be useful. SUMMARY The present invention is directed to implantable markers and tags, e.g., RFID tags, and to systems and methods for localizing such tags within a patient's body, e.g., during surgical procedures or other procedures, such as during lumpectomy procedures. In accordance with an exemplary embodiment, a system is provided for identifying or locating a target region within a patient's body that includes a probe comprising one or more antennas for transmitting radiofrequency signals into a patient's body and receiving backscatter signals transmitted from the patient's body, and a light source for delivering optical signals into a patient's body; and a tag sized for implantation within a patient's body, the tag comprising an antenna, an energy converter configured to transform the optical signals from the light source into electrical energy, and a switch coupled to the energy converter such that the optical signals cause the tag to modulate backscatter signals transmitted by the antenna in response to the transmitted radiofrequency signals and received by the probe. In accordance with another embodiment, a system is provided for identifying or locating a target region within a patient's body that includes a probe comprising one or more antennas for transmitting electromagnetic signals into a patient's body and receiving signals from the patient's body, and a light source for delivering optical signals into a patient's body; and a tag sized for implantation within a patient's body, the tag comprising an antenna, an energy converter configured to transform the optical signals from the light source into electrical energy, and a switch coupled to the energy converter such that the optical signals cause the tag to modulate electromagnetic signals transmitted by the antenna and received by the probe. In accordance with still another embodiment, a tag is provided for introduction into a target tissue region within a patient's body that includes a coil antenna for transmitting backscatter signals in response to incident radiofrequency signals; a switch coupled to the antenna; and one or more photodiodes configured to convert light pulses received from a light source to generate a voltage to open and close the switch, thereby modulating the backscatter signals transmitted by the antenna back to a source of the incident radiofrequency signals. In accordance with yet another embodiment, a tag is provided for introduction into a target tissue region within a patient's body that includes an antenna for transmitting backscatter signals in response to incident radiofrequency signals; a switch coupled to the antenna; and one or more photodiodes configured to convert light pulses received from a light source to generate a voltage to open and close the switch, thereby modulating the backscatter signals transmitted by the antenna back to a source of the incident radiofrequency signals. In accordance with another embodiment, a method is provided for identifying or locating a tag implanted within a patient's body that includes placing a probe adjacent the patient's body oriented towards the tag; and activating the probe to transmit synchronized electromagnetic signals and optical signals into the patient's body, whereupon the tag transforms the optical signals into electrical energy to open and close a switch in the tag to modulate signals transmitted by the tag in response to the electromagnetic signals. Other aspects and features of the present invention will become apparent from consideration of the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

11417700

FIELD The present disclosure relates to a back side illuminated (BSI) image sensor. BACKGROUND Image sensors are widely used in various imaging applications and products, such as cameras, scanners, photocopiers, etc. A performance of an image sensor is depended on quality of pixels in the image sensors. As a part of IC evolution for semiconductor image sensors, the size of pixels has been steadily reduced. As the size of pixels continue to shrink, quality of pixels become more difficult to control. The quality of pixels can affect performance such as an amount of dark current. The dark current is one of sources for noise in the image sensors. The dark current is referred to as a leakage current in non-optical devices such as in transistors.

11319808

TECHNICAL FIELD The present disclosure relates generally to drilling machines, and more particularly, to a hose retention system for drilling machines. BACKGROUND Surface drilling machines may be provided with a mobile frame to facilitate the production of a series of bores. These bores may provide access to subterranean resources or provide a passage for the introduction of explosive devices in a process known as blasthole drilling. To allow drilling to a desired depth, surface drilling machines include a mast that is movable from an approximately horizontal position to an approximately vertical position. When at a vertical position, a drill supported by the mast drills into the earth and rock and produces a bore. When used for blasthole drilling, a series of blastholes are created at a suitable depth within rock. Detonation of explosives placed in these blastholes causes the surrounding rock to collapse, allowing for removal of the detonated rock, and continued excavation and/or construction. Drill string components employed in blasthole drilling machines may be brought into motion by a rotary motor or rotary head mounted to, and movable along, the mast. Such motors may be fluid driven, such as by hydraulic fluid. Pneumatic tools may be employed at the end of the drill string, requiring pressurized air. Furthermore, water or other irrigating fluid can be provided through the drill string to the bore to assist in the removal of drilled material during the production of the blasthole. Therefore, blasthole drilling machines may include three or more fluid lines conveyed through the vertically moving and rotating drill string: hydraulic fluid, pressurized air, and water. These fluid lines may include hoses that connect to the rotary head, and thus these hoses move with the vertical movement of the rotary head. While these moving fluid hoses may be adequately secured relative to the mast when the mast is oriented vertically, problems may arise if the blasthole drilling machines include masts that are capable of drilling at a negative angle. For example, gravity may urge the fluid hoses to interfere with other components of the blasthole drilling machine, interfering with the operation of the drilling machine and potentially damaging the hoses and/or other components of the blasthole drilling machine. Furthermore, as the fluid hoses themselves may move laterally with the movement of the motor and drill string, the risk of damage due to drooping hoses may increase as bending occurs in the hoses. Another problem is an increased risk to the operator of the blasthole drilling machine and any workers present in the vicinity of the hoses. U.S. Pat. No. 4,190,119, issued to Loftis et al. (“the '119 patent”), describes an earth drilling apparatus. The '119 patent discloses drilling fluid supplied to the drill bit through a supply hose which is connected to a fluid connector located on the upper end of a drill string. The '119 patent also discloses a fluid hose and associated connector attached to the top of the string. The supply hose disclosed in the '119 patent is freely suspended from this connector. The present disclosure may solve one or more of the problems set forth above and/or other problems in the art. The current scope of the disclosure, however, is defined by the attached claims and not by the ability to solve any specific problem. SUMMARY In one aspect, a hose retention system for a negative-angle-capable blasthole drilling machine is disclosed. The hose retention system may comprise: an upper cage to extend longitudinally along a mast structure, the upper cage having a secured end to couple the upper cage to the mast structure, a free end to extend toward the mast structure, and a first longitudinally-extending channel; and a lower cage separate from the upper cage to extend longitudinally along the mast structure, the lower cage having a secured end to couple the lower cage to the mast structure, a free end to extend toward the mast structure, and a second longitudinally-extending channel In another aspect, a hose retention system for a negative-angle-capable blasthole drilling machine is disclosed. The hose retention system may comprise: a cage to extend longitudinally along a mast structure, the cage including: a secured end to couple the cage to the mast structure; a free end to extend toward the mast structure; a longitudinally-extending channel; and a hose retaining wall forming an enclosure on at least a portion of the channel. In yet another aspect, a hose retention system for a negative-angle-capable blasthole drilling machine is disclosed. The hose retention system may comprise: a mast structure; an upper cage extending longitudinally along the mast structure, the upper cage having a secured end coupling the upper cage to the mast structure, a free end extending toward the mast structure, and a first longitudinally-extending channel to support a plurality of hoses; and a lower cage separate from the upper cage and extending longitudinally along the mast structure, the lower cage having a secured end coupling the lower cage to the mast structure, a free end extending toward the mast structure, and a second longitudinally-extending channel to support a plurality of hoses.

11426217

FIELD The field of the present disclosure generally relates to securing bones together. More particularly, the field of the present disclosure relates to an apparatus and a method for fusing and compressing bones of the human body. BACKGROUND A fusion bone plate implant may be utilized in conjunction with one or more fasteners so as to generate compression and stability at a bone interface. An implant coupled with fasteners generally serves to stabilize bones, or bone parts, relative to one another so as to promote bone fusion. In many applications, bone plates and fasteners are used to fuse bones, or bone parts, of the human body, such as bones in the foot, the ankle, the hand, the wrist, as well as various other portions of the body. Furthermore, during the course of certain medical procedures, a surgeon may immobilize one or more bones or the bone fragments by stabilizing the bones together in a configuration which approximates the natural anatomy. To this end, the surgeon may use fasteners to attach the bones to a bone plate implant so as to hold the bones in alignment with one another while they fuse together. SUMMARY A plantar bone plate and a method are provided for treating fractures of metatarsal bones. The plantar bone plate comprises a generally elongate member having an upper surface and a lower, bone contact surface. Two or more fixation apertures and a compression slot are disposed along a longitudinal dimension of the elongate member. The two or more fixation apertures are configured to receive fasteners suitable for fastening the plantar bone plate to a metatarsal bone. The compression slot is configured to receive a fastener at an oblique angle for compressing adjacent portions of the metatarsal bone so as to encourage bone fusion. A curvature along the elongate member is configured to mate the plantar bone plate with the anatomy of the plantar aspect of the metatarsal bone. In one embodiment, the curvature is comprised of at least a first bend and a second bend such that the plantar bone plate mates with the plantar anatomy of the 5thmetatarsal. In some embodiments, the curvature is comprised of a combination of one or more curves along the longitudinal dimension and a lateral dimension of the plantar bone plate. In an exemplary embodiment, a plantar bone plate for treating fractures of a metatarsal bone comprises a generally elongate member having an upper surface and a lower, bone contact surface; two or more fixation apertures disposed along a longitudinal dimension of the elongate member and configured to receive fasteners suitable for fastening the plantar bone plate to the metatarsal bone; a compression slot configured to receive a fastener perpendicular to the upper surface or at an oblique angle for compressing adjacent portions of the metatarsal bone so as to encourage bone fusion; and a curvature along the elongate member configured to mate with the anatomy of the plantar aspect of the metatarsal bone. In another exemplary embodiment, the plantar bone plate is comprised of a material possessing a tensile strength suitable for immobilizing adjacent bone portions of the metatarsal bone. In another exemplary embodiment, the two or more fixation apertures are configured to receive bone screws. In another exemplary embodiment, the two or more fixation apertures comprises at least four fixation apertures. In another exemplary embodiment, the two or more fixation apertures each is comprised of a countersunk surface disposed below the upper surface and configured to allow a countersunk head of a fastener to assume a level that is above, flush with, or disposed below the upper surface when the fastener is tightened to hold the plantar bone plate against the metatarsal bone. In another exemplary embodiment, the countersunk surface comprises a chamfer angle of that ranges between substantially 60° and 120°. In another exemplary embodiment, the countersunk surface is configured to provide a locking feature that prevents the fastener from backing out after being implanted into a bone. In another exemplary embodiment, the curvature is comprised of a first bend and a second bend along the longitudinal dimension of the plantar bone plate. In another exemplary embodiment, the first bend is comprised of a slightly curved portion that is concaved toward the upper surface and extends from substantially a middle portion of the plantar bone plate to a beginning of the second bend. In another exemplary embodiment, the second bend is comprised of a curved portion that is concaved away from the upper surface and extends from the first bend to a proximal end of the plantar bone plate. In another exemplary embodiment, a flat portion of the plantar bone plate extends from the first bend to a distal end of the plantar bone plate. In another exemplary embodiment, the first bend and the second bend comprise a tangent reverse curve. In another exemplary embodiment, the second bend comprises a smaller radius than a radius of the first bend. In another exemplary embodiment, the first bend and the second bend are configured so as to mate the plantar bone plate with the plantar anatomy of the metatarsal bone. In another exemplary embodiment, the first bend and the second bend are configured such that the curvature of the plantar bone plate mates with the plantar anatomy of the 5thmetatarsal. In another exemplary embodiment, the curvature is comprised of one or more curves along a lateral dimension that is substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal dimension of the plantar bone plate. In another exemplary embodiment, the curvature is comprised of a combination of one or more curves along the longitudinal dimension and a lateral dimension of the elongate member. In another exemplary embodiment, the curvature is configured to mate the plantar bone plate with a specific anatomy of a bone to be treated. In an exemplary embodiment, a method for a plantar bone plate for treating fractures of a metatarsal bone comprises providing a generally elongate member having an upper surface and a lower surface; disposing two or more fixation apertures along a longitudinal dimension of the elongate member; configuring the two or more fixation apertures to receive fasteners suitable for fastening the plantar bone plate to the metatarsal bone; forming a compression slot to receive a fastener perpendicular to the upper surface or at an oblique angle suitable for compressing adjacent portions of the metatarsal bone so as to encourage bone fusion; and applying a curvature along the elongate member such that the plantar bone plate mates with the anatomy of the plantar aspect of the metatarsal bone. In another exemplary embodiment, applying the curvature comprises forming at least a first bend and a second bend along the elongate member such that the plantar bone plate mates with the plantar anatomy of the 5thmetatarsal. In another exemplary embodiment, applying the curvature comprises forming a combination of one or more curves along the longitudinal dimension and a lateral dimension of the plantar bone plate.

11324646

FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE The present disclosure relates to dispensers for medical articles, more particularly to dispensers for disposable medical articles, such as wound care articles. BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE Dispensers for medical articles known in the art are typically first aid cabinets comprising different compartments which can hold and deliver medical articles. Disposable medical articles can normally be pulled out of or otherwise removed from the dispenser or cabinet. Small-sized medical articles, such as plasters, are commonly stored together in a container, which can be inserted into a compartment of the dispenser. It is known in the art to structure such a compartment to receive and hold a container comprising a plurality of small-sized medical articles when the dispenser is closed. To avoid unwanted removal of the container, the compartment or the dispenser comprises elements which keep the container in place when the dispenser is closed. In order to remove a container, e.g. to enable refilling of a new container, either the entire dispenser or the individual compartment has to be opened or unlocked. One solution known in the art is to unlock a compartment by inserting a specially adapted key in the front part of the dispenser to unlock the container. Other known solutions involve unlocking and/or opening the entire dispenser to remove the container from the inside of the dispenser. Different types of known dispensers for medical articles are described for example in European Patent EP1695642 B1, U.S. Pat. No. 9,254,229 B2, U.S. Pat. No. 3,189,219 and U.S. Design Pat. No. D652,662 S. Removal of containers comprising medical articles and refilling of dispensers should preferably be made easy and time efficient. In the cabinet described in EP1695642 B1, removing a container requires that the user opens the cabinet, pushes the container into position for removal using for example an index finger of a first hand, and reaches into the compartment from the inside of the cabinet to pull out the container using a second hand. This requires several subsequent actions and the use of two hands, which is not optimal for example if the user has limited mobility. It is desirable to further streamline and facilitate the removal of containers from dispensers for medical articles. SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE The above objective to further streamline and facilitate the removal of containers from dispensers for medical articles is achieved by the present disclosure, which relates to a dispenser for medical articles, wherein the dispenser comprises a base comprising stopper arrangements and a cover pivotally mounted on the base and configured to receive containers adapted to hold a plurality of medical articles. The stopper arrangements correspond in shape and position to the containers such that the stopper arrangements hold the containers in place when the dispenser is closed. When the dispenser is open, the containers are accessible and removable in a simple manner, such as by using a one-hand grip. The removal of containers is facilitated since the stopper arrangements are located on the base and therefore are not blocking removal of the containers located in the cover once the dispenser is opened. More particularly, the present disclosure is directed to a dispenser for medical articles, comprising:a base comprising a main wall having an outside surface and an inside surface, a top wall, a first side wall, a second side wall, and a bottom wall; anda cover comprising a main wall having an outside surface and an inside surface, a top wall having an outside surface and an inside surface, a first side wall, a second side wall, and a bottom wall;wherein the bottom wall of the base and the bottom wall of the cover are arranged to be attachable to each other, wherein the base and the cover, when attached to each other, are arranged to be tiltable in relation to each other around a first axis;wherein the top wall of the base and the top wall of the cover are arranged to be detachably attachable to each other, such that the dispenser is in a closed configuration and the base and cover form a closed space when the top wall of the base and the top wall of the cover are attached to each other, and such that the dispenser is in an open configuration when the top wall of the base and the top wall of the cover are not attached to each other;wherein the cover comprises at least one opening in its main wall, which at least one opening is adapted to receive at least one medical article or a container configured to hold at least one medical article, such that, when at least one medical article or a container comprising at least one medical article is located in an opening, the at least one medical article is accessible from the outside of the main wall of the cover via the opening; characterised in that the base comprises at least one stopper arrangement integrated in the main wall of the base and protruding from the inside surface of the main wall of the base, wherein each of the at least one stopper arrangement has at least one cut-out configured to receive and hold a medical article or a container received in a respective opening of the main wall of the cover when the dispenser is in a closed configuration, and is configured to release its hold on the medical article or the container when the dispenser is in an open configuration. Preferred aspects of the present disclosure are described in the dependent claims.

11399884

FIELD OF THE INVENTION Aspects of the present invention relate to electrosurgical procedures, techniques, and devices that utilize radiofrequency energy to seal blood vessels during surgical procedures. In particular, and by no means of limitation, aspects of the present invention relate to devices and techniques for sealing precisely placed or otherwise sensitive or difficult to access blood vessels often found in micro-surgical procedures, difficult to access anatomy or general surgery in pediatric patients. BACKGROUND The use of electrosurgical energy in vessel sealing surgical procedures is common and has been used in conjunction with a variety of surgical techniques for many years. In general, electrosurgical devices used in vessel sealing rely on a combination of pressure and high frequency electric energy applied to biological tissue as a way to cut, coagulate, desiccate or seal tissue, for example, blood vessels. In the case of vessel sealing, the electrosurgical energy acts to create collagen melting and tissue fusion. Most RF surgical devices on the market today and described in the prior art have power delivery systems and end effectors that are sized to accommodate a wide range of situations, tissue thicknesses, tissue volume, and end effector bite sizes. In particular, vessel sealing technology has always relied upon the use of relatively high current settings and large end effector sizes to create a seal in varying surgical situations. No one has been able to produce a reliable vessel sealing instrument that operates at currents below 2 Amps. For coagulation or blood vessel sealing with known devices, the average power density delivered by the end effector is typically reduced below the threshold of cutting. In some cases (e.g. a monopolar coagulation instrument) a modulated sine wave is used with the overall effect being a slower heating process which causes tissue to coagulate rather than burn and/or char to the point of cutting. In some simple dual function coagulation/cutting devices, a lower duty cycle is used for a coagulation mode and a higher duty cycle is used for a cutting mode with the same equipment. Coagulation and in particular vessel sealing techniques present unique challenges in electrosurgery While some modern electrosurgical generators provide modulated waveforms with power adjusted in real time based on changes of the tissue characteristics (e.g. impedance), none have been able to address the complexities and sensitivities that arise when dealing with blood vessels located in delicate surgical sites or other difficult to reach blood vessels. None of the prior art or products currently offered combine aspects of applied pressure, low-power energy delivery, waveform modulation, and instrument size/configuration to safely and effectively seal the blood vessels that are often presented in micro-surgical procedures, difficult to access anatomy or pediatric general surgery. Recent advances in vessel sealing technology have specifically abandoned an attempt to address this specialized market and instead focus on larger devices and techniques for sealing larger vessels more commonly found in general surgery or on “one-size-fits all” devices. U.S. Pat. No. 5,827,271 describes how earlier attempts to seal vessels with electrosurgery were unsuccessful in part because they attempted to apply relatively low currents to the vessels. As a solution, the advances described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,827,271 relate to increasing the current applied to the blood vessel above a certain threshold. The prior art in this field is consistent in its recognition that a high current and high generator power output is required to seal vessels. None of the prior art addresses the unique circumstances presented with small caliber blood vessels that present during micro-surgical procedures, difficult to access anatomy or general surgery in pediatric patients. None of the art accounts for a technique or device that effectively and safely seals blood vessels with an instrument that is smaller in size (both in the shaft and entry point features) and configured to be more effective which working in smaller spaces and with smaller vessel calibers. None of the prior art recognizes the role of the surgical instrument size and end effector surface area in the development of effective vessel sealing techniques and energy delivery sequencing. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In one example, a surgical system for fusing tissue is provided. The system has an electrosurgical generator capable of delivering electrosurgical power, a surgical instrument electrically connected to the electrosurgical generator and adapted to transfer the electrosurgical power from the electrosurgical generator to a distal end of the surgical instrument, and a power control circuit for controlling the delivery of radio frequency energy to the tissue in contact with the distal end of the surgical instrument. The surgical system is configured to: deliver the radio frequency energy at a non-pulsing power to the tissue for a period of time of 3 seconds or less. The non-pulsing power is held constant, the output current is held under 2 Amperes RMS, and the output voltage is held under 100 Volts RMS. The non-pulsing power further causes the tissue to begin to desiccate and to fuse within the period of time. In another example, a power control system for delivering radio frequency energy to a surgical instrument is provided. The power control system has a power supply for delivering an output voltage and an output current to a distal end of the surgical instrument, a sensing circuit for detecting parameters indicative of an impedance of a tissue portion being fused, and a power sequencing module for automatically sequencing an electrosurgical power delivered to the surgical instrument. The power sequencing module is adapted to: apply non-pulsing power to the tissue portion for a period of time of 3 seconds or less. The period of time is measured from beginning application of the non-pulsing power through the beginning of a desiccation of the tissue portion and through a drying out and the fusing of the tissue portion. The non-pulsing power is held constant, the output current is held under 2 Amperes RMS, and the output voltage is held under 100 Volts RMS. In another example, a surgical system for fusing tissue is provided. The surgical system has an electrosurgical generator capable of delivering electrosurgical power; a surgical instrument electrically connected to the electrosurgical generator and adapted to transfer electrosurgical power from the electrosurgical generator to a distal end of the surgical instrument; and a power control circuit for controlling the delivery of radio frequency energy to the tissue through the distal end of the surgical instrument. The surgical system is configured to deliver a radio frequency energy to the tissue, the radio frequency energy having a non-pulsed power having an output current and an output voltage; and apply the non-pulsed power to the tissue for a period of time while the non-pulsed power is held constant, the output current is held under 2 Amperes RMS, and the output voltage is held under 100 Volts RMS. The period of time is measured from beginning the application of the non-pulsed power through fusing of the tissue, and the non-pulsed power causes the tissue to begin to desiccate within the period of time, wherein the period of time is 3 seconds or less. In another example, a method of fusing tissue is provided. The method includes: providing a surgical system having an electrosurgical generator and a surgical instrument electrically connected to the electrosurgical generator and adapted to transfer electrosurgical power from the electrosurgical generator to a distal end of the surgical instrument. The method also includes delivering a radio frequency energy to the tissue, the radio frequency energy having a non-pulsed power having an output current and an output voltage; and applying the non-pulsed power to the tissue for a period of time while the non-pulsed power is held constant, the output current is held under 2 Amperes RMS, and the output voltage is held under 100 Volts RMS. The period of time is measured from the beginning of the application of the non-pulsed power and continues through fusing of the tissue. The non-pulsed power causes the tissue to begin to desiccate within the period of time, and the period of time is 3 seconds or less. Other aspects will become apparent to one of skill in the art upon a review of the following drawings and detailed description.

11320997

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION This application claims priority to Chinese Patent Application No. CN201911039900.6, on file at the China National Intellectual Property Administration (CNIPA), having a filing date of Oct. 29, 2019, and having “METHOD, DEVICE, AND COMPUTER PROGRAM FOR STORAGE MANAGEMENT” as a title, the contents and teachings of which are herein incorporated by reference in their entirety. FIELD Embodiments of the present disclosure generally relate to storage technologies and more specifically, to a method, electronic device, and computer program product for storage management. BACKGROUND With the development of data storage technologies, a storage system can provide larger storage space and more intelligent storage management. Current storage systems are designed to be simple and economical with high performance. These storage systems, which can support next-generation storage medium, and has longitudinally expandable and transversely expandable architecture, a flexible consumption model and high-level simplicity. SUMMARY Embodiments of the present disclosure provide an improved solution for storage management. According to a first aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a method of storage management. The method includes determining, from a set of users sharing a storage system, a plurality of target users with storage quotas to be updated; obtaining a total increase storage quota to be increased for the storage system; and determining allocation of the total increase storage quota among the plurality of target users according to at least one of a first strategy associated with quota proportions and a second strategy associated with a used storage capacity. According to a first aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided an electronic device. The electronic device includes a processor and a memory coupled to the processor and having instructions stored thereon, the instructions, when executed by the processor, causing the device to perform acts including: determining, from a set of users sharing a storage system, a plurality of target users with storage quotas to be updated; obtaining a total increase storage quota to be increased for the storage system; and determining allocation of the total increase storage quota among the plurality of target users according to at least one of a first strategy associated with quota proportions and a second strategy associated with a used storage capacity. According to a third aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a computer program product being tangibly stored on a computer-readable medium and including computer-executable instructions, the computer-executable instructions, when executed, causing a device to: determine, from a set of users sharing a storage system, a plurality of target users with storage quotas to be updated; obtain a total increase storage quota to be increased for the storage system; and determine allocation of the total increase storage quota among the plurality of target users according to at least one of a first strategy associated with quota proportions and a second strategy associated with a used storage capacity. This Summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in a simplified form that are further described below in the Detailed Description. This Summary is not intended to identify key features or essential features of the present disclosure, nor is it intended to be used to limit the scope of the present disclosure.

11336134

FIELD OF INVENTION Systems and methods for generation of alternating current (AC) or direct current (DC) with reduced electromagnetic drag, commonly referred to as reverse torque, thereby improving the operating efficiency of a generator. BACKGROUND Rapid depletion of the Earth's fossil fuel sources along with environmental pollution of land, air, and water with simultaneous climate change makes obvious the clear and urgent need for alternative energy supplies which are efficient, requiring no fossil fuels and are non-polluting. A significant contribution to safely resolving the Earth's population's demand for increasing energy consumption is to increase the efficiency of electrical power generation by removing reverse torque from a rotary electric power generator. Removal of reverse torque from rotary generators associated with converting mechanical energy into electrical power can provide an opportunity for an electrically powered, highly efficient power generation plant. Removal of the reverse torque allows an AC or DC generator to operate with a 4% to potentially 500% increase in efficiency, thereby driving the generator of a power generation plant with a smaller electric motor. The World's first known electrical generator was Faraday's disk dynamo. Michael Faraday discovered the operating principle of electromagnetic generators in the years 1831-1889. His observations were later reduced into a principle called Faraday's Law written by James Clerk Maxwell. The Law simply states that an electromagnetic force is generated in an electrical conductor that encircles a varying magnetic flux. Faraday built the first magnetic rotary induction generator called a Faraday Disc. This first machine was a type of homo-polar generator, using a copper disc rotating between the poles of a horseshoe magnet. This generator produced a small DC voltage, but high amperage. The Faraday dynamo or uni-pole (or uni-polar) generator, however, did not lend itself well to practical commercial development because of the nature of its output, i.e., very low DC voltage at extremely high current. The Faraday generator does lend itself well, however, to the study of the mechanisms of reverse torque in electrical induction machines. Conventional generators in use today require by common definition, 1 horsepower (HP) of kinetic energy input to generate 746 watts (W) of electrical energy. This relationship of mechanical horsepower to electrical watts involves derived units of power which have evolved from observations and measurements on physical and electrical machines (as well as horses). The term “watt” was named after James Watt, a Scottish scientist, for his work on improving the steam engine and quantifying the power of the steam engine. The unit “watt” was recognized by the Second Congress of the British Association for the Advancement of Science in 1882, concurrent with the start of commercial power production. The dynamo was the first electrical generator capable of delivering power to industry and is still an important generator in use even to this day. The dynamo uses a particular machine design and electromagnetic principles to convert mechanical rotation of magnetic poles into an alternating electric current. The first commercial power plants, which were operated in Paris in the 1870's, were designed by Zenobe Gramme. The use of electric generators made it desirable to establish a common unit for electrical power in order to standardize this newly evolving energy source. The watt is a derived unit of power (i.e., an algebraic combination of base units). The watt is now an approved unit of the International System of Units (SI). As defined, 1 watt is the rate at which work is done when an object's velocity is held constant at 1 meter per second against a constant opposing force of 1 Newton. W=J/S=N·M/S=Kg·M2/S3 J=Joule M=Meter N=Newton Kg=Kilogram Joule=Work done when a force of 1 Newton is displaced through a distance of 1 Meter 1 Joule=1 watt-second, 107ergs=0.2390 calories or 0.738 foot-pound (ft-lb). Therefore, if one mechanical horsepower is equal to 550 ft-lb per second (or 33,000 ft-lb per minute), then by definition of the watt being 0.738 ft-lb per second, 1 HP=550 ft-lb per second/0.738 ft-lb per second=745.257 W, and by definition, the electrical watt is the rate at which work is done when 1 ampere (A) of current flows through an electric potential difference of 1 volt (V): W=V×A 745.257 watts=27.299 V×27.299 A or any combination of amps and volts in which the product is equal to 745.257 watts. Therefore, by definition and derivation, 1 HP=746 watts. The original work on which these units hinge was performed by James Watt who introduced the term “horsepower” when he wanted to explain how powerful his steam engines were compared to horses. After some tests (not with engines, rather with horses), he established that, on average, the horses being used could pull coal up a mine shaft at the rate of 22,000 ft-lb per minute. For whatever reason, he decided to raise this number by 50% and arrived at a number which is commonly accepted as 33,000 ft-lb per minute. So, if an engine or any rotary machine can push 33,000 lbs. of something 1 foot in 1 minute, the machine is considered a 1 HP engine. As noted above, a conventional generator requires, by definition, 1 HP to generate 746 watts plus enough additional horsepower to turn the physical mechanisms of the rotor at proper speed to maintain the desired frequency. The horsepower required to spin the mechanism is usually about 0.2 HP in a conventional generator to generate 746 watts for a total 1.2 HP needed to generate the 746 watts, although only 0.2 HP of that energy is used to actually generate the electrical power. The remaining 1 HP, which is equal to 746 watts, is required to overcome the reverse torque or so-called “back electromotive force” (back EMF). The back EMF or reverse torque of rotary generators in use today can best be described by reference to “Lenz's Law.” It, in summary, states that when an EMF is generated by a change in magnetic flux, according to Faraday's Law, the polarity of the induced EMF is such that it produces a current whose magnetic field opposes the magnetic flux which produces it. The induced magnetic field inside any loop of wire acts to keep the magnetic flux in the loop constant. If the magnetic field B is increasing, the induced magnetic field acts in equal and opposite direction to it; if it is decreasing, the induced magnetic field acts in the direction of the applied field with equal force. In conventional generators, the rotor is stationed inside the coil loops of the stator and rotates to generate a current in the stator which in turn generates a magnetic field which is equal in force and opposite in polarity to magnetic field B. Thus, reverse torque is a product of the design or design flaw of conventional generators. In the case of the generator of the present disclosure, the rotors do not rotate. Instead, the magnetic poles rotate and, thus, there is no reverse torque or pole to pole magnetic drag between the rotor and the stator. This induced pole in the stator iron is induced by current flow and is not responsible for a current flow, as is evidenced by the fact that the generator can reach full voltage prior to current going to an electrical load. Due to the reverse torque, about 85% more mechanical energy is required to turn the rotor than is required to generate power. However, in the case of the current disclosure, the generator only requires energy to excite the rotor to generate the rotating magnetic poles. Therefore, the systems and methods take the power required and cycles it back to aid in driving the generator and the remaining power is usable electric power to be used for whatever purpose is required. The Lenz losses, as noted above, are related to inductive coupling between the rotor standing poles and the stator induced poles. Concerning efforts to reduce reverse torque, Nikola Tesla published an article entitled “Notes on an Unipolar Dynamo”, Nikola Tesla, The Electrical Engineer, N.Y. Sep. 2, 1891. Tesla reported on a modification of the Faraday Dynamo design. Tesla's design varied in two major ways: 1. First, he used a magnet that was bigger in diameter than the disc, so that the magnet completely covered the disc. 2. Second, he divided the disc into sections with spiral curves out from the center of the outside edge. The Tesla modifications caused the current to make a full trip around the outside edge of the disc. Because the current is flowing in a large circle at the rim of the disc, the magnetic field created does not work against the field magnet. This modification eliminated a significant problem of electric power generation, i.e., the reaction to every action or, as is commonly called, reverse torque or back EMF. This design change and its effect on reverse torque was accomplished by geometric isolation of the standing pole from the induced pole of the machine. In the case of the present disclosure, the rotor is static, i.e., non-rotating, and, therefore, reverse torque is not an issue. The induced pole is induced by current flow which is generated by the standing pole. The induced pole is not responsible for current flow or power generation in the induced coils. This design change removes Lenz losses produced by the induced stator poles attracting and repelling polar coupling between the stator poles and the rotor poles. The solid state rotor of the present disclosure is virtually free of reverse torque due to four design changes when compared to conventional electric generators with rotating rotors: 1. The rotor has no moving parts. 2. The rotor does not rotate in the stator cavity. 3. The magnetic poles rotate in proper frequency and sequence to generate the desired electric power output. 4. The rotor can be used to retrofit any conventional generator—single-phase, two-phase, or three-phase. SUMMARY Consistent with the present disclosure, systems and methods are provided for a generator with reduced reverse torque. Embodiments consistent with the present disclosure include systems and methods for one or more electric generator rotors, which may be solid state and may be used to convert any conventional rotary generator into efficient power generator. In accordance with some exemplary embodiments, a system is provided for generating power with a reduced reverse torque. For example, a solid-state electromagnetic rotor, consistent with the present disclosure may include a plurality of salient pole pieces arranged around a supporting structure, wherein a first end of each salient pole piece is attached to the support structure and a second end of each salient pole piece points outward away from the supporting structure; and wires are wound around each salient pole piece such that when the wires of the plurality of salient pole pieces are sequentially excited by an excitation circuit, the salient pole pieces are energized to provide a moving polar magnetic field in the form of distinct magnetic poles as desired to accomplish power generation. In accordance with an aspect, a method is disclosed for removing reverse torque from a rotary electric generator that includes replacement of the conventional dipole or multi-pole spinning rotor with a uni-pole, dipole or multi-pole, static solid state rotor insert which creates rotating magnetic poles and generates electric power without rotating the rotor. Since the rotor does not rotate, there is no energy consuming interaction between the magnetic poles formed in the stator iron when the generator is connected to an electric load. Nor does the generator require energy to spin a rotor at the proper frequency. Before explaining certain embodiments of the present disclosure in detail, it is to be understood that the disclosure is not limited to the arrangements of the components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The disclosure is capable of embodiments in addition to those described and of being practiced and carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein, as well as in the abstract, are for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting. As such, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the conception and features upon which this disclosure is based may readily be utilized as a basis for designing other structures, methods, and systems for carrying out the several purposes of the present disclosure. Furthermore, the claims should be regarded as including such equivalent constructions insofar as they do not depart from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure.

11463664

BACKGROUND In digital image processing an image sensor typically is overlaid with a color filter array (CFA) comprised of a mosaic of color filters. The mosaic of color filters are configured to filter the light passing through the mosaic of filters, and thus received by the image sensor, by wavelength. A de-mosaicing or CFA interpolation algorithm is then utilized to generate a full color image from the raw image sensor captured data. Conventional de-mosaicing techniques utilize a unique algorithm that is tuned for a given CFA format (e.g., Bayer, Red/Clear color filter (RCCC), etc.). SUMMARY The problems noted above are solved in large part by systems and methods of de-mosaicing pixel data from an image sensor. In some embodiments, an image signal processor includes a plurality of finite impulse response (FIR) filters, a first programmable gradient calculation circuit, a first threshold calculation circuit, and a filter determination circuit. The FIR filters are configured to receive a pixel block that includes a plurality of raw input image pixels from an image sensor. The FIR filters are also configured to filter the pixel block to generate a plurality of component images. The first programmable gradient calculation circuit is configured to determine a first image gradient between a first set of pixels of the pixel block and a second image gradient between a second set of pixels of the pixel block. The pixels of the first set of pixels are adjacent to one another. The pixels of the second set of pixels are adjacent to one another. The first threshold calculation circuit is configured to determine a first adaptive threshold value based on intensity of a third set of pixels of the pixel block. The pixels of the third set of pixels are adjacent to one another. The filter determination circuit is configured to determine a type of each of the plurality of FIR filters based on the first and second image gradients and the first adaptive threshold value. Another illustrative embodiment is an image processing system that includes a filter array, an image sensor coupled to the filter array, and an image sub-system. The filter array is configured to filter electromagnetic waves. The image sensor includes a plurality of pixel sensors. Each of the pixel sensors is configured to receive the electromagnetic waves after being filtered by the filter array and convert the received electromagnetic waves into electrical signals based on the intensity of the electromagnetic waves at each pixel sensor to generate a plurality of image pixels. The image sub-system includes an image signal processor. The image signal processor is configured to generate a pixel block that includes the plurality of image pixels. The image signal processor is also configured to determine a first image gradient between a first set of pixels of the pixel block and a second image gradient between a second set of pixels of the pixel block. The pixels of the first set of pixels are adjacent to one another. The pixels of the second set of pixels are adjacent to one another. The image signal processor is also configured to determine a first adaptive threshold value based on intensity of a third set of pixels of the pixel block. The pixels of the third set of pixels are adjacent to one another. The image signal processor is also configured to filter the pixel block in a vertical, horizontal, or neutral direction based on the first and second image gradients and the first adaptive threshold value utilizing a plurality of FIR filters to generate a plurality of component images. Yet another illustrative embodiment is a method of de-mosaicing pixel data from an image sensor. The method includes generating a pixel block that includes a plurality of image pixels. The method also includes determining a first image gradient between a first set of pixels of the pixel block and a second image gradient between a second set of pixels of the pixel block. The pixels of the first set of pixels are adjacent to one another. The pixels of the second set of pixels are adjacent to one another. The method also includes determining a first adaptive threshold value based on intensity of a third set of pixels of the pixel block. The pixels of the third set of pixels are adjacent to one another. The method also includes filtering the pixel block in a vertical, horizontal, or neutral direction based on the first and second image gradients and the first adaptive threshold value utilizing a plurality of FIR filters to generate a plurality of component images.

11263424

TECHNICAL FIELD The subject disclosure relates to microelectromechanical (MEMS) devices, to piezoelectric MEMS devices for fingerprint sensing, and more particularly to integrated piezoelectric MEMS transducers (PMUTs) on integrated circuit (IC) for fingerprint sensing. BACKGROUND Microelectromechanical systems enable integration of both microelectronic circuits and mechanical structures on a single chip or device, thereby significantly lowering fabrication costs and/or chip size. For instance, compared with their bulk piezoelectric counterparts, MEMS ultrasound transducers (MUT) can have applications not possible in conventional bulk piezoelectric devices, e.g., medical imaging, such as intravascular guiding and diagnosis, fingerprint detection, etc. For example, traditional manufacturing methods are ineffective in creating area array interconnection and reduced transducer sizes. However, MUT devices, as an alternative method for fingerprint detection typically require MUT devices to be manufactured in the resolution of at least 300 dots per inch (dpi) or higher e.g., approximately 85 micrometer (μm) pixel size. Conventional manufacturing process flows, e.g., with traditional polishing and sawing from bulk piezoelectric materials have not been able to achieve required resolutions, whereas a capacitive MUT (CMUT) linear array can provide such resolution. However, CMUT linear arrays are subject to skin condition and sensor contamination, which can deteriorate the accuracy of fingerprint detection devices employing CMUT linear arrays. It is thus desired to provide integrated piezoelectric MEMS transducers (PMUTs) on integrated circuit (IC) for fingerprint sensing that improve upon these and other deficiencies. The above-described deficiencies are merely intended to provide an overview of some of the problems of conventional implementations, and are not intended to be exhaustive. Other problems with conventional implementations and techniques, and corresponding benefits of the various aspects described herein, may become further apparent upon review of the following description. SUMMARY The following presents a simplified summary of the specification to provide a basic understanding of some aspects of the specification. This summary is not an extensive overview of the specification. It is intended to neither identify key or critical elements of the specification nor delineate any scope particular to any embodiments of the specification, or any scope of the claims. Its sole purpose is to present some concepts of the specification in a simplified form as a prelude to the more detailed description that is presented later. In a non-limiting example, an exemplary MEMS device can comprise a MEMS ultrasound transducer (MUT) structure and a piezoelectric material disposed within the MEMS device comprising a piezoelectric MUT (PMUT) array of a fingerprint sensor adapted to sense a characteristic of a fingerprint placed adjacent to the MUT structure. An exemplary MEMS device can further comprise a first metal conductive layer disposed on the piezoelectric material and a plurality of metal electrodes configured to form electrical connections between the first metal conductive layer, the piezoelectric material, and a complementary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS) structure, wherein the pMUT structure and the CMOS structure are vertically stacked. In another non-limiting example, an exemplary MEMS device can comprise a CMOS device wafer associated with an integrated PMUT array of a fingerprint sensor and having a plurality of cavities configured in an array. An exemplary MEMS device can further comprise a first metal conductive layer disposed on the CMOS device wafer and over the plurality of cavities, a piezoelectric material disposed on the first metal conductive layer, and a second metal conductive layer, disposed on the piezoelectric material, electrically coupling the second metal conductive layer and at least one CMOS device wafer electrode, and electrically coupling the first metal conductive layer to at least one other CMOS device wafer electrode, wherein the plurality of cavities, the piezoelectric material, the first metal conductive layer, and the second metal conductive layer are configured as a plurality of PMUT structures. In a further non-limiting example, exemplary methods are described directed to PMUTs suitable for integration with CMOS integrated circuits (ICs), as well as PMUT arrays having high fill factor for fingerprint sensing. These and other embodiments are described in more detail below. The following description and the annexed drawings set forth certain illustrative aspects of the specification. These aspects are indicative, however, of but a few of the various ways in which the principles of the specification may be employed. Other advantages and novel features of the specification will become apparent from the following detailed description of the specification when considered in conjunction with the drawings.

11460397

TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to the technical field of gas measurement sensors. More particularly, it relates to an infrared gas measurement sensor exploiting absorption of infrared light by one or more gas specie(s) of interest so as to determine a concentration thereof. STATE OF THE ART U.S. Pat. Nos. 8,143,581 and 8,217,355 both disclose dual-beam non-dispersive infrared (NDIR) gas sensors, in which light from a single infrared (IR) source is directed along two parallel tubes which together form a measurement chamber. One of the tubes is longer than the other, and at the end of each is situated a corresponding IR sensor, adapted to receive infrared light. Each tube has a gas port situated near to its IR sensor, such that a gas to be tested can be made to flow through substantially the whole length of both tubes following a U-shaped path, with the result that the sample substantially fills the entire measurement chamber. In this construction, the IR source is not collimated, and the wall between the two parallel tubes serves as a primitive form of beam splitter. Furthermore, waveguides are provided on the sidewalls of each tube so as to guide a maximum amount of IR light onto each sensor, appropriate IR filters being provided so as to isolate the absorption band of the specie of interest and to only pass this wavelength to the sensor. The longer of the two tubes serves as a measurement pathway, and the shorter as a reference pathway. When no gas specie of interest (such as carbon dioxide, methane, a hydrocarbon, carbon monoxide, nitrous oxide or similar gas with a pronounced infrared absorption band corresponding to one or more wavelengths of IR light emitted by the IR source and receivable by the detectors) is present, the signal output by each IR sensor is substantially the same, within practical tolerances. When a specie of interest is introduced into the measurement chamber, it absorbs a portion of the infrared light, causing the signal output by each IR sensor to drop. Since the measurement path is longer than the reference path, more IR light is absorbed therein, causing the IR sensor associated with this path to receive proportionally less IR light than the sensor associated with the reference path. The difference in, and/or the ratio of, the outputs of the two sensors can hence be exploited to measure not only the presence but also the concentration of the specie of interest present in the measurement chamber. This principle is well-known, and is described in detail in U.S. Pat. No. 8,143,581, herein incorporated by reference in its entirety. However, this particular construction has several issues. Firstly, the use of the dividing wall between the two tubes so as to split non-collimated light makes it difficult to precisely control the proportion of the IR light directed along each tube, which affects the measurement accuracy. Furthermore, the use of waveguides on the sidewalls of the tubes is necessary to reduce transmission losses from light being absorbed by the sidewalls, which significantly complicates construction, increases the number of components and renders the sensor more expensive. In any case, significant IR energy is lost by this arrangement. Furthermore, construction of the measurement chamber is complicated and requires specific manufacture. An aim of the present invention is to at least partially overcome at least one of the above-mentioned drawbacks of the prior art. DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION More specifically, the invention relates to a gas measurement sensor as defined in claim1. This sensor comprises:a measurement chamber comprising an inlet and an outlet for a gaseous sample to be measured;a source of substantially collimated infrared light, arranged to direct said infrared light into said measurement chamber. This source may be an incandescent bulb, an infrared LED, a MEMS IR source, an infrared laser or similar, and may be broadband or narrow band. It may be collimated by one or more lenses, masks or similar;a beam splitter situated in said measurement chamber so as to receive said infrared light and to split said infrared light into at least one reference beam and at least one measurement beam travelling along two different paths. The beam splitter is arranged in the measurement chamber such that the length of the pathway of the measurement beam through said chamber is longer than that of the reference beam through said chamber. The ratio of the length of these two pathways through the measurement chamber may, for instance, be between 1/5 and 4/5, preferably between 1/3 and 2/3;a reference infrared detector arranged to receive said reference beam;a measurement infrared detector arranged to receive said measurement beam, said measurement infrared detector typically being arranged at a greater distance from said beam splitter than said reference infrared detector as a result of the different path lengths as mentioned above. According to the invention, said beam splitter is arranged to reflect a first portion of said infrared light impinging thereon by specular reflection so as to form said reference beam, and to reflect a second portion of said infrared light by specular reflection so as to form said measurement beam. To this end, the beam splitter may be for instance a prism or pyramid coated with a suitable infrared reflective substance such as gold, silver, titanium, aluminium or a dielectric material such as at least two, preferably at least four alternating layers of GaAs and AlxGa1-x(i.e. at least one layer of each), with an appropriate degree of surface finish. More information regarding GaAs/AlxGa1-xmultilayers can be found in the paper “High-performance near-and mid-infrared crystalline coatings”, Garrett D. Cole et al., Optica 3(6), March 2016. By beam-splitting using specular reflection for splitting both portions of the incident IR light into the reference beam and the measurement beam, well-collimated beams can be produced with minimal losses, since there are no transmission or scattering losses as would be caused by e.g. using a partition wall as in the above-cited prior art, and which would also be caused when using a semi-silvered mirror, which is a common method of splitting a collimated beam. Indeed, it is possible that a maximum of the collimated light entering into the measurement chamber can be received by one or other of the detectors. Waveguides on the walls of the chamber are not necessary, and alignment of the measurement and reference beams is facilitated. Advantageously, said reference beam and said measurement beam are substantially coaxial. This permits a simple, linear construction of the sensor. Advantageously, at least one, and preferably both, of said infrared detectors is situated outside of said measurement chamber facing an infrared window provided in a wall of said measurement chamber. Advantageously, at least one, preferably both, of said infrared detectors is removably mounted to said measurement chamber at the exterior thereof. This enables easy replacement of broken detectors, exchange of detectors optimised to detect a particular gas species, or similar. Further advantageously, said at least one infrared detector is fixed to a corresponding holder, said holder also supporting an infrared filter arranged such that said infrared filter is disposed between said infrared detector and said measurement chamber when said holder is mounted to said measurement chamber. This enables easy exchange of not only the detector, but also the filter in the case in which this latter is removably mounted on the holder. Advantageously, said measurement chamber is situated in the interior of a tube, the tube hence delimiting the outer walls of the chamber. Tubes, whether of circular, oval or polygonal cross section, are simple to produce, particularly when they are substantially straight, i.e. substantially rectilinear. A particularly advantageous construction is one in which the infrared light source is fixed to the inside or the outside of a sidewall of said tube, each of said infrared detectors being fixed to a respective end of said tube. This construction is simple and compact, and infrared transmissive windows can be provided on or in the sidewall and end faces of said tube if required. Advantageously, said prism or pyramid is coated with at least one of gold, aluminium, silver, titanium, a dielectric material. Advantageously, at least one of said gas inlet and said gas outlet is covered by a permeable membrane to prevent ingress of dust and other contaminants. In the case in which the permeable membrane is selective for one or more gas species of interest, it can help to concentrate said species in the measurement chamber. The above-mentioned features can be combined in any manner which makes technical sense.

11468778

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION(S) The present patent/application is continuation-in-part of, and the content of each is incorporated by reference herein Filing DateSer. No.TitleAug. 20, 201916/545,051Managing detected obstructions in airtraffic control systems for passengerdronesJul. 15, 201916/511,262Obstruction detection in air trafficcontrol systems for passenger dronesJul. 15, 201916/511,228Air traffic control monitoring systemsand methods for passenger dronesJun. 17, 201916/442,597Flying lane management systems andmethods for passenger dronesMay 21, 201916/417,805Air traffic control of passenger dronesconcurrently using a plurality ofwireless networksNov. 16, 201816/193,053Systems and methods for air trafficcontrol for passenger dronesOct. 9, 201816/155,354Systems and methods for drone airtraffic control utilizing geographicboundaries for managementAug. 10, 201816/100,571Drone Air Traffic Control incorporatingweather updatesJun. 6, 201816/000,950Flying Lane Management with LateralSeparations between DronesMay 22, 201815/985,996Drone collision avoidance via Air TrafficControl over wireless networksNov. 1, 201715/800,574Elevator or tube lift for drone takeoffand control thereof via air trafficcontrol systemsOct. 31, 201615/338,559Waypoint directory in air traffic controlsystems for unmanned aerial vehiclesOct. 13, 201615/292,782Managing dynamic obstructions in airtraffic control systems for unmanned aerialvehiclesSep. 19, 201615/268,831Managing detected obstructions in airtraffic control systems for unmanned aerialvehiclesSep. 2, 201615/255,672Obstruction detection in airtraffic control systems for unmanned aerialvehiclesJul. 22, 201615/217,135Flying lane management systems andmethods for unmanned aerial vehiclesAug. 23, 201615/244,023Air traffic control monitoring systemsand methods for unmanned aerial vehiclesJun. 27, 201615/193,488Air traffic control of unmanned aerialvehicles for delivery applicationsJun. 17, 201615/185,598Air traffic control of unmanned aerialvehicles concurrently using a pluralityof wireless networksJun. 10, 201615/179,188Air traffic control of unmanned aerialvehicles via wireless networks FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE The present disclosure relates generally to drones and specifically air traffic control. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to emergency shutdown and landing for passenger drones and unmanned aerial vehicles with air traffic control systems. BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE Use of drones is proliferating. Drones are used for a variety of applications such as search and rescue, inspections, security, surveillance, scientific research, aerial photography and video, surveying, cargo delivery, and the like. Further, drones can be used for personal transportation, i.e., manned drones. With the proliferation, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is providing regulations associated with the use of drones. Existing air traffic control in the United States is performed through a dedicated air traffic control network, i.e., the National Airspace System (NAS). However, it is impractical to use the existing air traffic control network for drones because of the sheer quantity of drones. Also, it is expected that some drones be autonomous, requiring communication for flight control as well. There will be a need for systems and methods to provide air traffic control and communication to drones.

11236591

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT Not applicable. BACKGROUND After a wellbore has been drilled through a subterranean formation, the wellbore may be cased by inserting lengths of pipe (“casing sections”) connected end-to-end into the wellbore. Threaded exterior connectors known as casing collars may be used to connect adjacent ends of the casing sections at casing joints, providing a casing string including casing sections and connecting casing collars that extends from the surface towards the bottom of the wellbore. The casing string may then be cemented into place to secure the casing string within the wellbore. In some applications, following the casing of the wellbore, a wireline tool string may be run into the wellbore as part of a “plug-n-perf” hydraulic fracturing operation. The wireline tool string may include a perforating gun for perforating the casing string at a desired location in the wellbore, a downhole plug that may be set to couple with the casing string at a desired location in the wellbore, and a setting tool for setting the downhole plug. In certain applications, once the downhole plug has been set and the casing string has been perforated by the perforating gun, a ball or dart may be pumped into the wellbore for landing against the set downhole plug, thereby isolating the portion of the wellbore extending uphole from the set downhole plug. With this uphole portion of the wellbore isolated, the formation extending about the perforated section of the casing string may be hydraulically fractured by fracturing fluid pumped into the wellbore. SUMMARY An embodiment of a method for perforating tubular strings positioned in wellbores comprises (a) lowering a first tool string into a first wellbore, the tool string comprising a first perforating gun and a gun switch configured to detonate the first perforating gun, (b) detonating the first perforating gun in response to transmitting a first gun firing signal from a control system to the gun switch, (c) retrieving the tool string from the first wellbore following (c), (d) lowering a second tool string comprising the gun switch used in the first tool string and a second perforating gun into at least one of the first wellbore and a second wellbore that is different from the first wellbore following (d), and (e) detonating the second perforating gun of the second tool string in response to transmitting a second gun firing signal from the control system to the gun switch. In some embodiments, the method comprises (f) with the first tool string lowered into the first wellbore, transmitting an enabling signal from the control system to a safety switch positioned in a switch receptacle of a safety sub of the tool string to close the safety switch and thereby permit signal communication between the control system and the gun switch, wherein the safety switch is isolated from fluid pressure external of the safety sub. In some embodiments, the method comprises (f) with the first tool string lowered into the first wellbore, transmitting a setting tool firing signal from the control system to a setting tool switch positioned in a switch receptacle of a setting tool of the first tool string to set a downhole plug of the first tool string whereby the downhole plug seals against the first tubular string, wherein the setting tool switch is isolated from fluid pressure external of the setting tool. In certain embodiments, the first tool string comprise a sub configured to couple with the first perforating gun, wherein the sub comprises a sub housing comprising first end, a second end opposite the first end, and a central passage that includes a gun switch receptacle, the gun switch which is positioned in the gun switch receptacle, wherein the gun switch establishes an electrical connection with a signal conductor of the first perforating gun and is isolated from fluid pressure external of the gun switch receptacle. In certain embodiments, the first perforating gun comprises a pressure barrier positioned in the central passage of the sub housing and which isolates the gun switch from fluid pressure external of the gun switch receptacle. In some embodiments, the central passage of the sub housing comprises a first bulkhead receptacle extending into the sub housing from the first end, and a second bulkhead receptacle extending into the sub housing from the second end, wherein the gun switch receptacle is positioned between the first bulkhead receptacle and the second bulkhead receptacle, and the pressure barrier comprises a first bulkhead connector positioned in the first bulkhead receptacle, and a second bulkhead connector positioned in the second bulkhead receptacle. In some embodiments, the method comprises (f) rotatably coupling the sub housing with a housing of the first perforating gun to establish an electrical connection between a signal conductor of the first perforating gun and the gun switch. An embodiment of a method for perforating tubular strings positioned in wellbores comprises (a) lowering a first tool string into a first wellbore, the first tool string comprising a first perforating gun comprising a signal conductor, a sub configured to couple with the first perforating gun, wherein the sub comprises a sub housing comprising first end, a second end opposite the first end, and a central passage that includes a gun switch receptacle, and a gun switch positioned in the gun switch receptacle, wherein the gun switch is isolated from fluid pressure external of the gun switch receptacle, and (b) detonating the first perforating gun in response to transmitting a first gun firing signal from a control system to the gun switch. In some embodiments, the first perforating gun comprises a pressure barrier positioned in the central passage of the sub housing and which isolates the gun switch from fluid pressure external of the gun switch receptacle. In some embodiments, the central passage of the sub housing comprises a first bulkhead receptacle extending into the sub housing from the first end, and a second bulkhead receptacle extending into the sub housing from the second end, wherein the gun switch receptacle is positioned between the first bulkhead receptacle and the second bulkhead receptacle, and the pressure barrier comprises a first bulkhead connector positioned in the first bulkhead receptacle, and a second bulkhead connector positioned in the second bulkhead receptacle. In certain embodiments, the method comprises (d) rotatably coupling the sub housing with a housing of the first perforating gun to establish an electrical connection between a signal conductor of the first perforating gun and the gun switch. In certain embodiments, the method comprises (d) retrieving the first tool string from the first wellbore following (c), (e) lowering a second tool string comprising the gun switch used in the first tool string and a second perforating gun into at least one of the first wellbore and a second wellbore that is different from the first wellbore following (d), and (f) detonating the second perforating gun in response to transmitting a second gun firing signal from the control system to the gun switch. In some embodiments, the method comprises (d) with the first tool string lowered into the first wellbore, transmitting an enabling signal from the control system to a safety switch positioned in a switch receptacle of a safety sub of the first tool string to close the safety switch and thereby permit signal communication between the control system and the gun switch, wherein the safety switch is isolated from fluid pressure external of the safety sub. In some embodiments, the method comprises (d) with the first tool string lowered into the first wellbore, transmitting a setting tool firing signal from the control system to a setting tool switch positioned in a switch receptacle of a setting tool of the first tool string to set a downhole plug of the first tool string whereby the downhole plug seals against the first tubular string, wherein the setting tool switch is isolated from fluid pressure external of the setting tool. An embodiment of a tool string for perforating a tubular string positioned in a wellbore comprises a perforating gun configured to selectably form perforations in the tubular string, a sub configured to couple with the perforating gun, wherein the sub comprises a sub housing comprising first end, a second end opposite the first end, and a central passage that includes a switch receptacle, a gun switch positionable in the switch receptacle, wherein the gun switch is configured to detonate the perforating gun in response to receiving a gun firing signal from a control system, and wherein the gun switch is isolated from fluid pressure external of the switch receptacle when the gun switch is positioned in the switch receptacle. In some embodiments, the perforating gun comprises a pressure barrier positioned in the central passage of the sub housing and which isolates the gun switch from fluid pressure external of the gun switch receptacle. In some embodiments, the central passage of the sub housing comprises a first bulkhead receptacle extending into the sub housing from the first end, and a second bulkhead receptacle extending into the sub housing from the second end, wherein the gun switch receptacle is positioned between the first bulkhead receptacle and the second bulkhead receptacle, and the pressure barrier comprises a first bulkhead connector positioned in the first bulkhead receptacle, and a second bulkhead connector positioned in the second bulkhead receptacle. In certain embodiments, the tool string comprises a safety sub that comprises a safety switch positionable in a switch receptacle of the safety sub, and wherein the safety switch is isolated from fluid pressure external of the safety sub when it is positioned in the switch receptacle of the safety sub, wherein the safety switch is configured to permit signal communication between the control system and the gun switch in response to the safety switch receiving an enabling signal from the control system. In certain embodiments, the tool string comprises a setting tool that comprises a setting tool switch positionable in a switch receptacle of the setting tool, and wherein the setting tool switch is isolated from fluid pressure external of the setting tool when it is positioned in the switch receptacle of the setting tool, wherein the setting tool switch is configured to set a downhole plug of the tool string whereby the downhole plug seals against the tubular string in response to the setting tool switch receiving a setting tool firing signal from the control system. In some embodiments, the sub is configured to establish an electrical connection between a signal conductor of the perforating gun and the gun switch in response to rotatably coupling the sub housing with a housing of the perforating gun.

11336448

FIELD The present disclosure relates to a system and method for protecting code, for example by adopting a build process which facilitates on demand code decryption. BACKGROUND Software can be subject to malicious attack by external parties, such as reverse engineering attacks. In view of this, various techniques have been developed to protect software from such attacks. An example of such a technique is known as “on-demand code decryption”. According to this technique, some elements, or “chunks”, of the code are delivered in an encrypted form. These are decrypted just prior to execution and then purged afterwards. This can in particular mitigate static analysis techniques which examine the code without executing it. Static analysis techniques include multiple variations and typically involve disassembling machine code. Typically, on-demand encryption processes can be broadly summarised as comprising four steps. Firstly, the relevant binary code to be protected is extracted. Secondly, fake code is substituted in position of the protected binary code. Thirdly, the extracted binary code is then encrypted and added to a data section of the binary. The final binary is then finalized in such a way that the process of on-demand decryption is provided with the correct information to use. Conventionally, these steps are each carried out after the process of linking has been completed, and are thus carried out by the integrator.

11433822

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS This application is the U.S. National Phase of PCT Application No. PCT/EP2018/068797 filed on Jul. 11, 2018, which claims priority to German Patent Application No. DE 10 2017 212 267.6, filed on Jul. 18, 2017, the disclosures of which are hereby incorporated in their entirety by reference herein. TECHNICAL FIELD The present disclosure relates to a net assembly, such as a net assembly for use in a vehicle. BACKGROUND Conventionally, a net assembly can be provided, for example, in a vehicle luggage compartment, the net assembly serving as a flexible net, for example, for covering luggage or other goods in the vehicle luggage compartment and being fastened, for example, to the vehicle floor in such a manner that the load cannot slip during motion of the vehicle. Additionally or alternatively, a vehicle luggage compartment can be provided with a luggage compartment covering in the manner of a roller screen which can be moved between different positions in order to cover a vehicle luggage compartment, for example, in the case of a station wagon. A net assembly which is useable, for example, as a covering and which can firstly be flexibly adapted in its shaping (as is the case with conventional nets) but can also provide rigid support of forces is desirable. SUMMARY One or more objects of the present disclosure may be to provide a net assembly for use in a vehicle, which can be used in a variable manner, can be adapted flexibly in its shaping and can be configured for supporting forces. In one or more embodiments, the net assembly may include an assembly of rod members which each have a guide channel, a plurality of joint elements which each have at least one connecting opening, wherein the rod members are connected to one another via the joint elements, and at least one tensioning element which extends through the guide channels of at least some of the rod members and through the connecting openings of at least some of the joint elements and can be tensioned in order to brace the rod members in relation to the joint elements. The net assembly may be formed by rod members and joint elements connecting the rod members to one another. The rod members extend in a rod-shaped manner and may have (at least very substantially) a rigid formation. The joint elements serve for connecting the rod members to one another in such a manner that the rod members can be adapted in their position with respect to one another such that the net assembly can be varied flexibly in its shape. The rod members and the joint elements may be configured to be braced together via one or more tensioning elements. Depending on the state of tension of the tensioning element, the rod members are held in position with respect to one another such that forces can be absorbed and supported by the net assembly, or the rod members are adjustable with respect to the joint elements such that the net assembly can be adapted in its shape. The rod members each have two ends. The guide channel may extend longitudinally between the ends of a respective rod member. The tensioning element may be guided longitudinally through the rod member, with a respective joint element adjoining the ends of the rod member. Each rod member may lie in a sliding manner against two joint elements. For this purpose, a respective contact surface which is in contact in a sliding manner with a respectively associated joint element can be formed at the ends of each rod member. A plain bearing is therefore provided between the rod member and an associated joint element, said plain bearing enabling the rod member to pivot in relation to the joint element at least about a certain angle. Bracing of the rod members with the joint elements causes the position of the rod members with respect to the joint elements to be locked, because of a frictional connection between the rod members and the joint elements. When the tensioning element is sufficiently tensioned, the net assembly is therefore fixed in its shape, and therefore forces can be absorbed and conducted away at the net assembly in order, for example, to provide support in a luggage compartment of a vehicle. In order to improve the support of the rod members at the joint elements, it is possible, for example, for positive locking elements, for example in the form of (rounded) tooth elements, to be provided on the contact surfaces of the ends of the rod members and on the joint elements, said positive locking elements bringing about a positive locking support between the rod members and the joint elements when the tensioning element is braced. If the tensioning element is relaxed, the rod members can be moved relative to the joint elements by the positive locking elements sliding over one another. The joint elements may be configured, for example, as ball elements. The joint elements therefore have a spherical shape on which associated rod members are supported. In one or more embodiments, the rod members may be arranged with respect to the joint elements in such a manner that a joint element in each case follows a rod member and a rod member in each case follows a joint element. The tensioning element extends here through the alternating sequence of the rod members and the joint elements in such a manner that the rod members and the joint elements can be braced with respect to one another by tension at the tensioning element. In one or more embodiments, a joint element is correspondingly arranged between two adjacent rod members. The two adjacent rod members can be pivotable here, for example, in each case about a pivot axis with respect to the joint element arranged in between, for example by contact surfaces of the rod members sliding along the spherical surface of the joint element. The tensioning element extends here from the guide channel of one of the two adjacent rod members through the connecting opening of the joint element arranged between the two adjacent rod members, into the guide channel of the other of the two adjacent rod members, and therefore the two adjacent rod members with the interposition of the joint element can be braced with respect to each other via the tensioning element. In one or more embodiments, the two adjacent rod members extend at an angle with respect to each other, for example at an angle of between 45° and 135°. The tensioning element is guided between the rod members and therefore likewise extends at an angle such that the connecting opening within the joint element arranged between the rod members is correspondingly curved in order to deflect the tensioning element. The movability of the adjacent rod members with respect to the joint element arranged in between is predetermined, for example, by angular openings via which the tensioning element enters the joint element or exits from the joint element. The angular openings serve to guide the tensioning element from the one rod member into the joint element and toward the other rod member such that the tensioning element is guided from the guide channel of the one rod member into the connecting opening and on in the direction of the guide channel of the other rod member. The angular openings may be in each case formed in a slot-shaped manner along a pivoting plane, along which the associated rod member is pivotable with respect to the joint element. The angular openings may widen from the connecting opening in the pivoting plane, for example with an opening angle of between 45° and 90°. The pivoting angle is predetermined via the opening angle of the angular opening, by which pivoting angle the associated rod member can be pivoted with respect to the joint element. Only within the angular range of the opening angle of the angular opening is it possible for the tensioning element to extend from the guide channel of the rod member via the angular opening toward the connecting opening of the joint element, and therefore the slot-shaped extent of the angular opening predetermines and limits the pivoting path of the rod member relative to the joint element. In one or more embodiments, in each case two pairs of adjacent rod members lie against the joint elements. This creates a net assembly having, for example, diamond-shaped net openings which are bounded by the rod members and which can be adapted in their shaping by the movability of the rod members with respect to the joint elements. The pairs of adjacent rod members at a joint element can be assigned two different tensioning elements or two portions of the same tensioning element. If one joint element is assigned two pairs of adjacent rod members, the joint element correspondingly has two connecting openings with in each case two angular openings in which the different tensioning elements or the different portions of the same tensioning element are guided. The connecting openings can be curved in an opposed manner with respect to each other here such that the rod members extend from the joint element in a mirror-symmetrical manner. In one or more embodiments, the tensioning element extends along a neutral fiber through the rod members and the joint elements. During a pivoting movement of the rod members relative to one another, a change in length of an extension path, along which the tensioning element extends through the rod members and the joint elements, accordingly does not occur. The tension provided via the tensioning element is therefore independent of the pivoting position of the rod members with respect to one another. Alternatively, the tensioning element can also extend outside the neutral fiber. In this case, the net assembly may have a tensioned position(s), in the direction of which the net assembly is adjusted when the tensioning element is tensioned. Additionally or alternatively, when the tensioning element is relaxed, the net assembly may have a relaxed position(s), in the direction of which the net assembly is adjusted when the tensioning element is not tensioned. Such a relaxed position may be be predetermined, for example, by suitable shaping at the contact surfaces of the rod members and the bearing surfaces of the joint elements. The tension at the tensioning element can be set and changed, for example, via one or more servo motors. One or more servo motors here can be part of a tensioning device which, for example, has a tensioning strip on which one or more tensioning elements for bracing the rod members and the joint elements with respect to one another are arranged. Additionally or alternatively, the net assembly can also have one or more spring elements for elastically tensioning the rod members and the joint elements with respect to one another. The one or more spring elements can act on the at least one tensioning element in order to elastically pretension the latter. The net assembly is therefore inherently elastic and can optionally be deformed by overcoming the elastic pretension. In one or more embodiments, the net assembly is arranged on a winding device, for example on a winding shaft, which can be driven by electric motor or by a spring mechanism. The net assembly can be wound onto the winding device, for example when the tensioning element is relaxed, in order thereby to stow the net assembly, and the net assembly can be unwound from the winding device in order, for example, to cover a region in a luggage compartment of a vehicle. Alternatively, the net assembly can be accommodated, for example, in a suitable depression in or on a vehicle (what is referred to as a negative impression, for example in a luggage compartment floor). A net assembly of the type described here can, for example, bring about a luggage compartment covering for a vehicle. Such a luggage compartment covering can cover a luggage compartment floor and can be configured to cover and to fix goods in the region of the luggage compartment floor, wherein goods can be held and supported in a precisely fitting manner by the flexible adaptation of the shape of the net assembly. Alternatively, the net assembly can also be arranged above a luggage compartment floor in order to cover the luggage compartment from above and for this purpose can be fastened, for example, on the rear side to a rear seat arrangement. However, a net assembly of the type described may also be used in an entirely different use in a vehicle. For example, such a net assembly can provide a separation between a luggage compartment and a seat region of the vehicle. However, such a net assembly can also replace a seat belt in a vehicle in order to secure passengers on a vehicle seat. In addition, it is conceivable to use such a net assembly, for example, as a snow chain by the net assembly circumferentially surrounding a tire of the vehicle.

11432971

FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE The present disclosure is directed to disposable absorbent articles and arrays of disposable absorbent articles which are designed to fit different body sizes, shapes and types in a manner consistent with underwear. BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE A key benefit of having a Product Hip-to-Side Silhouette of greater than about 2.3 is that it provides an overall product shape closer to that of underwear specifically bikini and hipster (low rise brief) for girls and low rise briefs for boys. These product forms provide a greater level of discretion while minimizing body coverage (improving breathability, comfort, freedom of movement, minimizing skin coverage, etc.) and focused anchoring at or adjacent the Body Hip Circumference which helps prevent the absorbent article from moving around on the body once it has been applied. The resultant design enables a product that is anchored effectively at the waist and hips of the wearer and as result the product will be easier to apply enabled in part by the short Relaxed Product Side Length in combination with the targeted anchoring band. Products with a lower Product Hip-to-Side Silhouette, for example a Product Hip-to-Side Silhouette less than about 1.7 have a much longer Relaxed Product Side Length and as a result a broader anchoring band which can result in a higher force waist hoop which in turn can be more difficult for a wearer to apply as well as being more constricting, less comfortable and less breathable than a shorter side length. Having a higher Product Hip-to-Side Silhouette also results in a product fit, which is more tailored to the waist and hips thereby providing more effective gasketing, improved coverage (less coverage for improved breathability, less skin coverage, improved comfort, enhanced freedom of movement, etc.) and improved discretion. Additionally, product designs, which mimic the general shape of underwear convey to wearers a better, more tailored fit as the Product Hip-to-Side Silhouettes are more similar to underwear forms they readily recognize. The designs enabled by the present disclosure are more targeted by design, i.e. the product is located properly with regard to the hip of the wearer and therefore provides a greater level of fit, gasketing, comfort and discretion all while addressing the emotional and psychological needs of the wearer. The absorbent article forms of the present disclosure are designed to avoid excessively long article Relaxed Product Side Length resulting in excessive amounts of material which can lead to sagging or bunching in the crotch of the article and can also have an adverse impact on discretion if the excess material becomes visible above the waist of the clothing being worn over the article. Excessive material associated with an excessively long Relaxed Product Side length can also result in improper placement of the waist edge of the product and or gasketing elements of the center chassis contributing to improper fit, product sagging, gapping and leakage. Discretion is very important to wearers who continue to experience incontinence episodes well beyond other individuals their age. A Relaxed Product Side Length designed to provide the necessary anchoring forces at the hip and/or waist and yet be short enough to ensure discretion will ensure the proper location of the product at the hip and or waist of the wearer while preventing the product from being seen above the waist line of the clothing being worn over the product. The Body Hip Circumference, due to the relationship to the prominent point of the buttocks, generally establishes the primary line of tension, anchoring point, of the absorbent article as it often represents the maximum circumference around the body. Anchoring at or immediately above the Body Hip Circumference can provide effective anchoring as the product circumference would have to increase in order for the product to slide down, slip or sag past the Body Hip Circumference. This is especially true for wearers who have a more pear-like body shape. In alternative embodiments, the Body Waist Circumference can be the primary line of tension, anchoring point of the absorbent article as it can represent the minimum circumference around the body especially for wearers who have a more hourglass body shape or a more apple-like body shape. This is a function of fit at the minimum circumference of the body (belly crease to small of the back) also referred to hereinafter as the low motion zone, which means the product circumference would have to increase in order to slide or sag due to the increased body dimension at the hip. Products having a high Relaxed Product Hip Circumference to Relaxed Product Side Length Ratio (shorter side seam length) can have improved fit and anchoring due to the targeted line of tension at the waist and hip which provides a focused anchoring band at or adjacent the Body Hip Circumference maintaining the position of the product while at the same time maximizing discretion by minimizing the Relaxed Product Side Length to prevent the product from being seen above the waist of the clothing being worn over the absorbent article. Absorbent articles of the present disclosure may be used to absorb and contain liquid and other discharges from the human body to prevent the body and clothing from becoming soiled. Wearers who suffer from urinary incontinence including nocturnal enuresis urine can have instances of high flow rate and high volume. Absorbent articles of the present disclosure having a high Product Hip-to-Side Silhouette Ratio, i.e., having a narrow anchoring band, which helps to anchor the product on the wearer at the waist and hips which in turn helps locate and anchor the gasketing elements of the product thereby enhancing leakage protection even at higher flow rates and/or higher volumes. Absorbent articles of the prior art come in a variety of designs, each typically available in multiple sizes, including 2, 3 and 4 size arrays. The various sizes of the prior art absorbent articles typically affect, for example, the size of the waist opening, the size of the openings around the thighs, and the length or “pitch” of the article. The prior art articles are typically sized and sold by weight. If a consumer selects an absorbent article of the prior art based on the weight only some consumers will encounter slipping, sliding, sagging, drooping, or a loss of gasketing effects because weight alone does not adequately characterize the differences in body shapes nor does it properly address the impact of anatomical differences across user sizes. Alternatively, depending on where the wearer is within the size range and/or the wearers shape, the thigh opening or pitch of the article may be too small for proper fit, potentially leading to wearer discomfort, skin marking of the wearer's skin or improper application or positioning of the article and the article's gasketing elements on the wearer leading to an increase in leakage and soiling. Desirably, an absorbent article should be designed and sized to maintain contact with and conform as closely as possible to a wearer's body. Such a body-conforming design may increase the effectiveness of the absorbent article by reducing the possibility that urine, or the like, will spread or travel along the wearer's body and leak out of rather than be absorbed into the absorbent article. However, current prior art absorbent articles do not adequately address body shape as a function of product shape and therefore do not fit a broad range of users adequately or provide the desired level of close fit. Typically packages of absorbent articles are labeled with a recommended wearer weight range that the packaged article is intended to fit. As a result, the weight is often the sole criteria used to identify the size of the article. The weight does not in itself adequately describe the body shape of the individual and therefore does not help define the product form, hip or thigh circumference nor the pitch that may be needed to provide the proper fit, comfort, coverage and gasketing of the article. This is the case even though other characteristics and anthropometric attributes of potential wearers (for example, age, height, waist circumference, thigh circumference, hip circumference and rise) may vary widely within the recommended weight range, and therefore may result in an ill-fitting article even though a wearer's weight falls within that range. There is a need for absorbent articles that conform well to various wearers' body shapes and sizes. While there is a wide range of body shapes and sizes available products do not reflect this wide range; rather, absorbent articles available today within a given product array tend to be scaled versions of each other, and do not even follow the natural trend of body shape and dimensional changes across the range of consumers, i.e. smaller to larger wearers as well as wearers of varying shape. Today there are a number of underwear forms, silhouettes, that are sold globally and they can be characterized generally into the group of girl bikini, girl hipsters (low rise briefs), girl briefs, girl boy shorts, boy low rise briefs, boy briefs and boy boxer briefs. These various underwear forms exist to provide wearers with an individual choice to allow them to find the right fit, level of comfort, degree of coverage, freedom of movement and appearance they desire. The transition from disposable absorbent articles to “real” underwear is the milestone every caregiver and absorbent article wearer looks forward to reaching. For younger wearers who have difficulty during the urine and or BM training stage, wearers with special needs, incontinent wearers, and wearers who suffer from nocturnal enuresis, this milestone is very difficult to achieve. The inability for these individuals to achieve this milestone can have a significant psychological and emotional impact. Therefore, there is a significant longstanding unmet consumer need to create absorbent articles that more closely match underwear in shape or form, fit, comfort and appearance while delivering superior leakage performance, protection and confidence. This longstanding consumer need forms the basis for the present disclosure. The present disclosure leverages key anatomical parameters translated into product parameters that provide products that more closely match the anatomy and/or provide a more underwear like experience. The absorbent articles of the present disclosure help provide some level of normalcy and emotional and psychological relief. These are all objects of the present disclosure; embodiments of the present disclosure may combine various objects mentioned. A particular embodiment may, but need not, embody every object as described. SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE An absorbent article may have a central chassis comprising a topsheet, a backsheet and an absorbent core. The absorbent article may comprise a front waist region and a front waist edge, a back waist region and a back waist edge, a front belt disposed in the front waist region, and a back belt disposed in the back waist region. The front and back belts are joined at seams to form a waist opening and leg openings. The article may have a Product Hip-to-Side Silhouette from about 2.3 to about 6 and a Product Waist-to-Side Silhouette from about 2.3 to about 6. The absorbent article may be in an array, where like absorbent articles each have a Product Hip-to-Side Silhouette from about 2.3 to about 6 and a Product Waist-to-Side Silhouette from about 2.3 to about 6; and where an Average Array Product Hip-to-Side Silhouette is from about 2.3 to about 6 and an Average Array Product Waist-to-Side Silhouette from about 2.3 to about 6.

11333196

BACKGROUND Turbomachines are devices that transfer energy to or from a continuously moving fluid. One example of a turbomachine is a turbine, which can include a rotor having a rotatable shaft and outwardly extending blades attached to the shaft. A moving fluid (e.g., air) can push against the rotor blades, transferring motion energy to the rotor blades, and causing the rotor to rotate. The motion energy transferred to the rotor can be used for applications such as propulsion or power generation. During operation of a turbomachine, a rotor can spin at very high speed. While the shaft can be designed to remain straight (e.g., horizontal) along its length, some turbomachines (e.g., steam turbines, large compressors, gas turbines, etc.) can undergo bowing before or during startup or shutdown. As an example, bowing can occur when stationary prior to startup due to the weight of the rotor. Additionally or alternatively, bowing can occur during startup or shutdown due to non-uniform heating or cooling. If a rotor is spun at high speed while the shaft is bowed by even a small amount (e.g., 0.01 inch), the rotor can rotate eccentrically and lead to damage due to vibration or rubbing with stationary components. SUMMARY A thrust magnetic bearing integrated with an induction machine and methods for using the same for slow roll control of rotors is provided. The rotor can include a rotatable shaft and a cageless non-laminated rotor disk mounted thereto. The thrust magnetic bearing can include two ring-shaped thrust bearing stators, positioned adjacent to axially opposing sides of the rotor disk. The thrust bearing stators can be configured to apply axial magnetic forces to the thrust bearing disk for control an axial position of the rotor. An induction machine can be configured to generate a rotating magnetic field that impinges the rotor disk for slow roll control of the rotor. The rotating magnetic field can cause a torque to be applied to the rotor disk. By controlling the direction and magnitude of the applied torque, the rotor speed can be controlled.

11335662

TECHNICAL FIELD The present disclosure relates to heterogeneous integration, assembly, and packaging of integrated circuits in general, and flux-less solder reflow process and tools in particular, especially in vertical batch processing of wafers. BACKGROUND Semiconductor wafer packaging involves many complicated tools and procedures. Some of the tools and processes have been disclosed in previously filed patents/published patent applications, e.g., U.S. Pat. No. 4,597,736 (“Method and apparatus for heating semiconductor wafers”), U.S. Pat. No. 6,198,075 (“Rapid heating and cooling vacuum oven”), U.S. Pat. No. 10,147,617 (“Method for the rapid processing of polymer layers in support of imidization process and fan out wafer level packaging including efficient drying of precursor layers”), U.S. Pat. No. 10,490,431 (“Combination vacuum and over-pressure process chamber and methods related thereto”), US 2019/0314738 (“Trap assembly and system for trapping polymer vapors in process oven vacuum systems”), and US 2020/0013591 (“Plasma spreading apparatus and system, and method for spreading plasma in process oven”). Reflow soldering is a process in which a solder paste is used to attach one physical component to another physical component in an electronic circuit, after which the entire assembly is subjected to controlled heat to make a permanent bond between the components. Traditional solder reflow ovens have a horizontal configuration with in-line wafer transfer in the horizontal direction. This introduces a lot of complexities, such as uneven heat distribution, contamination, and lower throughput, while performing flux-less reflow of solder in advanced packaging applications. Additionally, the traditional horizontal solder reflow ovens have a large footprint and wafer-to-wafer variation. A vertical oven with multiple wafers has the advantage of lower footprint, higher throughput and good temperature control. What is needed is modification of the existing vertical ovens to suit flux-less solder reflow process to allow soldering of metal parts with surface oxides for high quality wetting of the solder to metals to get void-free solder joints. SUMMARY The following is a simplified summary of the disclosure in order to provide a basic understanding of some aspects of the disclosure. This summary is not an extensive overview of the disclosure. It is intended to neither identify key or critical elements of the disclosure, nor delineate any scope of the particular implementations of the disclosure or any scope of the claims. Its sole purpose is to present some concepts of the disclosure in a simplified form as a prelude to the more detailed description that is presented later. Aspects of the disclosure describe methods and systems for flux-less solder reflow process performed on a batch of wafers with solder bumps thereon inside a vertical oven. The vertical oven comprises a reflow chamber inside which the batch of wafers is loaded, the reflow chamber housing a plurality of wafer-support plates, each wafer-support plate holding a respective wafer of the batch of wafers in a contactless manner. The vertical oven also comprises a first port to bring the reflow chamber to a vacuum or near-vacuum level after the batch of wafers are loaded and the reflow chamber is sealed from atmosphere; a second port to introduce a non-reactive gas into the reflow chamber after the reflow chamber is brought down to the vacuum or the near-vacuum level, wherein the non-reactive gas brings the reflow chamber to a predetermined sub-atmospheric pressure customized for the flux-less solder reflow process; and, a third port to inject a reducing agent into the reflow chamber, wherein a predetermined laminar flow of the reducing agent inside the reflow chamber assists the flux-less solder reflow process. Further, the vertical oven comprises a temperature control mechanism for controlled ramping up of temperature for the solder reflow to occur uniformly across all the wafers in the batch of wafers, and for controlled ramping down of temperature uniformly across all the wafers in the batch of wafers after the solder reflow has occurred. The temperature control mechanism may be based on flow of high-temperature thermal transfer fluid in one embodiment. In another embodiment, the temperature control mechanism may be based on specially designed infrared heaters with independent zone control capabilities. Corresponding methods of effectively perform a solder reflow process in the specially designed vertical oven are also claimed.

11304752

FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates generally to ablation of cardiac tissue, and specifically to estimation of the size of a lesion formed during the ablation. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The description herein relates to producing a lesion in tissue, typically tissue that is part of the heart of a patient undergoing a cardiac procedure. To produce the lesion a catheter is inserted so that it contacts the tissue, and electromagnetic radiofrequency (RF) energy is injected from a catheter electrode into the tissue, causing ablation and production of a lesion. Many relations for determining the size of the lesion have been proposed, and one of these relations is considered here. Those having ordinary skill in the art will be aware of other relations. As an example of a relation, the size S of the lesion is assumed to be proportional to a product of the force F applied by the catheter to the tissue, the electromagnetic power P dissipated during the ablation procedure, and the time T of the procedure. (Although the relation involves power P, the relation to lesion size is related to RF Generator Output Current (I), based on the following equation: P=G·I2, where G is a constant. This equation applies to all the following discussion.) Thus, an estimate of the size S of the lesion according to this assumption is given by equation (1): S=K·F·P·T(1) where K is a constant of proportionality and P=G·I2· where I is the RF Generator Output Current. As is apparent from equation (1), an estimate of the size of a lesion given by the equation is linearly proportional to F, to P, and to T, since in the equation each of these variables is raised to the power of one. I.e., from equation (1) size S is a linear function of F, of P, and of T. Documents incorporated by reference in the present patent application are to be considered an integral part of the application except that, to the extent that any terms are defined in these incorporated documents in a manner that conflicts with definitions made explicitly or implicitly in the present specification, only the definitions in the present specification should be considered. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An embodiment of the present invention provides a method, including: ablating tissue for a time period; measuring a contact force applied during the time period; measuring a power used during the time period; and ceasing ablating the tissue when a desired size of a lesion produced in the tissue, as estimated using an integral over the time period of a product of the contact force raised to a first non-unity exponent and the power raised to a second non-unity exponent, is reached. In a disclosed embodiment the first non-unity exponent has a value in a range of 0.6-0.8. In a further disclosed embodiment the second non-unity exponent has a value in a range of 1.4-1.8. In an alternative embodiment the size includes a volume of the lesion. In a further alternative embodiment the size includes a depth of the lesion. In a yet further alternative embodiment the size includes a diameter of the lesion. Measuring the power may consist of measuring a current generating the power. There is further provided, according to an embodiment of the present invention, apparatus, including: a probe configured to ablate tissue for a time period; and a processor configured to: measure a contact force applied by the probe during the time period, measure a power used for ablating the tissue during the time period, and cease ablating the tissue when a desired size of a lesion produced in the tissue, as estimated using an integral over the time period of a product of the contact force raised to a first non-unity exponent and the power raised to a second non-unity exponent, is reached. The present disclosure will be more fully understood from the following detailed description of the embodiments thereof, taken together with the drawings, in which:

11312655

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION This application is a 371 application of International PCT application serial no. PCT/CN2018/080921, filed on Mar. 28, 2018. The entirety of each of the abovementioned patent application is hereby incorporated by reference herein and made a part of this specification. BACKGROUND Technical Field The present invention relates to the field of luminescent materials, and particularly relates to a divalent manganese-doped all-inorganic perovskite quantum dot glass and a preparation method and application thereof. Description of Related Art All-inorganic perovskite quantum dot is a luminescent material with great potential of development. Particularly, CsPbX3(wherein X is Cl, Br and I) draws great attention due to several advantages such as a relatively high photoluminescence quantum yield (˜90%), tunable emission in the entire visible spectral region (400-760 nm), a narrower emission linewidth (12 nm-42 nm), and etc. However, there are some drawbacks in the all-inorganic perovskite quantum dots synthesized by the liquid phase method, such as poor water resistance, low photoluminescence quantum yield of powder, poor heat resistance and light-aging resistance after preparing with the conventional organic package materials into a device, and thereby application as a photoelectric material in the field is significantly limited. In order to overcome the above problems, it is of great need of synthesizing a quantum dot composite material with excellent luminescent property, chemical stability, heat resistance and light-resistance. Compared with the conventional organic package materials, glass is a suitable choice of host material, for it has property advantages such as good transparency, mechanical stability, chemical stability, heat resistance and water resistance, simple preparation process with low cost, being capable of preparing a block of optical element, and super high optical uniformity. SUMMARY The objective of the present invention is to provide a divalent manganese-doped all-inorganic perovskite quantum dot glass. Such manganese-doped quantum dot glass has good luminescent property, relatively high quantum yield and broad photoluminescence band. Meanwhile, the present invention provides a preparation method of the divalent manganese-doped all-inorganic perovskite quantum dot glass above. The objective of the present invention is achieved through the following technical solution: The present invention provides a divalent manganese-doped all-inorganic perovskite quantum dot glass. By molar percentage, constituents of the divalent manganese-doped all-inorganic perovskite quantum dot glass are as follows: B2O3: 25%-45%, SiO2: 25%-45%, MCO3: 1%-10%, Al2O3: 1%-10%, ZnO: 1%-5%, Cs2CO3: 1%-10%, PbCl2: 1%-10%, NaCl: 1%-10%, MnCl2: 1%-10%. Preferably, constituents of the divalent manganese-doped all-inorganic perovskite quantum dot glass are as follows: B2O3: 30%-40%, SiO2: 30%-40%, MCO3: 1%-10%, Al2O3: 1%-10%, ZnO: 1%-5%, Cs2CO3: 1%-10%, PbCl2: 1%-10%, NaCl: 1%-10%, MnCl2: 1%-10%. Preferably, a ratio of MnCl2to PbCl2is more than 3:7 and less than 7:3. Preferably, a sum of the molar percentages of MCO3and ZnO accounts for less than 10% of a total constituent of the glass. Under the above preferable conditions, a divalent manganese-doped all-inorganic perovskite quantum dot glass with better luminescent performance can be obtained. Meanwhile, the present invention provides a preparation method of the divalent manganese-doped all-inorganic perovskite quantum dot glass, including the following steps: S1: grinding each constituent raw materials and mixing well to form a mixture, placing the mixture in a sealed crucible, performing melting treatment for a period of time t1 at a temperature of T1 in a reducing atmosphere, pouring a glass melt into a mold for molding, then annealing to obtain a transparent glass; and S2: performing thermal treatment of the transparent glass obtained in S1 for a period of time t2 at a temperature of T2, then cooling to room temperature, obtaining the divalent manganese-doped all-inorganic perovskite quantum dot glass by cutting and polishing; the temperature T1 of the melting in S1 ranges between 1200° C. and 1400° C., and the period of time t1 of the melting is 10 minutes to 60 minutes; the temperature T2 of the thermal treatment in S2 is 360° C. to 600° C., and the period of time t2 of the thermal treatment is 4 hours to 20 hours. By means of a thermal treatment process on glass-ceramic in the present invention, perovskite quantum dot is precipitated inside the glass, and a divalent manganese-doped all-inorganic perovskite quantum dot glass with relatively high quantum yield and chemical stability is prepared. Such quantum dot glass is an optical conversion material which can be used in fields of white LED, plant-growth lighting and solar cells. In the divalent manganese-doped all-inorganic perovskite quantum dot glass provided by the present invention, the divalent manganese has an excitation band covering from 250 nm to 400 nm, an emission band covering from 525 nm to 800 nm and peaking at 640 nm. Particularly, the emission band peaking at 403 nm to 408 nm belongs to CsPbCl3. Compared with the prior art, the present invention has the following beneficial effects: The divalent manganese-doped all-inorganic perovskite quantum dot glass provided by the present invention has advantages such as excellent chemical stability, emission with high quantum yield and broad mission linewidth (100 nm), covering from 525 nm to 800 nm and peaking at 640 nm, homogeneous and stable product, simple process, low cost and quantity production availability. It can be used in the field of light-emitting and photovoltaic devices such as white LED, solar cells, plant-growth lighting, and etc., and other fields.

11428834

BACKGROUND Marine seismology companies invest heavily in the development of marine seismic surveying equipment and seismic data processing techniques to obtain accurate, high-resolution seismic images of subterranean formations located beneath a body of water. A seismic image of a subterranean formation is a visual representation of the complex geological structures of the subterranean formation. Seismic images are routinely used to discover petroleum reservoirs and monitor petroleum reservoirs during production. A typical marine seismic survey is carried out with one or more survey vessels that tow one or more seismic sources and numerous streamers through the body of water. The survey vessel contains seismic acquisition equipment, such as navigation control, seismic source control, seismic receiver control, and recording equipment. The seismic source control controls activation of the one or more seismic sources at selected times or locations. A seismic source typically comprises an array of source elements, such as air guns, that are activated to produce an acoustic impulse. The acoustic impulse is a sound wave that spreads out in all directions. A portion of the impulse that travels down through the water and into a subterranean formation propagates as a sound wave within the subterranean formation. At each interface between different types of rock and sediment, also called a “reflector,” a portion of the sound wave is transmitted and a portion is reflected upward to propagate toward the water surface. When the sound wave experiences a strong velocity contrast between two layers, another portion of the sound wave travels along the interface between the layers and may be refracted upwards to the water surface. A sound wave that travels along an interface is called a “head wave.” When the sound wave experiences a gradual increase in velocity with depth (i.e., vertical velocity gradient), at a certain point, a portion of the sound wave turns back to the water surface. A sound wave that turns back to the water surface as a result of increasing velocity with depth is called a “diving wave.” The streamers are elongated cable-like structures towed behind a survey vessel in the direction the survey vessel is traveling and are typically arranged substantially parallel to one another. Each streamer contains seismic receivers or sensors distributed along the streamer. The seismic receivers detect pressure and/or particle motion wavefields of the sound waves reflected into the water from the subterranean formation. The streamers collectively form a seismic data acquisition surface. The pressure and/or particle motion wavefields are recorded as seismic data. Seismic imaging methods are applied to the recorded seismic data to generate seismic images of the subterranean formation.

11398589

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED PATENT APPLICATIONS This application is a U.S. National Stage Application under 35 U.S.C. § 371 of PCT Application No. PCT/KR2018/015034, filed Nov. 30, 2018, which claims priority to Korean Patent Application Nos. 10-2017-0166005, filed Dec. 5, 2017 and 10-2018-0010230, filed Jan. 26, 2018, whose entire disclosures are hereby incorporated by reference. TECHNICAL FIELD An embodiment of the invention relates to a light emitting device package and a light source device. BACKGROUND ART Light emitting devices such as Light Emitting Diode or Laser Diode using Group III-V or II-VI compound semiconductor materials have an advantage capable of realizing light of various wavelength bands such as red, green, blue, and ultraviolet light by development as thin film growth technology and device materials. As a light emitting device capable of providing a high output is requested, research is being conducted on a device capable of high output by applying high power. In addition, research is being conducted on a method of improving the light extraction efficiency of the light emitting device and improving the light intensity at the package stage. In addition, research is being conducted on a method of improving the bonding strength between the electrode of the light emitting device package and the light emitting device. SUMMARY An embodiment of the present invention may provide a light emitting device package in which a center of an upper surface and a center of a lower surface of a through hole of the frame are disposed to be offset from each other under the light emitting device. An embodiment of the present invention may provide a light emitting device package in which a through hole of a frame or a lower shape of the through hole includes an asymmetric shape in at least one direction. An embodiment of the present invention may provide a light emitting device package in which at least one or both of a conductive portion and a conductive protrusion of a light emitting device is disposed in a through hole of a frame. An embodiment of the present invention may provide a light emitting device package in which a first resin is disposed in a recess of a body disposed between frames and the light emitting devices are adhered. An embodiment of the present invention may provide a light emitting device package in which a plurality of light emitting devices disposed on frames are connected through a conductive portion disposed in a through hole. An embodiment of the present invention provides a light emitting device package in which a light emitting device is connected by disposing a metal connection portion in a through hole of the body. An embodiment of the present invention provides a light emitting device package that connects a plurality of light emitting devices by extending a metal connection portion disposed under the body to a through hole of the body. An embodiment of the present invention provides a light emitting device package in which a plurality of light emitting devices are connected in series or in parallel. A light emitting device package according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a first frame including a first through hole; a second frame including a second through hole; a body disposed between the first and second frames; a light emitting devices disposed on the first and second frames, and an area of lower surfaces of the first and second through holes is greater than an area of upper surfaces of the first and second through holes, and a center of the upper surface and a center of the lower surface of the first through hole are disposed to be offset from each other in a vertical direction, and a center of the upper surface and a center of the lower surface of the second through hole may be disposed to be offset from each other in the vertical direction. A light emitting device package according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a plurality of frames; a plurality of through holes disposed in each of the plurality of frames; a body disposed between the plurality of frames; a light emitting device disposed on the plurality of frames and the body; and a resin disposed on the upper surface of the plurality of frames, the upper surface of the body and the through holes, wherein the light emitting device includes a plurality of conductive protrusions penetrating each of the plurality of through holes on a lower portion of the light emitting device, and the plurality of the conductive protrusions are exposed at a lower surface of the plurality of frames, the plurality of conductive protrusions have a pillar shape made of metal, and the plurality of conductive protrusions have a height equal to or greater than a thickness of the frame, and a center of an upper surface and a center of a lower surface of each of the plurality of through holes may be disposed to be offset from each other in the vertical direction. According to an embodiment of the invention, a width of the lower surface of the first through hole is wider than a width of an upper surface of the first through hole in the first direction, and a width of a lower surface of the second through hole may be wider than a width of an upper surface of the second through hole in the first direction. The width of the lower surface of the first through hole may be wider than the width of the upper surface of the first through hole in the second direction, and the width of the lower surface of the second through hole may be wider than the width of the upper surface of the second through hole in the second direction. The light emitting device may have a length in a first direction longer than a length in a second direction. According to an embodiment of the invention, the center of the lower surface of the first and second through holes may be further spaced apart from the body than the center of the upper surface of the first and second through holes. The center of the lower surface of the first through hole is spaced away from the second frame based on the center of the upper surface of the first through hole, and the center of the lower surface of the second through hole may be spaced away from the first frame based on the center of the upper surface of the second through hole. According to an embodiment of the invention, the body may have at least one recess on an upper portion of the body and a first resin disposed on the recess. A conductive portion may be disposed in the first and second through holes. The light emitting device includes conductive protrusions disposed in the first and second through holes, and the conductive protrusions may contact the conductive portions. According to an embodiment of the invention, a second resin may be disposed around the lower portion of the light emitting device. A third resin or a conductive portion is disposed in the first and second through holes, and the light emitting device may include conductive protrusions disposed in the first and second through holes. The conductive protrusion may be exposed on the lower surfaces of the frames through the first and second through holes. The conductive protrusion may have a thickness greater than the thickness of the first and second frames. The recess may overlap the light emitting device in a vertical direction. The recess may have an inner portion overlapping the light emitting device in a vertical direction and an outer portion extending in the outer direction from the light emitting device. According to an embodiment of the present invention, the recess is disposed in plural, and the depth of the recess may be smaller than the depth of the through hole. A third frame is spaced apart from the first or second frame, a plurality of light emitting devices are disposed on the first to third frames and may be connected in series with each other. A light source device according to an embodiment includes a circuit board; and one or more light emitting device packages may be disposed on the circuit board. Advantageous Effects According to the invention, the conductive portion is provided in the through hole of the frame facing the bonding portions of the light emitting element, so that the bonding strength and electrical conductivity of the bonding portion may be improved. According to the invention, the conductive protrusions of the pillar shape protruding under the bonding portion of the light emitting device are disposed in the through holes of the frames, so that the adhesive strength and electrical conductivity of the bonding portion of the flip chip may improve. According to the invention, it is possible to improve the adhesion and electrical conductivity of the conductive protrusions of the flip chip by arranging the resin and the pillar-shaped conductive protrusions protruding below the bonding portion of the light emitting device in the through hole of the frame. According to the present invention, the through hole of the frame facing the bonding portions of the light emitting device is provided in a non-symmetrical shape, thereby improving adhesion and electrical conductivity of the bonding portion. According to the invention, it is possible to improve adhesion and support of the light emitting device by disposing a first resin for adhesion between the light emitting device and the body. According to the present invention, the first resin may be disposed in the recess of the body facing the light emitting device, thereby improving the adhesion and the supporting force of the light emitting device. According to an embodiment, a high voltage package can be provided by arranging one or a plurality of light emitting cells in a plurality of light emitting devices. According to an embodiment, a plurality of light emitting devices may be connected in series to provide a high voltage package. According to an embodiment, a plurality of light emitting devices may be selectively connected to a frame or a conductive portion to switch the driving voltage of the package. According to the embodiment, it is possible to improve light extraction efficiency and electrical characteristics and reliability. According to the embodiment, it is possible to improve the process efficiency of the package, reduce the manufacturing cost, and improve the production yield. The package of the embodiment may improve reliability by suppressing discoloration of the body by providing a body having a high reflectance. According to an embodiment, it is possible to prevent a re-melting phenomenon from occurring in the process of re-bonding the light emitting device package to a board.

11372671

BACKGROUND Many current enterprises have large and sophisticated networks comprising switches, hubs, routers, middleboxes (e.g., firewalls, load balancers, source network address translation, etc.), servers, workstations and other networked devices, which support a variety of connections, applications and systems. The increased sophistication of computer networking, including virtual machine migration, dynamic workloads, multi-tenancy, and customer specific quality of service and security configurations require a better paradigm for network control. Networks have traditionally been managed through low-level configuration of individual network components. Network configurations often depend on the underlying network: for example, blocking a user's access with an access control list (“ACL”) entry requires knowing the user's current IP address. More complicated tasks require more extensive network knowledge: forcing guest users' port 80 traffic to traverse an HTTP proxy requires knowing the current network topology and the location of each guest. This process is of increased difficulty where the network switching elements are shared across multiple users. In response, there is a growing movement towards a new network control paradigm called Software-Defined Networking (SDN). In the SDN paradigm, a network controller, running on one or more servers in a network, controls, maintains, and implements control logic that governs the forwarding behavior of shared network switching elements on a per user basis. Making network management decisions often requires knowledge of the network state. To facilitate management decision-making, the network controller creates and maintains a view of the network state and provides an application programming interface upon which management applications may access a view of the network state. Some of the primary goals of maintaining large networks (including both datacenters and enterprise networks) are scalability, mobility, and multi-tenancy. Many approaches taken to address one of these goals results in hampering at least one of the others. For instance, one can easily provide network mobility for virtual machines within an L2 domain, but L2 domains cannot scale to large sizes. Furthermore, retaining user isolation greatly complicates mobility. As such, improved solutions that can satisfy the scalability, mobility, and multi-tenancy goals are needed. BRIEF SUMMARY Some embodiments provide a system that allows a user to specify a logical network that includes one or more middleboxes (e.g., firewalls, load balancers, network address translators, intrusion detection systems (IDS), wide area network (WAN) optimizers, etc.). The system implements the logical network by distributing logical forwarding elements (e.g., logical switches, logical routers, etc.) across numerous managed switching elements operating on numerous physical machines that also host virtual machines of the logical network. In implementing such a logical network, the system of some embodiments implements different middleboxes in different manners. For instance, the system may implement a first middlebox in a distributed manner (e.g., with the middlebox implemented across numerous managed middlebox elements that also operate on the physical machines alongside the managed switching elements) and a second middlebox in a centralized manner (e.g., as a single appliance or virtual machine, as a cluster). In some embodiments, the determination as to whether to implement a particular middlebox in a distributed or centralized matter is based on the state sharing requirements between different middlebox elements when the middlebox is distributed. In some embodiments, the spectrum for possible implementation of logical middleboxes into a physical network ranges from a fully distributed middlebox to a fully centralized middlebox, with different middleboxes implemented at different points along such a spectrum. In addition, a single type of middlebox may be implemented in both a centralized or a distributed fashion, including within the same managed logical network. For example, a user might want a first firewall for filtering all traffic incoming from external networks and a second firewall for filtering traffic between different subnets of the logical network. In some cases, the best solution may be to implement the first firewall as a single appliance to which all external incoming traffic is forwarded, while implementing the second firewall in a distributed fashion across all of the physical machines on which virtual machines of the logical network are hosted. At one end of the spectrum is a fully distributed middlebox architecture. In this case, the middlebox is implemented across numerous nodes (physical host machines). Each of the physical host machines, in some embodiments, hosts at least one virtual machine in the logical network containing the logical middlebox. In addition, a managed switching element runs on each of the host machines, in order implement the logical forwarding elements of the logical network. As a particular physical host machine may host virtual machines in more than one logical network (e.g., belonging to different tenants), both the distributed middlebox and the managed switching element running on the host may be virtualized in order to implement middleboxes and logical forwarding elements from different logical networks. In some embodiments, a middlebox may be implemented in such a distributed fashion when minimal sharing of state (or none at all) is required between the middlebox instances. At least some types of middleboxes are stateful, in that they establish states for connections between machines (e.g., between two virtual machines in the network, between a virtual machine in the network and an external machine, etc.). In some embodiments, the middlebox establishes a state for each transport layer connection (e.g., TCP connection, UDP connection). In the distributed case of some embodiments, a middlebox element operating at a particular host machine creates states for the transport connections passing through it, but does not need to share these states with the other middlebox elements operating on the other host machines. When the states only apply to the virtual machines hosted on the particular host machine, and the middlebox does not need to perform any analysis using state information established for other virtual machines, then the middlebox may be distributed. Examples of such middleboxes include source network address translation (S-NAT), destination network address translation (D-NAT), and firewalls. In addition, some embodiments allow distribution of middleboxes that have a minimal level of state sharing. For example, load balancers may query the machines across which they balance traffic to determine the current level of traffic sent to each of the machines, then distribute this to the other load balancers. However, each load balancing element can run a load balancing algorithm on its own, and perform the queries at regular intervals, rather than sharing state information with every other load balancing element every time a packet is routed to one of the virtual machines, or every time a transport (e.g., TCP, UDP, etc.) connection is established with one of the virtual machines. On the other side of the spectrum is the fully centralized middlebox implementation. In such a centralized implementation, the managed switching elements in the hosts send all traffic for the middlebox to process to the same middlebox appliance. This single middlebox may be a separate physical machine or a separate virtual machine operating within the physical network on its own host machine (or in the same host as one of the virtual machines in the network). When a managed switching element identifies that a packet should be sent to the middlebox, the switching element sends the packet through the physical network to the middlebox (e.g., via a tunnel). The middlebox processes the packet, then sends the packet (actually a new packet) to another managed switching element for processing (e.g., a pool node). Some embodiments use such a centralized middlebox when a distributed middlebox would require packet sharing at data plane speeds. That is, for each traffic packet processed by a middlebox element, the element would have to update all of the other middlebox instances with the state change resulting from the packet processing. Thus, each traffic packet passing through a middlebox would result in an explosion of additional traffic in order to update all of the other middlebox instances. Examples of such middleboxes include IDSs and WAN optimizers. For instance, in order to properly monitor for intrusions, IDS processing needs to know about all connections within the network. As such, if the IDS were distributed, new state updates would have to be sent for every packet processed by a distributed IDS element. As a third option, some embodiments use a cluster architecture for some middleboxes that is similar to the fully centralized architecture, except that the cluster acts as a centralized resource pool rather than a single physical machine. A middlebox cluster (e.g., a cluster of IDS boxes) may be beneficial in some embodiments when the network (or networks) using the middlebox is larger, and a single appliance may not have enough resources (e.g., memory, processing power, etc.) to handle the larger deployment. However, when the cluster is a middlebox that requires knowledge of all of the state information, then this state information will be shared between the various machines in the cluster. In some embodiments, the middlebox cluster may be a better option than a single appliance when the analysis does not require state updates on a per packet basis, but rather a per transport connection (or several updates per connection, while less often than per packet) basis. In order to perform the high-speed state sharing required, some embodiments link the middlebox machines in the cluster via a separate dedicated high-speed connection for sharing the state information. The preceding Summary is intended to serve as a brief introduction to some embodiments of the invention. It is not meant to be an introduction or overview of all inventive subject matter disclosed in this document. The Detailed Description that follows and the Drawings that are referred to in the Detailed Description will further describe the embodiments described in the Summary as well as other embodiments. Accordingly, to understand all the embodiments described by this document, a full review of the Summary, Detailed Description and the Drawings is needed. Moreover, the claimed subject matters are not to be limited by the illustrative details in the Summary, Detailed Description and the Drawing, but rather are to be defined by the appended claims, because the claimed subject matters can be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the spirit of the subject matters.

11353355

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS This application claims the benefit of the filing date of EP Patent Application Serial No. 18 163 330.6 filed on 22 Mar. 2018, the entire content of which is incorporated herein by reference. FIELD OF THE INVENTION The invention relates to limit level measurement. In particular, the invention relates to an impedance limit switch configured for determining a limit level of a medium, a method for determining a limit level of a medium by means of an impedance limit switch, a program element and a computer-readable medium. BACKGROUND Limit level switches are used in order to detect a limit level of a filling material in or outside of a container. Typical uses for detecting such a pre-defined filling level are, for example, process tanks, storage tanks, silos or pipelines in the process industry. Limit level switches are used in a wide variety of fluids, and in granulated and powdered bulk materials. Different limit level switches are used depending upon the properties of the filling material and the individual process conditions. There are known, for example, impedance limit switches, TDR sensors, vibration limit switches and sensors which function using the capacitive or resistive/conductive measuring principle. A switching command issued by the limit level switch starts or stops filling devices or emptying devices such as conveyor belts or pumps. Impedance limit switches generate an electrical field which extends into the interior of the tank. The EMC radiation associated therewith must not exceed a permitted limit value in some applications. SUMMARY A first aspect relates to an impedance limit switch which is configured for determining a limit level of a medium in a container. It has a measuring probe and an electronic circuit. The measuring probe can include, in particular, a measuring electrode, a reference electrode and an inductor. In addition, a screening electrode can be provided which ensures that the electrical field lines penetrate as deeply as possible into the filling material. The electronic circuit is configured to generate an excitation signal for an oscillator circuit which typically comprises the measuring electrode, the reference electrode and the inductor, and to feed said signal into the oscillator circuit. Furthermore, the electronic circuit is configured to pass through the frequency of this excitation signal, for example in the form of a stepless or stepped sweep and to determine a resonance curve of the oscillator circuit. Furthermore, the electronic circuit can adapt the amplitude or voltage of the excitation signal dependent upon the resonance curve, typically in that the voltage of a transmission signal which is fed into a VCO which generates the excitation signal is adapted in order to reduce the EMC radiation of the impedance limit switch. If the resonance curve changes, then the excitation signal normally changes, since it is responsible for the shape and the amplitude of the resonance curve. In particular, it can be provided that the amplitude of the excitation signal and thus the voltage of the transmission signal is varied dependent upon the frequency. This change of the amplitude of the excitation signal or of the voltage of the transmission signal over the frequency can hereby correspond to the shape of the resonance curve. In this case, a large change in the amplitude of the resonance curve thus causes the excitation signal to be greatly changed in this frequency range and vice versa. These measures can cause the EMC radiation of the impedance limit switch to be reduced without worsening or at least without significant worsening of the sensitivity of the impedance measurement. In particular, an adaptive regulation of the excitation signal can be provided (indirectly via the adaptive regulation of the transmission signal voltage) for minimising the interference radiation. According to one embodiment, the electronic circuit is configured to adapt the amplitude of the excitation signal in a step-wise manner by means of a control loop. This is an iterative, adaptive method which can be used to bring the EMC radiation as close as possible to the limit value. According to one embodiment, the electronic circuit is configured to ensure that a low point in the resonance curve leads to a reduction of the amplitude of the excitation signal at the frequency of the low point. This consideration is based upon the recognition that the peak in the resonance curve can lead to an increased EMC radiation. If the frequency of this peak and its amplitude are now identified, through a reduction of the amplitude of the excitation signal in the region of the peak, it can be achieved that at these frequencies, the EMC radiation decreases and, in the ideal case, has the same value as in other regions of the resonance curve. According to a further embodiment, the electronic circuit is configured to regulate the amplitude of the excitation signal such that the EMC radiation of the impedance limit switch is substantially constant over the frequency range through which the excitation signal passes or at least only has variations which lie below a predetermined limit value. It can be provided that this limit value is able to be input by the user. It can further be provided that the electronic circuit regulates the amplitude of the excitation signal such that the maximum EMC radiation of the impedance limit switch lies below a defined limit value. As described above, it can be provided that this limit value is able to be input by the user. According to a further embodiment, the electronic circuit is configured to regulate the amplitude of the excitation signal such that the EMC radiation of the impedance limit switch lies close to but is always below the defined limit value. It can thus be provided that following the analysis of the first recorded resonance curve, the regulation regulates the excitation signal significantly downwardly and then regulates it up again in a stepped manner, at least partially, so that firstly, the impedance curve becomes ever flatter (the peak declines) and secondly, the amplitude of the resonance curve approaches a value which corresponds to the limit value of the permissible EMC radiation. Advantageously, the relationship between the shape and the amplitude of the resonance curve and the associated EMC radiation is known, so that the excitation signal can be optimally set accordingly. A further aspect relates to a method for determining a limit level of a medium in a container by means of an impedance limit switch. Initially, an excitation signal is generated for an oscillator circuit of the impedance limit switch. The oscillator circuit typically has a measuring electrode, a reference electrode and an inductor. Accordingly, the frequency of the excitation signal is passed through (in a sweep) and the resonance curve of the oscillator circuit is determined. Thereafter, an adaptation of the amplitude of the excitation signal takes place dependent upon the resonance curve, in particular upon the shape and amplitude of the resonance curve in order to reduce an EMC radiation of the impedance limit switch and, if possible, to keep it as constant as possible over the whole frequency range of the sweep. A further aspect relates to a program element which, when it is executed on a processor of an impedance limit switch, instructs the impedance limit switch to carry out the method described above and in the following. A further aspect relates to a computer-readable medium on which the aforementioned program element is stored. Embodiments are described below by reference to the drawings. The illustrations in the figures are schematic and not to scale. Where, in the figures, the same reference signs are used, these relate to the same or similar elements.

11416370

BACKGROUND OF THE DESCRIPTION A system on chip (SOC) is an integrated circuit that integrates all components of a computer or other electronic system. These components include a central processing unit (CPU), memory, input/output (IO) ports and secondary storage, which are all included on a single substrate or microchip. Additionally, SOCs enable the integration of third party components via a standardized on-die interconnect protocol. However, the addition of such components may lead to security vulnerabilities.

11237724

TECHNICAL FIELD This disclosure relates to interface display of a mobile terminal, and particularly to a mobile terminal and a method for split screen control thereof, and a computer readable storage medium. BACKGROUND The popularity of intelligent mobile terminals greatly facilitates people's life, entertainment, and learning, and more and more things can be done with mobile terminals (such as, mobile phones, tablets, etc.). As screens of the mobile terminals become larger and larger, the demand for multitasking display is increasing. For example, a video window needs to be displayed in upper half of the screen and a chat application window needs to be displayed in lower half of the screen. SUMMARY Implementations provide a method for split screen control of a mobile terminal. The method includes the following. The mobile terminal acquires, in a split screen mode, a first split screen. The mobile terminal detects an instruction for desktop display. The mobile terminal acquires a desktop icon and displays the desktop icon on the first split screen, upon receiving the instruction for desktop display. Implementations further provide a mobile terminal. The mobile terminal includes a processor and a memory configured to store computer programs. The computer programs are executable on the processor and the processor is configured to: determine, in a split screen mode, a split screen for desktop icon display; and acquire a desktop icon and display the desktop icon on the split screen for desktop icon display, upon receiving an instruction for desktop display. Implementations further provide a computer readable storage medium. The computer readable storage medium is configured to store computer programs. The computer programs are executed by a processor to: determine, in a split screen mode, a split screen for desktop icon display; detect an instruction for desktop display; and acquire a desktop icon and display the desktop icon on the split screen for desktop icon display, upon receiving the instruction for desktop display.

11488439

FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to methods of presenting and playing games and gaming devices configured to present games. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Table games are a very popular form of wagering games. These games are referred to as table games because they are presented at a gaming table rather than at a gaming machine. These games include, but are not limited to, blackjack, poker, baccarat and other types of card games, as well as roulette, craps and other types of games. In the case of card games, physical cards are dealt by a dealer to one or more players who sit at a table. The players may utilize physical gaming chips to place wagers and may be payed winnings by the dealer in the form of chips. While these games may be implemented at the table using basic gaming equipment such as cards, dice, a roulette wheel or the like, some attempts have been made to utilize equipment to automate game play, reduce error and expedite game play, and/or implement various secondary features. For example, some gaming tables have been fitted with RFID sensors which are capable of reading and recording gaming chips, such as to automatically log player wagers to reduce dealer error associated with manually calculating the value of chips wagered by a player. Likewise, some gaming tables have been modified to implement secondary features, such as wheel spin bonuses and the like, such as described in U.S. Pat. No. 7,931,532. While many attempts have been made to improve the configuration of gaming tables, a variety of problems still exist with these tables. For example, relative to spin features such as detailed in the '532 patent, a mechanical spin button is connected to a controller via a cord. When a player is entitled to a bonus spin, the button must be passed from player to player across the gaming table. This is time consuming and can often result in inadvertent triggering of the button when it is passed by other players. Further, such equipment must be added to the gaming table in addition to the existing table game equipment, thus adding to the cost and complexity of the gaming table. A new and improved method and device for implementing game play is desired. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Embodiments of the invention comprise methods of implementing and presenting games, gaming tables and gaming systems. In one embodiment, a system for implementing a game at a gaming table relative to one or more players at player locations of the table comprises an input receiving device or sensor corresponding to each of the player locations, each input sensor configured to receive multiple player inputs, and at least one controller configured to receive, relative to a player's first input to a sensor at a first time, a wager input from the player; and receive, relative to a player's second input to the sensor at a second time, a game play input from the player. In one embodiment of the invention, a gaming table comprises a playing surface, a plurality of player positions, each player position comprising at least one input sensor, a table controller, the table controller comprising at least one processor, at least memory, and at least one communication device interfaced to each input sensor, and machine readable code stored by said memory and executable by the table controller to receive, relative to a least one player, said player's first input to said at least one sensor at a first time, a wager input from said player and receive, relative to a player's second input to the sensor at a second time, a game play input from the player. Another embodiment of the invention comprises a method of implementing a game at a gaming table which includes multiple player inputs comprising: receiving input from the player of at least one wager via the input sensor at a first time, receiving input from the player of a game input via the input sensor at a second time, and implementing a game feature based upon the game input received from the player. In one embodiment, the input sensor(s) comprise proximity sensors, such as IR type proximity sensors. A first input to the sensor may comprise a wager input which is detected by the sensor when the player locates one or more wagering chips on or proximate to the sensor. A second input to the sensor may comprise a game input such as a “spin” input which is detected by the sensor when the player locates their hand or another body part on or proximate to the sensor. In one or more embodiments, the input sensor(s) may be used in association with one or more indicators, such as lights or other elements which provide an indication to a user of one or more of: an indication that a sensor is ready for input, an indication that a sensor is deactivated, and an indication that an input has been received/confirmed. Further objects, features, and advantages of the present invention over the prior art will become apparent from the detailed description of the drawings which follows, when considered with the attached figures.

11337735

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention is directed to closure structures for joining together parts of a medical implant and to drive systems for such structures, in particular for use with open bone anchors in spinal surgery, and in some embodiments thereof, for use with spinal bone anchors such as polyaxial screws that include compression inserts. Bone anchors, such as bone screws and hooks are utilized in many types of spinal surgery in order to secure various implants to vertebrae along the spinal column for the purpose of stabilizing and/or adjusting spinal alignment. For example, the most common mechanism for providing vertebral support is to implant bone screws into certain bones which then in turn support a longitudinal connecting member, such as a rod, or are supported by the connector. Although both closed-ended and open-ended bone anchors are known, open-ended anchors are particularly well suited for connections to longitudinal connecting members such as hard, soft or deformable rods, dynamic, soft or elastic connectors and connector sleeves or arms, because such rods or other connector members do not need to be passed through a closed bore, but rather can be laid or urged into an open channel within a receiver or head of such a bone anchor. Generally, the anchors must be inserted into the bone as an integral unit or a preassembled unit, in the form of a shank or hook and connected pivotal receiver. In some instances, a portion of such a preassembled unit, such as a shank of a polyaxial bone screw assembly, may be independently implanted into bone, followed by push- or pop-on assembly of a receiver portion of the unit that includes the open channel for receiving a rod or other longitudinal connecting member. Typical open-ended bone screws include a threaded shank with a head or receiver having a pair of parallel projecting branches or arms which form a yoke with a U-shaped slot or channel to receive a portion of a rod or other longitudinal connecting member. Hooks and other types of connectors, as are used in spinal fixation techniques, may also include similar open ends for receiving rods or portions of other fixation and stabilization structure. After the rod or other longitudinal connecting member is placed in the receiver channel, a closure, typically in the form of a substantially cylindrical plug is often used to close the channel. Known closures include slide-on types, twist-on varieties that are rotated ninety degrees to a locked in position, and a variety of one- and two-piece cylindrical types having helically wound guide and advancement structures including, for example, thread forms having v-thread, reverse-angle, buttress or square thread forms, to name a few, as well as other non-threadlike helically wound forms, such as Applicant's flange forms described in U.S. Pub. No. 2005/0182410. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION A closure structure embodiment according to the invention includes an outer fastener portion and a cooperating inner set screw portion, the closure structure outer fastener portion cooperating with a bone anchor for capturing a spinal fixation longitudinal connecting member, such as a rod, the anchor having an open receiver with spaced apart arms defining a longitudinal connecting member receiving channel therebetween. The bone anchor further includes a shank or hook portion that pivots with respect to the receiver. The outer fastener is sized and shaped for engagement with spaced apart arms of a compression or pressure insert located within the bone anchor open receiver. The outer fastener presses downwardly against the pressure insert arms and the insert in turn presses against an upper surface of the pivotal shank or hook portion, fixing an angle of the shank or hook with respect to the receiver independently of the fixing of the longitudinal connecting member with respect to the bone anchor receiver. It is the inner set screw that ultimately abuts against the longitudinal connecting member, fixing the connector with respect to the bone anchor. In a particular embodiment, the outer fastener includes an internal drive feature having pockets or partially closed slots (could also be described as partially open sockets) formed in a top surface thereof. The pockets could also be described as partially open sockets as they are hollows in which a driver extension is placed to rotate the fastener that are open in a radially inwardly direction and closed at a location near an outer cylindrical surface of the fastener. Although a four pocket fastener is illustrated, as few as two pockets and up to six or more pockets may be formed in the outer fastener top surface. The illustrated pockets further include an outer curved or lobular recess that extends all the way to the outer fastener helically wound guide and advancement structure without breaking through driving or crest surfaces thereof. A cooperating driver includes extensions or prongs for closely fitting within the drive pockets and an inner extension that is slidingly received by the closure inner set screw. A system for designing two-piece plug closures of the invention include designing the outer fastener with pockets that have drive surfaces that extend inwardly rather than outwardly to result in a splay control outer flange form or other helical guide and advancement structure having driving and splay control features that are not broken or otherwise compromised by the outer fastener inner drive feature while providing an outer fastener with adequate driving face or flank surface area. Such a system also includes designing a smaller set screw for cooperation with the outer fastener. The set screw is in turn designed with an outer helical guide and advancement structure, preferably a v-thread, that is fine (i.e., a small pitch), resulting in increased thrust of the inner set screw against a cooperating longitudinal connecting member as well as a lower torque value. Also according to an embodiment of the invention, a compression insert of a polyaxial bone anchor is made from a hard material, such as a cobalt chrome alloy. Embodiments of the invention aid in splay control during torquing or tightening of the closure with respect to the arms that occurs when the closure abuts against the insert located in the receiver. Although the illustrated outer fasteners are shown with helically wound flange form structures, it is noted that other helical forms, such as buttress, reverse angle and square threads may be utilized on the outer fastener and cooperating bone anchor receiver. The drawings constitute a part of this specification and include exemplary embodiments of the present invention and illustrate various objects and features thereof.

11291005

BACKGROUND 1. Field of the Invention(s) The present invention(s) generally relate to traffic management for wireless networks using RSVP. More particularly, the invention(s) relate to systems and methods for network data traffic management for variable bandwidth networks using RSVP. 2. Description of Related Art Unlike fibre, copper, or any other transport technology, non-standard and dynamically changing bandwidths along with complex link aggregation and protection schemes make some wireless, radio frequency networks (e.g., microwave networks) complex and different. Regular routers are not designed for such networks and rely on slow, protocol-based notifications to gather data from the underlying transport network to optimize behavior. Sometimes worse, regular routers use only manual configured fixed bandwidth. This lack of dynamic or adaptive media awareness in regular routers significantly impacts network performance, reliability, and operations cost. SUMMARY An example method comprises receiving a bandwidth update associated with a change in bandwidth over a wireless channel, determining if the change in bandwidth identified in the bandwidth update results in bandwidth being over-reserved at least one priority level, previously reserved bandwidth of the wireless channel being associated with a plurality of different priority levels, the previously reserved bandwidth being previously reserved based on a plurality of path requests from a head end router, each path request including at least one priority level of the plurality of different priority levels and a bandwidth reservation request, if the change in bandwidth identified in the bandwidth update results in bandwidth being over-reserved, then preempt a lowest priority path request of the previously received plurality of path requests, based in the preemption of the lowest priority path request, update reserved bandwidth of the wireless channel of at least one priority level of the plurality of priority levels, and provide a message to the head end router regarding the change of bandwidth to direct data on an alternate path away from the wireless channel or delay the data until unreserved bandwidth is available over the wireless channel. The bandwidth may be changed due to a change of coding modulation over the wireless channel. In some embodiments, the coding modulation is changed due to changes in weather conditions affecting a quality of the wireless channel. In various embodiments, the wireless channel is a microwave wireless channel. The method may further comprise determining if, after the reserved bandwidth of the wireless channel is updated, the bandwidth is still over-reserved, if, after the reserved bandwidth of the wireless channel is updated, the bandwidth is still over-reserved, preempt the next-lowest priority path request of the previously received plurality of path requests, and based in the preemption of the next-lowest priority path request, update reserved bandwidth of the wireless channel of at least one priority level of the plurality of priority levels, wherein the message to the head end router indicating the preemption of the lowest priority path request and the next-lowest priority path request. In some embodiments, the method may further comprise directing data to an alternate path based on the preemption of the lowest priority path request. in various embodiments, each path request includes a hold priority and a setup priority, wherein the at least one priority level is the hold priority, the hold priority indicating a value associated with a level of priority of the plurality of priority levels for maintaining priority once bandwidth is reserved based on the path request, the setup priority indicating a value associated with a level of priority of the plurality of priority levels for setting up a new bandwidth reservation based on the path request. The method may further comprise receiving a new path request with a new hold priority and a new setup priority, comparing the new setup priority to at least one hold priority of at least one previously received path request, and preempting the at least one previously received path request based on the comparison. In some embodiments, the method may further comprise receiving a new path request with a new hold priority and a new setup priority, comparing the new setup priority to at least one hold priority of at least one previously received path request, and refusing the new path request based on the comparison. In various embodiments, an RSVP table indicates the previously reserved bandwidth previously reserved based on a plurality of path requests from the head end router. An example system may comprise a first router configured to receive a bandwidth update associated with a change in bandwidth over a wireless channel, determine if the change in bandwidth identified in the bandwidth update results in bandwidth being over-reserved at least one priority level, previously reserved bandwidth of the wireless channel being associated with a plurality of different priority levels, the previously reserved bandwidth being previously reserved based on a plurality of path requests from a head end router, each path request including at least one priority level of the plurality of different priority levels and a bandwidth reservation request, if the change in bandwidth identified in the bandwidth update results in bandwidth being over-reserved, then the router is further configured to preempt a lowest priority path request of the previously received plurality of path requests, based in the preemption of the lowest priority path request, the router is further configured to update reserved bandwidth of the wireless channel of at least one priority level of the plurality of priority levels, and provide a message to the head end router regarding the change of bandwidth to direct data on an alternate path away from the wireless channel or delay the data until unreserved bandwidth is available over the wireless channel. An example non-transitory computer readable medium comprising executable code. The code may be executable by at least one processor to perform a method. The method may comprise receiving a bandwidth update associated with a change in bandwidth over a wireless channel, determining if the change in bandwidth identified in the bandwidth update results in bandwidth being over-reserved at least one priority level, previously reserved bandwidth of the wireless channel being associated with a plurality of different priority levels, the previously reserved bandwidth being previously reserved based on a plurality of path requests from a head end router, each path request including at least one priority level of the plurality of different priority levels and a bandwidth reservation request, if the change in bandwidth identified in the bandwidth update results in bandwidth being over-reserved, then preempt a lowest priority path request of the previously received plurality of path requests, based in the preemption of the lowest priority path request, update reserved bandwidth of the wireless channel of at least one priority level of the plurality of priority levels, and provide a message to the head end router regarding the change of bandwidth to direct data on an alternate path away from the wireless channel or delay the data until unreserved bandwidth is available over the wireless channel.

11512906

BACKGROUND Hydraulic fracturing has been commonly used by the oil and gas industry to stimulate production of hydrocarbon producing wells, such as oil and/or gas wells. Hydraulic fracturing, sometimes called “fracing” or “fracking” is the process of injecting fracturing fluid, which is typically a mixture of water, proppants (e.g., sand, fracturing sand, ceramics and resin coated materials), and chemicals, into the wellbore to fracture subsurface geological formations and release hydrocarbon reserves. The fracturing fluid is pumped into a wellbore at a pressure to cause fissures within the underground geological formations. Once inside the wellbore, the pressurized fracturing fluid flows into the subsurface geological formation to fracture the underground formation. The fracturing fluid may include water, various chemical additives, and proppants that promote the extraction of hydrocarbon reserves, such as oil and/or gas. Proppants, such as fracturing sand, prevent the fissures and fractures created in the underground formation from closing, and allow the formation to remain open so that the hydrocarbon reserves are able to flow to the surface. A base fluid for creating fracturing fluid, such as water, possesses certain properties that dictate the base fluid's effectiveness in hydraulic fracturing operations. Examples of properties that influence a base fluid's effectiveness include mineral content (e.g., total dissolved solids such as iron, chlorides, and sulfides), potential of hydrogen (pH), alkalinity, bacterial content, and temperature. If the available base fluid fails to meet one or more of these criteria, then operators may adjust the water's properties prior to and/or during the fracturing fluid creation process. For example, an operator may adjust the base fluid's properties by implementing filtering processes (e.g., filter media or osmosis), performing chemical alterations (e.g., the addition of acids, bases, or biocides) and/or transferring thermal energy (e.g., a propane or diesel fired heat exchanger) to the base fluid. Typically, the volume of base fluid an operator uses in a fracturing operation can be as high as about 4,000,000 gallons per day. Therefore, to adjust the base fluid's properties, whether to filter, chemically alter, or heat water, can be a relatively large-scale operation. In one example, assuming the base fluid is water, controlling water temperature within a certain range is important when operators treat the water in hydraulic fracturing operations with gelling agents, such as guar gum, xanthan gum, hydroxyethyl cellulose, or poly-acrylamide. One reason to treat the water with gelling agents is to achieve a desired viscosity that generates an intended fracture propagation and/or carry proppants designed to hold fractures in surrounding rock formations open post-treatment. To properly treat the water with the gelling agents, operators may manage the water's temperature to be within a certain range. If the water's temperature is outside the optimal range, operators may apply additional volumes of gelling agents and other chemicals to water to achieve the desired viscosity. Unfortunately, using additional volumes of gelling agents adversely affects the economics of the treatment projects and leads to unnecessary waste of resources. In certain situations, if the water's temperature is excessively low, an operator may be unable to achieve a desired viscosity for the fracturing fluid. In addition to possible viscosity issues, base fluid temperatures that fall below a certain temperature could damage tubulars and/or casing that provides the integrity of the wellbore. As an example, if relatively large quantities of fracturing fluid with temperature below the certain temperature is injected into the wellbore, the tubulars could experience sudden detrimental thermal compression based on the thermal expansion properties of the steel. Specifically, a 30-degree Fahrenheit (° F.) drop in the fracturing fluid's average temperature over the length of 18,000 feet of casing in a wellbore could result in enough force to cause the casing to compress about five feet. The resulting compression could cause added tension within the various tubular strings that unset packer assemblies and casing hangers, damage wellbore cement sealing integrity, and/or even part the casing or tubing strings. Accordingly, injecting relatively large quantities of fracturing fluid at relatively low temperatures could damage a well's integrity and lead to costly repairs, safety risks, and possible environmental damage to ground water. Therefore, being able to efficiently manage the temperature of fracturing fluid remains valuable in fracturing operations. SUMMARY The following presents a simplified summary of the disclosed subject matter in order to provide a basic understanding of some aspects of the subject matter disclosed herein. This summary is not an exhaustive overview of the technology disclosed herein. It is not intended to identify key or critical elements of the invention or to delineate the scope of the invention. Its sole purpose is to present some concepts in a simplified form as a prelude to the more detailed description that is discussed later. In one or more embodiments, a system for heating source fluid, comprising: a turbine-electric generator transport comprising: an inlet plenum and an exhaust collector; a turbine connected to the inlet plenum and the exhaust collector; and an electric-generator coupled to the turbine; an exhaust heat recovery transport comprising: a combustion air connection coupled to the inlet plenum; an exhaust air connection coupled to the exhaust collector; a heat transfer assembly coupled to the exhaust air connection; and a fluid system coupled to the heat transfer assembly; an inlet and exhaust transport comprising: an air inlet filter housing coupled to the combustion air connection; and an exhaust stack coupled to the exhaust air connection. In another embodiment, a method for heating source fluid, the method comprising: receiving, at a heat transfer assembly of an exhaust heat recovery transport, exhaust air from a turbine-electric generator system, measuring an incoming temperature and flow rate for a source fluid, pumping the source fluid in the heat transfer assembly at a pressure based on the temperature and the flow rate of the exhaust air and the incoming temperature and the flow rate for the source fluid, transferring, within the heat transfer assembly, thermal energy from the exhaust air to the source fluid to generate a heated source fluid, and discharging the heated source fluid from the heat transfer assembly. In yet another embodiment, an exhaust heat recovery transport comprising: a combustion air connection configured to provide combustion air to an inlet plenum of a power generation system, an exhaust air connection configured to receive exhaust air from an exhaust collector of the power generation system, a heat transfer assembly configured to transfer thermal energy from the exhaust air to a source fluid to generate a heated source fluid, and one or more pump assemblies coupled to a fluid system and driven by one or more electric motors, wherein the one or more pump assemblies are configured to: pump the source fluid into the heat transfer assembly via the fluid system at a pressure based on a temperature and a flow rate of the exhaust air and an incoming temperature for the source fluid and discharge the heated source fluid from the heat transfer assembly via the fluid system.

11530056

FIELD This disclosure relates generally to systems and methods for filling containers with units of smokeless tobacco and, more particularly, to manufacturing and inserting pouches of smokeless tobacco into containers in a continuous operation with on-line weight control. SUMMARY Various forms of smokeless tobacco, including pouched smokeless tobacco (snus) are provided to the consumer in a lidded cylindrical container (e.g., a can) composed of metal, paperboard or plastic. Pouched snus may comprise an amount of tobacco encased in a paper case. Heretofore, a large number of pouches were manufactured by plural pouch-making lanes and/or machines (e.g., pouchers) whose outputs were deposited together (e.g., co-mingled) in an intermediate holding bin. Such comingling can confound quality control. For example, with comingling, it may become impossible to determine which one of many pouchers caused a particular can to be over or under weight. In accordance with aspects disclosed herein, there is a system and method for filling cans with pouches directly from a pouch-making machine, weighing the filled cans, and selectively adjusting the pouch-making machine based on the weighing. In embodiments, the system comprises a pouch-making machine having plural vertically-oriented lanes, each of which individually manufactures pouches filled with smokeless tobacco and inserts the pouches into a container (e.g., can) that may be sold to a consumer. Each lane may comprise an individual poucher and a transfer structure that guides completed pouches into a can positioned in the lane. The system may comprise a conveyor that controllably moves cans into alignment with the transfer structures of the plural lanes where each can is individually filled with pouches directly from a respective one of the lanes. In embodiments, the conveyor moves the filled cans to a tamping station and simultaneously moves a new set of empty cans into alignment with the transfer structures of the plural lanes. The system may incorporate a controllable hold-back structure in each of the transfer structures so that pouches may be continuously made even during movement of the cans by the conveyor. The system may also incorporate one or more sensors in each lane to accurately count the number of pouches inserted into each can. In accordance with additional aspects disclosed herein, each can is weighed individually after being filled with pouches. In embodiments, the system is structured and arranged to associate each can with a respective one of the lanes, and to maintain this association through the can-weighing process. When a particular can is determined to be over or under weight via the can-weighing process, the association between the can and a particular lane may be used to adjust at least one manufacturing parameter of the lane. For example, the rate of tobacco being supplied to the poucher of a particular lane may be selectively increased or decreased based on the weighing of a can that was filled at that particular lane. According to a first aspect, there is a system for manufacturing and inserting tobacco-filled pouches into containers. The system includes a pouch providing system comprising a plurality of lanes, wherein each one of the plurality of lanes comprises a pouch making machine and a hold-back structure. The system also includes a conveyor system structured and arranged to move a plurality of containers into alignment with the plurality of lanes. The system further includes a controller structured and arranged to control the hold-back structure in each one of the plurality of lanes such that pouches are inserted into the plurality of containers when the plurality of containers are aligned with the plurality of lanes. According to another aspect, there is a method for manufacturing and inserting tobacco-filled pouches into containers. The method includes: engaging a plurality of containers with a conveyor system; simultaneously moving the plurality of containers into alignment with a corresponding plurality of pouch making machines; inserting pouches directly from respective ones of the plurality of pouch making machines into respective ones of the plurality of containers; individually weighing each one of the plurality of containers after the inserting; and adjusting a rate of tobacco supplied to a respective one of the plurality of pouch making machines based on the weighing.

11243785

TECHNICAL FIELD Embodiments described herein relate to systems and methods for optimizing user interfaces and, in particular, to systems and methods for organizing and displaying inferences and/or other evidence that a user interface variation is associated with a user interaction goal. Embodiments described herein also relate to systems and methods for detecting a positive, negative, or neutral correlation between a user interface variation and a change in a user interaction goal. BACKGROUND A user interface designer, such as a designer of a collaborative work tool accessible by many individuals to facilitate and coordinate completion of work related to a project, can leverage A/B testing to infer whether a proposed modification to a user interface would help accomplish a given user interaction goal. For example, a collaborative work tool interface designer may conduct an A/B test to determine whether increasing a font size of a button (i.e., a proposed change) shown in specific section of the collaborative work tool interface is associated with an increase in the number of users of that click the button (i.e., a user interaction goal). Conventional A/B testing used by user interface designers is a frequentist analysis performed by presenting different groups of users with different user interfaces, and tallying which group(s) accomplish a user interaction goal more frequently. Once a sufficient quantity of data is collected for all groups, a p-test can be conducted to determine whether the null hypothesis (i.e., that the user interface modification under test has no influence on the selected user interaction goal) can be rejected with confidence. However, p-test results are often confused with a statistical confidence in the effect of a proposed user interface modification, which can result in design decisions that do not substantively contribute to improvements in user interaction. The systems and techniques described herein may be used to evaluate variations in a user interface without some of the drawbacks of some traditional evaluation techniques. SUMMARY Embodiments described herein relate to methods for determining and displaying a probability that a relationship between (1) a selected user interface variation and (2) a selected user interaction goal exists. These described methods display the determined probability(s) in a graphical user interface to present to a user of that graphical user interface a visual indication of whether the selected user interface variation is associated with a positive, negative, or neutral effect on the selected user interaction goal. A method described herein includes the operation of receiving an instruction that includes two (or more) data items. A first data item of the instruction corresponds to a selected user interaction goal and a second data item corresponds to a selected user interface variation. Thereafter, the method obtains a control dataset from a database communicably coupled to the host service. The control dataset includes only user interface interaction data that is not associated with the selected user interface variation. The method additionally obtains a variant dataset from the same database. The variant dataset includes only user interface interaction data that is associated with the selected user interface variation. Thereafter, the method determines a control posterior distribution from the control dataset and a variant posterior distribution from the variant dataset. With these distributions, a probability that the selected user interaction goal is more likely to be achieved under the variant posterior distribution than the control posterior distribution can be determined. In response to this determination, a signal can be provided to a client device to cause a graphical user interface of that device to display the determined probability. Some embodiments may include further include the operation(s) of: displaying a number of selectable user interaction goals and a number of selectable user interface variations. A user interface variation can be selected from the number of selectable user interface variations and a user interaction goal can be selected from the number of selectable user interaction goals. These selections can be used to generate the instruction referenced above. Some embodiments include a configuration in which each of the selectable user interface variations correspond to a respective one previously-conducted A/B test. Some embodiments include a configuration in which the database referenced above is a first database. In these examples, the method further includes the operation of accessing a second database to obtain a base set of query strings. The second database can be queried by submitting the first data item (e.g., corresponding to a selected user interaction goal) to the second database. In response, the method can advance by generating a control set of query strings by (1) modifying each query string of the base set of query strings to only match data not associated with the selected user interface variation and (2) submitting each query string of the control set of query strings to the first database. Similarly, the method can generate a variant set of query strings by (1) modifying each query string of the base set of query strings to only match data associated with the selected user interface variation and (2) submitting each query string of the variant set of query strings to the first database. In other embodiments, the query strings of the base set may not be modified; instead, results from a query (or more than one query) of the second database may be filtered match or not match data associated with the selected user interface variation. Further embodiments include selecting a prior distribution type based on the selected user interaction goal. In these examples, the control posterior distribution may be based on the selected prior distribution type and the control dataset, the variant posterior distribution may be based on the selected prior distribution type and the variant dataset. Related embodiments include a configuration in which the operation of determining the probability that the selected user interaction goal is more likely to be achieved under the variant posterior distribution than the control posterior distribution includes a Monte Carlo integration operation for each of the control posterior distribution and the variant posterior distribution. Further embodiments described herein relate to a method for conducting interaction analysis of a first graphical user interface presented by a client device communicably coupled to a host device. This described method includes the operations of: receiving a goal identifier corresponding to a selected goal for user interaction with the first graphical user interface; receiving an experiment identifier corresponding to a selected variation of the first graphical user interface (optionally, the selected variation associated with a previously-conducted interface variation experiment); obtaining a dataset constructor query by submitting the goal identifier and the experiment identifier to a query string database; obtaining a control dataset by querying a user interaction history database with the dataset constructor query, the control dataset filtered to comprise only interaction data of users not presented the selected variation; obtaining an experiment dataset by querying the user interaction history database with the dataset constructor query, the experiment dataset filtered to comprise only interaction data of users presented the selected variation; extracting control dataset metadata from the control dataset, the control dataset metadata comprising a control percentage of users not presented the selected variation that achieved the selected goal; determining an experiment posterior distribution from the experiment dataset; extracting experiment metadata from the experiment posterior distribution, the experiment metadata with a high density interval based on a predefined uncertainty threshold; and displaying, at a second graphical user interface, the high density interval juxtaposing the control percentage (e.g., substantially adjacent or otherwise visually close together). Some embodiments can include the operation of determining whether a first portion of the high density interval that is greater than (partially or entirely) the control percentage. In addition, certain methods further determine whether a second portion of the high density interval that is less than (partially or entirely) the control percentage. Thereafter, at the second graphical user interface, at least one of the first or second portions of the high density interval can be displayed. In some cases, the first and second portions can be displayed as a single range. Some embodiments further include an operation of determining whether the first or second portion of the high density interval are equal to zero. In these examples, upon determining that the second portion of the high density interval is equal to zero (e.g., the entire high density interval is greater than the control percentage), the method can advance to provide a visual indication (via the second graphical user interface) that the previously-conducted interface variation experiment is associated with an increase in the selected goal for user interaction. In other cases, upon determining that the first portion of the high density interval is equal to zero (e.g., the entire high density interval is less than the control percentage), the method can advance to provide a visual indication (via the second graphical user interface) that the previously-conducted interface variation experiment is associated with an decrease in the selected goal for user interaction. In still other cases, the method may determine that both the first portion and the second portion are non-zero (e.g., the high density interval overlaps the control percentage). In these examples, the method can advance to provide a visual indication (via the second graphical user interface) that the previously-conducted interface variation experiment may be associated with an increase or a decrease in the selected goal for user interaction. The visual indication(s) referenced above and with respect to other embodiment described herein can include, without limitation, an operation of changing a color displayed in the second graphical user interface (e.g., a background, a font color, a border color, and so on), changing a size of an element displayed in the second graphical user interface, or displaying a notification in the second graphical user interface. Further embodiments can include a determination in which a method advances to determine a precision of an experiment posterior distribution by calculating a width of a high density interval of that experiment posterior distribution. Some embodiments further include the operation of displaying the determined precision. In some cases, another visual indication can be provided in response to a determination that the determined precision satisfies a threshold precision. Still further embodiments described herein relate to a system for conducting interaction analysis of a first graphical user interface from a second graphical user interface. Such systems include a host device with a processor. The system further includes a first client device (in communication with, or otherwise operably coupled to, the host device) and configured to generate the first graphical user interface. In addition, the system includes a second client device (in communication with, or otherwise operably coupled to, the host device) and configured to generate a second graphical user interface. The second graphical user interface displays (1) a set of goals for user interaction with the first graphical user interface and (2) a set of variations of the first graphical user interface. The system further includes a user interaction history database communicably coupled to processor of the host device. The user interaction history database is configured to store data corresponding to user interaction events triggered when a user interacts with the first graphical user interface. The system further includes a query string database communicably coupled to the processor of the host device. In these embodiments, the processor of the host device can be configure to, without limitation: receive, from the second client device (1) a goal identifier corresponding to a goal selected from the set of goals and (2) a variation identifier corresponding to a variation selected from the set of variations; obtain a dataset constructor query by submitting the goal identifier and the variation identifier to the query string database; obtain a control dataset by querying the user interaction history database with the dataset constructor query, the control dataset filtered to comprise only interaction data of users not presented the selected variation; obtain a variation dataset by querying the user interaction history database with the dataset constructor query, the experiment dataset filtered to comprise only interaction data of users presented the selected variation; determine, from the control dataset, a control percentage of users not presented the selected variation that achieved the selected goal; determine a high density interval of a posterior distribution based on the variation dataset; and instruct the second graphical user interface to display the high density interval juxtaposing the control percentage. In these embodiments, the second graphical user interface can be optionally configured to provide a visual indication upon determining that the high density interval does not overlap the control percentage.

11485842

TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to a composition based on natural fibers, in particular for the manufacture of parts in the automotive field. BACKGROUND Various composite materials that are useful for the preparation of automotive interior parts are commercially available or described in the literature. For example, the application WO 2012/093167 describes a composite material comprising:(a) 28 to 95% by weight of a matrix-forming polypropylene-polyethylene copolymer;(b) 0 to 10% by weight of a flow agent, in particular a polyolefin such as polyethylene or polypropylene homopolymer;(c) 1 to 20% by weight of an impact modifier;(d) 1 to 20% by weight of a compatibilizer; and(e) 3 to 70% by weight of natural fibers, and its uses in the preparation of interior parts of vehicles. The parts obtained from a composite material based on natural fibers are advantageously lighter than those prepared from a composite material based on glass fibers. However, the parts obtained from a composite material based on natural fibers are less rigid than those obtained from a composite material comprising glass fibers in place of natural fibers (with the same fiber content). Composite materials based on natural fibers making it possible to prepare parts having improved rigidity are therefore sought. SUMMARY AND DETAILED DESCRIPTION For this purpose, according to a first object, the invention relates to a composition useful for the preparation of such a composite material. The composition comprises:(a) from 65 to 85% by weight of polypropylene homopolymer in powder form, the average particle size of which is micrometric,(b) from 14 to 30% by weight, preferably from 14 to 25% by weight, of natural fibers of length less than or equal to 2 mm,(c) from 1 to 3% by weight of compatibilizer. The composition comprises from 65 to 85% by weight polypropylene homopolymer in powder form, the average particle size of which is micrometric. As used herein, “micrometric” means that the average particle size measured by image scanning electron microscopy (SEM) or laser diffraction analysis, preferably laser diffraction, is from 1 to 1000 μm, in particular from 300 to 1000 μm, preferably from 300 to 800 μm. The average size of the particles corresponds to their average diameter. The polypropylene homopolymer preferably has a melt index at 230° C. under a load of 2.16 kg greater than 30 g/10 min, in particular from 30 to 150 g/10 min, preferably from 40 to 125 g/10 min. In the application, melt indexes (Melt Flow Indexes (MFI)) are as measured according to ISO 1133-2 (2011). The composition comprises from 14 to 30% by weight, in particular from 14 to 25% by weight, preferably from 17 to 25% by weight, of natural fibers of length less than or equal to 2 mm, for example of length from 300 μm to 2 mm. Fibers of greater length are generally more difficult to incorporate into the composition, and thus into the composite material. Fiber proportions of less than 14% generally result in a composition which, when extruded, gives a composite material of insufficient rigidity. The presence of natural fibers makes it possible, in particular, to increase the thermal resistance of the composition. Even in the presence of these natural fibers, the composition makes it possible to inject large parts such as dashboard inserts. However, optimum injection behavior is observed when it contains less than 30% by weight, in particular less than 25% by weight, of natural fibers. The term “natural fibers” refers to fibrous materials derived from materials of plant or animal origin. The natural fibers are preferably derived from:seeds or fruit of a plant, such as cotton, kapok, milkweed and/or coconut,the stem of the plant, such as flax, hemp, jute, ramie and/or kenaf,leaves of the plant such as sisal, Manila hemp, abaca, henequen, raffia and/or agave,the trunk of the plant, such as wood (softwood or hardwood) and/or banana,herbaceous plants such as switchgrass,miscanthus, bamboo, sorghum, esparto and/or sabeicommunis,the stem of agricultural waste such as rice, wheat and/or corn,hair, secretion or feathers of animals, such as wool, alpaca, mohair, cashmere, angora, goose feathers, silk, Tussah or wild silk and/or spider silk, and mixtures thereof. Natural fibers from the stem, such as flax, hemp, jute, ramie and/or kenaf, are particularly preferred. Generally, wood powder or wood flour is not considered as belonging to natural fibers. The fibers generally have a water content of less than 5% by weight, preferably less than 2% by weight. Such contents may be obtained by drying them. The composition comprises from 1 to 3% by weight of a compatibilizing agent. The term “compatibilizing agent” refers to compounds having two ends of different chemical structure respectively having a particular affinity for two components of a heterogeneous material, thereby making it possible to improve the compatibility between these two components. The compatibilizing agent ensures good affinity between the fibers and the other components of the composition and thus makes it possible to obtain a homogeneous mixture. As a compatibilizing agent may be mentioned, in particular, a compound chosen from polyolefins grafted with polar groups. As polyolefins, polypropylene or polypropylene (co)polymers may be mentioned. Particularly preferred are polyolefins grafted with a carboxylic acid (such as maleic acid), one of its esters or anhydrides (such as maleic anhydride), with an epoxy (such as an oxirane, typically a polyolefin obtained using glycidyl methacrylate as comonomer) or a silane. The compatibilizing agent may also be in the form of a powder whose average particle size measured by scanning electron microscopy is micrometric, in particular between 1 and 1000 μm, preferably from 300 to 1000 μm, for example from 300 to 800 μm. The composition may further comprise from 0 to 15% by weight, in particular from 0.1 to 15% by weight, preferably from 3 to 11% by weight, of an impact modifier. The term “impact modifier” refers to agents added to a material in order to improve the properties of impact resistance. These modifiers are polymers or molecules that form multiphase systems with the matrix or that react chemically with the matrix, thus improving its resilience. The impact modifier is preferably an elastomeric compound, especially chosen from the group consisting of the ethylene-propylene-diene monomer (EPDM), the ethylene-propylene monomer (EPM), the ethylene-propylene rubber (EPR) and the elastomeric polyolefins (EPO), copolymers and terpolymers based on ethylene, propylene, butene and octene, nitrile-butadiene rubber (NBR), isobutylene (IB), chlorinated rubber, poly(styrene-butadiene-styrene) (SBS), styrene-ethylene-butene-styrene copolymer (SEBS), isobutylene-isoprene rubber (IIR), styrene-isoprene-styrene copolymer (SIS), chlorinated polyethylene (CM), polymers of isoprene, copolymers of ethylene and butylene, their mixtures and derivatives, in particular grafted with maleic acid, and/or maleic anhydride. The composition may further comprise a polypropylene homopolymer of high melt index, and different from the polypropylene homopolymer described above. Thus, the composition may comprise less than 20% by weight, in particular from 0.1 to 15% by weight, of a polypropylene homopolymer having a melt index at 230° C. under a load of 2.16 kg greater than 400 g/10 min, in particular from 500 to 2000 g/10 min, preferably from 500 to 1500 g/10 min. This polypropylene homopolymer is preferably obtained by metallocene catalysis. In fact, it is found that metallocene catalysis leads to polyolefins whose melting temperature is much lower than a polyolefin obtained by Ziegler Natta catalysis, thus leading to a much greater fluidity of the polymer. In addition, metallocene catalysis induces a much narrower molecular weight distribution and thus a lower content of molecules of low weight thereby reducing the content of potentially injectable compounds. It is therefore not necessary, as in the case of polyolefins obtained by Ziegler-Natta catalysis, to use chemical means, such as the breaking of chains by acid attack (e.g. maleic anhydrides) to achieve high fluidities. The choice of such homopolymers of high fluidity indices therefore contributes to making possible the injectability of large parts such as automotive dashboard body inserts. The composition may consist of:(a) from 65 to 85% by weight, in particular from 65 to 84.8% by weight, of homopolymer polypropylene having a melt index at 230° C. under a load of 2.16 kg greater than 30 g/10 min, in particular from 30 to 150 g/10 min, preferably from 40 to 125 g/10 min, the polypropylene homopolymer being in the form of a powder whose average particle size is micrometric,(b) from 14 to 30% by weight, preferably from 14 to 25% by weight, of natural fibers of length less than or equal to 2 mm,(c) from 1 to 3% by weight of compatibilizer,(d) from 0 to 15% by weight, in particular from 0.1 to 15% by weight, of an impact modifier(e) from 0 to 20% by weight, in particular from 0.1 to 15% by weight, of a polypropylene homopolymer having a melt index at 230° C. under a load of 2.16 kg greater than 400 g/10 min, in particular from 500 to 2000 g/10 min, preferably from 500 to 1500 g/10 min. According to a second object, the invention relates to a method for preparing a composite material comprising extruding a composition as defined above to obtain a composite material, optionally followed by granulation to obtain the composite material in pellet form. Generally, the polypropylene homopolymer forms the matrix of the composite material. The extrusion is preferably carried out in a screw extruder, such as a twin-screw, single-screw, planetary extruder, and preferably a co-kneader type single-screw extruder which limits shearing and is used at low temperature (<200° C.), thus advantageously avoiding the degradation of natural fibers and ensuring very good dispersion of the fibers in the homopolymer matrix. According to a third object, the invention relates to the composite material obtainable by this method. According to a fourth object, the invention relates to a method for preparing a part by injection of the composite material defined above. This part generally has at least one dimension which measures more than 50 cm, in particular more than 100 cm, preferably more than 150 cm. Typically, the pellets of composite material are brought into contact with a heated and temperature-controlled plasticizing screw. The pellets are softened under the combined action of the screw and the temperature to reach a viscous state at the front of the screw, and constituting the supply of material ready to be injected. The material present at the front of the plasticizing screw is then injected under high pressure into a mold (or cavity) having the desired shape for the part. The part is then cooled for a few seconds and then ejected. The method for preparing the part may comprise the preliminary steps for preparing the composite material, and thus may comprise the following steps:extrusion of a composition as defined above to obtain a composite material, thenoptional granulation to obtain the composite material in the form of pellets, theninjection to obtain the part. According to a fifth object, the invention relates to the use of the composite material defined above for preparing a part by injection. According to a sixth object, the invention relates to the part obtainable by this method. This part is preferably a vehicle part, preferably a car part, including an automotive interior part, for example an interior trim part, such as a dashboard, a dashboard insert, a center console, or a door panel. The parts may have large dimensions, wherein at least one of the dimensions is greater than 50 cm, preferably more than 100 cm, sometimes more than 150 cm. One may mention a dashboard insert, which typically has a dimension of about 1600 cm long. This part has improved rigidity compared to a part prepared from composite materials based on conventional natural fibers, in particular that described in the application WO 2012/093167. The rigidity may even achieve that obtained for parts obtained from composite materials based on glass fibers. Without wishing to be bound by a particular theory, the inventors assume that the use of a powdery polypropylene homopolymer makes it possible to improve the dispersibility of the natural fibers in the polypropylene homopolymer matrix, and thus the compatibility between the polypropylene homopolymer matrix and the natural fibers, which would explain the improvement of the rigidity of the part so obtained. As the part is prepared from natural fibers, it is light, usually 6.5 to 7% lighter than a part made from an identical composite material except the replacement of the natural fibers by glass fibers. The part has mechanical properties, including rigidity that are improved compared to a part prepared from a composite material based on glass fibers. Thus, it is possible to prepare a reduced-size part, typically of reduced thickness, compared to a part prepared from a composite material based on glass fibers while maintaining the mechanical properties, in particular of rigidity, relative to a part prepared from a composite material based on glass fibers. On this basis, by combining the weight reduction associated with the use of lighter natural fibers and the weight reduction related to the reduction of the thickness of the part, the part according to the invention is typically 10 to 25% lighter than a part having identical mechanical properties (and therefore thicker) and prepared from an identical composite material except the replacement of the natural fibers by glass fibers. The average tensile modulus (longitudinal and/or transversal) according to ISO 527 of 2012 of a part prepared from a composite material (and therefore a composition) generally increases with the proportion of natural fibers. The tensile modulus of a part prepared from a composite material (and therefore a composition) comprising 20% by weight of natural fibers is generally less than 3000 MPa. The tensile modulus of a part prepared from the composite material according to the invention (and therefore of the composition according to the invention) comprising 20% by weight of natural fibers (same fiber content) is advantageously greater than 3800 MPa. The average tensile modulus (longitudinal and/or transverse) is therefore higher than that of a part prepared from a composite material prepared from a composition having the same composition, except that the polypropylene homopolymer in the form of powder is replaced by polypropylene homopolymer in the form of pellets. According to a seventh object, the invention relates to a method for improving the rigidity (and therefore the average tensile modulus (longitudinal and/or transversal) according to ISO 527 of 2012) of a part comprising the steps of:extrusion of a composition comprising:(a) from 65 to 85% by weight of polypropylene homopolymer,(b) from 14 to 30% by weight, preferably 14 to 25% by weight, of natural fibers less than or equal to 2 mm in length, and(c) from 1 to 3% by weight of compatibilizer, to obtain a composite material and thenoptional granulation to obtain the composite material in the form of pellets, theninjection to obtain the part, in which the polypropylene homopolymer used in the extrusion is in the form of a powder whose average particle size measured by scanning electron microscopy is micrometric, in particular between 1 and 1000 μm, preferably from 300 to 1000 μm, by example of 300 to 800 μm.

11500245

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION This application claims priority to Chinese Patent Application No. 202111654597.8, filed Dec. 30, 2021, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. TECHNICAL FIELD The present application relates to the technical field of display technology, and in particular to a backlight module and a display device. BACKGROUND In the prior art, a backlight module of the direct-lit display device adopts a millimeter-scale light-emitting diode chip (mini LED). In order to improve the display effect, it is necessary to arrange more and denser mini LEDs, which leads to the high power consumption and the high cost of the display device. In order to reduce the energy consumption and cost of the display device, the mini LEDs are arranged sparsely, that is, the distance between two adjacent LEDs is relatively large. However, this arrangement may easily lead to the problem of “starry sky” of a display panel, that is, the brightness of a region directly facing to the LED is relatively large, and the brightness of a central region formed by four LEDs in any two adjacent rows and two adjacent columns is relatively low; and two regions have obvious uneven brightness and darkness, which affects the light-emitting uniformity of the backlight module. Therefore, there is an urgent need for a new backlight module and a display device, which can improve the light-emitting uniformity of the backlight module, avoid the problem of “starry sky”, and improve the display effect. SUMMARY A backlight module and a display device are provided by embodiments of the present application. A light-supplementing portions are located in second regions, and light emitted from the light-supplementing portions can be emitted from a light-transmitting region of a substrate in the second regions to compensate the brightness of the backlight module in the second regions, thereby reducing the difference in the light-emitting brightness of the backlight module between first regions and the second regions, improving the light-emitting uniformity of the backlight module, avoiding the “starry sky” problem, and improving the display effect. In a first aspect, the embodiments of the present application provides the backlight module, including a plurality of first regions and a plurality of second regions arranged adjacently. The backlight module includes the substrate, including the light-transmitting region, in which the light-transmitting region is at least partially located in the second regions; a plurality of first light-emitting elements, arranged at a side of the substrate, in which the first light-emitting elements are located in the first regions, and the first light-emitting elements emit light along a direction perpendicular to a plane where the substrate is located; a light-guiding plate, arranged at a side of the substrate away from the first light-emitting elements, in which the light-guiding plate includes a plurality of light-supplementing portions located in the second regions; and at least one second light-emitting element, arranged at a side face of the light-guiding plate. In a second aspect, the embodiments of the present application provides the display device, including the backlight module according to any one of the embodiments as described above, a display panel, arranged at a light-emitting side of the backlight module. Compared with the related art, the backlight module provided by the embodiments of the present application includes the substrate, the first light-emitting elements, the light-guiding plate and the second light-emitting element. Since the first light-emitting elements are located in the first regions, and the first light-emitting elements emit the light in the direction perpendicular to the plane where the substrate is located, when the backlight module is applied to the display device, the light of the first light-emitting elements is emitted from the first regions to provide backlight for the display panel of the display device. The light-guiding plate is arranged at the side of the substrate away from the first light-emitting elements, and the light-guiding plate can guide the light emitted by the second light-emitting element to the light-supplementing portions for emitting. Since the light-supplementing portions are located in the second regions, and the light emitted from the light-supplementing portions can be emitted from the light-transmitting region of the substrate in the second regions to compensate the brightness of the backlight module in the second regions, thereby reducing the difference in the light-emitting brightness of the backlight module between the first regions and the second regions. In this solution, not only the power consumption can be low, the brightness of the backlight module can meet the requirements, the film assembly can be simple and easy, and the cost can be low, but also the light-emitting uniformity of the backlight module can be fully improved, so as to avoid the problem of “starry sky” and improve the display effect.

11397842

BACKGROUND An integrated circuit (“IC”) includes one or more semiconductor devices. One way in which to represent a semiconductor device is with a plan view diagram referred to as a layout diagram. Layout diagrams are generated in a context of design rules. A set of design rules imposes constraints on the placement of corresponding patterns in a layout diagram, e.g., geographic/spatial restrictions, connectivity restrictions, or the like. Often, a set of design rules includes a subset of design rules pertaining to the spacing and other interactions between patterns in adjacent or abutting cells where the patterns represent conductors in a layer of metallization. Typically, a set of design rules is specific to a process node by which will be fabricated a semiconductor device based on a layout diagram resulting. The design rule set compensates for variability of the corresponding process node. Such compensation increases the likelihood that an actual semiconductor device resulting from a layout diagram will be an acceptable counterpart to the virtual device on which the layout diagram is based.

11318412

BACKGROUND Field of the Invention The present invention relates to gas separation membranes. Related Art Membranes are commonly used for large scale fluid (water or gas) separation processes. Gas separation membranes are commonly manufactured in one of two configurations: flat sheet or hollow fiber. The flat sheets are typically combined into a spiral wound element. On the other hand, the hollow fibers are commonly bundled together in a manner similar to a shell and tube heat exchange or they are wrapped around a mandrel. In typical spiral wound flat sheet membranes, two flat sheets of membrane with a permeate spacer in between are joined, for example glued, along three of their sides to form an envelope (i.e., a “leaf”) that is closed on three sides but open on one side. These envelopes are separated by feed spacers and wrapped around or otherwise to form a perforated permeate tube with the open side of the envelope facing the permeate tube. Feed gas enters along one side (i.e., the feed gas side) of the wound membrane element in between two adjacent envelopes and passes through the membrane element in an axial direction. As the gas travels between adjacent envelopes, more permeable fluids permeate through one of the sheets and into an interior of the envelope. These permeated gases have only one available outlet (the single open side of the envelope), so they travel within the envelope in an inwardly spiraling path, out the open envelope side, and to the permeate tube. The primary driving force for such transport (from the feed side to the permeate tube) is the pressure differential between the high feed gas pressure and the low permeate gas pressure. The permeate gas enters the permeate tube, such as through perforations formed in the tube. The gases that do not permeate the sheet are referred to as the non-permeate gas (or residue or retentate). The non-permeate completes travel through the spiral wound sheet in the axial direction and exits the side of the membrane element opposite that of the feed gas side. In hollow fiber elements, very small hollow fibers are laid around a central tube either arranged parallel to the axis of the tube or helically wrapped around the tube. This achieves a fairly high packing density. In one type of hollow fiber membrane, the bores of the fibers at one end thereof are sealed off from the feed gas with a tubesheet at one end of the membrane element. In another type of hollow fiber membrane, the bores of the fibers at each end thereof are sealed off from the feed gas with a tubesheet at each end of the membrane element. Feed gas is fed to the outer circumferential surface of the membrane element and flows over and between the fibers. More permeable gases permeate across the fiber wall into the fiber bores. The permeate gas then travels within the fiber and is collected at the tubesheet(s). When two or more membrane elements are arranged in parallel, the permeate gas from one membrane element is mixed with the permeate gases from the other membrane elements. Typically, the combined permeate gas exits the membrane element through a permeate conduit or pipe. Gases not permeating through the fiber wall eventually reach a central tube of the membrane element, which is typically perforated. While many configurations for the permeate conduit have been proposed, in one such configuration, the central tube is divided into two regions extending throughout the entirety of the central tube. In such a divided region tube, the non-permeate gas is conveyed in the outer region while the permeate gas is conveyed in the inner region. The inner region is sealed off from the outer region but fluidly communicates with a permeate gas collection element formed in the tubesheet. Regardless of whether the membranes are configured as hollow fibers or spiral wound flat sheets, typically the membranes are arranged within a pressure vessel that includes a feed port, a permeate port, and a retentate port. As the name suggests, feed gas is fed to the membranes within the pressure vessel via the feed port, permeate gas is withdrawn from the permeate port, and retentate gas is withdrawn from the retentate port. One well-known application of gas separation modules is the separation of CO2from natural gas. In such an application or for similar large-flow separation processes, the customer (i.e., a natural gas company) solicits bids from gas separation module suppliers for a large number (on the order of hundreds, for example) of gas separation modules for integration into the customer process. Because the customer's process is often a complex, multi-step purification and conditioning process (such as the purification of raw natural gas to pipeline specifications), the overall customer process is designed with the particular characteristics of the gas separation modules of the winning bid in mind. Those characteristics typically include the length and inside diameter dimensions of the pressure vessel, the inner diameter and outer diameter dimensions of the flanges associated with the feed, permeate, and retentate ports, and the particular way in which the flanges mate with, and are secured to, the corresponding flanges of the upstream and downstream portions of the customer process connected to the gas separation modules. It is known that membrane performance can deteriorate over time and deleteriously affect the customer's process. The flux and/or selectivity of the membranes may decrease to below the contractually agreed-upon specifications with the result that the product gas purity and/or production rate may unsatisfactorily decrease. For example, and in the instance of removal of CO2from natural gas, the CO2level of the product natural gas may exceed a predetermined maximum, the BTU value of the product natural gas may fall below a predetermined minimum, or the production rate of the product natural gas (in terms of BTU per unit time) may fall below a predetermined threshold. When the membrane performance deteriorates, two solutions are potentially available. In the first solution, replacement of each of the gas separation modules is solicited by the customer. This solution is often considered disadvantageous for the reason that many (if not all) of the alternative and commercially available gas separation modules may be incompatible with the customer's process because one or more of the aforementioned dimensions of the pressure vessels and flanges do not match those of the originally installed modules. For example, the flanges of existing headers (whether for feed gas, permeate gas, or retentate gas) from or to the customer's process that connect to several gas separation modules must meet up perfectly with the flanges of those modules. Because each gas separation module supplier production typically limits their commercial offering to only a relatively low number of different gas separation module configurations and membrane element types, it is not always possible for that supplier to provide replacement modules that are wholly compatible with the customer's process. The customer is then often faced with the undesirable outcome that the original supplier is the only potential supplier unless the customer wishes to engage in a costly and complicated retrofit of its process. This is clearly disadvantageous due to increased cost and process downtime reasons. In the second solution, the customer solicits replacement of each of the deteriorated membrane elements within the pressure vessel with non-deteriorated membrane elements that are otherwise identical to those being replaced. Very small differences in the dimensions of the membrane elements, such as the length and outer diameter between the deteriorated membrane elements and the replacement membrane elements can result in unsatisfactory or even failed seals between the feed gas, permeate gas, and retentate gas. Also, very small differences in the dimensions of the internal tubing (i.e., permeate tube or feed gas tube) between the deteriorated membrane elements and the replacement membrane elements can similarly result in unsatisfactory or even failed seals. The customer is again often faced with the undesirable outcome that the original supplier is the only potential supplier unless a different gas separation module supplier wishes to engage in a costly and complicated retrofit of its own gas membrane elements so that no mismatches occur. Problems associated with either of the aforementioned solutions can be exacerbated if the originally installed gas separation membrane modules are configured as spiral wound sheet-based membranes are replaced with hollow fiber-based membrane elements because the many structural differences between these two membrane configurations. U.S. Pat. No. 9,737,857 B2 proposes a workaround to the disadvantages associated with replacement of the membrane elements (as opposed to replacement of the gas separation module). A deteriorated membrane element of a predetermined length is replaced with a plurality of replacement membrane elements, which when connected, are compatible with the overall length available with the pressure vessel and serve to meet or exceed the original performance characteristics of the now-deteriorated membrane. While this is a fully satisfactory solution, unfortunately the apparatus disclosed by U.S. Pat. No. 9,737,857 B2 is limited to a plurality of identical membrane elements in parallel flow configuration. In some circumstances, this limitation can be important. Take, for example, the situation where the now-deteriorated membrane element was originally designed to separate two different components from the feed gas sought to be purified. If the replacement membrane element is unable to simultaneously perform these two separations because it is made of a different material, the solution of U.S. Pat. No. 9,737,857 B2, as disclosed, cannot be used since it is directed to a parallel flow configuration utilizing identical membrane elements. Therefore, it is an object of the invention to provide a solution to the above-described problem that does not suffer from the above-described drawbacks. SUMMARY There is disclosed a method in which a gas mixture that includes first and second gases may be separated with the gas separation membrane module. The gas separation membrane module comprising a pressure vessel, at least one feed gas inlet fluidly communicating with the interior of the pressure vessel, at least one permeate gas outlet fluidly communicating with the interior of the pressure vessel, at least one retentate gas outlet fluidly communicating with the interior of the pressure vessel, and a plurality of membrane elements disposed in series within the pressure vessel. Each of said plurality of membrane elements comprising a bundle of hollow fibers, which includes a plurality of membrane elements, wherein at a same concentration of the first gas, the first and second membrane elements exhibit different permeances for the first gas and/or different selectivities for the first gas over the second gas. The gas mixture is fed to a gas separation membrane module. There may be one or more membrane elements disposed in series upstream of the first membrane element. In this case, the gas received by the first membrane element is the retentate gas from the adjacent upstream membrane element. When the first membrane element is the most upstream of all of the membrane elements, the gas received by the first membrane element is the gas mixture. The gas fed to the first membrane element is separated with the first membrane element into a permeate gas and a retentate gas. The permeate gas produced by the first membrane element is enriched in the first gas and deficient in the second gas in comparison to the retentate gas produced by the first membrane element. There may be one or more membrane elements disposed in series in between the first and second membrane elements. In this case, the gas fed to the second membrane element is the retentate gas from the adjacent upstream membrane element. When the second membrane element is adjacently downstream of the first membrane element, the gas fed to the second membrane element is the retenate gas from the first membrane element. The gas fed to the second membrane element is separated by that membrane element into a permeate gas and a retentate gas. A retentate gas is withdrawn from the gas separation module. This retentate gas is the retentate gas produced by the downstream-most one of the plurality of membrane elements. Finally, a gas that is made up of a combination of all of the permeate gases from the plurality of membrane elements is withdrawn from the gas separation module. The invention is distinguished in part by the fact that, at a same concentration of the first gas, the first and second membrane elements exhibit different permeances for the first gas and/or different selectivities for the first gas over the second gas. There is also disclosed a gas separation membrane module, comprising a tubular pressure vessel, at least one feed gas inlet fluidly communicating into an interior of the pressure vessel, at least one permeate gas outlet fluidly communicating from an interior of the pressure vessel, and at least one retentate gas outlet fluidly communicating from an interior of the pressure vessel, and a plurality of membrane elements disposed in series within the pressure vessel, each of the plurality of membrane elements being configured as a plurality of hollow fibers, each of the plurality of membrane elements being adapted and configured for separation of a gas mixture comprising first and second gases, said plurality of membrane elements comprising first and second membrane elements, wherein the first and second membrane elements exhibit different permeances for the first gas and different selectivities for the first gas over the second gas. The method or membrane module may include one or more of the following elements: the first gas is a Cnolefin; the second gas is a Cnparaffin; n is 2 or 3; and for a same concentration of olefin fed either to the first membrane element or the second membrane element, the first membrane element exhibits a higher Cnolefin permeance than does the second membrane element. the first gas is CO2; the second gas is CH4, and at a same concentration of CO2fed to either the first membrane element or the second membrane element, the first membrane element exhibits a higher CO2permance than does the second membrane element. the gas mixture further comprises a third gas; the permeate gas produced by the first membrane element is enriched in the third gas in comparison to the retentate gas produced by the first membrane element; the first membrane element exhibits a higher permeance for the third gas in comparison to the second membrane element; and the first membrane element exhibits a higher selectivity for the third gas over the second gas in comparison to the second membrane element. the first gas is a C3+hydrocarbon, the second gas is CH4, and the third gas is CO2; the second membrane element exhibits a higher permeance for the first gas in comparison to the first membrane element; and the second membrane element exhibits a higher selectivity for the first gas over the second gas in comparison to the first membrane element. the first gas is CO2, the second gas is CH4, and the third gas is H2S; the second membrane element exhibits a higher permeance for the first gas in comparison to the first membrane element; and the second membrane element exhibits a higher selectivity for the first gas over the second gas in comparison to the first membrane element. the gas mixture further comprises a fourth gas, the fourth gas being a C3+hydrocarbon; the first membrane element has a higher selectivity of the fourth gas over the second gas in comparison to the second membrane element; and the first membrane element has a greater permeance of the fourth gas in comparison to the second membrane element. the first gas is CO2, the second gas is CH4, the third gas is H2S and the gas mixture further comprises one or more C3+ hydrocarbons. the gas mixture further comprises a third gas; the first gas is CO2; the second gas is CH4, the third gas is a C3+ hydrocarbon; the permeate gas produced by the second membrane element is enriched in the third gas in comparison to the retentate gas produced by the second membrane element; the second membrane element exhibits a higher permeance for the third gas in comparison to the first membrane element; the second membrane element exhibits a higher selectivity for the third gas over the second gas in comparison to the first membrane element. the first membrane element exhibits a higher permeance for the first gas in comparison to the second membrane element and the second membrane element exhibits a higher selectivity for the first gas over the second gas in comparison to the first membrane element. the gas mixture is natural gas. the gas mixture is associated gas. said plurality of membrane elements essentially consists of a first membrane element upstream of a second membrane element. the first membrane element comprises a plurality of hollow fiber membranes each of which comprises a separation layer made of a polymer according to formula I: wherein each PA is independently an aliphatic polyamide and each PE is independently one of tetramethylene oxide, propylene oxide, and ethylene oxide; and the second membrane element comprises a plurality of hollow fiber membranes each of which comprises a separation layer made of a polyimide. one of the first and second membrane elements comprises a plurality of hollow fiber membranes each of which comprises a separation layer made of a first polymeric material; the other of the first and second membrane elements comprises a plurality of hollow fiber membranes each of which comprises a separation layer made of a second polymeric material; the first polymeric material is a polyimide; the second polymeric material is an amorphous perfluoropolymer; and the first membrane element exhibits a higher permeance for the first gas in comparison to the second membrane element; the second membrane element exhibits a higher selectivity for the first gas over the second gas in comparison to the first membrane element. each of the first and second hollow fiber membrane elements is selective for Cnolefins over a corresponding Cnparaffin where n is 2 or 3, each of the hollow fibers of the first membrane element includes a separation layer made of a first polymeric material, each of the hollow fibers of the second hollow fiber membrane element includes a separation layer made of a second polymeric material that is chemically distinict from the first polymeric material, and for exposure to a same concentration of Cnolefin, the first polymeric material exhibits a higher Cnolefin permeance than does the second polymeric material. each of the first and second hollow fiber membrane elements is selective for CO2over CH4, each of the hollow fibers of the first membrane element includes a separation layer made of a first polymeric material, each of the hollow fibers of the second hollow fiber membrane element includes a separation layer made of a second polymeric material that is chemically distinict from the first polymeric material, and at a same concentration of CO2, the first polymeric material exhibits a higher CO2permeance than does the second polymeric material. the gas mixture, that each of the plurality of membrane elements are adapted and configured to separate, further comprises a third gas; and each of the first and second membrane elements are selective for the first gas over the second gas and also are selective for the third gas over the second gas. the first gas is a C3+hydrocarbon, the second gas is CH4, and the third gas is CO2; the second membrane element exhibits a higher permeance for the first gas in comparison to the first membrane element; and the second membrane element exhibits a higher selectivity for the first gas over the second gas in comparison to the first membrane element. the first gas is CO2, the second gas is CH4, and the third gas is H2S; the second membrane element exhibits a higher permeance for the first gas in comparison to the first membrane element; and the second membrane element exhibits a higher selectivity for the first gas over the second gas in comparison to the first membrane element. the gas mixture, that each of the plurality of membrane elements are adapted and configured to separate, further comprises a fourth gas, the fourth gas being a C3+ hydrocarbon; the first membrane element has a higher selectivity of the fourth gas over the second gas in comparison to the second membrane element; and the first membrane element has a greater permeance of the fourth gas in comparison to the second membrane element. the gas mixture, that each of the plurality of membrane elements are adapted and configured to separate, further comprises a third gas; each of the plurality of membrane elements is selective for the first gas over the second gas and also for the third gas over the second gas; the first gas is CO2; the second gas is CH4, the third gas is a C3+hydrocarbon; the second membrane element exhibits a higher permeance for the third gas in comparison to the first membrane element; and the second membrane element exhibits a higher selectivity for the third gas over the second gas in comparison to the first membrane element. the first membrane element exhibits a higher permeance for the first gas in comparison to the second membrane element and the second membrane element exhibits a higher selectivity for the first gas over the second gas in comparison to the first membrane element. the plurality of membrane elements are arranged in series within the pressure vessel along an axis of the pressure vessel; and each of the membrane elements comprises a perforated outer tube concentrically disposed within the pressure vessel and extending along the pressure vessel axis, a permeate tube concentrically disposed within the perforated outer tube and extending therethrough along the pressure vessel axis, a bundle of hollow fibers disposed around the respective outer tube, a mass of cured resin material sealing upstream ends of the hollow fibers thereby forming a nub, a tubesheet formed around downstream open ends of the respective hollow fibers and having at least one channel formed therein that fluidly communicates with downstream ends of the respective hollow fibers, a permeate passageway fluidly communicating between the tubesheet channels and the permeate tube and being sealed from flows of feed gas or retentate gas, an annular retentate gas space disposed between an inner surface of the respective outer tube and an outer surface of the respective permeate tube, and a seal between an outer circumferential surface of the tubesheet and an adjacent inner surface of the pressure vessel preventing a flow of gas therethrough. each of a plurality of annular feed gas spaces is disposed between an inner surface of the pressure vessel and an outer circumferential region of the bundle of hollow fibers of a respective one of the plurality of membrane elements so as to allow a flow of gas between the inner surface of the pressure vessel and the respective one of the plurality of membrane elements; upstream ends of each of the annular retentate gas spaces are sealed so that any flow of gas cannot enter from an upstream end thereof unless such gas first flows across the bundle of hollow fibers of the respective membrane element; the at least one feed gas inlet is in upstream flow communication with the annular feed gas space of an upstream-most one of the plurality of membrane elements; the annular retentate gas space of a downstream-most one of the plurality of membrane elements is in upstream flow communication with the at least one retentate gas outlet; each of the permeate tubes of the plurality of membrane elements is sealingly connected to one another to form a single, integrated permeate tube; and at least one end of the single integrated permeate tube is in flow communication with a respective one of the one or more permeate gas outlets. said plurality of membrane elements essentially consists of a first membrane element upstream of a second membrane element. each of the hollow fibers of the first membrane element comprises a separation layer made of a polymer according to formula I: wherein each PA is independently an aliphatic polyamide and each PE is independently one of tetramethylene oxide, propylene oxide, and ethylene oxide; and each of the hollow fibers of the second membrane element comprises a separation layer made of a polyimide. each of the hollow fiber membranes of one of the first and second membrane elements comprises a separation layer made of a first polymeric material; each of the hollow fiber membranes of the other of the first and second membrane elements comprises a separation layer made of a second polymeric material; the first polymeric material is a polyimide; the second polymeric material is an amorphous perfluoropolymer; the first membrane element exhibits a higher permeance for the first gas in comparison to the second membrane element; and the second membrane element exhibits a higher selectivity for the first gas over the second gas in comparison to the first membrane element.

11504469

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS This application is related to the following commonly owned, co-pending, United States patent applications, the disclosures of which are incorporated by reference herein: U.S. patent application. Title “VISUAL DETECTION FOR IV PUMP TUBE CALIBRATION” to Barmaimon, et al., which was filed concurrently with this application on Jul. 11, 2018; U.S. patent application Title “CAPACITOR DETECTION FOR IV PUMP TUBE CALIBRATION” to Barmaimon et al., which was filed concurrently with this application on Jul. 11, 2018. SUMMARY A system and method for calibrating flow rate of an IV pump infusion system comprising a fluid source, an infusion system comprising a control unit, an IV pump, a drive unit, and a chamber with known constant volume comprising an inlet on one side and a lower outlet on the opposite side, and IV tubing with a known inner diameter tolerance configured to operatively couple the fluid source to the inlet of the chamber, and the outlet of the chamber to a patient. The control unit is configured to operate the drive unit, and further configured to measure the amount of time the medicinal fluid takes to rise from an first (initial) position to a second (filled) position of the chamber using a sensor, calculate the flow rate of the medicinal fluid in the chamber, compare the calculated flow rate with a pre-set flow rate of the IV pump input into the control unit prior to infusion, and adjust the IV pump and flow rate based on the compared deviation.

11348767

FIELD The present disclosure relates generally to processing workpieces and more particularly to a focus ring adjustment assembly of a system for processing workpieces, such as semiconductor workpieces, under vacuum. BACKGROUND Processing systems which expose workpieces such as, semiconductor wafers or other suitable substrates, to an overall treatment regimen for forming semiconductor devices or other devices can perform a plurality of treatment steps, such as plasma processing (e.g., strip, etch, etc.), thermal treatment (e.g. annealing), deposition (e.g., chemical vapor deposition), etc. To carry out these treatment steps, a system can include one or more robots to move workpieces a number of different times, for example, into the system, between various processing chambers, and out of the system. In semiconductor workpiece processing, it can be necessary from time to time to perform routine maintenance and/or preventative maintenance on processing systems. This can require, in certain instances, physical replacement of certain parts in the processing systems. SUMMARY Aspects and advantages of embodiments of the present disclosure will be set forth in part in the following description, or can be learned from the description, or can be learned through practice of the invention. One example embodiment of the present disclosure is directed to a plasma processing apparatus. The apparatus can include a processing chamber defining a vertical direction and a lateral direction. The plasma processing apparatus can include a pedestal disposed within the processing chamber. The pedestal can be configured to support the substrate. The plasma processing apparatus can include a radio frequency (RF) bias electrode disposed within the pedestal. The RF bias electrode can extend between a first end of the RF bias electrode and a second end of the RF bias electrode along the lateral direction. The RF bias electrode can define a RF zone extending between the first end of the RF bias electrode and the second end of the RF bias electrode along the lateral direction. In some implementations, the RF zone can extend from the first end of the RF bias electrode to the second end of the RF bias electrode along the lateral direction. The apparatus can include a focus ring adjustment assembly comprising a lift pin positioned outside of the RF zone. The lift pin can be movable along the vertical direction to move a focus ring between at least a first position and a second position to adjust a distance between the pedestal and the focus ring along the vertical direction. Other example aspects are directed to systems and methods for processing a workpiece. Variations and modifications can be made to example aspects of the present disclosure. These and other features, aspects and advantages of various embodiments will become better understood with reference to the following description and appended claims. The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate embodiments of the present disclosure and, together with the description, serve to explain the related principles.

11516372

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an image capturing apparatus, an information processing apparatus, and an image capturing apparatus system. Description of the Related Art Image capturing apparatuses that, when capturing, identify subjects by a machine learning method as typified by a neural network and such are known. Such image capturing apparatuses use learned models that support specific subjects preassigned by a user in order to perform processing in relation to the specific subjects. Although currently, there are several types of subjects such as people, cars, and trains, the types of subjects are expected to increase in number in the future. Furthermore, although conventionally used for subject determination in AF (autofocus processing), it is considered that the scope of usage will widen in relation to processing in the image capturing apparatuses such as AE (auto exposure), AWB (auto white balance), image processing, and noise removal. In such a case, although a plurality of learned models would become necessary, it would be difficult, in practice, to hold all the learned models on an image capturing apparatus because that would necessitate a large recording capacity. Thus, it is necessary to appropriately switch the learned models that can be held in the image capturing apparatus. In Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2008-67316, an image distribution system, which generates and then distributes to a client terminal a high-resolution image whose image quality was controlled in accordance with a setting parameter for a high-resolution image of a desired image requested from the client terminal, is disclosed. However, although in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2008-67316, a method for generating and transmitting a high-resolution image in accordance with a request from a client terminal is disclosed, there is no disclosure related to an exchange of learned models in neural networks. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention is made in view of the problems described above and makes it possible, in shooting, to appropriately provide an image capturing apparatus with a learned model used for determining a subject and such. According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image capturing apparatus, comprising: at least one processor or circuit configured to function as: a reception unit configured to connect with an external device which is able to transmit a plurality of learned models and receive list information of a plurality of learned models; a selection unit configured to select, based on the list information of the plurality of learned models, a learned model from the plurality of learned models; and a transmission unit configured to transmit to the external device a transmission request for the learned model selected by the selection unit, wherein, the reception unit receives the selected learned model transmitted from the external device. According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided an information processing apparatus, comprising: at least one processor or circuit configured to function as: a reception unit configured to connect with an external device which is able to transmit a plurality of learned models and receive list information of a plurality of learned model; a selection unit configured to select, based on the list information of the plurality of learned models, a learned model from the plurality of learned models; and a transmission unit configured to transmit to the external device a transmission request for the learned model selected by the selection unit, wherein the reception unit receives the selected learned model transmitted from the external device, and the transmission unit transmits the selected learned model to an image capturing apparatus. According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image capturing apparatus system comprising: an external device configured to be able to transmit a plurality of learned models; and an image capturing apparatus including at least one processor or circuit configured to function as a reception unit configured to connect with the external device and receive list information of a plurality of learned models, a selection unit configured to select, based on the list information of the plurality of learned models, a learned model from the plurality of learned models, and a transmission unit configured to transmit a transmission request for the learned model selected by the selection unit to the external device, wherein, the reception unit receives the selected learned model transmitted from the external device. According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image capturing apparatus system comprising: an external device configured to be able to transmit a plurality of learned models; an information processing apparatus including at least one processor or circuit configured to function as a reception unit configured to connect with the external device and receive list information of a plurality of learned models, a selection unit configured to select, based on the list information of the plurality of learned models, a learned model from the plurality of learned models, and a transmission unit configured to transmit a transmission request for the learned model selected by the selection unit to the external device; and an image capturing apparatus, wherein the reception unit receives the selected learned model transmitted from the external device, and the transmission unit transmits the selected learned model to the image capturing apparatus. According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of controlling an image capturing apparatus comprising: connecting with an external device, which is able to transmit a plurality of learned models, and receiving list information of a plurality of learned models; selecting, based on the list information of the plurality of learned models, a learned model from the plurality of learned models; and transmitting to the external device a transmission request for the learned model selected in the selection, wherein, in the reception, the selected learned model transmitted from the external device is received. According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of controlling an information processing apparatus comprising: connecting with an external device, which is able to transmit a plurality of learned models, and receiving list information of a plurality of learned models; selecting, based on the list information of the plurality of learned models, a learned model from the plurality of learned models; and transmitting to the external device a transmission request for the learned model selected in the selection, wherein in the reception, the selected learned model transmitted from the external device is received, and in the transmission, the selected learned model is transmitted to an image capturing apparatus. Further features of the present invention will become apparent from the following description of exemplary embodiments with reference to the attached drawings.

11225734

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS The present application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/765,476 filed on Aug. 27, 2018, entitled “Invigor Towel” the entire disclosure of which is incorporated by reference herein. TECHNICAL FIELD The embodiments generally relate to textiles and more particularly to therapeutic frictionless cloths. BACKGROUND There are many applications for absorbent cloths are utilized. For example, cloths may be used for cooling hot (and possibly sweaty) skin following an activity such as playing sports, exercising, or bathing. Towels and similar cloths may also be used for therapeutic purposes, such as to improve circulation and promote hair growth, relax muscles in a desired area, and open pores along the skin. It is known that the continued use of common towels may cause significant damage to the epidermis, which may lead to various long-term health concerns. Damage to the epidermis may be caused by friction between the towel and skin during periods of continued use. An example of such use is the rubbing of a towel against the skin in an attempt to improve circulation. Towels may be especially uncomfortable if the user is sunburned, has an existing skin condition, or is recovering from an injury to the epidermis. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION This summary is provided to introduce a variety of concepts in a simplified form that is further disclosed in the detailed description of the embodiments. This summary is not intended to identify key or essential inventive concepts of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended for determining the scope of the claimed subject matter. The embodiments provided herein relate to a towel assembly, comprising a plurality of layers including a first layer and a fourth layer, each constructed of a textile terry cloth. The second and third layers are constructed of a fabric, each of the first layer, the second layer, the third layer, and the fourth layer are attached to each another such that the first layer and the fourth layer are configured to interact with a surface. The second layer and the third layer are retained between the first layer and the fourth layer. The first and fourth layers comprise the outermost layers of the towel, with the second and third layers in between. The towel assembly is arranged to reduce friction when interacting with the surface. The towel assembly may be used in various applications that benefit from the interaction with a towel having properties which reduce the friction imparted on the surface. In one aspect, the towel assembly is utilized by a user to increase blood flow without damaging the skin of the user. In another aspect, the towel assembly is beneficial for washing a vehicle to reduce damage to the vehicle's sensitive surfaces. The towel assembly is also beneficial for reducing hair loss and even promoting hair loss in regions in which the towel is applied In one aspect, the terry cloth comprises organic cotton, polyester, or a blend. In one aspect, the second layer and the third layer are each provided as a satin weave. In one aspect, the fabric is silk or a polyester. In one aspect, the second layer is arranged to have a vertical fabric direction such that the wrong side of the fabric contacts the backside of the first layer. Further, the third layer is arranged to have a horizontal fabric direction such that the right side of the fabric contacts the backside of the second layer.

11343412

BACKGROUND This disclosure relates generally to saving power in electronic devices, and more particularly to saving power based on determining when a user is present and/or focused on the electronic device. This section is intended to introduce the reader to various aspects of art that may be related to aspects of the present disclosure, which are described and/or claimed below. This discussion is believed to be helpful in providing the reader with background information to facilitate a better understanding of the various aspects of the present disclosure. Accordingly, it may be understood that these statements are to be read in this light, and not as admissions of prior art. Certain electronic devices, such as personal computers, desktop computers, notebook computers, laptop computers, tablets, smart phones, wearable devices, and so on, may enter a low power mode (e.g., standby mode, sleep mode, or power saving mode) when, for example, the electronic device determines that a user has been inactive. In some cases, the electronic device may determine user inactivity based on images and/or videos captured by a camera of the electronic device. However, users may view the use of the camera as an undesirable invasion of privacy. Moreover, constant or periodic use of the camera to determine whether a user is present and/or focused on the electronic device may result in excessive power consumption.

11275358

TECHNICAL FIELD The present disclosure relates to a remote service system. Priority is claimed on Japanese Patent Application No. 2018-004430, filed Jan. 15, 2018, the content of which is incorporated herein by reference. BACKGROUND ART In a plant such as a power generation plant, a parameter value set in a facility is changed by control equipment that controls each facility so that setting conditions of the facility are changed. In conventional plants, a service staff member of a service provider dispatched to an actual place makes a change in a parameter value set by control equipment in a facility, a change in a setting of the facility, and the like while obtaining confirmation from a staff member or the like of the plant. Thus, the work of changing a setting condition of a facility in the plant is time-consuming and is costly work. For this reason, it is desired that a change in a setting condition of a facility in the plant, i.e., a change or adjustment in a parameter value set by the control equipment in the facility, a change in a setting of the facility, or the like, be performed from a remote place using a network such as the Internet. Therefore, for example, technology of a remote service system using a network in a plant has been proposed as in Patent Literature 1. In the technology of the remote service system disclosed in Patent Literature 1, a controller, which controls a field device, operates by performing mutual authentication with a remote device connected via a network. At this time, in the technology of the remote service system disclosed in Patent Literature 1, a certificate issued by a security authority is used for mutual authentication between the controller and the remote device. Thereby, in the technology of the remote service system disclosed in Patent Literature 1, the possibility of unauthorized use of the remote service system or the controller is curbed and the remotely operated controller is protected. CITATION LIST Patent Literature [Patent Literature 1] Japanese Unexamined Patent Application, First Publication No. 2013-232192 SUMMARY OF INVENTION Technical Problem On the other hand, in plants, the verification of the correctness of change content or sufficient consideration, which is given to intrusions and attacks from a malicious third party, is required for a change or adjustment in a parameter value set by control equipment in a facility, a change in a setting of the facility, and the like. At least one embodiment of the present invention has been made on the basis of the above problems and an objective of the present invention is to provide a remote service system capable of correctly changing settings with maintaining a security level of setting data when a setting condition of a facility in a plant is changed from a remote place. Solution to Problem According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a remote service system including: a first computer terminal configured to add a first signature to control information representing control content to be applied to a facility and transmit the control information; and a second computer terminal configured to cause the control content represented by the control information to be applied to the facility, wherein the first computer terminal and the second computer terminal are connected by a first communication network and wherein the second computer terminal and the facility are connected by a second communication network. According to another aspect of the present invention, the above-described remote service system may further include a third computer terminal connected to the first communication network and configured to further add a second signature to the control information and transmit the control information when the first signature added to the control information is a correct signature and the control information represents the control content applicable to the facility, wherein the control information may be change information representing change content for changing a setting condition of the facility, wherein the first computer terminal may receive the change content for the facility, add the first signature to the change information representing the received change content, and transmit the change information, wherein the third computer terminal may further add the second signature to the change information and transmit the change information when the first signature added to the change information is a correct signature and the change information represents the change content applicable to the facility, and wherein the second computer terminal may cause the change content represented by the change information to be applied to the facility. According to another aspect of the present invention, in the above-described remote service system, the second computer terminal may cause the change content represented by the change information to be applied to the facility when the first signature and the second signature added to the change information are correct signatures. According to another aspect of the present invention, in the above-described remote service system, the change information may include facility identification information for identifying the facility to which the change content is applied. According to another aspect of the present invention, in the above-described remote service system, the control information may be instruction information representing instruction content for issuing an instruction for executing or stopping an additional function in the facility, the first computer terminal may add the first signature to the instruction information and transmit the instruction information, and the second computer terminal may cause the instruction content represented by the instruction information to be applied to the facility. According to another aspect of the present invention, in the above-described remote service system, the second computer terminal may cause the instruction content represented by the instruction information to be applied to the facility when the first signature added to the instruction information is a correct signature. According to another aspect of the present invention, the above-described remote service system may further include a third computer terminal connected to the first communication network and configured to receive a request for executing the additional function in the facility, add a second signature to request information representing the received request, and transmit the request information, wherein the first computer terminal may transmit the instruction information when the second signature added to the request information is a correct signature and the request information is the request applicable to the facility. According to another aspect of the present invention, in the above-described remote service system, the first communication network may be a public communication network and the second communication network may be a dedicated communication circuit. According to another aspect of the present invention, in the above-described remote service system, the first communication network may be a communication network in which a block chain is constructed and the second communication network may be a dedicated communication circuit. According to another aspect of the present invention, in the above-described remote service system, a signature confirmation processing program executed by the block chain may confirm whether or not the first signature is a correct signature. According to another aspect of the present invention, in the above-described remote service system, the first communication network may be a communication network in which a block chain is constructed and the second communication network may be a dedicated communication circuit directly connected to the facility. According to another aspect of the present invention, in the above-described remote service system, the instruction information may be encoded using a second key paired with a predetermined first key corresponding to a target facility to which the instruction content is applied. According to another aspect of the present invention, in the above-described remote service system, the instruction information may be encoded by an encoding processing program executed by the block chain. According to another aspect of the present invention, in the above-described remote service system, the encoding processing program may transmit a string to the facility and confirm whether or not the first key matches the second key by confirming a signature, which is added to the string and returned by the facility using the first key, using the second key. According to another aspect of the present invention, in the above-described remote service system, the encoding processing program may encode the instruction information before the second computer terminal causes the instruction content to be applied to the target facility. According to another aspect of the present invention, in the above-described remote service system, the second computer terminal may transmit an application result transmitted from the facility to which the control content is applied. According to another aspect of the present invention, in the above-described remote service system, the second computer terminal may transmit the application result transmitted from the facility via a data diode that performs only one-way communication. According to another aspect of the present invention, in the above-described remote service system, a signature representing the facility to which the control content is applied may be added to the application result. According to another aspect of the present invention, in the above-described remote service system, the application result may include data for calculating efficiency of the facility. According to another aspect of the present invention, in the above-described remote service system, the second computer terminal may add a third signature to the application result and transmit the application result. According to another aspect of the present invention, in the above-described remote service system, the second computer terminal may transmit log information representing that the control content has been transmitted to the facility. According to another aspect of the present invention, in the above-described remote service system, the second computer terminal may add a third signature to the log information and transmit the log information. According to another aspect of the present invention, in the above-described remote service system, the second computer terminal may add information of a date and time on which the application result was transmitted from the facility and transmit the information. According to another aspect of the present invention, in the above-described remote service system, the second computer terminal may transmit the log information to which information of a date and time on which the control content was transmitted to the facility is added. According to another aspect of the present invention, in the above-described remote service system, the first computer terminal may confirm a delay time period until the control content will be applied to the facility on the basis of the information of the date and time added to the log information and the information of the date and time added to the application result. Advantageous Effects of Invention According to the above-described aspects, it is possible to provide a remote service system capable of correctly changing settings with maintaining a security level of setting data when a setting condition of a facility in a plant is changed from a remote place.

11227067

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT Not applicable. THE NAMES OF PARTIES TO A JOINT RESEARCH AGREEMENT Not applicable. REFERENCE TO A SEQUENCE LISTING, TABLE, OR COMPUTER PROGRAM LISTING APPENDIX SUBMITTED ON A COMPACT DISC AND AN INCORPORATION-BY-REFERENCE OF THE MATERIAL ON A COMPACT DISC Not applicable. FIELD OF THE INVENTION The invention relates to an autoencoder-based data anonymization method and apparatus for maintaining the integrity of entities and performing analysis after the anonymization method has been performed on the data. The invention may be used with machine-learning, data security, and in various domains that utilize sensitive information. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION In the past few years, there have been advancements in the capabilities of machine-learning, especially in the sub-discipline of neural networks and deep learning. Neural networks map input vector x to output y through complex mathematical operations optimized by a loss function. Neural networks can process vast amounts of data and detect patterns in a multidimensional manifold that are unrecognizable by humans. This achievement is a product of a multitude of calculations within a neural network and its large number of parameters that are defined during the model training, its architecture and hyper-parameter optimization process. This also means that, even if neural networks appear to be the exact same from an architectural and hyper-parameter perspective, their output can differ as during training the model self-optimizes each neuron's weight, thereby ever so slightly changing the mathematical combination of inputs. For a wide field of domains, the analysis of personal identifiable information (PII) data, such as addresses, names and age or any other sensitive customer data, is an important and crucial task to be able to arrive at valuable insights. The conventional way of hashing, the most common way of encrypting data, does not suffice for the purposes of further elaborate and more complex analysis as the information content within the data is lost. One of the main attributes of hashing is that two similar inputs into a hashing algorithm provide whenever possible very different output hashes to maximize the security of the encrypted data. However, this means that slightly misspelled names, or zip codes that are nearly identical, produce very different hashes and it is mathematically near impossible to ascertain which data has a relational connection, be it geo-spatial proximity or detection of entities that are related. In order to analyze PII data, it is thus normally decrypted leaving it vulnerable. Additionally, there may be reasons to encode other forms of data other than data typically considered to be PII. For example, there may be a need to encode financial, engineer, testing, or other data in order to ensure that the data itself is not easily digested by unauthorized sources. Regardless of the content of the data processes, conventional hashing functions may be less than ideal for the same reasons discussed immediately above. Further, the inventions disclosed herein may provide data that may be analyzed in such situations without access to the original data that has not been encoded. BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION A method provides an auto-encoder for anonymizing data associated with a population of entities. The method includes providing a computer system with a memory storing specific computer-executable instructions for a neural network. The neural network includes input nodes; a first layer of nodes for receiving an output from the input nodes; a second layer of nodes positioned on an output side of the first layer of nodes; one or more additional layers of nodes positioned on an output side of the second layer of nodes; and output nodes for receiving an output from the last inner layer of nodes to provide an encoded output vector. An inner layer of nodes includes a number of nodes that is greater than a number of nodes in a layer of nodes on the input side of such inner layer and is also greater than a number of nodes in a layer of nodes on the output side of such layer. The method includes identifying a plurality of characteristics associated with at least a subset of the entities in the population and preparing a plurality of input vectors that include at least one of the characteristics, wherein the characteristics appear in the respective input vectors as numerical information transformed from human recognizable text. The method includes training the neural network with the plurality of input vectors. The training includes a plurality of training cycles wherein the training cycle comprises: inputting one of the input vectors at the input nodes; processing said input vector with the neural network to provide an encoded output vector at the output node; determining an output vector reconstruction error by calculating a function of the encoded output vector and the input vector; back-propagating the output vector reconstruction error back through the neural network from the output nodes back to the input nodes by a chained derivative of the outputs and weights of the intervening nodes; recalibrating a weight in one or more of the nodes in the neural network to minimize the output vector reconstruction error. The method may include programming the computer system with a second neural network and with a third neural network and combining the encoded output vector of the neural network, the second neural network and the third neural network. Additional neural networks may also be used and their respective encoded output vectors may also be combined with the encoded output vectors of the neural network, the second neural network, and the third neural network. Such additional neural networks would be used so that there is one neural network for each of the data fields that have to be encrypted. And since there can be 50, 100, 200 or more data fields, an equal number of neural networks will be used within the scope of the invention. The method may also include preparing an input vector for the entities in the population and processing said input vector with the neural network to provide an encoded output vector at the output node for such entity. The method may include storing the encoded output vectors for subsequent use in identifying a common characteristic between two or more of the entities. The method may include comparing the encoded output vectors to identify the two or more entities with the common characteristic. An auto-encoder system anonymizes data associated with a population of entities and includes a computer memory storing specific computer-executable instructions for a neural network. The neural network includes input nodes; a first layer of nodes for receiving an output from the input nodes; a second layer of nodes positioned on an output side of the first layer of nodes; one or more additional layers of nodes positioned on an output side of the second layer of nodes; and output nodes for receiving an output from the last inner layer of nodes to provide an encoded output vector. An inner layer of nodes includes a number of nodes that is greater than a number of nodes in a layer of nodes on the input side of such inner layer and is also greater than a number of nodes in a layer of nodes on the output side of such inner layer. The system further includes one or more processors in communication with the computer-readable memory. The one or more processors are programmed by the computer-executable instructions to at least obtain data identifying a plurality of characteristics associated with at least a subset of the entities in the population; prepare a plurality of input vectors that include at least one of the plurality of characteristics, wherein the characteristics appear in the respective input vectors as numerical information transformed from human recognizable text; and train the neural network with the plurality of input vectors. The training includes a plurality of training cycles wherein the training cycles comprise: inputting one of the input vectors at the input nodes; processing said input vector with the neural network to provide an encoded output vector at the output node; determining an output vector reconstruction error by calculating a function of the encoded output vector and the input vector; back-propagating the output vector reconstruction error back through the neural network from the output nodes back to the input nodes by a chained derivative of the outputs and weights of the intervening nodes; recalibrating a weight in one or more of the nodes in the neural network to minimize the output vector reconstruction error. In practice, it is contemplated that up to 10 processors, up to 50 processors, up to 100 processors, up to 500 processors, or even up to 1000 processors may be used. The preferred embodiments can be made scalable such that any number of processors may be used based on the number of entities and the number of characteristics to be encoded or tracked. The autoencoder system may include a computer memory that stores specific computer-executable instructions for a second neural network and a third neural network. Additional neural networks may also be used and their respective encoded output vectors may also be combined with the encoded output vectors of the neural network, the second neural network, and the third neural network. Such neural networks include: an input node; a first layer of nodes for receiving an output from the input node; a second layer of nodes for receiving an output from the first layer of nodes; one or more additional layers of nodes for receiving an output from the second layer of nodes; and output nodes for receiving an output from the last inner layer of nodes to provide an encoded output vector. An inner layer of nodes includes a number of nodes that is greater than a number of nodes on the input side of such inner layer and is also greater than a number of nodes on the output side of such inner layer. The one or more processors are programmed by the computer-executable instructions to train the second and third neural networks with the plurality of input vectors. The training includes a plurality of training cycles wherein the training cycle comprise, for the respective second, third, and such additional neural networks: inputting one of the input vectors at the input node; processing said input vector with the respective neural network to provide an encoded output vector at the output node; determining an output vector reconstruction error by calculating a function of the encoded output vector and the input vector; back-propagating the output vector reconstruction error back through the respective neural network from the output nodes back to the input nodes by a chained derivative of the outputs and weights of the intervening nodes; recalibrating a weight in one or more of the nodes in the respective neural network to minimize the output vector reconstruction error. The one or more processors are programmed by the computer-executable instructions to combine the encoded output vector of the neural network, the second neural network and the third neural network to provide a combined encoded output vector. The autoencoder system may include one or more processors that are programmed by the computer-executable instructions to prepare an input vector for the entities in the population; process said input vector with the neural network to provide an encoded output vector at the output node for the entities; and store the encoded output vectors for subsequent use in identifying a common characteristic between two or more of the entities. The autoencoder system may include one or more processors that are programmed by the computer-executable instructions to compare the encoded output vectors to identify the two or more entities with the common characteristic. In practice, it is contemplated that up to 10 processors, up to 50 processors, up to 100 processors, up to 500 processors, or even up to 1000 processors may be used. The preferred embodiments can be made scalable such that any number of processors may be used based on the number of entities and the number of characteristics to be encoded or tracked. Other objects and features will be in part apparent and in part pointed out hereinafter.

11378596

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Field of the Invention The invention relates to an arrangement having a spiraled conductor strand, which is supported by a winding support. Such a spiraled conductor strand is disclosed, for example, in the patent specification DE 37 08 731 C1. Said document describes a bifilar wound Rogowski coil having a center tap which has been applied to a winding support. The winding support in said document is divided into two, as a result of which movability of the winding support with the spiraled conductor strand arranged thereon is made possible. One disadvantage consists in that, during a movement, always the same section of the spiraled conductor strand is subjected to reshaping. Furthermore, it is necessary to make contact with the provided conductor ends of the conductor strand using a detachable connection, with the result that it is possible for them to lift up and slip over the winding body as well as the spiraled conductor strand. The known arrangement has the disadvantage that, firstly, during a movement, always the same sections of the conductor strand are subjected to mechanical loading, as a result of which, firstly, premature ageing can be expected, and secondly, owing to this movement, the position of the conductor strand is shifted, as a result of which the preciseness of the spiraled conductor strand is influenced. Furthermore, it is disadvantageous that, on opening, detachment or connection of the conductor strand is necessary. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The object of the invention therefore consists in specifying an arrangement which makes available a spiraled conductor strand with long-term stability alongside reduced production costs. In accordance with the invention, the object is achieved in the case of the arrangement mentioned at the outset by virtue of the fact that the winding support is a ring comprising a plurality of mutually abutting segments, wherein, at at least one first abutment, the spiraled conductor strand ends on both sides of the abutment whilst leaving the abutment free, and, at a second abutment, the conductor strand runs beyond the second abutment. A winding support is used as the basis for receiving a spiraled conductor strand. The conductor strand is preferably designed to be electrically insulated and is laid around the winding support in the form of a helix. This results in a conductor strand with a multiplicity of loops, as a result of which a so-called Rogowski coil can be formed. The winding support passes through the loops. The winding support can be formed from a plurality of mutually abutting segments, with the result that a ring which is closed per se is produced, on which the spiraled conductor strand extends in particular uniformly distributed. Owing to the arrangement of the conductor strand on the winding support, firstly simple production can take place, and secondly stabilization of the conductor strand by the winding support itself is provided, with the result that reshaping or deformation of the spiraled conductor strand is made more difficult. Correspondingly, it is advantageous that, at a first abutment, the conductor strand ends on both sides of the abutment whilst leaving the abutment free, and, at a second abutment, the conductor strand runs beyond the abutment. Therefore, over the course of the closed ring at an abutment point a possibility is provided in a simple form of opening the abutment point without in the process needing to separate or connect the conductor strand. Electrical contact can therefore be made with the conductor strand permanently. In this case, starting from the abutment at which the conductor strand performs an electrical bridge, winding of the conductor strand on both sides of the abutment takes place to form the abutment that is left free, with the result that a spiraled conductor strand with a slot over the course of the ring of the winding support is produced. There is therefore the possibility of providing a center tap of the conductor strand, in particular at the abutment at which an electrical bridge takes place. At the first abutment, the conductor strand can come close to the first abutment on the segments located on both sides of the abutment. When the abutment is reached, in each case a turning point can take place over the course of the conductor strand and it can be passed back to the second abutment. For this purpose, the conductor strand can be divided into strand elements, which together form the conductor strand. Advantageously, provision can be made here for the spiraled conductor strand to be assembled from a plurality of strand elements. The spiraled conductor strand can be assembled from a plurality of strand elements. In this case, provision can be made for the strand elements to be connected in the region of an abutment between two segments so as to make electrical contact between the two strand elements. The conductor strand can electrically conductively bridge an abutment by virtue of strand elements being brought into electrically conductive contact with one another. Advantageously, at the same abutment at which strand elements have been brought into contact with one another, the remaining winding ends (center tap) of the strand elements are passed out, with the result that, in one position around the winding support, contact can be made between the strand elements, and also the ends of the conductor strand can be passed out for connection of the assembled conductor strand to a measuring device, for example. Advantageously, provision can be made for at least one segment of mutually abutting segments to have a radially protruding stop, which prevents the conductor strand from sliding off at the end. A protruding stop may be, for example, a collar arranged on a segment at the end, which collar runs approximately perpendicularly around a cross section of the winding support. A stop is thus formed, against which a conductor strand can be wound, with the result that a winding end of the conductor strand can be fixed at the end. Advantageously, the stop is in this case provided in the radial direction with respect to the toroidal axis with a height with respect to the winding area of the winding support which approximately corresponds to the cross section of the conductor strand. Correspondingly, a flush, virtually protrusion-free resting of the conductor strand against the stop can be performed. Preferably, a turning point can be provided in the winding direction of the conductor strand, in particular of a strand element, in a manner so as to lie against/abut the stop. The stop can also be used to bound an abutment between segments. A further advantageous configuration can provide that the winding support as well as the conductor strand is potted in an insulating body. Potting the winding support as well as the conductor strand in an insulating body has the advantage that both the winding body and the conductor strand itself can be fixed relative to one another. Furthermore, it is also possible in the case of a segmented division of the winding support to secure the position of the segments with respect to one another by means of potting. It is therefore possible, for example, to arrange identically wound strand elements on in each case identical segments and to achieve, by virtue of joining the identical segments together, a closed convolution of the spiraled conductor strand on an annular path. Advantageously, provision can be made here for, on the respective segment, the free ends of a strand element of a conductor strand to lie at one segment end, and for the other segment end to be kept free of the free ends of the respective strand element of the conductor strand. There, preferably a turning point in the winding sense of a strand element can be arranged. Correspondingly, in particular in the case of a two-part embodiment of a winding support, cases of erroneous fitting can be prevented since in each case the identically embodied ends of the segments can be brought to face one another with respect to the position of the free ends of the strand elements of the conductor strand so as to form an abutment. Owing to the use of potting in an insulating body, it is possible to use the arrangement as a measuring transformer, wherein an electrical conductor can be passed through the insulating body. The electrical conductor can in this case be subjected to a current flow, with the result that, in the spiraled conductor strand, a physical size which is proportional to the current flow is developed. The insulating body can be used as a fluid-tight barrier. If required, the insulating body and/or the electrical conductor can have an overflow channel, with the result that passage of a fluid, in particular an insulating gas, is made possible. Furthermore, provision can advantageously be made for the conductor strand, in particular a strand element, to have been wound onto a segment, wherein, surrounded by the helix formed, a winding end of the conductor strand or winding end of the strand element is passed back within the helix. In order to form a helix, a conductor strand, in particular a strand element, can be wound onto a segment. In this case, advantageously at one segment end, the process starts with winding the conductor strand or strand element onto the segment and this is continued up to the other end of the segment. Correspondingly, a left-handed or right-handed helix is produced which extends from one segment end to the other segment end. Advantageously, surrounded by the helix thus formed, a winding end of a conductor strand or a winding end of the strand element can be passed back within the helix, with the result that, surrounded by the helix, the strand element can run in the region shielded there. In this case, provision can be made for the strand element likewise to be passed back in a helix, preferably in a helix with an opposite winding sense with respect to the surrounding helix. However, provision can also be made for a curved or linear profile (free of helix loops) of the passed-back section of the strand element or of the conductor strand to take place simply following the profile of the segment. Correspondingly, the end-side ends (winding ends) of the conductor strand or of the strand element can come to bear against one segment end and it is further possible for electrical contact to be made between them or for them to be connected there. The other segment end can thus preferably be kept free of end-side ends of the conductor strand or the strand element (winding ends). At this other end, a turning point can be arranged over the course of the conductor strand/strand element. If required, however, provision can also be made for a center tap of the strand element or of the conductor strand to be provided, as a result of which, for example, starting from a central region of the segment in each case to the ends of the segment, winding of a helix is provided, wherein, in the interior of the helix thus produced, the conductor ends (winding ends) are passed back to the central region of the segment. A further advantageous configuration can provide for the conductor strand, in particular a strand element, to have been wound onto a segment in such a way that, first, a left-handed helix has been wound and, when an end of a segment has been reached, a right-handed helix has been inserted into free spaces located between the helix loops of the left-handed helix, or vice versa, with respective crossing-over of the two helices. With the same effect, first a right-handed and then a left-handed helix can be wound. A strand element of a conductor strand can first be wound onto a segment, wherein first a left-handed helix is wound. When the end of a segment is reached, then a right-handed helix is inserted into the interspaces between the helix loops of the left-handed helix. A turning point over the course of the strand element or of the conductor strand is arranged between the right-handed and left-handed helix. As a result, a flush assembly between the left-handed and right-handed helices over the course of the segment of the winding support is achieved, wherein the start of the winding and the end of the winding (free ends, winding ends) come to lie at one and the same end of the segment. At the other opposite end of the segment, only a turning point of the strand element or the conductor strand is arranged. In this case, provision should advantageously be made for a crossover of the two helices to take place between each left-handed or right-handed conductor loop, which in particular lie adjacent to one another alternately over the course of the segment. The crossover points of the two helices should in this case preferably lie in the axial direction with respect to the ring axis of the winding support. Therefore, the inner curve and the outer curve, i.e. the inner diameter and the outer diameter of a ring, are free of crossovers. There, an approximately parallel arrangement of the respective conductor loops of the helices is present. Provision can advantageously be made for the winding support to be provided with a circular cross section. However, it is also possible for provision to be made for, furthermore, for example, rectangular cross sections, polygonal cross sections, oval cross sections etc. to be provided for the winding support. In particular the use of a rectangular cross section makes it possible, when using a plurality of winding supports which are arranged coaxially, to lay said winding supports as tightly against one another as possible. Advantageously, provision can furthermore be made for the winding support to have a coefficient of thermal expansion which is less than or equal to the coefficient of thermal expansion of the insulating body. When using the same coefficients of thermal expansion for the winding support and the insulating body, the risk of the occurrence of thermal stresses is reduced. In this case, the coefficient of thermal expansion of the winding support can be less than the coefficient of thermal expansion of the insulating body. The winding support and the insulating body in which the winding support and the conductor strand are potted are preferably formed from the same material, i.e. from the same electrically insulating material. Suitable materials have proven to be, for example, plastics, in particular organic plastics such as resins or the like. Owing to the use of identical materials for the insulating bodies, identical relative movements result in particular in the case of the occurrence of thermal stresses within the potted body, with the result that ripping or splitting of the subsequently potted winding support is counteracted. A further advantageous configuration can provide for each of the segments to be constructed identically and to in each case support an identical strand element of the conductor strand. Owing to the use of identical segments and identical, in particular identically wound strand elements of the conductor strand on the in each case identical segment, an arrangement of a plurality of identical parts can be assembled from one and the same type of segments as well as strand element. Particularly advantageously, provision can be made here for the winding of a strand element on the respective segment to take place in such a way that, beginning at one end of the segment, first a left-handed helix is wound and, having reached the other end of the segment, a turning point is arranged in the strand element of the conductor strand, whereupon a right-handed helix is inserted into the interspaces between the left-handed helix which has already been wound. Correspondingly, in this case a crossover of the left-handed and right-handed helices between each of the left-handed or right-handed helix loops takes place. An identical result is achieved if first a right-handed helix is wound into which a left-handed helix is inserted. Corresponding segments with wound-on strand elements each have the end-side connection points (ends) of the strand elements only at one end, while only a turning point of the strand element lies at the other end. Therefore, in each case identical ends of wound segments can be brought to face one another, as a result of which erroneous fitting is prevented. A further configuration can provide for in each case end-side ends of two strand elements to have been brought into contact with one another at mutually abutting segments, while the respective other ends of the strand elements serve as a tap for a measurement signal, in particular at the same abutment. At the end-side ends (winding ends) of two strand elements and at an abutment positioned there between the segments, electrical contact can be made between first ends of the strand elements, wherein the second ends of the strand elements on the respective segment serve as a tap for the measurement signal. Thus, by making contact with a first end of the strand elements from the two strand elements, an electrically connected spiraled conductor strand is formed, whose remaining free ends have been passed to the outside at one and the same abutment over the course of the winding support. Correspondingly, a spiraled conductor strand with a center tap is formed. Another abutment, in particular at a diametrically oppositely arranged abutment in the case of a circular-ring-shaped two-part formation of the winding support, can thus be held in such a way that it is free of any skipping or overlap by the spiraled conductor strand. A further advantageous configuration can provide for two annular winding supports to have been arranged coaxially with respect to one another, and, prior to potting in an insulating body, for a spacer to have been arranged between the winding bodies, wherein the spacer has substantially radially aligned channels. In the case of a coaxial arrangement, an axial offset of the winding supports can be fixed by the spacer. The use of two annular winding bodies and a coaxial arrangement thereof makes it possible to achieve redundancy of the winding bodies. The winding bodies can be arranged so as to be axially offset with respect to one another. By virtue of an identical design of the winding bodies as well as identically spiraled conductor strands, it is thus possible for a signal which is as identical as possible to be tapped off from each of the conductor strands on the respective winding support. Advantageously, between the two winding supports, as well as the conductor strand located thereon, a spacer can be arranged between the winding bodies, with the result that a preferably coaxial alignment of the winding bodies is forced. In this case, the spacer preferably has radially aligned channels in order to transport the potting material over the entire circumference to all regions of the annular winding supports during potting with an electrically insulating material so as to form an insulating body. In this case, the annular winding supports can rest on a ring electrode, which in particular enables a voltage measurement on a phase conductor which is to be surrounded by the annular winding bodies. A further object consists in using the arrangement in accordance with one of the patent claims in an electrical energy transmission device, in particular in an electrical energy transmission device having pressurized gas insulation. The object is achieved by the formation of a measuring transformer, which is arranged in a pressurized-fluid-insulated electrical energy transmission device. An electrical energy transmission device having pressurized gas insulation generally has containers for bounding the pressurized gas insulation, wherein a phase conductor needs to be supported in electrically insulated fashion with respect to the container. Such an electrical insulation can be achieved, for example, by means of an arrangement formed in accordance with the preceding patent claims. For example, an arrangement potted with an electrical insulating material can close a flange opening and thus enclose an electrically insulating gas in the interior of the container of the pressurized-gas-insulated electrical energy transmission device. A further object of the invention consists in specifying a method for producing a measuring transformer, which has a winding support in the form of an insulating ring, onto which a conductor strand in the form of a spiraled helix has been wound. In accordance with the invention, the object is achieved in the case of a method of the abovementioned type by virtue of the fact that, first, a first helix is wound onto a first segment and a second helix is wound onto a second segment, the segments are joined together to form a ring in a rim base of a ring electrode, and in that both the ring segments as well as the helices and the ring electrode are potted in an insulating material. An arrangement of a first helix on a first segment and an arrangement of a second helix on a second segment makes it possible, in a simple form, to surround a ring electrode by virtue of the first segment and the second segment being placed from the radial direction onto the ring. Owing to the use of a ring electrode with a rim base, firstly a radial but also an axial alignment of the first segment and the second segment is thus made possible. Once the ring segments have been aligned with respect to one another, then potting of the ring segments and the helices arranged thereon as well as the ring electrode with insulating material takes place, with the result that a compact block is produced, in which both the insulating ring and the ring electrode are embedded (shrouded) completely. The connecting lines of the helix can be passed to the outside through the insulating material. The ring electrode can in this case, for example, be crossed by a phase conductor via a cutout in the insulating material for potting, which phase conductor, driven by a voltage, conducts an electric current. The electric current can be dissipated over the segments by means of the spiraled conductor strand, whereas the driving voltage can be dissipated by virtue of charging of the electrode. An exemplary embodiment of the invention will be shown schematically in a drawing and then described in more detail below.

11517222

TECHNICAL FIELD This invention relates generally to the biometric device field, and more specifically to a new and useful system for monitoring body chemistry in the biometric device field. BACKGROUND Biomonitoring devices are commonly used, particularly by health-conscious individuals and individuals diagnosed with ailments, to monitor body chemistry. Such biomonitoring devices perform the tasks of determining an analyte level in a user's body, and providing information regarding the analyte level to a user; however, these current biomonitoring devices typically convey information to users that is limited in detail, intermittent, and prompted by the command of the user. Such biomonitoring devices, including blood glucose meters, are also inappropriate for many applications outside of intermittent use, and place significant burdens on users (e.g., in requiring finger sticks, in requiring lancing, etc.) due to design and manufacture considerations. Additionally, current devices are configured to analyze one or a limited number of analytes contributing to overall body chemistry, due to limitations of sensors used in current biomonitoring devices. There is thus a need in the biometric device field to create a new and useful system for monitoring body chemistry. This invention provides such a new and useful system.

11350476

BACKGROUND Wireless communication links are often established between and among nodes (such as user equipment (UE) devices and/or base stations (BS)) using a wireless transmission. Wireless transmissions often include a periodically transmitted beam reference transmission, which the receiving node may measure to evaluate the wireless communication link. In some scenarios, the wireless transmission comprises a beamformed transmission, in which the transmitter selectively forms a beam of communication in the direction of a receiver. The base station may transmit the transmission from a plurality of antennae with a selectable delay, wherein a receiver at a particular location receives the transmissions from the multiple antennae at approximately the same time, such that constructive interference of the individual transmissions amplifies the transmission received by the receiver. Because the beamformed transmission may be more susceptible to attenuation (e.g., due to interference, changes of position of the base station and/or the user equipment, and/or mistiming of the timing offset of the transmissions by the respective antennae), the base station may periodically transmit one or more wireless reference transmissions whereby the wireless transmission quality of the wireless transmission may be evaluated and/or monitored. SUMMARY In accordance with the present disclosure, one or more devices and/or methods for facilitating transmission of a configuration are provided. In an embodiment, a device may communicate with a node using a wireless transmission; receive a node transmission responsive to the wireless transmission; and transmit a wireless reference transmission responsive to the node transmission. In an embodiment, a device may communicate with a node using a wireless transmission, and transmit a wireless reference transmission aperiodically and responsive to a node transmission received from the node. In an embodiment, a device may receive, from a node, a wireless transmission; transmit, to the node, a node transmission about the wireless transmission; and receive a wireless reference transmission from the node responsive to the node transmission.

11393747

BACKGROUND 1. Field of the Disclosure The present disclosure relates to a substrate structure, and particularly to a method of manufacturing a substrate structure using a sacrificial layer. 2. Description of the Related Art As semiconductor devices develop, the size of the substrate structure is decreased. For example, a thinner metal layer and/or a smaller aperture of via, defined by the metal layer, is crucial to decrease the size of the substrate structure. However, it faces many problems to form a substrate structure with such a thinner metal layer with a smaller via formed therein. For example, it is difficult to control the aperture of the via through a wet etching process when the metal layer has a thickness less than 18 μm. Moreover, when a dry etching process is performed on the metal layer, a crater structure is often generated due to a small aperture of the via. Therefore, a new substrate structure is required to solve aforementioned problems. SUMMARY In some embodiments, a substrate structure includes a first conductive layer, a dielectric layer, a second conductive layer and a connection layer. The dielectric layer is disposed on the first conductive layer. The dielectric layer defines an opening exposing the first conductive layer. The second conductive layer is disposed on the dielectric layer. The connection layer extends from an upper surface of the first conductive layer to a lateral surface of the second conductive layer. A surface roughness of an upper surface of the second conductive layer ranges from about 0.5 μm to about 1.25 μm. In some embodiments, a method for manufacturing a substrate structure includes: providing a substrate including a first conductive layer, a dielectric layer on the first conductive layer, and a second conductive layer on the dielectric layer; forming a sacrificed layer on the second conductive layer; performing a laser drilling process to form a via exposing the first conductive layer; and removing the sacrificed layer. In some embodiments, a method for manufacturing a substrate structure includes: providing a substrate including a first conductive layer, a dielectric layer on the first conductive layer, and a second conductive layer on the dielectric layer; forming an adjustment layer on the second conductive layer; performing a laser drilling process to form a via penetrating the second conductive layer, and the dielectric layer and exposing the first conductive layer, wherein the via has an aperture at an open end of the via, the laser drilling process comprises emitting a laser beam through the adjustment layer, and the aperture of the via is determined by adjusting a thickness of the adjustment layer.

11338432

BACKGROUND Artificial muscle devices based on elastic polymeric fibers have a wide range of applications. Artificial muscle devices that include twisted and/or coiled polymers may have the advantages of lower production cost, higher production volume, lower operation noise, and simpler design over conventional motors. SUMMARY In one aspect, embodiments are directed to a muscle sleeve that includes: a sleeve-formed fabric; a plurality of first actuating muscles disposed next to each other and in parallel with each other on a first side of the sleeve-formed fabric; a plurality of second actuating muscles disposed next to each other and in parallel with each other on a second side of the sleeve-formed fabric; a plurality of fasteners that secure ends of the first and second actuating muscles to the fabric; and a crimp secured to the fabric. In another aspect, embodiments are directed to a method of manufacturing a muscle sleeve. The method includes: disposing a plurality of first actuating muscles next to each other on a first side of a fabric; disposing a plurality of second actuating muscles next to each other on a second side of the fabric; securing a crimp to the fabric; and securing ends of the first and second actuating muscles to the fabric using a plurality of fasteners. The first and second actuating muscles and the crimp are secured to the fabric such that the fabric forms a tube. Other aspects and advantages of one or more embodiments disclosed herein will be apparent from the following description and the appended claims.

11347892

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS The present application claims priority to Russian Patent Application No. 2019138370, filed on Nov. 27, 2019, the entire content of which is incorporated herein by reference. FIELD OF TECHNOLOGY The present disclosure relates to the field of computer security, and, more specifically, to system and method for access control in electronic control units of vehicles. BACKGROUND At present, the automotive industry is developing rapidly along with the development of new technologies. New systems for controlling vehicles more comfortably are being introduced rapidly. Usually these systems are based on computer technologies. The various systems of a vehicle are controlled by electronic control units, which in turn perform various algorithms. Thus, for example, in order to comply with the EURO ecology standards (EURO-4, EURO-5), car manufacturers need to optimize not only engines, but also the control systems of these engines to assure a more ecological exhaust without worsening the power characteristics. For a more adaptive ride, the control systems of the transmissions are optimized. The adaptations are for any number of conditions. For instance, the transmission may be adaptable to the driving style, the road conditions, and the weather conditions, shifting of the transmission more smoothly or sharply, engaging the rear or the front wheels and changing the torque transmitting force between the wheel axles. More complex systems, so-called advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS), are being introduced everywhere, such as an automated parking system (using sensors registering the distance from the vehicle to an obstacle), a driving assist system (for example, recognizing by camera the position of the automobile in its lane and on the road overall), and an automated emergency braking system (for example, upon detecting an obstacle with the aid of infrared sensors). Moreover, electric cars, whose driving is controlled by computer systems located on board the vehicle, are gaining in popularity (e.g., as described in the publication “https://www.google.com/selfdrivingcar/”). The question of unmanned vehicle (both light and heavy) is also becoming more acute with the development of information technologies. Classical standards exist for platforms on which control units operate. Control units for critical elements of a vehicle (such as the steering or braking system) are realized according to standards subject to heightened safety requirements. Moreover, such control units for critical elements of a vehicle usually run on a single-core processor with limited resources (for example, are often realized using specialized microcontrollers with low performance of the central processor and a small memory size). On the other hand, multimedia systems do not have heightened safety requirements, since their function (e.g., the reproduction of media files or the displaying of the geolocation on a map) does not directly affect the safety of the persons in the vehicle. The driver assistance systems that are being developed at present constitute an “interlayer” between multimedia and safety units. Therefore, heightened safety requirements are placed on driver assistance systems. In certain control units, real time systems are used, which in turn also limits the algorithms which can be implemented by the units. At present, the Autosar consortium is developing a new standard which describes a software platform for contemporary high-performance electronic control units (ECU) used in vehicles—the Autosar Adaptive Platform (AAP). Among the key features of this standard are requirements on the assurance of the IT security of the systems built on this basis. However, the AAP standard only places high-level requirements on the security subsystem and does not address issues regarding the realization of this subsystem. The standard considers various approaches to the realization of the subsystem. For example, in one exemplary approach, it is possible to use several policy decision points (PDP), while these decision-making points themselves can be realized in the form of additional applications running under the control of the AAP platform. The use of this approach does not allow (or significantly complicate) the creation of a security subsystem with specified attributes such as, completeness of the specification of the security policies, their mutual consistency, the specification of complex security policies. Furthermore, the use of this approach does not allow a statement of security attributes already specified in the standard for its basic components and services. Thus, there is a need for a more optimal way of controlling access to electronic control units via a secure operating system. SUMMARY Aspects of the disclosure relate to access control in electronic control units, e.g., control units of vehicles. Disclosed methods and systems enable interaction between the processes in an electronic control unit of the vehicles (e.g., in cars, trucks, etc.) while providing security to the electronic control unit. In one exemplary aspect, a method is provided for access control in an electronic control unit (ECU), the method comprising: by an operating system (OS) kernel of the ECU, intercepting at least one request for an interaction of a control application with a basic component through an interaction interface provided by the basic component for interactions with applications, requesting from a security subsystem of the operating system, a verdict as to whether or not access for the interaction of the control application with the basic component through the interaction interface can be provided, and when the verdict is received from the security subsystem granting the access, providing the interaction between the basic component and the control application through the interaction interface in accordance with the received verdict. In one aspect, by the security subsystem of the operating system, the method determines the verdict as to whether the requested access can be granted for the interaction of the application with the basic component through the interaction interface. In one aspect, the operating system comprises a secure OS. In one aspect, the ECU comprises a control unit of a vehicle. In one aspect, the basic component comprises at least a program element of an Autosar Adaptive Platform (AAP). In one aspect, the basic component provides at least one interface for interactions with other basic components. In one aspect, the security subsystem of the operating system is a single point for the determination of verdicts as to whether or not the access for the interaction is to be provided. In one aspect, the security subsystem of the operating system determines the verdict using a formalized security model. In one aspect, the verdict allows the interaction between the basic component and the control application when the interaction between the basic component and the control application conforms to the formalized security model. In one aspect, the method further comprises: determining the verdict by the security subsystem of the operating system. In one aspect, the interaction comprises an interaction between a process of an application for control of the ECU and the basic component. According to one aspect of the disclosure, a system is provided for access control in an electronic control unit (ECU), the system comprising a hardware processor configured to: by an operating system (OS) kernel of the ECU, intercept at least one request for an interaction of a control application with a basic component through an interaction interface provided by the basic component for interactions with applications, request from a security subsystem of the operating system, a verdict as to whether or not access for the interaction of the control application with the basic component through the interaction interface can be provided, and when the verdict is received from the security subsystem granting the access, provide the interaction between the basic component and the control application through the interaction interface in accordance with the received verdict. In one exemplary aspect, a non-transitory computer-readable medium is provided storing a set of instructions thereon for access control in an electronic control unit (ECU), wherein the set of instructions comprises instructions for: by an operating system (OS) kernel of the ECU, intercepting at least one request for an interaction of a control application with a basic component through an interaction interface provided by the basic component for interactions with applications, requesting from a security subsystem of the operating system, a verdict as to whether or not access for the interaction of the control application with the basic component through the interaction interface can be provided, and when the verdict is received from the security subsystem granting the access, providing the interaction between the basic component and the control application through the interaction interface in accordance with the received verdict. The method and system of the present disclosure are designed to provide an interaction between the processes in an electronic control unit for a vehicle, e.g., a car, truck, etc.

11334182

TECHNICAL FIELD This disclosure generally relates to user interfaces, and one particular implementation relates to selecting an item presented by a user interface. BACKGROUND Transcription of speech input is an increasingly popular way of inputting information into a computing device. This is even truer for mobile computing devices, such as mobile telephones, smartphones, and wearable devices, where the interfaces available to the user for making user inputs are not as easy to manipulate as user interfaces in a desktop computer, such as a full-size keyboard and mouse. For example, some mobile computing devices employ a graphical user interface (“GUI”) on a touch screen. Typically, these user input interfaces are much smaller than traditional desktop user interfaces and can therefore pose difficulties to users who may want to interact with displayed items. SUMMARY In general, an aspect of the subject matter described in this specification may involve a process for disambiguating touch selections of hypothesized items, such as text or graphical objects that have been generated based on input data, on a proximity-sensitive display. This process may allow a user to more easily select hypothesized items that the user may wish to correct, by determining whether a touch received through the proximity-sensitive display represents a selection of each hypothesized item based at least on a level of confidence that the hypothesized item accurately represents the input data. In some aspects, the subject matter described in this specification may be embodied in methods that may include the actions of providing an item for output at a first location on a proximity-sensitive display, receiving data indicating a touch received at a second location on the proximity-sensitive display, determining a confidence value that reflects a mapping engine's confidence that the item accurately represents an input, determining whether the touch received through the proximity-sensitive display represents a selection of the item based at least on (i) the confidence value that reflects the mapping engine's confidence that the item is an accurate representation of the input, (ii) the first location of the item on the proximity-sensitive display, and (iii) the second location of the touch on the proximity-sensitive display, and providing an indication of whether the touch received through the proximity-sensitive display represents a selection of the item. Other implementations of this and other aspects include corresponding systems, apparatus, and computer programs, configured to perform the actions of the methods, encoded on computer storage devices. A system of one or more computers can be so configured by virtue of software, firmware, hardware, or a combination of them installed on the system that in operation cause the system to perform the actions. One or more computer programs can be so configured by virtue of having instructions that, when executed by data processing apparatus, cause the apparatus to perform the actions. These other versions may each optionally include one or more of the following features. For instance, implementations may include providing another item for output at a third location on the proximity-sensitive display and determining a confidence value that reflects the mapping engine's confidence that the other item accurately represents another input. In these implementations, determining whether the touch received through the proximity-sensitive display represents a selection of the item based at least on (i) the confidence value that reflects the mapping engine's confidence that the item is an accurate representation of the input, (ii) the first location of the item on the proximity-sensitive display, and (iii) the second location of the touch on the proximity-sensitive display, may include determining whether the touch received through the proximity-sensitive display represents a selection of the item based at least on (i) the confidence value that reflects the mapping engine's confidence that the item is an accurate representation of the input, (ii) the first location of the item on the proximity-sensitive display, (iii) the second location of the touch on the proximity-sensitive display, (iv) the confidence value that reflects the mapping engine's confidence that the other item is an accurate representation of the other input, and (v) the third location of the other item on the proximity-sensitive display. In some aspects, the subject matter described in this specification may be embodied in methods that may also include the actions of providing a text object for output at a first location on a proximity-sensitive display, receiving data indicating a touch received at a second location on the proximity-sensitive display, determining a confidence value that reflects an input-to-text engine's confidence that text associated with the text object accurately represents an input, determining whether the touch received through the proximity-sensitive display represents a selection of the text based at least on (i) the confidence value that reflects the input-to-text engine's confidence that the text is an accurate representation of the input, (ii) the first location of the text object on the proximity-sensitive display, and (iii) the second location of the touch on the proximity-sensitive display, and providing an indication of whether the touch received through the proximity-sensitive display represents a selection of the text. In some implementations, actions may further include receiving, by the input-to-text engine, input, generating, by the input-to-text engine, text based on the received input. In these implementations, determining the confidence value that reflects the input-to-text engine's confidence that text associated with the text object accurately represents an input may include determining a confidence value that reflects the input-to-text engine's confidence that the generated text accurately represents the received input. In some examples, receiving, by the input-to-text engine, input may include receiving, by the input-to-text engine, at least one image of a document and determining the confidence value that reflects the input-to-text engine's confidence that the generated text accurately represents the received input may include determining a confidence value that reflects the input-to-text engine's confidence that the generated text accurately represents one or more textual characters included in the document. In some implementations, receiving, by the input-to-text engine, input may include receiving, by the input-to-text engine, audio data that encodes an utterance and determining the confidence value that reflects the input-to-text engine's confidence that the generated text accurately represents the received input may include determining a confidence value that reflects the input-to-text engine's confidence that the generated text accurately represents one or more terms spoken in the utterance. In some implementations, receiving, by the input-to-text engine, input may include receiving, by the input-to-text engine, text in a first language and generating, by the input-to-text engine, text based on the received input may include generating, by the input-to-text engine, text in a second language based on the received text in the first language. In addition, determining the confidence value that reflects the input-to-text engine's confidence that the generated text accurately represents the received input may include determining a confidence value that reflects the input-to-text engine's confidence that the generated text is an accurate translation of the received text. In some examples, the actions may further include determining a distance between the first location and the second location. In these implementations, determining whether the touch received through the proximity-sensitive display represents a selection of the text based at least on (i) the confidence value that reflects the input-to-text engine's confidence that the text is an accurate representation of the input, (ii) the first location of the text object on the proximity-sensitive display, and (iii) the second location of the touch on the proximity-sensitive display, may include determining whether the touch received through the proximity-sensitive display represents a selection of the text based at least on (i) the confidence value that reflects the input-to-text engine's confidence that the text is an accurate representation of the input, (ii) the distance between the first location and the second location. In some implementations, the actions may further include providing another text object for output at a third location on a proximity-sensitive display and determining a confidence value that reflects an input-to-text engine's confidence that text associated with the other text object accurately represents another input. In addition, determining whether the touch received through the proximity-sensitive display represents a selection of the text based at least on (i) the confidence value that reflects the input-to-text engine's confidence that the text is an accurate representation of the input, (ii) the first location of the text object on the proximity-sensitive display, and (iii) the second location of the touch on the proximity-sensitive display, may include determining whether the touch received through the proximity-sensitive display represents a selection of the text based at least on (i) the confidence value that reflects the input-to-text engine's confidence that the text is an accurate representation of the input, (ii) the first location of the text object on the proximity-sensitive display, (iii) the second location of the touch on the proximity-sensitive display, (iv) the confidence value that reflects the input-to-text engine's confidence that the other text is an accurate representation of the other input, and (v) the third location of the other text object on the proximity-sensitive display. In some implementations, determining whether the touch received through the proximity-sensitive display represents a selection of the text based at least on (i) the confidence value that reflects the input-to-text engine's confidence that the text is an accurate representation of the input, (ii) the first location of the text object on the proximity-sensitive display, and (iii) the second location of the touch on the proximity-sensitive display may include determining that the touch received through the proximity-sensitive display represents a selection of the text based at least on (i) the confidence value that reflects the input-to-text engine's confidence that the text is an accurate representation of the input, (ii) the first location of the text object on the proximity-sensitive display, and (iii) the second location of the touch on the proximity-sensitive display. In these implementations, a further action may performed in response to determining that the touch received through the proximity-sensitive display represents a selection of the item. An example of such a further action may include expanding selection to one or more adjacent text objects based on one or more confidence values that reflect the input-to-text engine's confidence that text associated with each adjacent text object accurately represents its corresponding input. In some implementations, determining whether the touch received through the proximity-sensitive display represents a selection of the text based at least on (i) the confidence value that reflects the input-to-text engine's confidence that the text is an accurate representation of the input, (ii) the first location of the text object on the proximity-sensitive display, and (iii) the second location of the touch on the proximity-sensitive display may include determining that the touch received through the proximity-sensitive display does not represent a selection of the text based at least on (i) the confidence value that reflects the input-to-text engine's confidence that the text is an accurate representation of the input, (ii) the first location of the text object on the proximity-sensitive display, and (iii) the second location of the touch on the proximity-sensitive display. In these implementations, a further action may performed in response to determining that the touch received through the proximity-sensitive display represents a selection of the item. In some examples, the first location of the text object on the proximity-sensitive display corresponds to a location of the text object's centroid on the proximity-sensitive display. In other examples, the first location of the text object on the proximity-sensitive display corresponds to a location of a portion of the text object's bounding box on the proximity-sensitive display. The details of one or more embodiments of the subject matter described in this specification are set forth in the accompanying drawings and the description below. Other potential features, aspects, and advantages of the subject matter will become apparent from the description, the drawings, and the claims.

11479970

TECHNICAL FIELD Embodiments of the invention generally relate to the field of mechanical locking systems for building panels, especially floorboards. Embodiments of the invention relate to floorboards provided with such locking systems and methods for making floorboards with such locking systems. More specifically, embodiments of the invention relate above all to floors of the type having a core and a decorative surface layer on the upper side of the core. FIELD OF APPLICATION OF THE INVENTION Embodiments of the present invention are particularly suitable for use in floating floors, which are formed of floorboards which are joined mechanically with a locking system made in one piece with the core and are made up of one or more upper layers of veneer, decorative laminate or decorative plastic material, an intermediate core of wood-fibre-based material or plastic material and preferably a lower balancing layer on the rear side of the core, and are manufactured by sawing large boards into several panels. The following description of known technique, problems of known systems and objects and features of embodiments of the invention will therefore, as a non-restrictive example, be aimed above all at this field of application and in particular to laminate flooring formed as rectangular floorboards intended to be mechanically joined on both long sides and short sides. However, it should be emphasized that the invention may be used in any floorboards or building panels, which are intended to be locked together on two adjacent edges horizontally and vertically with a mechanical locking system that allows locking, preferably by an angling motion. Embodiments of the invention may thus also be applicable to, for instance, solid wooden floors, parquet floors with a core of wood lamellas or wood-fibre-based material and the like which are made as separate floor panels, floors with a printed and preferably also varnished surface and the like. Embodiments of the invention may also be used for joining building panels, for instance, of wall panels and furniture components. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Laminate flooring usually comprise of a core of 6-11 mm fiberboard, a 0.1-0.8 mm thick upper decorative surface layer of laminate and a 0.1-0.6 mm thick lower balancing layer of laminate, plastic, paper or like material. The surface layer provides appearance and durability to the floorboards. The core provides stability, and the balancing layer keeps the board plane after pressing and when the relative humidity (RH) varies during the year. The floorboards are laid floating, i.e. without gluing, on an existing subfloor. Traditional hard floorboards of this type were usually joined by means of glued tongue-and-groove joints. However the majority of all laminate floorboards are presently joined mechanically by means of so-called mechanical locking systems. These systems comprise locking means, which lock the boards horizontally and vertically. The mechanical locking systems are usually formed by machining of the core. Alternatively, parts of the locking system may be formed of separate materials, for example aluminium or plastic, which are factory integrated with the floorboard. The main advantages of floating floors with mechanical locking systems are that they can easily and quickly be laid by various combinations of angling and snapping. They may also easily be taken up again and used once more at a different location. The most common core material is a fiberboard with high density and good stability usually called HDF—High Density Fibreboard. Sometimes also MDF—Medium Density Fibreboard—is used as core. A laminate board which comprises a surface of melamine impregnated decorative paper, plastic, wood, veneer, cork and the like are made by the surface layer and preferably a balancing layer being applied to a core material that in addition to HDF may be made of plywood, chipboard, plastic, and various composite materials. Recently a new board has been developed where a powder, comprising fibres, binders, wear resistant particles and colour pigment, is scattered on a core material and cured by heat and pressure to a solid paper free surface. As a rule, the above methods result in a laminate board, which is divided by sawing into several panels, which are then machined to provide them with a mechanical locking system at the edges. A laminate board of the size of a panel, which is not necessary to divide, may be produced by the above method. Manufacture of individual floor panels usually takes place when the panels have a surface layer of wood or veneer. Floorboard with mechanical locking systems may also be produced from solid materials such as solid wood. In all cases, the above-mentioned floor panels are individually machined along their edges to floorboards. The machining of the edges is carried out in advanced milling machines where the floor panel is exactly positioned between one or more chains and belts, so that the floor panel may be moved at high speed and with great accuracy past a number of milling motors, which are provided with rotating diamond cutting tools or metal cutting tools and which machine the edge of the floor panel. By using several milling motors operating at different angles, advanced joint geometries may be formed at speeds exceeding 200 m/min and with an accuracy of about ±0.05 mm. The accuracy in the vertical direction is generally better than in the horizontal direction since it is difficult to avoid so called swimming which occurs when panels move horizontally in relation to the chain/belt during milling. Definition of Some Terms In the following text, the visible surface of the installed panel, such as a floorboard, is called “front side”, while the opposite side of the floorboard, facing the subfloor, is called “rear side”. By “horizontal plane” is meant a plane, which extends parallel to the front side. Immediately juxtaposed upper parts of two neighboring joint edges of two joined panels together define a “vertical plane” perpendicular to the horizontal plane. The outer parts of the floorboard at the edge of the floorboard between the front side and the rear side are called “joint edge”. As a rule, the joint edge has several “joint surfaces” which may be vertical, horizontal, angled, rounded, beveled, etc. By “locking system” are meant coacting connecting means, which connect the panels vertically and/or horizontally. By “mechanical locking system” is meant that joining may take place without glue. By “angling” is meant a connection that occurs by a turning motion, during which an angular change occurs between two parts that are being connected, or disconnected. When angling relates to connection of two floorboards, the angular motion generally takes place with the upper parts of the joint edges at least partly being in contact with each other, during at least part of the motion. By “up or upward” means toward the front side and by “down or downward” means toward the rear side. By “inwardly” is meant towards the centre of the panel and by “outwardly” means in the opposite direction. By “carving” is meant a method to form a groove or a protrusion on an edge of a panel by carving a part of the edge to its final shape by one or several carving tool configurations comprising several non-rotating and fixed chip-removing surfaces located along the feeding direction. Known Technique and Problems Thereof With a view to facilitating the understanding of embodiments of the present invention, known mechanical locking system will now be described with reference toFIGS. 1a-1e. In applicable parts, the subsequent description of known technique also applies to the embodiments of the present invention described below. As shown inFIG. 1athe floorboards have a tongue10and a groove9that locks the edges in a vertical direction. A strip6, which extends along a first edge1, protrudes from the edge and has a locking element8that cooperates with a locking groove14in the adjacent second edge1′ and locks the edges horizontally. It is evident from this figure andFIG. 1b, that since the mechanical locking systems have parts, such as the tongue10and the strip6, that project beyond the upper joint edges, expensive waste W is created when the large board1bis cut by a sawblade20into several floor panels and when the locking system is formed. Even when individual floor panels are produced, for example floors of solid wood, as shown inFIG. 1c, considerable waste (W) is caused by forming the strip6and the tongue10. These systems and the manufacturing methods suffer from a number of drawbacks, which are above all related to cost and function. The waste is mainly related to the long edge locking system, which generally is installed by angling. The total waste may be about 10 mm or more or about 5% in floorboards that have a width of about 200 mm. The waste in narrow floorboards with a width of for example 100 mm may be about 10%. To counteract these problems, different methods are used. The most important method is to limit the extent of the projecting parts. This usually results in lower locking strength and difficulties in laying or detaching the floorboards. Another method is to use separate materials, for example aluminium or plastic, to form the strip or the tongue. Such materials are generally not cost efficient in low cost floors with a surface layer and a core made of very cost efficient materials such as impregnated paper and HDF respectively. It is known that a locking system may be formed with overlapping edges A, B and a lower tongue C as shown inFIG. 1d(WO 2005/068747 Valinge Innovation AB). Such locking system will not reduce the waste. The overlapping edge or small tongue A is mainly used to facilitate horizontal displacement between the edges.FIG. 1eshows a known locking system (WO 2006/043893 Valinge Innovation AB) that has a separate flexible tongue10attached above the strip6and that is mainly intended to lock the short edges with vertical folding or vertical snapping. Brief Description of Embodiments of the Invention and Objects Thereof An object of embodiments of the present invention is to provide a locking system that is made in one piece with the core, that guides the adjacent edges automatically into a correct position during angling, that has a high locking strength and that is possible to produce with minimum material waste in connection with cutting of the large board and the final forming of the edges and the mechanical locking system. A further object of embodiments of the invention is to provide a rational and cost-efficient manufacturing method to divide a board into floorboards which are in a second production step machined to provide them with a mechanical locking system. The above objects may be achieved wholly or partly by locking systems, floor panels and production methods according to embodiments of the invention. A first aspect of embodiments of the invention is a method for dividing a board into a first panel and a second panel, wherein the method comprises the step of displacing the board and dividing the board by a fixed tool, such as scraping or carving tool. The method preferably comprises the step of forming a first vertically open groove, through a rear side of the board and an offset second vertically open groove, through a front side of the board. A fixed tool or a saw blade may form the first vertically open groove. The second vertically open groove may be formed by a fixed tool or a saw blade. The second vertically open groove is preferably made by sawing in order to obtain a smooth edge with less chipping at an edge of the front side, since the edge may be visible when the panel is installed. The method may comprise the step of forming, by a fixed tool, a first horizontally extending groove that extends horizontally under the front side and/or rear side of the board. The first horizontally extending groove may extend from the second groove towards the first groove. The first horizontally extending groove may extend from the first groove towards the second groove. The first horizontally extending groove may connect the first vertically open groove and the second vertically open groove. The method may comprise the step of forming, by a fixed tool, a second horizontally extending groove that extends horizontally under the front side and/or rear side of the board, wherein the second horizontally extending groove extends from the second vertically open groove towards the first vertically open groove and the first horizontally extending groove extends from the first vertically open groove towards the second vertically open groove. The first horizontally extending grooves may be connected with the second horizontally extending grooves. The forming of the second vertically open groove may be made by sawing by a rotating saw blade. The forming of the first groove is preferably made before the cutting of the second groove and wherein the first groove is made by a fixed tool. The step of displacing the board past the fixed tool, is preferably made before the sawing step, since that makes it easier to absorb the forces created by the fixed tool when forming the groove. The method may comprise the step of method arranging the board on a carrier, such as a conveyor belt/chain, preferably provided with a pushing device, such as a cam or ridge. The pushing device, such as a cam or ridge, increases the force the building element may be pushed towards the fixed tool. The front side of the board may be arranged against the carrier and facing downwards. The front side is preferably arranged facing downward and supported by a carrier, such as a conveyor belt/chain. If the steps above forms a part of a locking system that increase the production tolerances and critical locking surfaces may be produced with high tolerances. The fixed tool may comprise several carving teeth, arranged for forming at different vertical and/or horizontal positions. The method may comprise the step of removing the chips created by the fixed tool by compressed air, preferably by a compressed air nozzle, and preferably collected by a suction device. The board may be a wood based board, a laminated board, such as a floor element comprising a core of HDF or MDF, a decorative layer and a balancing layer, a plywood board, or a board comprising a plastic core and preferably a decorative layer. The laminated board may comprise a core provided with a decorative surface layer and a balancing layer. The method may comprise the step of removing the chips created by the forming, preferably by several compressed air nozzles, and preferably sorting and disposing into separate containers the chips from the core and the balancing layer and/or the decorative layer. A second aspect of embodiments of the invention is method of forming a mechanical locking system for locking of a first and a second panel, wherein the method comprises the steps:dividing a board into a first and a second panel according to the methods described herein and thereby forming a lower protruding part at a first edge of the first panel and a lower groove at a second edge of the second panel;forming a locking element at the lower protruding part;and forming a locking groove at the lower groove. A third aspect of embodiments of the invention are building panels, each comprising an upper surface and a core, provided with a locking system for vertical and horizontal locking of a first edge of a first building panel to an adjacent second edge of a second building panel. The upper parts of the first and the second edge together define in a locked position a vertical plane, which perpendicular to a horizontal plane, which is parallel to the upper surface of the first and the second building panel. The locking system is configured to enable assembling of the first and the second edge by angling the first and the second building panel relative each other. The locking system comprises a tongue, made in one piece with said core, and a tongue groove configured to cooperate for vertical locking, and a strip at the first edge, made in one piece with the core, which is provided with a locking element, and configured to cooperate for horizontal locking with a downwardly open locking groove formed in the second edge. The first and the second building panel (may obtain a relative position with a distance between the first and the second edge, in said position the upper surface of the first and the second building panel (1,1′) are in the same horizontal plane and an edge part of the second edge is located vertically above the upper part of the locking element and that there is a vertically extending space S of at least about 0.5 mm between the locking element and all parts of the second edge which is located above the locking element. The edge part may be located at the vertical plane. The locking element may comprises a locking surface that cooperates with a locking surface at the locking groove for horizontal locking and wherein the edge part is located vertically above the locking surface of the locking element. The space may be larger than 0.6 mm. The space may be equal or larger above the outer part of the locking element than above the upper part of the locking element. The edge portion may comprise a lower part that is inclined downwards and inwardly. The edge part may comprise a lower part of the tongue. The building panel may be a floorboard. A fourth aspect of embodiments of the invention is a method to divide a board, comprising a core and a surface, wherein the method comprises the step of:forming in the core a first and a second essentially vertical grooves, which are horizontally offset, wherein the first groove comprises an opening towards the front side and the second groove comprises an opening towards the rear side of the board;dividing the board into a first floor panel with a first edge and a second floor panel with a second edge, wherein the first edge is adjacent the second edge; andforming a locking system on the first and second edge comprising a strip, a locking element and a locking groove for horizontal locking and a tongue and a tongue groove for vertical locking. The second groove may be formed by a carving tool. The board may be divided by a carving tool. The board may be divided by carving tools that are inserted into the first and the second grooves. The carving tool that divides the panels may cut an essentially horizontally extending groove that comprises an angle of less than 45 degrees against the horizontal plane HP. The first or the second groove may be formed by a carving tool with carving teeth that are displaced horizontally with a distance of at least about 0.2 mm. A fifth aspect of embodiments of the invention is building panels comprising a surface and a core, provided with a locking system for vertical and horizontal locking of a first edge of a first building panel to an adjacent second edge of a second building panel. The upper parts of the first and the second edge, in a locked position, together define a vertical plane perpendicular to a horizontal plane, which is parallel to the surface. The locking system is configured to enable assembling of the first and the second edge by angling the first and the second building panel relative each other. The locking system comprises a tongue, made in one piece with said core, and a tongue groove configured to cooperate for vertical locking. The first edge comprises a strip, made in one piece with the core, which is provided with a locking element, which is configured to cooperate for horizontal locking with a downwardly open locking groove formed in the second edge. The tongue, which is provided on the first edge, cooperates with a lower lip of the tongue groove, which is provided at the second edge and comprises lower vertically locking surfaces. The locking element and the locking groove cooperate at horizontally locking surfaces. The tongue protrudes outwardly beyond the vertical plane and the tongue groove comprises an upper lip. The horizontal extension of the lower lip, in relation to the upper lip, is smaller than the horizontal extension of the tongue. The building panels may comprise cooperating horizontally locking surfaces that lock the edges both horizontally and vertically with horizontal and vertical pre tension. The building panels may comprise a tongue that cooperates with the upper lip at upper vertically locking surfaces. The tongue and the tongue groove may comprise upper and lower vertically locking surfaces that are essentially parallel with the horizontal plane and offset horizontally such that a part of the upper vertically locking surfaces are horizontally closer to the locking element than the lower vertically locking surfaces. The lower lip may protrude beyond the upper lip and the vertical plane. The horizontal extension of the tongue may be at least about twice as large as the horizontal extension of the lower lip. The tongue and the tongue groove may comprise guiding surfaces that are configured to be in contact with each other, during the assembling by angling, when an edge part of the second edge is in contact with the strip and/or the locking element. The guiding surfaces may be inclined relative the vertical plane and located on the upper and/or lower parts of the tongue and the tongue groove. The horizontal locking surfaces may be located below a horizontal strip plane that intersects an upper part of the strip, which is located essentially vertically under the outer part of the tongue. The horizontally locking surfaces may be located both below and above the horizontal strip plane. The horizontal locking surfaces may be located above the horizontal strip plane. The locking system may comprise a space between the upper part of the strip and an edge portion of the second panel located essentially under the tongue. The upper vertically locking surfaces may be offset horizontally in relation to the horizontally locking surfaces. The vertically and horizontally locking surfaces may be offset horizontally with a horizontal distance that is larger than the horizontal extension of the tongue. The core may comprise HDF, particleboard plastic or plywood. The horizontally locking surfaces may have a locking angle of about 40-60 degrees against the horizontal plane. A sixth aspect of embodiments of the invention is a method to divide a board, comprising a core and a surface, wherein the method comprises the step of:forming in the core a first and a second essentially vertical groove, which are horizontally offset, wherein the first groove comprises an opening towards the front side and the second groove comprises an opening towards the rear side of the board;dividing the board into a first floor panel with a first edge and a second floor panel with a second edge, wherein the first edge is adjacent the second edge; andforming a locking strip and a tongue for vertically and horizontally locking of the first and the second floor panel, wherein the locking strip and the tongue protrude horizontally beyond an upper part of the first edge of the first panel. The board may be divided by knives. The board may be divided by scraping of the core. The board may comprise a plywood core, which is divided at least partly along one of the veneers. The board may comprise a plywood core, which is divided essentially along one of the veneers, which comprises a fibre orientation essentially oriented from one groove towards the other groove. The first or the second groove may be formed by a rotating tool and the other groove by carving or scraping. The second groove may be formed by carving or scraping. The first and the second grooves may be formed by carving or scraping. A seventh aspect of embodiments of the invention is a building panel, such as a floor panel, according to the third or fifth aspect and produced according to the first, the second, the fourth or the sixth aspect. A locking system that comprises a tongue on the same edges as the protruding strip and that allows a separation of board by two offset cutting grooves provides a considerable material saving. The joint geometry as describes above provides precise guiding of the edges during locking and a strong lock when the edges are angled into a locked position.

11518502

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT Not applicable. BACKGROUND For landing an aircraft, such as a rotorcraft (i.e., helicopter), a tail skid is attached to a distal end of a stabilizer (i.e., vertical tail tin or horizontal stabilizer) to minimize and/or prevent damage to the rotorcraft when the stabilizer contacts the ground. During such an impact event, a tail skid deforms and absorbs the energy generated. Hence, impact load induced by a tail landing on the tail boom airframe structure of the aircraft may be reduced. Currently, tail skids are made of a circular tube design that are bolted on stabilizers and are formed from metal alloys. Such tail skids require their own support structure independent of the stabilizer, which often increases stabilizer weight requirements. Also, to adequately provide for sufficient ground clearance, the inclusion of a tail skid further contributes to limitations for the dimensions and aerodynamic performance of the stabilizer. SUMMARY According to one implementation of the present disclosure, a stabilizer of an aircraft includes an energy absorbing assembly. The energy absorbing assembly includes first and second portions and a retractable section. The retractable section may be at least partially affixed to the first portion and is configured to enable displacement of the second portion of the stabilizer with respect to the first portion. According to another implementation of the present disclosure, a method of energy absorption by a stabilizer includes setting, in a first positioning, first and second portions of the stabilizer. In the first positioning, the first and second portions are encased in an outer skin, separated by an air gap, and adjoined by a retractable section. Also, in response to an impact event, the method includes engaging a retractable section of the stabilizer to resistively displace the second portion to converge the first portion over the air gap. According to another implementation of the present disclosure, a method of energy absorption by a stabilizer includes forming a first portion of the stabilizer. The method further includes forming a retractable section that is at least partially affixed to the first portion. Also, the retractable system may be configured to enable displacement of a second portion of the stabilizer with respect to the first portion. The above-referenced summary section is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in a simplified form that are further described below in the detailed description section. Additional concepts and various other implementations are also described in the detailed description. The summary is not intended to identify key features or essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to be used to limit the scope of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to limit the number of inventions described herein. Furthermore, the claimed subject matter is not limited to implementations that solve any or all disadvantages noted in any part of this disclosure.

11262383

FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present disclosure relates generally to the field of electrical contacts and more specifically to the field of compliant probes or pins for making electrical contact between electronic circuits (e.g. during wafer level or socket level testing) and even more specifically to such probes or pins formed from a plurality of adhered layers of deposited conductive and possibly dielectric materials and in some embodiments to methods for making such probes or pins using electrochemical, multi-layer, multi-material fabricating methods. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Probes: Numerous electrical contact probe and pin configurations have been commercially used or previously proposed. Examples of such pins, probes, or methods of making are set forth in the following patents and applications. Each of these is incorporated herein by reference as if set forth in full. Pat. (USP) orPub (USAP) orApp (USA) #TitleU.S. Pat. 7,265,565Cantilever Microprobes for Contacting Electronic Components andMethods for Making Such ProbesUSAP 2008-0111573Pin-Type Probes for Contacting Electronic Circuits and Methods forMaking Such ProbesUSAP 2016-0231356Multi-Layer, Multi-Material Micro-Scale and Millimeter-ScaleDevices with Enhanced Electrical and/or Mechanical PropertiesU.S. Pat. 9,878,401Methods of Forming Parts Using Laser MachiningU.S. Pat. 9,540,233Methods of Forming Three-Dimensional Structures HavingReduced Stress and/or Curvature Electrochemical Fabrication: An electrochemical fabrication technique for forming three-dimensional structures from a plurality of adhered layers that has been or is being commercially pursued by Microfabrica® Inc. (formerly MEMGen Corporation) of Van Nuys, Calif. under the process names EFAB™ and MICA FREEFORM®. Various electrochemical fabrication techniques were described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,027,630, issued on Feb. 22, 2000 to Adam Cohen. Some embodiments of this electrochemical fabrication technique allow the selective deposition of a material using a mask that includes a patterned conformable material on a support structure that is independent of the substrate onto which plating will occur. When desiring to perform an electrodeposition using the mask, the conformable portion of the mask is brought into contact with a substrate, but not adhered or bonded to the substrate, while in the presence of a plating solution such that the contact of the conformable portion of the mask to the substrate inhibits deposition at selected locations. For convenience, these masks might be generically called conformable contact masks; the masking technique may be generically called a conformable contact mask plating process. More specifically, in the terminology of Microfabrica Inc. such masks have come to be known as INSTANT MASKS™ and the process known as INSTANT MASKING™ or INSTANT MASK™ plating. Selective depositions using conformable contact mask plating may be used to form single selective deposits of material or may be used in a process to form multi-layer structures. The teachings of the '630 patent are hereby incorporated herein by reference as if set forth in full herein. Since the filing of the patent application that led to the above noted patent, various papers about conformable contact mask plating (i.e. INSTANT MASKING) and electrochemical fabrication have been published:(1) A. Cohen, G. Zhang, F. Tseng, F. Mansfeld, U. Frodis and P. Will, “EFAB: Batch production of functional, fully-dense metal parts with micro-scale features”, Proc. 9th Solid Freeform Fabrication, The University of Texas at Austin, p161, August 1998.(2) A. Cohen, G. Zhang, F. Tseng, F. Mansfeld, U. Frodis and P. Will, “EFAB: Rapid, Low-Cost Desktop Micromachining of High Aspect Ratio True 3-D MEMS”, Proc. 12th IEEE Micro Electro Mechanical Systems Workshop, IEEE, p244, January 1999.(3) A. Cohen, “3-D Micromachining by Electrochemical Fabrication”, Micromachine Devices, March 1999.(4) G. Zhang, A. Cohen, U. Frodis, F. Tseng, F. Mansfeld, and P. Will, “EFAB: Rapid Desktop Manufacturing of True 3-D Microstructures”, Proc. 2nd International Conference on Integrated MicroNanotechnology for Space Applications, The Aerospace Co., April 1999.(5) F. Tseng, U. Frodis, G. Zhang, A. Cohen, F. Mansfeld, and P. Will, “EFAB: High Aspect Ratio, Arbitrary 3-D Metal Microstructures using a Low-Cost Automated Batch Process”, 3rd International Workshop on High Aspect Ratio MicroStructure Technology (HARMST'99), June 1999.(6) A. Cohen, U. Frodis, F. Tseng, G. Zhang, F. Mansfeld, and P. Will, “EFAB: Low-Cost, Automated Electrochemical Batch Fabrication of Arbitrary 3-D Microstructures”, Micromachining and Microfabrication Process Technology, SPIE 1999 Symposium on Micromachining and Microfabrication, September 1999.(7) F. Tseng, G. Zhang, U. Frodis, A. Cohen, F. Mansfeld, and P. Will, “EFAB: High Aspect Ratio, Arbitrary 3-D Metal Microstructures using a Low-Cost Automated Batch Process”, MEMS Symposium, ASME 1999 International Mechanical Engineering Congress and Exposition, November 1999.(8) A. Cohen, “Electrochemical Fabrication (EFAB™)”, Chapter 19 of The MEMS Handbook, edited by Mohamed Gad-El-Hak, CRC Press, 2002.(9) Microfabrication—Rapid Prototyping's Killer Application”, pages 1-5 of the Rapid Prototyping Report, CAD/CAM Publishing, Inc., June 1999. The disclosures of these nine publications are hereby incorporated herein by reference as if set forth in full herein. An electrochemical deposition process for forming multi-layer structures may be carried out in a number of different ways as set forth in the above patent and publications. In one form, this process involves the execution of three separate operations during the formation of each layer of the structure that is to be formed:1. Selectively depositing at least one material by electrodeposition upon one or more desired regions of a substrate. Typically, this material is either a structural material or a sacrificial material.2. Then, blanket depositing at least one additional material by electrodeposition so that the additional deposit covers both the regions that were previously selectively deposited onto, and the regions of the substrate that did not receive any previously applied selective depositions. Typically, this material is the other of a structural material or a sacrificial material.3. Finally, planarizing the materials deposited during the first and second operations to produce a smoothed surface of a first layer of desired thickness having at least one region containing the at least one material and at least one region containing at least the one additional material. After formation of the first layer, one or more additional layers may be formed adjacent to an immediately preceding layer and adhered to the smoothed surface of that preceding layer. These additional layers are formed by repeating the first through third operations one or more times wherein the formation of each subsequent layer treats the previously formed layers and the initial substrate as a new and thickening substrate. Once the formation of all layers has been completed, at least a portion of at least one of the materials deposited is generally removed by an etching process to expose or release the three-dimensional structure that was intended to be formed. The removed material is a sacrificial material while the material that forms part of the desired structure is a structural material. One method of performing the selective electrodeposition involved in the first operation is by conformable contact mask plating. In this type of plating, one or more conformable contact (CC) masks are first formed. The CC masks include a support structure onto which a patterned conformable dielectric material is adhered or formed. The conformable material for each mask is shaped in accordance with a particular cross-section of material to be plated (the pattern of conformable material is complementary to the pattern of material to be deposited). In such a process, at least one CC mask is used for each unique cross-sectional pattern that is to be plated. The support for a CC mask may be a plate-like structure formed of a metal that is to be selectively electroplated and from which material to be plated will be dissolved. In this typical approach, the support will act as an anode in an electroplating process. In an alternative approach, the support may instead be a porous or otherwise perforated material through which deposition material will pass during an electroplating operation on its way from a distal anode to a deposition surface. In either approach, it is possible for multiple CC masks to share a common support, i.e. the patterns of conformable dielectric material for plating multiple layers of material may be located in different areas of a single support structure. When a single support structure contains multiple plating patterns, the entire structure is referred to as the CC mask while the individual plating masks may be referred to as “submasks”. In the present application such a distinction will be made only when relevant to a specific point being made. In some implementations, a single structure, part or device may be formed during execution of the above noted steps or in other implementations (i.e. batch processes) multiple identical or different structures, parts, or devices, may be built up simultaneously. In preparation for performing the selective deposition of the first operation, the conformable portion of the CC mask is placed in registration with and pressed against a selected portion of (1) the substrate, (2) a previously formed layer, or (3) a previously deposited material forming a portion of a layer that is being formed. The pressing together of the CC mask and relevant substrate, layer, or material occurs in such a way that all openings, in the conformable portions of the CC mask contain plating solution. The conformable material of the CC mask that contacts the substrate, layer, or material acts as a barrier to electrodeposition while the openings in the CC mask that are filled with electroplating solution act as pathways for transferring material from an anode (e.g. the CC mask support) to the non-contacted portions of the substrate (which act as a cathode during the plating operation) when an appropriate potential and/or current are supplied. An example of a CC mask and CC mask plating are shown inFIGS. 1A-1C.FIG. 1Ashows a side view of a CC mask8consisting of a conformable or deformable (e.g. elastomeric) insulator10patterned on an anode12. The anode has two functions. One is as a supporting material for the patterned insulator10to maintain its integrity and alignment since the pattern may be topologically complex (e.g., involving isolated “islands” of insulator material). The other function is as an anode for the electroplating operation.FIG. 1Aalso depicts a substrate6, separated from mask8, onto which material will be deposited during the process of forming a layer. CC mask plating selectively deposits material22onto substrate6by simply pressing the insulator against the substrate then electrodepositing material through apertures26aand26bin the insulator as shown inFIG. 1B. After deposition, the CC mask is separated, preferably non-destructively, from the substrate6as shown inFIG. 10. The CC mask plating process is distinct from a “through-mask” plating process in that in a through-mask plating process the separation of the masking material from the substrate would occur destructively. Furthermore, in a through mask plating process, openings in the masking material are typically formed while the masking material is in contact with and adhered to the substrate. As with through-mask plating, CC mask plating deposits material selectively and simultaneously over the entire layer. The plated region may consist of one or more isolated plating regions where these isolated plating regions may belong to a single structure that is being formed or may belong to multiple structures that are being formed simultaneously. In CC mask plating as individual masks are not intentionally destroyed in the removal process, they may be usable in multiple plating operations. Another example of a CC mask and CC mask plating is shown inFIGS. 1D-1G.FIG. 1Dshows an anode12′ separated from a mask8′ that includes a patterned conformable material10′ and a support structure20.FIG. 1Dalso depicts substrate6separated from the mask8′.FIG. 1Eillustrates the mask8′ being brought into contact with the substrate6.FIG. 1Fillustrates the deposit22′ that results from conducting a current from the anode12′ to the substrate6.FIG. 1Gillustrates the deposit22′ on substrate6after separation from mask8′. In this example, an appropriate electrolyte is located between the substrate6and the anode12′ and a current of ions coming from one or both of the solution and the anode are conducted through the opening in the mask to the substrate where material is deposited. This type of mask may be referred to as an anodeless INSTANT MASK™ (AIM) or as an anodeless conformable contact (ACC) mask. Unlike through-mask plating, CC mask plating allows CC masks to be formed completely separate from the substrate on which plating is to occur (e.g. separate from a three-dimensional (3D) structure that is being formed). CC masks may be formed in a variety of ways, for example, using a photolithographic process. All masks can be generated simultaneously, e.g. prior to structure fabrication rather than during it. This separation makes possible a simple, low-cost, automated, self-contained, and internally-clean “desktop factory” that can be installed almost anywhere to fabricate 3D structures, leaving any required clean room processes, such as photolithography to be performed by service bureaus or the like. An example of the electrochemical fabrication process discussed above is illustrated inFIGS. 2A-2F. These figures show that the process involves deposition of a first material2which is a sacrificial material and a second material4which is a structural material. The CC mask8, in this example, includes a patterned conformable material (e.g. an elastomeric dielectric material)10and a support12which is made from deposition material2. The conformal portion of the CC mask is pressed against substrate6with a plating solution14located within the openings16in the conformable material10. An electric current, from power supply18, is then passed through the plating solution14via (a) support12which doubles as an anode and (b) substrate6which doubles as a cathode.FIG. 2Aillustrates that the passing of current causes material2within the plating solution and material2from the anode12to be selectively transferred to and plated on the substrate6. After electroplating the first deposition material2onto the substrate6using CC mask8, the CC mask8is removed as shown inFIG. 2B.FIG. 2Cdepicts the second deposition material4as having been blanket-deposited (i.e. non-selectively deposited) over the previously deposited first deposition material2as well as over the other portions of the substrate6. The blanket deposition occurs by electroplating from an anode (not shown), composed of the second material, through an appropriate plating solution (not shown), and to the cathode/substrate6. The entire two-material layer is then planarized to achieve precise thickness and flatness as shown inFIG. 2D. After repetition of this process for all layers, the multi-layer structure20formed of the second material4(i.e. structural material) is embedded in first material2(i.e. sacrificial material) as shown inFIG. 2E. The embedded structure is etched to yield the desired device, i.e. structure20, as shown inFIG. 2F. Various components of an exemplary manual electrochemical fabrication system32are shown inFIGS. 3A-3C. The system32consists of several subsystems34,36,38, and40. The substrate holding subsystem34is depicted in the upper portions of each ofFIGS. 3A—3C and includes several components: (1) a carrier48, (2) a metal substrate6onto which the layers are deposited, and (3) a linear slide42capable of moving the substrate6up and down relative to the carrier48in response to drive force from actuator44. Subsystem34also includes an indicator46for measuring differences in vertical position of the substrate which may be used in setting or determining layer thicknesses and/or deposition thicknesses. The subsystem34further includes feet68for carrier48which can be precisely mounted on subsystem36. The CC mask subsystem36shown in the lower portion ofFIG. 3Aincludes several components: (1) a CC mask8that is actually made up of a number of CC masks (i.e. submasks) that share a common support/anode12, (2) precision X-stage54, (3) precision Y-stage56, (4) frame72on which the feet68of subsystem34can mount, and (5) a tank58for containing the electrolyte16. Subsystems34and36also include appropriate electrical connections (not shown) for connecting to an appropriate power source (not shown) for driving the CC masking process. The blanket deposition subsystem38is shown in the lower portion ofFIG. 3Band includes several components: (1) an anode62, (2) an electrolyte tank64for holding plating solution66, and (3) frame74on which feet68of subsystem34may sit. Subsystem38also includes appropriate electrical connections (not shown) for connecting the anode to an appropriate power supply (not shown) for driving the blanket deposition process. The planarization subsystem40is shown in the lower portion ofFIG. 3Cand includes a lapping plate52and associated motion and control systems (not shown) for planarizing the depositions. In addition to teaching the use of CC masks for electrodeposition purposes, the '630 patent also teaches that the CC masks may be placed against a substrate with the polarity of the voltage reversed and material may thereby be selectively removed from the substrate. It indicates that such removal processes can be used to selectively etch, engrave, and polish a substrate, e.g., a plaque. The '630 patent further indicates that the electroplating methods and articles disclosed therein allow fabrication of devices from thin layers of materials such as, e.g., metals, polymers, ceramics, and semiconductor materials. It further indicates that although the electroplating embodiments described therein have been described with respect to the use of two metals, a variety of materials, e.g., polymers, ceramics and semiconductor materials, and any number of metals can be deposited either by the electroplating methods therein, or in separate processes that occur throughout the electroplating method. It indicates that a thin plating base can be deposited, e.g., by sputtering, over a deposit that is insufficiently conductive (e.g., an insulating layer) so as to enable subsequent electroplating. It also indicates that multiple support materials (i.e. sacrificial materials) can be included in the electroplated element allowing selective removal of the support materials. The '630 patent additionally teaches that the electroplating methods disclosed therein can be used to manufacture elements having complex microstructure and close tolerances between parts. An example is given with the aid ofFIGS. 14A-14Eof that patent. In the example, elements having parts that fit with close tolerances, e.g., having gaps between about 1-5 um, including electroplating the parts of the device in an unassembled, preferably pre-aligned state. In such embodiments, the individual parts can be moved into operational relation with each other or they can simply fall together. Once together the separate parts may be retained by clips or the like. Another method for forming microstructures from electroplated metals (i.e. using electrochemical fabrication techniques) is taught in U.S. Pat. No. 5,190,637 to Henry Guckel, entitled “Formation of Microstructures by Multiple Level Deep X-ray Lithography with Sacrificial Metal Layers”. This patent teaches the formation of metal structure utilizing through mask exposures. A first layer of a primary metal is electroplated onto an exposed plating base to fill a void in a photoresist (the photoresist forming a through mask having a desired pattern of openings), the photoresist is then removed, and a secondary metal is electroplated over the first layer and over the plating base. The exposed surface of the secondary metal is then machined down to a height which exposes the first metal to produce a flat uniform surface extending across both the primary and secondary metals. Formation of a second layer may then begin by applying a photoresist over the first layer and patterning it (i.e. to form a second through mask) and then repeating the process that was used to produce the first layer to produce a second layer of desired configuration. The process is repeated until the entire structure is formed, and the secondary metal is removed by etching. The photoresist is formed over the plating base or previous layer by casting and patterning of the photoresist (i.e. voids formed in the photoresist) are formed by exposure of the photoresist through a patterned mask via X-rays or UV radiation and development of the exposed or unexposed areas. The '637 patent teaches the locating of a plating base onto a substrate in preparation for electroplating materials onto the substrate. The plating base is indicated as typically involving the use of a sputtered film of an adhesive metal, such as chromium or titanium, and then a sputtered film of the metal that is to be plated. It is also taught that the plating base may be applied over an initial layer of sacrificial material (i.e. a layer or coating of a single material) on the substrate so that the structure and substrate may be detached if desired. In such cases after formation of the structure the sacrificial material forming part of each layer of the structure may be removed along with the initial sacrificial layer to free the structure. Substrate materials mentioned in the '637 patent include silicon, glass, metals, and silicon with protected semiconductor devices. A specific example of a plating base includes about 150 angstroms of titanium and about 300 angstroms of nickel, both of which are sputtered at a temperature of 160° C. In another example, it is indicated that the plating base may consist of 150 angstroms of titanium and 150 angstroms of nickel where both are applied by sputtering. Electrochemical Fabrication provides the ability to form prototypes and commercial quantities of miniature objects, parts, structures, devices, and the like at reasonable costs and in reasonable times. In fact, Electrochemical Fabrication is an enabler for the formation of many structures that were hitherto impossible to produce. Electrochemical Fabrication opens the spectrum for new designs and products in many industrial fields. Even though Electrochemical Fabrication offers this new capability and it is understood that Electrochemical Fabrication techniques can be combined with designs and structures known within various fields to produce new structures, certain uses for Electrochemical Fabrication provide designs, structures, capabilities and/or features not known or obvious in view of the state of the art. A need exists in various fields, including the field of electronic device testing (e.g. testing of integrated circuits at the wafer level, packaged integrated circuits, passive electronic devices prior to packaging, and passive electronic devices after packaging) for miniature devices (e.g. spring probes) having improved characteristics, reduced fabrication times, reduced fabrication costs, simplified fabrication processes, greater versatility in device design, improved selection of materials, improved material properties, more cost effective and less risky production of such devices, and/or more independence between geometric configuration and the selected fabrication process. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of some embodiments of the invention to provide a contact probe with improved electrical properties. It is an object of some embodiments of the invention to provide a contact probe with improved mechanical properties. It is an object of some embodiments of the invention to provide methods for fabricating improved probe structures. Other objects and advantages of various embodiments of the invention will be apparent to those of skill in the art upon review of the teachings herein. The various embodiments of the invention, set forth explicitly herein or otherwise ascertained from the teachings herein, may address one or more of the above objects alone or in combination, or alternatively may address some other object ascertained from the teachings herein. It is not necessarily intended that all objects be addressed by any single aspect of the invention even though that may be the case regarding some aspects. In a first aspect of the invention, a compliant probe for providing an elastic electrical connection between at least two electronic components, includes: (a) a first planarized layer including at least a first structural material; (b) a second planarized layer including at least a second structural material, wherein the second structural material has a relationship with the first planarized layer selected from the group consisting of: (1) the second structural material is directly adhered to the first planarized layer, (2) the second structural material is separated from the first planarized layer by one or more intermediate planarized layers, and (3) the second material is separated from the first planarized layer by one or more depositions of at least one intervening material; (c) a third planarized layer including at least a third structural material, wherein the third structural material has a relationship with the second planarized layer selected from the group consisting of: (1) the third material is directly adhered to the second planarized layer, (2) the third material is separated from the second planarized layer by one or more additional intermediate planarized layers, and (3) the third material is separated from the second planarized layer by one or more depositions of at least one intervening material, wherein the second planarized layer is located between the first and third planarized layers in a layer stacking direction, wherein the second structural material is different from the first structural material and the second structural material is different from the third structural material, wherein the probe is configured to provide an elastic electrical contact element that provides a conductive path along a length of the probe between at least two electronic components, and wherein each of at least one of the first to third planarized layers includes at least one core structural material and at least one shell structural material, wherein the at least one of the core structural material and the at least one shell structural material of a respective layer corresponds to the respective structural material selected from the group consisting of the first structural material, second structural material, and third structural material while the other of the at least one shell structural material and at least one core structural material is a different material, and wherein the core structural material is laterally surrounded by structural material that is not core structural material on the respective layer and wherein the core structural material extends at least a portion of the axial length of the probe and has a location selected from the group consisting of: (1) the core has a length extending in an axial (i.e. longitudinal) direction of the probe in the given layer and a center of the core, as measured perpendicular to the local axis (i.e. local longitudinal direction) of the probe, along a majority of the length of the core in the given layer is offset to a given side of a center line of the probe in the given layer; (2) the core has a core length in a given layer extending in an axial (i.e. longitudinal) direction of the probe within the given layer and the core has a width in the given layer with a first edge (e.g. a left edge or a right edge) and a second edge (e.g. the other of a right edge or left edge) and wherein the first edge of the core is spaced from a first edge of the probe by a first distance, and wherein the second edge of the core is spaced from a second edge of the probe by a second distance, wherein the probe has probe width, and wherein the first distance is different from the second distance, wherein the probe width, the first distance, and the second distance are measured along at least one common measurement line that extends perpendicular to a local axial direction of the probe in a location where the at least one measurement line crosses a centerline of the probe; and (3) the core has a length extending in an axial (i.e. longitudinal) direction of the probe and has a first edge (e.g. on the left or the right) and a second edge (e.g. on the other of the right or left), wherein the probe has first edge and a second edge corresponding with the first and second edges of the core, respectively, and wherein the first edge of the core is closer to the first edge of the probe than is the second edge of the core and wherein, along at least a portion of the length of the core, the second edge of the core is closer to the first edge of the probe than to the second edge of the probe. In a second aspect of the invention, a compliant probe for providing an elastic electrical connection between at least two electronic components, includes: (a) a first planarized layer including at least a first structural material; (b) a second planarized layer including at least a second structural material, wherein the second structural material has a relationship with the first planarized layer selected from the group consisting of: (1) the second structural material is directly adhered to the first planarized layer, (2) the second structural material is separated from the first planarized layer by one or more intermediate planarized layers, and (3) the second material is separated from the first planarized layer by one or more depositions of at least one intervening material; (c) a third planarized layer including at least a third structural material, wherein the third structural material has a relationship with the second planarized layer selected from the group consisting of: (1) the third material is directly adhered to the second planarized layer, (2) the third material is separated from the second planarized layer by one or more additional intermediate planarized layers, and (3) the third material is separated from the second planarized layer by one or more depositions of at least one intervening material, wherein the second planarized layer is located between the first and third planarized layers in a layer stacking direction, wherein the second structural material is different from the first structural material and the second structural material is different from the third structural material, wherein the probe is configured to provide an elastic electrical contact element that provides a conductive path along a length of the probe between at least two electronic components, and wherein each of at least one of the first to third planarized layers includes at least one exposed core structural material and at least one shell structural material, wherein the at least one of the exposed core structural material and the at least one shell structural material of a respective layer corresponds to the respective structural material selected from the group consisting of the first structural material, second structural material, and third structural material while the other of the shell structural material and exposed core structural material is a different material, and wherein the exposed core structural material is completely laterally bounded along one edge, selected from the group consisting of the left and right edges, by non-core structural material and is no more than partially bounded by non-core structural material along an opposite edge such that exposed core material forms at least a portion of one layered edge of the probe and wherein the core structural material extents at least a portion of an axial length of the probe. Numerous variations of the first and second aspects of the invention are possible and include for example: (1) the core structural material is also bounded from above and below along a layer stacking direction by non-core structural material; (2) variation 1 wherein the encapsulation from above and below is direct encapsulation with the core structural material of the respective layer being covered by non-core structural material of an immediately succeeding layer and by an immediately preceding layer; (3) variation 1 wherein the encapsulation from above and below is indirect encapsulation as the core structural material of the respective layer is separated from non-core material by at least one additional layer of core material forming part of a layer selected from the group consisting of (a) at least one immediately preceding layer, (b) at least one immediately succeeding layer, and (c) at least one immediately preceding layer and at least one immediately succeeding layer; (4) a contact tip material located at an end of at least one of the layers, wherein the tip material is different from the first, second, and third materials; (5) any of variations 1-3 wherein a contact tip material located at an end of at least one of the layers, wherein the tip material is different from the first, second, and third materials; (6) the first and third materials include the same material; (7) any of variations 1-5 wherein the first and third materials include the same material; (8) the core material includes a dielectric material; (9) any of variations 1-7 wherein the core material includes a dielectric material; (10) the core material includes a conductive material having a higher conductivity than at least one of the first, second, and third materials; (11) any of variations 1-5 wherein the core material includes a conductive material having a higher conductivity than at least one of the first, second, and third materials; (12) variations 10-11 wherein the core material includes a conductive material having a higher conductivity than each of the first, second and third materials; (13) the core material includes copper; (14) any of variations 1-11 wherein the core material includes copper; (15) the at least one of the first, second, and third materials includes a material selected from the group consisting of: (a) nickel (Ni), (b) copper (Cu), (c) beryllium copper (BeCu), (d) nickel phosphorous (Ni—P), (e) nickel cobalt (NiCo), (f) aluminum copper (Al—Cu), (g) steel, (h) P7 alloy, (i) palladium (Pd), (j) palladium cobalt (PdCo), (k) molybdenum, (l) manganese, (m) brass, (n) chrome, (o) chromium copper (p), and (q) tungsten (W), and (r) a combination of at least two of these materials; (16) any of variations 1-9 wherein the at least one of the first, second, and third materials includes a material selected from the group consisting of: (a) nickel (Ni), (b) copper (Cu), (c) beryllium copper (BeCu), (d) nickel phosphorous (Ni—P), (e) nickel cobalt (NiCo), (f) aluminum copper (Al—Cu), (g) steel, (h) P7 alloy, (i) palladium (Pd), (j) palladium cobalt (PdCo), (k) molybdenum, (l) manganese, (m) brass, (n) chrome, (o) chromium copper (p), and (q) tungsten (W), and (r) a combination of at least two of these materials; (17) the second planarized layer includes a shell structural material and a core structural material and wherein the first and third structural materials and the shell structural material of the second planarized layer include the same material; (18) any of variations 1-11 wherein the second planarized layer includes a shell structural material and a core structural material and wherein the first and third structural materials and the shell structural material of the second planarized layer include the same material; and (19) variations 4-5 wherein the contact tip material includes a metal different from any core structural material. Additional variations of the first and second aspects of the invention are possible and include for example: (20) a conformal coating material located on at least portions of the first, second and third planarized layers; (21) any of variations 1-19 wherein a conformal coating material located on at least portions of the first, second and third planarized layers; (22) variations 20-21 wherein the conformal coating material includes a dielectric; (23) variations 20-21 wherein the conformal coating material includes a conductive material; (24) the first, second, third, and any intermediate layers includes a number of layers selected from the group consisting of (a) at least 4 layers, (b) at least 5 layers, and (c) at least 6 layers; (25) any of variations 1-23 wherein the first, second, third, and any intermediate layers includes a number of layers selected from the group consisting of (a) at least 4 layers, (b) at least 5 layers, and (c) at least 6 layers; (26) the probe includes at least two layers with cores and shells wherein the at least two layers are separated by at least one intervening layer; (27) any of variations 1-25 wherein the probe includes at least two layers with cores and shells wherein the at least two layers are separated by at least one intervening layer; (28) the probe includes at least two layers with cores and shells wherein the at least two layers are joined one to the other; (29) any of variations 1-25 wherein the probe includes at least two layers with cores and shells wherein the at least two layers are joined one to the other; (30) at least one shell and corresponding core being formed by a process selected from the group consisting of: (a) using a first mask to form a configuration of shell structural material and then blanket plating to form a configuration of the core structural material; (b) using a first mask to form a configuration of the shell structural material and a second mask to form a configuration of the core structural material; (c) using a first mask to form a configuration of the core structural material and a second mask to form a configuration of the shell structural material; (d) use a first deposit of conductive material to form a pattern into which a thin layer of structural shell material can be formed with both a base region and sidewall regions and then using a deposition to deposit a configuration of core material followed by planarization to set a common level for core structural material and the shell structural material; (e) using a mask to deposit a configuration of core structural material to a height less than a thickness of the layer, and thereafter blanket depositing a shell structural material and then planarizing to set a height for the layer wherein shell structural material caps the core structural material; (f) using a mask to deposit a configuration of core structural material to a height greater than a thickness of the layer, and thereafter blanket depositing a shell structural material and then planarizing to set a height for the layer wherein the core structural material and the shell structural material are trimmed to a substantially common level; (31) any of variations 1-29 wherein at least one shell and corresponding core are formed by a process selected from the group consisting of: (a) using a first mask to form a configuration of shell structural material and then blanket plating to form a configuration of the core structural material; (b) using a first mask to form a configuration of the shell structural material and a second mask to form a configuration of the core structural material; (c) using a first mask to form a configuration of the core structural material and a second mask to form a configuration of the shell structural material; (d) use a first deposit of conductive material to form a pattern into which a thin layer of structural shell material can be formed with both a base region and sidewall regions and then using a deposition to deposit a configuration of core material followed by planarization to set a common level for core structural material and the shell structural material; (e) using a mask to deposit a configuration of core structural material to a height less than a thickness of the layer, and thereafter blanket depositing a shell structural material and then planarizing to set a height for the layer wherein shell structural material caps the core structural material; (f) using a mask to deposit a configuration of core structural material to a height greater than a thickness of the layer, and thereafter blanket depositing a shell structural material and then planarizing to set a height for the layer wherein the core structural material and the shell structural material are trimmed to a substantially common level; (32) the core has a length extending in an axial direction of the probe in the given layer and a center of the core, as measured perpendicular to the local axis of the probe, along a majority of the length of the core in the given layer is offset to a given side of a center line of the probe in the given layer; (33) any of variations 1-31 wherein the core has a length extending in an axial direction of the probe in the given layer and a center of the core, as measured perpendicular to the local axis of the probe, along a majority of the length of the core in the given layer is offset to a given side of a center line of the probe in the given layer; (34) variations 32-33 wherein the core structural material has a first coefficient of thermal expansion and the shell structural material has a second coefficient of thermal expansion wherein the first coefficient is larger than the second coefficient; (35) variations 32-33 wherein the core structural material has a first coefficient of thermal expansion and the shell structural material has a second coefficient of thermal expansion wherein the first coefficient is smaller than the second coefficient; (36) any of variations 32-35 wherein the core is shifted from a center line of the probe toward a net direction of curvature of the probe; (37) variation 36 has it depends from variation 34 wherein upon current flow through the probe, the probe undergoes an enhanced stress, compared to that from a similar probe without a shifted core, that exerts a force on the probe tip that is in a direction opposed to that of the direction of curvature; (38) variation 36 as it depends from variation 35 wherein upon current flow through the probe, the probe undergoes an enhanced stress, compared to that from a similar probe without a shifted core, that exerts a force on the probe tip that is in a direction similar to that of the direction of curvature; and (39) any of variations 32-35 wherein the core is shifted from a center line of the probe away from a net direction of curvature of the probe. Additional variations of the first and second aspects of the invention are possible and include for example: (40) variation 39 as it depends from variation 34 wherein upon usage the probe undergoes an enhanced stress, compared to that from a similar probe without a shifted core, that exerts a force on a probe tip that is in a direction similar to that of the direction of curvature; (41) variation 39 as it depends from variation 35 wherein upon usage the probe undergoes an enhanced stress, compared to that from a similar probe without a shifted core, that exerts a force on a probe tip that is in a direction opposed to that of the direction of curvature; (42) any of variations 32-41 wherein the core has a parameter selected from the group consisting of: (a) the offset extends along the length by an amount selected from the group consisting of: (i)>=9/16 of the core length, (ii)>=5/8 of the core length, (iii)>=11/16 of the core length, (iv)>=3/4 of the core length, (v)>=7/8 of the core length, and (vi)=the length of the probe; (b) the offset has an average magnitude selected from the group consisting of: (i)>=1/16 of the probe width, (ii)>=1/8 of the probe width, (iii)>=1/4 of the probe width, and (iv)>=3/8 of the probe width; (c) the core has a core width selected from the group consisting of: (i) the core width is substantially constant along the length of the core, (ii) the core width varies along its length by a ratio of maximum width to minimum width selected from the group consisting of: a)<=8, b)<=4, c)<=2, d)>=2, e)>=4, and f)>=8; (iii) the core width, measured as a ratio of core width to probe width, is selected from the group consisting of: a)>=3/4, b)>=5/8, c)>=1/2, d)>=1/4, e)<=3/4, f)<=5/8, g)<=1/2, h)<=1/4, and i)<=1/8; (iv) at least 1 micron, (v) at least 3 microns, (vi) at least 5 microns, and (vii) at least 7 microns; (43) any of variations 32-42 wherein the at least one shell structural material on a given layer has a width on either side of the core, along a line perpendicular to as axis of the probe, of (a) at least one micron, (b) at least 3 microns, (c) at least 5 microns, (d) at least 7 microns, (e) at least 5% of the probe width on the given layer along the line, (f) at least 10% of the probe width on the given layer along the line, (g) at least 20% of the probe width on the given layer along the line, (h) no more than 40% of the probe width on the given layer along the line, (i) no more than 30% of the probe width on the given layer along the line, and (j) no more than 20% of the probe width on the given layer along the line; (44) any of variations 32-43 wherein core structural material and non-core structural material exists on at least two consecutive layers wherein the core material on the two consecutive layers has a core-core radial overlap (overlap along a line within a layer and perpendicular to an axis of the probe) selected from the group consisting of (a) at least one micron, (b) at least 3 microns, (c) at least 5 microns, (d) at least 7 microns, (e) at least 5% of the probe width, (f) at least 10% of the probe width, (g) at least 20% of the probe width, (h) at least 40% of the probe width, (i) no more than 30% of the probe width, and (j) no more than 20% of the probe width; (45) the core has a core length in a given layer extending in an axial direction of the probe within the given layer and the core has a width in the given layer with a first edge (e.g. a left edge or a right edge) and a second edge (e.g. the other of a right edge or left edge) and wherein the first edge of the core is spaced from a first edge of the probe by a first distance, and wherein the second edge of the core is spaced from a second edge of the probe by a second distance, wherein the probe has probe width, and wherein the first distance is different from the second distance, wherein the probe width, the first distance, and the second distance are measured along at least one common measurement line that extends perpendicular to a local axial direction of the probe in a location where the at least one measurement line crosses a centerline of the probe; (46) any of variations 1-31 wherein the core has a core length in a given layer extending in an axial direction of the probe within the given layer and the core has a width in the given layer with a first edge (e.g. a left edge or a right edge) and a second edge (e.g. the other of a right edge or left edge) and wherein the first edge of the core is spaced from a first edge of the probe by a first distance, and wherein the second edge of the core is spaced from a second edge of the probe by a second distance, wherein the probe has probe width, and wherein the first distance is different from the second distance, wherein the probe width, the first distance, and the second distance are measured along at least one common measurement line that extends perpendicular to a local axial direction of the probe in a location where the at least one measurement line crosses a centerline of the probe; (47) variations 45-46 wherein the core structural material has a first coefficient of thermal expansion and the shell structural material has a second coefficient of thermal expansion wherein the first coefficient is larger than the second coefficient; (48) variations 45-46 wherein the core structural material has a first coefficient of thermal expansion and the shell structural material has a second coefficient of thermal expansion wherein the first coefficient is smaller than the second coefficient; (49) any of variations 45-48 wherein the probe has a net curvature in the first direction and wherein the first distance is smaller than the second distance; (50) variation 49 as it depends from variation 47 wherein upon current flow through the probe, the probe undergoes an enhanced stress, compared to that from a similar probe where the first and second distances are equal, that exerts a force on the probe tip that is in a direction opposed to that of the direction of curvature; (51) variation 49 as it depends from variation 48 wherein upon current flow through the probe, the probe undergoes an enhanced stress, compared to that from a similar probe where the first and second distances are equal, that exerts a force on the probe tip that is in a direction similar to that of the direction of curvature; (52) any of variations 45-48 wherein the core has a net curvature in the first direction and wherein the first distance is larger than the second distance; (53) variation 52 as it depends from 47 wherein upon current flow, the probe undergoes an enhanced stress, compared to that from a similar probe where the first and second distances are equal, that exerts a force on a probe tip that is in a direction similar to that of the direction of curvature; (54) variation 52 as it depends from 48 wherein upon current flow, the prove undergoes an enhanced stress, compared to that from a similar probe where the first and second distances are equal, that exerts a force on a probe tip that is in a direction opposed to that of the direction of curvature; (55) any of variations 45-54 wherein the core has a parameter selected from the group consisting of: (a) a non-zero difference between the first and second distances extends along a length by an amount selected from the group consisting of: (i)>9/16 of the core length, (ii)>5/8 of the core length, (iii)>11/16 of the core length, (iv)>3/4 of the core length, (v)>7/8 of the core length, and (vi)=the core length; (b) a difference between the first and second distances has an average magnitude selected from the group consisting of: (i)>=1/16 of the probe width, (ii)>=1/8 of the probe width, (iii)>=1/4 of the probe width, and (iv)>=3/8 of the probe width, (v)>=1/2 of the probe width, (c) the core width is selected from the group consisting of: (i) the core width is substantially constant along the length of the core, (ii) the core width varies along its length by a ratio of maximum width to minimum width selected from the group consisting of: (a)<=8, (b)<=4, (c)<=2, (d)>=2, (e)>=4, and (f)>=8; (iii) the core width, measured as a ratio of core width to probe width, is selected from the group consisting of: (a)>=3/4, (b)>=5/8, (c)>=1/2, (d)>=1/4, (e)<=3/4, (f)<=5/8, (g)<=1/2, (h)<=1/4, and (i)<=1/8; (iv) at least 1 micron, (v) at least 3 microns, (vi) at least 5 microns, (vii) at least 7 microns; (56) any of variations 45-55 wherein the at least one shell structural material on a given layer has a width on either side of the core, along a line perpendicular to as axis of the probe, of (a) at least one micron, (b) at least 3 microns, (c) at least 5 microns, (d) at least 7 microns, (e) at least 5% of the probe width on the given layer along the line, (f) at least 10% of the probe width on the given layer along the line, (g) at least 20% of the probe width on the given layer along the line, (h) no more than 40% of the probe width on the given layer along the line, (i) no more than 30% of the probe width on the given layer along the line, and (j) no more than 20% of the probe width on the given layer along the line; (57) any of variations 45-56 wherein core structural material and non-core structural material exists on at least two consecutive layers wherein the core material on the two consecutive layers has a core-core radial overlap (overlap along a line within a layer and perpendicular to an axis of the probe) selected from the group consisting of (a) at least one micron, (b) at least 3 microns, (c) at least 5 microns, (d) at least 7 microns, (e) at least 5% of the probe width, (f) at least 10% of the probe width, (g) at least 20% of the probe width, (h) at least 40% of the probe width, (i) no more than 30% of the probe width, and (j) no more than 20% of the probe width; (58) the core has a length extending in an axial direction of the probe and has a first edge (e.g. on the left or the right) and a second edge (e.g. on the other of the right or left), wherein the probe has first edge and a second edge corresponding with the first and second edges of the core, respectively, and wherein the first edge of the core is closer to the first edge of the probe than is the second edge of the core and wherein, along at least a portion of the length of the core, the second edge of the core is closer to the first edge of the probe than to the second edge of the probe; and (59) any of variations 1-31 wherein the core has a length extending in an axial direction of the probe and has a first edge (e.g. on the left or the right) and a second edge (e.g. on the other of the right or left), wherein the probe has first edge and a second edge corresponding with the first and second edges of the core, respectively, and wherein the first edge of the core is closer to the first edge of the probe than is the second edge of the core and wherein, along at least a portion of the length of the core, the second edge of the core is closer to the first edge of the probe than to the second edge of the probe. Additional variations of the first and second aspects of the invention are possible and include for example: (60) variations 58-59 wherein the core structural material has a first coefficient of thermal expansion and the shell structural material has a second coefficient of thermal expansion wherein the first coefficient is larger than the second coefficient; (61) variations 58-59 wherein the core structural material has a first coefficient of thermal expansion and the shell structural material has a second coefficient of thermal expansion wherein the first coefficient is smaller than the second coefficient; (62) any of variations 58-61 wherein the probe has a net curvature in toward a first edge of the probe; (63) variation 62 as it depends from 60 wherein upon current flow through the probe, the probe undergoes an enhanced stress, compared to that from a similar probe where the first and second distances are equal, that exerts a force on the probe tip that is in a direction opposed to that of the direction of curvature; (64) variation 62 as it depends from 61 wherein upon current flow through the probe, the probe undergoes an enhanced stress, compared to that from a similar probe where the first and second distances are equal, that exerts a force on the probe tip that is in a direction similar to that of the direction of curvature; (65) any of variations 58-61 wherein the core has a net curvature toward a second edge of the probe; (66) variation 65 as it depends from 60 wherein upon current flow, the probe undergoes an enhanced stress, compared to that from a similar probe where the first and second distances are equal, that exerts a force on a probe tip that is in a direction similar to that of the direction of curvature; (67) variation 65 as it depends from 61 wherein upon current flow, the probe undergoes an enhanced stress, compared to that from a similar probe where the first and second distances are equal, that exerts a force on a probe tip that is in a direction opposed to that of the direction of curvature; (68) any of variations 58-67 wherein the core has a parameter selected from the group consisting of: (a) a length of the core, along which the second edge of the core is closer to the first edge of the probe than the second edge of the probe, is selected from the group consisting of: (i)>9/16 of the core length, (ii)>5/8 of the core length, (iii)>11/16 of the core length, (iv)>3/4 of the core length, (v)>7/8 of the core length, and (vi)=the core length; (b) the core width is selected from the group consisting of: (i) the core width is substantially constant along the length of the core, (ii) the core width varies along its length by a ratio of maximum width to minimum width selected from the group consisting of: (a)<=8, (b)<=4, (c)<=2, (d)>=2, (e)>=4, and (f)>=8; (iii) the core width, measured as a ratio of core width to probe width, is selected from the group consisting of: (a)>=3/4, (b)>=5/8, (c)>=1/2, (d)>=1/4, (e)<=3/4, (f)<=5/8, (g)<=1/2, (h)<=1/4, and (i)<=1/8; (iv) at least 1 micron, (v) at least 3 microns, (vi) at least 5 microns, (vii) at least 7 microns; (69) any of variations 58-68 wherein the at least one shell structural material on a given layer has a width on either side of the core, along a line perpendicular to as axis of the probe, of (a) at least one micron, (b) at least 3 microns, (c) at least 5 microns, (d) at least 7 microns, (e) at least 5% of the probe width on the given layer along the line, (f) at least 10% of the probe width on the given layer along the line, (g) at least 20% of the probe width on the given layer along the line, (h) no more than 40% of the probe width on the given layer along the line, (i) no more than 30% of the probe width on the given layer along the line, and (j) no more than 20% of the probe width on the given layer along the line; and (70) any of variations 58-69 wherein core structural material and non-core structural material exists on at least two consecutive layers wherein the core material on the two consecutive layers has a core-core radial overlap (overlap along a line within a layer and perpendicular to an axis of the probe) selected from the group consisting of (a) at least one micron, (b) at least 3 microns, (c) at least 5 microns, (d) at least 7 microns, (e) at least 5% of the probe width, (f) at least 10% of the probe width, (g) at least 20% of the probe width, (h) at least 40% of the probe width, (i) no more than 30% of the probe width, and (j) no more than 20% of the probe width. In a third aspect of the invention, a method for forming a compliant probe for providing an elastic electrical connection between at least two electronic components, includes: (a) forming a first planarized layer including at least a first structural material; (b) forming a second planarized layer including at least a second structural material, wherein the second structural material has a relationship with the first planarized layer selected from the group consisting of: (1) the second structural material is directly adhered to the first planarized layer, (2) the second structural material is separated from the first planarized layer by one or more intermediate planarized layers, and (3) the second material is separated from the first planarized layer by one or more depositions of at least one intervening material; (c) forming a third planarized layer including at least a third structural material, wherein the third structural material has a relationship with the second planarized layer selected from the group consisting of: (1) the third material is directly adhered to the second planarized layer, (2) the third material is separated from the second planarized layer by one or more additional intermediate planarized layers, and (3) the third material is separated from the second planarized layer by one or more depositions of at least one intervening material, wherein the second planarized layer is located between the first and third planarized layers in a layer stacking direction, wherein the second structural material is different from the first structural material and the second structural material is different from the third structural material, wherein the probe is configured to provide an elastic electrical contact element that provides a conductive path along a length of the probe between at least two electronic components, and wherein each of at least one of the first to third planarized layers includes at least one core structural material and at least one shell structural material, wherein the at least one of the core structural material and the at least one shell structural material of a respective layer corresponds to the respective structural material selected from the group consisting of the first structural material, second structural material, and third structural material while the other of the at least one shell structural material and at least one core structural material is a different material, and wherein the core structural material is laterally surrounded by structural material that is not core structural material on the respective layer and wherein the core structural material extends at least a portion of the axial length of the probe and has a location selected from the group consisting of: (1) the core has a length extending in an axial direction of the probe in the given layer and a center of the core, as measured perpendicular to the local axis of the probe, along a majority of the length of the core in the given layer is offset to a given side of a center line of the probe in the given layer; (2) the core has a core length in a given layer extending in an axial direction of the probe within the given layer and the core has a width in the given layer with a first edge (e.g. a left edge or a right edge) and a second edge (e.g. the other of a right edge or left edge) and wherein the first edge of the core is spaced from a first edge of the probe by a first distance, and wherein the second edge of the core is spaced from a second edge of the probe by a second distance, wherein the probe has probe width, and wherein the first distance is different from the second distance, wherein the probe width, the first distance, and the second distance are measured along at least one common measurement line that extends perpendicular to a local axial direction of the probe in a location where the at least one measurement line crosses a centerline of the probe; and (3) the core has a length extending in an axial direction of the probe and has a first edge (e.g. on the left or the right) and a second edge (e.g. on the other of the right or left), wherein the probe has first edge and a second edge corresponding with the first and second edges of the core, respectively, and wherein the first edge of the core is closer to the first edge of the probe than is the second edge of the core and wherein, along at least a portion of the length of the core, the second edge of the core is closer to the first edge of the probe than to the second edge of the probe. A variation of the third aspect of the invention is possible and includes for example: (1) at least one shell and corresponding core being formed by a process selected from the group consisting of: (a) using a first mask to form a configuration of shell structural material and then blanket plating to form a configuration of the core structural material; (b) using a first mask to form a configuration of the shell structural material and a second mask to form a configuration of the core structural material; (c) using a first mask to form a configuration of the core structural material and a second mask to form a configuration of the shell structural material; (d) use a first deposit of conductive material to form a pattern into which a thin layer of structural shell material can be formed with both a base region and sidewall regions and then using a deposition to deposit a configuration of core material followed by planarization to set a common level for core structural material and the shell structural material; (e) using a mask to deposit a configuration of core structural material to a height less than a thickness of the layer, and thereafter blanket depositing a shell structural material and then planarizing to set a height for the layer wherein shell structural material caps the core structural material; (f) using a mask to deposit a configuration of core structural material to a height greater than a thickness of the layer, and thereafter blanket depositing a shell structural material and then planarizing to set a height for the layer wherein the core structural material and the shell structural material are trimmed to a substantially common level. In a fourth aspect of the invention, a method for forming a compliant probe for providing an elastic electrical connection between at least two electronic components, includes: (a) forming a first planarized layer including at least a first structural material; (b) forming a second planarized layer including at least a second structural material, wherein the second structural material has a relationship with the first planarized layer selected from the group consisting of: (1) the second structural material is directly adhered to the first planarized layer, (2) the second structural material is separated from the first planarized layer by one or more intermediate planarized layers, and (3) the second material is separated from the first planarized layer by one or more depositions of at least one intervening material; (c) forming a third planarized layer including at least a third structural material, wherein the third structural material has a relationship with the second planarized layer selected from the group consisting of: (1) the third material is directly adhered to the second planarized layer, (2) the third material is separated from the second planarized layer by one or more additional intermediate planarized layers, and (3) the third material is separated from the second planarized layer by one or more depositions of at least one intervening material, wherein the second planarized layer is located between the first and third planarized layers in a layer stacking direction, wherein the second structural material is different from the first structural material and the second structural material is different from the third structural material, wherein the probe is configured to provide an elastic electrical contact element that provides a conductive path along a length of the probe between at least two electronic components, and wherein each of at least one of the first to third planarized layers includes at least one exposed core structural material and at least one shell structural material, wherein the at least one of the exposed core structural material and the at least one shell structural material of a respective layer corresponds to the respective structural material selected from the group consisting of the first structural material, second structural material, and third structural material while the other of the shell structural material and exposed core structural material is a different material, and wherein the exposed core structural material is completely laterally bounded along one edge, selected from the group consisting of the left and right edges, by non-core structural material and is no more than partially bounded by non-core structural material along an opposite edge such that exposed core material forms at least a portion of one layered edge of the probe and wherein the core structural material extents at least a portion of an axial length of the probe. A variation of the fourth aspect of the invention is possible and includes for example: (1) at least one shell and corresponding core being formed by a process selected from the group consisting of: (a) using a first mask to form a configuration of shell structural material and then blanket plating to form a configuration of the core structural material; (b) using a first mask to form a configuration of the shell structural material and a second mask to form a configuration of the core structural material; (c) using a first mask to form a configuration of the core structural material and a second mask to form a configuration of the shell structural material; (d) use a first deposit of conductive material to form a pattern into which a thin layer of structural shell material can be formed with both a base region and sidewall regions and then using a deposition to deposit a configuration of core material followed by planarization to set a common level for core structural material and the shell structural material; (e) using a mask to deposit a configuration of core structural material to a height less than a thickness of the layer, and thereafter blanket depositing a shell structural material and then planarizing to set a height for the layer wherein shell structural material caps the core structural material; (f) using a mask to deposit a configuration of core structural material to a height greater than a thickness of the layer, and thereafter blanket depositing a shell structural material and then planarizing to set a height for the layer wherein the core structural material and the shell structural material are trimmed to a substantially common level. In a fifth aspect of the invention, a structure, includes: (a) a first planarized layer including at least a first structural material; (b) a second planarized layer including at least a second structural material, wherein the second structural material has a relationship with the first planarized layer selected from the group consisting of: (1) the second structural material is directly adhered to the first planarized layer, (2) the second structural material is separated from the first planarized layer by one or more intermediate planarized layers, and (3) the second material is separated from the first planarized layer by one or more depositions of at least one intervening material; (c) a third planarized layer including at least a third structural material, wherein the third structural material has a relationship with the second planarized layer selected from the group consisting of: (1) the third material is directly adhered to the second planarized layer, (2) the third material is separated from the second planarized layer by one or more additional intermediate planarized layers, and (3) the third material is separated from the second planarized layer by one or more depositions of at least one intervening material, wherein the second planarized layer is located between the first and third planarized layers in a layer stacking direction, wherein the second structural material is different from the first structural material and the second structural material is different from the third structural material, and wherein each of at least one of the first to third planarized layers includes at least one core structural material and at least one shell structural material, wherein the at least one of the core structural material and the at least one shell structural material of a respective layer corresponds to the respective structural material selected from the group consisting of the first structural material, second structural material, and third structural material while the other of the at least one shell structural material and at least one core structural material is a different material, and wherein the core structural material is laterally surrounded by structural material that is not core structural material on the respective layer and wherein the core structural material extends at least a portion of the axial length of the structure and has a location selected from the group consisting of: (1) the core has a length extending in an axial (i.e. longitudinal) direction of the structure in the given layer and a center of the core, as measured perpendicular to the local axis (i.e. local longitudinal direction) of the structure, along a majority of the length of the core in the given layer is offset to a given side of a center line of the structure in the given layer; (2) the core has a core length in a given layer extending in an axial (i.e. longitudinal) direction of the structure within the given layer and the core has a width in the given layer with a first edge (e.g. a left edge or a right edge) and a second edge (e.g. the other of a right edge or left edge) and wherein the first edge of the core is spaced from a first edge of the structure by a first distance, and wherein the second edge of the core is spaced from a second edge of the structure by a second distance, wherein the structure has structure width, and wherein the first distance is different from the second distance, wherein the structure width, the first distance, and the second distance are measured along at least one common measurement line that extends perpendicular to a local axial direction of the structure in a location where the at least one measurement line crosses a centerline of the structure; and (3) the core has a length extending in an axial (i.e. longitudinal) direction of the structure and has a first edge (e.g. on the left or the right) and a second edge (e.g. on the other of the right or left), wherein the structure has first edge and a second edge corresponding with the first and second edges of the core, respectively, and wherein the first edge of the core is closer to the first edge of the structure than is the second edge of the core and wherein, along at least a portion of the length of the core, the second edge of the core is closer to the first edge of the structure than to the second edge of the structure. In a sixth aspect of the invention, a structure, includes: (a) a first planarized layer including at least a first structural material; (b) a second planarized layer including at least a second structural material, wherein the second structural material has a relationship with the first planarized layer selected from the group consisting of: (1) the second structural material is directly adhered to the first planarized layer, (2) the second structural material is separated from the first planarized layer by one or more intermediate planarized layers, and (3) the second material is separated from the first planarized layer by one or more depositions of at least one intervening material; (c) a third planarized layer including at least a third structural material, wherein the third structural material has a relationship with the second planarized layer selected from the group consisting of: (1) the third material is directly adhered to the second planarized layer, (2) the third material is separated from the second planarized layer by one or more additional intermediate planarized layers, and (3) the third material is separated from the second planarized layer by one or more depositions of at least one intervening material, wherein the second planarized layer is located between the first and third planarized layers in a layer stacking direction, wherein the second structural material is different from the first structural material and the second structural material is different from the third structural material, and wherein each of at least one of the first to third planarized layers includes at least one exposed core structural material and at least one shell structural material, wherein the at least one of the exposed core structural material and the at least one shell structural material of a respective layer corresponds to the respective structural material selected from the group consisting of the first structural material, second structural material, and third structural material while the other of the shell structural material and exposed core structural material is a different material, and wherein the exposed core structural material is completely laterally bounded along one edge, selected from the group consisting of the left and right edges, by non-core structural material and is no more than partially bounded by non-core structural material along an opposite edge such that exposed core material forms at least a portion of one layered edge of the structure and wherein the core structural material extents at least a portion of an axial length of the structure. Other aspects of the invention will be understood by those of skill in the art upon review of the teachings herein. Other aspects of the invention may involve combinations of the above noted aspects of the invention. Other aspects of the invention may involve apparatus or methods used in creating or testing one or more of the compliant probe component aspects set forth above. These other aspects of the invention may provide various combinations of the aspects presented above as well as provide other configurations, structures, functional relationships, and processes that have not been specifically set forth above but are taught by other specific teachings set forth herein or by the teachings set forth herein as a whole. Other aspects of the invention may provide arrays of such probes such as probes bonded to substrates, probes set into one or more guide plates, or in arrays made using a combination of these techniques. Other aspects of the invention may provide shifted, extended, or offset core features as described herein to probe structures for various applications such as wafer test, burn-in, socket test, or permanent electronic contact applications or to structures that are not probes (e.g. medical devices, needles, springs, thermal contact or management devices, or other microscale or millimeter scale devices).

11529010

FIELD OF ART The present disclosure is generally related to convertible metal backings and related methods with specific discussions on metal backings attached to wall surfaces with non-destructive strips and related methods. BACKGROUND There is a frequent need to hang a picture frame onto a wall. Typically, this involves hammering a nail into a hook to first hang the hook and then hanging the picture frame onto the suspended hook. The process is similar for hanging other items, such as a marker board, a string decoration, and a hat. However, nailing a wall is not always an option, which is why products such as the 3M Command Strips and generic double-sided adhesive strips are very popular. But these strips have limitations. SUMMARY A substrate usable with a double-side adhesive strip to suspend the substrate to a wall surface. The substrate can have one or more access holes located within an outer perimeter of the substrate. Each access hole has an inner perimeter inwardly of the outer perimeter that is sized and shaped to allow a tab of the double-sided adhesive strip to be extracted through the inner perimeter, after the substrate is suspended on the wall surface. Various articles can attach to the suspended substrate, such as through magnetic attachment, a hook, or a shelf. Broadly speaking, aspects of the present invention include a metallic substrate comprising a body having an outer perimeter defining a shape of the body, an exposed surface and a backside surface opposing the exposed surface; an access hole located within the outer perimeter, said access hole comprising an inner perimeter, inward of the outer perimeter, having a maximum width and a maximum length; and wherein the maximum width and the maximum length of the inner perimeter is sufficiently large for retrieving a tab of a double-sided adhesive strip adhered to the backside surface of the substrate. Aspects of the invention further include a substrate comprising a body having an outer perimeter defining a shape of the body, an exposed surface and a backside surface opposing the exposed surface; an access hole located within the outer perimeter, said access hole comprising an inner perimeter, inward of the outer perimeter, having a maximum width and a maximum length; a hook integrally connected to the body of the substrate or a shelf integrally connected to the body of the substrate; and wherein the maximum width and the maximum length of the inner perimeter is sufficiently large for retrieving a tab of a double-sided adhesive strip adhered to the backside surface of the substrate. A still yet further aspect of the invention includes a product package comprising a housing having a cavity, a plurality of double-sided adhesive strips located inside the cavity; and a plurality of substrates located inside the cavity; wherein each substrate comprises: a body having an outer perimeter defining a shape of the body, an exposed surface and a backside surface opposing the exposed surface; an access hole located within the outer perimeter, said access hole comprising an inner perimeter, inward of the outer perimeter, having a maximum width and a maximum length; and wherein the maximum width and the maximum length of the inner perimeter is sufficiently large for retrieving a tab of a double-sided adhesive strip adhered to the backside surface of the substrate. The present invention is further directed to methods of making and using substrates, mount ready substrates and related components. Aspects of the invention further include a substrate non-destructively attachable on a wall surface, said substrate comprising: a body having an outer perimeter defining a shape of the body, an exposed surface and a backside surface opposing the exposed surface; an access hole located within the outer perimeter, said access hole comprising an inner perimeter, inward of the outer perimeter, having a maximum width and a maximum length; and wherein the maximum width and the maximum length of the inner perimeter is sufficiently large for retrieving a tab with an end edge of a double-sided adhesive strip adhered to the backside surface of the substrate. The substrate of the present invention can comprise a body with an outer perimeter, an exterior side or exposed side, and a backside or covered side. The body can further include at least one access hole with an inner perimeter located inwardly of the outer perimeter or at least one cutout formed at one of the edges of the outer perimeter. Cutouts along an edge to accommodate a tab of a double sided adhesive strip are discussed elsewhere herein. In a particular example, no projection, tab, or rod is included with the body such that no projection, tab, or rod extends or protrudes rearward from the body across or beyond a plane defined by the backside or covered side of the body. Thus, the backside or covered side can be placed flat or flushed to a wall surface without having a projection, tab, or rod interfering with the placement, and without the projection, tab, or rod penetrating into the wall surface. Other substrates described elsewhere herein can be similarly structured, without the noted projection, tab, or rod. A substrate non-destructively attachable on a wall surface, said substrate comprising: a body having an outer perimeter defining a shape of the body, an exposed surface and a backside surface opposing the exposed surface; an access hole located within the outer perimeter, said access hole comprising an inner perimeter, inward of the outer perimeter, having a maximum width and a maximum length, or a cutout formed along an edge of the outer perimeter to define a recessed space having a maximum width and a maximum length; wherein the maximum width and the maximum length of the inner perimeter or the recessed space are sufficiently large for retrieving a tab with an end edge of a double-sided adhesive strip adhered to the backside surface of the substrate; wherein in a mounted position on a wall surface, no part of the body extends rearward of the backside surface beyond a thickness of a double-side adhesive strip. A double-sided adhesive strip can adhere to the backside surface of the body, said double-sided adhesive strip can have a tab and said tab can be exposed at the inner perimeter of the access hole. An integrated hook can be formed on the body. The integrated hook can have a bend adjacent a slit. The substrate can be made from a metal material. The metal material can be sheet metal. Preferably, the metal material can be magnetic stainless steel materials such as magnetizable stainless steel (SS), which can include SS 409, SS 430, and SS 439, which are known as ferritic stainless steel, and SS 410, SS 420, and SS 440, which hare known as martensitic SS. In some examples, the substrate can be made from a non-metallic material, such as from a plastic material, as further discussed below. The body of the substrate can have a length along a horizontal axis and a height along a vertical axis and wherein the length can be 2×, 3×, 4×, 5×, or greater than the height, such as 10× the height or greater. The access hole can be a first access hole and the substrate can further comprise a second access hole spaced from the first access hole. The first and second access holes can be a single-tab access opening-type, a double-tab access opening-type, a large access opening-type, or combinations thereof. The substrate can have a second double-sided adhesive strip adhered to the backside surface of the body having a second tab exposed at the inner perimeter. In some examples, when a cutout is used, the tab can be exposed at the cutout. Thus, the tab can be recessed from the outer perimeter at the cutout, without incorporating an access hole or opening with an inner perimeter located inwardly of the outer perimeter. A magnet element can be secured to the backside surface of the substrate. For example, magnet element can be bonded, such as with glue or adhesive, to the backside surface of the substrate. A magnet element can magnetically attach to the exposed surface of the metallic substrate. An article with magnetizable metal material may magnetically attach to the substrate having the magnet element or the article with a magnet element can then magnetically attach to the metal substrate. Alternatively or in addition to using a magnet element, VELCO, such as hook and loop fasteners, may be used to attach an article to a substrate. For example, the article may have a hook fastener can attach to the substrate with the mating loop fastener. In some instances, such as when an article is attached to a flanged substrate, one or more set screws may be used to secure to the sidewall or flange of the flanged substrate to secure the article to the substrate. The substrate can have a surface area that is only about 1.5 times to about 8 times the surface area of the strip used with the substrate. A substrate with the noted surface area ratio can be called an individual or single utility substrate, or an individual or single utility mount ready substrate has a double-sided strip included therewith. A substrate can have a body with edges and sidewalls or flanges extending from the edges to define a receiving space. A substrate with a receiving space formed by sidewalls or flanges may be referred to as a flanged substrate. A flanged substrate can have an access opening or can have a cutout at one of the edges. In some examples, an article with a mounting bracket having a corresponding shape of the flanged substrate can project into or can couple with the flanged substrate and be held by the substrate. The flanged substrate can have an access hole or a cutout for use with a strip having a tab. In some examples, an article with the mounting bracket can have a size and shape to couple with flanged substrate. In another example, the article itself can fit between the sidewalls or flanges of the flanged substrate, without any mounting bracket. The article that couples to the flanged substrate can be drilled, nailed, or altered by adding permanent adhesive or bonding material, such as to mount another product or article, like string lights or wall décor. The article that couples to the flanged substrate can be a push pin panel or board that receives one or more push pins or that is usable with one or more push pins. The article that that couples to the flanged substrate, such as having a mounting bracket that couples to the flanged substrate or itself fits into the flange substrate, can have a magnetizable surface that magnets can then attach. A flanged substrate can have a three-dimensional structure. The three-dimensional structure can include a generally planar portion and one or more sidewalls extending outwardly away from the generally planar portion. In some examples, the substrate can include one or more pairing features. A pairing feature can be a projection, a channel, or a projection with a channel. The pairing feature can be used with a mounting flange having a similar or corresponding pairing feature to ensure orientation and fit between the two. For example, an article such as a wall decoration may include a mounting bracket with a pairing feature that matches the paring feature of the substrate to ensure proper orientation of the article when mounting to the substrate and to ensure that only the article with the proper mounting bracket can couple to the substrate with the pairing feature. An article or object, such as a keychain or a hat, can attach to the magnet element or magnetically clamped by the magnet element to the substrate. In an example, the body of the substrate can be bent, such as being malleable or flexible, to bend around a corner or to substantially conform to an uneven surface. For example, a rubber mat may be used as a substrate and can be bent around a corner and/or conform to an uneven surface. The rubber mat can have one or more access holes for accessing a tab of a strip from a backside or rear surface of the rubber mat. Alternatively, the rubber mat can have a cutout so that a tab of a strip can be accessed from a backside or rear surface of the rubber mat without an internally located inside perimeter. Thin metal sheets, such as a rolled metal sheet, similar to a rolled tape measure, can be used as a substrate that is bendable around a corner. The rolled metal sheet may have a plurality of spaced apparat access holes, a plurality of cutouts along an edge of the substrate, or combinations thereof. In an example, the body of the substrate has bent edges, such as sidewalls or flanges, to define a receiving space to prevent movement of an article or item mounted to the substrate. In an example, the body of the substrate has unique geometric features around the outer perimeter, such as a unique pairing feature, to act as a key mechanism or a pairing system. The substrate can have one or more unique pairing features. For example, the pairing features can include a projection, a recess or channel, or a projection with a recess or channel. In an example, a 3-dimensional mounting fixture is attached to the exposed surface of a mount ready substrate. The substrate can have a plurality of access holes and a plurality of double-sided adhesive strips adhered thereto, and wherein a dry erase magnetic sheet is magnetically attached to the exposed surface of the substrate. A second substrate can have a plurality of access holes and a plurality of double-sided adhesive strips adhered thereto located adjacent a first substrate having a plurality of access holes and a plurality of double-sided adhesive strips adhered thereto. A holding space can be provided between a perimeter of the dry erase magnetic sheet and the outer perimeter of the substrate, and wherein at least one of a dry erase marker and a dry eraser can magnetically attach to the holding space. One or more utensils can magnetically attach to the substrate. The utensils can be cooking utensils. A magnet element can attach to a utensil and the utensil with the magnet element magnetically attached to the substrate. A magnetic mounting rack comprising a body comprising a magnet element attached to the body of the magnetic mounting rack can magnetically attach to the substrate. The magnetic mounting rack can comprise a front rack surface and wherein a utensil is magnetically attached to the front rack surface. A cover plate can attach to the substrate and over the inner perimeter of the access hole. The body of the substrate can coil into a roll. The rolled substrate can be provided with spaced apart access holes, called a substrate tape. For example, the spaced apart access holes can be spaced about 6 inches to about 18 inches, inclusive, between two adjacent access holes. In an example, the rolled substrate, or substrate tape, with spaced apart access holes can be provided in a product package with a dispensing mechanism that allows the rolled substrate to be extended from within the product package and used as needed. For example, if a user needs three feet of substrate tape, the user can pull and extend the rolled substrate from the product package to the desired length and then using a cutter, such as a scissor, a cutter, a grinder, etc., to cut the desired length from the rolled substrate. The user can then add double-sided adhesive strips to the substrate tape to form a mount-ready substrate tape. A further aspect of the invention includes a rolled substrate having a series of access holes or cutouts formed along an edge of the outer perimeter of the rolled substrate. The access holes or cutouts can be provided in a random or a repeatable pattern, wherein the maximum width and the maximum length of the inner perimeter access hole or the cutout are sufficiently large for retrieving a tab with an end edge of a double-sided adhesive strip adhered to the backside surface of the substrate. The rolled substrate having a series of access holes or cutouts formed along an edge of the outer perimeter of the rolled substrate can be provided in a dispenser or dispensing housing. The dispenser can have an opening whereby an end of the rolled substrates can project therethrough to be dispensed out of the housing. For example, a cutter may be used to cut sections off of the rolled substrate, which can be dispensed through the opening on the housing. Aspects of the invention can further include a product package with a plurality of substrates, said product package comprising: a housing having a cavity; a plurality of double-sided adhesive strips located inside the cavity, each of the double-sided adhesive strips comprising a tab with an end edge; and the plurality of substrates located inside the cavity; wherein each substrate comprises: a body having an outer perimeter defining a shape of the body, an exposed surface and a backside surface opposing the exposed surface; an access hole located within the outer perimeter, said access hole comprising an inner perimeter, inward of the outer perimeter, having a maximum width and a maximum length; and wherein the maximum width and the maximum length of the inner perimeter is sufficiently large for retrieving a tab of a double-sided adhesive strip adhered to the backside surface of the substrate. A plurality of magnet elements can be located inside the cavity of the product package. A magnetic dry erase whiteboard sheet can be located inside the cavity of the product package. At least one of a dry erase marker and a dry eraser can be located inside the cavity of the product package. Glue, adhesive, or tubes with bonding materials can be located inside the cavity of the product package. A spring loaded clip can include a magnet and the magnet can attach to a mount ready substrate. The spring loaded clip can alternatively or additionally include an access hole on one or both clip arms. For example, a clip arm can have an outer perimeter and an access hole can be provided with the clip arm such that the perimeter of the access hole is located inwardly of the outer perimeter of the clip arm. A double side adhesive strip with a tab at an end may be used with the spring loaded clip, with the strip adhered to the clip and the tab exposed at the opening of the access hole. The spring loaded clip of the present invention can non-destructively attach on a wall surface, such as a with a double side adhesive strip or magnetic attraction. The spring loaded clip can have two clip arms and wherein a magnet can be secured to one of the two clip arms for magnetically attaching to a metallic surface. A further aspect of the invention comprises a cover plate attached to a substrate and covering all or most of the substrate. One or more items or articles can then attach to the cover plate. For example, one or more items can be permanently attached to the cover plate. The assembled cover plate to the substrate can comprise an internal cavity between the cover plate and the substrate and wiring or other items can be located in and hidden side the internal cavity. An aspect of the invention includes a method of using a metallic substrate, the metallic substrate comprising: a body having an outer perimeter defining a shape of the body, an exposed surface and a backside surface opposing the exposed surface; an access hole located within the outer perimeter, said access hole comprising an inner perimeter, inward of the outer perimeter, having a maximum width and a maximum length; and wherein the maximum width and the maximum length of the inner perimeter is sufficiently large for retrieving a tab with an end edge of a double-sided adhesive strip adhered to the backside surface of the substrate, the method comprising: adhering a first side of a double-sided adhesive strip to the backside surface of the body of the substrate; orienting a tab having an end edge of the double-sided adhesive strip to be located at least partially within the inner perimeter of the access hole so that the tab is viewable through the access hole from an exposed surface-side; adhering a second side of the double-sided adhesive strip to a wall surface; and wherein the tab is recessed within the outer perimeter of the body. The method can further comprise hanging an article to an integrated hook on the body of the substrate. The article can a decorative string, a picture frame, a hat, a necklace, or a keychain. The method can further comprise placing a dry erase magnetic sheet onto the exposed surface of the body and covering the access hole. The method can further comprise placing a utensil onto the exposed surface of the body. The method can further comprise placing a magnetic mounting rack comprising a body comprising a magnet element attached to the body of the magnetic mounting rack onto the exposed surface of the body and covering the access hole. The method can further comprise adhering a first side of a second double-sided adhesive strip to the backside surface of the body of the substrate and spaced from the first double-sided adhesive strip; and orienting a tab having an end edge of the second double-sided adhesive strip to be located at least partially within an inner perimeter of a second access hole so that the tab of the second double-sided adhesive strip is viewable through the second access hole from the exposed surface-side. Aspects of the invention further include a method of removing an adhesive strip from a mount ready substrate that has been suspended or mounted to a wall surface. The method of removing can include a step of reaching through an access hole, which has an inner perimeter located inwardly of the substrate outer perimeter, or a cutout along an edge of an outer perimeter, grasping the adhesive tab, pulling the tab in a linear direction along on a plane that is parallel to the substrate inner and outer surfaces, thereby elongating the tab until the double side adhesive strip releases from the surface of the substrate and the wall surface. In some examples, the method further comprises removing a second adhesive strip, or additional adhesive strip from the substrate. The removal can comprise pulling on a tab of a second double sided adhesive strip through an opening of a second access hole, along a generally parallel surface as the exposed surface of the substrate. The method can first include removing an article from the mount ready substrate. The method can follow with reaching through an access hole or a cutout along an edge of the substrate and then pulling on the adhesive strip tab in a generally parallel direction as the exterior surface of the substrate. A still further aspect of the invention is a method of removing a double-sided adhesive strip holding a substrate having a body with an outer perimeter to a wall surface, said method comprising: (1) grabbing a tab of the double-sided adhesive strip to pull the tab through an inner perimeter of an access hole, which is located inwardly of the outer perimeter, from an exposed surface side of the substrate and then stretching the double-sided adhesive strip generally parallel to the exposed surface of the substrate to pull a body section of the double-sided adhesive strip from a backside surface of the substrate through the inner perimeter, or (2) grabbing a tab of the double-sided adhesive strip to pull the tab through a cutout formed at an edge of the outer perimeter from an exposed surface side of the substrate and then stretching the double-sided adhesive strip generally parallel to the exposed surface of the substrate to pull a body section of the double-sided adhesive strip from a backside surface of the substrate across the cutout. Broadly speaking, the substrate and mount ready substrate of the present invention can be made from any number of materials, including metallic and non-metallic. An article with a magnet can then attach to the substrate, if the substrate is made from a metal metallic. Alternatively, the substrate can be magnetized, such as by providing the substrate with one or more magnet elements, and then an article with magnetizable metal surface can magnetically attach to the substrate. The substrate can have a body with an outer perimeter and an access hole with an inner perimeter located inwardly of the outer perimeter. Alternatively or in addition therewith, a cutout along an edge of the outer perimeter can be provided. Whether the substrate has an access hole or a cutout, a double sided adhesive strip can be placed on backside or covered side of the body of the substrate so that the tab of the strip is located at the inner perimeter or at the cutout. Of course, the other side of the double-sided adhesive stirp is adhered to a wall surface so that the substrate is suspended or attached to the wall surface. When the strip is so aligned, the user can grab or grip the tab at the access hole or at the cutout from the exterior or exposed side of the body and then pulling on the tab in a generally parallel fashion to the surface of the substrate to stretch the strip so that all of the strip are pulled through the access hole or the cutout to then separate the strip from the substrate and the wall surface, thereby allowing the substrate to be removed from the wall surface without creating a hole in the wall surface to mount the substrate. The body of the substrate should be generally planar so that in a mounted position on a wall surface, no part of the body extends rearward of the backside surface beyond a thickness of a double-side adhesive strip. By not using a nail or a screw to hang the substrate of the present invention, this allows the substrate to be suspended or secured to the wall surface with a double sided adhesive strip without creating a hole in the wall. Further, unless the context indicates otherwise, features discussed for one embodiment may be incorporated in other disclosed embodiments unless their incorporation defeats or degrades the manner in which the combination may be used. Methods of making and of using the substrates, mount ready substrates, kits, and related components are within the scope of the present invention. Further, unless the context indicates otherwise, features discussed for one embodiment may be incorporated in other disclosed embodiments unless their incorporation defeats or degrades the manner in which they can be used.

11251358

The present invention relates to a holder for a piezoelectric component. The holder can be in particular a holder which is suitable for the mechanical suspension and electrical contacting of a piezoelectric component. DE 2626708 A1 discloses securing an oscillating crystal with the aid of fork-shaped holding elements which are soldered to the oscillating crystal. A disadvantage of this solution, however, consists in that the oscillating crystal cannot be dismantled. The object of the present invention is to provide an improved holder for a piezoelectric component. This object is achieved by the subject matter of the present claim1. A holder for a piezoelectric component is proposed, which has a clamping device and two contact elements, wherein the contact elements contain a conductive rubber material. In particular, the contact elements can be made of the conductive rubber material. The clamping device is furthermore designed to clamp the piezoelectric component between the contact elements in a closed state, wherein the contact elements are in electrical contact with the piezoelectric component in the closed state of the clamping device. By clamping the piezoelectric component between the contact elements, the piezoelectric component can be secured mechanically. Therefore, in a simple manner, the holder enables electrical contacting and mechanical securing of the piezoelectric component. The holder can be designed such that the contact elements abut directly against the piezoelectric component in the closed state of the clamping device. The contact elements here can abut against an outer metallization of the piezoelectric component and thereby supply the piezoelectric component with an electrical voltage. The outer metallization can be for example an outer electrode of the component. Preferably, no friction can be produced between the contact element and an outer face of the piezoelectric component when the piezoelectric component is clamped between the contacts. The conductive rubber material furthermore acts as a damper owing to its elastic properties. Owing to the elastic properties of the conductive rubber material, mechanical oscillations of the piezoelectric component clamped between the contact elements are not transmitted to the further elements of the holder. Accordingly, the contact element can provide for a mechanical decoupling of the piezoelectric component and the holder. It can thus be ensured that the holder does not influence the oscillation of the piezoelectric component. It is thereby possible in particular to construct a holder which does not have a negative effect on the mode of operation of the piezoelectric component held thereby and does not interfere with said piezoelectric component. Mechanical abrasion cannot occur between the contact element, which contains a conductive material, and the piezoelectric component. It can thus be ensured that a piezoelectric component which remains clamped in the clamping device for a long time is also unaltered in terms of its contact properties and its oscillating behavior. With the clamping by means of the contact elements, it is possible to prevent uncontrolled mechanical stresses from arising. These could otherwise damage the piezoelectric component and lead for example to fractures in the piezoelectric component. Such uncontrolled mechanical stresses could otherwise also excite disharmonious oscillations, which is, however, prevented by the elastic contact elements. The holder can be designed such that there is no soldered connection between the piezoelectric component and elements of the holder. Furthermore, the holder can be designed such that no permanent metallic connection is provided between the clamping device and the piezoelectric component. Instead, the piezoelectric component can be held by a clamping force which acts on the piezoelectric component via the contact elements. It is thereby possible to avoid the presence of metallic connections and solder joints which could form mechanical weak points of the holder. In particular, there is a risk of a metallic connection or solder joint fracturing in the event of a repeated load in which the piezoelectric component undergoes a plurality of oscillating cycles. This risk of fracture can be avoided by realizing the securing action using a clamping force. The clamping force can be strong enough to enable the piezoelectric component to be fixed reliably in place. Owing to the elasticity of the contact element, it is possible to avoid a groove being pressed into the piezoelectric component as a result of the clamping force. As with mechanical abrasion, this would similarly have a negative influence on the properties of the piezoelectric component. The clamping device can be releasable and have an open state in which the piezoelectric component can be removed from the holder. In particular, the piezoelectric component can be removed from the holder without interference. Accordingly, the component can be removed without the component or the holder thereby being damaged. A releasable clamping device can therefore enable the piezoelectric component to be changed. The clamping device can be for example a snap clamping mechanism. The clamping device can be designed such that it enables simple assembly and dismantling of the piezoelectric component in the holder. In contrast to the holders in which the component is fixedly soldered to the holder, the holder here can therefore enable a damaged piezoelectric component to be changed and replaced with another piezoelectric component. It can thus be achieved that, in the event of a failure of the piezoelectric component, only this has to be changed and the other components can continue to be used. The clamping device can have two arms between which the piezoelectric component is clamped in the closed state. Alternatively, the clamping device can have one arm, wherein the piezoelectric component is clamped between the arm and a printed circuit board in the closed state. In the second case, the contact element can abut directly against conductor tracks formed on the printed circuit board and the piezoelectric component can be in direct electrical contact with the conductor tracks of the printed circuit board. The holder can furthermore have a connector element, wherein the connector element is clamped between the clamping device and one of the contact elements in the closed state of the clamping device and wherein the connector element is in electrical contact with the contact element. In particular, the holder can have two connector elements, wherein each of the connector elements is clamped between the clamping device and one of the contact elements in the closed state and wherein each of the connector elements is in electrical contact with one of the contact elements in each case. The connector elements can be for example a metal wire. The contact element can provide for a mechanical coupling between the metal wires and the piezoelectric component. Since the contact element, which contains a conductive rubber material, is arranged between the connector element and the outer side of the piezoelectric component, the metal connector element is prevented from coming into direct mechanical contact with the piezoelectric component and damaging the latter during continuous operation, for example as a result of mechanical abrasion or through the impression of a groove. The holder can have housing, wherein at least one arm is formed by the housing of the holder. The arm can be formed in particular by a housing part which can be releasably secured to a further housing part. The holder can be designed such that the clamping device is transferred into the open state when the housing is opened. When the housing is opened, the housing part which forms the arm is released from the further housing part. The clamping device can be designed such that both arms of the clamping device are formed by a housing part of the holder. It is thus possible to construct the clamping device such that it does not require any additional components since at least one arm is formed by the constantly present housing. The holder can be designed such that it holds the piezoelectric component in a self-supporting manner. Accordingly, in addition to the elements of the holder, in particular the clamping device, no further components are required for securing the piezoelectric component mechanically. The piezoelectric component here can be directly contacted mechanically only at the points at which the contact elements, which contain a conductive rubber material or are made of a conductive rubber material, abut directly against the piezoelectric component. The conductive rubber material can be a silicone rubber with added metal particles. For example, it can be a silicone based elastomer to which graphite or silver particles are added. The added metal particles here can ensure that the contact element is conductive. The size and shape of the contact element here depend on the design of the piezoelectric component to be held. The contact element can be for example disk shaped or square. A further aspect relates to an arrangement which has a holder described above and a piezoelectric component. The piezoelectric component can be for example a piezoelectric transformer. The piezoelectric component can be a multilayer component. The piezoelectric component can have a stack in which piezoelectric layers and inner electrodes are alternately arranged. The piezoelectric component can furthermore have, on its outer sides, an outer electrode which abuts against the contact elements in the closed state of the clamping device. Accordingly, an electrical voltage can be transmitted to the outer electrodes via the contact elements. The outer electrode can furthermore be in electrical contact with the inner electrodes. The clamping device can be arranged such that contact elements of the piezoelectric component are secured mechanically and contacted electrically in a region in which an oscillation node forms during operation of the piezoelectric component at its resonant frequency. Accordingly, in the region of the oscillation node, the piezoelectric component moves only minimally during operation. Accordingly, considerably lower mechanical loads are produced here than in the regions in which oscillation antinodes form. The resonant frequency is determined by the geometry of the piezoelectric component. It can be between 10 and 1000 kHz. The resonant frequency can preferably be between 20 and 100 kHz, and for example 50 kHz.

11451576

TECHNICAL FIELD Various embodiments concern computer programs and associated computer-implemented techniques for profiling the behavior of accounts associated with employees of enterprises. BACKGROUND Email has become vastly more sophisticated with the Internet connecting millions of individuals in real time. These technological advancements have incentivized malicious actors (also referred to as “attackers”) to send malicious emails in greater numbers than ever before. Because email represents the primary communication channel for most enterprises (also referred to as “businesses,” “companies,” or “organizations”), it is a primary point of entry for attackers. Enterprises have traditionally employed secure email gateways (SEGs) to protect on-premises email. A SEG is an appliance—implemented via hardware, firmware, or software—that monitors incoming and outgoing emails to prevent delivery of harmful content. SEGs have historically been fairly successful in filtering spam, blocking malware, and thwarting phishing attacks. However, such an approach is largely unsuitable for examining the vast number of emails handled by collaboration suites such as Microsoft Office® 365 and Google Workspace™. Accordingly, enterprises have begun employing security operations center (SOC) analysts who use various tools that employ artificial intelligence, machine learning, or filtering mechanisms to stop sophisticated attacks. Many enterprises have struggled to mitigate the threats posed by sophisticated attacks, however, as SOC analysts are unable to manually address the large number of threats faced on a daily basis. As an example, a mid-size enterprise with several hundred employees could experience dozens or hundreds of threats on a daily basis that must be dealt with. In short, SOC analysts lack the tools needed to review, investigate, and remediate emails in a timely, consistent, and resource-efficient manner.

11432696

BACKGROUND Extraction cleaners can be embodied as upright units or portable, hand-carriable units. Handheld extraction cleaners can include a cleaning solution supply tank and a recovery tank. These extraction cleaners typically have a vacuum motor that powers an impeller to create low pressure on one side of the impeller and higher pressure on the other side thereof. The recovery tank is typically positioned between the low pressure side of the impeller and a fluid collection nozzle to remove fluid from a surface and deposit it in the recovery tank. It is also known to provide a separate cleaning fluid pump for directing cleaning fluid from the supply tank to the surface. BRIEF DESCRIPTION A handheld extraction cleaner, comprising a body provided with a carry handle, a working air path through the body having a dirty air inlet, defined by a suction nozzle, and a clean air outlet, a suction source in fluid communication with the dirty air inlet, and a recovery tank selectively carried by the body, the recovery tank including a flapper valve thereon, the flapper valve configured to be pushed open by a portion of the body when the recovery tank is mounted to the body and the flapper valve configured to automatically close when the recovery tank is removed from the body

11409406

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates generally to mobile device user interfaces, and in particular, to a method, system, apparatus, and article of manufacture for a user interface for navigating between components on a mobile device. 2. Description of the Related Art Computer-aided design (CAD) applications provide the ability to create, modify, analyze, and/or optimize a design in a variety of fields including electrical, mechanical, engineering, architecture, construction, etc. In a CAD design, various elements/components may be modeled. Further elements/components may be related or connected to each other. For example, a wall may be connected to a ceiling (in an architectural design), furniture may relate to a room which in turn relates to a floor of a building, various ducts may be connected to each other (in an AEC [Architectural Engineering, and Construction] CAD design), electrical components may be connected to each other in an electrical CAD project, etc. Navigating/surfing within a CAD drawing/project from one element to another element (or one reference to another reference) may be desirable (e.g., in order to follow a source signal to a destination signal, to evaluate/analyze the flow of a water/gas/air [e.g., through ducting], to evaluate the flow of a signal through electrical conduit, etc.). Desktop versions of CAD applications display information that enables navigation through a text-based table. However, such a text-based table navigation is undesirable on mobile devices having limited screen real-estate, where the table-based navigation fails to take advantage of traditional mobile device based interaction (e.g., hand gestures/taps compared to that of a desktop based device). In view of the above, it is desirable to provide a user interface including a graphical organization and display wherein interaction with such a display is efficient, simple, and clear. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION A method, apparatus, system, and user interface for mobile devices that enables users to move from reference to reference across a mobile CAD project drawing set. These references, which are information associated with a mobile CAD drawing object, are represented visually, and the human computer interaction is suited to the mobile environment. Users can navigate through information associated with a CAD drawing object, such as component tag, catalog number, wire number, item number, or a report table cell containing any of these types of values, or surf between source and destination.