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11226026

BACKGROUND 1. Field This disclosure relates to transmissions, more specifically to multispeed transmission systems, e.g., for low speed spool turbomachine engines. 2. Description of Related Art Moving turbomachine engine accessories to the low speed spool requires a speed converting transmission to take a wide speed range and convert it into a narrow speed range. One method of doing this is the use of a shifting transmission consisting of clutches that selectively engage different gear ratios. Such conventional methods and systems have generally been considered satisfactory for their intended purpose. However, there is still a need in the art for improved transmission systems. The present disclosure provides a solution for this need. SUMMARY A multispeed turbomachine transmission can include an input shaft and a plurality of input shaft gears disposed on the input shaft. The transmission can include one or more clutch shafts, one or more clutch shaft input gears disposed on the one or more clutch shafts, each meshed with at least one of the plurality of input shaft gears, at least one clutch shaft output gear mounted to each clutch shaft, a clutch connected to each clutch shaft and configured to selectively connect the one or more clutch shaft input gears to the at least one clutch shaft output gear. The transmission can include an output shaft and at least one output shaft gear connected to the output shaft and meshed with the at least one clutch shaft output gear. One or more of the plurality of input shaft gears can be rotatably mounted to the input shaft to be able to rotate relative to the input shaft. One or more synchronizers can be disposed on the input shaft and configured to selectively connect one or more of the plurality of input shaft gears to the input shaft such that the selected input shaft gear rotates with the input shaft. The one or more synchronizers can include at least one synchromesh, for example. Any other suitable synchronizer is contemplated herein. The one or more clutch shafts can include a first clutch shaft having a first clutch disposed thereon. The one or more clutch shafts can also include a second clutch shaft having a second clutch disposed thereon. Any suitable number clutch shafts and clutches is contemplated herein. In certain embodiments, the transmission can include at least three speeds. A first speed can be through the first clutch shaft, a second speed can be through the second clutch shaft, and a third speed can be through the first clutch shaft. The one or more input shaft gears can include a first input shaft gear, a second input shaft gear, and a third input shaft gear each configured to rotate relative to the input shaft when disengaged by the one or more synchronizers and to rotate with the shaft when engaged by the one or more synchronizers. The one or more clutch shaft input gears can include a first clutch shaft input gear on the first clutch shaft meshed with the first input shaft gear and configured to rotate relative to the first clutch shaft when the first clutch is disengaged and to rotate with the first clutch shaft when the first clutch is engaged. The one or more clutch shaft input gears can include a second clutch shaft input gear on the second clutch shaft meshed with the second input shaft gear and configured to rotate relative to the second clutch shaft when the second clutch is disengaged and to rotate with the second clutch shaft when the second clutch is engaged. The one or more clutch shaft input gears can include a third clutch shaft input gear on the first clutch shaft meshed with the third input shaft gear and configured to rotate relative to the first clutch shaft when the first clutch is disengaged and to rotate with the first clutch shaft when the first clutch is engaged. The one or more synchronizers can include a first synchronizer and a second synchronizer, wherein the first synchronizer can be configured to engage the first input shaft gear to the input shaft when actuated in a first direction, and to engage the third input shaft gear when actuated in a second direction. The second synchronizer can be configured to engage the second input shaft gear to the input shaft when actuated. The at least one clutch shaft output gear can include a first clutch shaft output gear fixed to the first clutch shaft to rotate with the first clutch shaft and a second clutch shaft output gear fixed to the second clutch shaft to rotate with the second clutch shaft. The at least one output shaft gear can include a single output shaft gear. The first clutch shaft output gear and the second clutch shaft output gear can both be meshed to the single output shaft gear. The transmission can include a fourth speed through at least one of the first clutch shaft or the second clutch shaft. For example, the one or more input shaft gears include a fourth input shaft gear fixed to the input shaft to rotate with the input shaft. The one or more clutch shaft input gears can include a fourth clutch shaft gear meshed with the fourth input shaft gear and mounted to the first clutch shaft or the second clutch shaft via an overrunning clutch. The first speed can be achieved by moving the first synchronizer in a first direction to engage the first input shaft gear to the input shaft, which turns the first input shaft gear with the input shaft such that the first input shaft gear drives the first clutch shaft input gear, and by engaging the first clutch to engage the first clutch shaft input gear to the first clutch shaft to turn the first clutch shaft with the first clutch shaft input gear, which turns the first clutch shaft output gear, which drives the output shaft gear to turn the output shaft in accordance with a first speed ratio relative to the input shaft. The second speed can be achieved by actuating the second synchronizer to engage the second input shaft gear to the input shaft, which turns the second input shaft gear with the input shaft such that the second input shaft gear drives the second clutch shaft input gear, and by engaging the second clutch to engage the second clutch shaft input gear to the second clutch shaft to turn the second clutch shaft with the second clutch shaft input gear, which turns the second clutch shaft output gear, which drives the output shaft gear to turn the output shaft in accordance with a second speed ratio relative to the input shaft. The third speed can be achieved by moving the first synchronizer in a second direction to engage the third input shaft gear to the input shaft, which turns the third input shaft gear with the input shaft such that the third input shaft gear drives the third clutch shaft input gear, and by engaging the first clutch to engage the third clutch shaft input gear to the first clutch shaft to turn the first clutch shaft with the third clutch shaft input gear, which turns the first clutch shaft output gear, which drives the output shaft gear to turn the output shaft in accordance with a third speed ratio relative to the input shaft. In certain embodiments, the fourth speed can be achieved by disengaging all synchronizers and all clutches such that fourth input shaft gear drives the fourth clutch shaft input gear and the overrunning clutch engages the fourth clutch shaft input gear to the second clutch shaft, which turns the second clutch shaft output gear, which drives the output shaft gear to turn the output shaft in accordance with a fourth speed ratio relative to the input shaft. Any other suitable synchronizer and/or clutch arrangements and/or actuation schemes are contemplated herein. In certain embodiments, for a given input speed, the first gear output speed can be faster than the second gear output speed, the second gear output speed can be faster than the third gear output speed, and the third gear output speed can be faster than the fourth gear output speed. Any other suitable speeds and any suitable gear ratios are contemplated herein. In accordance with at least one aspect of this disclosure, a method for controlling a transmission can include actuating a first synchronizer in a first direction on an input shaft to engage a first input shaft gear to the input shaft to drive a first clutch shaft gear on a first clutch shaft, and engaging a first clutch to engage the first clutch shaft gear to the first clutch shaft to achieve a first speed, actuating a second synchronizer on the input shaft to engage a second input shaft gear to the input shaft to drive a second clutch shaft gear on a second clutch shaft, disengaging the first clutch while engaging a second clutch to engage the second clutch shaft gear to the second clutch shaft to achieve a second speed, and actuating the first synchronizer in a second direction on the input shaft to engage a third input shaft gear to the input shaft to drive the third clutch shaft gear on the first clutch shaft, disengaging the second clutch while engaging the first clutch to engage the third clutch shaft gear to the first clutch shaft to achieve a third speed. The method can include disengaging all synchronizers and clutches to cause an overrunning clutch to engage and to achieve a fourth speed. The method can include sensing speed at one or both of the input shaft and the output shaft using one or more speed sensors to determine when to actuate into a desired speed. The method can include providing hysteresis in shifting between speeds (e.g., having a lower upshift speed than a downshift speed between the same two gears). Any other suitable control method to achieve any suitable speed is contemplated herein. In accordance with at least one aspect of this disclosure, an aircraft turbomachine low speed spool transmission can include four speeds. Any other suitable number of speeds (e.g., 3, 5, 10, etc.) is contemplated herein. These and other features of the embodiments of the subject disclosure will become more readily apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the drawings.

11490549

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS This application is a national phase entry of PCT Application No. PCT/JP2019/009297, filed on Mar. 8, 2019, which claims priority to Japanese Application No. 2018-066837, filed on Mar. 30, 2018, which applications are hereby incorporated herein by reference. TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to modular technology for handing high-frequency electric signals and, particular, to a high-frequency module in which a high-frequency circuit board is housed in an internal space of a chassis made of a conductor. High-frequency circuits such as a high-speed optical communication electronic circuit and a millimeter-wave band radio communication electronic circuit are normally used in a state where the high-frequency circuit is mounted to a metallic chassis. In this case, substrate resonance becomes a problem. Substrate resonance refers to a phenomenon in which electromagnetic waves propagating inside a high-frequency circuit leak into a substrate made of a semiconductor or a dielectric on which the high-frequency circuit is formed, the leaked electromagnetic waves propagate inside the substrate, cause resonance at a specific frequency determined by a thickness and a length of the substrate, a size of the chassis, and the like, and impair intrinsic characteristics of the high-frequency circuit. When the high-frequency circuit is an amplifier circuit, substrate resonance causes a part of an output signal of the amplifier circuit to be input to an input terminal of the amplifier circuit and may induce unstable operations such as oscillation of the amplifier circuit. A method of using a through-substrate via (NPL 1) is known as a method of suppressing substrate resonance. This is a technique of preventing leakage of electromagnetic wave to a substrate to suppress substrate resonance by densely forming a via that penetrates the substrate over the entire substrate to enable the entire substrate to be equivalently regarded as a metal. However, at extremely high frequencies such as frequencies exceeding wo GHz, resonance of electromagnetic waves may occur not only in a high-frequency circuit board but also between a surface of a high-frequency circuit and a ceiling of a metallic chassis (in other words, an inner wall of the chassis which faces a surface of the high-frequency circuit). Such “intra-modular resonance” is generated due to several reasons, as will be described below. Firstly, in frequency bands exceeding wo GHz, electromagnetic waves propagating through a high-frequency circuit are radiated from the high-frequency circuit and may become coupled to a mode of spatial propagation. This is attributable to the fact that, since high-frequency signals have short wavelengths at wo GHz and higher frequency bands, sizes of an input/output pad portion for a high-frequency signal, a wide transmission line, and the like become similar to the wavelength of the high-frequency signal, resulting in the transmission media starting to additionally acquire a function as an antenna. In addition, secondly, a part of connection loss in a coaxial line that is an interface of the metallic chassis and in a connection portion between a waveguide and a high-frequency circuit also become coupled to a mode of spatial propagation. When electromagnetic waves radiated into space due to the reasons given above propagate through a gap between a surface of a high-frequency circuit board and a ceiling of a chassis, the electromagnetic waves generate resonance at a specific frequency determined by a size of a metallic chassis or the like or causes a phenomenon in which input and output of an amplifier circuit are equivalently connected and may result in impairing intrinsic characteristics of a high-frequency circuit. CITATION LIST Non Patent Literature [NPL 1] Hiroshi Hamada et al., “300-GHz band 20-Gbps ASK transmitter module based on InP-HEMT MMICs,” IEEE Compound Semiconductor Integrated Circuit Symposium (CSICS), October 2015. SUMMARY Technical Problem In consideration thereof, an object of embodiments of the present invention is to provide a high-frequency module capable of suppressing the intra-modular resonance described above and characteristic degradation of a high frequency circuit due to the intra-modular resonance. Means for Solving the Problem In order to achieve the object described above, a high-frequency module according to embodiments of the present invention includes: a chassis (20) which is made of a conductor and which has an internal space; a high-frequency circuit board (10) which is housed in the internal space of the chassis; and a resistive element (30) provided between an inner wall that opposes the high-frequency circuit board among inner walls of the chassis which define the internal space and the high-frequency circuit board. The high-frequency module according to embodiments of the present invention may include a gap (40) between the high-frequency circuit board and the resistive element. In this case, the high-frequency circuit board (10) may have a transmission line including conductive foils (11and12) formed on a surface that opposes the resistive element, and dimensions of the transmission line may satisfy a following formula when a design target value of loss of the transmission line is denoted by α, a width of the transmission line is denoted by WT, resistivity of the resistive element is denoted by ρ, an electric field distribution on a surface perpendicular to a guiding direction of the transmission line is denoted by E (x, y), and a double integral is assumed to be represented by a corresponding area of the electric field distribution E (x, y) on a surface perpendicular to a guiding direction of the transmission line. ρ⁢∫∫Resistive⁢⁢element⁢E2⁢⁢dxdy∫∫Entire⁢⁢area⁢E2⁢⁢dxdy<αFormula⁢⁢1 In this case, the transmission line may be a coplanar line which is formed on the surface of the high-frequency circuit board and which is made up of a first conductive foil (11) having a linear gap portion and a linear second conductive foil (12) formed at a center of the gap portion. Effects of Embodiments of the Invention According to embodiments of the present invention, since the resistive element (30) provided between an inner wall opposing a high-frequency circuit board of a chassis and the high-frequency circuit board acts as an electromagnetic wave absorber and suppresses electromagnetic waves propagating through a space between the high-frequency circuit board and the inner wall of the chassis which opposes the high-frequency circuit board, intra-modular resonance and characteristic degradation of a high-frequency circuit due to the intra-modular resonance can be suppressed.

11498082

BACKGROUND There are a number of processes that are used to separate a composite fluid into components. Some examples of composite fluids that are separated include biological fluids, which may include an aqueous component and one or more cellular components, e.g., whole blood. Separation of whole blood may occur as part of an apheresis procedure, which may be performed on apheresis machines. The machines remove whole blood from a donor, separate the blood, collect one or more blood components from the donor and return the other component(s) to the donor. Some apheresis machines utilize centrifugal force to separate blood into components. These machines therefore include a centrifuge, which spins at relatively high rotations per minute (rpm). Accordingly, it is important that all components of the machine are safely positioned to avoid failure of any part of the machine when the centrifuge operates at high rpm. When the centrifuge is operating at high rpm any component that breaks may cause catastrophic failure of the machine if it strikes any portion of the centrifuge rotating at a high rpm. Embodiments of the present invention have been made in light of these and other considerations. However, the relatively specific problems discussed above do not limit the applicability of the embodiments of the present invention to the specific problems. SUMMARY Embodiments are directed to methods and apparatuses for ensuring that mechanisms that are used to position components of an apheresis machine are not broken as a result of rotation of a centrifuge. In embodiments, a safety mechanism is provided that contacts components of the centrifuge and pushes them into a safe position to ensure that they do not break when the centrifuge is operated at high rpm. In one specific embodiment, a safety mechanism is provided on a tubing arm designed to hold tubing of a disposable component used in an apheresis machine. The disposable component may be held in place, at least in part by a latch arm. As the centrifuge begins rotating, the safety mechanism is designed to contact the latch arm and push it into a position, so that when the centrifuge spins at high rpm, the latch arm does not break and strike the centrifuge while it spins at high rpm. This summary is provided to introduce aspects of some embodiments of the present invention in a simplified form, and is not intended to identify key or essential elements of the claimed invention, nor is it intended to limit the scope of the claims.

11464516

BACKGROUND In some surgical procedures (e.g., colorectal, bariatric, thoracic, etc.), portions of a patient's digestive tract (e.g., the gastrointestinal tract and/or esophagus, etc.) may be cut and removed to eliminate undesirable tissue or for other reasons. Once the tissue is removed, the remaining portions of the digestive tract may be coupled together in an end-to-end anastomosis, an end-to-side anastomosis, or a side-to-side anastomosis. The anastomosis may provide a substantially unobstructed flow path from one portion of the digestive tract to the other portion of the digestive tract, without also providing any kind of leaking at the site of the anastomosis. One example of an instrument that may be used to provide an anastomosis is a circular stapler. Some such staplers are operable to clamp down on layers of tissue, cut through the clamped layers of tissue, and drive staples through the clamped layers of tissue to substantially seal the layers of tissue together near the severed ends of the tissue layers, thereby joining the two severed ends of the anatomical lumen together. The circular stapler may be configured to sever the tissue and seal the tissue substantially simultaneously. For instance, the circular stapler may sever excess tissue that is interior to an annular array of staples at an anastomosis, to provide a substantially smooth transition between the anatomical lumen sections that are joined at the anastomosis. Circular staplers may be used in open procedures or in endoscopic procedures. In some instances, a portion of the circular stapler is inserted through a patient's naturally occurring orifice. Examples of circular staplers are described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,205,459, entitled “Surgical Anastomosis Stapling Instrument,” issued Apr. 27, 1993; U.S. Pat. No. 5,271,544, entitled “Surgical Anastomosis Stapling Instrument,” issued Dec. 21, 1993; U.S. Pat. No. 5,275,322, entitled “Surgical Anastomosis Stapling Instrument,” issued Jan. 4, 1994; U.S. Pat. No. 5,285,945, entitled “Surgical Anastomosis Stapling Instrument,” issued Feb. 15, 1994; U.S. Pat. No. 5,292,053, entitled “Surgical Anastomosis Stapling Instrument,” issued Mar. 8, 1994; U.S. Pat. No. 5,333,773, entitled “Surgical Anastomosis Stapling Instrument,” issued Aug. 2, 1994; U.S. Pat. No. 5,350,104, entitled “Surgical Anastomosis Stapling Instrument,” issued Sep. 27, 1994; and U.S. Pat. No. 5,533,661, entitled “Surgical Anastomosis Stapling Instrument,” issued Jul. 9, 1996; and U.S. Pat. No. 8,910,847, entitled “Low Cost Anvil Assembly for a Circular Stapler,” issued Dec. 16, 2014. The disclosure of each of the above-cited U.S. Patents is incorporated by reference herein. Some circular staplers may include a motorized actuation mechanism. Examples of circular staplers with motorized actuation mechanisms are described in U.S. Pub. No. 2015/0083772, entitled “Surgical Stapler with Rotary Cam Drive and Return,” published Mar. 26, 2015; U.S. Pub. No. 2015/0083773, entitled “Surgical Stapling Instrument with Drive Assembly Having Toggle Features,” published Mar. 26, 2015; U.S. Pub. No. 2015/0083774, entitled “Control Features for Motorized Surgical Stapling Instrument,” published Mar. 26, 2015; and U.S. Pub. No. 2015/0083775, entitled “Surgical Stapler with Rotary Cam Drive,” published Mar. 26, 2015. The disclosure of each of the above-cited U.S. Patent Publications is incorporated by reference herein. While various kinds of surgical stapling instruments and associated components have been made and used, it is believed that no one prior to the inventor(s) has made or used the invention described in the appended claims.

11404661

FIELD OF INVENTION The present application relates to a field of display technologies, and in particular, to an organic light-emitting diode (OLED) display panel and a manufacturing method thereof. BACKGROUND OF INVENTION Flexible organic light-emitting diode (OLED) is a deformable and flexible display device, which has advantages, such as self-lamination, wide viewing angles, high contrast, low power consumption and high response times, compared with conventional rigid display. Generally, the flexible OLEDs adopt thin film encapsulation (TFE) technology, and encapsulation films are generally an inorganic/organic/inorganic multilayer film stacked structure. Organic material needs to be mixed with inorganic metal oxide particles, and the organic material and the inorganic metal oxide particles are mixed into a solution, and are prepared into a high refractive index and transmittance encapsulation layer by chemical vapor deposition. The metal oxide powder is easily unevenly distributed in the organic material to form agglomerations, such that uniformity of the encapsulation layer is poor, and light transmission rate is greatly reduced. The mixed metal oxide particles increase a viscosity of the organic solution, which affects the quality of the encapsulation layer. In summary, in a method for manufacturing a high refractive index and transmittance encapsulation layer of an OLED display panel in the prior art, a solution is used by a chemical vapor deposition process, there are the technical problems that the metal oxide powder is unevenly distributed in the organic material to form agglomerations, such that uniformity of the encapsulation layer is poor, light transmittance of the OLED display panel is low, and the mixed metal oxide particles increase a viscosity of the organic solution, which affects the quality of the encapsulation layer. SUMMARY OF INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide an organic light-emitting diode (OLED) display panel and a manufacturing method thereof, which can solve technical problems that in a method manufacturing for a high refractive index and transmittance encapsulation layer of an OLED display panel in the prior art, a solution is used by a chemical vapor deposition process, and the metal oxide powder is unevenly distributed in the organic material to form agglomerations, such that uniformity of the encapsulation layer is poor, light transmittance of the OLED display panel is low, and the mixed metal oxide particles increases a viscosity of the organic solution, which affects the quality of the encapsulation layer. In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, an embodiment of the present application provides an organic light emitting diode (OLED) display panel, including: a substrate; a driving circuit layer located on a surface of the substrate; a functional layer located on a surface of the driving circuit layer; and an encapsulation layer including a uniformly distributed inorganic particle material and an organic material, a refractive index of the inorganic particle material being greater than a refractive index of the organic material. In an embodiment, the inorganic particle material is one or more material selected from a group consisting of zirconium dioxide, titanium dioxide and calcium nitride. In an embodiment, the organic material includes a pre-polymer polymer. In an embodiment, a thickness of the encapsulation layer ranges from 300 nm to 20 μm. In an embodiment, a mass fraction of the inorganic particle material in the encapsulation layer ranges from 0.01% to 20%. In order to solve the above-mentioned problem, an embodiment of the present application further provides a manufacturing method of an organic light emitting diode (OLED) display panel, including: a step S10of providing a substrate, and sequentially preparing a driving circuit layer and a functional layer on the substrate. a step S20of placing an inorganic particle material, a pre-polymer, a crosslinking agent, and a photoinitiator in a crucible to form an evaporation gas by utilizing an evaporation apparatus. a step S30of sputtering the evaporation gas to an evaporation region in a pre-set evaporation rate. a step S40of simultaneously irradiating a surface of the functional layer with a light beam, wherein the evaporation gas is sputtered onto the surface of the functional layer to form an encapsulation layer. a step S50of annealing the substrate, the driving circuit layer, the functional layer and the encapsulation layer after the encapsulation layer is formed, and then cooling to the room temperature. In an embodiment, the pre-polymer is one or more selected from a group consisting of vinyl chloride, propylene, and styrene. In an embodiment, the crosslinking agent includes N,N′-methylenebisacrylamide. In an embodiment, the photoinitiator is one or more selected from a group consisting of a BASF photoinitiator, benzophenone, and 2-butanone acid. In an embodiment, the pre-polymer is polymerized under conditions of the crosslinking agent, the photoinitiator, an ultraviolet light, a high temperature and a high pressure to form a pre-polymer polymer. In an embodiment, the encapsulation layer includes a uniformly distributed inorganic particle material and a pre-polymer polymer. In an embodiment, the step S20of placing the inorganic particle material, the pre-polymer, the crosslinking agent, and the photoinitiator in the crucible to form the evaporation gas by utilizing the evaporation apparatus specifically includes: separately placing the inorganic particle material, the pre-polymer, the crosslinking agent and the photoinitiator in four crucibles to form four evaporation gases. In an embodiment, the step S30of sputtering the evaporation gas to the evaporation region in the pre-set evaporation rate specifically includes: setting a preset evaporation rate ratio of the inorganic particle material and the pre-polymer ranging from 1:5 to 1:1000. In an embodiment, setting a preset evaporation rate ratio of the photoinitiator and the pre-polymer ranging from 1:8 to 1:25; and In an embodiment, setting a preset evaporation rate ratio of the crosslinking agent and the pre-polymer ranging from 1:10 to 1:50. In an embodiment, the step S20of placing the inorganic particle material, the pre-polymer, the crosslinking agent, and the photoinitiator in the crucible to form the evaporation gas by utilizing the evaporation apparatus specifically includes: placing the inorganic particle material, the pre-polymer, the crosslinking agent, and the photoinitiator in one crucible to form a mixed evaporation gas. In an embodiment, the step S30of sputtering the evaporation gas to the evaporation region in the pre-set evaporation rate specifically includes: evaporating evaporation gases of the inorganic particle material, the pre-polymer, the crosslinking agent, and the photoinitiator to a same evaporation region. In an embodiment, the step S40of simultaneously irradiating the surface of the functional layer with the light beam, wherein the evaporation gas is sputtered onto the surface of the functional layer to form the encapsulation layer specifically includes: selecting the light beam from one or more of a group consisting of ultraviolet light, near-infrared light, and visible light, wherein the light beam catalyzes a polymerization reaction of the pre-polymer which is then cured to form the encapsulation layer. In an embodiment, the step S50of annealing the substrate, the driving circuit layer, the functional layer and the encapsulation layer after the encapsulation layer is formed, and then cooling to the room temperature specifically includes: setting an annealing treatment temperature ranging from 50 to 80° C., and an annealing time ranging from 2 to 10 minutes. In an embodiment, a length of the functional layer is smaller than a length of the driving circuit layer, and the encapsulation layer covers the functional layer and a surface of the driving circuit layer adjacent to the functional layer. The beneficial effects of the present application are: by using an evaporation apparatus, an organic material and an inorganic nano-particle material are respectively placed in different crucibles to form a high-pressure gas, and are uniformly mixed during evaporation to a functional layer, preventing increase in a viscosity of organic material solution due to addition of the inorganic nanoparticles, thereby improving the quality the an encapsulation layer formation. A surface of the functional layer is irradiated with a light beam, the high-pressure gas forms an encapsulation layer immediately when the high-pressure gas is sprayed onto the surface of the functional layer, and the encapsulation layer stability and transmittance are optimized by adjusting the evaporation rate ratio of the organic material to the inorganic nanoparticle material. The encapsulation layer is formed integrally into one-piece, and the inorganic nanoparticles are uniformly distributed. Organic polymer is present between adjacent inorganic nanoparticles to achieve uniform distribution of the inorganic nano-material. A refractive index of the inorganic nano-particle material is higher than a refractive index of the organic material, so that a light transmittance of the OLED display panel is improved.

11486868

FIELD AND BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention, in some embodiments, relates to a kit for detecting the presence of exhaled airborne particles in a public place, and more specifically, but not exclusively, to a mask impregnated with a substance that adheres to exhaled aerosol droplets and to a detector for detecting airborne concentration of the substance. The COVID-19 pandemic has cast worldwide attention onto prevention of disease transmission. In particular, certain viruses, such as influenza and possibly the novel coronavirus, are spread through airborne transmission. In airborne transmission, the virus adheres to aerosol droplets formed during breathing or coughing. These aerosol droplets are 5 μm or smaller in size. The aerosol droplets disperse through the air and carry the virus with them. It is also known that different types or forces of exhaling causes a wider spread of airborne aerosol particles. For example, singing, shouting, or talking loudly all cause a greater formation of airborne aerosol particles than breathing, and thus cause a greater risk of disease transmission. In addition, some individuals emit airborne particles at a rate more than an order of magnitude larger than their peers. Such individuals, who are called “superemitters” or “superspreaders,” may pose a risk of airborne disease transmission even at a reduced speech volume. One widespread technique for reducing the risk of airborne transmission involves the wearing of masks. The mask includes a filter layer that is designed to permit breathing therethrough, while reducing or eliminating the transmission of particles through the mask. Masks have been shown to be highly effective at preventing transmission of large droplets (larger than 5 μm), such as those generated through sneezing, and more moderately effective at preventing transmission of aerosol droplets. For example, one study examined the exhaled breath of influenza patients both when they were wearing a surgical mask and when they were not wearing a surgical mask. Milton, Donald K et al. “Influenza virus aerosols in human exhaled breath: particle size, culturability, and effect of surgical masks.”PLoS pathogensvol. 9,3 (2013): e1003205. doi:10.1371/journal.ppat.1003205. For exhaled aerosol fractions larger than 5 μm, the study detected influenza virus RNA in 11% of patients wearing surgical masks, and in 43% of patients not wearing masks. For patients wearing masks, the total number of airborne virus copies present in the exhaled air was reduced by 25 fold. By contrast, for fine particle samples smaller than 5 μm, the study detected influenza virus RNA in 78% of patients wearing masks, and in 92% of patients not wearing masks. The facemasks caused a 2.8 fold reduction in the number of airborne virus copies present in the exhaled air. Masks have been used for various medical and aesthetic purposes other than prevention of disease transmission. One function of masks has been to provide a pleasant scent in order to counteract the effects of an ill-smelling environment. For example, the mask may be impregnated with menthol, with furaneol, or with another chemical that emits a soothing scent. When the user breathes normally while wearing the mask, he or she inhales the scent, which overpowers the environmental odors. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION As the study cited above demonstrates, while masks have been shown to be effective at preventing airborne transmission of viruses, they have more limited utility for preventing airborne transmission via small aerosol particles. In addition, in a pandemic scenario in which people are wearing masks in a public setting, without medical supervision, the masks are likely even less effective at preventing airborne transmission. This is because not every person wears the mask properly, whether intentionally or otherwise. In addition, not every person wears a surgical mask with a filter, rendering the masks less effective at preventing transmission of airborne particles. As a result, public spaces, especially those with heavy human traffic, may have a significant number of airborne aerosol particles carrying viruses. To determine whether a public space is safe, the best analytical technique would be to measure airborne concentration of the virus itself. However, currently available technology for measuring airborne transmission of viruses is expensive and impractical for widespread implementation. It is challenging to provide a sampling substrate that collects virus material from the air. Furthermore, even if a reliable sampling substrate is used, the amount of virus material that is present in sampled air is typically extremely small, and it must be amplified through polymerase chain reactions (PCR) in order to be identified and measured. PCR is an expensive process involving machinery that is typically used only in a laboratory. Accordingly, a need exists for a reliable, low-cost diagnostic technique for evaluating the concentration of exhaled aerosol particles, which can be used to gauge the safety of air in public spaces. The present disclosure, in some embodiments, addresses this need through the use of a mask impregnated with a chemical. The chemical is dislodged from the mask during a user's breathing. The chemical may have a pleasant odor or it may be odorless. The chemical may be a particulate solid, or a volatile liquid, or a gas. Unlike scented masks whose purpose is to release odor-producing particles into a user's nose, the purpose of the mask according to the disclosed embodiments is to produce airborne chemicals that are spread through the user's breath. The airborne particles are spread, notwithstanding the presence of the mask, either through the filter of the mask, or through gaps between the mask and the user's skin. A sensor is placed in a location in a room where the user is located. The sensor measures airborne concentration of the chemical. The sensor may utilize one or more of gas chromatography, mass spectrometry, Raman spectroscopy, time of flight analysis, electrical current pulse sensing, electrochemical sensing, metal oxide sensing, laser scattering, photoionization, or optical particle counting. According to a first aspect, a kit is disclosed. The kit includes at least one facemask configured to cover a respective user's mouth and nose. The at least one facemask contains at least one layer impregnated with a first chemical. When the at least one facemask covers the respective user's mouth and nose, airborne particles of the first chemical are released from the at least one layer through the user's breathing. A sensor is configured to measure airborne concentration of the first chemical. A processing circuitry is configured to receive outputs of the sensor, to calculate a change in airborne concentration of the first chemical, and to issue a notification when the airborne concentration of the first chemical increases at above a predetermined rate. The increase of airborne concentration of the first chemical serves as a proxy for the dispersal of one or more users' breath, and thus indicates whether a detectable concentration of exhaled breath is present in the room. This, in turn, may be used to assess the safety of the room. In another implementation according to the first aspect, the first chemical adheres to exhaled aerosol droplets with a diameter less than 5 μm. For example, the first chemical may be a finely particulate solid or a liquid that forms microdroplets. Advantageously, the distribution pattern of the first chemical thus approximates the distribution pattern of an airborne virus. In another implementation according to the first aspect, the first chemical is odorless to the human olfactory system. In another implementation according to the first aspect, the first chemical emits an odor that is recognizable to the human olfactory system at concentrations above an odor detection threshold, and is impregnate at a sufficiently low concentration such that the airborne particles are released from the at least one facemask at a concentration below the odor detection threshold. Advantageously, while it is possible to use a first chemical that emits a pleasant scent, it is not necessary to do so, because the chemical is to be detected by an analytical sensor rather than the human nose. The mask may thus be mass-distributed without concern as to whether users like or dislike any particular scent. In another implementation according to the first aspect, the first chemical is a monosaccharide, a disaccharide, a polysaccharide, or a sugar alcohol. Advantageously, these chemicals are odorless, safe to ingest, and inexpensive, may be formed as small particles, and may be detected with various analytical sensors. In another implementation according to the first aspect, the sensor is configured to measure airborne concentration of the first chemical based on one or more of gas chromatography, mass spectrometry, Raman spectroscopy, time of flight analysis, electrical current pulse sensing, or laser scattering. Advantageously, these techniques are effective for measuring airborne concentration of particulate, liquid, or gaseous matter. In another implementation according to the first aspect, a patch impregnated with a second chemical is attachable to the user's clothing or body. When the patch is worn by the user, the sensor is configured to measure airborne concentration of the second chemical. The processing circuitry is configured to issue the notification only when the airborne concentration of the first chemical increases at a rate that exceeds the increase in concentration of the second chemical by a predetermined value. Advantageously, the detection of the second chemical may be used to cancel out any environmental effects causing increased air circulation, such as a strong ventilation system. As a result, the effect of the increased concentration of the first chemical due to the user's breathing may be isolated. In another implementation according to the first aspect, the sensor is installed in a location having a delineated space for user movement, at a predetermined distance from said delineated space. For example, the sensor may be installed on a ceiling, at an air vent, or above a closet. Requiring a minimum distance between a user and a sensor prevents a false positive resulting from the user's breathing directly onto the sensor. In another implementation according to the first aspect, a motion sensor or optical sensor is configured to determine a number of users in a room. The processing circuitry is configured to set the predetermined rate based on the number of users. Thus, in addition to determining whether any particular room has exceeded a minimum concentration of airborne particles, or has increased its concentration at a particular rate, the processing circuitry may also determine whether the increase in concentration is in line with expectations based on the number of users in the room. If the increase in concentration is abnormally high, this may be a sign that one or more of the users is not wearing the mask correctly, or that the user is a super-spreader due to his or her manner of speaking or exhaling. In another implementation according to the first aspect, the notification includes an instruction to the user to adjust a fit of the at least one facemask. In another implementation according to the first aspect, the notification includes an instruction to the user to modulate a loudness of vocalization or a force of exhaling. The notification may thus include instructions for corrective activities to limit spread of exhaled airborne particles. According to a second aspect, a method is disclosed. The method comprises measuring airborne concentration of a first chemical. The first chemical is released from at least one layer of at least one facemask impregnated with said first chemical due to a respective user's breathing when wearing the at least one facemask. The method further comprises calculating a change in airborne concentration of the first chemical, and issuing a notification when the airborne concentration of the first chemical increases at above a predetermined rate. The increase of airborne concentration of the first chemical serves as a proxy for the dispersal of one or more users' breath, and thus indicates whether a detectable concentration of exhaled breath is present in the room. This, in turn, may be used to assess the safety of the room. In another implementation according to the second aspect, the first chemical adheres to exhaled aerosol droplets with a diameter less than 5 μm. For example, the first chemical may be a finely particulate solid or a liquid that forms microdroplets. The measuring step comprises measuring airborne concentration of aerosolized particles of the first chemical. Advantageously, measuring the distribution pattern of the first chemical thus approximates measuring the distribution pattern of an airborne virus. In another implementation according to the second aspect, the measuring step comprises measuring airborne concentration of the first chemical based on one or more of gas chromatography, mass spectrometry, Raman spectroscopy, time of flight analysis, electrical current pulse sensing, or laser scattering. Advantageously, these techniques are effective for measuring airborne concentration of particulate, liquid, or gaseous matter. In another implementation according to the second aspect, the method further comprises measuring airborne concentration of a second chemical. The second chemical is impregnated on a patch that is attachable to the user's clothing or body. The method further comprises calculating a change in airborne concentration of the second chemical, and issuing the notification only when the airborne concentration of the first chemical increases at a rate that exceeds the increase in concentration of the second chemical by a predetermined value. The detection of the second chemical may be used to cancel out any environmental effects causing increased air circulation, such as a strong ventilation system. As a result, the effect of the increased concentration of the first chemical due to the user's breathing may be isolated. In another implementation according to the second aspect, the measuring step is performed at a predetermined minimum distance from a delineated space for user movement. For example, the measuring step may be performed by a sensor installed on a ceiling, at an air vent, or above a closet. Requiring a minimum distance between a user and a sensor prevents a false positive resulting from the user's breathing directly onto the sensor. In another implementation according to the second aspect, the method further comprises determining a number of users in a room with a motion sensor or optical sensor, and setting the predetermined rate based on the number of users. Thus, the method may also be used to determine whether the increase in concentration is in line with expectations based on the number of users in the room. If the increase in concentration is abnormally high, this may be a sign that one or more of the users is not wearing the mask correctly, or that the user is a super-spreader due to his or her manner of speaking or exhaling. In another implementation according to the second aspect, the step of issuing a notification comprises instructing the user to adjust a fit of the at least one facemask. In another implementation according to the second aspect, the step of issuing a notification comprises instructing the user to modulate a loudness of vocalization or a force of exhaling. The notification may thus include instructions for corrective activities to limit spread of exhaled airborne particles. Other systems, methods, features, and advantages of the present disclosure will be or become apparent to one with skill in the art upon examination of the following drawings and detailed description. It is intended that all such additional systems, methods, features, and advantages be included within this description, be within the scope of the present disclosure, and be protected by the accompanying claims.

11356083

BACKGROUND 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates generally to the field of electronic systems including analog synthesizers and phase-locked loop (“PLL”) frequency synthesizers. In particular, the present invention is directed to an improved architecture for a high-switching speed and low-phase-analog synthesizer with low or minimal spurious signals, fine resolution, and low power consumption. 2. Description of the Related Art A frequency synthesizer used in many modern devices, is an electronic circuit that translates a low frequency input reference signal into an output signal at a high frequency, which is a multiplied value of the input reference signal. The output frequency range, step size, phase noise, and spurious signals, are important synthesizer characteristics. Phase noise and spurious performance, which determine the usability of a signal source in user applications have an important trade-off with the complexity of circuits (and power consumption) and ease of integration into an integrated circuit form, to reduce cost. One of the main factors that determines the phase noise of a system is the phase noise of the voltage-controlled oscillator (“VCO”) used in generating a signal that is wide enough to be a basis for synthesis using high frequency wide band VCO. It should be recognized that a voltage-controlled oscillator (“VCO”) is an electronic oscillator with an oscillation frequency controlled by a voltage input. The applied input voltage determines the instantaneous oscillation frequency. A VCO is typically used for ease of frequency modulation, phase modulation by applying a modulating signal to the control input. A VCO is also an integral part of a phase-locked loop. In a wideband frequency synthesizer, the frequency reference is usually derived from a low-noise, high-stability source. To obtain a very low-phase noise signal reference, a very low-noise reference, such as an ultra-low phase noise source like Stress Compensated (“SC”) Oven controlled Crystal Oscillator (“OCXO”) in combination with a Voltage Controlled Crystal Oscillator (“VCXO”) running at a few hundred MHz maximum with very little (next to nothing) tuning range may be used. To improve the phase noise at a few ten kHz offset or higher, a signal source with a very-high Q factor like Dielectric Resonant Oscillator (“DRO”)/Surface Acoustic Wave (“SAW”)/Bulk oscillator running at a few GHz may be used. This transfers the phase noise of the OCXO, VCXO combination at very-close in offset while improving it at a few ten kHz or higher offsets. However, these high Q sources also have extremely low tuning band width. Hence, the challenge lies in expanding the tuning range provided by the above ultra clean sources without paying a penalty in phase noise degradation for expanding the tuning range. A wideband VCO or YTO (YIG-Tuned Oscillator) that is usually locked to this clean reference. Traditionally, multi-loop configurations have been used to accomplish this, but all of these result in a compromise of both phase noise and tuning speed. The VCOs of high frequency and wide tuning range have inherently poor phase noise. This is made worse by the noise added by the loop itself. The resulting phase noise reflects both of these degradations. The loop structure additionally sets limits on the speed in slewing from one frequency to a new frequency. The phase noise of a VCO is associated with Leeson's equation and can be broken into three distinct regions:A −30-dB/decade slope for close-in offset frequencies, due to up-conversion of 1/f noise;A −20-dB/decade slope for intermediate offset frequencies due to limited resonator quality factor (Q); andFlat phase noise for large offsets where performance is dominated by the noise characteristics of the oscillator's active device(s). As a basic principle, in order to design a circuit with high Q, the tuning bandwidth must be made small. Therefore, a VCO designed for low phase noise performance will have a smaller tuning range. For example, if the tuning bandwidth of an oscillator is doubled (n=2) while maintaining the same center frequency, then the phase noise at a given offset is degraded by 6 dB in 20 dB/decade zone, or by 9 dB in 30 dB/decade zone. By way of example, some configurations in the prior art are described.FIG. 1is a simplified block diagram illustrating a commercial PLL synthesizer. In this example, R values are typically integers or a combination of a frequency doubler, an integer pre-divider, a multiplier and post divider combinations for spur avoidance. The N dividers typically consists of integers and a fractional divider portion, but this may also be set to an integers-only mode. To illustrate existing approaches and architectures, by way of example,FIG. 1shows a simplified block diagram of a conventional PLL frequency synthesizer. This circuit is based on a voltage-controlled oscillator designated by reference numeral139(“VCO”), which has a frequency output that is locked in relation to a reference frequency110by a feedback loop. In this figure, the voltage-controlled oscillator139generates an output signal140at frequency Fout142. A portion of this signal is fed back to the phase detector (“PD”)137via a power splitter (“PS”)141and a frequency divider145. The frequency divider has a division ratio of N·F, meaning that its output frequency135is N·F times less than its input frequency144. The other input to the phase detector is a reference frequency signal Fref110, which may be generated by a high-stability, fixed-frequency oscillator, for example, a crystal oscillator. A signal134for phase noise comparison is generated by division of reference frequency signal110by R divider133. The phase detector137compares the two signals134and135at its inputs and generates an error signal138that controls the voltage-controlled oscillator139. Therefore, the phase detector, the VCO, the power splitter and the frequency divider form a loop circuit. The error signal is typically filtered and sometimes amplified before feeding into the voltage-controlled oscillator or VCO. The VCO is locked at relation to FREFgiven by: Fout=Fref*N·F/R. Value of N·F is varied to tune the Foutfrequencies within a tuning range determined by the VCO. The minimal step size or frequency resolution is determined by the fractional part of N·F multiplied by Fref/R. The phase noise that limits the sensitivity in many receiver applications is the random frequency fluctuations at the output frequency of a synthesizer, which is determined by the Fref/R signal purity and the N·F multiplication factor for near carrier offsets. Synthesizer phase noise within the phase-locked loop (PLL) bandwidth is derived by the equation: L=LPD+20 log N·F, where LPDis the cumulative phase noise of the reference signal, the phase detector, the feedback divider, and other associated circuitry referred to the phase detector input, and N·F is the division ratio of the frequency divider. In practice, the synthesizer phase noise performance is usually limited by large division ratios required to provide high-frequency output with small enough resolution. For example, to obtain 50 MHz frequency step resolution at 29.50 GHz output, the feedback divider ratio is 590, corresponding to 55 dB phase noise degradation. In practical applications, this is usually limited by the Figure of Merit (Noise generated within Phase Detector (“PD”)) of the PD and not by reference signal Fref. FIG. 2illustrates a simplified block diagram of a frequency offsetting scheme to improve the phase noise in a narrow band tuned PLL systems. A DAC is used to pre-tune the VCO to near desired destination to reduce the Lock time required and to avoid getting locked to image frequency. FIG. 2is a simplified block diagram for a narrow band tuning conventional PLL frequency synthesizer with a frequency offsetting scheme in its feedback loop. In this figure, voltage-controlled oscillator239(VCO) generates an output signal240at frequency Fout242. A portion of this signal244feeds back to the phase and frequency detector237(“PFD”) via a power splitter241(“PS”), a mixer213(“Mx”), and a frequency divider245with a division ratio of N. The other input234to the phase detector237is a reference frequency signal Fref210, passed through a R-divider233. A Digital-to-Analog Converter (“DAC”)271, adjusted by a tuning word270generates a voltage272and added to PD error238using an operational amplifier273is used to tune the VCO239to near its destination frequency to avoid a false lock on to image frequency and to improve speed of frequency switching. A mixer213by frequency offsetting reduces the maximum frequency division ratio N by reducing the distance between the VCO output in a frequency domain. A low phase noise signal Foffset212may be generated by another phase-locked loop or frequency multiplication of a clean low frequency source like an OCXO. Circuits of the type shown inFIG. 2are often limited to narrow band tuning of VCO systems and often give rise to crossing spurs, an undesirable spurious signal that cross the Foutsignal within its loop band width, due to the non-harmonic relationship between the offsetting signal and the Foutsignal. Also,FIG. 3illustrates that mixer harmonic and intermodulation products may form undesirable spurious signals. These may fall within the synthesizer loop bandwidth limiting the usefulness of Foutsignal.FIG. 3shows a spurious mixer product location as an example of a conventional synthesizer accomplishing a frequency conversion. Use of mixers in PLLs can often result in crossing spurious signals within the PLL band width limiting its usefulness. The frequency divider (“N”) present in the loop tends to degrade synthesizer phase noise characteristics. FIG. 4is a simplified block diagram of a classical analog synthesizer. In a classical analog synthesizer, a series of sources signals are added or subtracted, filtered using filters FL1 through FL10 to remove unwanted spurs to obtain final output Fout. In this configuration, a reference signal404generated by a reference source F1400is added to another reference signal405generated by source F2401by using a mixer410and the resultant signal408is filtered by band pass filters FL1409and FL2411. The resultant signal412is added to another reference signal406by using a second mixer420. The output of this, signal413is filtered using band pass filters FL3419and FL4421to generate signal422which is further added to reference signal407using mixer430and the generated output431is filtered using bandpass filters FL5436, FL6437, FL7438and FL8439to generate a signal441. This signal441is further added to a signal425generated by harmonic multiplication424of reference signal407. The resultant products442are further filtered using Band pass filters FL9447and FL10448to generate a final output called Fout449. Here the existence of signals that are always alive makes it possible to obtain fast switching capability. A limited amount of filtering can cause the presence of many unwanted signals like crossing spurs that creep through other paths and limits the spurious performance of the circuit and also it tends to limit the frequency range and occupies considerable space and power. FIG. 5illustrates yet another form of frequency synthesizer as described in U.S. Pat. No. 9,628,066 to Oleksandr Chenakin & Syama Nediyanchath. In this type of frequency synthesizer, a Frefis partially spread to form a reference signal to a double-looped, wide-band VCO based PLL structure. This structure consists a reference generator made from Fref510added to a signal572by using a Direct Digital Synthesis (“DDS”)571and mixer573. The resultant signal are mixed using mixers577,581and dividers designated by reference numerals575,579etc. This signal is applied to the double loop structure consisting of mixers Mx1 designated by reference numeral531through Mxi designated by reference numeral513, dividers D1 designated by reference numeral566through Di designated by reference numeral515and multipliers C1 designated by reference numeral529through Ci designated by reference numeral511. The tuning loop uses the feedback through Divide by N545to bring the VCO to correct the destination frequency and the parallel path using the mixers (Mx1through Mxi) used for obtaining low phase noise under locked condition of the loop. The output of this VCO is either multiplied up or divided down to generate other frequencies that are required. This structure has a number of shortcomings, some of which are indicated below:1. The presence of a wideband VCO tends to limit attainable phase noise.2. The same fundamental design may be repeated using an Octave-tuning-YTO-based final loop, instead of the wideband VCO. This improves the phase noise performance without altering the frequency scheme or the design itself. However, the YTO by its very nature limits the speed at which frequency may be switched.3. The double-loop structure is more space intensive and is a sophisticated handover scheme, requiring a tuning loop to final low-phase-noise loop.4. Once the low-phase-noise loop is engaged, the loop can become more vulnerable to false-lock operation when the VCO is shocked out of its desired location.5. The loop, if locked at the image frequency is not able to recognize the loss of lock without use of sophisticated loss of lock recognition circuits. Given the need, other architectures that remedy these limitations are desirable. SUMMARY The present invention is directed to a non-VCO architecture to remedy the limitations in current architectures, to provide speed of direct analog synthesis without undue complexity. The present invention in some embodiments is a broadband microwave synthesizer architecture using continuous expansion of tuning signals, by using a special technique in which the phase-noise penalty is kept to a fraction of the dB, (often less than 0.1 dB) compared to conventional systems with 20*log 10 (BW expansion factor). This technique advantageously replaces the use of a VCO, by using direct-digital synthesis (“DDS”) and a stable reference frequency that are frequency translated (mixed) and filtered such that largest frequency steps are controlled by dividers and fine tuning is controlled by DDS. In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, the synthesizer of the present invention takes the “narrow band tuning seed” generated by method shown inFIG. 7orFIG. 8(two ways shown among many others possible) and frequency translates this to continuous wider tuning bands to expand to form a wide band continuous low phase noise signal called Fbase, by using the structure illustrated inFIG. 9. It is noteworthy that this architecture expands the span of frequency coverage from ΔFseedto ΔFbasewithout the theoretical expected minimum degradation 20 log ΔFbase/ΔFseed. InFIG. 10a method to convert this wideband tuning signal to multi-decade covering synthesizer signal using frequency multipliers and dividers is shown. The filters serve to remove both harmonic and non-harmonic spurious signals from the resultant outputs.

11454905

INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE This application is based upon and claims the benefit of priority from the corresponding Japanese Patent Application No. 2020-121821 filed on Jul. 16, 2020, the entire contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference. BACKGROUND The present disclosure relates to an image forming apparatus. As image forming apparatuses of an electrophotographic type such as copiers and printers, there are known image forming apparatuses that employ an intermediate transfer system in which toner images of different colors formed on the outer circumferential faces of a plurality of photosensitive drums respectively are primarily transferred, while being sequentially superposed on each other, to an endless intermediate transfer belt arranged along the plurality of photosensitive drums (image carrying members), and then the toner images are secondarily transferred to a sheet. Inconveniently, in these conventional image forming apparatuses, the intermediate transfer belt can deviate in the axial direction of the roller which rotatably supports the intermediate transfer belt, that is, the intermediate transfer belt can meander. To cope with this problem, there has been proposed a technique to correct the meandering of the intermediate transfer belt through adjustment of the alignment of a roller. A conventional technique has been proposed which can correct the meandering of the intermediate transfer belt by adjusting the alignment of a roller. For example, a known image forming apparatus includes an axis displacement portion and an axis guide portion. The axis displacement portion is movable in the axial direction of a roller as the belt moves in the axial direction, and has a slanted face that is inclined with respect to the belt face. The axis guide portion is fixed so as to face the slanted face of the axis displacement portion. In this image forming apparatus, when the belt moves (meanders) in the axial direction of the roller, the contact position at which the axis displacement portion in the axis guide portion makes contact with the slanted face of the axis displacement portion deviates upward and the axis displacement portion moves downward, with the result that the roller inclines. As the roller inclines, the belt inclines steeply to move in the direction returning to its original position with respect to the axial direction of the roller. In this way it is possible to correct the meandering of the belt. SUMMARY According to one aspect of the present disclosure, an image forming apparatus includes a plurality of image carrying members, an intermediate transfer belt, a plurality of rollers, and a correcting mechanism. The intermediate transfer belt is endless and, to it, toner images formed on the image carrying members respectively are transferred by being sequentially superposed on each other. The plurality of rollers rotatably support the intermediate transfer belt. The correcting mechanism corrects the meandering of the intermediate transfer belt with respect to the roller. The correcting mechanism includes a slanted bearing and a main body guide. The slanted bearing has a slanted portion that is slanted with respect to the axial direction of the roller. The slanted bearing rotatably supports the shaft portion of one roller among the plurality of rollers and is movable in the axial direction of the roller. The main body guide makes contact with the slanted portion of the slanted bearing when the slanted bearing, as a result of the intermediate transfer belt meandering, moves in the axial direction of the roller, and then moves the slanted bearing along with one end of the roller in the axial direction in the direction perpendicular to the axial direction. The main body guide is a rotary member which rotates, while in contact with the slanted bearing, about an axis extending in the direction perpendicular to the axial direction of the roller.

11259804

BACKGROUND Some surgical staplers are operable to clamp down on one or more layers of patient tissue, form staples through the layers of tissue to substantially seal the layers of tissue together near the formed staples, and cut through the layers of tissue for forming severed ends of operatively sealed tissue. An exemplary stapling instrument may include a pair of cooperating elongate jaw members, where each jaw member may be adapted to be inserted into a patient and positioned relative to tissue that is to be stapled and/or incised. One of the jaw members may support a staple cartridge with at least two laterally spaced rows of staples contained therein, and the other jaw member may support an anvil with staple-forming pockets aligned with the rows of staples in the staple cartridge. Generally, the stapling instrument may further include a pusher bar and a knife blade that are slidable relative to the jaw members to sequentially or simultaneously eject the staples from the staple cartridge via camming surfaces on the pusher bar and/or camming surfaces on a wedge sled that is pushed by the pusher bar. The camming surfaces may be configured to activate one or more staple drivers carried by the cartridge and associated with the staples in order to push the staples against the anvil and form laterally spaced rows of deformed staples in the tissue gripped between the jaw members. Such rows may be arranged as linear rows and/or arcuate rows for sequentially or simultaneously stapling and cutting the tissue of the patient in the form of a predetermined pattern. The knife blade may trail the camming surfaces and cut the tissue along a linear or arcuate line between the rows of staples formed in the tissue. Merely exemplary surgical staplers are disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,988,650, entitled “Retaining Pin Lever Advancement Mechanism for a Curved Cutter Stapler,” issued Jan. 24, 2006; U.S. Pat. No. 7,134,587, entitled “Knife Retraction Arm for a Curved Cutter Stapler,” issued Nov. 14, 2006; U.S. Pat. No. 7,147,139, entitled “Closure Plate Lockout for a Curved Cutter Stapler,” issued Dec. 12, 2006, U.S. Pat. No. 7,147,140, entitled “Cartridge Retainer for a Curved Cutter Stapler,” issued Dec. 12, 2006; U.S. Pat. No. 7,204,404, entitled “Slotted Pins Guiding Knife in a Curved Cutter Stapler,” issued Apr. 17, 2007; and U.S. Pat. No. 7,207,472, entitled “Cartridge with Locking Knife for a Curved Cutter Stapler,” issued Apr. 24, 2007. The disclosure of each of the above-cited U.S. Patents is incorporated by reference herein. Additional merely exemplary surgical staplers are disclosed in U.S. Pat. Pub. No. 2005/0139636, entitled “Replaceable Cartridge Module for a Surgical Stapling and Cutting Instrument,” published on Jun. 30, 2005, now abandoned; U.S. Pat. Pub. No. 2005/0143759, entitled “Curved Cutter Stapler Shaped for Male Pelvis,” published on Jun. 30, 2005, now abandoned; and U.S. Pat. Pub. No. 2005/0145672, entitled “Curved Cutter Stapler with Aligned Tissue Retention Feature,” published on Jul. 7, 2005, now abandoned. The disclosure of each of the above-cited U.S. Patent Publications is incorporated by reference herein. A surgical stapler may be inserted into a patient to perform colorectal surgery. Such procedures may include the use of the stapler to operatively seal, sever, and remove the colon of the patient, in whole or in part. For instance, a proctocolectomy may be performed during a lower anterior resection (“LAR”) for treating and inhibiting the spread of colorectal cancer cells. Of course, surgical staplers may be used in various other settings and procedures. While various kinds of surgical stapling instruments and associated components have been made and used, it is believed that no one prior to the inventor(s) has made or used the invention described in the appended claims.

11428212

FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE The present disclosure generally relates to monitoring the operation of wind turbines, and more particularly to detecting wear in the azimuth steering drivetrain of wind turbines. BACKGROUND Wind turbines are one technique used for generating electrical power from wind energy. Generally, wind turbines have blades on a rotor that transform energy in the wind to drive an electrical generator and thus produce electricity. In general, wind is able to arrive from any direction at a wind turbine. In order to effectively operate with wind arriving from different directions, the nacelle of the wind turbine is rotated around a vertical axis of the tower to change the direction in which the rotor faces. The direction that the rotor is facing in a horizontal plane is referred to herein as “azimuth.” The azimuth of a wind turbine and is generally expressed as an angle relative to some reference direction, such as north. The azimuth pointing angle of the wind turbine is controlled by what is typically called an “azimuth controller.” The azimuth controller generally sets an azimuth set point so that the rotor is substantially perpendicular to a plane of the blades attached to that rotor. In various examples, wind measurement equipment located near the wind turbine measures wind direction and speed. These wind measurements are provided to the azimuth controller to support determining an azimuth set point that causes the wind turbine to face the oncoming wind. In normal operations, the azimuth angle that a wind turbine actually points to may vary around the azimuth set point set by the azimuth controller.

11213223

FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE The subject disclosure relates to a method and apparatus for limb circumference measurement. BACKGROUND Healthcare professionals sometimes use tape measurements and/or calipers to measure arm and leg circumference. This can be inaccurate and prone to user error (for example, accuracy and errors may depend upon the person performing the measurement and/or the location on the limb where the device is applied).

11373501

FIELD The disclosure relates generally to a device, system and method for detect a characteristic of sleep/dozing of an individual while driving a vehicle and alert that individual before an accident occurs. BACKGROUND Biometrics today do not have a function to wake a driver that may be falling asleep at the controls of a moving vehicle/plane/train/etc. Health devices and monitors exist, such as heart rate monitors and breathing monitors such as the Fit Bit by Microsoft® or the Sleep program by Apple®. However, these devices and monitors do not have a function designed in such a way as to alert the host or warn the person of a catastrophic issue. While there are obviously also medical monitors in a hospital that may generate an alert in a patient in the hospital has an impending problem, such as low blood pressure or no heartbeat, none of these hospital medical monitors are appropriate for the device that may be sold to consumers are used to alert a user that the user is falling asleep and it is to this end that the disclosure is directed.

11507623

BACKGROUND Rooted trees are widely used to represent hierarchical entities or data. However, tree organization is often static, whereas there are numerous applications in which relationships between entities can be dynamic. Accordingly, there remains a need for improved technologies to deal with dynamic hierarchies. SUMMARY In summary, the detailed description is directed to various innovative technologies for querying a dynamic hierarchical system. Examples of the disclosed technology represent the system with a composite graph data structure, and provide query methods on the composite graph data structure. In certain examples, the disclosed technologies can be implemented as a method performed by a computer. A composite graph data structure representing a system is built. The composite graph data structure includes multiple primary nodes which represent respective components of the system. The primary nodes are organized as distinct rooted trees, for respective states of the system. The primary nodes are associated with data items which are values of respective attributes of the primary nodes. A query is received from a client. The query is targeted to a given node of the primary nodes in a given state of the states. The given node is not a root of the given state's rooted tree. The given node has an inheritance path in the respective rooted tree of the given state. The inheritance path includes first nodes of the primary nodes. A query response is initialized and the inheritance path is traversed. Data items associated with the first nodes are used to update the query response. The query response is transmitted to the client. In some examples, first nodes are traversed in order from the given node to the root. The rooted trees for two or more states, or for all states, can share a common root node. The composite graph data structure can include multiple secondary nodes directly coupled by secondary edges to respective primary nodes. The secondary edges can be independent of the states. Each secondary node can represent an attribute of the primary node to which the secondary node is directly coupled. The composite graph data structure can also include multiple value nodes directly coupled by value edges to respective secondary nodes. Each value node can represent a value of the attribute represented by the secondary node to which the value node is directly coupled. At least two of the value edges can be dependent on the states. The query response can include a set. The operation of using data items to update the query response can include aggregating the data items into the set. The query can extend to other states of the system besides the given state, and the method can further include performing the traversing and the updating for the other given states. The traversing and updating can utilize the respective inheritance paths and data items for each of the other states. In certain examples, the disclosed technologies can be implemented as computer-readable media storing instructions which, when executed by one or more hardware processors, cause the hardware processors to perform the following actions. A composite graph data structure representing a system is received. The composite graph data structure includes multiple primary nodes organized as distinct trees for respective states of the system. The primary nodes represent respective components of the system and are associated with data items which are values of attributes of the primary nodes. A query from a client is received. The query is for a given component of the system in a given state of the system, the given component being represented by a given primary node that is not a leaf node of the given state's tree. The given node has a subtree for the given state. A query response is initialized, and the subtree rooted at the given node is traversed. Data items associated with the primary nodes of the subtree are used to update the query response. The query response is transmitted to the client after completion of the traversal. In some examples, the trees can be rooted trees sharing a common root node. The given node can be a root of the given state's tree. The composite graph data structure can include multiple secondary nodes directly coupled by secondary edges to respective primary nodes. The secondary edges can be independent of the states. Each secondary node can represent an attribute of the primary node to which the secondary node is directly coupled. The composite graph data structure can also include value nodes directly coupled by value edges to respective secondary nodes. Each value node can represent a value of the attribute represented by the secondary node to which the value node is directly coupled. At least two of the value edges can be dependent on the states. The query response can be a count, and the updating the query response can include summing data items into the count. In certain examples, the disclosed technologies can be implemented as a system including one or more hardware processors with coupled memory, and computer-readable media storing instructions executable by the one or more hardware processors. The instructions include first, second, third, and fourth instructions. The first instructions, when executed, cause nodes or edges of a composite graph data structure to be retrieved. The composite graph data structure includes multiple primary nodes organized as distinct respective rooted trees for respective states. The second instructions, when executed, cause a subtree of a given rooted tree to be traversed. The third instructions, when executed, cause successive nodes joining a given node to its root node to be traversed, within the composite graph data structure. The fourth instructions, when executed, cause queries from one or more clients to be received, and, after processing each of the queries using the composite graph data structure, corresponding query responses to be transmitted to a corresponding client. In some examples, additional instructions, when executed, can cause a new rooted tree, for a new state, to be added to the composite graph data structure. Two of the states can correspond to a common operating mode of the nodes, at distinct respective times. Further, two of the states can correspond to distinct respective operating modes of the nodes, at a common time. The foregoing and other objects, features, and advantages of the invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description, which proceeds with reference to the accompanying figures.

11330829

FIELD OF THE INVENTION The invention relates to an oil or fat for tempering type chocolate capable of enhancing and maintaining flavors such as milk taste, sweet taste, and cacao flavor, etc. that are required for chocolate, and also to a chocolate in which the oil or fat is blended. DESCRIPTION OF THE RELATED ART A chocolate in which a tasteless and odorless oil or fat for tempering type chocolate is blended is poorer in flavors of chocolate, such as milk taste, sweet taste, and cacao flavor, etc., as compared to a so-called pure chocolate in which no such oil or fat is blended. As a result, a problem exists in that the flavors become weak. The most general solution to this problem is seasoning through addition of a commercially available chocolate spice or a flavor such as vanilla. However, it is not easy to work on natural chocolate flavors; in addition, the flavors of chocolate tend to be top notes and do not last in the mouth. In an attempt to solve the above problem, seasoning is performed by blending a flavor oil in chocolate. There is, e.g., a method of blending in chocolate a cacao flavor oil that is produced by bringing a cacao raw material into contact with hard butter at high temperature (Patent Document 1), or a method of blending in chocolate a milk flavor oil that is produced by bringing milk powder and sugar into contact with a vegetable oil or fat at high temperature (Patent Document 2). However, the flavors produced by both methods are somewhat different from natural original flavors of chocolate and are thus unsatisfactory. Another problem is that the production processes are complicated. On the other hand, among chocolates, white chocolate or milk chocolate provides a delicious taste by combining a strong milk taste with meltability of the chocolate in the mouth. These chocolates with a strong milk taste are in high demand and great need on the market. Since it is necessary to blend a large amount of milk fat-containing milk powder in these chocolates, in many cases, a tempering hard butter having a relatively high melting point is blended in large amount to remedy melting-point depression (reduction in heat resistance of chocolate) caused by mixing with milk fat. After all, the problem that the flavors as chocolate become weak still exists. PRIOR-ART DOCUMENTS Patent Documents Patent Document 1: JPH05-146251 A Patent Document 2: JPH06-22691 A Patent Document 3: JP 2001-103930 A Patent Document 4: WO 2004/057983 A1 SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Problems to be Solved by the Invention An object of the invention is to provide an oil or fat for chocolate capable of enhancing and maintaining natural original flavors (milk taste, sweet taste, and cacao flavor, etc.) of chocolate, and to provide a chocolate in which the oil or fat is blended. Means for Solving the Problems As a result of earnest studies to solve the above problems, the inventors of this invention have found it possible to solve the problems by a simple method of using an oil or fat for tempering type chocolate, in which a randomly transesterified oil, of which the raw material is an oil or fat having a content of saturated fatty acids of 5 to 50% in the constituent fatty acids thereof, is blended in a proportion of 0.3 to 15%. Thereby, the inventors have completed the invention. That is, the invention relates to the following items. Item 1 is an oil or fat for tempering type chocolate which is obtained by blending therein 0.3 to 15% of a randomly transesterified oil of which the raw material is an oil or fat having a content of saturated fatty acids of 5 to 50% in its constituent fatty acids. Item 2 is the oil or fat for chocolate of item 1 in which the oil or fat as the raw material of the randomly transesterified oil is a palm fractionated soft-part oil or fat having an iodine value of 55 to 75. Item 3 is the oil or fat for chocolate of item 1 or 2 which is characterized by containing 5 to 50 ppm of malonyl isoflavone glycoside. Item 4 is a chocolate obtained by blending therein the oil or fat for chocolate of items 1 to 3. Item 5 is a method of enhancing and maintaining a flavor of chocolate, including blending in an oil or fat for tempering type chocolate that is obtained by blending therein 0.3 to 15% of a randomly transesterified oil of which the raw material is an oil or fat having a content of saturated fatty acids of 5 to 50% in its constituent fatty acids. Effects of the Invention Although tempering type hard butter of the invention is tasteless and odorless, in terms of exhibition of effects of enhancing expression of natural original flavors of chocolate that originate from cacao mass, cocoa, cocoa butter, milk powder and sugar, etc. blended in the chocolate at the same time and easily maintaining the flavors in the mouth, the invention is a groundbreaking technique clearly distinguishable from the conventional seasoning methods based on flavors or flavor oils.

11294448

BACKGROUND AND INTRODUCTION Mobile devices, such as smartphones, are severely battery-limited. The capabilities of mobile device processors have increased at exponential rates, but battery technologies have improved at much slower rates. As a consequence, it is ever more important that mobile devices be operated in battery-preserving manners. Analysis of camera and microphone data, e.g., for recognition purposes, are tasks that are particularly battery-intensive. Mobile device cameras typically capture 30 to 50 frames of imagery per second. If each frame is processed to decode a barcode or steganographic digital watermark, or to otherwise recognize a subject depicted in the frame, the device battery would be exhausted quickly. Accordingly, such recognition processing is not routinely performed. Yet it would be advantageous if such devices were able, practically, to analyze incoming camera/microphone data in more of an on-going fashion, to serve as adjuncts to the users' eyes and ears. One aspect of the present technology concerns methods and arrangements enabling recognition-processing of imagery and audio to be on-going, without the high battery drain that has characterized the prior art. The foregoing and additional features and advantages of the present technology will be more readily apparent from the following detailed description, which proceeds with reference to the accompanying drawings.

11460840

FIELD OF THE INVENTION The invention relates to a method for operating an unmanned aerial vehicle. The invention further relates to an unmanned aerial vehicle. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Missions for unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV) are often planned by taking into consideration a fuel consumption, a mission performance and a probability of mission success. After performing such a planned mission, a UAV returns to its home position. This method is optimal when route by route can be assessed before the mission, or when the number of missions is kept relatively low. However, during the mission the quality of a communication link between the UAV and a ground station may at least in some sections be reduced or insufficient. BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It may thus be beneficial to plan or conduct a mission in a way that a sufficient quality of a communication link can maintained. Aspects of the invention therefore relate to operating an unmanned aerial vehicle in a way that the quality of the communication link can be maintained throughout a flight mission. A method for operating an unmanned aerial vehicle comprises the steps of defining at least one initial waypoint for creating an initial trajectory, receiving geographic information along the trajectory, conducting a numerical simulation of a communication link between the unmanned aerial vehicle along the trajectory and at least one predetermined ground station at a predetermined ground station position, which comprises calculating a quality factor for the communication link under consideration of the geographic information, and comparing the quality factors with at least one predetermined minimum quality factor, and in case of an insufficient quality factor on the trajectory, adjusting the position of at least one waypoint to form an adjusted trajectory, and repeating the numerical simulation of the communication link until the quality factors along the adjusted trajectory reach at least the minimum quality factor, to form an optimized final trajectory. Thus, a method for operating a UAV is proposed, which significantly differs from known methods. The proposed method defines an iteration process for optimizing a trajectory of an unmanned aerial vehicle. Other than known methods, it is also taken into account to improving the connectivity between the UAV and a ground station. In particular, an urban environment, where the vehicle will be operated, is challenging due to a heterogenous structure with different coexisting topologies. In air to ground communication, the signal quality faces effects such as multipath, Doppler shift and shadowing. In a worst-case scenario, the signal may degrade to the point that reception is no longer possible. In order to maintain a stable communication, techniques such as modulation schemes and different waveforms are applied to tackle distortion of the signal. Nevertheless, this has been a suitable solution for static environments where conditions are predefined and standard. According to an aspect of the invention, a novel technique to enhance connectivity through the flight will be proposed. An aspect relates to maintaining the quality of connection through the trajectory to avoid disruption of the signal. At first, at least one waypoint may be defined for creating the initial trajectory. In a most simple case, a single waypoint in the form of a desired target is defined. Hence, the initial trajectory may be a straight line from a starting point to the target. In one case, this initial trajectory may be provided to a flight control unit or another computer unit to allow the UAV to follow the trajectory directly before conducting the signal quality driven optimization. The optimization may then be conducted during the flight. In another case, the optimization may be conducted once, to allow the UAV to start with an already optimized trajectory and then continuously re-optimize the trajectory during flight. Of course, in the previous case a re-optimization may be conducted throughout the flight as well. If the situation is that the airspace is populated e.g. with autonomous flying objects with different applications such as flying taxis, cars, medical transport or parcel transport, a fix planning of each route or trajectory may not be feasible. The quality of the link may be considered throughout the flight and the trajectory is adapted to have the best connection at any given time. This means, that a trajectory may constantly be adjusted to maintain a desired signal quality. For the purpose of optimization, the connection quality during the flight is simulated. If it turns out that the connection quality is not as desired at any section of the trajectory, the trajectory is changed and the simulation is conducted again. This is repeated, i.e. the signal quality over the changed trajectory is simulated again, until it meets the requirements. Thus, the method comprises an optimization loop for optimizing a trajectory for a UAV that takes account of the signal quality. The signal quality depends on a variety of parameters. These may comprise the distance from the UAV to the respective ground station, the existence of potential obstacles in the line of sight, shadowing effects resulting from the installation position of antennas on the UAV, the momentary orientation of the UAV, reflection and absorption effects depending on ground characteristics and buildings underneath the trajectory as well as possible interferences. Thus, receiving geographical information may be an important step in the process of simulating the signal quality. For example, receiving geographical information may comprise receiving terrain information and an elevation profile from a data source through respective queries. The data source may be a publicly available data source or a private data source. The geographic information may be collected at a plurality of positions along the trajectory. These positions may be represented by a plurality of distanced points distributed along the trajectory. The number of these may be increased or decreased depending on the desired accuracy for the geographic information. It is also feasible to gather geographic information that are lateral thereto. Hence, for example the geographic information along a stripe-shaped area underneath the trajectory may be considered. The relevant amount of information may be chosen according to flight altitude or other parameters. The simulation may be conducted by an algorithm that is capable of calculating a signal transfer between the UAV and the at least one ground station. The precision of the simulation can be increased with increasing the number of considered increments or incremental positions along the trajectory for the individual simulation calculations as well as the level of detail of the simulation. A precise simulation of the communication link enables to determine a quality factor for the communication link, which allows to evaluate, whether the signal quality or data transfer quality is sufficient. For maintaining a minimum quality of the communication link, it is proposed to define at least one minimum quality factor. The quality factor along the trajectory should equal at least the minimum quality factor. At the above mentioned considered incremental positions or individual positions along the trajectory the respective quality factors may be compared to the minimum quality factor. In case of an occurrence of a quality factor that is too low the shape of the trajectory is adjusted and the whole simulation is conducted again. This is repeated until the quality factors along the trajectory all meet the requirement of the minimum quality factor. Adjusting the shape of the trajectory may refer to a variety of possible options. For example, the trajectory may be adjusted by changing the course to greater or lower altitudes or to introduce a certain curvature that allows to improve the signal quality, e.g. by reducing shadowing, reflection or absorption effects. Altogether, the method according to an aspect of the invention allows to influence the flight of a UAV by adjusting the trajectory to improve the quality of a communication link. A preferred embodiment further comprises the step of a numerical simulation of a flight of the unmanned aerial vehicle along the trajectory, wherein the calculating of the quality factor is conducted under consideration of simulated flight states along the trajectory. By conducting the flight simulation of the UAV, flight states along the trajectory can be determined. These include attitude information, such as roll, pitch and yaw, as well as heading information and thrust. Thus, the position and orientation of the antenna or the antennas of the UAV can be determined for a plurality of positions along the trajectory with a certain desired precision. Based on the precise spatial orientation and position of the antenna, the simulation of the communication link can be conducted with a higher precision along these respective positions along the trajectory. In an advantageous embodiment, the numerical simulation is also repeated before repeating the numerical simulation of the communication link. Thus, for each adjusted trajectory, the precise antenna positions can be determined. Advantageously, the unmanned aerial vehicle may be flight-controlled by a flight control unit to follow a given trajectory, wherein the method further comprises providing the final trajectory to the flight control unit. Thus, after finding an adjusted trajectory with a sufficient communication quality, the flight control unit in the UAV can continue the flight with the adjusted trajectory. In an advantageous embodiment, conducting the numerical simulation of the flight comprises executing a dynamic model of the UAV and the flight control unit to control the dynamic model of the UAV to follow the given trajectory. The dynamic model of the UAV may comprise a set of equations, that are capable of defining the dynamic behavior of the UAV during flight. This also comprises a description of the aerodynamic behavior. Depending on the precision that is required for determining the quality factor of the communication link, the dynamic model may be a simplified, linear model or a more sophisticated, nonlinear model. Furthermore, the actual simulation may be conducted with a fixed time step or a dynamically adjusted time step. Besides the model for the UAV itself, the simulation may also comprise a simulation of the flight control unit, which is responsible for moving control surfaces of the UAV, for adjusting the engine thrust and for receiving and processing sensor information. Thus, the combination of the flight control unit and the dynamic UAV model leads to a precise statement of the attitude and heading, which influence the momentary position of on board antennas used for the communication link. It may be feasible to linearize the dynamic model and to maintain a minimum time step value for the simulation to avoid unpredictable discontinuities in the model, which may lead to continuously reducing the time step values and thus block the simulation. In a further advantageous embodiment, receiving geographic information comprises retrieving terrain characteristics and elevation information along the trajectory. Elevation information may comprise data that define the elevation of the ground relative to sea level. It is to be understood that the elevations of a ground area underneath a line of sight between the UAV and the ground station may influence the signal propagation characteristics. Particularly in an urban environment, the elevation may be rather diverse over a certain area. Thus, it may be preferred to take elevation information into account, that are associated with an area from underneath the UAV to a desired target. Further, terrain characteristics may also clearly influence the signal propagation due to differing reflection and absorption conditions. It may be feasible to retrieve information about the terrain being covered by roads, by water, by vegetation, whether they are bare ground or city ground. For example, water may clearly influence the reflection. By combining the information of elevation information and terrain characteristics it may be possible to gain knowledge of the altitude of reflected rays. Preferably, conducting the numerical simulation of the communication link comprises executing a deterministic channel model for a signal propagation depending on the geographic information and UAV-related boundary conditions. The deterministic channel model for the signal propagation allows to clearly determine the quality of the communication link. To ensure an acceptable performance of the communication link, which may also be referred to a wireless channel, the shadowing caused by the UAV structure needs to be analyzed. During manoeuvres, structural elements such as wings may interpose between an antenna of the UAV and the ground station. Since these usually only have a little transparency to radio signals, they may reduce the quality of the communication link. In order to analyze the influence of the frame of the UAV on the wireless channel performance, a geometric model of the UAV may be added to the channel model. It may be feasible to provide a simplified geometric model to the channel model, since the size and precision of a detailed model clearly exceeds the requirements for the desired studies. For example, a reduced geometric mesh may be used to describe the UAV frame with a lean and efficient number of structural nodes to achieve a desired accuracy. Of course, the installation position of the antenna(s) is to be included into the channel model to take obscuration effects into account. Still further, the size and beam characteristics or radiation pattern of the antenna(s) used for the communication link may be defined to include this information into the respective channel calculation. While the radiation pattern of the antenna may be calculated with a basic or usual characteristic of a respective type of antenna, it may be worthwhile to rely on a radiation pattern provided by the manufacturer of the antenna. Through including the whole chain relevant for the communication into the channel model, obscuration effects can be mitigated by the method according to the invention, since the adjusted route may exemplarily avoid manoeuvres with steep turns that result on the UAV interfering line of sight. For the sake of better understanding, in the following the channel model is explained in further detail. Radio channel models for narrowband and wideband transmissions are commonly used to predict coverage of a wireless link and system performance. These methods are classified as deterministic, statistical/empirical and semi-deterministic or site specific models. For wireless extended security methods, deterministic models have been employed with ray tracing techniques. Ray tracing takes into account free space loss, reflected and refracted components as well as diffracted and scattered contributions to the line of sight component. It may be feasible to choose the narrowband single input-single output model as the channel model. The frequency response from the channel considering distortionless transmission is H⁡[ωc]=⁢Ae-j⁢⁢2⁢⁢π⁢⁢fc⁢τ=⁢Ae-j⁢⁢ωc⁢τ=⁢Ae-J⁢⁢ϕc with the amplitude of the sinusoid is modified by a constant multiplying factor A, while its phase is shifted by a constant value equal to ϕc. This means that the channel function is time invariant and single valued at that particular frequency. The amplitude of the signal is obtained using the following equation: A=ϵr⁢⁢1-ϵr⁢⁢2ϵr⁢⁢1+ϵr⁢⁢2⁢e[12⁢(4⁢π⁢⁢σh⁢θiλ)2] where the first fraction models the reflection that depends on the terrain characteristics, ϵr1being the relative permittivity of the propagation media, and ϵr2being the permittivity of the terrain. The second part of the amplitude models the rugosity of the terrain, with σhrepresenting the standard deviation of the rugosity and θithe angle of incidence of the ray on the surface of the terrain. Considering a variation in the phase path length maintaining constant amplitude, the previous equation may be written as the radiated electric field: ER⁡[t]=⁢A⁢⁢cos⁢[2⁢⁢π⁢⁢fc⁡(t-τ⁡[t])]=⁢A⁢⁢cos⁡[2⁢⁢π⁢⁢fc⁢t-ϕc⁡[t]] In mobile radio studies it is customary to model the phase variation by a Doppler spectrum with a U shape. This is based on the scattering model, which assumes a large number of multipath components. To derive the scattering model at first a vertically polarized wave arriving at a point in space with angle αnwith the horizontal plane and an angle βnin elevation must be considered. The radiated electric field is: ER[t]=Ae−jβaβRaRejωct where aRis the unit vector along R being the distance to the observation point, β the wave number and aβthe unit vector along the direction of wave propagation. Expanding these relationships: βaβ=β(cos[αn] cos[βn]ax+sin[αn] cos[βn]ay+z0sin[βn]az) RaR=x0ax+y0ay+z0az if the transmitter moves with velocity v in the xy-plane in an angle γ with respect to the x axis, in a time interval Δt the new xyz coordinates are: x=x0+vΔtcos[γ] y=y0+vΔtsin[γ] z=z0 the radiated electric field at the observation point is now: En⁡[t]=An⁢e[ωc⁢t-2⁢πλ⁡[x0⁢cos⁡[αn]⁢cos⁢[βn]+y0⁢sin⁡[αn]⁢cos⁡[βn]+z0⁢sin⁡[βn]+v⁢⁢Δ⁢⁢t⁢⁢cos⁢[αn-γ]⁢cos⁡[βn]]+Φn] where the term (2π/λ)vΔt cos [αn−δ] cos [βn] constitutes a time-varying component, Anis the amplitude of the n-th ray, Enis the radiated field of the n-th ray at the observation point. The derivative of this term with respect to time forms an angular frequency offset: ωn=2⁢π⁢⁢fn=2⁢πλ⁢v⁢⁢Δ⁢⁢t⁢⁢cos⁡[αn-δ]⁢⁢cos⁢[βn] which is the Doppler shift of the n-th ray component. This channel model constitutes a deterministic model. Information about the position of the UAV and ground or receiving station as well as site characteristics must be known in order to determine the characteristics of the wireless channel. The parameters marked in the frequency offset equation that refer to the position of the transmitter require the availability of information about the position and velocity of the UAV at every point. Thus, as explained above, the boundary conditions related to the unmanned aerial vehicle may exemplarily comprise a shape and a material of the unmanned aerial vehicle, as well as the installation position and orientation of at least one antenna on the unmanned aerial vehicle that is associated with the communication link. In a further advantageous embodiment, the step of adjusting the position of at least one waypoint to form an adjusted trajectory comprises a Pareto optimization, a particle swarm optimization or an optimization based on evolutionary algorithms. The variable to optimize is the overall connection quality through the trajectory. The optimization algorithm may tend to go towards the trajectory with the highest received gain. With this optimization goal, zones with unfavorable channel conditions are avoided. One of the possible algorithms is a Pareto optimization algorithm, which is also known as a multi-objective optimization, which involves multiple objective functions. It may be realized in the form of the so-called goal-attainment algorithm. It may be used if several objective functions, such as the trajectory length and the risk of signal loss, are considered at the same time. In those cases, it is difficult to combine those objectives in a single one since the relative importance of each objective cannot be determined a-priori. Thus, the objectives are combined in different manners performing several uni-objective optimizations. Each one of these optimizations provides a possible solution, which is referred to as a Pareto optimal solution, and all these solutions conform the so-called Pareto front. Once the Pareto front is obtained, a proper assessment of the gain in one objective when relaxing the other can be made, and the most convenient point of the Pareto front can be selected. The goal-attainment algorithm can be used to determine the Pareto front, and another algorithm is needed to select the most convenient solution of the Pareto front, in view of the full set of solutions of that the front finally offers. The further optimization, i.e. the particle swarm optimization, is based on the study of species like bees, birds or a flock of other animals. It represents a stylized flock of animals, such as bees, who explore their complete environment in order to find the best resources, at the same time the other bees will know where a bee has already been. These algorithms are extremely flexible, can be combined with other algorithms and require a low knowledge of the surroundings. Of course, further algorithms may be possible. It is preferred that the step of adjusting the position of at least one waypoint to form an adjusted trajectory comprises applying at least one geometry constraint in the adjusted trajectory. Thus, not only an iterative algorithm is responsible for the final trajectory of the unmanned aerial vehicle, but also some geometry constraints. These may limit the extension or orientation of the trajectory based on predefined restrictions. These may inter alia include zones, into which the unmanned aerial vehicle must not fly. It is advantageous if the at least one geometry constraint is selected from a group of geometry constraints, the group consisting of maintaining a certain altitude above the terrain, providing a minimum distance to buildings on the ground for collision avoidance, restricting the adjusted trajectory to given map limits, avoiding flight prohibited zones, and maintaining a safety distance to surrounding aircraft. Furthermore, it may be advantageous if defining at least one initial waypoint for creating the initial trajectory comprises defining a set of initial waypoints for a desired flight mission. Thus, the initial trajectory, from which an optimized trajectory is created, is not necessarily a straight path between a starting point and a desired target. It may also be a curved line, that may belong to a certain surveillance mission, wherein the predefined trajectory may be fine-tuned under taking into account the communication link quality, such that e.g. the bank angles or other manoeuvres are adjusted to maintain the desired communication link quality. It is advantageous if the simulation is continuously and repeatedly conducted during the flight of the unmanned aerial vehicle. The quality of the communication link may be considered very important since in a case of an emergency or an undesired condition of the unmanned aerial vehicle, backup or emergency procedures need to be established. One of them may include pass the control to a remote pilot that will guide or monitor the vehicle. In such a case a flaw in the communication link is to be prevented. Since boundary conditions may change during flight, it is particularly advantageous to repeatedly conduct the simulation and, consequently, the optimization of the communication link. It may be preferred that the simulation is conducted inside the unmanned aerial vehicle. This may particularly focus on the flight control unit or a superordinate computer unit, such as a flight management unit, which is able to provide high-level information to the flight control unit, such as the trajectory, which is to be followed by the unmanned aerial vehicle through lower-level control operations of the flight control unit. However, by conducting the simulation on board the unmanned aerial vehicle it is less dependent on an exterior system. This may be beneficial since the unmanned aerial vehicle may always be able to assume a trajectory which leads to a good quality of the communication link. The invention further relates to an unmanned aerial vehicle, comprising a computer unit, wherein the computer unit is capable of conducting the above identified method. In an exemplary embodiment, the computer unit is a flight control unit.

11330792

FIELD OF THE INVENTION This disclosure relates generally to mats used in conjunction with cat litter boxes, and more specifically relates to a mat tile configured to redundantly interlock with one or more other such mat tiles to form a mat assembly customizable for a particular cat litter box arrangement, for use in collecting cat litter granules dropped and/or dislodged from a cat paw when exiting from the cat litter box. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Over sixty percent of American households have a pet, and by far the most popular household pets are dogs and cats. For many people, a cat is preferred, as the cat is easily trained to use a litter box, and does not have to be taken outdoors and walked multiple times each day to eliminate waste. However, the litter on which the cats deposit urine and feces is typically a granulated, moisture-absorbent material. Most cats walk around in the litter box before making use of it, and invariably have granules of the cat litter attached to its four paws when it finally exits the litter box. As the cat's paws initially make contact with the floor, the granules typically are dislodged within the first couple steps, leaving behind the granules and a mess on the floor surrounding the litter box. For that reason, a number of inventions had been devised that are conceived to collect the granules of cat litter during or after the cat steps out from the litter box. See e.g., U.S. Pat. No. 5,220,886 to Hyde; U.S. Pat. No. 5,797,352 to Ebert; U.S. Pat. No. 6,050,223 to Harris; U.S. Pat. No. 6,109,211 to Tomlinson; U.S. Pat. No. 6,298,808 to Crafton; U.S. Pat. No. 6,302,060 to Schumaier; U.S. Pat. No. 6,357,388 to Holtrop; U.S. Pat. No. 6,386,143 to Link: U.S. Pat. No. 6,684,816 to Lippincott; U.S. Pat. No. 6,983,720 to Lakela; U.S. Pat. No. 7,392,765 to Lingmann; and U.S. Pat. No. 8,033,249 to Cook; and U.S. Patent Application Publication Nos.: 2004/0200425 (Paquette); 2010/0307422 (Huck); 2012/0227672 (Diskin); and U.S. Design Patent Nos.: D518,248 to Northrop; D523,192 to Northrop; D609,411 to Crout; and D612,555 to Kim. One problem with those inventions is that they are not customizable according to the type of cat litter box utilized (i.e., a deep open “box” as with U.S. Pat. No. 2,971,493 to Robb, permitting egress in each of four directions from the four sides of the box; a covered/hooded box with one opening as with U.S. Pat. No. 5,027,748 to Wolak, permitting egress through the one door/entryway, etc.). Moreover, those inventions are not customizable according to the particular placement of the litter box in the room being utilized (i.e., in the corner of a small room such as a laundry room, permitting egress by the cat in two different directions for the open type box; or up against one wall in the middle of a room such as a game room, permitting egress by the cat in three different directions; or in the middle of an open floor space away from any walls such as a basement, permitting egress by the cat in any one of four different directions). The disclosure herein is for a particular cat litter floor mat tile configured to redundantly interlock with one or more other such cat litter mat tiles to form a mat assembly customizable for a particular cat litter box type and floor placement. Although interlocking tiles are known for non-analogous uses, such a flooring (see e.g., U.S. Pat. No. 8,925,264 to Thrush), they are complex, and require an excessive amount of dexterity, strength, and manipulation on the part of the pet owner, many of which are elderly people, in order assemble the tiles and disassemble the tiles when needed for cleaning of the cat litter granules therefrom. The herein disclosed interlockable mat tile includes a new and improved interlocking structure on each of its four edges that quickly and easily permits coupling of multiple tiles together to form any desired shape, which shape may accommodate placement on one side of the cat litter box (e.g., a linear shape), on two sides (e.g., an “L” shaped), on three sides (e.g., a “U” shaped), or even four sides of the cat litter box (e.g., an open square shape). It is noted that the citing within this disclosure of any patents, published patent applications, and non-patent literature is not an admission as to any of those references constituting prior art with respect to the herein disclosed and claimed apparatus. OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the invention to provide a tile usable as a mat to be positioned adjacent to a cat litter box to collect granules of cat litter dislodged from the cat's paws after the cat steps out of the litter box. It is another object of the invention to provide a tile that may interlock with other such tiles to form a cat litter box mat assembly that is customizable for the particular type of cat litter box utilized, and the particular positioning of the litter box within the room utilized for that purpose. It is a further object of the invention to provide a tile that may interlock with other such tiles to form a mat assembly for use with a cat litter box, where the mat assembly is customizable to form various different shapes, such as a linear shape, an “L” shape, a “U” shape, etc. It is another object of the invention to provide a tile that may interlock with other such tiles to form a mat assembly, and which may have interlocking structure that interlocks in three orthogonal directions. It is also an object of the invention to provide a tile that may quickly and easily interlock with other such tiles to form a mat assembly, and may be quickly and easily disassembled, using a minimum amount of strength and dexterity. It is another object of the invention to provide a tile that may quickly interlock with other such tiles to form a mat assembly for a cat litter box, which tiles may be easily interconnected by elderly pet owners. Further objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description and claims, and from the accompanying drawings. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 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. The mat tile disclosed herein is configured to redundantly interlock with one or more other such mat tiles to form a mat assembly customizable for a particular cat litter box arrangement, for use in collecting cat litter grains dropped and/or dislodged from a cat paw when exiting from a cat litter box in one or more different directions according to the particular cat litter box arrangement. The mat tile may include a base formed into a rectangular shape (e.g., a square shape), with a top surface and bottom surface that extend from a first side of the base to a second side, and from a third side of the base to a fourth side, with the first side being substantially parallel to the second side, and the third side being substantially parallel to the fourth side and substantially perpendicular to the first side. A plurality of prongs may protrude substantially perpendicularly away from the top surface of the base to form a grid pattern of the prongs. A respective peripheral wall may protrude substantially perpendicularly away from the base along each of the first, second, third, and fourth sides of the base. The mat tile may also include a primary male interlocking edge structure on each of the first and third sides of the base, and a primary female interlocking edge structure on each of the second and fourth sides of the base, each configured such that the primary male interlocking edge structure interlocks with the primary female interlocking edge structure of a second the tile to inhibit relative movement therebetween in a first direction. The mat tile may also include a secondary male interlocking edge structure on each of the first and third sides of the base, and a secondary female interlocking edge structure on each of the second and fourth sides of the base, each configured such that the secondary male interlocking edge structure interlocks with the secondary female interlocking edge Structure of the second the tile to inhibit relative movement therebetween in a second direction. The mat tile may also include a tertiary female interlocking edge structure on each of the first and third sides of the base, and a tertiary male interlocking edge structure on each of the second and fourth sides of the base, each configured such that the tertiary male interlocking edge structure interlocks with the tertiary female interlocking edge structure of the second the tile to inhibit relative movement therebetween in a third direction. The first direction, the second direction, and the third direction are mutually perpendicular to each other, to secure the tiles to each other with respect to inhibiting movement in each direction. Two of the cat litter mat tiles may be joined to form an interlocked linear-shaped pair of tiles, such that either the primary male interlocking edge structure on the first side of the first tile is interlocked with the primary female interlocking edge structure on the second side of the second tile; or the primary male interlocking edge structure on the third side of the first tile interlocked with the primary female interlocking edge structure on the fourth side of the second tile. Three or more of the cat litter mat tiles may be joined to form an interlocked L-shaped tile assembly, such that the primary male interlocking edge structure on the first side of the first tile is interlocked with the primary female interlocking edge structure on the second side of the second tile; and the primary male interlocking edge structure on the third side of the first tile is interlocked with the primary female interlocking edge structure on the fourth side of a third tile. Four of the cat litter mat tiles may be joined to form an interlocked square-shaped tile assembly, such that the primary male interlocking edge structure on the first side of the first tile is interlocked with the primary female interlocking edge structure on the second side of the second tile; the primary male interlocking edge structure on the third side of the first tile is interlocked with the primary female interlocking edge structure on the fourth side of a third tile; and the primary male interlocking edge structure on the first side of the third tile is interlocked with the primary female interlocking edge structure on the second side of a fourth tile, and the primary female interlocking edge structure on the fourth side of the fourth tile is interlocked with the primary male interlocking edge structure on the first side of the second tile. Five or more of the cat litter mat tiles may be joined to form an interlocked U-shaped tile assembly, such that the primary male interlocking edge structure on the first side of the first tile is interlocked with the primary female interlocking edge structure on the second side of the second tile; the primary male interlocking edge structure on the third side of the first tile is interlocked with the primary female interlocking edge structure on the fourth side of a third tile; the primary male interlocking edge structure on the third side of the third tile is interlocked with the primary female interlocking edge structure on the fourth side of a fourth tile, and the primary male interlocking edge structure on the first side of the fourth tile is interlocked with the primary female interlocking edge structure on the second side of a fifth tile.

11325404

The present application is based on, and claims priority from JP Application Serial Number 2019-228982, filed Dec. 19, 2019, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference herein in its entirety. BACKGROUND 1. Technical Field The present disclosure relates to a recording device. 2. Related Art In the related art, a recording apparatus is known, in which a roll unit configured to hold a recording medium in a rolled form is detachably provided to an apparatus main body, as described in JP 2005-169745 A. Unfortunately, in the recording apparatus described above, when the roll unit is removed from the apparatus main body, the roll unit is reduced in size by a volume of the roll unit, however, there is an issue in that space-saving of an installation space of the whole apparatus including the roll unit has not been achieved because a space for storing the roll unit removed from the apparatus main body is required separately. SUMMARY The recording apparatus is a recording apparatus configured to support a roll body on which a medium is wound in a rolled form, and to perform recording on the medium fed out from the roll body, the recording apparatus including a housing, and a roll unit configured to support the roll body, in which the roll unit is configured to transition to a first mode in which the roll unit is stored inside the housing in a state of not supporting the roll body, and to a second mode in which the roll unit is drawn out from inside the housing to outside the housing where the roll unit is configured to support the roll body.

11447278

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS This application is a National Phase filing under 35 U.S.C. § 371 of PCT/EP2019/063344 filed on 23 May 2019; which application in turn claims priority to Application No. 18 54312 filed in France on 23 May 2018. The entire contents of each application are hereby incorporated by reference. The present invention relates to a device for preparing a cosmetic composition comprising: a structure defining a housing receiving at least one capsule, the or at least one of the capsules containing at least one constituent of the cosmetic composition, an outlet nozzle opening at one end of the housing, suitable for being fluidically connected to a receptacle or to a preform intended to form a receptacle, a piston movable in translation in relation to the structure in the housing, suitable for perforating the or each capsule and conveying contents of each capsule to the outlet nozzle. The invention also relates to a process for preparing such a cosmetic composition. The cosmetic composition prepared by means of the device particularly comprises a cosmetic body surface care, coloring or makeup product. More generally, a cosmetic composition comprises one or a plurality of cosmetic products, as defined in EC Regulation No. 1223/2009 of the European Parliament and the Council of Nov. 30, 2009, relating to cosmetic products. The cosmetic compositions are generally commercially available prepared in advance, and packaged in customized individual containers well suited to store distribution. This type of packaging enables a satisfactory shelf-life and easy handling of the cosmetic composition. Furthermore, it provides the consumer with a guarantee that the packaging contents match the claimed composition, and that they are in compliance with applicable standards. However, this type of product is not ideal for all clients. Indeed, it does not allow customization of the quantity or precise contents of the cosmetic composition beyond predetermined options. Furthermore, it is not as well-suited to small-scale distribution, for example for retail outlets, that do not always use the section layouts common in stores and superstores. Devices for filling a container with a cosmetic product extracted from a capsule are known in the prior art, for example in the document FR 3007014. However, these devices do not allow customization of the composition. Furthermore, they do not guarantee that the packaged composition has not been exposed to external contaminants or has not received an additional compound not included in the desired composition. These situations may result in risks of a reduction in product quality, or even health risks. There is thus a need for a means of preparing and dispensing cosmetics enabling greater customization and being more suitable for retail outlets, while retaining the option of guaranteeing the type and quality of the compositions dispensed. One aim of the invention is thus that of providing a method for dispensing cosmetics prepared in-situ in a customized manner, and complying with all preexisting quality and traceability requirements. To this effect, the invention relates to a device of the type cited above, characterized in that the device further comprises a system for checking the capsule(s) in the housing, suitable for determining whether the capsule(s) arranged in the housing are suitable for contributing to the preparation of the cosmetic composition. Such a device makes it possible to ensure, prior to the preparation of the cosmetic composition, the suitability of the capsules for use, so as to reduce the risk of errors. According to particular embodiments, the device according to the invention has one or several of the following characteristics, taken independently or in any technically feasible combination: the checking system is suitable for determining whether the capsules arranged in the housing match a cosmetic composition formula. This feature further makes it possible to ensure that the specific recipe of the cosmetic composition is adhered to and thus makes it possible to ensure the conformity of the composition.the checking system is suitable for measuring a signature of each of the capsules arranged in the housing by spectroscopy, particularly in the infrared, visible and/or ultraviolet ranges. This feature makes it possible to check the capsules rapidly and contactlessly, without damaging the capsules. the checking system is suitable for determining whether each capsule is suitable for use for preparing the cosmetic composition. the checking system is suitable for measuring the presence of a non-degraded marker on or in an side wall of each of the capsules. the marker is arranged on the side wall of each capsule before use, the marker being suitable for being degraded after a predetermined time and/or above a predetermined temperature. These features make it possible to ensure that the capsule contents are under satisfactory conditions of use and that the capsules are not reused. the checking system is suitable for blocking the movement of the piston if the capsule(s) are not suitable for contributing to the preparation of the cosmetic composition. This feature makes it possible to ensure that preparation does not take place if the result of the check is negative. the checking system comprises a plurality of cells aligned parallel with the longitudinal axis and arranged facing the capsule(s), each cell comprising at least one light-emitting diode and at least one optical sensor. This feature makes it possible to check each of the capsules arranged in the housing independently. The invention also relates to a process for preparing a cosmetic composition, comprising the following steps: provision of a device as defined above; positioning of the capsule(s) in the housing; positioning of a receptacle or a preform, connected to the outlet nozzle; determination by the checking system of the suitability of the capsule(s) for contributing to the preparation of the cosmetic composition; movement of the piston in the housing along the longitudinal axis toward the end, perforation of the or each capsule on either side of the capsule (16) and conveyance of the contents of each capsule toward the end; and extrusion of the contents of each capsule into the receptacle or the preform, through the outlet nozzle, and obtaining the cosmetic composition. According to one particular embodiment, the process according to the invention has the following feature: the step of determining the property of the capsules comprises the activation of the movement of the piston if the capsules are determined to be suitable for contributing to the preparation of the cosmetic composition. Further features and advantages of the invention will emerge after reading the following description given solely as an example with reference to the appended drawings in which:

11536441

RELATED APPLICATIONS This application claims priority from German Patent Application DE 10 2021 112 800.5 filed on May 18, 2021 which is incorporated in its entirety by this reference. FIELD OF THE INVENTION The invention relates to a cooking appliance light, in particular an oven light. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Cooking appliance lights are configured to illuminate a cooking cavity of cooking appliances in order to observe a cooking material during a cooking process and to assess a cooking condition. Cooking appliances are subjected to cooking vapors or waste steam spreading in the cooking cavity while preparing foods. Furthermore, in particular when dealing with ovens or steam cookers high temperatures prevail in the cooking cavities. In so called pyrolysis ovens these temperatures can be up to 450 degrees C. Ovens in commercial kitchens can reach cooking temperature of 500 degrees C. Though LED illuminants are used more and more in ovens traditional filament bulbs are still being widely used. This is partially due to established production techniques. Cooking appliance lights of this type are proven in production and in applications and are comparatively economical. On the other hand, there are technical reasons that favor the use of traditional illuminants. Cooking cavity temperatures are very significant in this respect in that they reduce a service life of illuminants that are sensitive to high temperatures. Also other problems of traditional cooking appliance lights like e.g. baking, caking and sticking the light cover glass at the socket were solved. Thus, e.g. EP 1 811 227 A1 shows a generic cooking appliance light. In this cooking appliance light, the socket is fixed in an assembly recess of the cooking cavity wall and includes a filament with the widely used G9 socket. The light glass is fixed at the socket by a rotating insertion movement similar to a bayonet closure, wherein an essentially radially acting spring elastic locking bar assures a reliably disengagable fixing of the light glass at the socket. Thus, the neck of the light glass includes different slanted surfaces within the horizontal groove that are formed into the glass and which partially assure a linear or punctiform contact of the radially acting locking bar in order to prevent an adhesion between locking bar and light glass caused by baking and caking. The locking bar configured as spring elastic tongue has a particular configuration and assures an axial clearance in conjunction with the horizontal groove at room temperature. This prevents a baking induced adhesion of the light glass at the socket flange. This advantageous cooking appliance light is comparatively complex and difficult to produce due to the slanted surfaces to be precisely formed in the neck of the light and the particular configuration of the radially acting locking bars. BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Thus, it is an object of the invention to provide a cooking appliance light or oven light that is protected against an adhesion of the light glass through baking and that has a different configuration that is easier to produce. The object is achieved by a cooking appliance light including a light glass arranged at a top side of the cooking appliance light; a socket arranged at a bottom side of the cooking appliance light, wherein a geometric center axis of the cooking appliance light runs vertically through the socket; a neck arranged at a bottom side of the light glass, the neck including at least one groove arrangement including an axially extending vertical groove and an adjoining circumferentially extending horizontal groove wherein the axially extending vertical groove and the circumferentially extending horizontal groove are radially open and engageable by a locking bar, wherein the axially extending vertical groove includes an axially oriented locking bar entry opening, wherein the circumferentially extending horizontal groove includes an axially upward oriented locking bar support surface including a safety protrusion and a movement stop at an end that is distal from the axially extending vertical groove; an attachment bracket forming the locking bar that is fixed at the socket and that radially engages the groove arrangement after performing an insertion and rotation movement so that the light glass is attached at the socket; and a contact flange that is part of the socket and in contact with the light glass, wherein the attachment bracket includes a spring arrangement that supports the locking bar; wherein the locking bar includes an axially downward oriented locking bar surface that contacts the axially upward oriented locking bar support surface, wherein the spring arrangement imparts an axially downward force upon the light glass that retains the light glass at the contact flange. The essential advantage of the oven light according to the invention is found in the configuration of locking bars that supports the light glass at the socket. The light glass engages the horizontal groove radially, however axially oriented surfaces of the horizontal groove and of the locking bar cooperate so that forming radially oriented slanted surfaces at a neck of the light glass can be omitted. The spring elastic deformation in the axial direction caused by the cooperation of locking bar and spring element and the axially oriented spring forces caused by fixing the light glass support the light glass reliably at the contact flange at the socket and assure a simple disengagement of the light glass when the lamp retained in the socket has to be replaced. In a particularly advantageous embodiment, the locking bar forms a support cam that protrudes axially relative to the locking bar support surface. Thus, only the support cam of the locking bar interacts with the locking bar support surface of the horizontal groove so that an essentially punctiform contact surface is provided between the locking bar and the locking bar support surface. This reduces the risk of baking and seizing the locking bar at the locking bar support surface of the horizontal groove. Thus, the support cam can be produced e.g; as an embossing in the locking bar formed from a piece of sheet metal. It is furthermore advantageously provided that the safety protrusion is a step that rises upward in an axial direction, and that the bar is provided with slanted surfaces at horizontally oriented ends, wherein the slanted surfaces are oriented towards the locking bar support surface and sloped downward towards the locking bar support surface. In this embodiment, a lift over movement over the safety protrusion is imparted upon the locking bar during the inserting twist movement in order to fix the light glass in the socket. This lift over movement occurs during the rotation of the light glass. Thus, an uncontrolled backward rotation can be prevented by the safety protrusion. The slanted surfaces formed by the locking bar facilitate the lift over movement since the slanted surfaces slide down on the safety protrusion. Furthermore, a spring arm forms part of the attachment element and supports the locking bar at its first end and is attached with its second end at a leaf spring and the leaf spring deflects axially while building up a spring tension and facilitates an axial displacement of the locking bar arranged at the spring arm. The leaf spring facilitates an additional axial displacement of the locking bar and facilitates compensating for fabrication tolerances that extend the socket body or the neck of the light glass in the axial direction. The axial movability of the locking bar augmented by the leaf spring facilitates placing a gasket, friction reducing material or similar between the contact flange of the socket and the light glass without having to adapt the cooking appliance light with respect to its design. Thus, the oven light can be used as desired by a manufacturer without requiring adaptation. Thus, it is also possible to provide a gasket between the light glass and the contact flange or use the same cooking appliance light without a seal. Furthermore, the socket forms an annular wall protruding from a horizontally oriented socket base wherein the horizontal wall defines a receiving cavity and includes at least one receiving groove for a spring arm of the attachment element wherein the spring arm is inserted into the receiving groove with a radial clearance. The facilitated radial clearance of the spring arm is an additional factor to facilitate axial clearance in the design. When the axial displacement of the leaf spring is exhausted, radial expansion of the spring arms facilitates easy sliding of the horizontally deflected locking bars and thus a slanting of the locking bars. This provides another option to gain a small amount of axial clearance in the connection between socket and light glass. An advantageous embodiment of the invention is characterized in that the leaf spring, the spring arm and the locking bar form a spring arrangement made from a spring elastic sheet metal including a radially oriented and axially spring elastic and deflecting leaf spring, a radially oriented and axially spring elastic and deflecting locking bar, and optionally an axially oriented and radially deflecting spring arm. Furthermore, the attachment element is fixed at the socket by the leaf spring, in particular when the leaf spring is part of a ring that is arranged within the receiving cavity and fixed at the annular wall or the socket base.

11295470

FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention, in at least some embodiments, relates to systems and methods for low-frequency and high-frequency SLAM (Simultaneous Localization And Mapping), and in particular, such systems and methods that can accommodate a variable environment. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The term SLAM refers to “Simultaneous Localization And Mapping”, and was initially applied to problems of independent movement of a mobile robot (device). In some such systems, the location of the mobile device (e.g., robot) is necessary—that is, its location on a map of an environment, as is a map the environment, so that the mobile device can determine its relative location within that environment. In some known systems, however, these tasks cannot be performed simultaneously, which results in substantial delays when processing mobile device location information. Current SLAM systems often have difficulty in handling environments which include many moving or changing visual features or visual features occluded by obstacles or obstructions. Some systems handle this by discarding or ignoring the variable or changing visual features. Some systems simply include those features in the mapping and localization process through sheer computing power or through complex algorithms for dealing with them appropriately. See, e.g., Yu, C., et al., DS-SLAM: A Semantic Visual SLAM Towards Dynamic Environments, Proceedings of the IEEE/RSJ International Conference on Intelligent Robots and Systems (IROS), October 2018; pp. 1168-1174. Apple's ARKit and Google's ARCore segment the consumer market and cannot guarantee a similar experience to all customers:Limited to high-end devices, limiting the access to mass consumer market.Different behavior, strength and weaknesses of the algorithms, providing a non-homogenous experience.No guarantee about continuity of service and supported devices by Apple and Google.Customers and stores are less and less prone to share their data to Google and Apple. In many real-world environments, practical difficulties prevent current monocular SLAM technologies from providing accurate localization information and generating accurate mapping changes. For example, in a business or other enclosed space in the real-world (e.g., supermarkets and the like), challenges include:Many sometimes-moving and sometimes-stationary people in the aisles or in front of aisles, hiding visual features to varying degrees any SLAM system would expect to see.Customers and employees constantly or randomly moving items, hence changing the visuals taken to create the map. Additionally, current SLAM technologies such as ARKit and ARCore lack the stability needed in real-world environments. Current systems fail to take into account the above challenges and provide required stability. BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention overcomes the drawbacks of the background art by providing systems, apparatuses, and/or methods for providing SLAM in real-world, variable environments. Exemplary embodiments of the present invention that are shown in the drawings are summarized below. These and other embodiments are more fully described in the Detailed Description section. It is to be understood, however, that there is no intention to limit the invention to the forms described in this Summary of the Invention or in the Detailed Description. One skilled in the art can recognize that there are numerous modifications, equivalents and alternative constructions that fall within the spirit and scope of the invention as expressed in the claims. As discussed above, current systems lack necessary stability as shown by an experiment that involved placing different phones on a toy train on a set track to ensure the same path for each phone and then recording each session. The setup is illustrated inFIGS. 1A-1C. FIG. 1Ashows a photo of an exemplary setup for the experiment.FIG. 1Billustrates the session trace for the SLAM system used in embodiments of the present invention to account for vibration and as described in Int'l Patent Appl. Serial No. PCT/US18/14508, filed on filed on Jan. 19, 2018 with the US receiving office, and which is incorporated in its entirety as if set forth entirely herein.FIGS. 1C and 1Dillustrate the session traces for ARCore from Google and ARKit from Apple, respectively. The results show that ARKit probably relies too much on the very expensive IMUs that are embedded in the latest iPhones, and cannot properly handle the vibrations level a toy train can deliver. Very similar results would occur on a shopping trolley. Embodiments of the instant invention are optimized to run on low-end devices to provide a similar experience to users regardless of the device they use. Embodiments are characterized by resilience to vibrations or jitter. For example, a device can be fixed on a rolling object with a variable number of wheels, such as a cart or can be handheld. Thus, preferred embodiments detect and account for jitter or aberrations in the movements of the wheeled object or the hand. Additionally, depending on the context of the device or the user, intentional movements must be accounted for as well. For instance, a device in a supermarket context will be moved intentionally from side to side in an aisle, moving from one shelf to an opposite facing other shelf. In general, a SLAM device in the possession of a layperson interested in their own activities rather than the function of the SLAM device will behave unpredictably and such behavior should be accounted for. Environments in which a layperson would use a SLAM device are also liable to be highly dynamic. In some contexts, there are a lesser and more dynamic areas. In particular, in commercial contexts such as stores there are lesser dynamic (i.e., low-frequency) and highly dynamic (i.e., high-frequency) areas, such as floor plans and shelf contents. Those of skill in the art can appreciate that other environments can be bifurcated into low- and high-frequency environments. Implementation of the method and system of the present invention involves performing or completing certain selected tasks or steps manually, automatically, or a combination thereof. Moreover, according to actual instrumentation and equipment of preferred embodiments of the method and system of the present invention, several selected steps could be implemented by hardware or by software on any operating system of any firmware or a combination thereof. For example, as hardware, selected steps of the invention could be implemented as a chip or a circuit. As software, selected steps of the invention could be implemented as a plurality of software instructions being executed by a computer using any suitable operating system. In any case, selected steps of the method and system of the invention could be described as being performed by a data processor, such as a computing platform for executing a plurality of instructions. 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. An algorithm as described herein may refer to any series of functions, steps, one or more methods or one or more processes, for example for performing data analysis. 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. 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.”

11462850

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION This application is based upon and claims the benefit of priority from the prior Japanese Patent Application No. 2018-115116, filed on Jun. 18, 2018, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. BACKGROUND 1. Technical Field The present invention relates to an oil temperature sensor. 2. Related Art An oil temperature sensor including a housing assembly formed by integrating a terminal to which a thermistor is connected with a housing has been known. This kind of oil temperature sensor has been proposed in JP H05-036330 Y. In JP H05-036330 Y, a conductor of a cable is electrically connected by soldering to a terminal exposed from the housing. Then, a groove having a bent portion is formed on a surface of the housing, and the cable to be soldered to the terminal is fitted in the groove. With this structure, if an external force such as a tensile force is applied to the cable, the force is received by the bent portion and is prevented from being applied to the soldered portion. SUMMARY In the related art technique, however, inserting the cable into the groove has not been easy, because the cable is fitted in the groove having the bent portion. In soldering the cable to the terminal, the conductor portion exposed from the sheath of the cable is inserted into the hole formed in the terminal. Thus, it takes time and effort to connect the cable to the terminal. As described above, the related art technique cannot hold the cable in the housing and connect the cable to the terminal portion in an efficient manner. It is an object of the present invention to provide an oil temperature sensor capable of holding a cable in a housing and connecting the cable to a terminal portion more efficiently. According to an embodiment, there is provided an oil temperature sensor, including: a housing assembly in which a lead frame on which a thermistor for detecting a temperature of oil is mounted is integrated with a housing in a manner that a tip-side terminal portion is exposed outward, wherein the housing includes a groove formed linearly and into which a cable-attached terminal is inserted, the cable-attached terminal including a cable and a joint terminal portion, the joint terminal portion being connected electrically to a conductor exposed from a sheath of the cable and being connected electrically to the terminal portion, the groove is formed to be opened on both sides in an extending direction of the groove and opened in one direction crossing the extending direction, the joint terminal portion and the sheath of the cable are partially inserted into the groove, and the joint terminal portion includes a cable connecting portion, a portion to be inserted, and a connecting terminal portion, the cable connecting portion being connected to the cable and inserted into the groove, the portion to be inserted being provided continuously from the cable connecting portion and inserted into the groove, and the connecting terminal portion being provided continuously from the portion to be inserted, exposed outward from the housing, and connected electrically to the terminal portion. The groove may include a press-fit rib formed protruding inside the groove at a portion of the groove into which the sheath is inserted. The groove may include a positioning recess recessed in a direction crossing the extending direction of the groove, and the portion to be inserted includes a positioning projection arranged in the positioning recess with the cable-attached terminal being inserted into the groove. The positioning projection may be provided with a rising piece rising up toward the opening in the one direction. The connecting terminal portion may include, on the housing side, a position restricting portion that abuts on the housing to restrict movement of the cable-attached terminal in the extending direction of the groove with the cable-attached terminal being inserted into the groove. The position restricting portion may be provided with a rising piece rising up toward the opening in the one direction. With the cable-attached terminal being inserted into the groove, the terminal portion and the connecting terminal portion may be in contact with each other, and the terminal portion and the connecting terminal portion may be mechanically connected. At least one terminal portion of the terminal portion and the connecting terminal portion may be bent at a portion away from the housing toward the other terminal portion. According to the present embodiment, it is possible to provide an oil temperature sensor capable of holding the cable in the housing and connecting the cable to the terminal portion more efficiently.

11381301

FIELD OF TECHNOLOGY Certain embodiments of the disclosure related to a wireless telecommunication system. More specifically, certain embodiments of the disclosure relate to an integrated repeater system and method to operate the integrated repeater system. BACKGROUND Next generation of wireless telecommunication technologies (e.g. 5G or upcoming 6G) are being developed to deliver much faster data rate as compared to data rate provided by long term evolution (LTE or 4G) technology. Emergence of such next generation of wireless telecommunication technologies, for example, in cm-wave and mm-wave bands, is introducing new opportunities as well as new technical challenges. For example, there is a high transmission loss (also called transmittance loss or attenuation) through signal-obstructing physical objects at high radio frequencies. The high radio frequencies, such as the cm-wave and mm-wave radio signals, demonstrate high transmission losses when propagating through typical signal-obstructing physical objects, such as low emissivity (low-e) glass, tinted glass, other glasses or glass-like objects, when compared to sub-5 GHz radio signals, which is not desirable. In an example, it is observed that low-e glass windows have large insertion loss at mm-wave frequencies, for example, about around 30-40 decibels (dB). This causes insufficient 5G signal strength within buildings having such signal-obstructing physical objects. Current studies indicate that at 28 GHz, transmission loss (or attenuation) through coated glass windows, may be in a range of 25 to 60 dB. Further, it is observed that even clear non-tinted glass has transmission loss of about 4 dB. Moreover, it is further observed that at 28 GHz, indoor drywall attenuation may be about 7 dB. Thus, it can be estimated that by adding up the free space loss and losses through different materials, even receiving a signal from an outdoor cell site to a user at home or in a cluttered office environment is a huge technical challenge. Furthermore, conventional repeater systems and their antennas are normally designed to operate in open air. It is observed that when they are placed near the glass structures, their performance is further degraded, and a lower output power may be expected from such conventional repeater systems, which is not desirable. Further limitations and disadvantages of conventional and traditional approaches will become apparent to one of skill in the art, through comparison of such systems with some aspects of the present disclosure as set forth in the remainder of the present application with reference to the drawings. BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE An integrated repeater system and method to operate the integrated repeater system for high network performance, substantially as shown in and/or described in connection with at least one of the figures, as set forth more completely in the claims. These and other advantages, aspects and novel features of the present disclosure, as well as details of an illustrated embodiment thereof, will be more fully understood from the following description and drawings.

11353667

FIELD OF THE INVENTION Embodiments of the present invention relate to the field of the optical transceivers in the optical communication systems, more particularly relates to a transmitter optical assembly (TOSA) structure and an active alignment method of the transmitter optical assembly (TOSA) structure facilitating efficient thermal management thereof. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION In the optical communication field, the major function of light delivery module converts electrical signals to light signals, and light signals are converted to a kind of module of electric signals again. In the era of information, the rapidly increasing adoption of cloud computing, artificial intelligence and 5 G mobile applications has resulted in ever-increasing reliance on robust and ultra-high-speed communication and data center infrastructure. The optical fiber communication technologies play a vital role in the rapid advance of such infrastructure. To cope with the increase in data rate and interconnect density, per-lane data rate for optical transceivers increases from 25 Gbps to 100 Gbps and beyond. At the same time, the optical modulation formats migrate from non-return-to-zero (NRZ) to 4-level pulse amplitude modulation (PAM-4) and coherent modulation, while the transmission medium transitions from parallel transmission (PSM) to wavelength division multiplexing (WDM). Under such rapid technology evolution, silicon photonics integrated circuit with its ability to enable ultra-high-speed modulator and high-density integrated optics is proven to be the ideal solution for optical transceiver design. The silicon photonic optical transceiver typically requires a high-power continuous wave (CW) laser diode (LD) as the optical source for modulation. Such CW laser sources can be fabricated onto silicon photonics wafers using hybrid integration techniques. However, it suffers from quality issues due to burn-in yield loss. Another approach is to have a high-power external CW laser co-packaged with the PIC to form a complete transmitter optical sub-assembly (TOSA) as illustrated in Prior-artFIG. 1. In particular, the CW LD is assembled on top of a LD submount which is placed directly on the PIC. Some optical components precisely placed in front of the LD light path are used to focus the beam and steer it to couple into the waveguide on the PIC through a grating coupler (GC). One major disadvantage of the TOSA as depicted in prior artFIG. 1, is the high relative placement accuracy between multiple micro-optical components, waveguide on the PIC and the laser diode. And, the active alignment process is used to precisely place each of the optical components and laser diode to achieve the required coupling efficiency of optical power from the CW laser into the waveguide on the PIC via the grating coupler. Moreover, the performing active alignment on multiple optical components on the PIC is an extremely challenging process leading to very low process yield. Another disadvantage is the management of heat generated from the CW laser diode during operation. And to maximize transmission data rate, each PIC would normally have multiple high-speed optical channels, requiring multiple CW lasers to be co-packaged on top of the small area on the PIC to provide the required optical power and generating a significant amount of heat from these CW laser assemblies. All the generated heat can only be dissipated to the heat sink through a long thermal path via the laser submount, the PIC and the PIC submount. Further, the bonding interfaces between each of the components also add to the thermal resistance leading to heat accumulation near the PIC resulting in elevated laser diode temperature, lower output power due to thermal roll-off and most importantly, short laser lifetime. Thus, to overcome the thermal dissipation problem while allowing active alignment process there is a need to provide a TOSA structure that provides a direct thermal path for each signal source to outer heatsink without passing through the photonic integrated circuit. The present invention relates to a transmitter optical sub-assembly (TOSA) structure having an independent upward heat dissipation path and a method for dissipating heat in an upward direction. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An embodiment of the present disclosure relates to a transmitter optical sub-assembly (TOSA) structure for efficient heat dissipation by dissipating heat in an upward direction. The transmitter optical sub-assembly (TOSA) structure includes an independent signal source, an LDU assembly and an optical bench assembly. In particular, the LDU assembly further includes a laser diode emitting a plurality of optical signals, a cascade LDU holding the laser diode and a lens positioned in front of the laser diode on the cascade LDU. Moreover, the optical bench assembly is assembled on a photonic integrated circuit. And, the optical bench assembly further includes an optical substrate and a plurality of passive optical components. Furthermore, the independent signal source, the laser diode and the cascade LDU of the transmitter optical sub-assembly (TOSA) structure are independent of the plurality of passive optical components on the photonic integrated circuit. In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, the independent signal source is operably configured to actively align into an optical path for optical power coupling with the photonic integrated circuit. In particular, the independent signal source is a light source. In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, the independent signal source has a direct thermal path to an outer heatsink without passing through the photonic integrated circuit. In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, the cascade LDU is a flipped cascade LDU. In particular, the flipped cascade LDU is operably configured for dissipating heat in the upward direction. In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, the flipped cascade LDU is mounted over a U-shape block. In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, the U-shape block is made of a material having a lower thermal conductivity than the cascade LDU. In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, the plurality of passive optical components further comprising one or more isolators and one or more prisms. In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, the lens is a coupling lens. In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, the cascade LDU further includes a front surface and a front recess on front surface, a back surface and a back recess on back surface. In particular, the front surface is configured with a plurality of front metal pads. And, the back recess is configured with a plurality of back metal pads. In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, the plurality of back metal pads is electrically connected to the plurality of front metal pads through a vertical interconnect access electrical connection. In accordance with another embodiment of the present invention, the plurality of back metal pads is electrically connected to the plurality of front metal pads through a sidewall metal edge connection. In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, the front recess of the cascade LDU is configured with an optical platform for active alignment of the lens. In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, the back recess of the cascade LDU is operably configured with a wire bond platform for forming a wire bond connection to power up the laser diode. In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, the optical substrate is a transparent optical substrate. In particular, the transparent optical substrate has a plurality of protrudes. Moreover, the plurality of passive optical components is assembled on the transparent optical substrate. In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, the transmitter optical sub-assembly (TOSA) structure is an integrated transmitter optical sub-assembly (TOSA) structure. In particular, the integrated transmitter optical sub-assembly (TOSA) structure includes an integrated unit. Moreover, the integrated unit has the laser diode and the coupling lens incorporated in a U-shape block and deposited on a flipped cascade LDU. In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, the integrated unit is actively aligned to the photonic integrated circuit through the plurality of passive optical components. Another embodiment of the present invention relates to an active alignment method of a transmitter optical sub-assembly (TOSA) structure for efficient heat dissipation by dissipating heat in an upward direction. The active alignment method further including steps of forming an optical bench assembly on a photonic integrated circuit, forming an LDU assembly, active aligning of the LDU assembly and optical bench assembly with the photonic integrated circuit for a maximum coupling efficiency into the grating coupler, monitoring an optical output power received by the photonic integrated circuit, detecting a maximum power output for fixing the LDU assembly and optical bench assembly on the top of the photonic integrated circuit and forming wire bond with a plurality of back metal pads at a back recess to complete an electrical connection for laser diode. In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, the LDU assembly and optical bench assembly is fixed on the top of the photonic integrated circuit by applying a thermally curable adhesive. In accordance with another embodiment of the present invention, the LDU assembly and optical bench assembly is fixed on the top of the photonic integrated circuit by ultra-violet light (UV) curable adhesive. In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, forming of the optical bench assembly by assembling the optical bench on the photonic integrated circuit to couple light into an optical waveguide and placing the plurality of passive optical components are placed on the optical bench. In particular, the plurality of passive optical components includes one or more isolators and one or more prisms. In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, step of forming of the LDU assembly further includes depositing a laser diode on a cascade LDU by a die attach, placing a lens in front of the laser diode on the cascade LDU, flipping the cascade LDU with bottom-side up forming a flipped cascade LDU and mounting the flipped cascade LDU with bottom-side up over a U-shape block. In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, the step of depositing a laser diode on a cascade LDU by a die attach further includes creating a plurality of front metal pads on a front surface of the cascade LDU, creating a plurality of back metal pads on a back recess of the cascade LDU, electrically connecting the plurality of back metal pads to the plurality of front metal pads through a vertical interconnect access electrical connection or an edge electrical connection. In particular, the front recess of the cascade LDU is configured with an optical platform for active alignment of the lens. Moreover, the back recess of LDU is operably configured with a wire bond platform for forming a wire bond to power up the laser diode. In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, the independent upward heat dissipation path transfers heat to the outer heatsink (185) through the outer heat sink contact method without passing through the photonic integrated circuit. The foregoing objectives of the present invention are attained by employing a transmitter optical sub-assembly (TOSA) structure having an independent upward heat dissipation path for dissipating heat in an upward direction to outer heatsink without passing through the photonic integrated circuit.

11260008

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS The present application is a U.S. National Phase Application under 35 U.S.C. § 371 of International Application No. PCT/EP2017/074021 filed on Sep. 22, 2017, which claims priority to European patent application No. 16192472.5 filed on Oct. 5, 2016, the contents of which are incorporated herein in their entireties. FIELD OF INVENTION The present invention relates to a dilute surfactant composition, for the treatment of hair, comprising mixtures of amino acids, its use to mitigate the effect of chemical assaults, and a method of treating chemically damaged hair using said composition. BACKGROUND AND PRIOR ART Hair is composed mainly of proteins, specifically keratins. Healthy hair has healthy proteins, whilst damaged hair has damaged proteins, depending on the extent and type of damage. Loss of protein and protein substituents, such as amino acids, is characteristic of damaged hair. The denaturation temperature of hair is a reliable indicator of the level of damage and loss of its constituent proteins. The damage to hair protein is reflected in a reduction in the denaturation temperature of the proteins. Once hair is damaged, it is more susceptible to further loss of proteins and therefore to further reduction of hair integrity and to further damage. Hair is subjected to a range of “assaults” during everyday life or as part of a normal hair care regime or consumer habit. These include chemical assaults (for example, bleaching treatments, colouring treatments and use of surfactants). These assaults damage the hair structure and proteins. This damage is manifested in numerous ways, including surface damage, chipped scales, lifted scales, loss of shine, loss of smoothness, hair breakage, split ends, cuticle damage and loss, and difficultly in styling. In addition, damaged hair is more porous, which means that it is weaker, more prone to breakage, frizzy fly-away and more susceptible to further damage. There is a need to mitigate these effects. Treatments are known which address the problem of hair damage due to chemical hair treatments, and which may involve the use of amino acids. EP 2 886 162A (Henkel) discloses a hair treatment agent containing a homopolymer or copolymer (comprising a vegetable oil monomer), a quaternary ammonium compound and an ester oil. It can also contain at least one amino acid. The composition aims to improve physical damage caused by grooming and blow-drying, and particularly to improve split ends or hair breakage. Damage caused by repeated hair treatments, such as oxidative or reductive hair treatments, as well as the too frequent cleansing of the hair, the action of heat during drying and environmental factors and/or mechanical effects, which can hair defraud in their structure, is also referred to. WO 14/202655 (L'Oreal) discloses a composition for treating keratin fibres comprising a combination of an acrylic polymer particles, a silicone block copolymer and at least one amino acid or amino acid derivative. The composition effectively coats the hair and is persistent with respect to shampooing and to the various attacking factors to which the hair may be subjected, especially blow-drying and perspiration, while at the same time showing better tolerance towards fatty substances such as sebum without developing any tacky nature. US 2015/272860 (Henkel) discloses a hair treatment composition including at least one amino acid and/or at least one oligopeptide and/or at least one cationic protein hydrolysate and a sugar structure-containing silicone. The composition aims to reduce the side effects of environmental influences and of oxidative and surfactant hair treatments, preferably during the oxidative and surfactant hair treatments. WO 14/090513 (Henkel) discloses a composition for treating keratin fibres, without causing dryness and split ends, comprising quaternary ammonium compound, odoriferous substance, a zwitterionic or amphoteric surfactant and a silicone containing sugar structure. The compositions can include amino acids. WO 12/031069 (Zotos Int Inc) discloses a treatment composition comprising a mixture of peptides made of any of serine, tyrosine, arginine, threonine, glycine, valine, phenylalanine, cysteine and leucine in the sequences identical to human hair keratin proteins; the composition aims to benefit hair strength, manageability and overall conditioning and can be substantive to hair using natural amino acids. US 2008/058400 (Fujifilm) discloses a skin preparation that comprises at least arginine, aspartic acid, isoleucine, leucine, lysine, threonine, glycine, histidine, serine, valine, tyrosine, cysteine, phenylalanine, hydroxyproline and acylglutamine among amino acids, or salts thereof. It can be used as a face lotion, an emulsion, a cream, a hair tonic or a pack. FR 2 853 531A (Sephytal) discloses an after-shampoo composition containing a mixture of free amino-acids identical with those in human hair and a quaternary amine salt with a 22C fatty chain of the behenyl type, derived from natural colza oil. The amino acids comprise glutamic acid, arginine, proline, aspartic acid, leucine, phenylalanine, serine, lysine, glycine, valine, tyrosine, isoleucine, alanine, threonine, histidine, methionine and cystine. The composition aims to confer to dry hair very dry, damaged or embrittled hair, a better ease of disentangling after washing and rinsing the hair, a gentle significantly improved breathability and more shine. WO 00/51556 (P&G) discloses a hair care composition comprising four or more amino acids where each amino acid is selected from a different group of amino acids. The composition aims to treat hair that is subjected to a wide range of insults that can cause weakening and damage. There remains a need for more effective treatments for damaged hair, which deliver repair benefits during every day hair-care regimes. “Micellar water” is a dispersion of micelles in a solvent, usually water. Typically, the micelles are formed from mild surfactants at low concentrations. We have now found that a mixture of specific amino acids, namely glutamic acid, alanine and proline, can repair damage to hair that has been chemically damaged, as evidenced by an increase in the denaturation temperature of the hair. We have surprisingly found that the amino acids mixture of the invention act unusually quickly to repair hair damage by increasing the denaturation temperature of the hair. The compositions of the invention provide repair benefits after just one treatment and can return the denaturation temperature of 8 times bleached hair to that of virgin hair after only 3 treatments. We have surprisingly found that delivery of the amino acids is particularly effective from a dilute surfactant composition. Specific Description of the Invention In a first aspect of the invention there is provided a hair treatment composition comprising: (a) from 0.01 to 10 wt %, preferably from 0.5 to 2.5 wt % of surfactant in a solvent, by weight of the total composition, and (b) a mixture of amino acids, wherein the mixture of amino acids comprises glutamic acid, alanine and proline. In a second aspect of the invention there is provided a method of treating chemically damaged hair comprising the step of applying to the hair a treatment composition as defined in the first aspect of the invention. In a third aspect there is provided a use of a composition as defined in the first aspect to repair chemically damaged hair. General Description The Composition The Mixture of Amino Acids The amino acid mixture for use the compositions of the invention comprises, glutamic acid, alanine and proline. The mixture is preferably free from other amino acids. The amount of the amino acid mixture in the composition of the invention is preferably from 0.1 wt % to 10 wt %, more preferably from 0.2 wt % to 5 wt %, most preferably from 0.25 wt % to 2 wt %, by total weight of the composition. The weight ratio of glutamic acid:alanine:proline is preferably 2:1:1 to 1:2:1 to 1:1:2, more preferably 1:1:1. Amino acids, including glutamic acid, alanine and proline, suitable for use in the invention are available from many suppliers, for example Kusuma Pharma and Ajinomoto co Inc. The Surfactant in Solvent In the present invention, the hair treatment composition comprises a surfactant in a solvent. Suitable surfactants for use in the compositions of the invention are those that are cosmetically acceptable and suitable for topical application to the hair. Examples of suitable anionic cleansing surfactants are the alkyl sulphates, alkyl ether sulphates, alkaryl sulphonates, alkanoyl isethionates, alkyl succinates, alkyl sulphosuccinates, alkyl ether sulphosuccinates, N-alkyl sarcosinates, alkyl phosphates, alkyl ether phosphates, and alkyl ether carboxylic acids and salts thereof, especially their sodium, magnesium, ammonium and mono-, di- and triethanolamine salts. The alkyl and acyl groups generally contain from 8 to 18, preferably from 10 to 16 carbon atoms and may be unsaturated. The alkyl ether sulphates, alkyl ether sulphosuccinates, alkyl ether phosphates and alkyl ether carboxylic acids and salts thereof may contain from 1 to 20 ethylene oxide or propylene oxide units per molecule. Typical anionic cleansing surfactants for use in compositions of the invention include sodium oleyl succinate, ammonium lauryl sulphosuccinate, sodium lauryl sulphate, sodium lauryl ether sulphate, sodium lauryl ether sulphosuccinate, ammonium lauryl sulphate, ammonium lauryl ether sulphate, sodium dodecylbenzene sulphonate, triethanolamine dodecylbenzene sulphonate, sodium cocoyl isethionate, sodium lauryl isethionate, lauryl ether carboxylic acid and sodium N-lauryl sarcosinate. Preferred anionic cleansing surfactants are sodium lauryl sulphate, sodium lauryl ether sulphate (n) ethylene oxide (EO), (where n is from 1 to 3), sodium lauryl ether sulphosuccinate(n)EO, (where n is from 1 to 3), ammonium lauryl sulphate, ammonium lauryl ether sulphate(n)EO, (where n is from 1 to 3), sodium cocoyl isethionate and lauryl ether carboxylic acid (n) EO (where n is from 10 to 20). Mixtures of any of the foregoing anionic cleansing surfactants may also be suitable. The composition can include other surfactants, for example co-surfactants. An example of a co-surfactant is a nonionic surfactant. Representative nonionic surfactants that can be included in compositions of the invention include condensation products of aliphatic (C8-C18) primary or secondary linear or branched chain alcohols or phenols with alkylene oxides, usually ethylene oxide and generally having from 6 to 30 ethylene oxide groups. Other representative nonionic surfactants include mono- or di-alkyl alkanolamides. Examples include coco mono- or di-ethanolamide and coco mono-isopropanolamide. Further nonionic surfactants which can be included in compositions of the invention are the alkyl polyglycosides (APGs). Typically, the APG is one which comprises an alkyl group connected (optionally via a bridging group) to a block of one or more glycosyl groups. Preferred APGs are defined by the following formula: RO-(G)n wherein R is a branched or straight chain alkyl group which may be saturated or unsaturated and G is a saccharide group. R may represent a mean alkyl chain length of from about C5to about C20. Preferably R represents a mean alkyl chain length of from about C8to about C12. Most preferably the value of R lies between about 9.5 and about 10.5. G may be selected from C5or C6monosaccharide residues, and is preferably a glucoside. G may be selected from the group comprising glucose, xylose, lactose, fructose, mannose and derivatives thereof. Preferably G is glucose. The degree of polymerisation, n, may have a value of from about 1 to about 10 or more. Preferably, the value of n lies from about 1.1 to about 2. Most preferably the value of n lies from about 1.3 to about 1.5. Suitable alkyl polyglycosides for use in the invention are commercially available and include, for example, those materials sold under the trademarks ORAMIX™ NS10 (Seppic), PLANTAREN® 1200 (Henkel), and PLANTAREN® 2000 (Henkel). Other sugar-derived nonionic surfactants which can be included in compositions of the invention include the C10-C18N-alkyl (C1-C6) polyhydroxy fatty acid amides, such as the C12-C18N-methyl glucamides, as described for example in WO 92 06154 and U.S. Pat. No. 5,194,639, and the N-alkoxy polyhydroxy fatty acid amides, such as C10-C18N-(3-methoxypropyl) glucamide. A preferred example of a co-surfactant is an amphoteric or zwitterionic surfactant. Examples of amphoteric or zwitterionic surfactants include alkyl amine oxides, alkyl betaines, alkyl amidopropyl betaines, alkyl sulphobetaines (sultaines), alkyl glycinates, alkyl carboxyglycinates, alkyl amphoacetates, alkyl amphopropionates, alkylamphoglycinates, alkyl amidopropyl hydroxysultaines, acyl taurates and acyl glutamates, wherein the alkyl and acyl groups have from 8 to 19 carbon atoms. Typical amphoteric and zwitterionic surfactants for use in compositions of the invention include lauryl amine oxide, cocodimethyl sulphopropyl betaine, lauryl betaine, cocamidopropyl betaine and sodium cocoamphoacetate. A particularly preferred amphoteric or zwitterionic surfactant is cocamidopropyl betaine. A suitable example of cocamidopropyl betaine is sold under the trademark TEGO® BETAIN CK (Evonik). Mixtures of any of the foregoing amphoteric or zwitterionic surfactants may also be suitable. Preferred mixtures are those of coamidopropyl betaine with further amphoteric or zwitterionic surfactants as described above. A preferred further amphoteric or zwitterionic surfactant is sodium cocoamphoacetate. The concentration of the surfactant in the solvent is from 0.01 to 10 wt %, preferably from 0.1 to 8 wt %, more preferably from 0.2 to 5 wt %, even more preferably from 0.5 to 2.5 wt % and most preferably from 1.0 to 2.0 wt % by weight of the total composition. Suitable solvents include water and the lower aliphatic alcohols, particularly ethanol. More preferably the solvent is selected from water and mixtures of ethanol and water, most preferably water. A preferred surfactant is selected from sodium lauryl ether sulphate, cocamidopropyl betaine and mixtures thereof. A composition of the invention may contain other adjunct ingredients for enhancing performance and/or consumer acceptability. Preferred adjuncts ingredients include fragrance, dyes and pigments, pH adjusting agents, pearlescers or opacifiers, viscosity modifiers, and preservatives or antimicrobials. Each of these ingredients will be present in an amount effective to accomplish its purpose. Preferably the composition is free from other components, especially conditioning agents and polymers other than those preferred adjunct materials, listed above, that may be polymeric. Preferably, the compositions of the invention have a pH of from 3 to 6. The Method The method of the invention is a method of treating chemically damaged hair comprising the step of applying to the hair a hair treatment composition comprising (a) from 0.01 to 10 wt %, preferably from 0.5 to 2.5 wt % of surfactant in a solvent, by weight of the total composition, and (b) a mixture of amino acids, wherein the mixture of amino acids comprises glutamic acid, alanine and proline. The chemically damaged hair is preferably selected from hair that has been subjected to treatments that modify the hair, preferably bleaching treatments, colouring treatments, straightening treatments, relaxing treatments, surfactant treatments and hot water, more preferably bleaching treatments, colouring treatments, surfactant treatments and hot water, most preferably bleaching treatments. Hair is often subjected to hot water during washing, treatment and rinsing processes. Typically, the temperature of the hot water is from 20 to 45° C. Protein and amino acid leaching from hair increases with the temperature of the water. Preferably, the hair has been subjected to multiple damaging treatments, preferably at least 2, more preferably at least 4 damaging treatments. For example, 8 bleach treatments. The method comprises the step of applying to the hair a composition of the invention. Preferably, application is by direct application using the hand or by spraying, most preferably spraying. The method preferably comprises applying the composition of the invention to the hair multiple times, to give a progressive damage repair as shown by an increase in the denaturation temperature of the protein. In this way, it is possible to increase the denaturation temperature of the protein to equal to or even higher than that of virgin hair. In the context of this invention, by virgin hair is meant hair that has not been subjected to intensive physical and/or chemical treatment, for example, bleaching, dyeing, perming, heat treatment and strong and/or prolonged exposure to solar radiation; nor displays features characteristic of damaged hair, for example, split ends and/or excessive dryness. Virgin hair includes hair that has sustained low levels of damage during the natural hair life cycle. Sources of low level damage likely include but are not necessarily limited to brushing, combing and natural processes such as limited solar photo-degradation, for example. The method may thus additionally comprise the step of repeating the application of the composition to the hair, preferably during a later treatment. Preferably the step of repeating the application of the composition to the hair during a later treatment is repeated 1 to 10 times, more preferably from 1 to 5 times, most preferably from 1 to 3 times. Preferably, the composition of the invention is packaged as a spray product. The Use The invention provides a use of the composition of the invention to repair chemically damaged hair. The use of the present invention provides long lasting damage repair, preferably an increase in the denaturation temperature of protein. By long lasting means that the benefit lasts for multiple treatments, preferably from 2 to 5 treatments, with a hair composition that does not comprise the amino acid mixture of the invention. Method of Making Each amino acid can be added separately at different stages, during the manufacture of the compositions of the invention, or the same stage, for example as a premix. Alternatively, 2 or 3 of the amino acids can be premixed before addition. They can be added, for example, as a dispersion in water or combined with a fragrance oil. The invention will be further illustrated by the following, non-limiting Examples, in which all percentages quoted are by weight based on total weight unless otherwise stated.

11341369

TECHNICAL FIELD The present disclosure relates to techniques for training a neural network. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to techniques for performing batch normalization while training the neural network on a distributed system. BACKGROUND Deep learning neural networks are adapted for a large variety of tasks. Many of these networks are implemented to utilize supervised training to configure the weights and biases associated with the layers of the neural network. The training set can include corresponding pairs of input samples and target output samples. In some embodiments, input samples can be images and target output samples are images that represent the processed target output of the neural network. In other embodiments, the input samples can be images and target output samples are a classification of the images. The input samples are processed by the neural network to produce an output sample, which is compared to the target output sample by a loss function. The result of the loss function is back-propagated through the neural network model to adjust the weights and/or biases associated with each neuron in the neural network model. In some embodiments, the neural network model is designed to normalize activations between the layers of the neural network. As used throughout the following description, the input to a layer of the neural network model is referred to as a feature vector, which is a vector of scalar values associated with the input to the neurons of the layer. Each neuron calculates a weighted sum of one or more values from the feature vector and, optionally, adds the intermediate result to a bias value. The output of the neuron is then passed to an activation function. The activation function maps the output to a particular range, as specified by the particular activation function selected. The set of activations (i.e., the values output by the activation functions for the set of neurons in the layer) can then be normalized using a set of normalization parameters. The normalization parameters can scale and/or shift the set of activations based on statistical measures (e.g., mean/variance, etc.) for the batch of training samples before the normalized set of activation is passed to the next layer of the neural network model. Various embodiments of the neural network model can vary the order of the function, activations and normalization in each layer. One method to speed up training is to divide the training set into different batches and process a portion of each batch, in parallel, by different instances of the neural network implemented on multiple processors distributed over a network. However, when training according to this data parallel training technique, the normalization parameters utilized between each layer of the neural network are typically still calculated based on the statistical measures for the batch of training samples as generated by the multiple, distributed processors. Therefore, there is a synchronization issue where each of the processors stalls after each layer of the neural network in order to wait for a response from a separate processor configured to calculate the normalization parameters for the layer. Once the normalization parameters have been received by each of the processors, the next layer of the neural network can be executed using the normalized activations as input. This synchronization issue can significantly slow down the time required to train the neural network. Thus, there is a need for addressing these issues and/or other issues associated with the prior art. SUMMARY A method, computer readable medium, and system are disclosed for implementing a technique for performing data parallel training of a neural network model. Activations for a layer of the neural network model are analyzed to generate statistical measures associated with partial populations of a set of training data. Multiple statistical measures from a plurality of processors are reduced to generate normalization parameters based on a statistically significant sample of the set of training samples in the overall population of training data distributed among the processors. Additional activations are generated by the layer of the neural network model simultaneously with the operation to generate the normalization parameters. The normalization parameters are then shared with the plurality of processors to normalize activations for a layer of the neural network model. In one embodiment, a method for training a neural network model includes the steps of processing, by a processor in a plurality of processors, at least one sample included in a set of training samples to generate activations for the at least one sample, analyzing the activations to calculate a statistical measure associated with the activations for the at least one sample, and transmitting the statistical measure to at least one additional processor. The at least one additional processor is configured to reduce multiple statistical measures received from the plurality of processors to generate normalization parameters associated with a layer of the neural network model. The method further includes the steps of processing, by the processor, one or more additional samples included in the set of training samples to generate one or more additional activations for the one or more additional samples in parallel with the at least one additional processor generating the normalization parameters. The method further includes the steps of receiving the normalization parameters from the at least one additional processor and applying the normalization parameters to the activations for the at least one sample and the one or more additional activations for the one or more additional samples. In one embodiment, the statistical measure associated with the activations for the at least one sample is calculated based on an analysis of activations for at least two samples in the set of training samples allocated to the processor. The at least one sample consists of a subset of (i.e., is not inclusive of all of) the training samples in the set of training samples allocated to the processor. In one embodiment, the statistical measure is calculated by the processor using a first precision and the normalization parameters are calculated by the at least one additional processor using a second precision. In one embodiment, the first precision is a 32-bit floating point format and the second precision is a 64-bit floating point format. In one embodiment, the at least one sample processed to generate the activations is selected from the set of training samples according to a round-robin scheduling mechanism. In another embodiment, the at least one sample processed to generate the activations is selected from the set of training samples according to a random or pseudo-random manner. In one embodiment, each processor in the plurality of processors comprise a parallel processing unit configured to implement at least a portion of the neural network model. In one embodiment, the at least one additional processor comprises a switch configured to route data between the plurality of processors. The switch includes a cache, and the reduce operation is implemented, at least in part, within the cache. In one embodiment, analyzing the activations includes calculating at least one of a mean or a variance for the activations. In one embodiment, analyzing the activations includes calculating a mean and variance for each channel of the output of a layer of the neural network model across the outputs for the at least one training sample. In one embodiment, a number of samples in the at least one sample represents a statistically insignificant sample of a mini-batch of training samples. In one embodiment, a system is disclosed that includes a processor and at least one additional processor. The processor is configured to process at least one sample included in a set of training samples to generate activations for the at least one sample, analyze the activations to calculate a statistical measure associated with the activations for the at least one sample, process one or more additional samples included in the set of training samples to generate one or more additional activations for the one or more additional samples, and apply normalization parameters to the activations for the at least one sample and the one or more additional activations for the one or more additional samples. The at least one additional processor is configured to receive multiple statistical measures from a plurality of processors, the multiple statistical measures including the statistical measure calculated by the processor, reduce the multiple statistical measures received from the plurality of processors to generate normalization parameters associated with a layer of the neural network mode, and transmit the normalization parameters to each of the processors in the plurality of processors. The processor processes the one or more additional samples included in the set of training samples in parallel with the at least one additional processor generating the normalization parameters. In one embodiment, the processor is a parallel processing unit. In one embodiment, the at least one additional processor comprises a switch. The switch includes a cache, and the reduce operation is implemented, at least in part, within the cache. In one embodiment, the system further includes a host processor configured to distribute the set of training samples to the processor. In one embodiment, a non-transitory computer-readable media storing computer instructions for training a neural network model is disclosed. The instructions, when executed by a processor, cause the processor to perform the steps of: processing at least one sample included in a set of training samples to generate activations for the at least one sample, analyzing the activations to calculate a statistical measure associated with the activations for the at least one sample, analyzing the activations to calculate a statistical measure associated with the activations for the at least one sample, transmitting the statistical measure to at least one additional processor configured to reduce multiple statistical measures received from a plurality of processors to generate normalization parameters associated with a layer of the neural network model, processing one or more additional samples included in the set of training samples to generate one or more additional activations for the one or more additional samples in parallel with the at least one additional processor generating the normalization parameters, receiving the normalization parameters from the at least one additional processor, and applying the normalization parameters to the activations for the at least one sample and the one or more additional activations for the one or more additional samples.

11229411

PRIORITY STATEMENT The present application hereby claims priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119 to European patent application number EP 18187106.2 filed Aug. 2, 2018, the entire contents of which are hereby incorporated herein by reference. FIELD Embodiments of the invention generally relate to an x-ray apparatus and method for operating the x-ray apparatus. BACKGROUND X-ray apparatuses usually include an X-ray source and an X-ray detector arranged on opposite sides of a patient during X-ray imaging. For example, C-arm X-ray apparatuses are known with which the X-ray source and the X-ray detector are arranged on opposite ends of a C-shaped or semicircular arm (“C-arm” for short). However, this arrangement restricts the space available between the patient and the X-ray source or between the patient and the X-ray detector. This small space can impede a physician in the performance of diagnostic and/or therapeutic methods requiring the assistance of an X-ray apparatus. This is in particular the case when a flat-panel detector is used as the X-ray detector or when the X-ray apparatus further comprises an image amplifier since such facilities restrict the available space still further. Examples of such diagnostic and/or therapeutic methods are found inter alia in the field of cardiology or heart surgery, for example during catheterization of the heart or during a transcatheter aortic valve implantation, (“TAVI” for short). To enlarge the available space, it is known to increase the distance between the X-ray source and the X-ray detector (the technical term for this distance is “source-image distance”, “SID” for short), but this simultaneously reduces the spatial resolution. Furthermore, modern X-ray sources, in particular high-power rotary anode X-ray tubes, use a plurality of emitters with which respective parameters such as X-ray voltage, pulse times and/or X-ray current (another technical term for “X-ray current” is “tube current”) can be set. If high spatial resolution is required during X-ray imaging, it is usual to use a small emitter to achieve a small focus and hence high spatial resolution. The simultaneous use of a high X-ray current and/or short pulse times reduces the available service life of the respective emitter. Therefore, it is usually not possible to set certain parameter combinations on such emitters, for example combinations of a high X-ray current with a short pulse duration or a high pulse frequency can be excluded by the manufacturer. It is, therefore, known to use emitters with a larger spatial extension, but this results in reduced spatial resolution. In addition to medical imaging, X-ray apparatuses are also used for non-destructive material testing where problems similar to those during medical use can occur. SUMMARY Embodiments of the present invention provide an X-ray apparatus that provides a greater space between the examination volume and the X-ray detector or X-ray source without any deterioration of the spatial resolution and which further enables the use of emitters with a high spatial extension without any deterioration of the spatial resolution. Herein, examination volume means a region or volume that is to undergo an imaging examination by way of X-rays (for example a region of a patient or a region of a material or component to be tested). Embodiments are directed to an X-ray apparatus and a method for operating an X-ray apparatus. Advantageous developments are described in the claims and in the description. Features, advantages or alternative embodiments may also be transferred to the other claimed subject matter and vice versa. In other words, the substantive claims (which are, for example, directed at an apparatus) can also be developed with the features described or claimed in connection with a method. Herein, the corresponding functional features of the method are formed by corresponding substantive modules. At least one embodiment of the invention is directed to an X-ray apparatus including an X-ray source embodied to generate X-rays further including an X-ray detector and further including an X-ray reflector, wherein the X-ray reflector is embodied to reflect X-rays generated by the X-ray source such that the X-rays hit the X-ray detector. In particular, the X-ray detector is embodied to detect the X-rays. An embodiment of the invention furthermore relates to an X-ray apparatus, comprising: an X-ray source embodied to generate X-rays; an X-ray detector; and an X-ray reflector, embodied to reflect X-rays generated by the X-ray source such that reflected X-rays hit the X-ray detector. An embodiment of the invention furthermore relates to a method for operating an X-ray apparatus according to one of the embodiments of the invention. The method for operating the X-ray apparatus is based on the fact that an examination region is received, in particular received via an interface of a control system. The method is furthermore based on the fact that a position and/or an orientation of the X-ray reflector are set, in particular set via a computing unit of the control system, so that the X-rays reflected by the X-ray reflector irradiate the examination region. The method is furthermore based on the fact that X-rays are generated via the X-ray source and that X-rays are detected via the X-ray detector. The method for operating an X-ray apparatus is in particular a computer-implemented method. The method can also be embodied such that the generation of the X-rays via the X-ray source and the detection of the X-rays via the X-ray detector can be replaced by the method step of the generation of a control command for the generation of X-rays. An embodiment of the invention furthermore relates to a method for operating an X-ray apparatus, comprising: receiving an examination region; first setting of at least one of a position and an orientation of an X-ray reflection unit of the X-ray apparatus so that the X-rays reflected by the X-ray reflector irradiate the examination region, generating X-rays via the X-ray source; and detecting the X-rays via the X-ray detector. An embodiment of the invention can also relate to a control system for an X-ray apparatus according to an embodiment of the invention, including an interface embodied to receive an examination region, furthermore embodied to provide a control command, a computing unit embodied for the first setting of a position and/or an orientation of the X-ray reflector so that the X-rays reflected by the X-ray reflector irradiate the examination region, furthermore embodied to generate the control command to trigger X-rays via an X-ray source. An embodiment of the invention can also relate to a computer program product with a computer program which can be loaded directly into a memory of a control system with program segments for executing all the steps of the method for operating an X-ray apparatus and/or embodiments thereof when the program segments are executed by the control system. The invention can furthermore also relate to a computer-readable storage medium on which program segments that can be read and executed by a control system are stored in order to execute all the steps of an embodiment of the method for operating an X-ray apparatus and/or embodiments thereof when the program segments are executed by the control system. An embodiment of the invention can also relate to a non-transitory computer-readable medium, storing program segments downloadable and executable by a processor, to perform the method of an embodiment, when the program segments are executed by the processor.

11215012

BACKGROUND There are several types of downhole cutting tools, such as drill bits, including roller cone bits, hammer bits, and drag bits, reamers and milling tools. Roller cone rock bits include a bit body adapted to be coupled to a rotatable drill string and include at least one “cone” that is rotatably mounted to a cantilevered shaft or journal. Each roller cone supports a plurality of cutting elements that cut and/or crush the wall or floor of the borehole and thus advance the bit. The cutting elements, either inserts or milled teeth, contact with the formation during drilling. Hammer bits generally include a one piece body having a crown. The crown includes inserts pressed therein for being cyclically “hammered” and rotated against the earth formation being drilled. Drag bits, often referred to as fixed cutter drill bits, include bits that have cutting elements attached to the bit body, which may be a steel bit body or a matrix bit body formed from a matrix material such as tungsten carbide surrounded by a binder material. Drag bits may generally be defined as bits that have no moving parts. Drag bits having abrasive material, such as diamond, impregnated into the surface of the material which forms the bit body are commonly referred to as “impreg” bits. Drag bits having cutting elements made of an ultra hard cutting surface layer or “table” (generally made of polycrystalline diamond material or polycrystalline boron nitride material) deposited onto or otherwise bonded to a substrate are known in the art as polycrystalline diamond compact (“PDC”) bits. An example of a drag bit having a plurality of cutting elements with ultra hard working surfaces is shown inFIG. 1. The drill bit100includes a bit body110having a threaded upper pin end111and a cutting end115. The cutting end115generally includes a plurality of ribs or blades120arranged about the rotational axis (also referred to as the longitudinal or central axis) of the drill bit and extending radially outward from the bit body110. Cutting elements, or cutters,150are embedded in the blades120at predetermined angular orientations and radial locations relative to a working surface and with a desired back rake angle and side rake angle against a formation to be drilled. FIG. 2shows an example of a cutting element150, where the cutting element150has a cylindrical cemented carbide substrate152having an end face or upper surface (“substrate interface surface”)154. An ultrahard material layer156, also referred to as a cutting layer, has a top surface157, also referred to as a working surface, a cutting edge158formed around the top surface, and a bottom surface, referred to as an ultrahard material layer interface surface159. The ultrahard material layer156may be a polycrystalline diamond or polycrystalline cubic boron nitride layer. The ultrahard material layer interface surface159is bonded to the substrate interface surface154to form a planar interface between the substrate152and ultrahard material layer156. SUMMARY Embodiments of the present disclosure are directed to a cutting element that includes a substrate, an upper surface of the substrate including a crest, the crest transitioning into a depressed region, and an ultrahard layer on the upper surface, thereby forming a non-planar interface between the ultrahard layer and the substrate. A top surface of the ultrahard layer includes a cutting crest extending along at least a portion of a diameter of the cutting element, the top surface having a portion extending laterally away from the cutting crest having a lesser height than a peak of the cutting crest. In another aspect, embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a cutting element including a substrate having a non-planar upper surface, the non-planar upper surface having a first convex curvature extending along a first direction and a second convex curvature having a smaller radius of curvature than the first convex curvature extending in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction. The cutting element also includes an ultrahard layer with a non-planar top surface on the non-planar upper surface of the substrate. In yet another aspect, embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a cutting tool that includes a tool body, at least one blade extending from the tool body, a first row of cutting elements attached to the at least one blade, the first row of cutting elements having at least one first cutting element. The first cutting element includes a substrate, an upper surface of the substrate including a crest, the crest transitioning into a depressed region, and an ultrahard layer on the upper surface, thereby forming a non-planar interface between the ultrahard layer and the substrate. A top surface of the ultrahard layer includes a cutting crest extending along at least a portion of a diameter of the cutting element, the top surface having a portion extending laterally away from the cutting crest having a lesser height than a peak of the cutting crest. In another aspect, embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a cutting tool that includes a tool body, at least one blade extending from the tool body, and at least one cutting element attached to the at least one blade. The at least one cutting element includes a substrate having a non-planar upper surface, the non-planar upper surface having a first convex curvature extending along a first direction and a second convex curvature having a smaller radius of curvature than the first convex curvature extending in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction. The cutting element also includes an ultrahard layer with a non-planar top surface on the non-planar upper surface of the substrate. In yet another aspect, embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a cutting tool that includes a tool body, at least one blade extending from the tool body, and at least one cutting element attached to the at least one blade. The at least one cutting element has a non-planar top surface that includes a cutting crest extending along at least a portion of a diameter of the cutting element, the non-planar top surface having a portion extending laterally away from the cutting crest having a lesser height than a peak of the cutting crest. A central axis of the at least one cutting element is oriented at an angle ranging from 0 to 25 degrees relative to a line parallel to a central axis of the cutting tool. This summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts that are further described below in the detailed description. This summary is not intended to identify key or essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to be used as an aid in limiting the scope of the claimed subject matter.

11416488

FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE The present disclosure relates generally to SQL queries. In particular, but not by way of limitation, the present disclosure relates to systems, methods and apparatuses for modifying raw SQL queries to avoid double counting. DESCRIPTION OF RELATED ART When using SQL aggregations it might not be immediately obvious that there is a potential problem that can lead to the user seeing aggregated numbers incorrectly. It is best described using an example. Assume there is an Invoices and a Payments table. Business logic says there can be any number of payments per invoice, but only one invoice per payment. A user, who might not be intimately familiar with the underlying SQL behind a query, might ask the following question: “Show me the total of all invoices and payments I have for each customer.” When written with simple SQL aggregations, like illustrated in Appendix 2a: User's Intent, the result is incorrect: the returned aggregated invoice amount is not correct for all customers. This is caused by the data relationship: many payments for one invoice. Each payment is joined to the full invoice amount before aggregation. When aggregating the joined data the invoice amount gets aggregated multiple times. This is the Double Counting Challenge. Detecting data relationships that lead to double counting and efficient handling of such situations prevents the user from seeing inaccurate aggregations due to multiple countings of certain values. SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE The following presents a simplified summary relating to one or more aspects and/or embodiments disclosed herein. As such, the following summary should not be considered an extensive overview relating to all contemplated aspects and/or embodiments, nor should the following summary be regarded to identify key or critical elements relating to all contemplated aspects and/or embodiments or to delineate the scope associated with any particular aspect and/or embodiment. Accordingly, the following summary has the sole purpose to present certain concepts relating to one or more aspects and/or embodiments relating to the mechanisms disclosed herein in a simplified form to precede the detailed description presented below. Some embodiments of the disclosure may be characterized as a system comprising a double counting resolver module configured for storage on a memory and configured to execute on a processing portion. The module can be configured to receive at a first input a request to execute a raw SQL query requesting a new report or modification to an existing report. The raw SQL query can be configured to access one or more source data tables in a database. The module can further be configured to scan the raw SQL query and identify columns in the one or more source data tables that will see double counting aggregation errors when the raw SQL query is run on them. The module can yet further be configured to generate a modified SQL query that achieves an intent of the raw SQL query but without the double counting aggregation errors. The modified SQL can cause the processor to (1) form a common table expression (CTE) by: joining the one or more source data tables to form a CTE joined table; and creating the CTE as a selection from the CTE joined table. The modified SQL can also cause the processor to (2) perform sub queries to the CTE, which can include performing a data selection sub query for each source data table, and selecting non-repeating rows for each source data table from the CTE, where each sub query produces a filtered sub query results table. This can also include performing an aggregation sub query on each of the filtered sub query results tables. Each aggregation sub query can produce an aggregated sub query results table. The modified SQL can also cause the processor to (3) join the aggregated sub query results tables to form an aggregated joined table. The modified SQL can yet further cause the processor to (4) perform a main query for columns from the aggregated joined table for return as the final results set. Other embodiments of the disclosure may also be characterized as a method. The method can include receiving a raw SQL query requesting a new report or modification to an existing report, where the raw SQL query is to be applied to one or more source data tables. The method can also include scanning the raw SQL query and identify columns in the one or more source tables that will see double counting aggregation errors when the raw SQL query is run on them. The method can yet further include generating a modified SQL query that achieves an intent of the raw SQL query but without the double counting aggregation errors. The method can include (1) forming a common table expression (CTE) by: joining the one or more source data tables to form a CTE joined table; and creating the CTE as a selection from the CTE joined table. The method can also include (2) performing sub queries to the CTE, which can include performing a data selection sub query for each source data table, and selecting non-repeating rows for each source data table from the CTE, where each sub query produces a filtered sub query results table. This can also include performing an aggregation sub query on each of the filtered sub query results tables. Each aggregation sub query can produce an aggregated sub query results table. The method can also include (3) joining the aggregated sub query results tables to form an aggregated joined table. The method can further include (4) performing a main query for columns from the aggregated joined table for return as the final results set. Other embodiments of the disclosure can be characterized as a non-transitory, tangible computer readable storage medium, encoded with processor readable instructions to perform a method for modifying a SQL query to avoid double counting aggregation errors. The method can include receiving a raw SQL query requesting a new report or modification to an existing report, where the raw SQL query is to be applied to one or more source data tables. The method can also include scanning the raw SQL query and identify columns in the one or more source tables that will see double counting aggregation errors when the raw SQL query is run on them. The method can yet further include generating a modified SQL query that achieves an intent of the raw SQL query but without the double counting aggregation errors. The method can include (1) forming a common table expression (CTE) by: joining the one or more source data tables to form a CTE joined table; and creating the CTE as a selection from the CTE joined table. The method can also include (2) performing sub queries to the CTE, which can include performing a data selection sub query for each source data table, and selecting non-repeating rows for each source data table from the CTE, where each sub query produces a filtered sub query results table. This can also include performing an aggregation sub query on each of the filtered sub query results tables. Each aggregation sub query can produce an aggregated sub query results table. The method can also include (3) joining the aggregated sub query results tables to form an aggregated joined table. The method can further include (4) performing a main query for columns from the aggregated joined table for return as the final results set.

11288155

TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates generally to anomaly detection, and more particularly to identifying anomalies in data, such as data from sensor readings, during a data outage. BACKGROUND Anomaly detection is the process of identifying unexpected items or events in data sets, which differ from the norm. Three broad categories of anomaly detection techniques exist. Unsupervised anomaly detection techniques detect anomalies in an unlabeled test data set under the assumption that the majority of the instances in the data set are normal by looking for instances that seem to least fit the remainder of the data set. Supervised anomaly detection techniques require a data set that has been labeled as “normal” and “abnormal” and involves training a classifier. Semi-supervised anomaly detection techniques construct a model representing normal behavior from a given normal training data set, and then test the likelihood of a test instance to be generated by the learnt model using machine learning/artificial intelligence so as to form a prediction of an anomaly. Such machine learning/artificial intelligence models (“anomaly detection models”) may be directly impacted on the quality of their prediction of an anomaly due to data outages, such as a network outage or the unavailability of a cloud solution. For instance, when there is a data outage, the anomaly detection model may no longer be able to determine the pattern of the data during the data outage, or alternatively, the pattern of the data during the data outage may be mispresented. In either case, the prediction of an anomaly made by the anomaly detection model will now be less accurate. For example, after connectivity is restored, the anomaly detection model may now receive aggregated energy usage data from the gateway during the data outage (e.g, eight hours). However, the pattern of data during the data outage is lost and, as a result, the anomalies that occurred during the data outage will be precluded from being identified. Furthermore, when connectivity is restored after a duration of time (e.g., hours, days, weeks), a surge of data may be received which may also impact the quality of the prediction made by the anomaly detection model, such as falsely identifying an anomaly after connectively is restored. SUMMARY in one embodiment of the present invention, a computer-implemented method for identifying anomalies in data during a data outage comprises building an anomaly detection model using data received from a sensor at a characterized granularity. The method further comprises marking the sensor as being in a first state in response to the data not being received from the sensor at a required frequency, where a period of time that the data is not being received from the sensor at the required frequency corresponds to a period of the data outage. The method additionally comprises marking the sensor as being in a second state after marking the sensor as being in the first state in response to the data being received from the sensor at the required frequency after the data not being received from the sensor at the required frequency, where a period of time that the data is being received from the sensor at the required frequency corresponds to a period of service following the data outage. Furthermore, the method comprises identifying a quantum of missing data during the data outage using predictive modeling in response to data during the data outage not being available at a granularity in which the anomaly detection model is built. Additionally, the method comprises retrofitting the identified quantum of missing data into a predicted pattern during the data outage. In addition, the method comprises re-running analytics on the retrofitted quantum of missing data in the predicted pattern to identify anomalies during the data outage. Other forms of the embodiment of the computer-implemented method described above are in a system and in a computer program product. The foregoing has outlined rather generally the features and technical advantages of one or more embodiments of the present invention in order that the detailed description of the present invention that follows may be better understood. Additional features and advantages of the present invention will be described hereinafter which may form the subject of the claims of the present invention.

11527087

FIELD This disclosure relates to identification documents and information security. BACKGROUND Identification documents are routinely obtained by citizens living in various jurisdictions. However, due to security concerns over database security and identity theft, authentication and verification of identity documents, such as passports and drivers licenses, are still largely conducted through manual, in-person transactions, which causes inconveniences to customers. SUMMARY In general, this specification describes methods and systems synthesize information from multiple discrete and unrelated documents, and from the synthesized information verify the identity of an individual to a high degree of trust. Implementations adaptively synthesize information from varied documents, and through generation of document confidence scores, evaluate in a real-time environment attainment of enrollment requirements for a trusted identification. The enrollment requirements may represent a minimum level of documentation required to sufficiently verify an individual's true identity in order to permit issuance of the trusted identification. Once sufficient documentation has been obtained and validated to meet or exceed enrollment requirements, the documentation (including any original source copies of any documentation) is securely submitted to the trusted identification issuing authority. Implementations evaluate a trust or confidence score of each document by authenticating security information on the document, correlating information from the document with that extracted from other documents (optionally, weighted by the confidence score of the other documents), and verification against original source databases. In some implementations, an original source document is pulled from the document's system of origin (e.g., an ID issuing authority, a business entity, etc.). Data extracted from a document can be verified against the original source copy of the document. Extracted data may only be relied upon to meet enrollment requirements once the extracted data is verified to a predetermined degree of confidence. The subject matter described in this specification can be implemented in particular embodiments to realize one or more of the following advantages. A mobile application of a computing device or system executes specific computing rules for authenticating a document, verifying information included on the document, verifying the document with an original source of the document, and extracting identifiable information to determine or verify an eligibility status of the person. In some implementations, information obtained from authenticating the document and verifying the document with an original source is used to build a confidence score indicative of the trustworthiness of the extracted identifiable information. The extracted information and confidence from multiple documents, in combination with liveness verified biometrics, are combined to meet trust requirements for verifying a person's identify and enrolling the person in a high-trust system (e.g., Real ID enrollment requirements). The computing processes described in this document enable a repeatable automated process for effectively combining document authentication with biometric data validation that previously could not be performed by computer systems in an efficient or secure manner. The system uses a specific set of computational rules that consistently and efficiently enable non-local or remote authentication of identification documents and verification of identifiable information included on a document. As such, the described techniques enable a computer to perform operations that the computer was previously unable to perform due to the computational and data security challenges of performing document authentication and validation of biometric data for a subject. This document authentication and validation of biometric data allows the subject the option of remotely presenting identity credentials to facilitate enrollment in a system. Details of one or more implementations of the subject matter described in this specification are set forth in the accompanying drawings and the description below. Other features, aspects, and advantages of the subject matter will become apparent from the description, the drawings, and the claims.

11382395

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION This application claims priority to Taiwanese Utility Model Patent Application No. 109203841, filed on Apr. 1, 2020. FIELD The disclosure relates to a grip device, and more particularly to a grip device for a pole. BACKGROUND A conventional grip device for a pole such as a pole for skiing, trekking, or hiking, is generally equipped with a wrist strap. The wrist strap is used for tying on a wrist of a user so as to ensure a firm grip without putting too much stress and strain on the user's hand, and further to prevent the pole from being lost when the user's grip on the pole handle becomes loose. The abovementioned conventional grip device is disclosed in, for example, U.S. Pat. No. 6,439,610, which includes a grip body, and a wrist strap that is fixed to the grip body. One disadvantage of the conventional grip device is that when the user falls down, or when the pole is stuck into the ground or snow, the user might receive wrist or hand injuries from the pole because the pole is still strapped to his/her wrist. SUMMARY Therefore, an object of the disclosure is to provide a grip device fora pole that can alleviate the drawback of the prior art. According to the disclosure, the grip device includes a grip and a wrist strap unit. The grip has a connecting part that defines a connecting space therein. The connecting part has an upper portion, a lower portion, an opening, and a protruding portion. The upper portion is located over the connecting space. The lower portion is located under the connecting space. The opening is located between the upper portion and the lower portion, and communicates with the connecting space and the external environment. The protruding portion is connected to the lower portion, is disposed in the connecting space, and is adjacent to the opening. The wrist strap unit includes a connecting member and a wrist strap. The connecting member engages removably the connecting space, and has a head part and a tail part. The head part and the tail part are respectively distal from and adjacent to the opening of the connecting part of the grip. The tail part is pivotable, with the head part serving as a pivot, between a locked position and an unlocked position. At the locked position, the tail part is adjacent to the lower portion of the connecting part of the grip so that the connecting member is retained in the connecting space by the protruding portion of the connecting part. At the unlocked position, the tail part is away from the lower portion and the protruding portion of the connecting part so that the connecting member is permitted to be separated from the connecting part. The wrist strap is connected to the tail part of the connecting member.

11240580

FIELD The present invention relates to stage equipment. More particularly, the present invention is related to a modular stand that connects a microphone stand to a pedal board in a convenient hassle-free manner. BACKGROUND Singers and other performers commonly use a) microphones on microphone stands to amplify their voices and b) pedal boards to control sound effects of musical instruments such as electrical guitars during their performance. A pedal board is placed on a floor to facilitate a musician turning the effect pedals on and off with his/her foot. Sometimes a musician may need to continually manipulate the effect pedal with his/her foot. However, this sort of arrangement of the pedal board interferes with microphone stands since a microphone stand typically includes a base located at the user's feet, exactly where pedal boards are most conveniently used. Thus, the microphone base prevents or blocks the use of the pedal board from being placed where it would otherwise most conveniently be used. Further, there is a lot of inter connected hard wires running on the stage around the performers feet preventing free movement of the performers on the stage. Accordingly, there is a need for an apparatus that facilitates simultaneous and hassle free use of microphone and pedal board that overcomes these problems. The present invention solves the problem discussed above. The present invention provides a modular stand, which is a piece of hardware, which connects the microphone stand directly onto the pedal board thereby providing a musician with the ability to control the pedals while using the microphone stand at a single point. SUMMARY A modular stand is a piece of hardware that connects the microphone stand directly to the pedal board, said modular stand comprises a first flange, a pedal board; an identical second flange, wherein the first flange is a rectangular metal structure consisting of two openings at the two distal ends and a central protrusion having threading on the inside surface; wherein the second flange is a rectangular metal structure consisting of openings at the two distal ends; wherein the flanges are connected there between by sturdy means such as a nut and bolt assembly; and wherein the central protrusion provides a structural means to support a microphone stand.

11299550

FIELD OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to monoclonal anti-CD73 antibodies, nucleic acids and expression vectors encoding the antibodies, recombinant cells containing the vectors, and compositions comprising the antibodies. Methods of making the antibodies, and methods of using the antibodies to treat diseases associated with CD73 such as cancer and inflammatory diseases and/or associated complications are also provided. REFERENCE TO SEQUENCE LISTING SUBMITTED ELECTRONICALLY This application contains a sequence listing, which is submitted electronically via EFS-Web as an ASCII formatted sequence listing with a file name “065799_10US2_Sequence_Listing” and a creation date of Aug. 18, 2020 and having a size of 115 kb. The sequence listing submitted via EFS-Web is part of the specification and is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION CD73, also known as ecto-5′-nucleotidase (ecto-5′-NT or EC 3.1.3.5), is a cell surface phosphatase that catalyzes the dephosphorylation of extracellular AMP to produce adenosine. Although it's a glycophosphatidylinositol (GPI)-anchored protein, CD73 can also be shed to yield a catalytically active form (Arias et al., J Cell Biol. 1997; 136(2):421-31). Physiologically, CD73 is induced by hypoxia to control inflammation at injury sites (Bours et al., Pharmacol Ther 2006; 112:358-404). Pathologically, CD73 is often found overexpressed on regulatory T cells (Tregs) and tumor cells (Paul et al., Trends Immunol 2012; 33:231-237). Elevated CD73 activity leads to the accumulation of adenosine in the tumor microenvironment (TME). Accumulating evidence indicates that CD73 activity in tumor sites is one of the major factors shaping a pro-tumor TME that is critical for tumor growth and survival (Whiteside, Expert Rev. Anticancer Ther. 2017; 17(6):527-35). Extracellular ATP-adenosine homeostasis is determined by the activities of CD39, which converts ATP to AMP, and CD73, which uses AMP to produce adenosine. Through binding to adenosine receptors A2a and A2b, adenosine suppresses both innate and adaptive immunities by regulating many immune cells such as macrophages (Csoka et al., FASEB J 2012; 26:376-386), dendritic cells (Panther et al., Blood 2003; 101:3985-3990), natural killer cells (Hausler et al., Cancer Immunol Immunother 2011; 60:1405-1418), and T effector cells (Hoskin et al., Int J Oncol 2008; 32:527-535). Therefore, it has been hypothesized that immune suppression by adenosine may be alleviated by inhibiting the enzymatic activity of CD73 in the TME. Indeed, in vivo animal studies (Jin et al., Cancer Res 2010; 70:2245-2255; Stagg et al., Cancer Res 2011; 71:2890-2900) indicate that inhibiting the enzymatic activity of CD73 suppresses tumor formation and growth, suggesting that CD73 is a promising target for cancer therapy. Monoclonal antibodies that inhibit CD73 enzymatic activity and/or reduce CD73 content on cell surface (i.e., by inducing CD73 internalization) can be efficacious in treating cancer alone as monotherapy or in combination with other immuno-oncology drugs and/or other types of anti-cancer therapies. BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In one general aspect, the invention relates to isolated monoclonal antibodies or antigen-binding fragments thereof that bind CD73. Provided are isolated monoclonal antibodies or antigen-binding fragments thereof comprising a heavy chain complementarity determining region 1 (HCDR1), HCDR2, HCDR3, a light chain complementarity determining region 1 (LCDR1), LCDR2, and LCDR3, having the polypeptide sequences of: (1) SEQ ID NOs:89, 90, 91, 149, 150 and 151, respectively; (2) SEQ ID NOs:41, 42, 43, 101, 102 and 103, respectively; (3) SEQ ID NOs:44, 45, 46, 104, 105 and 106, respectively; (4) SEQ ID NOs:47, 48, 49, 107, 108 and 109, respectively; (5) SEQ ID NOs:50, 51, 52, 110, 111 and 112, respectively; (6) SEQ ID NOs:53, 54, 55, 113, 114 and 115, respectively; (7) SEQ ID NOs:56, 57, 58, 116, 117 and 118, respectively; (8) SEQ ID NOs:59, 60, 61, 119, 120 and 121, respectively; (9) SEQ ID NOs:62, 63, 64, 122, 123 and 124, respectively; (10) SEQ ID NOs:65, 66, 67, 125, 126 and 127, respectively; (11) SEQ ID NOs:68, 69, 70, 128, 129 and 130, respectively; (12) SEQ ID NOs:71, 72, 73, 131, 132 and 133, respectively; (13) SEQ ID NOs:74, 75, 76, 134, 135 and 136, respectively; (14) SEQ ID NOs:77, 78, 79, 137, 138 and 139, respectively; (15) SEQ ID NOs:80, 81, 82, 140, 141 and 142, respectively; (16) SEQ ID NOs:83, 84, 85, 143, 144 and 145, respectively; (17) SEQ ID NOs:86, 87, 88, 146, 147 and 148, respectively; (18) SEQ ID NOs:92, 93, 94, 152, 153 and 154, respectively; (19) SEQ ID NOs:95, 96, 97, 155, 156 and 157, respectively; or (20) SEQ ID NOs:98, 99, 100, 158, 159 and 160, respectively; wherein the antibody or antigen-binding fragment thereof specifically binds to CD73, preferably human CD73. Provided are isolated monoclonal antibodies or antigen-binding fragments thereof comprising a heavy chain complementarity determining region 1 (HCDR1), HCDR2, HCDR3, a light chain complementarity determining region 1 (LCDR1), LCDR2, and LCDR3, having the polypeptide sequences of: (1) SEQ ID NOs:209, 210, 211, 269, 270 and 271, respectively; (2) SEQ ID NOs:161, 162, 163, 221, 222 and 223, respectively; (3) SEQ ID NOs:164, 165, 166, 224, 225 and 226, respectively; (4) SEQ ID NOs:167, 168, 169, 227, 228 and 229, respectively; (5) SEQ ID NOs:170, 171, 172, 230, 231 and 232, respectively; (6) SEQ ID NOs:173, 174, 175, 233, 234 and 235, respectively; (7) SEQ ID NOs:176, 177, 178, 236, 237 and 238, respectively; (8) SEQ ID NOs:179, 180, 181, 239, 240 and 241, respectively; (9) SEQ ID NOs:182, 183, 184, 242, 243 and 244, respectively; (10) SEQ ID NOs:185, 186, 187, 245, 246 and 247, respectively; (11) SEQ ID NOs:188, 189, 190, 248, 249 and 250, respectively; (12) SEQ ID NOs:191, 192, 193, 251, 252 and 253, respectively; (13) SEQ ID NOs:194, 195, 196, 254, 255 and 256, respectively; (14) SEQ ID NOs:197, 198, 199, 257, 258 and 259, respectively; (15) SEQ ID NOs:200, 201, 202, 260, 261 and 262, respectively; (16) SEQ ID NOs:203, 204, 205, 263, 264 and 265, respectively; (17) SEQ ID NOs:206, 207, 208, 266, 267 and 268, respectively; (18) SEQ ID NOs:212, 213, 214, 272, 273 and 274, respectively; (19) SEQ ID NOs:215, 216, 217, 275, 276 and 277, respectively; or (20) SEQ ID NOs:218, 219, 220, 278, 279 and 280, respectively; wherein the antibody or antigen-binding fragment thereof specifically binds to CD73, preferably human CD73. In certain embodiments, the isolated monoclonal antibody or antigen-binding fragment thereof comprises a heavy chain variable region having a polypeptide sequence at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98%, or at least 99% identical to SEQ ID NO:33, 1, 3, 5, 7, 9, 11, 13, 15, 17, 19, 21, 23, 25, 27, 29, 31, 35, 37 or 39, or a light chain variable region having a polypeptide sequence at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98%, or at least 99% identical to SEQ ID NO:34, 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18, 20, 22, 24, 26, 28, 30, 32, 36, 38 or 40. In certain embodiments, the isolated monoclonal antibody or antigen-binding fragment thereof comprises:(a) a heavy chain variable region having the polypeptide sequence of SEQ ID NO:33, and a light chain variable region having the polypeptide sequence of SEQ ID NO:34;(b) a heavy chain variable region having the polypeptide sequence of SEQ ID NO:1, and a light chain variable region having the polypeptide sequence of SEQ ID NO:2;(c) a heavy chain variable region having the polypeptide sequence of SEQ ID NO:3, and a light chain variable region having the polypeptide sequence of SEQ ID NO:4;(d) a heavy chain variable region having the polypeptide sequence of SEQ ID NO:5, and a light chain variable region having the polypeptide sequence of SEQ ID NO:6;(e) a heavy chain variable region having the polypeptide sequence of SEQ ID NO:7, and a light chain variable region having the polypeptide sequence of SEQ ID NO:8;(f) a heavy chain variable region having the polypeptide sequence of SEQ ID NO:9, and a light chain variable region having the polypeptide sequence of SEQ ID NO:10;(g) a heavy chain variable region having the polypeptide sequence of SEQ ID NO:11, and a light chain variable region having the polypeptide sequence of SEQ ID NO:12;(h) a heavy chain variable region having the polypeptide sequence of SEQ ID NO:13, and a light chain variable region having the polypeptide sequence of SEQ ID NO:14;(i) a heavy chain variable region having the polypeptide sequence of SEQ ID NO:15, and a light chain variable region having the polypeptide sequence of SEQ ID NO:16;(j) a heavy chain variable region having the polypeptide sequence of SEQ ID NO:17, and a light chain variable region having the polypeptide sequence of SEQ ID NO:18;(k) a heavy chain variable region having the polypeptide sequence of SEQ ID NO:19, and a light chain variable region having the polypeptide sequence of SEQ ID NO:20;(l) a heavy chain variable region having the polypeptide sequence of SEQ ID NO:21, and a light chain variable region having the polypeptide sequence of SEQ ID NO:22;(m) a heavy chain variable region having the polypeptide sequence of SEQ ID NO:23, and a light chain variable region having the polypeptide sequence of SEQ ID NO:24;(n) a heavy chain variable region having the polypeptide sequence of SEQ ID NO:25, and a light chain variable region having the polypeptide sequence of SEQ ID NO:26;(o) a heavy chain variable region having the polypeptide sequence of SEQ ID NO:27, and a light chain variable region having the polypeptide sequence of SEQ ID NO:28;(p) a heavy chain variable region having the polypeptide sequence of SEQ ID NO:29, and a light chain variable region having the polypeptide sequence of SEQ ID NO:30;(q) a heavy chain variable region having the polypeptide sequence of SEQ ID NO:31, and a light chain variable region having the polypeptide sequence of SEQ ID NO:32;(r) a heavy chain variable region having the polypeptide sequence of SEQ ID NO:35, and a light chain variable region having the polypeptide sequence of SEQ ID NO:36;(s) a heavy chain variable region having the polypeptide sequence of SEQ ID NO:37, and a light chain variable region having the polypeptide sequence of SEQ ID NO:38; or(t) a heavy chain variable region having the polypeptide sequence of SEQ ID NO:39, and a light chain variable region having the polypeptide sequence of SEQ ID NO:40. In certain embodiments, the isolated monoclonal antibody or antigen-binding fragment thereof inhibits the enzyme activity of soluble and/or cell-surface CD73. In certain embodiments, the isolated monoclonal antibody or antigen-binding fragment thereof prevents the dimerization of CD73. In certain embodiments, the isolated monoclonal antibody or antigen-binding fragment thereof induces the internalization of CD73. In certain embodiments, the isolated monoclonal antibody or antigen-binding fragment thereof is chimeric. In certain embodiments, the isolated monoclonal antibody or antigen-binding fragment thereof is human or humanized. In certain embodiments, the humanized monoclonal antibody or antigen-binding fragment thereof comprises:(1) a heavy chain variable region having the polypeptide sequence of SEQ ID NO:286, and a light chain variable region having the polypeptide sequence of SEQ ID NO:293;(2) a heavy chain variable region having the polypeptide sequence of SEQ ID NO:282, and a light chain variable region having the polypeptide sequence of SEQ ID NO:290;(3) a heavy chain variable region having the polypeptide sequence of SEQ ID NO:282, and a light chain variable region having the polypeptide sequence of SEQ ID NO:291;(4) a heavy chain variable region having the polypeptide sequence of SEQ ID NO:282, and a light chain variable region having the polypeptide sequence of SEQ ID NO:292;(5) a heavy chain variable region having the polypeptide sequence of SEQ ID NO:283, and a light chain variable region having the polypeptide sequence of SEQ ID NO:290;(6) a heavy chain variable region having the polypeptide sequence of SEQ ID NO:283, and a light chain variable region having the polypeptide sequence of SEQ ID NO:291;(7) a heavy chain variable region having the polypeptide sequence of SEQ ID NO:283, and a light chain variable region having the polypeptide sequence of SEQ ID NO:292;(8) a heavy chain variable region having the polypeptide sequence of SEQ ID NO:284, and a light chain variable region having the polypeptide sequence of SEQ ID NO:290;(9) a heavy chain variable region having the polypeptide sequence of SEQ ID NO:284, and a light chain variable region having the polypeptide sequence of SEQ ID NO:291;(10) a heavy chain variable region having the polypeptide sequence of SEQ ID NO:284, and a light chain variable region having the polypeptide sequence of SEQ ID NO:292;(11) a heavy chain variable region having the polypeptide sequence of SEQ ID NO:285, and a light chain variable region having the polypeptide sequence of SEQ ID NO:290;(12) a heavy chain variable region having the polypeptide sequence of SEQ ID NO:285, and a light chain variable region having the polypeptide sequence of SEQ ID NO:291;(13) a heavy chain variable region having the polypeptide sequence of SEQ ID NO:285, and a light chain variable region having the polypeptide sequence of SEQ ID NO:292;(14) a heavy chain variable region having the polypeptide sequence of SEQ ID NO:283, and a light chain variable region having the polypeptide sequence of SEQ ID NO:293;(15) a heavy chain variable region having the polypeptide sequence of SEQ ID NO:284, and a light chain variable region having the polypeptide sequence of SEQ ID NO:293;(16) a heavy chain variable region having the polypeptide sequence of SEQ ID NO:285, and a light chain variable region having the polypeptide sequence of SEQ ID NO:293;(17) a heavy chain variable region having the polypeptide sequence of SEQ ID NO:286, and a light chain variable region having the polypeptide sequence of SEQ ID NO:290;(18) a heavy chain variable region having the polypeptide sequence of SEQ ID NO:286, and a light chain variable region having the polypeptide sequence of SEQ ID NO:291;(19) a heavy chain variable region having the polypeptide sequence of SEQ ID NO:286, and a light chain variable region having the polypeptide sequence of SEQ ID NO:292;(20) a heavy chain variable region having the polypeptide sequence of SEQ ID NO:287, and a light chain variable region having the polypeptide sequence of SEQ ID NO:294;(21) a heavy chain variable region having the polypeptide sequence of SEQ ID NO:288, and a light chain variable region having the polypeptide sequence of SEQ ID NO:294;(22) a heavy chain variable region having the polypeptide sequence of SEQ ID NO:289, and a light chain variable region having the polypeptide sequence of SEQ ID NO:294;(23) a heavy chain variable region having the polypeptide sequence of SEQ ID NO:284, and a light chain variable region having the polypeptide sequence of SEQ ID NO:299;(24) a heavy chain variable region having the polypeptide sequence of SEQ ID NO:295, and a light chain variable region having the polypeptide sequence of SEQ ID NO:299;(25) a heavy chain variable region having the polypeptide sequence of SEQ ID NO:296, and a light chain variable region having the polypeptide sequence of SEQ ID NO:299;(26) a heavy chain variable region having the polypeptide sequence of SEQ ID NO:297, and a light chain variable region having the polypeptide sequence of SEQ ID NO:299; or(27) a heavy chain variable region having the polypeptide sequence of SEQ ID NO:298, and a light chain variable region having the polypeptide sequence of SEQ ID NO:299. In certain embodiments, the isolated monoclonal antibody or antigen-binding fragment thereof is capable of activating T cells. Also provided are isolated nucleic acids encoding the monoclonal antibodies or antigen-binding fragments thereof of the invention disclosed herein. Also provided are vectors comprising the isolated nucleic acids encoding a monoclonal antibody or antigen-binding fragment thereof of the invention. Also provided are host cells comprising the vectors comprising the isolated nucleic acids encoding a monoclonal antibody or antigen-binding fragment thereof of the invention. In certain embodiments, provided is a pharmaceutical composition comprising the isolated monoclonal antibody or antigen-binding fragment thereof of the invention and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier. Also provided are methods of inhibiting the nucleotidase activity of CD73 in a subject in need thereof, comprising administering to the subject a pharmaceutical composition of the invention. Also provided are methods of preventing the dimerization of CD73 in a subject in need thereof, comprising administering to the subject a pharmaceutical composition of the invention. Also provided are methods of inducing the internalization of CD73 in a subject in need thereof, comprising administering to the subject a pharmaceutical composition of the invention. Also provided are methods of treating cancer in a subject in need thereof, comprising administering to the subject a pharmaceutical composition of the invention. The cancer can be any liquid or solid cancer, for example, it can be selected from, but not limited to, a lung cancer, a gastric cancer, a colon cancer, a hepatocellular carcinoma, a renal cell carcinoma, a bladder urothelial carcinoma, a metastatic melanoma, a breast cancer, an ovarian cancer, a cervical cancer, a head and neck cancer, a pancreatic cancer, a glioma, a glioblastoma, and other solid tumors, and a non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL), an acute lymphocytic leukemia (ALL), a chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL), a chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML), a multiple myeloma (MM), an acute myeloid leukemia (AML), and other liquid tumors. Also provided are methods of producing the monoclonal antibody or antigen-binding fragment thereof of the invention, comprising culturing a cell comprising a nucleic acid encoding the monoclonal antibody or antigen-binding fragment thereof under conditions to produce the monoclonal antibody or antigen-binding fragment thereof, and recovering the antibody or antigen-binding fragment thereof from the cell or culture. Also provided are methods of producing a pharmaceutical composition comprising the monoclonal antibody or antigen-binding fragment thereof of the invention, comprising combining the monoclonal antibody or antigen-binding fragment thereof with a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier to obtain the pharmaceutical composition. Also provided are methods of determining a level of CD73 in a subject. The methods comprise (a) obtaining a sample from the subject; (b) contacting the sample with an antibody or antigen-binding fragment thereof of the invention; and (c) determining the level of CD73 in the subject. In certain embodiments, the sample is a tissue sample. The tissue sample can, for example, be a cancer tissue sample. In certain embodiments, the sample is a blood sample. Also provided are methods of determining the ecto-5′-nucleotidase activity of CD73 in a subject, wherein the enzyme activity can be fully inhibited by the monoclonal antibody or antigen-binding fragment thereof of the invention. The methods comprise (a) obtaining a sample from the subject; (b) contacting the sample with an antibody or antigen-binding fragment thereof of the invention; and (c) determining the ecto-5′-nucleotidase activity of CD73 in the subject. In certain embodiments, the sample is a tissue sample. The tissue sample can, for example, be a cancer tissue sample. In certain embodiments, the sample is a blood sample.

11363525

This application is a U.S. national stage application of the PCT International Application No. PCT/JP2019/035644 filed on Sep. 11, 2019, which claims the benefit of foreign priority of Japanese patent application No. 2018-173176 filed on Sep. 18, 2018, the contents all of which are incorporated herein by reference. TECHNICAL FIELD The present disclosure relates to a control method in a portable terminal. BACKGROUND ART PTL 1 discloses a communication device that displays a service set identifier (SSID) of a peripheral access point, strength of a reception field intensity, and congestion information. Through a selection of a desired access point from displayed access points by a user, a wireless connection is established between the communication device and the access point selected by the user. As in PTL 1, as a method for establishing a wireless connection between a communication device and an access point, a method is common in which the communication device searches for a peripheral access point and displays a search result, and then a user specifies an access point of a connection destination from the search result. However, a communication device that does not include a display in a first place exists. Moreover, a communication device exists that is difficult to use, even when including some sort of display device for a purpose of specifying an access point of a connection destination by the user. CITATION LIST Patent Literature PTL 1: Unexamined Japanese Patent Publication No. 2005-033285 SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present disclosure provides a mechanism in which, even when a user does not specify an access point of a connection destination of a communication device in the communication device, a wireless connection can be established between the communication device and the access point. The control method according to an aspect of the present disclosure is a control method that is achieved by an application installed in a portable terminal, the control method including the steps of instructing an operating system (OS) of the portable terminal to connect to a communication device in operation in a software access point mode, and sending a service set identifier (SSID) of an access point and a password for connecting to the access point to the communication device. An SSID of the communication device that operates in the software access point mode, and a password for connecting to the communication device that operates in the software access point mode are incorporated in the application in advance. Moreover, the control method according to another aspect of the present disclosure is a control method that is achieved by a refrigerator application installed in a portable terminal, the control method including the steps of instructing an operating system (OS) of the portable terminal to connect to a refrigerator in operation in a software access point mode, and sending a service set identifier (SSID) of an access point and a password for connecting to the access point to the refrigerator. An SSID of the refrigerator that operates in the software access point mode, and a password for connecting to the refrigerator that operates in the software access point mode are incorporated in the refrigerator application in advance.

11391158

FIELD The present subject matter relates generally to gas turbine engines. More particularly, the present subject matter relates to composite airfoil assemblies for gas turbine engines, such as composite turbine nozzle fairings for gas turbine engines. BACKGROUND More commonly, non-traditional high temperature composite materials, such as ceramic matrix composite (CMC) materials, are being used in applications such as gas turbine engines. Components fabricated from such materials have a higher temperature capability compared with typical components, e.g., metal components, which may allow improved component performance and/or increased engine temperatures. Composite components may provide other advantages as well, such as an improved strength to weight ratio. Typically, a CMC turbine nozzle fairing comprises an airfoil, an inner band, and an outer band that are integrally formed as one single component, with curved transition zones between the airfoil and each of the inner band and outer band. However, the transition from the airfoil to the band sections in the CMC turbine nozzle fairing generally comprises complex shapes in the vicinity of the curvature such that the nozzle fairings are difficult to lay up, resulting in a long manufacturing cycle time and low yield, and also are difficult to compact, often resulting in poor compaction. Additionally, thermal differences, i.e., a thermal fight, between the airfoil and bands produce high stresses in the nozzle fairings, which limits the acceptability of part defects and results in tighter inspection limits for non-destructive examination of the parts. Moreover, known CMC nozzle fairings typically are singlets and can allow leakage between each separate nozzle fairing. Accordingly, improved airfoil assemblies would be useful. In particular, an airfoil assembly comprising an airfoil that is separate from each of the inner band and outer band would be advantageous. Further, an airfoil assembly having a separate airfoil, inner band, and outer band that is simply supported, with a positively located airfoil, would be desirable. BRIEF DESCRIPTION Aspects and advantages of the invention will be set forth in part in the following description, or may be obvious from the description, or may be learned through practice of the invention. In one exemplary embodiment of the present subject matter, an airfoil assembly for a gas turbine engine is provided. The airfoil assembly comprises an airfoil having a concave pressure side opposite a convex suction side and an inner end radially spaced apart from an outer end. The pressure side and the suction side extend axially from a leading edge to a trailing edge. The airfoil assembly further comprises an inner band defining an inner opening shaped complementary to the inner end of the airfoil and an outer band defining an outer opening shaped complementary to the outer end of the airfoil. The inner end of the airfoil is received with the inner opening and the outer end of the airfoil is received within the outer opening. The airfoil assembly also comprises a strut extending radially through a cavity defined by the airfoil, as well as a first pad defined at a first radial location within the cavity and a second pad defined at a second radial location within the cavity. The first radial location is different from the second radial location. In another exemplary embodiment of the present subject matter, an airfoil assembly for a gas turbine engine is provided. The airfoil assembly comprises an airfoil having a concave pressure side opposite a convex suction side and an inner end radially spaced apart from an outer end. The pressure side and the suction side extend axially from a leading edge to a trailing edge. The airfoil assembly also comprises an inner band defining an inner opening shaped complementary to the inner end of the airfoil and an outer band defining an outer opening shaped complementary to the outer end of the airfoil. The inner end of the airfoil is received with the inner opening and the outer end of the airfoil is received within the outer opening. The inner band includes a first flowpath surface, a first non-flowpath surface opposite the first flowpath surface, and a first inner flange extending radially from the first non-flowpath surface. The outer band includes a second flowpath surface, a second non-flowpath surface opposite the second flowpath surface, and a first outer flange extending radially from the second non-flowpath surface. The inner band is secured to an inner support structure by a first inner fastener extending through the first inner flange, and the outer band is secured to an outer support structure by a first outer fastener extending through the first outer flange. In a further exemplary embodiment of the present subject matter, an airfoil assembly for a gas turbine engine is provided. The airfoil assembly comprises an airfoil having a concave pressure side opposite a convex suction side and an inner end radially spaced apart from an outer end. The pressure side and the suction side extend axially from a leading edge to a trailing edge. The airfoil assembly further comprises an inner band defining an inner opening shaped complementary to the inner end of the airfoil and an outer band defining an outer opening shaped complementary to the outer end of the airfoil. The inner end of the airfoil is received with the inner opening and the outer end of the airfoil is received within the outer opening. The inner band includes a first flowpath surface, a first non-flowpath surface opposite the first flowpath surface, and a first inner flange extending radially from the first non-flowpath surface. The outer band includes a second flowpath surface, a second non-flowpath surface opposite the second flowpath surface, and a first outer flange extending radially from the second non-flowpath surface. The inner band is secured to an inner support structure by a first inner fastener extending through the first inner flange, and the outer band is secured to an outer support structure by a first outer fastener extending through the first outer flange. Moreover, a strut extends radially through a cavity defined by the airfoil, and a first pad is defined at a first radial location within the cavity and a second pad is defined at a second radial location within the cavity. The first radial location is different from the second radial location. Each of the inner band, outer band, and airfoil are formed from a ceramic matrix composite material. These and other features, aspects and advantages of the present invention 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 invention and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the invention.

11500546

BACKGROUND The present disclosure generally relates to distributed computing systems, and more particularly, to improving the checkpointing of distributed computations executed on such systems. Cluster supercomputing is the practice of connecting individual computing nodes to create a distributed system that provides a computing resource capable of solving complex problems. These nodes may be individual desktop computers, servers, processors or similar machines capable of hosting an individual instance of computation. These nodes are constructed out of hardware components including, but not limited to, processors, volatile memory (RAM), magnetic storage drives, mainboards, network interface cards, etc. There has been a thrust recently in the HPC (High Performance Computing) community towards utilizing distributed systems as opposed to the more traditional custom supercomputers. This movement has largely been motivated by the relatively recent availability of high speed network interconnects (e.g., Myrinet Quadrics, and Infiniband) that allow distributed systems to reach similar levels of efficiency as those observed by traditional custom supercomputers at a fraction of the cost. Such systems still suffer from the major drawback of comparatively poor system reliability. Assuming for illustration that the average individual computing node C has a reliability of x, the probability that none of the hardware components that comprise C will fail in a given day. Often x is what appears to a very high probability, perhaps 99.9%. This represents excellent reliability for the normal consumer, who has no issue with having to perform maintenance on the single component approximately once a year. The quandary arises however, when one examines precisely how x behaves with regards to the probability of any single node Ci in the distributed system failing. The probability P of any node Ci failing in a group of n nodes is given by: P=n(1−x)=n−(1−0.999)=n(0.001) As n increases, the probability of a node falling on a given day increases linearly. Indeed, once n crests 1000, a not uncommon number of components for larger distributed systems, it is almost guaranteed that a minimum of one node will fail on a daily basis. This lack of reliability is further exacerbated by the fact that additional node failures are caused by imperfect system software. Any distributed computation that was utilizing the failed node would then have to be restarted. Many of the HPC applications which utilize large distributed systems take days or weeks, even months to complete, most likely several failed attempts would be required before a distributed computation manages to complete, if at all. As a result distributed systems unable to tolerate failures are unusable for truly large scale supercomputing. If there were a method to save the state of a distributed computation such that it could be restarted in that state after failures were resolved, then combining that method with a distributed system might result in a computing resource with the reliability of a traditional supercomputer, at a fraction of the cost. There have been numerous attempts to provide such a method, almost all of which fall into one of two abstract classifications: checkpoint-based protocols and log-based protocols. A comprehensive survey of both checkpoint-based and log-based protocols is available in E. N. (Mootaz) Elnozahy, Lorenzo Alvisi, Yi-Min Wang, and David B. Johnson. A Survey of Rollback-Recovery Protocols in Message-Passing Systems. ACM Comput. Surv., 34(3): 375-408, 2002, which is incorporated herein by reference. The requirements to “checkpoint” or record the state of a single non-distributed computation is simple and well known. It involves merely recording the state (e.g., global data, stack, heap, mapped memory, and processor context) of the software process that realizes the computation, to some form of persistent storage. This data saved to persistent storage is known as a “checkpoint”. At a later time the checkpoint may be read from stable storage and loaded by a process, after which computation will transparently resume at the point of execution in the saved state. Periodic checkpointing of a long running computation allows for tolerance of failures. A computation can be restarted from its most recent checkpoint once the failure has been resolved. Utilizing this method the only part of the computation lost is that which took place in the interval between the most recent checkpoint and the failure. When one attempts to apply this same method to a distributed computation, however, the challenge becomes much more substantial. A distributed computation is one in which several instances of computation work in concert to solve a single problem. Each instance of computation or “process” is usually implemented as an individual OS process or a thread of execution inside an OS process. The cooperation between the separate processes takes the form of exchanged messages. These messages are exchanged either over an interconnection network or through the accessing and modification of shared memory. In order for a checkpoint of a distributed computation to be of use, ft must represent a state that is globally consistent. A globally consistent state is one that could have been reached during the normal course of the execution of the computation. The difficulty in checkpointing a distributed computation lies in the fact that at any given time there are probably many messages “in-flight” between the different processes, implying that the communication channels possess state that must be captured. Consider a distributed computation comprised of two processes (P.sub.s and P.sub.r) at either end of a communication channel. P.sub.s is checkpointed prior to sending a particular message m, while P.sub.r is checkpointed after the receipt of m. The global state represented by the aggregate of the two checkpoints is not consistent because one process has received a message that the other process never sent. This phenomenon is referred to as an orphan message and demonstrates that in order to ensure that the checkpoint of a distributed computation is globally consistent there must be some level of coordination between the individual processes. Almost all conventional methods to checkpoint distributed computations are based on the method of Distributed Snapshots as described, for example, by K. Mani Chandy and Leslie Lamport. Distributed Snapshots: Determining Global States of Distributed Systems. ACM Trans. Comput. Syst., 3(1): 61-75, 1985, which is incorporated herein by reference. This method is a global state detection mechanism that achieves coordination through the use of ‘marker’ messages. It relies on a fundamental assumption that the communication channels of the distributed system are reliable, FIFO (First-In First-Out) queues that guarantee all messages sent by one process to another are received in-order and without error. When a single process in such a distributed computation wishes to detect a global state (which can be recorded as a checkpoint) it sends a marker message out on all its communication channels and immediately records its local state. Each process on the other end of a communication channel receives the marker message and records its local state. The process then forwards the marker message on each channel with the exception of the channel on which the marker was received. These marker messages propagate throughout the distributed system and coordinate the checkpointing of individual processes such that the aggregate of all the individual checkpoints equates to a globally consistent state. In order to understand how this coordination is accomplished, consider again the case of a distributed system comprised of two processes and a single reliable FIFO communication channel connecting them. One of the two processes P.sub.s initiates a checkpoint by sending a marker message across the channel and recording its local state. Immediately upon receipt of the marker message, the receiving process P.sub.r saves its local state. P.sub.r guarantees it received all messages sent before P.sub.s took a checkpoint. Additionally this guarantees guarantee that P.sub.r's own checkpoint was taken before it received any messages sent by P.sub.s after P.sub.s checkpointed. The result is that when the two processes save their respective states no messages are sent but not yet received and no messages are received but not yet sent. In effect, the marker messages “flush”, or “drain”, the network of all messages so as to restrict the state of the distributed computation that must be recorded to that of the individual processes. This precludes any inconsistencies from arising upon restart. The LAM/MPI message passing library is one well-known communication middleware implementation that utilizes distributed snapshots to coordinate individual process checkpoints taken with Berkeley Linux Checkpoint Restart (BLCR), which is a single process kernel based checkpoint/restart system. The LAM/MPI message passing library is discussed further in Greg Burns, Raja Daoud, and James Vaigl. LAM: An Open Cluster Environment for MPI. In Proceedings of Supercomputing Symposium, pages 379-386, 1994, and also in Jeffrey M. Squyres and Andrew Lumsdaine. A Component Architecture for LAM/MPI. In Proceedings, 10th European PVM/MPI Users' Group Meeting, number 2840 in Lecture Notes In Computer Science, pages 379-387, Venice, Italy, September/October 2003 (Springer-Verlag), each of which is incorporated herein by reference. BLCR is described in more detail by J. Duell, P. Hargrove, and E. Roman. The Design and Implementation of Berkeley Lab's Linux Checkpoint/Restart, 2002, which is incorporated herein by reference. When the LAM library desires to record the state of a distributed computation, its drains the network of all messages utilizing the marker packets, shuts down all communication channels to remove any state from the OS, and utilizes BLCR to checkpoint the local state of each individual process. The foregoing is discussed further in Sriram. Sankaran, Jeffrey M. Squyres, Bran Barrett, Andrew Lumsdaine, Jason Duell, Paul Hargrove, and Eric Roman. The LAM/MPI checkpoint/restart framework: System-Initiated Checkpointing. In Proceedings, LACSI Symposium, Sante Fe, N. Mex., USA, October 2003, which is incorporated herein by reference. The LAM library then reopens all communications channels and continues computation. Accordingly, there are several drawbacks and shortcomings shared by current implementations of distributed checkpoint/restart based on the distributed snapshots method. Most current methods suffer from one or more of the following disadvantages: 1. Current implementations are all blocking. During the detection of a global state, and while recording that global state to secondary storage, computation cannot proceed. This results in lost computational time which in turn reduces the efficiency of the distributed system. 2. Current implementations are non-transparent. The implementations require knowledge either in the user level application itself, some middleware whose primary purpose is other than checkpointing, or the operating system (OS). None of the current implementations functions as a standalone entity, completely transparent to all levels of the distributed system. 3. Current implementations do not allow for migration. Should an individual node of a distributed system fail, the process it was executing cannot be migrated to a different non-failed node, without modifications to middleware layers. As a result the distributed system cannot resume computation until the failed node is manually repaired or replaced by an operator. 4. Current implementations do not allow for truly asynchronous inducement of checkpoints. Many implementations will not allow for checkpoints to be taken during certain operations, such as many operations pertaining to communication. These implementations will need to delay the checkpoint operation until the protected operations have concluded.

11226773

BACKGROUND The present invention relates generally to the field of storage systems, and more particularly to processor core workload management. NVMe (non-volatile memory express) is a storage protocol that is designed for fast data transfer between servers, storage devices, and flash controllers that typically use PCIe (peripheral component interconnect express) bus. The specification of NVMe provides a register interface and a command set that enabled high performance I/O (input/output). This is an alternative to the traditional SCSI (small computer system interface) standards (and other standards such as SAS and SATA) for data transmission across the hosts and storage systems. NVMe supports parallel I/O processing with multicore servers that results in faster I/O dispensation that leads to reduction in I/O latency. Additionally, NVMe is designed to use fewer CPU (central processing unit or, simply, processor) instructions per I/O. NVMe also supports 64,000 commands in a single message queue and a maximum of 65,535 I/O queues (IOQs). NVMe over Fabrics (NVMe-oF) including fibre channel (FC-NVMe) is an extension to local PCIe NVMe that allows benefits of NVMe such as high-performance and low-latency across network fabrics. Servers and storage devices can be connected over ethernet network or fiber channel. Both interconnects support NVMe commands over the fabric to extend the advantages of NVMe protocol to interconnected system components. The stated design goal for NVMe-oF was to add no more than 10 microseconds of latency for communication between an NVMe host computer and a network-connected NVMe storage devices, on top of the latency associated with accessing a PCIe NVMe storage. SUMMARY In one aspect of the present invention, a method, a computer program product, and a system for balancing I/O queue processing resources of a data storage system communicating with a clustered host processing system using non-volatile memory express (NVMe) protocols includes: (i) detecting an imbalance condition among a set of processor cores of a data storage system; (ii) identifying a set of overloaded processor cores; (iii) determining a set of I/O queues of the overloaded processor cores causing the imbalance condition; (iv) identifying for each I/O queue in the set of I/O queues a corresponding host and a peer physical host based on configuration maps and tables; (v) identifying a set of target I/O queues, the set of target I/O queues associated with a peer physical host connected with a clustered host processing system; (vi) collecting a set of associated workloads and a measure of processor core consumption for each target I/O queue and corresponding processor cores; (vii) generating a virtual machine migration plan to balance the set of associated workloads within the clustered host processing system, the migration plan including moving a virtual machine from a first host connected to underutilized processor cores to a second host connected to overloaded processor cores; and (viii) causing the clustered host processing system to perform the virtual machine migration plan if a migration policy permits the migration.

11426759

FIELD OF THE INVENTION The field of art to which this invention pertains is surgical needles, more particularly apparatus and methods for coating surgical needles with lubricious coatings in batch processes. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Surgical sutures having attached surgical needles are well known in the art and provide a fundamental and essential means for various wound closure applications, including for example, approximating and closing incisions and lacerations. It is desirable to coat surgical needles with lubricious coatings to facilitate the passage of the needle through various types of tissues for multiple passes. Ease of penetration of the surgical needles through tissue is a critical, required property and is known to facilitate a wound closure procedure by providing the surgeon or medical professional with consistent performance during the suturing or wound closure process in which the needle readily passes through tissue with a minimal amount of force applied. Such surgical needles in combination with the skills of the surgeon are known to produce superior patient outcomes. Surgical needles are conventionally coated with a variety of known silicone-based coating solutions. The coating solutions may be applied in a variety of ways including dipping, spraying, brushing, etc. The needles may be singulated by mounting on strips prior to coating or may be batch coated. Batch coating processes typically are dipping processes wherein a batch of needles is placed in a wire basket, and then the basket and needles are subsequently immersed in a bath containing a liquid silicone coating composition. The basket containing the wet needles is subsequently removed from the coating bath and excess silicone is drained from the needles to the extent possible. Then the batch of wet needles is transferred to a suitable shallow container such as a tray for further additional conventional processing including curing and interim packaging. Although batch coating processes provide an adequate means to apply silicone coatings to a large number of surgical needles, there are several deficiencies associated with the use of these coating processes. First of all, the needles must be handled and moved after the batch coating application when the coatings are still wet to subsequent steps in the coating process including, for example, curing. It is known that handling needles having wet silicone coatings can result in damage to the integrity of the coatings resulting in coating defects such as globbiness and/or discontinuity in the coating. These defects can adversely affect the penetration performance of the surgical needles. Additionally, in a batch dipping process it is known that the wet silicone coatings can withdraw from the piercing tips of the needles due to the surface energy and low viscosity, which provides ample mobility to the silicone coating solution. The decreased amount of silicone coating on the piercing tips is a major factor associated with adverse needle penetration performance. Another disadvantage of the existing bulk dip-coating silicone coating processes is that they are known to be inefficient due to excess usage of expensive silicone coating solutions. A significant disadvantage of such existing processes relates to the associated economic inefficiencies in the manufacturing process resulting from significant numbers of needles having deficient or defective coatings which must be identified and discarded. Accordingly, there is a need in this art for novel silicone coating processes that can be used with batch needle manufacturing processes and which provide superior needle coatings and associated improved needle performance, as well as manufacturing and cost efficiencies. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Therefore, a novel apparatus and method for spray coating bulk surgical needles in batch processes are disclosed. The novel apparatus for spray coating bulk surgical needles has a needle separation tower for receiving bulk surgical needles and separating the needles. The needle tower has frame having a top, a bottom, a first end and a second end. A top tower belt, an intermediate tower belt, and a bottom tower belt are mounted to the frame, each belt having a first end and a second end, and a top and a bottom. A bulk needle receiving structure is associated with the top, first end of the frame for receiving a plurality of bulk surgical needles and directing the needles to the top tower belt. An angled baffle member is mounted to the tower frame for directing needles from the top tower belt to the intermediate tower belt. There is an overspill barrier member for directing needles from the intermediate tower belt to the bottom tower belt. A first belt stepper motor engages the top tower belt, a second belt stepper motor engages the intermediate tower belt, and a third belt stepper motor engaging the bottom tower belt. A rotating member is mounted to the top of the tower frame at the second end over the top tower belt for engaging needles on the top tower belt. There is an upper paper conveyor for receiving needles from the bottom tower belt of the needle separation tower. The upper paper conveyor has a first end and a second end, an upper frame, an upper absorbent belt, an upper drive roll, an upper take-up roll, an upper first end roll and a second magnetic end roll for engaging needles. A stepper motor engages the upper drive roll. There is a lower paper conveyor for receiving needles from the upper paper conveyor. The lower paper conveyor has a first end and second end, a lower frame, a lower absorbent belt, a lower drive roll, a lower take-up roll, a lower first end roll and a lower second end roll for engaging needles. There is a stepper motor engaging the lower drive roll. At least one spray nozzle is moveably mounted over the upper and lower paper conveyors for spraying a silicone lubricious coating onto surgical needles on the upper and lower absorbent belt. Another aspect is a novel method of using the novel bulk spraying apparatus to coat a plurality of needles with a lubricious silicone coating in a bulk process These and other aspects and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the following description and accompanying drawings.

11237951

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates generally to the field of big data datasets, and more particularly to extracting test datasets that are representative of performance. Big data is a field that identifies ways to analyze, systematically extract information from, or otherwise deal with data sets that are too large or complex to be processed by traditional data-processing application software. Data with many cases (rows) offer greater statistical power, while data with higher complexity (more attributes or columns) may lead to a higher false discovery rate. Big data challenges include capturing data, data storage, data analysis, search, sharing, transfer, visualization, querying, updating, information privacy and data source. Big data was originally associated with three key concepts: volume, variety, and velocity. Big data often includes data with sizes that exceed the capacity of traditional software to process within a reasonable time and value. Current usage of the term big data tends to refer to the use of predictive analytics, user behavior analytics, or certain other advanced data analytics methods that extract value from data, and seldom to a particular size of data set. Scientists, business executives, practitioners of medicine, and advertising firms alike regularly meet difficulties with large datasets in areas including Internet searches, fintech, and business informatics. Scientists encounter limitations in e-Science work, including meteorology, genomics, connectomics, complex physics simulations, biology and environmental research. Data sets grow rapidly, to a certain extent because they are increasingly gathered by cheap and numerous information-sensing Internet of things (IoT) devices such as mobile devices, remote sensing, software logs, cameras, microphones, radio-frequency identification (RFID) readers, and wireless sensor networks. SUMMARY Embodiments of the present invention disclose a method, a computer program product, and a system for extracting test datasets for testing and resource optimization, the method comprising: executing a test run on a full dataset of a job; identifying existing bottlenecks in the job through a run-time monitoring interface; executing, by an automated analysis tool, a run-time metrics analysis, a source code analysis, and a source data impact analysis of a distributed data processing engine executing a distributed data processing job; generating, by an analysis and impact scoring engine, an impact scoring table of job transformations based on the source code analysis; generating data extraction rules based on the impact scoring table; extracting a test dataset based on the data extraction rules; evaluating the data extraction rules against user defined thresholds, and preparing a representative test dataset; and outputting, via a user interface on a computing device, the representative test dataset to a user.

11335274

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION This application claims priority from Republic of Korea Patent Application No. 10-2019-0113249, filed on Sep. 16, 2019, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. BACKGROUND 1. Field of Technology The present embodiment relates to a temperature sensor having a correction function, and further relates to a source driver and a display device including the same. 2. Description of the Prior Art A temperature sensor detects ambient heat and is widely used in semiconductor integrated circuits. In particular, the temperature sensor may detect the temperature of a heat-sensitive component in a display device, and a panel driving device may appropriately control the voltage or current supplied to the component depending on the detected temperature. The temperature sensor may detect the temperature using electrical characteristics that change with heat. The temperature sensor may output electrical characteristics such as current, which changes depending on temperature, and may calculate temperature from the electrical characteristics. However, there may be discrepancies between the actual temperature and the temperature output by the temperature sensor. Various techniques for correcting the above errors have been developed. In order to correct the errors, temperature data may be corrected in the analog stage, but this has the disadvantage of requiring a complicated circuit for correction. In addition, if the temperature sensor calculates a temperature through the nonlinear characteristics of a voltage, a discrepancy may occur between the calculated temperature and the actual temperature. Meanwhile, the temperature sensor may introduce errors due to several factors. For example, the ground voltage of the temperature sensor may fluctuate, so the voltage output through sensing by the temperature sensor may differ. Alternatively, if a source driver of a display device performs an operation consuming a large amount of power, the internal temperature becomes higher than the actual temperature thereof, and the temperature sensor mounted inside the source driver may sense a temperature different from the actual temperature. Therefore, it is necessary to develop technology for correcting the temperature sensor that is capable of solving the problem with the existing error correction of the temperature sensor and takes into consideration the amount of heat emitted due to power consumption. SUMMARY An aspect of the present embodiment is to provide a technique for correcting a measurement error of a temperature sensor by calibrating a correlation between temperature and voltage. Another aspect of the present embodiment is to provide a temperature correction technique that differs depending on the power consumption of a source driver. Another aspect of the present embodiment is to provide a technique for a source driver that measures the temperature of a panel using thermal conductivity. To this end, an aspect of the present disclosure provides a source driver comprising: a calibrating circuit configured to differently obtain multiple pieces of temperature data and multiple pieces of voltage data corresponding to the multiple pieces of temperature data according to modes depending on power consumption of the source driver, and to generate a function between temperature and voltage from the obtained multiple pieces of temperature data and the obtained multiple pieces of voltage data; and a data calculating circuit configured to receive input voltage data and apply the input voltage data to the function, thereby calculating temperature data corresponding to the input voltage data. In the source driver, the modes may comprise a first mode for a first power consumption and a second mode for a second power consumption lower than the first power consumption, and the source driver may further comprise a memory configured to store a first group of multiple pieces of temperature data and a first group of multiple pieces of voltage data according to the first mode, and a second group of multiple pieces of temperature data and a second group of multiple pieces of voltage data according to the second mode. In the source driver, the calibrating circuit may read out a plurality of pieces of temperature data and a plurality of pieces of voltage data from the memory according to the modes, and generate the function from the plurality of pieces of read temperature data and the plurality of pieces of read voltage data. In the source driver, the power consumption may be determined by a refresh rate (RR) of a panel. The source driver may further comprise a memory configured to store offset data, and the calibrating circuit may generate the function from data obtained by reflecting the offset data to the plurality of pieces of voltage data. In the source driver, the calibrating circuit may comprise a multiplexer (MUX) configured to select the plurality of pieces of voltage data or the offset data. The source driver may further comprise a temperature sensor configured to generate signals corresponding to the plurality of pieces of voltage data and the input voltage data. Another aspect of the present disclosure provides a display device comprising: a panel; and a source driver, coupled to one surface of the panel, configured to receive heat from the panel while being coupled to one surface of the panel, to obtain first temperature data, first voltage data corresponding to the first temperature data, second temperature data, and second voltage data corresponding to the second temperature data, to generate a function between temperatures and voltages from the first temperature data, the first voltage data, the second temperature data, and the second voltage data, to receive third voltage data, and to calculate third temperature data corresponding to the third voltage data by applying the third voltage data to the function. The display device may further comprise a heat sink plate positioned between the panel and the source driver so as to transfer heat from the panel to the source driver. In the display device, the third temperature data is a temperature of the panel. Still another aspect of the present disclosure provides a source driver comprising: a calibrating circuit configured to obtain first temperature data, first voltage data corresponding to the first temperature data, second temperature data, and second voltage data corresponding to the second temperature data, and to generate a function between temperatures and voltages from the first temperature data, the first voltage data, the second temperature data, and the second voltage data; and a data calculating circuit configured to receive third voltage data and calculate third temperature data corresponding to the third voltage data by applying the third voltage data to the function. The source driver may further comprise a memory configured to store data, and the calibrating circuit may read out the first temperature data, the first voltage data, the second temperature data, and the second voltage data from the memory. The source driver may further comprise a temperature sensor configured to generate first to through third analog signals corresponding to the first to through third voltage data depending on temperature. The source driver may further comprise an analog-digital converter configured to digitize the first through third analog signals to the first through third voltage data. In the source driver, the function may be a linear function obtained by combining the first temperature data, the first voltage data, the second temperature data, and the second voltage data. In the source driver, the calibrating circuit may generate the function by adjusting a slope of the function and an offset of the function. As described above, the present disclosure allows reducing errors in temperature sensing due to power consumption of a source driver. In addition, the present disclosure allows reducing errors in temperature of a panel measured by a source driver.

11406143

TECHNICAL FIELD This document relates to facemasks, and more particularly, to filtering facepiece respirators (FFRs). BACKGROUND During times such as the COVID pandemic, many people wear facemasks to protect themselves and others from contracting disease or other bacteria that can be in the air we breathe. Essential workers, such as medical workers, caregivers, and teachers wear facemasks because they routinely interact with people who need assistance. Facemasks may not be patient-friendly, and may cause unnecessary maskphobia because patients cannot see the faces of those essential workers. This is concerning with cognitively immature patients (e.g., infants and toddlers) as well as the cognitively impaired patients (e.g., elderly with dementia or Alzheimer's). While cloth facemasks can be customized to include logos, smiley faces, and the like, Filtering Facepiece Respirators (FFRs) are subject to various regulatory standards and cannot be printed upon. These standards specify certain physical properties and performance characteristics for FFRs to be compliant. Example FFRs include N95, FFP2, KN95, and surgical masks, which meet the regulatory standards but may not be customized like cloth facemasks. SUMMARY This document generally relates to facemasks, and more particularly, to filtering facepiece respirators (FFRs) that can be required to meet certain regulatory standards. Some embodiments described herein include a fastener system that is integrated into an FFR when the FFR is manufactured. The fastening system can allow a mask band or skin to be affixed to the FFR (e.g., on a front of the FFR and/or on an inside of the FFR). The mask band can be customized and can, for example, include an image of an FFR wearer's lower face. As a result, the FFR wearer can have a more personal connection with patients or other people. Particular embodiments described herein include a customizable mask system having a facemask adapted to be worn on a face of a user. The facemask can include an external surface, an internal surface opposite the external surface that can be positioned towards the face of the user when the user wears the facemask, and a first set of fastening elements integrated into the internal surface of the facemask. The system can also include a customizable mask band adapted to cover at least a portion of the external surface of the facemask. The customizable mask band can include one or more attachment portions positioned on the mask band in locations that can correspond to positions of the first set of fastening elements on the facemask, and a second set of fastening elements integrated into the attachment portions. The attachment portions of the mask band can wrap around side edges of the external surface of the facemask such that the second set of fastening elements can mate with the first set of fastening elements. In some implementations, the disclosed embodiments can optionally include one or more of the following features. For example, the first set of fastening elements can be welded with at least one of the external surface and the internal surface when the facemask is manufactured. The first set of fastening elements can also be integrated into the internal surface of the facemask with ultrasonic welding. In some implementations, the facemask can be at least one of a regulatory compliant mask, a filtering facepiece respirator (FFR), a KN965 KN95, an N95, and a surgical mask. In some implementations, the first set of fastening elements can be loop fasteners and the second set of fastening elements can be hoop fasteners. The second set of fastening elements can also be magnets. The at least one of the first set and the second set of fastening elements can also be adhesive strips, hook and loop fasteners, magnets, or a sticky textured material for mating with a receiving material. As another example, the facemask further can include a third set of fastening elements on the side edges of the external surface of the facemask. The facemask may also include a fourth set of fastening elements that can be disposed laterally across the external surface of the facemask. The facemask can also include a fifth set of fastening elements that can be disposed a predetermined distance between a midpoint and a lateral edge of the facemask. The system can include a customizable mask attachment having a sixth set of fastening elements that can mate with the fifth set of fastening elements when the customizable mask attachment attaches to the facemask. In some implementations, the first set and the second set of fastening elements can include two fastening elements each. The customizable mask band can be cloth. The customizable mask band can also be at least one of reusable, washable, and disposable. Moreover, the customizable mask band can be applied to a second facemask. The facemask can also include ear loops integrated into the side edges of the facemask, The attachment portions of the customizable mask band can wrap around the side edges of the external surface of the facemask between connection points of each of the ear loops. In some implementations, the customizable mask band can include an image of the user's lower face. The facemask may also be an FFR. In some implementations, the facemask can satisfy: (i) fluid resistance requirements of ASTM F1862, (ii) particulate filtration efficiency requirements of ASTM F2100, (iii) airflow resistance requirements with an acceptance criterion of <6 mm H2O/cm2for differential pressure testing of ASTM F2100, (iii) flammability performance requirements consistent with the definition of a Class 1 or Class 2 textile in 16 CFR Part 1610, and (iv) a manufacturing materials requirement that includes non-cytotoxic, non-irritating, and nonsensitizing material consistent with at least one of International Standard ISO 10993-1, ISO 10993-5, and ISO 10993-10. One or more embodiments described herein can also include a customizable mask system that includes a facemask adapted to be worn on a face of a user, the facemask having an external surface, an internal surface opposite the external surface that can be positioned towards the face of the user when the user wears the facemask, and a first fastening element integrated into the external surface of the facemask. The system can also include a customizable mask attachment adapted to cover at least a portion of the external surface of the facemask, the customizable mask attachment including an external surface, an internal surface opposite the external surface of the customizable mask attachment, the internal surface positioned towards the external surface of the facemask when the customizable mask attachment covers at least the portion of the external surface of the facemask, and a second fastening element integrated into the internal surface of the customizable mask attachment. The second fastening element can mate with the first fastening element when the customizable mask attachment is covering at least the portion of the external surface of the facemask. The disclosed embodiments can include one or more features described herein. For example, the first fastening element can be integrated into the external surface of the facemask at least 1 inch from a midpoint of the external surface of the facemask to a lateral edge of the external surface of the facemask, and the first fastening element can cover no more than 15% of the external surface of the facemask. Particular embodiments described herein can also include a customizable mask system having a facemask adapted to be worn on a face of a user. The facemask can include an external surface, an internal surface opposite the external surface, the internal surface positioned towards the face of the user when the user wears the facemask, and a first set of fastening elements integrated into the internal surface of the facemask. The customizable mask system can also include a customizable mask band adapted to cover at least a portion of the external surface of the facemask. The customizable mask band can include one or more attachment portions positioned on the mask band in locations that correspond to positions of the first set of fastening elements on the facemask, and a second set of fastening elements integrated into the attachment portions. The attachment portions of the mask band can wrap around side edges of the external surface of the facemask such that the second set of fastening elements can mate with the first set of fastening elements. In some implementations, the disclosed embodiments can optionally include one or more of the following features. The first set of fastening elements can be welded with at least one of the external surface and the internal surface when the facemask is manufactured. The first set of fastening elements can be integrated into the internal surface of the facemask with ultrasonic welding. The facemask can be at least one of a regulatory compliant mask, a filtering facepiece respirator (FFR), a KN95, an N95, and a surgical mask. The first set of fastening elements can be loop fasteners and the second set of fastening elements can be hoop fasteners. The second set of fastening elements can be magnets. At least one of the first set and the second set of fastening elements can be adhesive strips, hook and loop fasteners, magnets, or a sticky textured material for mating with a receiving material. The facemask can also include a third set of fastening elements on the side edges of the external surface of the facemask. The facemask can also include a fourth set of fastening elements disposed laterally across the external surface of the facemask. The first set and the second set of fastening elements can include two fastening elements each. The customizable mask band can be cloth. The customizable mask band can be at least one of reusable, washable, and disposable. The customizable mask band can be applied to a second facemask. A second customizable mask band can be applied to the facemask. The facemask can further include ear loops integrated into the side edges of the facemask. The attachment portions of the customizable mask band can be configured to wrap around the side edges of the external surface of the facemask between connection points of each of the ear loops. The customizable mask band can include an image of the user's lower face. The facemask can be an FFR. The disclosed facemasks can satisfy fluid resistance requirements (e.g., liquid barrier performance) consistent with FDA-recognized standards, American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) F1862, particulate filtration efficiency requirements consistent with ASTM F2100, and airflow resistance (e.g., breathability) requirements with an acceptance criterion of <6 mm H2O/cm2for differential pressure (delta P) testing consistent with ASTM F2100. The disclosed facemasks may also satisfy flammability performance requirements consistent with the definition of either a Class 1 or Class 2 textile in 16 CFR Part 1610. Moreover, the materials of manufacture for the disclosed facemasks can be (1) non-cytotoxic, non-irritating, and nonsensitizing consistent with the recommendations in FDA's guidance, “Use of International Standard ISO 10993-1, ‘Biological evaluation of medical devices—Part 1: Evaluation and testing within a risk management process’” or (2) conform to the following biocompatibility standards: ISO 10993-1, ISO 10993-5, and/or ISO 10993-10. The disclosed embodiments described herein may provide one or more of the following advantages. For example, the disclosed embodiments provide for adding customization to masks that typically cannot be customized. FFRs, such as KN95, N95, and surgical masks may not be customized like cloth facemasks because doing so can reduce the FFRs compliance with regulatory standards (e.g., by contaminating the wearer with fumes from paints added to the mask, by creating punctures or holes in the mask that reduce effectiveness of the mask in deflecting and/or filtering bacteria or other air particles). The disclosed embodiments, on the other hand, allow a wearer of the FFR to customize their regulatory compliant FFR because the mask band can be attached directly to the FFR. As another example, the disclosed embodiments provide for customizing a regulatory-compliant mask, such as FFRs, without comprising on the mask's compliance purpose or integrity. The mask band or skin can be attached or fastened to the FFRs while still permitting the FFRs to deflect bacteria or other particles in the surrounding air. For example, a mask band that wraps around the FFR and fastens to an inside of the FFR may not compromise breathability or efficacy in protecting the mask wearer from surrounding bacteria or air particles. The fabric of the mask band that wraps around the FFR can prevent bacteria or air particles from getting around the FFR on sides of the wearer's face. As yet another example, the disclosed embodiments provide for reducing or eliminating maskphobia. Essential workers, such as caregivers (e.g., nurses and doctors), typically wear FFRs to protect themselves and their patients. However, patients may be afraid of their caregivers or uncomfortable around them because the FFRs cover their faces. For example, in a pediatric cancer ward, doctors and nurses wearing FFRs may appear scary to child patients. With the disclosed embodiments, these doctors and nurses can affix different mask bands to their FFRs. These mask bands can be adorned with pictures of childhood characters and/or an image of the doctors or nurses faces. As a result, the disclosed embodiments can alleviate fears of the patients because the caregivers, who are still wearing their FFRs, can customize these masks without compromising on their efficacy and compliance with regulatory standards. Therefore, the mask wearers can appear more personable, friendly, and relatable. In another example, the disclosed embodiments provide for seamless integration of the fastening system at a time that the FFR is manufactured. Because the fastening system can be integrated into the FFR at manufacturing (e.g., using ultrasonic welding, the fastening system can become inherent to the FFR like other conventional FFR components, such as ear loops, that are ultrasonically welded with the FFR), the fastening system can be lightweight and nonobtrusive. The lightweight fastening system can be advantageous because it may prevent the FFR from being heavy or uncomfortable on the wearer's face and/or ears. Integration of the fastening system at manufacturing can also result in the system not being visible to the wearer and/or others that the wearer is facing. This can provide for a more aesthetically pleasing look of the FFR, especially if the wearer does not want to attach the mask band to the FFR. Because of the seamless and nonobtrusive integration, the FFR can remain comfortable to wear. The wearer may not feel the fastening system since the system is incorporated into one or more layers or other components of the FFR, instead of being attached to the FFR after it is put together. Finally, integration at manufacturing can be advantageous to prevent the FFR from perforating. Perforation can comprise the FFR's regulatory compliance as well as comfort to the wearer. Because the fastening system can be integrated into the FFR, additional holes or punctures to the FFR may not be necessary to customize the FFR, as described herein. In another example, the disclosed embodiments provide for ease of applying the mask band. Because the fastening system can be integrated into the FFR at production, the wearer can attach the mask band and/or different mask bands whenever the wearer desires. Traditionally, the FFR wearer may have to apply after-product adhesive to the mask whenever the wearer wants to attach something to the mask. The wearer may also have to remove such after-product adhesive after every use or attachment of something to the mask. Furthermore, the wearer may have to remember to have sufficient or enough adhesive with them in order to attach the mask band. If the wearer does not have the adhesive with them, then they cannot attach the mask band. And, if the wearer does not have time to appropriately place the after-product adhesive and then attach the mask band, the wearer may be dissuaded from customizing their mask. The disclosed embodiments, on the other hand, provide for the fastening system to always be part of the mask, such that the wearer does not have to worry about attaching and removing the fastening system with every application of the mask band. Moreover, the disclosed embodiments are advantageous because the wearer does not have to spend time applying any adhesive and then attached the mask band. The wearer can more quickly and easily attach the mask band to the integrated fastening system of the mask, which can also make the wearer more inclined to customize their mask appearance. The details of one or more implementations 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.

11237326

FIELD OF THE APPLICATION The present application relates to integrated devices and related instruments that can perform massively-parallel analyses of samples by providing short optical pulses to tens of thousands of sample wells or more simultaneously and receiving fluorescent signals from the sample wells for sample analyses. The instruments may be useful for point-of-care genetic sequencing and for personalized medicine. BACKGROUND Instruments that are capable of massively-parallel analyses of biological or chemical samples are typically limited to laboratory settings because of several factors that can include their large size, lack of portability, requirement of a skilled technician to operate the instrument, power need, need for a controlled operating environment, and cost. When a sample is to be analyzed using such equipment, a common paradigm is to extract a sample at a point of care or in the field, send the sample to the lab and wait for results of the analysis. The wait time for results can range from hours to days. SUMMARY Some embodiments are directed to an integrated device comprising a plurality of sample wells arranged on a first layer of the integrated device. Individual sample wells of the plurality of sample wells are configured to receive a sample labeled with at least one fluorescent marker configured to emit emission light in response to excitation light. The integrated device further comprises a plurality of photodetectors arranged on a second layer of the integrated device and positioned to receive photons of emission light emitted from the plurality of sample wells. Individual sample wells of the plurality of sample wells align with at least one photodetector of the plurality of photodetectors. The integrated device further comprises at least one photonic structure positioned between an individual sample well and its respective at least one photodetector, the at least one photonic structure configured to attenuate the excitation light relative to the emission light, a signal generated by the at least one photodetector indicates detection of photons of emission light. In some embodiments, the at least one photonic structure is positioned to align on a common axis with an individual sample well and its respective at least one photodetector. In some embodiments, a sample well of the plurality of sample wells is positioned to overlap with its respective at least one photodetector. In some embodiments, individual sample wells of the plurality of sample wells align with individual photodetectors of the plurality of photodetectors. In some embodiments, the at least one photonic structure has at least one opening that aligns on a common axis with an individual sample well and its respective at least one photodetector. In some embodiments, the integrated device further comprises at least one waveguide configured to couple excitation light to a portion of the plurality of sample wells. In some embodiments, a first waveguide of the at least one waveguide is positioned to overlap with a first sample well of the portion of sample wells and a first photodetector of the plurality of photodetectors along a common axis. In some embodiments, the at least one photonic structure is positioned between the first waveguide and the first photodetector along the common axis. In some embodiments, the at least one photonic structure includes at least one spatial filter having at least one opening that overlaps with at least a portion of the plurality of sample wells and is configured to block transmission of at least a portion of the excitation light. In some embodiments, the at least one spatial filter includes at least one metal layer configured to block transmission of at least a portion of the excitation light. In some embodiments, the integrated device further comprises circuitry that includes the at least one metal layer, the circuitry is electrically coupled to at least one photodetector of the plurality of photodetectors. In some embodiments, the at least one spatial filter includes a first spatial filter positioned proximate the plurality of sample wells and a second spatial filter positioned proximate the plurality of photodetectors. In some embodiments, the first spatial filter has an opening having a first size and the second spatial filter has an opening having a second size, the first size being greater than the second size. In some embodiments, the at least one photonic structure includes at least one spectral filter configured to transmit a first range of wavelengths at a higher level than a second range of wavelengths, the first range of wavelengths include at least one characteristic wavelength of the emission light and the second range of wavelengths include at least one characteristic wavelength of the excitation light. In some embodiments, the at least one spectral filter is positioned between a first spatial filter and a second spatial filter. In some embodiments, the at least one spectral filter includes a plurality of low refractive index layers having a low refractive index material and a plurality of high refractive index layers having a high refractive index material. In some embodiments, the at least one spectral filter includes alternating layers of the plurality of high refractive index layers and the plurality of low refractive index layers. In some embodiments, the integrated device further includes an excitation source coupling region configured to receive a beam of excitation light and optically couple excitation light to a waveguide of the integrated device, the at least one spectral filter overlaps with the excitation source coupling region. In some embodiments, the at least one photonic structure includes at least one polarization filter configured to attenuate transmission of light having a type of polarization. In some embodiments, the excitation light is transverse electric (TE) polarized light, and the at least one polarization filter is configured to attenuate TE polarized light. In some embodiments, the at least one polarization filter includes a periodic array of slits. In some embodiments, the excitation light is a pulse of excitation light and the emission light is a photon emitted by the at least one fluorescent marker emitted in response to the pulse of excitation light and individual photodetectors of the plurality of photodetectors are further configured to generate a signal indicative of a lifetime of the emission light. In some embodiments, individual photodetectors of the plurality of photodetectors are configured to discard charge carriers produced from photons of excitation light. In some embodiments, the excitation light is a pulse of excitation light, and individual photodetectors are further configured to discard charge carriers produced from photons of the excitation light pulse over a first period of time. In some embodiments, individual photodetectors are further configured to selectively direct, over a second period of time, charge carriers produced by incident photons into respective charge carrier storage regions based upon times at which the charge carriers are produced. In some embodiments, the at least one photonic structure is configured to attenuate excitation light over a range of angles from normal to the at least one photonic structure. In some embodiments, a characteristic wavelength of the emission light is between 550 nm and 650 nm. In some embodiments, a characteristic wavelength of the excitation light is 532 nm. In some embodiments, a characteristic wavelength of the excitation light is 515 nm. In some embodiments, the at least one photonic structure includes at least one spatial filter and vertical sidewalls positioned between the at least one spatial filter and at least a portion of the plurality of photodetectors. In some embodiments, the at least one photonic structure includes a first spatial filter, a second spatial filter, and vertical sidewalls positioned between the first spatial filter and the second spatial filter. In some embodiments, the at least one photonic structure includes a spatial filter, and the integrated device further comprises a region having a first dielectric material positioned between the spatial filter and at least one photodetector of the plurality of photodetectors and a region having a second dielectric material positioned between the spatial filter and a sample well overlapping with the at least one photodetector, the first dielectric material has a higher refractive index than the second dielectric material. In some embodiments, a distance between one sample well of the plurality of sample wells and at least one photodetector of the plurality of photodetectors is less than 10 microns. In some embodiments, a distance between one sample well of the plurality of sample wells and at least one photodetector of the plurality of photodetectors is less than 5 microns. In some embodiments, a distance between one sample well of the plurality of sample wells and at least one photodetector of the plurality of photodetectors is between 1.5 microns and 5 microns. Some embodiments are directed to an integrated device as described herein and an instrument comprising an excitation source configured to emit pulses of excitation light and at least one alignment component configured to align a beam of excitation light to the integrated device such that excitation light is coupled to at least one waveguide of the integrated device. Some embodiments are directed to a method of forming an integrated device comprising: forming a plurality of sample wells arranged on a first layer of the integrated device, individual sample wells of the plurality of sample wells are configured to receive a sample labeled with at least one fluorescent marker configured to emit emission light in response to excitation light. The method further comprises forming a plurality of photodetectors arranged on a second layer of the integrated device and positioned to receive photons of emission light emitted from the plurality of sample wells, individual sample wells of the plurality of sample wells align with at least one photodetector of the plurality of photodetectors. The method further comprises forming at least one photonic structure positioned to align on a common axis with an individual sample well and its respective at least one photodetector, the at least one photonic structure configured to attenuate the excitation light relative to the emission light, a signal generated by the at least one photodetector indicates detection of photons of emission light.

11397050

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION This application claims priority benefit from China Patent Application No. 201910374329.7, filed on May 7, 2019 in the State Intellectual Property Office of the P.R.C, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present application is related to the field of drying machine, and more specifically, to softgel drying machine. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION It is necessary to use an air-drying system with a tumbler to air-dry the softgel when manufacturing a softgel. However, current softgel drying machine are all single in-line, limiting softgels production throughput. In addition, during high volume production, populating the softgels inside the holding tumbler may increase the tendency for the softgel to bombard inside the tumbler. As such, the softgels are easily to be broken, increasing the chance for the softgels to stick together, and/or hindering the aesthetic of the softgel finish product. Therefore, it is not conducive either for fine production or for resource conservation. Evidently, a need remains for a softgel drying machine to provide a multi-line for more efficient, faster production, and reduction in product defect for high volume production. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present application discloses a softgel a multi-line drying machine to provide faster and more efficient softgel drying. The softgel drying machine comprises a casing, a plurality of first tumblers, a plurality of second tumblers, a pneumatic conveying device and an air-drying system. The casing comprises an air generation chamber and an air circulation chamber, wherein the air circulation chamber comprises a first circulation chamber and a second circulation chamber, at least one tumbler is located at the first circulation chamber, at least one second tumbler is located at the second circulation chamber, totaling of four tumbler per unit. The first drying chamber comprises a first air inlet and a first air outlet, the second drying chamber comprises a second air inlet and a second air outlet. The plurality of first tumblers is disposed for reversing softgels, wherein the plurality of first tumblers is located at the first circulation chamber. The plurality of second tumblers is disposed for reversing softgels, wherein the plurality of second tumblers is located at the second circulation chamber. The pneumatic conveying device is coupled to the air circulation chamber. The air-drying system is located at the air generation chamber and comprises a blower fan, an air return duct and an air supply port. The blower fan is coupled to the air circulation chamber. The air return duct is coupled to the blower fan. The air supply port is coupled to the first air inlet and the second air inlet. In various exemplary embodiments, wherein the softgel drying machine comprises a pair of the first tumblers and a pair of the second tumblers. The air circulation chamber comprises a pair of the first drying chambers and a pair of the second drying chambers, wherein one of the first tumbler is located at one of the first drying chamber correspondingly, and one of the second tumbler is located at one of the second drying chamber correspondingly. In various exemplary embodiments, wherein the air circulation chamber further comprises an empty chamber located between the first circulation chamber and the second circulation chamber. One side surface of the first drying chamber close to the empty chamber is a semi-cylindrical surface. The first air inlet is located at a lower side of the semi-cylindrical surface of the first drying chamber, and the first air outlet is located at an upper side of the semi-cylindrical surface of the first drying chamber. In various exemplary embodiments, wherein the air circulation chamber further comprises an empty chamber located between the first circulation chamber and the second circulation chamber. One side surface of the first drying chamber close to the empty chamber is a semi-cylindrical surface. One side surface of the second drying chamber close to the empty chamber is a semi-cylindrical surface. The second air inlet is located at a lower side of the semi-cylindrical surface of the second drying chamber, and the second air outlet is located at an upper side of the semi-cylindrical surface of the second drying chamber. In various exemplary embodiments, wherein the first tumblers in the first circulation chamber is coaxially disposed. The second tumblers in the second circulation chamber is coaxially disposed as well. In various exemplary embodiments, wherein each of the first tumbler comprises a first tumbler inlet, and each of the second tumbler comprises a second tumbler inlet. The pneumatic conveying device comprises a first conveying pipe and a second conveying pipe, the first conveying pipe is coupled to the first tumblers by passing through the first tumbler inlets, and the second conveying pipe is coupled to the second tumblers by passing through the second tumbler inlets. In various exemplary embodiments, the softgel drying machine further comprises a cold air supply duct and an air supply duct. The cold air supply duct is located at the air circulation chamber, the cold air supply duct is coupled to the first air supply opening and the second air supply opening. An installation direction of the cold air supply duct is the same as an axial direction of the first tumblers and the second tumblers. The air supply duct is coupled to the cold air supply duct and the air supply port of the air-drying system. In various exemplary embodiments, wherein the air-drying system further comprises an evaporator coupled to the air supply port. In various exemplary embodiments, wherein the air-drying system further comprises a dehumidification module coupled to the air supply port. In various exemplary embodiments, the soft gel drying machine further comprises a first tumbler motor coupled to the plurality of first tumblers. In various exemplary embodiments, the soft gel drying machine further comprises a second tumbler motor coupled to the plurality of second tumblers. In various exemplary embodiments, wherein each of the first tumbler comprises a first tumbler body and a first tumbler mesh located at the tumbler body, and each of the second tumbler comprises a second tumbler body and a second tumbler mesh located at the second tumbler body. Based on the above, the softgel drying machine of the present application allows the user to dry softgels faster. In addition, the coaxial layout of the first tumblers and the second tumblers may also increase the efficiency when manufacturing since the pneumatic conveying device may convey the softgels at a same production line. Furthermore, the empty chamber decreases the air moving space, making the air to pass through the air outlet faster and thus improve the overall efficiency. Moreover, the resource can be saved since one pneumatic conveying device can be shared with two rows of tumblers. Numerous other advantages and features of the present application will become readily apparent from the following detailed description of disclosed embodiments, from the claims and from the accompanying drawings.

11254834

This application claims priority to European application No. EP 15188773.4, the whole content of this application being incorporated herein by reference for all purposes. This application relates to coating and inks compositions comprising starch derivatives, their uses and substrates comprising such compositions. Coating and ink compositions often comprise organic binders such as nitrocellulose or polyurethanes. Starch and starch derivatives have been studied as alternatives for conventional binders, for example in WO2010/059562. Starch and starch derivatives are made from renewable sources and generally have a favourable carbon footprint which makes them environmentally friendly alternatives over petroleum based resins and binders. Nitrocellulose often displays a low solids content when used as binder, which translates to high VOC, and often displays poor chemical and heat resistance. Nitrocellulose is also commonly made from cotton, which is known to be a water-intensive plant, being cultivated only in certain geographical regions; further, the manufacturing method for nitrocellulose has some disadvantages. It has now been found that a coating or ink composition comprising at least one acylated starch derivative, wherein the dextrose equivalence of the at least one acylated starch derivative is from 0.01 to 4.95, preferably from 0.01 to 2.95, and which optionally further comprises at least one colorant, allows to achieve advantageous physical properties, such as good dispersibility of colorants comprised in the composition, which often translates to a good colour strength and mileage. Such compositions further display good water and/or gas, in particular oxygen, barrier properties, what is advantageous in the electronics and food packaging industry. Consequently, the invention concerns a coating or ink composition comprising at least one starch derivative, wherein the dextrose equivalence of the at least one starch derivative is from 0.01 to 4.95, preferably from 0.01 to 2.95, and which optionally further comprises at least one colorant. The invention further concerns the use of the coating composition or ink composition according to the present invention in a printing process, and further substrates comprising the coating composition or ink composition according to the present invention. The term «coating» is intended to denote in particular compositions suitable for depositing a layer of material on a surface of a substrate such as varnishes, paints or lacquers. A coating can be applied to substrates, for example to enhance their resistance toward heat, weather, light, chemicals or physical impact, or to form or to enhance a barrier function, such as forming or enhancing a barrier on the substrate against a liquid or a gas, such as water, air or oxygen. Further, a coating can be applied to a substrate to alter the appearance of the substrate, for example for application of a colorant. This also includes cosmetic coatings, such as nail polish. The term «inks» is intended to denote a composition often comprising at least one colorant, which has a viscosity adequate for application through techniques such as printing and pen-writing and which is often applied by a printing process to a substrate to apply a text or decorative elements to a substrate. The term «starch derivative» is intended to denote in particular a chemically and/or physically modified starch. Starches can, for example, be physically modified by degradation by heat to polysaccharide chains with lower molecular weight. Chemically modified starch derivatives include starch derivatives which have been manufactured by acidic digestion of starches to form lower molecular weight starch derivatives, or by digestion though enzymes which can degrade starch molecules to lower molecular weight starch molecules. In a preferred aspect, chemically modified starch derivatives denote starches which have been etherified or acylated partially or fully at the hydroxyl groups available along the polysaccharide chain. Most preferably, the invention relates to acetylated starch derivatives, such as starch acetates, starch propionates, starch butanoates, starch hexanoates and other acylated starch derivatives; this also includes mixed acylated starches or starches which have been acylated with functionalized acyl groups, such as trifluoroactate. Preferred modified starch derivatives are acylated starch derivatives, and more preferably acetylated starch derivatives. The most preferred acylated starch derivative is starch acetate. Acylated starches can be prepared, for example, by reaction with acid halides or acid anhydrides, as described in the processes of WO2015055734, WO 2015055742 or WO 2015055741, which are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety. Another option is going through the mixed anhydride formed through the reaction of starch with an acylation promotor, such as trifluoro acetic acid anhydride and subsequent reaction with an alcohol, as described, for example, in B. Y. Yang et al, «Acylation of Starch using Trifluoroacetic Anhydride Promoter», Starch 58 (2006) 520-526. According to the present invention, the starch employed as starting material for the at least one starch derivative can comprise predominantly amylose or, conversely, predominantly amylopectin (waxy starch). Generally, whole starch and/or isolated fractions of amylose and/or isolated fractions of amylopectin can be used. According to the present invention, the term “polymer comprising amylose and/or amylopectin” includes its preferred form, namely “starch”. The starches can be derived from any native source, wherein native relates to the fact that said starch is found in nature. Unless specifically distinguished, references to starch in this specification are meant to include their corresponding flours, which are still containing proteins, such as wheat gluten (hereinafter “starch”). In the present invention, a single or several starch sources can be used. The starch may also be combined out of several sources, isolated amylose fractions and/or amylopectin fractions, and/or derivatives like chemically or physically modified starch, which will be explained further below. Typical sources for the starches are cereals, tubers, roots, legumes, fruit starches and hybrid starches. Suitable sources include but are not limited to, millet, pea, potato, sweet potato, maize, sorghum, banana, barley, wheat, rice, sago, amaranth, tapioca, arrowroot and cannay. Preferred sources according to the present invention are selected from the group consisting of tubers, legumes or cereals. Even more preferably, the starch source is selected from the group consisting of pea, potato, sweet potato, wheat and maize. Most preferably, maize with a high amylopectin content (waxy maize) is used as starch source. Also suitable are starches derived from a plant obtained by breeding techniques including crossbreeding, translocation, inversion, transformation or any other method of gene or chromosome engineering to include variations thereof. In its broadest aspect, the dextrose equivalence of the at least one starch derivative comprised a coating or ink composition is from 0.01 to 4.95, preferably from 0.01 to 2.95. The dextrose equivalence (DE) denotes the percentage of reducing sugars calculated as dextrose (glucose) on a dry weight basis. It is measured by the Lane-Eynon method, which is known to the person skilled in the art and described, for example, in ISO 5377:1981 standard. The dextrose equivalence does not necessarily relate strictly to the chain length and thus molecular weight of starch or starch derivatives; if a starch or starch derivative contains a relatively high amount of amylopectin, the branched form of amylose, degradation of the branches will also influence the DE in the resulting starch derivative. It has been found that coating or ink compositions comprising starch derivatives, in particular acylated starch derivatives and most particularly starch acetates with a DE from 0.01 to 4.95, preferably from 0.01 to 2.95, often show particularly good characteristics, such as dispersibility of other components, such as colorants, high solids contents and thus low VOC, good print densities, gloss, water resistance, adhesion to substrate, durability, color strength, pigment wetting, rheology and low toxicity. The DE can, for example, be realized by choice of starch starting material and/or application of certain degradation processes, such as acidic treatment of starch. Care should be taken, for example by choosing the correct amount of acids, nature of acid, reaction conditions such as temperature and duration of degradation, not to “over degrade” the starch and thus to arrive at starch derivatives with a DE higher than 4.95. Advantageously, a process as described in WO2015055741 can be applied. Often, the DE of the starch derivative, preferably the starch acetate, is equal to or larger than 0.01, preferably equal to or larger than 0.1, and more preferably equal to or larger than 0.5. Generally, the DE is equal to or lower than 4.95, preferably equal to or lower than 4.5, and most preferably equal to or lower than 4.1. In a preferred aspect, the DE is from 1.8 to 2.9, for example 2.4, 2.5 or 2.6. A DE of about 2.4 is most preferred. In one aspect of the present invention, the branching ratio of the at least one starch derivative, preferably the starch acetate, is from 1 to 20, preferably from 1 15 and most preferably from 1 to 10. The branching ratio denotes the number of branches with a reducing end comprised in a starch derivative over the terminal reducing end of the main polysaccharide chain. For example, a branching ratio of 7 denotes 7 branches with a reducing end in a polysaccharide chain with one terminal reducing end. The branching ratio can be suitably determined by calculation from the integrals of a 1H NMR of the starch derivative. Preferred branching ratios are 5, 6, 7, 8, and 9, wherein 7 is a most preferred branching ratio. In another aspect of the present invention, the at least one starch derivative has a molecular weight of equal to or more than 3.700 g/mol. Generally, the molecular weight of the at least one starch is equal to or more than 3.700 g/mol, preferably equal to or more than 4.000 daltons and most preferably equal to or more than 5.000 daltons. Generally, the molecular weight of the at least one starch is equal to or less than 50.000 daltons, preferably equal to or less than 40.000 daltons and most preferably equal to or less than 20.000 daltons. Often, the molecular weight is from 3.700 to 50.000 daltons, more preferably from 4.000 to 40.000 daltons and most preferably from 5.000 to 20.000 daltons. The molecular weight refers to the molecular weight of the starch derivative, for example the starch acetate. The term “molecular weight” intends to denote the number average molecular weight of the starch derivative. The molecular weight is determined according to well accepted methods, such as GPC (gel permeation chromatography) determination. In one aspect of the present invention, the at least one starch derivative comprised in the coating or ink composition according the invention has a viscosity from between 10 to 200 mPas (35 weight % in EtOAc at 25° C.). The viscosity is measured in a 35% (w/w) solution in EtOAc at 25° C. with a rotational viscosimeter, such as Rheomat R180 (ProRheo). Preferably, the viscosity is equal to or larger than 10 mPas. Even more preferably, viscosity is equal to or larger than 12 mPas. Generally, the viscosity is equal to or less than 200 mPas. More preferably, the viscosity is equal to or less than 190 mPas. In a most preferred embodiment, the viscosity is from 15 to 180 mPas. In a further aspect of the present invention, the starch from which the at least one starch derivative comprised in the coating or ink composition according the invention was manufactured, had an amylose content of from 0 to 20 weight %. Often, and preferably, the starch from which the at least one starch derivative comprised in the coating or ink composition according the invention was manufactured is a waxy maize starch. According to the present invention, the at least one starch derivative, preferably starch acetate, comprised in the coating or ink composition according the invention advantageously has a Tg (glass transition temperature) of from 100-170° C. Often, the Tg is equal to or more than 100° C., more preferably equal to or more than 105° C. and most preferably equal to or more than 110° C. Generally, the Tg is equal to or lower than 180° C., more preferably equal to or lower than 175° C. and most preferably equal to or lower than 170° C. The glass transition temperature can be measure, for example, by Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DTA/DSC) or Dilatometry. In one aspect of the present invention, at least one starch derivative comprised in the coating or ink composition according to the invention is an acylated starch derivative, preferably an acylated starch derivative and most preferably starch acetate, having a degree of substitution (DS) from 2.0 to 2.9. Preferably, the DS of the at least one starch derivative is greater than 2.05. More preferably, the DS of the at least one starch derivative is equal to or greater than 2.07. Most preferably, the DS of the at least one starch derivative is equal to or greater than 2.1. Preferably, the DS of the at least one starch derivative is equal to or less than 2.6. More preferably, the DS of the at least one starch derivative is equal to or less than 2.5. Even more preferably, the DS of the at least one starch derivative is equal to or less than 2.4. In a most preferred embodiment of this invention, the DS of the at least one starch derivative is from 2.1 to 2.4. The DS can be determined by methods known in the art, for example 1H NMR, hydrolysis or TGA/IR (combined thermogravimetric analysis/infrared method). In a further aspect of the present invention, the coating or ink composition according to the invention comprises at least one colorant in the amount of from 1 to 35, preferably from 5 to 25 weight %. Often, the at least one colorant is comprised in an amount of equal to or more than 1 weight %, or equal to or more than 3 weight %, or equal to or more than 5 weight %. Also, often the at least one colorant is comprised in an amount of equal to or lower than 35 weight %, or equal to or lower than 30 weight %, or equal to or lower than 25 weight %. The at least one colorant comprised in the composition according to the invention include, but are not limited to dyes, organic or inorganic pigments. The dyes include but are not limited to azo dyes, anthraquinone dyes, xanthene dyes, azine dyes, combinations thereof and the like. Organic pigments may be one pigment or a combination of pigments, such as for instance Pigment Yellow Numbers 12, 13, 14, 17, 74, 83; Pigment Red Numbers 2, 22, 5 23, 48:1, 48:2, 52, 53, 57:1, 122, 166, 170, 266; Pigment Orange Numbers 5, 16, 34, 36; Pigment Blue Numbers 15, 15:3, 15:4; Pigment Violet Numbers 3, 23, 27; and/or Pigment Green Number 7. Inorganic pigments may be one of the following non-limiting pigments: iron oxides, titanium dioxides, chromium oxides, ferric ammonium ferrocyanides, ferric oxide blacks, Pigment Black Number 7 and/or Pigment White 10 Numbers 6 and 7. Other organic and inorganic pigments and dyes can also be employed, as well as combinations that achieve the colors desired. Other organic and inorganic pigments appropriate for the colors desired can also be used. Especially preferred colorants are Pigment Blue 15:4, TiO2 and Pigment Black 7. In one aspect, the coating or ink composition according to the invention comprises further at least one further component selected from the group consisting of binders and solvents. Suitable binders may be, for example, acrylics and/or polyurethanes. The presence of acrylic binders can render the composition radiation curable. Often, at least one solvent is comprised in the composition. The term “solvent” also intends to denote fluids in which the components are dispersed. Solvents are, in one aspect, selected from polar solvents, such as water or alcohols, in particular methanol, ethanol and n- or i-propanol, wherein ethanol is preferred of the alcohols. In one aspect, derivatized alcohols, such as ethoxypropanol, have proven to be very suitable. Water is another very preferred polar solvent. In another aspect, the solvent is or solvents are selected from less or non-polar solvents, such as ketones, esters, ethers, in particular ethyl acetate, acetone and methyl ethyl ketone. The invention also relates to the use of the coating composition or ink composition according to the invention in a printing process, wherein the printing process is selected from the group consisting of flexography, screen printing, gravure printing and lithography. Flexography is a particularly preferred printing process in which the coating composition or ink composition according to the invention can be used. In the uses as described before, the coating composition or ink composition comprising at least one starch derivative, wherein the dextrose equivalence of the at least one starch derivative is from 0.01 to 4.95, preferably from 0.01 to 2.95, is applied to a substrate selected from the group consisting of paper, tissue, fabrics, plastic film, plastic, glass, metal foil, preferably metal foils comprising aluminum. In one aspect, the use for printing on paper is preferred. In another aspect, the use for printing on plastic film or metal foil is preferred, which can be particularly useful in the food, nutrition or pharmaceuticals packaging industry. The use for metal foil, preferably metal foils comprising aluminum, is another very suitable use for packaging material used in the food or nutrition industry. In one advantageous embodiment, coating or ink composition is a UV curable coating or ink composition. In another aspect, the coating or ink composition is used for printing or coating of electronic parts or devices. This can be particularly useful in the formation of a moisture and/or gas barrier, for example to keep a gas, for example an insulating gas, inside an electronic device, or moisture out of the device. In another aspect, the coating or ink composition comprises at least one flux. Such a flux is suitable for eliminating metal oxide layers from metal parts to be joined, for example aluminum or aluminum alloy parts to be brazed. Very suitable fluxes include potassium fluoroaluminates, cesium fluoroaluminates, alkali fluorozincates, preferably potassium fluorozincate, and alkali fluorosilicates. The invention also relates to a substrate selected from the group consisting of paper, tissue, fabrics, plastic film, plastic, glass, metal foil, preferably metal foils comprising aluminum, which comprises the coating composition or ink composition according to the invention. The invention also relates to metal parts, especially aluminum or aluminum alloy parts, which are at least partially coated with a coating or ink composition according to the invention, which further also comprises at least one flux. The term “comprises the coating composition or ink composition according to the invention” intend to denote in this context also the dried and/or coating composition or ink composition after application to its substrate. In one embodiment, the starch derivative comprised in the coating or ink composition according to the present invention is an acylated starch derivative which is manufactured according to a process comprising the steps of: (a) pre-treating a polymer composition comprising amylose and/or amylopectin with an aqueous phase comprising one additive selected from the group consisting of at least one acid A having a pKa of equal to or less than 4.8 at 25° C., preferably sulfuric acid, and an enzyme, and optionally one or more additives selected from the group comprising at least one salt in combination with at least one polycarboxylic acid, and at least one hydroxycarboxylic acid, (b) reacting the pre-treated polymer composition with an acylating agent, preferably acetic acid anhydride, to provide an acylated polymer composition comprising amylose and/or amylopectin. (c) optionally reacting the acylated polymer composition obtained in step (b) with at least one acid A′ with a pKa of equal to or less than 4.8 at 25° C., in the presence of water. Should the disclosure of any patents, patent applications, and publications which are incorporated herein by reference conflict with the description of the present application to the extent that it may render a term unclear, the present description shall take precedence. The examples which follow are intended to illustrate the present invention without, however, limiting the scope thereof.

11523680

BACKGROUND Grooming any mammal whose outer skin is composed of medium to thick fur, such as dogs, has been practiced for hundreds of years. Care of the body surface (COBS) was first performed by the animals themselves. Practice of self-grooming included scratching, nibbling, rubbing, wallowing, and bathing. Self-grooming by the animals was performed for a variety of reasons including re-arrangement of hairs, removal of foreign objects, and sensory stimulation of the skin. To animals, such as dogs, self-grooming was for health reasons, comfort reasons, and appearance purposes to attract a mate. Following domestication, owners of animals such as dogs perform grooming for their pets. However, as animals continue to require the grooming practices of scratching, nibbling, rubbing, wallowing, and bathing, owners require tools to perform these practices as they lack the implements of rows of canine teeth, claws, and abrasive tongues. A variety of grooming tools present on the marketplace allows owners to provide different practices for animal grooming. “Pin brushes” are brushes described as having wire pins with protective balls at the end to prevent scratching on the skin. The pins are spaced somewhat wide apart. Pin brushes are useful for dogs having long fur coats. “Rake brushes” are brushes having few but long pins for getting into heavy fur coats. “Bristle brushes” for dogs with short or wiry coats. “Slicker brushes” have a flat, rectangular head and short, wire bristles. The slicker brush is for medium and long hair, and is suitable for removing mats and tangles. The slicker brush has been shown to be significantly useful in keeping dogs healthy and preened, whether for everyday grooming or for preparation for an event such as a dog show. A key problem with the current slicker brush tools is their requirement of significantly bright environments in an area to perform an adequate job. Without well-lit environments, owners are unable to achieve the full desired effect. However, outside of a parlour, finding fully, well-lit environments is difficult, especially for amateur groomers. The present invention addresses the problems with the current slicker brush tools on the market by offering a light mechanism that sufficiently illuminates a pet's fur. Whereas there are slicker brushes on the market, they require well-lit environments in order to allow an adequate job of finishing a pet's fur. The present invention offers a halo-illuminating light pattern for clearly showing areas of a pet's fur to the user performing brushing. Such a halo-illuminating light pattern provides a full, 360-degree light pattern of the pet's fur. This eliminates the necessity for using an additional light source, for example a flashlight or being made to settle on a light source that only highlights one side of a pet's fur, leaving another side in shadow. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a slicker brush device for use on a pet's fur, wherein the slicker brush device delivers a halo-illuminating light effect for an area of a pet's fur, thus providing 360 degree awareness of the performance of the brushing to the user of the device. The present invention thus allows a user to perform a superior finish brushing due to the improvements over slicker brush devices currently being sold in the market.

11305681

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Recreational vehicles such as motor homes and travel trailers are commonly equipped with one or more slide out rooms that are retracted within the main living quarters when the unit is transported, but can be extended from the main living quarters to provide auxiliary space when the unit is parked. The seal typically has a resilient wiper portion to seal the sliding wall of the room and a resilient face sealing portion to mate with a flange on the room. Commonly, bulb portions are used as the face seal and extend around the aperture defined in the outside of the sidewall of the main living quarters through which the slide out room extends and retracts. This seal is engaged by a first flange on the exterior side of the slide out room to seal the gap between the slide out room and the main living quarters when the slide out room is retracted. Similarly, a second bulb portion extends around the aperture on the inside of the sidewall and is engaged by a second flange on the interior side of the slide out room when the slide out room is extended for use. Wiper seals are mounted on sidewalls adjacent to the aperture and are flexed against corresponding walls of the slide out room. The bulb portions seal the slide out room in the extended and retracted positions, and the wiper seal wipes against the slide out room as it is extended and retracted to prevent moisture and debris from entering the vehicle. Many designs are available that have a separate bulb portion that attaches to the main body of the seal. Others have an integral bulb portion. Due to environmental factors and use, the bulb portion is prone to wear and damage. With an integral bulb portion design, the entire seal assembly must be replaced, at significant expense and difficulty. An improved seal design is needed. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION According to the invention, a resilient seal for mobile living quarters is provided for sealing around a slide out room of mobile living quarters having an aperture slidably receiving a slide out room. The resilient seal has an attaching member extending along the inside surface and commonly another one on the outside surface of the main living area wall at the aperture. Some include a connecting member extending between the attaching members and along the edge of the wall defining the aperture. A wiper seal extends from the attaching member or connecting member that flexes against the walls of the slide out room, and the optional connecting member may include an accordion pleat for adjusting the distance between the attaching members to accommodate walls of different thicknesses. The seal has attaching members that have L-shaped tabs that are formed from upstanding and overhanging walls. One of the L-shaped tabs has a bulb portion integrally connected to the overhanging wall. A flipover wall is connected to the other L-shaped tabs and can move between a hooked and an unhooked position. In the unhooked position, the flipover wall can be pivoted away from the bottom wall to add fasteners. In the hooked position, the terminal edge of the flipover wall is located between the L-shaped tab and the bottom wall. The flipover wall is resilient and can be severed from its L-shaped tab. The bulb portion is located on the L-shaped tab and can be severed therefrom. When the bulb portion and flipover wall are severed, a replacement bulb seal can be received by the L-shaped tabs. The replacement bulb seal is offset to correspond with the position of the original bulb portion. This invention combines the ease of installation of a one piece seal and the serviceability of a separate bulb portion.

11373244

TECHNICAL FIELD This specification is directed towards subject matter that relates to the detection of real-time events and their impact. The techniques described herein can more quickly (e.g., in a decreased amount of time) determine the impact of a detected real-time event using a database of pre-computed precedents, relative to an amount of time in determining an impact of a detected real-time event independent of pre-computation of the precedents. BACKGROUND The ability to monitor, track and predict financial instrument characteristics, including returns, is useful to make informed decisions about such financial instruments, especially in the service of managing risk, constructing diversified and balanced portfolios, and identifying excess returns. Identifying, analyzing, and conveying financial information in a meaningful and timely manner is a challenge due to the volume of the data to be analyzed and comprehended. Comparing financial data with non-financial statistics (e.g., events such as for example, weather) is a significant data management problem and challenging computational problem. SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE Techniques for financial instrument visualization and modeling are disclosed. Modeling financial data to understand a distribution of financial instrument performance has traditionally presented a challenge (e.g., understanding returns, a probability of returns, and pricing anomalies which arise for a plurality of reasons but are frequently undiscovered statistically). Due to human and interface limitations displaying a significant amount of financial data in a timely and meaningful manner has not been performed. Additionally, discovering, in a large volume of data, meaningful statistical anomalies which may impact returns and presents them in a comprehensible and timely manner is a significant challenge. Technical considerations are also significant and include overcoming challenges in processing large volumes of data in a short period of time to handle standardization, scrubbing, error correction, processing, analysis, and modeling. In an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, presenting a large amount of financial data in a timely manner allowing visualization of a distribution of instrument performance is provided. Event data may be received from one or more feeds and may be processed and analyzed to provide projected outcomes based on historical data. In some embodiments, event data may be constructed (e.g., automatically by a system, by veteran quants, etc.). Constructed event data may include event ranking data (e.g., a prioritization of historical event data due to a similarity of historical event data to a current event, a prioritization of historical event data due to an impact on returns or pricing caused by the historical event, a prioritization of a historical event due to a similarity in market conditions at a time of the historical event and a time of the current event, and other factors). Constructed event data may also include building associations between historical event data based on correlations. Constructed event data may also include building associations between events and one or more of: asset prices, asset performance, asset returns, and pricing anomalies associated with assets. Large volumes of historical market data may be analyzed (e.g., time series data) to correlate with event data (e.g., in real time or in near real time). As actual event data is received or constructed (e.g., for modeling), to correlate the event data with historical event data, a set of historical event data may be defined. The set of historical events may be derived by a level of correlation of such historical events with the actual event. Based on a defined set of historical events, associated asset price returns and anomalies may be identified. These asset price returns and/or anomalies may be used to predict an asset price return or pricing anomaly associated with the actual event. Notifications may be pushed or provided to present studies or likely impacts of monitored events (e.g., financial asset performance). Events may include for example, economic data surprises, weather anomalies, central bank statements and actions, product releases, earnings surprises, mergers and acquisitions and IPOs, corporate governance changes, regulatory approvals and denials, and seasonality. Probabilistic impacts may be provided as notifications (e.g., alerts, emails, a ticker or other dynamic user interface display, and a blog post). A user may drill down on notifications to receive further detail and access to detailed statistics (e.g., studies or trade analysis on assets affected by an event in a notification). Techniques may also include an interactive user interface presenting a chart, graph, or other visualization of a large volume of financial data ordered to illustrate a distribution indicative of financial instrument performance. Such an interactive user interface may provide an ability to zoom or focus on an area of a distribution performance (e.g., via a touchpad, mouse wheel, arrow key, function key, etc.). A user of an interactive interface may be able to view information associated with a particular instrument (e.g., a stock) by hovering over, mousing over, clicking on, or otherwise indicating a portion of the user interface at a point in the distribution where the instrument is plotted. As a user zooms in on a segment of a distribution plotted in an interactive interface, data for individual distribution components may become visible (e.g., labels, equity symbols, return rates, or other information may be plotted on a bar representing a particular financial instrument). In accordance with further aspects of this exemplary embodiment, a user may also click on an indicator for a particular financial instrument (e.g., a bar in a bar chart) and may be presented with options and/or additional data associated with that financial instrument. For example, a user may be presented with options to trade the financial instrument, add the financial instrument to a portfolio, and remove the financial instrument from a portfolio. Additional data regarding a financial instrument and its performance may also be displayed. In accordance with further aspects of this exemplary embodiment, an interactive user interface displaying a range of distributions for financial instrument performance may also display one or more benchmarks relative to the distribution (e.g., S&P 500). A benchmark may be plotted in a distribution and may contain a distinctive indicator (e.g., a color, a shading, a pattern, a symbol, etc.) so that it may be easily observed in a distribution of a large number of financial instruments. Clicking on a benchmark may provide further information and/or may allow a user to drill down into a benchmark. For example, clicking on a benchmark may allow a user to view sectors and/or individual components or financial instruments of a benchmark. In accordance with further aspects of this exemplary embodiment, a distribution may use color indicators, shading, patterns, symbols, or other indicators to indicate relative performance in a distribution (e.g., positive returns may be green, negative returns may be red, returns outperforming a benchmark may be a first pattern, returns underperforming a benchmark may be a second pattern, etc.). Other types of visualizations may be utilized. In accordance with another exemplary embodiment a line graph may be utilized to visualize a distribution of results. The line graph may include vertical or angled lines (either up or down) which may indicate that a given asset is being held during this time period, because a condition in a study defined by a user was active during that time period. Perfectly horizontal lines may indicate that the given asset is not being held by the simulated study or strategy during this time period, because the necessary conditions defined by the user in the study were not all active during that time period. Therefore in the horizontal sections of the line, price changes during that period are not contributing to the total cumulative return or loss of the strategy, and are not counted. An individual component or line of a graph may be highlighted and corresponding metadata for that component may be displayed. A line graph visualization may provide an ability for a user to zoom in or otherwise navigate view individual component or sector performance. Line graphs may also contain one or more benchmarks (e.g., S&P 500) that may be provided in a different color, a different line pattern, or with another distinctive indicator. In accordance with other aspects of the disclosure, techniques for producing a study of financial instruments are disclosed. Techniques may include the provision of templates facilitating the querying of large amounts of financial data to produce a visualization of a distribution of financial instrument performance. According to some embodiments, a plurality of templates may be provided accepting user parameters to create studies and visualizations of financial data in near real time and/or real time. Techniques for financial instrument return analysis may include analyzing one or more events (e.g., geopolitical events, earnings events, weather or natural world events, news events, product events, including surprises relative to expectations for one or more types of events) to correlate one or more events with a large volume of historical market data (e.g., time series financial data) to identify a potential impact on at least one of: a financial instrument, a predicted return of a financial instrument, and performance of a financial instrument. In accordance with further aspects of this embodiment, the potential impact may be provided as a notification to a user (e.g., an alert, an email, a text message, a blog post, a web based ticker, a web based animated banner, a transmitted recorded audio message, or other electronic notification). In accordance with further aspects of this embodiment, a user-friendly interactive analysis environment may be provided. An analysis environment may include a natural language based query interface for generating studies. In accordance with further aspects of this embodiment, an analysis environment may allow the generation of queries using associations between near real time event data and historical impacts on financial data. Queries may be back tested against decades of multi-asset market data. In accordance with further aspects of this embodiment, an analysis environment may contain one or more templates for generating studies or reports. Templates may use analysis performed by veteran quants. In accordance with further aspects of this embodiment, identification of impacts may allow a user to create and test optimal investment strategies without depending on software engineers or quants. Techniques for financial instrument attribute prediction and financial instrument visualization are disclosed. In one exemplary embodiment, the techniques may be realized as a method for financial instrument attribute prediction including determining a baseline probability for at least one financial instrument attribute of a financial instrument, inputting current market data associated with the financial instrument, matching, using at least one computer processor one or more portions of the current market data with historical market data, averaging outcomes of matched historical market data, and providing a probabilistic outcome for the at least one financial instrument attribute based on the matched historical market data and the current market data. In accordance with further aspects of this exemplary embodiment, the financial instrument attribute may be price. In accordance with further aspects of this exemplary embodiment, the price may be expressed as an overall market percentage change for the financial instrument since the opening of the trading day. In accordance with further aspects of this exemplary embodiment, the current market data may include an amount of time left in a current trading day. In accordance with further aspects of this exemplary embodiment, the current market data may include at least one of: an indication of market volume since the opening of the market for the financial instrument and an indication of volatility of the financial instrument. In accordance with further aspects of this exemplary embodiment, the volatility may be a standard deviation of recent daily returns for the financial instrument. In accordance with further aspects of this exemplary embodiment, the historical market data may include at least one of: an average historical performance for a current month of a year, an average historical performance for a current calendar day, an average historical performance for a numerical trading day of a week, a number of positive closes for the financial instrument during previous trading days, and a number of positive closes of a financial market associated with the financial instrument during previous trading days. In some embodiments, historical performance may include an arbitrary time during the history of a financial instrument's trading. In accordance with further aspects of this exemplary embodiment, the techniques may include increasing an amount of historical market data by identifying additional historical market data based on a correlation of the additional historical market data. In accordance with further aspects of this exemplary embodiment, the financial instrument may include a first financial instrument and the additional historical market data may comprise historical market data of a second financial instrument and correlation is based upon price behavior. In accordance with further aspects of this exemplary embodiment, the techniques may further include setting a minimum level of correlation required for identification of additional historical market data. In accordance with further aspects of this exemplary embodiment, the minimum level of correlation required may be based, at least in part, on an amount of available historical market data for the financial instrument. In accordance with further aspects of this exemplary embodiment, the minimum level of correlation required may be set statically. In accordance with further aspects of this exemplary embodiment, the historical market data of the second financial instrument may be weighted based on a level of correlation to the first financial instrument. In accordance with further aspects of this exemplary embodiment, matching, using at least one computer processor one or more portions of the current market data with historical market data may include matching on one or more market data portions including at least one of price, minutes left in a trading day (or another period of time left or elapsed in a trading session such as, for example, hours or seconds remaining in a trading day or elapsed since an opening of a trading session), volume, and volatility. In accordance with further aspects of this exemplary embodiment, a strength of a match may be weighted based on a number of market data portions matched. In accordance with further aspects of this exemplary embodiment, the market data portions may be weighted individually and a strength of a match may be based on which market data portions match. In accordance with further aspects of this exemplary embodiment, the techniques may comprise as an article of manufacture for financial instrument attribute prediction, the article of manufacture including at least one non-transitory processor readable storage medium and instructions stored on the at least one medium. The instructions may be configured to be readable from the at least one medium by at least one processor and thereby cause the at least one processor to operate so as to determine a baseline probability for at least one financial instrument attribute of a financial instrument, input current market data associated with the financial instrument, match one or more portions of the current market data with historical market data, average outcomes of matched historical market data, and provide a probabilistic outcome for the at least one financial instrument attribute based on the matched historical market data and the current market data. In accordance with further aspects of this exemplary embodiment, the techniques may comprise as a system for financial instrument attribute prediction comprising one or more processors communicatively coupled to a network. The one or more processors may be configured to determine a baseline probability for at least one financial instrument attribute of a financial instrument, input current market data associated with the financial instrument, match one or more portions of the current market data with historical market data, average outcomes of matched historical market data, and provide a probabilistic outcome for the at least one financial instrument attribute based on the matched historical market data and the current market data. The present disclosure will now be described in more detail with reference to exemplary embodiments thereof as shown in the accompanying drawings. While the present disclosure is described below with reference to exemplary embodiments, it should be understood that the present disclosure is not limited thereto. Those of ordinary skill in the art having access to the teachings herein will recognize additional implementations, modifications, and embodiments, as well as other fields of use, which are within the scope of the present disclosure as described herein, and with respect to which the present disclosure may be of significant utility.

11248192

FIELD OF THE INVENTION The invention relates to a liquid detergent compositions with polymer blends to provide a stable aqueous use solution of a highly alkaline detergent composition. The liquid detergent composition can be provided as a concentrate or as a use solution and include blends of alkali-swellable polymers (ASE) and hydrophobically-modified alkali-swellable polymers (HASE). The liquid detergent composition is in the form of the concentrate or the use solution is an emulsion of the type water-in-oil emulsion or oil-in-water emulsion dependent on the amounts of water and oil in the emulsion that does not require homogenizers, premixes and/or milling steps to produce. Methods for washing textiles using the non-milled liquid detergent compositions are also provided. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Various liquid detergents are commercially-available and known in the art. Such detergents are, for example, described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 9,752,109, 5,880,083, WO 2004/065535, and WO 2004/041990. The formulation of alkaline liquid detergents requires both washing performance (i.e. removing dirt and soils without damaging the fabrics, imparting a pleasant softness, and reducing electrostatic charges between textiles) and stable emulsions. In particular it is needed for formulations to be sufficiently viscous and stable on storage, so that even under temperature stress over several months, neither the viscosity collapses nor phase separation occurs. Various liquid detergent formulations use solubilizers to maintain stable emulsions. For example, WO 2007/101470 describes a liquid detergent composition including non-ionic linear alkoxylated alcohols to provide storage-stable and efficacious washing performance. These liquid detergent compositions contain solubilizers which are able to keep the components in solution and the resulting emulsion stable even over a longer storage time. This was achieved by the use of one or more cross-linked or partly cross-linked polyacrylic acids and/or polymethacrylic acids in the composition. These substances are used as thickeners and stabilizers for a liquid detergent concentrate composition which represents an emulsion. These acrylic acid or methacrylic acid polymers may be cross-linked or partly cross-linked with a polyalkenyl polyether compound as crosslinker. However, there are drawbacks to the use of such cross-linked or partly cross-linked polyacrylic acid/polymethacrylic acid thickeners and stabilizers into emulsions. The production process of the emulsions of the state of art requires the use of a premix to introduce the thickening polymer, i.e. the solid cross-linked or partly cross-linked polyacrylic acid/polymethacrylic acid, into the formula. This premix is both expensive and time-consuming due to the nature of the addition, which also involves adding a powder polymer to a liquid surfactant. This may also require use of a powder educator. After the premix is added to the rest of the emulsion, a milling or homogenization step is required. This process requires high energy consumption and costly machinery required to produce a stable concentrate detergent composition. It is therefore an object of this disclosure to provide a stabilized liquid detergent composition that is an emulsion that replaces such conventional stabilizing systems. It is a further object of the disclosure to provide stable emulsions which do not or only slightly undergo phase separation during storage or when exposed to highly different temperature ranges. It is another object of this disclosure to provide the stabilizing systems for formulations containing high levels of surfactants and alkalinity. It is another object of this disclosure to eliminate the need for premixes, homogenizers and milling processes for laundry emulsion detergents. It is another object of this disclosure to formulate laundry emulsion detergents that can be made by batch mixing processes. Other objects, aspects and advantages of this invention will be apparent to one skilled in the art in view of the following disclosure, the drawings, and the appended claims. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An advantage of the liquid detergent compositions and methods of using the same are that desired performance characteristics are achieved in combination with stability, including stable emulsions which do not or only slightly undergo phase separation during storage or when exposed to highly different temperature ranges. Beneficially, the stable emulsions do not require premixes, homogenizers and milling processes for production thereof. Instead the stabilized detergent compositions can be made by batch mixing processes. In this disclosure, batch mixing is any mixing operation in which all ingredients are loaded into the mixing vessel in a specified sequence, and mixed for a duration of time until a homogeneous mixture is produced and discharged from the mixing vessel in a single lot before a subsequent batch is introduced. In an embodiment, a liquid detergent composition comprises: between about 1 wt-% and about 50 wt-% alkalinity; between about 1 wt-% and about 10 wt-% rheology modifiers comprising at least one alkali-swellable polymer (ASE) and at least one hydrophobically-modified alkali-swellable polymer (HASE), wherein the ASE rheology modifier has a molecular weight between about 20,000 to about 300,000 g/mol, and wherein the HASE rheology modifier has a molecular weight between about 50,000 to about 500,000 g/mol, and wherein the ratio of the HASE rheology modifier to the ASE rheology modifier is from about 0.5:1 to about 10:1; between about 1 wt-% to about 50 wt-% nonionic surfactant(s); between about 10 wt-% to about 80 wt-% water; and optionally at least one of chelant/sequestrant/builder. In a further embodiment, the ratio of the HASE rheology modifier to the ASE rheology modifier is from about 0.5:1 to about 5:1, and the rheology modifiers are included at an actives level between about 0.5% to about 5%. In embodiments, the HASE polymer has the following formula: wherein R is a hydrogen or C1-C6 alkyl group; wherein R1 is a hydrogen or C1-C6 alkyl group; wherein R2 is a hydrophobic alkyl group in the range from C4-C24; wherein R3 can be any one of a hydrogen or C1-C6 alkyl group; wherein the ratio of x:y is from about 1:20 to about 20:1; wherein the ratio of x:w is from about 1:20 to about 20:1; and wherein the ratio of x:z is from about 1:1 to about 500:1. In further embodiments, the ASE polymer has the following formula: wherein R and/or R1 is a hydrogen, CH3or a C1 to C6 alkyl chain; and wherein the ratio of x:y is from 1:10 to 10:1. In still further embodiments, the rheology modifier further comprises a nonionic alkyl polyglycoside surfactant, the alkalinity is an alkali metal hydroxide, the chelant/sequestrant/builder comprises an aminocarboxylate and/or polycarboxylate polymer, and the nonionic surfactants are alkoxylated surfactants, and wherein one of the nonionic surfactants is a linear or branched alcohol containing 8 to 18 carbon atoms, and 7 to 20 ethylene oxide groups. In still further embodiments, the alkalinity comprises between about 1 wt-% and about 50 wt-%, the rheology modifiers comprise between about 1 wt-% and about 7 wt-%, the water comprises between about 10 wt-% to about 50 wt-%, the chelant/sequestrant comprises between about 0 wt-% to about 10 wt-%, and the nonionic surfactant comprises between about 10 wt-% to about 50 wt-% of the detergent composition. A hydrotrope can further be included to provide a viscosity of the composition between about 500 to about 2500 cPs. Moreover, the composition can be in a concentrated form that may be diluted to a use cleaning concentration, and the liquid composition can beneficially be a stable, opaque emulsion, wherein the liquid composition is stable for at least 6 months at ambient temperatures, and wherein stability is measured according to phase separation of less than 5%. In additional embodiments, the liquid detergent composition comprises: between about 1 wt-% and about 50 wt-% alkalinity; between about 1 wt-% and about 10 wt-% rheology modifiers comprising at least one alkali-swellable polymer (ASE), at least one hydrophobically-modified alkali-swellable polymer (HASE), and at least one nonionic alkyl polyglycoside surfactant, wherein the ASE rheology modifier has a molecular weight between about 20,000 to about 300,000 g/mol, and wherein the HASE rheology modifier has a molecular weight between about 50,000 to about 500,000 g/mol, and wherein the ratio of the HASE rheology modifier to the ASE rheology modifier is from about 0.5:1 to about 5:1; between about 1 wt-% to about 50 wt-% nonionic surfactant(s); between about 10 wt-% to about 80 wt-% water; and optionally at least one of chelant, sequestrant, builder and/or hydrotrope; wherein the composition has a viscosity between about 500 to about 2500 cPs. In additional embodiments, liquid detergent compositions are produced by the process of mixing the components in a batch process. In embodiments, the process does not include a premix and/or homogenizer for the formulation. In further embodiments, a method of washing textiles comprises: providing the liquid detergent compositions described according to embodiments herein; and washing the textiles in an institutional or a household washing machine. In embodiments, the methods further comprise (a) diluting the liquid detergent composition at a point of use with water; and/or adding a bleaching composition to the liquid detergent composition or to diluted use composition. In further embodiments, a method of dispensing a liquid detergent composition for washing textiles comprises: dispensing the liquid detergent compositions described according to embodiments herein into a washing machine, wherein the washing machine is an institutional or a household washing machine. While multiple embodiments are disclosed, still other embodiments will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description, which shows and describes illustrative embodiments. Accordingly, the drawings and detailed description are to be regarded as illustrative in nature and not restrictive.

11445241

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a technique to establish connections between a plurality of apparatuses and networks by radio. To connect a video processing apparatus to a video display apparatus as another video processing apparatus to view videos, there has been employed a method to establish analog connections therebetween to transmit video and audio signals. However, as digital apparatuses have been widely spread, there is employed, to prevent picture quality deterioration and to protect copyright of contents to be viewed, a method in which digital connections are established between the apparatuses and video and audio signals are encrypted to be transmitted therebetween. High Definition Digital Multimedia Interface (HDMI) is known as an example of an interface for digital transmission. According to the HDMI, the base band signal and the audio signal of high definition are time-division multiplexed and the resultant signal is encrypted through HDCP for transmission thereof. A conventional technique in which digitized video and audio signals are multiplexed for transmission as above is described in, for example, JP-A-2007-202115. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION According to the HDMI, which is developed on assumption of uses for connections between apparatuses installed in a house of a family, consideration has not been given to connections with the internet and a network in the family or a home network while viewing high-quality videos. It is therefore an object of the present invention, devised to overcome the difficulty, to provide a technique wherein while presenting on a display apparatus videos of high picture quality obtained from portable video processing apparatuses such as a camera and a cellular phone, it is possible to communicate with the internet and/or a home network. According to one aspect of the resent invention, there is provided a display apparatus including a first radio communication unit capable of receiving video information by radio from an external video processing apparatus, a second radio communication unit capable of connecting by radio to a network, and a connection assignment control unit for controlling assignment of connection by radio transmission for each of the first and second radio communication units. The control unit assigns connection of the first radio communication unit with higher priority and controls the assignment of the transmission rate, for example, such that the transmission rate between the first radio communication unit and the external video processing apparatus is more than the transmission rate between the second radio communication unit and the network. According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a video processing apparatus including a first radio communication unit capable of transmitting video information by radio to an external display apparatus, a second radio communication unit capable of connecting by radio to a network, and a connection assignment control unit for controlling assignment of connection by radio transmission for each of the first and second radio communication units. The control unit assigns connection of the first radio communication unit with higher priority and controls the assignment of the transmission rate, for example, such that the transmission rate between the first radio communication unit and the external video display apparatus is more than the transmission rate between the second radio communication unit and the network. In the display apparatus constructed as above, the first radio communication unit can communicate video information of high picture quality with an external video processing apparatus. The second radio communication unit can connect by radio to the internet and a home network. The controller controls the transmission rate of the radio transmitter module to be assigned to the first radio communication unit and can change the transmission rate of the radio transmitter module to be assigned to the second radio communication unit. It is possible for the controller to determine and to control the radio transmission rates to be assigned to the first and second radio communication units. The controller controls the operation such that the assignment to the first radio communication module to conduct transmission to receive video information from an external video processing apparatus is carried out with higher priority. Therefore, it is possible that video information of high picture quality is continuously fed from the video processing apparatus to the video information apparatus as well as information is transmitted from the internet and a home network. There can be hence provided a video display apparatus having high serviceability. According to the present invention, it is possible to communicate with a network while displaying videos of high picture quality obtained by a video processing apparatus. Other objects, features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description of the embodiments of the invention taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

11488570

TECHNICAL FIELD The present disclosure relates to the technical field of sound adsorbing material, and in particular, to a sound adsorbing material and a speaker box employing the sound adsorbing material. BACKGROUND With the advance of science and technology and the improvement of living standards, electronic products are rapidly developed in many aspects such as energy saving, light weight, intelligence, information, multi-system, multi-function, and entertainment. As a result, higher requirements have been raised on performance and volume of the electronic products, and thus higher requirements are raised on a speaker box of the electronic product, especially the speaker box of a mobile phone, which is required to have a smaller size and also provide excellent sound quality. The speaker box in the related art includes a housing having a receiving space, a speaker unit disposed in the housing, and a virtual acoustic cavity surrounded by the speaker unit and the housing. The virtual acoustic cavity is filled with a sound adsorbing material. However, since an electronic consumer product is more compact, a rear cavity of the speaker box has a smaller volume, which will significantly reduce a response at low frequency band, thereby resulting in a poor sound quality. The sound adsorbing material is usually a microporous low-frequency improvement material (i.e., microporous material), such as activated carbon, zeolite and the like. Generally, the sound adsorbing material mainly adopts a porous carbon material of Panasonic Electronics and an MFI molecular sieve of Knowles Electronics, as well as FER and BEA molecular sieves and the like. The sound adsorbing material adsorbs the desorbed air in the rear cavity with its vibration along with the speaker unit of the speaker box, thereby increasing the volume of the virtual acoustic cavity, and thus increasing a response of the speaker box at a low frequency band. However, since the microporous material has a small adsorption capacity to air molecules at room temperature, the improvement on the response of the speaker at the low frequency band is limited. Therefore, it is urgent to provide a new sound adsorbing material and a speaker box adopting the sound adsorbing material to solve the above technical problems.

11283016

BACKGROUND Chalcogenide materials have properties that invite their use in a number of applications such as ovonic threshold switches and phase change memory (PCM). For example, different physical states of the chalcogenide material can have different levels of electrical resistance. As one specific example, one state of a chalcogenide material, such as an amorphous state, can have a high electrical resistance, while another state, such as a crystalline state, can have a low electrical resistance. Different levels of electrical resistance can be used to store information (e.g. a plurality of memory states). Once the information is stored, the information can be read by detecting the electrical resistance of the material. The fact that each state persists once fixed makes chalcogenide materials valuable in non-volatile memory (NVM) structures and devices.

11445248

TECHNICAL FIELD The present disclosure relates generally to virtualizing a set top system for multimedia content delivery and, more specifically, to pooling user interface (UI) engines to render UIs in the cloud in a virtual set top system. BACKGROUND In a virtual set top system for multimedia content delivery, moving user interface rendering to the cloud and producing streams for user interactions face many challenges. Some previously existing methods, devices, and systems attempt to provide high quality user experience by having dedicated resources render user interfaces (UIs) for each client. Such solutions are costly, e.g., consuming a tremendous amount of cloud resources.

11237441

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS This application is a U.S. National Stage Application under 35 U.S.C. § 371 of International Application No. PCT/CN2018/089777, filed on Jun. 4, 2018, which claims priority to Chinese Patent Application No. 201710791691.5, filed on Sep. 5, 2017, and entitled “Array Substrate and Manufacturing Method thereof, Display Device”. The disclosure of each of these applications is incorporated by reference herein in entirety. TECHNICAL FIELD The present disclosure relates to an array substrate and a manufacturing method thereof, as well as a display device. BACKGROUND At present, with keen competition in the liquid crystal panel industry, panel manufacturers begin to compete in reduction of panel cost and improvement of performance. Adoption of GOA (Gate driver on Array) may reduce the amount of use of ICs (Integrated circuits), and thus become a direct method to reduce the cost, the attempt and adoption of this new structure improves performance and reduces power consumption effectively. And, in an array substrate manufacturing process, electrostatic breakdown is an important problem of the array substrate at all times. It is necessary to consider reducing electrostatic breakdown as much as possible, in the product design and the manufacturing process. SUMMARY According to some embodiments of the present disclosure, there is provided an array substrate manufacturing method comprising: forming a gate layer, the gate layer comprising a gate line and a signal line which are connected electrically; forming an active layer; and disconnecting electrical connection of the gate line with the signal line after forming the active layer. In some embodiments, forming the gate layer comprises: forming a connection lead between the gate line and the signal line, two ends of the connection lead connect with the gate line and the signal line respectively. In some embodiments, forming the gate layer comprises manufacturing simultaneously the gate line and the connection lead. In some embodiments, disconnecting electrical connection of the gate line with the signal line comprises: removing the connection lead. In some embodiments, the method further comprises: forming a gate insulation layer on the gate layer, wherein forming a gate insulation layer on the gate layer comprises removing a gate insulation material at a corresponding location of the connection lead and exposing the connection lead; and forming the gate insulation layer on the gate insulation layer, wherein forming a source-drain layer on the gate insulation layer comprises removing the connection lead. In some embodiments, forming a gate insulation layer on the gate layer comprises: forming a gate insulation material film on the gate layer; and forming a pattern of the gate insulation layer by a patterning process, the connection lead being exposed at the location of the pattern corresponding to the connection lead. In some embodiments, before forming the gate insulation material film, the method further comprises: forming a gate material film; and forming a pattern of the gate layer by a patterning process, the pattern of the gate layer including the connection lead. In some embodiments, after forming the pattern of the gate layer by the patterning process, the method further comprises: forming an active layer material film; and forming a pattern of the active layer by a patterning process. In some embodiments, forming a source-drain layer on the gate insulation layer comprises: forming a source-drain material film; and forming a pattern of the source-drain layer by a patterning process, and removing the connection lead. In some embodiments, after forming the pattern of the source-drain layer, the method further comprises: forming an inter-layer insulation layer; forming a first electrode layer; forming a passivation layer; and forming a second electrode layer. In some embodiments, the connection lead is not located on a connection path between a gate drive circuit and the gate line. In some embodiments, The connection path is a linear connection path. According to some other embodiments of the present disclosure, there is provided an array substrate which is manufactured by adopting the array substrate manufacturing method of any of above embodiments. According to some other embodiments of the present disclosure, there is provided a display device comprising the array substrate as described before.

11432375

TECHNICAL FIELD The present disclosure relates generally to camera lenses, and more specifically to removing ice and condensation from windows used in cameras. BACKGROUND Some of the main issues faced when designing a camera for use in a variety of climates and environments include icing and fogging in front of the camera. Icing and fogging of the camera lens may result in inability to capture images or distortion of captured images. In particular, fogging or icing of lenses due to condensation in infrared cameras results in reduced image quality. This inability to capture images may be particularly significant when the camera is utilized for activities requiring real-time responses and accurate data, for example, in self-driving or assisted driving vehicles. Some existing solutions for addressing icing and fogging include deploying a heating element near the lens and activating the heating element in response to icing or fogging. However, such heating element deployment requires additional energy and cost, as the heating element must be installed and maintained. Further, such heating elements require enlarging the optical element in the camera, do not provide uniform heating, take a long period of time to heat up, and often utilize more energy than required to remove icing and fogging. In some implementations, the increase in size may make installation of a camera impractical. It would therefore be advantageous to provide a solution that would overcome the challenges noted above. SUMMARY A summary of several example embodiments of the disclosure follows. This summary is provided for the convenience of the reader to provide a basic understanding of such embodiments and does not wholly define the breadth of the disclosure. This summary is not an extensive overview of all contemplated embodiments, and is intended to neither identify key or critical elements of all embodiments nor to delineate the scope of any or all aspects. Its sole purpose is to present some concepts of one or more embodiments in a simplified form as a prelude to the more detailed description that is presented later. For convenience, the term “some embodiments” or “certain embodiments” may be used herein to refer to a single embodiment or multiple embodiments of the disclosure. The embodiments disclosed herein include a window for resistive heating. The window comprises: a transparent member having an outer edge, wherein the transparent member is made of a first material, wherein the first material is a low conductivity material; and at least one set of two conductive pads disposed on the outer edge of the transparent member and electrically coupled to at least one source of electricity, wherein each conductive pad is made of a second material, wherein matter disposed on the transparent member is removed via resistive heating when electricity is conducted from the at least one source through the at least one set of two conductive pads and the transparent member. The embodiments disclosed herein also include a camera apparatus. The camera apparatus comprises: a thermal core including at least one source of electricity, at least one sensor, and a lens; and a window, the window further comprising: a transparent member having an outer edge, wherein the transparent member is made of a first material, wherein the first material is a low conductivity material, wherein the lens is disposed between the transparent member and the at least one sensor; and at least one set of two conductive pads disposed on the outer edge of the transparent member and electrically coupled to the at least one source of electricity, wherein each conductive pad is made of a second material, wherein the second material is a high conductivity material, wherein matter disposed on the transparent member is removed via resistive heating when electricity is conducted from the at least one source through the at least one set of two conductive pad and the transparent member.

11255350

BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY The disclosed electric power actuators pertain generally to fluid flow control and, more particularly, to a pneumatic control system designed to operate and control various types of pneumatic actuators. As evidenced by the oil and gas industry, there is a need for better, more reliable, and fail-safe electric actuators. Most electric actuators are dumb; meaning that in the event of power loss the actuator/valve fails in place, be it open, closed or somewhere between. In hazardous locations deemed “electrically classified” (e.g., Class I Division I or similar), fail-safe electric actuators are frequently required to prevent liquid or gas flow downstream from the valve operated by the actuator. Electric fail-safe actuators may be defined as providing the following operating characteristics: upon loss of electrical power to the electric actuator, the actuator has stored potential energy that is converted to kinetic energy to close or open the valve to the fail-safe position. Potential energy stored within an electric actuator is typically in the form of either a battery, capacitor, torsion spring or compressed spring. Currently, fail-safe electric actuator technology suffers from a wide range of issues, including but is not limited to, torque output, lack of system reliability, very large/heavy unit size for a given valve, limited cycling before requiring maintenance, etc. The disclosed improvements in the nature of a fail-safe electric power actuator connect directly to the intake and exhaust air ports of a pneumatic actuator and require an external voltage source, like all electric actuators. The valve automation industry has embraced pneumatic actuator valve control for decades based on its simplicity of design, reliability and inherent fail-safe design. The disclosed embodiments convert a pneumatic actuator to an electric actuator. The disclosed electro-pneumatic device utilizes any third party, quarter-turn pneumatic actuator as the base operating platform, but can easily be adapted to other platforms and to accommodate torque outputs far exceeding existing electric fail-safe technologies. Pneumatic actuator systems typically involve a source of compressed air that is routed through a network of pipes. The compressed air is typically sourced from a compressor driven by an electric motor or an internal combustion engine. The compressed air is routed to and from cylinder chambers contained within various types of pneumatic actuators in order to move a piston contained within the cylinders. The piston may have a shaft extending out of the cylinder and connected to the component to be moved, such as a fall valve in a fluid pipeline. The pneumatic system moves the piston by forcing air (gas) into the first end of the cylinder while simultaneously withdrawing or exhausting air out of a second end of the cylinder. Conversely, the pneumatic system may also force air into the second end of the cylinder while simultaneously exhausting air out of the first end of the cylinder in order to retract the piston in the opposite direction. By driving the air into alternate ends of the cylinder, the piston is moved such that the shaft can be displaced in any position for doing useful work. The compressed air may pass through a filter to clean the air and prevent damage to components. Pneumatic systems are commonly used in large scale applications such as in power plants and refineries for controlling system components such as a working valve. In such applications, proper maintenance is required to ensure that the components have a long and reliable working life. If maintenance is not kept up with, such as the changing of air filters, which filter the air entering the system, this lack of maintenance can ripple through the system damaging components downstream. Pneumatic systems that are routed through a network of pipes in large scale applications such as in power plants and refineries commonly fall victim to problems such as line leakage or downstream pressure loss. In many of these applications, there are several hundred pipes and fittings routed throughout a location causing the maintenance and isolation of faulty pipes and fittings to be difficult. Statistics from the US Department of Energy show the average manufacturing plant loses 20-30% of its compressed air due to leaks (source: https://www.energy.gov/sites/prod/files/2014/05/f16/com pressed_air3.pdf#targetText=Leaks%20are%20a%20significant%20source,30%25%20%the%20the%20compressor's%20output.&targetText=Fluctuating%20system%20pressure%2C%20%which%20can,less%20efficiently%2C%20possibly%20affecting%20production). Any leakage of generated compressed air is a direct cost to the entity utilizing such pneumatic systems. Pneumatic systems routed through a network of pipes in large scale applications often suffer from the additional problems of responsiveness and repeatability due to their placement at large distances from their fluid (e.g., gas) supply source. This lack of responsiveness and repeatability can cause unpredictable behavior in large pneumatic systems ranging from timing of valve transitions to lack of pressure at key placement points. The current mainstream alternative to pneumatic actuator systems are electric motor, gear driven actuators. These electric actuators are known for their ability to operate at high levels of power efficiency, low levels of power density, and high levels of accurate repeatability and control. Pneumatic systems are generally known for the opposite; low levels of power efficiency, high levels of power density, and low levels of accurate repeatability and control. The electric power actuators disclosed herein specifically address and alleviate the above referenced deficiencies associated with existing pneumatic and electric control systems. More specifically, the electric power actuator includes and independent pneumatic control system for generating the work necessary to move the piston within a pneumatic actuator. As will be described below, the pneumatic control system of the disclosed electric power actuators differ from pneumatic control systems of the prior art in that it may utilize a closed system design for increasing both the efficiency of the pneumatic system while also reducing the required maintenance and simplifying the integration of providing compressed fluid to pneumatic systems. The pneumatic control system is configured for providing the compressed fluid necessary for the positioning of a piston within a pneumatic actuator. The closed system configuration provides a means of eliminating the need for an air filter at the inlet of the compressor that provides compressed air to the system. The closed system configuration for several of the disclosed embodiments also allows for the use of other working fluids such as nitrogen or helium gas, which would not be possible in an open loop configuration that vents and draws in working fluid from ambient surroundings. Another advantage to the closed system configuration is the elimination of potential leaks, which cause significant problems in the efficiency of pneumatic systems. The disclosed electric power actuators allow for simplified integration of pneumatic systems into industry locations that utilize such valve control systems by inherently being a self-contained fluid supply to the pneumatic actuators commonly found in these locations. This provides the distinct advantage of isolating any problems which may occur as opposed to isolating the problems of a much larger and more complex system such as the network of pipes commonly used in these applications, as previously described. Another advantage of the single self-contained system is the elimination of the common problem of line pressure loss due to actuators being located at large distances from the pressurized fluid supply source, allowing for increased responsiveness and repeatability. The closed pneumatic system configuration providing work to a single acting pneumatic actuator also creates an increase in system efficiency due to the ability of the actuator to act as a pressurized fluid supply source to the inlet of the compressor providing compressed fluid to the system. This feature both reduces the minimum time between valve transitions and reduces the power drawn from the compressor—due to it having to overcome a smaller pressure differential during charge cycles. Disclosed in embodiments herein is an electric-powered fail-safe actuator, including: an electrically-powered source of pressurized fluid; a directional control valve, responsive to a control signal and having at least an inlet port fluidly connected to the source of pressurized fluid, the control valve controlling the flow of pressurized fluid from the source to at least one output port of the control valve in response to the control signal; a single-acting actuator, said actuator having a first port fluidly connected to the at least one output port of the control valve with a gas line, and a vent port, wherein a pressurized fluid applied to the first port causes the movement of a biased piston in said single-acting actuator and produces movement of a stem attached to the piston; and a gas line fluidly connecting the vent port of the actuator and the source of pressurized fluid to complete a closed loop circuit; wherein the fail-safe actuator is suitable for mechanical connection between the stem and a valve. Further disclosed in embodiments herein is a method for providing an electric-powered fail-safe actuator, comprising: providing a pneumatic accumulator suitable for storing a pressurized gas; providing a source of pressurized gas, and fluidly connecting a discharge port of the source of pressurized gas to the pneumatic accumulator; fluidly connecting a directional control valve, responsive to a control signal, in series with the pneumatic accumulator and a single-acting pneumatic actuator having a spring return, wherein the pneumatic actuator is suitable for mechanical connection to operate a valve; using the directional control valve to control the flow of pressurized gas stored in the pneumatic accumulator to the pneumatic actuator; triggering, in response to the control signal, a first state transition of the directional control valve to allow a flow of pressurized gas from said accumulator into a first port of the pneumatic actuator, thereby producing a change in position of a piston in the pneumatic actuator from a rest position to an actuated position; and triggering, in response to a change in the control signal, a second state transition of the directional control valve to stop the flow of pressurized gas from said accumulator into the first port of the of the pneumatic actuator, and thereby allowing the piston in the pneumatic actuator to return to the rest position under the force of the pneumatic actuator spring return. Also disclosed herein is an electric-powered fail-safe actuator, comprising: a source of pressurized fluid; a control valve, fluidly connected to the source of pressurized fluid; a single-acting spring-return actuator, fluidly connected to the control valve, to receive the pressurized fluid via the control valve; and a fluid connection between a vent port of the actuator and the source of pressurized fluid.

11255532

BACKGROUND OF INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates generally to the technical field of lamp products, and more particularly to a user-defined festoon lamp component. 2. Description of Related Art The LED is the abbreviation for Light Emitting Diode, it is an electronic device which can convert electric energy into light energy, and it has the characteristics of diode. LED is known as the fourth generation light source, characterized by energy saving, environmental protection, safety, long life, low power consumption, low heat, high luminance, water resistance, miniature, shock resistance, easy dimming, concentrated light beam and convenient maintenance. It can be extensively used in the domains of indication, display, decoration, back light source and general lighting. The RGB LED can be used for effect lighting. This kind of LED uses three chips, each chip generates a color light (red, green and blue). Another method to generate different color lights is to use red, green and blue monochromatic LEDs, and then the light rays from these LEDs are mixed and exported. Comparatively, the RGB LED has better effect lighting, and its assembly is more convenient. The variable color RGB LED festoon lamps on the present market include 1. Automatic combination: the RGB LED color-changing lamps are combined automatically according to the default program proportions. The problem and defect are that the user cannot freely prepare his favorite colors. 2. Prepared color combination, the user can choose the prepared colors, there are several to tens of prepared colors. Defect: the user cannot freely prepare his favorite colors. 3. The customer chooses a color preset on the surface of a fixed touch circuit board. Defect: the user cannot freely prepare his favorite colors. In view of this, this inventor proposes the following technical proposal. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The purpose of the present invention is to overcome the shortcomings of the prior art and provide a user-defined festoon lamp component comprising: a festoon lamp (100) and a remote controller (200) adapted to the festoon lamp (100) for controlling the luminescent state of festoon lamp (100), wherein the festoon lamp (100) includes a first MCU (101), a wireless receiving unit (102) electrically connected to the first MCU (101), a first power supply unit (103), a white light LED unit (104), and an RGB LED unit (105); wherein the remote controller (200) includes a second MCU (201), a wireless transmitting unit (202) electrically connected to the second MCU (201), a second power supply unit (203), and a button matrix unit (204) for controlling the luminescent state of the white light LED unit (104) and RGB LED unit (105), the festoon lamp (100) is electrically connected to the wireless transmitting unit (202) of the remote controller (200) through the wireless receiving unit (102); the button matrix unit (204) includes an R button (2041) for independently increasing the R color in RGB LED unit (105), a G button (2042) for independently increasing the G color in RGB LED unit (105), and a B button (2043) for independently increasing the B color in RGB LED unit (105). More particularly, wherein the button matrix unit (204) includes an ON button (2044), an OFF button (2045), an AUTO button (2046), a White button (2047), a brightness− button (2048), a brightness+ button (2049), a SET button (2040) and several time setting buttons (205), the ON button (2044), OFF button (2045), AUTO button (2046), White button (2047), brightness− button (2048), brightness+ button (2049), SET button (2040) and several time setting buttons (205) and the R button (2041), G button (2042) and B button (2043) are arranged on the casing (206) of the remote controller (200). More particularly, wherein the festoon lamp (100) includes a lamp holder (1), a power supply (2) installed in the lamp holder (1) as the first power supply unit (103), a PCB (3) installed on the lamp holder (1), a plurality of white light LEDs (4) installed on an upper end face of PCB (3) as white light LED unit (104), a reflective cup (5) installed on the lamp holder (1) and fitted over the white light LEDs (4), a face cover (6) installed on lamp holder (1) and covering the reflective cup (5), and a lamp shade (7) passing through the face cover (6) and contacting an upper end of reflective cup (5), the upper end face of the PCB (3) is provided with several RGB LEDs (8) interlaced with white light LEDs (4) as RGB LED unit (105), the first MCU (101) and wireless receiving unit (102) are installed on PCB (3). More particularly, wherein the PCB (3) is provided with a first LED driver module (33) for driving the white light LED (4) to emit light and the first, second and third LED driver modules (34,35,36) for jointly driving the RGB LED (8) to emit different color lights or gradient color light. More particularly, wherein an outer side of the reflective cup (5) is provided with a plurality of downbent elastic arms of force (51), the elastic arm of force (51) is provided with a sleeve joint part (52), the sleeve joint part (52) is fitted over the guide column (11) formed on the lamp holder (1); wherein the sleeve joint part (52) is an unclosed sleeve joint collet, there is an opening in the periphery of the sleeve joint collet, the opening extends to the upper and lower ends of the sleeve joint collet. More particularly, wherein an anti-disengagement flange (71) for preventing the lamp shade (7) from accidentally disengaging from the window (61) in the face cover (6) for the lamp shade (7) to pass through is formed outside a lower end of the lamp shade (7). More particularly, wherein the reflective cup (5) is provided with a wireless receiver (53), the wireless receiver (53) is connected to the PCB (3) by conductor, the wireless receiver (53) is connected to the wireless receiving unit (102), the face cover (6) is provided with a light conduction base (62), the wireless receiver (53) passes through the light conduction base (62). More particularly, wherein the festoon lamp (100) includes a lamp holder (1), a power supply (2) installed in the lamp holder (1) as the first power supply unit (103), a PCB (3) installed on the lamp holder (1), several RGB LEDs (8) installed on the upper end face of PCB (3) as the RGB LED unit (105), a face cover (6) buckled in an upper end of the lamp holder (1), a lamp shade (7) vertically movable on the face cover (6) and above the RGB LED (8), a bottom cover (13) installed at a lower end of the lamp holder (1), the PCB (3) is provided with a switch button (31), the side face of the lamp shade (7) forms an anti-disengagement buckle (72) at an upper end of the switch button (31), when the lamp shade (7) is pressed, the anti-disengagement buckle (72) presses the switch button (31) to actuate the switch button (31), an inner flange (600) is integrally formed at an upper end of the face cover (6), the inner flange (600) has a window (601), the RGB LED (8) is placed in the window (601), the first MCU (101) and wireless receiving unit (102) are installed on the PCB (3). More particularly, wherein the PCB (3) is provided with an IR sensor (32) as the wireless receiving unit (102), the IR sensor (32) is located under the lamp shade (7), the face cover (6) covers the upper end of the lamp holder (1), the bottom cover (13) covers the lower end of the lamp holder (1), and a lower end face of the face cover (6) contacts an upper end face of the bottom cover (13). More particularly, wherein a storage slot (63) is formed in the upper end of the face cover (6), and an anti-disengagement hole (64) is formed in the inner wall of the storage slot (63), the storage slot (63) is located in an upper end of inner flange (600), the lamp shade (7) is installed in the storage slot (63), and an anti-disengagement buckle (72) formed on the side face of the lamp shade (7) is inserted into the anti-disengagement hole (64), a guide bar (65) is formed at the lower end of the face cover (6), a guide slot (13) is formed at the upper end of the lamp holder (1), the guide bar (65) is inserted into the guide slot (13). After the technical proposal is used, in comparison to the existing technology, the present invention has the following beneficial effects. The present invention adds the RGB LED to the original LED lighting fixture, so as to implement effect lighting to meet different operating requirements. In addition, the R button, G button and B button on the remote controller can independently control the proportions of red, green and blue lights in the RGB LED unit, the user's favorite color light is assembled by free combination, the operation is very convenient and flexible, so that the present invention has very strong marketability. Moreover, the prepared adoption can be saved through the SET button for next or frequent use, the marketability of the present invention is further enhanced.

11538202

TECHNICAL FIELD The present disclosure relates to systems and techniques for querying databases and displaying queried data in an interactive user interface. BACKGROUND A database may store a large quantity of data. For example, a system may comprise a large number of sensors that each collect measurements at regular intervals, and the measurements may be stored in the database and/or a system of databases. The measurement data can be supplemented with other data, such as information regarding events that occurred while the system was operational, and the supplemental data can also be stored in the database and/or the system of databases. In some cases, a user may attempt to analyze a portion of the stored data. For example, the user may attempt to analyze a portion of the stored data that is associated with a specific time period. However, as the number of measurements increases over time, it can become very difficult for the user to identify the relevant data and perform the analysis. SUMMARY The systems, methods, and devices described herein each have several aspects, no single one of which is solely responsible for its desirable attributes. Without limiting the scope of this disclosure, several non-limiting features will now be discussed briefly. Disclosed herein are various systems and methods for displaying various graphs in an interactive user interface in substantially real-time in response to input from a user in order to determine information related to measured data points and provide the determined information to the user in the interactive user interface. For example, a computing device may be configured to retrieve data from one or more databases and generate one or more interactive user interfaces. The one or more interactive user interfaces may display the retrieved data in one or more graphs, such as time-series or scatterplots. The user interface may be interactive in that a user may manipulate one graph, which causes an identical or nearly identical manipulation of another displayed graph in real-time. The manipulations may occur even if the displayed graphs include data across different time ranges. The user interface may also be interactive in that a user may select a portion of a graph (e.g., data across a certain time period) to view tangential data related to the selection (e.g., events that occurred during a time period represented by the selection). The various systems described herein may maximize or enhance the speed and accuracy of data displayed in user interfaces using zoom level specific caching. For example, depending on a zoom level of data displayed, individual pixels represent different time ranges (e.g., 1 day in February, 1 week in February, 1 month in 2014, etc.). Over the time range of an individual pixel, the computing system may determine a maximum value and a minimum value of the data to be displayed in the graph. The determined minimum and maximum values may then be cached, such that they are available in the future when that same zoom level is requested by the user or other users, saving the system from recalculation of the same minimum and maximum value to include on the chart (possibly from multiple data points at each pixel time range). For each individual pixel, a line may be rendered from the maximum value to the minimum value. If the granularity of the measured data matches the time range of an individual pixel, then the maximum value and the minimum value may be the same. In one embodiment, the computing system may display the graph at the closest zoom level at which maximum and minimum values have been cached to ensure that the cached data can be used effectively. One aspect of the disclosure provides a computing system configured to access one or more databases in substantially real-time in response to input from a user provided in an interactive user interface in order to determine information related to measured data points and provide the determined information to the user in the interactive user interface. The computing system comprises a computer processor. The computing system further comprises a database storing at least first sensor values for a first sensor at each of a plurality of times and second sensor values for a second sensor at each of a plurality of times. The computing system further comprises a computer readable storage medium storing program instructions configured for execution by the computer processor in order to cause the computing system to generate user interface data for rendering the interactive user interface on a computing device, the interactive user interface including a first container and a second container, where the first container includes a first graph and the second container includes a second graph, where the first container and the second container have a same width, where the first graph includes first sensor values for the first sensor over a first time period and the second graph includes second sensor values for the second sensor over a second time period that is shorter than the first time period, and wherein portions of the first graph and the second graph are each selectable by the user; receive an identification of a selection by the user of a first data point in the first graph, where the first data point corresponds to a first time range; update the user interface data such that the interactive user interface includes a first marker at a location of the first data point in the first graph; access the database to determine a second sensor value that corresponds to a beginning of the first time range and a second sensor value that corresponds to an end of the first time range; and update the user interface data to include a second marker at a location of a second data point in the second graph that corresponds to the beginning of the first time range and a third marker at a location of a third data point in the second graph that corresponds to the end of the first time range. The computing system of the preceding paragraph can have any sub-combination of the following features: where the instructions are further configured to cause the computing system to: receive an indication from the user of a change to the first time period in the first graph, in response to receiving the indication from the user of the change to the first time period, adjust positions of the first and second markers indicating the first time period in the second graph; where the computer readable storage medium further stores program instructions that cause the computing system to update the user interface data to include a third container, where the third container includes a list of events that occurred within the first time range; where the first graph, for each event that occurred within the first time range, includes a mark that indicates a data point on the first graph that corresponds with a time that the respective event occurred; where the computer readable storage medium further stores program instructions that cause the computing system to update the user interface data to include a marker at a location in the first graph corresponding to a first event in the list of events in response to selection by the user of a location in the third container that corresponds to the first event; where the computer readable storage medium further stores program instructions that cause the computing system to: receive an indication by the user of a selection in the first graph at a fourth data point such that a new event is added at a time that corresponds with the fourth data point, and update the user interface data such that the third container includes an identification of the new event; where the computer readable storage medium further stores program instructions that cause the computing system to: receive an indication by the user that the new event corresponds with the first graph, and update the user interface data such that a first mark is displayed in the first graph at the time that corresponds with the fourth data point; where the computer readable storage medium further stores program instructions that cause the computing system to: receive an indication by the user that the new event corresponds with the second graph, and update the user interface data such that a first mark is displayed in the second graph at the time that corresponds with the fourth data point; where the computer readable storage medium further stores program instructions that cause the computing system to: receive an indication by the user that the new event corresponds with the first graph and the second graph, and update the user interface data such that a first mark is displayed in the first graph at the time that corresponds with the fourth data point and in the second graph at the time that corresponds with the fourth data point; where the computer readable storage medium further stores program instructions that cause the computing system to: receive an indication of selection by the user of a first event in the list of events, and update the user interface data such that the first graph includes an icon at a position of a data point in the first graph that corresponds with the first event; where the computer readable storage medium further stores program instructions that cause the computing system to: receive an indication of selection, by the user, of a first location corresponding to the first time in the first graph, and update the user interface data such that the first graph includes a marker at the location in the first graph corresponding to the first time; where the computer readable storage medium further stores program instructions that cause the computing system to update the user interface data such that the second graph includes a second marker at a location in the second graph corresponding to the first time; where the computer readable storage medium further stores program instructions that cause the computing system to: receive an indication of selection, by the user of a second location corresponding to a second time in the first graph, and update the user interface data such that the first graph includes the marker at the second location in the first graph corresponding to the second time; where the computer readable storage medium further stores program instructions that cause the computing system to update the user interface data such that the second graph includes the second marker at a location in the second graph corresponding to the second time; where the first data point comprises a line from a location in the first graph that corresponds with a highest value measured by the first sensor during the first time range to a location in the first graph that corresponds with a lowest value measured by the first sensor during the first time range; where the computer readable storage medium further stores program instructions that cause the computing system to receive an indication that a zoom level of the first graph is adjusted from a first zoom level to a second zoom level; where the computer readable storage medium further stores program instructions that cause the computing system to retrieve, from a cache, for a second time range that corresponds to a first pixel in an x-axis of the first graph, a highest value measured by the first sensor during the second time range and a lowest value measured by the first sensor during the second time range; where the computer readable storage medium further stores program instructions that cause the computing system to update the user interface data such that the first graph includes a line from a location in the first graph that corresponds with the highest value to a location in the first graph that corresponds with the lowest value; where the first sensor and the second sensor are oil well sensors; and where the first sensor values correspond to oil extracted from an oil well, and where the second sensor values correspond to water extracted from the oil well. The present disclosure also comprises a computer program product, for example a non-transitory or transitory computer-readable medium, that comprises the program instructions recited in any of the appended claims, and/or comprises the program instructions disclosed in the present description. The present disclosure further comprises a method in which the steps recited in any of the appended claims, and/or the steps disclosed in the present description, are executed by one or more computing devices.

11489319

BACKGROUND Multiple conductor cabling consisting of multiple, independent wires or conductors are an integral part of many systems, including electrical and power systems. Such cabling may be installed by pulling the independent conductors in parallel through pipe or conduit over long distances. A pulling rope running through the conduit is attached to each conductor, and the rope is pulled through the conduit, drawing the multiple conductor cabling from spools or other delivery mechanism and through the conduit. The amount of force required to pull several conductors through a lengthy conduit, potentially with many bends or turns, may be substantial, and if the force is applied to the cabling improperly, one or more conductors may be damaged during the pull. Such damage may hamper performance of the multiple conductor cabling or present safety issues. In addition, finding and repairing the damaged portions of the conductors may be prohibitively expensive or physically impossible, and may necessitate replacement of the entire cabling. The conductors may be attached to the pulling rope through a pulling head. Traditionally, pulling heads are created for a given pull on an ad hoc basis at the jobsite. This procedure adds time and expense to the installation of the cabling and requires the installers have the tools and skills necessary for creation of the pulling heads. These ad hoc created pulling heads may also lead to damaged conductors during the pull. It is with respect to these considerations and others that the disclosure made herein is presented SUMMARY It should be appreciated that 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 for use in limiting the scope of the claimed subject matter. Apparatus and methods are described herein for the installation of a pulling head assembly on one or more conductors of a cabling system. According to one embodiment, a workstation for the installation of the pulling head assembly may incorporate a conductor clamp that holds the conductors of the cabling system in place during the installation of the pulling head assembly. The workstation may also incorporate a cutting guide having indicia marks that indicate the lengths to which to cut the conductors in order to achieve a staggered pattern of pulling eyes attached to the conductors in the pulling head assembly. The workstation may also incorporate a stripping tool that is used to remove a portion of the insulation from the terminal end of each conductor so that the end of the conductor may be inserted into the pulling eye. The workstation may also incorporate a crimping tool that is used to crimp the pulling eyes onto the terminal ends of each of the conductors. According to another embodiment, a method for installing a pulling head assembly onto one or more conductors includes feeding the conductors into a cutting guide of a pulling head assembly workstation and engaging a conductor clamp attached to the workstation to hold the conductors in place during the installation. Each of the conductors is cut to an appropriate length for the pulling head assembly, and then a stripping tool incorporated into the workstation is used to remove a portion of insulation from the terminal end of each of the conductors. Finally, a crimping tool incorporated into the workstation is used to crimp the pulling eyes of the pulling head assembly onto the terminal ends of the conductors. Other apparatus, systems, and methods according to embodiments will be or become apparent to one with skill in the art upon review of the following drawings and Detailed Description. It is intended that all such additional apparatus, systems, and/or methods be included within this description, be within the scope of the present invention, and be protected by the accompanying claims.

11286646

TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to a loading vehicle on which an HST traveling drive system is mounted. BACKGROUND ART As represented by a wheel loader, in a loading vehicle having a hydraulic circuit for traveling and a hydraulic circuit for a working device which performs loading work, since a traveling hydraulic pump and a loading hydraulic pump are driven by the same engine, balance between traction force (traveling drive force) and digging force of a working device is important. For example, in a case where the traction force is too large with respect to the digging force of the working device, wheels slip when the lift arm is operated to lift a bucket upward after the bucket is made to thrust into an object to be excavated. As a result, the traction force is rather reduced, which makes it difficult to put loads such as earth and sand into the bucket. In addition, since reaction force acting on the lift arm becomes large when making the bucket thrust into the object to be excavated, there is a case where the reaction force becomes resistance and the bucket or the lift arm may not be lifted upward. For example, Patent Literature 1 discloses a hydraulic drive device of a wheel-type work vehicle comprising a cut-off valve which is a hydraulic pilot type two-position valve and is operated when the sum of discharge pressure of the traveling hydraulic pump and discharge pressure of the loading hydraulic pump (hydraulic pump for a working device) is equal to or greater than a reference value. The cut-off valve controls displacement volume of the traveling hydraulic pump so that the higher the discharge pressure of the loading hydraulic pump is, the lower the discharge pressure of the traveling hydraulic pump is made to be. With this configuration, the displacement volume of the traveling hydraulic pump is limited in accordance with the discharge pressure of the loading hydraulic pump to prevent the traction force from becoming too large when operating the working device, thereby improving balance between the traction force and the drive force (digging force) of the working device. Furthermore, the reference value of the sum of the discharge pressure of the traveling hydraulic pump and the discharge pressure of the loading hydraulic pump can be set from among three types of reference values by switching a dial, thereby allowing a characteristic of an upper limit of the traction force with respect to the discharge pressure of the loading hydraulic pump to be changed based on intention of an operator. CITATION LIST Patent Literature [Patent Literature 1] JP 2013-53699 A SUMMARY OF INVENTION Technical Problem The hydraulic drive device of the wheel-type work vehicle disclosed in Patent Literature 1 is configured to limit the traction force by limiting the discharge pressure of the traveling hydraulic pump, and accordingly, as compared with a case in which a tilting amount of the traveling hydraulic motor is limited, response of large/small changes in the traction force is fast. However, since the discharge pressure of the traveling hydraulic pump is limited by using a hydraulic pilot type cut-off valve, for example, the number of components in the hydraulic circuit is increased and routing of hydraulic piping becomes complicated, which have led to increase in a space and cost required to configure the hydraulic circuit. Furthermore, although the upper limit of the traction force can be selected by switching positions of the dial, a control characteristic of the traction force itself comprises only a characteristic in which the higher the discharge pressure of the loading hydraulic pump is, the lower the discharge pressure of the traveling hydraulic pump is made to be. As a result, it is difficult to finely set and change the control characteristic of the traction force in accordance with contents of work, an environment of a work site, preference of the operator, etc. An object of the present invention is to provide a loading vehicle in which a control characteristic of traction force can be easily and finely set and changed while a configuration of a hydraulic circuit is simple. Solution to Problem In order to achieve the object above, the present invention provides a loading vehicle comprising: a vehicle body including a plurality of wheels; an engine mounted on the vehicle body; a variable displacement traveling hydraulic pump that is driven by the engine; a traveling hydraulic motor that is connected to the traveling hydraulic pump through a closed circuit and transmits drive force of the engine to the plurality of wheels; a working device that is mounted rotatably in a vertical direction with respect to the vehicle body; a loading hydraulic pump that is driven by the engine and supplies hydraulic oil to the working device; a discharge pressure sensor that detects discharge pressure of the loading hydraulic pump; an operation state sensor that detects an operation state of the engine; and a vehicle speed sensor configured to detect vehicle speed, wherein both the traveling hydraulic pump and the traveling hydraulic motor are electronically controlled, the loading vehicle further comprises: a controller configured to control the traveling hydraulic pump and the traveling hydraulic motor; and a solenoid proportional valve configured to generate control pressure for controlling displacement volume of the traveling hydraulic pump based on a control signal output from the controller, and the controller is configured to: store at least one predetermined characteristic table indicating correlation between discharge pressure of the loading hydraulic pump or an operation state of the engine and maximum discharge pressure of the traveling hydraulic pump; and in a case where the vehicle speed detected by the vehicle speed sensor is vehicle speed that corresponds to work requiring traction force, based on the discharge pressure detected by the discharge pressure sensor or the operation state of the engine detected by the operation state sensor, output a control signal to the solenoid proportional valve so as to obtain the maximum discharge pressure of the traveling hydraulic pump that corresponds to the at least one predetermined characteristic table. Advantageous Effects of Invention According to the present invention, it is possible to easily and finely set and change a control characteristic of traction force while a configuration of a hydraulic circuit is simple. The problems, configurations, and effects other than those described above will be clarified by explanation of the embodiments below.

11213710

FIELD OF DISCLOSURE The overall field of this invention is directed to an object for supporting a user's hands during floor-based exercising. More specifically, the invention is directed to a resilient yoga block constructed for supporting a wrist and hand of a user while performing yoga or another weight bearing exercise. BACKGROUND Yoga has become an increasingly popular activity for exercise. Yoga develops inner awareness and the user's attention to the abilities of the body at the present moment. Yoga develops improved breathing and increases strength of mind and body. One of the more popular accessories to use while performing yoga is a yoga block. Yoga blocks are typically made from foam, bamboo, wood, or cork. The yoga block is often used as an extension of the arms to help improve flexibility and provide stability, but can also support the back, head, and hips to help the body settle into a pose. Currently, yoga blocks are usually rectangular in shape and only have flat surfaces which are not conducive to being held comfortably by the human hand, especially in positions where the wrist of the user is bent backwards under their bodyweight. During more weight intensive yoga poses such as these, the excess stress and load on the wrists of the user can lead to pain by causing injury to the wrist and surrounding ligaments, tendons, and muscles. This condition is commonly known as “yoga wrist.” “Yoga wrist” refers to yoga related pain in the wrist, which can develop over a period of time due to repetitive stress and strain much like carpal tunnel syndrome and arthritis. Thus, there exists a need for a redesigned yoga block to help reduce excess weight bearing by repositioning the wrist from one of full backward bending to where the wrist position is more neutral. This block will help prevent pain in the wrist when a user is engaged in yoga or other exercises that involve weight bearing on the wrist. SUMMARY The present invention is directed to a yoga block, the yoga block comprising a body in the shape of a three dimensional rectangle, the body further modified to comprise a first cavity and second cavity in the profile of a hand for the purpose of improving wrist alignment to reduce excess wrist compression and pain, wherein the first cavity is formed through a front surface, a side surface, and a back surface, wherein the first cavity is formed by a first base wall provided in the side surface wherein the first base wall extends at a sloping angle downward a length of the side surface, wherein the first cavity is further defined by a first sidewall extending from the first base wall across the side surface to the front surface where the first sidewall terminates into a first series of finger portions, wherein a second sidewall is parallel to the first sidewall, wherein the second sidewall extends from the first series finger portions across the front surface on an opposite side of the first series of finger portions from the first sidewall, wherein the second sidewall then extends upward at an angle along the side surface such that the second sidewall and the first sidewall and the first base wall create a first palm portion, wherein the second sidewall terminates into a first thumb portion on the back surface, wherein the second cavity is formed through the front surface, the top surface, and the back surface, wherein the second cavity is formed by a second base wall provide in the top surface wherein the second base wall extends at a sloping angle downward a length of the top surface, wherein the second cavity is further defined by a third sidewall extending from the second base wall across the top surface to the back surface where the third sidewall terminates into a second series of finger portions, wherein the third sidewall is parallel to a fourth sidewall, wherein the fourth sidewall extends from the second series finger portions across the back surface on a opposite side of the second series of finger portions from the third sidewall, wherein the fourth sidewall then extends upward at an angle along the top surface such that the third sidewall and the fourth sidewall and the second base wall create a second palm portion, wherein the fourth sidewall terminates into a second thumb portion on the front surface. The present invention is also directed to a yoga block comprising a body, the body comprising a first cavity and a second cavity for the purpose of improving wrist alignment to reduce excess wrist compression and pain, wherein the first cavity is defined by a first base wall, the first cavity further defined by a first sidewall extending from the first base wall where it terminates into a first series of finger portions, wherein a second sidewall extends from the first finger portions wherein the second sidewall, the first sidewall, and the base wall create a first palm portion, wherein the second sidewall terminates into a first thumb portion, wherein the second cavity is formed by a second base wall, wherein the second cavity is further defined by a third sidewall extending from the second base line where the third sidewall terminates into a second series of finger portions, wherein the third sidewall is parallel to a fourth sidewall that extends from the second series finger portions, wherein the third sidewall and the fourth sidewall and the second base wall create a second palm portion, wherein the fourth sidewall terminates into a second thumb portion The present invention is also directed to a method of using a yoga block, the method comprising placing a first hand on the body of the yoga block, the body comprising two cavities in the profile of a hand shape for the purpose of improving wrist alignment to reduce excess wrist compression and pain and placing a second hand on the body of a second yoga block, the body comprising two cavities in the profile of a second hand shape.

11345543

The present invention relates to apparatus for retrieving units form a storage system. In particular, but not exclusively, the invention relates to robotic devices for handling storage containers or bins in a store comprising a grid of stacked units. This application claims priority from UK Patent Application No GB1616597.9 filed on 30 Sep. 2016, hereby incorporated by reference. Some commercial and industrial activities require systems that enable the storage and retrieval of a large number of different products. One known system for the storage and retrieval of items in multiple product lines involves arranging storage bins or containers on rows of shelves arranged in aisles. Each bin or container holds a plurality of products of one product type. The aisles provide access between the rows of shelves, so that the required products can be retrieved by operatives or robots that circulate in the aisles. It will be appreciated, however, that the need to provide aisle space to access the products means that the storage density of such systems is relatively low. In other words, the amount of space actually used for the storage of products is relatively small compared to the amount of space required for the storage system as a whole. In an alternative approach, which offers a significant improvement in storage density, containers are stacked on top of one another and the stacks are arranged in rows. The containers are accessed from above, removing the need for aisles between the rows and allowing more containers to be stored in a given space. Methods of handling containers stacked in rows have been well known for decades. In some such systems, for example as described in U.S. Pat. No. 2,701,065, free-standing stacks of containers are arranged in rows in order to reduce the storage volume associated with storing such containers while still providing access to a specific container if required. Access to a given container is made possible by providing relatively complicated hoisting mechanisms which can be used to stack containers and to remove given containers from stacks. The cost of such systems are, however, impractical in many situations and they have mainly been commercialised for the storage and handling of large shipping containers. The concept of using freestanding stacks of containers and providing a mechanism to retrieve and store specific containers has been developed further, for example as described in EP 0 767 113 B (Cimcorp). Cimcorp discloses a mechanism for removing a plurality of stacked containers using a robotic load handler in the form of a rectangular tube which is lowered around the stack of containers, and which is configured to be able to grip a container at any level in the stack. In this way, several containers can be lifted at once from a stack. The movable tube can be used to move several containers from the top of one stack to the top of another stack, or to move containers from a stack to an external location and vice versa. Such systems can be particularly useful where all of the containers in a single stack contain the same product (known as a single-product stack). The load handler can be used to move containers between single-product stacks, for example to add a plurality of containers containing a single type of product to the store, and to pick up one or more containers from two or more single-product stacks to create a multi-product output stack. An example of this is the picking of vegetable crates in a central warehouse to create a multi-product order for delivery to retail stores. In the system described in Cimcorp, the height of the tube has to be as least as high as the height of the largest stack of containers, so that that the highest stack of containers can be extracted in a single operation. Accordingly, when used in an enclosed space such as a warehouse, the maximum height of the stacks is restricted by the need to accommodate the tube of the load handler. Furthermore, the system is not well adapted for the selection of a single container from a multi-product stack. Online retail businesses selling multiple product lines, such as online grocers and supermarkets, require systems that are able to store tens or even hundreds of thousands of different product lines. The use of single-product stacks in such cases can be impractical, since a very large floor area would be required to accommodate all of the stacks required. Furthermore, it can be desirable only to store small quantities of some items, such as perishables or infrequently-ordered goods, making single-product stacks an inefficient solution. Accordingly, for some applications, the use of multi-product stacks, in which the containers making up each stack may hold different products, is favoured in order to maximise the storage density of the system. The stored items must remain accessible reasonably quickly and easily, so that a plurality of different items required to fulfil a customer order can be picked from the storage system in an efficient way, even if some of the items required are stored in a lower level of a stack, underneath several other containers. International patent application WO 98/049075A (Autostore), the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference, describes a system in which multi-product stacks of containers are arranged within a frame structure. A system of this type is illustrated schematically inFIGS. 1 to 4of the accompanying drawings. As shown inFIGS. 1 and 2, stackable containers, known as bins10, are stacked on top of one another to form stacks12. The stacks12are arranged in a grid frame structure14in a warehousing or manufacturing environment.FIG. 1is a schematic perspective view of the frame structure14, andFIG. 2is a top-down view showing a stack12of bins10arranged within the frame structure14. Each bin10typically holds a plurality of product items (not shown), and the product items within a bin10may be identical, or may be of different product types depending on the application. The frame structure14comprises a plurality of upright members16that support horizontal members18,20. A first set of parallel horizontal members18is arranged perpendicularly to a second set of parallel horizontal members20to form a plurality of horizontal grid structures supported by the upright members16. The members16,18,20are typically manufactured from metal. The bins10are stacked between the members16,18,20of the frame structure14, so that the frame structure14guards against horizontal movement of the stacks12of bins10, and guides vertical movement of the bins10. The top level of the frame structure14includes rails22arranged in a grid pattern across the top of the stacks12. Referring additionally toFIGS. 3 and 4, the rails22support a plurality of robotic load handling devices30. A first set22aof parallel rails22guide movement of the load handling devices30in a first direction (X) across the top of the frame structure14, and a second set22bof parallel rails22, arranged perpendicular to the first set22a, guide movement of the load handling devices30in a second direction (Y), perpendicular to the first direction. In this way, the rails22allow movement of the load handling devices30laterally in two dimensions in the horizontal X-Y plane, so that a load handling device30can be moved into position above any of the stacks12. The load handling devices30are further described in Norwegian patent number 317366, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.FIGS. 3(a) and 3(b)are schematic perspective views of a load handling device30from the rear and front, respectively, andFIG. 3(c)is a schematic front perspective view of a load handling device30lifting a bin10. Each load handling device30comprises a vehicle32which is arranged to travel in the X and Y directions on the rails22of the frame structure14, above the stacks12. A first set of wheels34, consisting of a pair of wheels34on the front of the vehicle32and a pair of wheels34on the back of the vehicle32, is arranged to engage with two adjacent rails of the first set22aof rails22. Similarly, a second set of wheels36, consisting of a pair of wheels36on each side of the vehicle32, is arranged to engage with two adjacent rails of the second set22bof rails22. Each set of wheels34,36can be lifted and lowered, so that either the first set of wheels34or the second set of wheels36is engaged with the respective set of rails22a,22bat any one time. When the first set of wheels34is engaged with the first set of rails22aand the second set of wheels36is lifted clear from the rails22, the wheels34can be driven, by way of a drive mechanism (not shown) housed in the vehicle32, to move the load handling device30in the X direction. To move the load handling device30in the Y direction, the first set of wheels34is lifted clear of the rails22, and the second set of wheels36is lowered into engagement with the second set of rails22a. The drive mechanism can then be used to drive the second set of wheels36to achieve movement in the Y direction. The load handling device30is equipped with a crane device40. The crane device40comprises a cantilever arm42that extends laterally from the top of the vehicle32. A gripper plate44is suspended from the cantilever arm42by four cables46. The cables46are connected to a winding mechanism (not shown) housed within the vehicle32. The cables46can be spooled in or out from the cantilever arm42, so that the position of the gripper plate44with respect to the vehicle32can be adjusted in the Z direction. The gripper plate44is adapted to engage with the top of a bin10. For example, the gripper plate44may include pins (not shown) that mate with corresponding holes (not shown) in the rim that forms the top surface of the bin10, and sliding clips (not shown) that are engageable with the rim to grip the bin10. The clips are driven to engage with the bin10by a suitable drive mechanism housed within the gripper plate44, which is powered and controlled by signals carried through the cables46themselves or through a separate control cable (not shown). To remove a bin10from the top of a stack12, the load handling device30is moved as necessary in the X and Y directions so that the gripper plate44is positioned above the stack12. The gripper plate44is then lowered vertically in the Z direction to engage with the bin10on the top of the stack12, as shown inFIG. 3(c). The gripper plate44grips the bin10, and is then pulled upwards on the cables46, with the bin10attached. At the top of its vertical travel, the bin10is accommodated beneath the cantilever arm42and is held above the level of the rails22. In this way, the load handling device30can be moved to a different position in the X-Y plane, carrying the bin10along with it, to transport the bin10to another location. The cables46are long enough to allow the load handling device30to retrieve and place bins from any level of a stack12, including the floor level. The vehicle32is sufficiently heavy to counterbalance the weight of the bin10and to remain stable during the lifting process. The weight of the vehicle32may be comprised in part of batteries that are used to power the drive mechanism for the wheels34,36. As shown inFIG. 4, a plurality of identical load handling devices30are provided, so that each load handling device30can operate simultaneously to increase the throughput of the system. The system illustrated inFIG. 4includes two specific locations, known as ports24, at which bins10can be transferred into or out of the system. An additional conveyor system (not shown) is associated with each port24, so that bins10transported to a port24by a load handling device30can be transferred to another location by the conveyor system, for example to a picking station (not shown). Similarly, bins10can be moved by the conveyor system to a port24from an external location, for example to a bin-filling station (not shown), and transported to a stack12by the load handling devices30to replenish the stock in the system. Each load handling device30can lift and move one bin10at a time. If it is necessary to retrieve a bin10(“target bin”) that is not located on the top of a stack12, then the overlying bins10(“non-target bins”) must first be moved to allow access to the target bin10. Each of the load handling devices30is under the control of a central computer. Each individual bin10in the system is tracked, so that the appropriate bins10can be retrieved, transported and replaced as necessary. The system described with reference toFIGS. 1 to 4has many advantages and is suitable for a wide range of storage and retrieval operations. In particular, it allows very dense storage of product, and it provides a very economical way of storing a huge range of different items in the bins10, while allowing reasonably economical access to all of the bins10when required for picking. For high-volume systems in which speed of operation is critical, it is important to maximise the performance of each of the load handing devices, in terms of speed of operation, battery life, reliability, lifting capacity, stability and so on. It may therefore be desirable to provide load-handling devices that offer improved performance in one or more of these areas. It may also be desirable to increase the number of load handling devices in use at any one time, to allow an increase in the speed with which items can be retrieved from the storage system. For example, the Applicant's co-pending International Patent Application No. PCT/GB2013/051215, the content of which is incorporated herein by reference, describes a storage system in which a plurality of each of two different types of load handling device are provided. One type of load handling device is adapted to lift a plurality of bins from a stack in one operation, to allow a target bin in the stack to be accessed by a single-bin load handling device of the second type. In such cases, it may be desirable to reduce the size of the load handling devices in order to minimise instances in which the optimum movement path for one device is hindered by the presence of other devices. Load handling devices of the type described above are expensive and it is an object of the present invention to reduce the electronics and control mechanisms by providing a single load handling device capable of lifting and carrying multiple containers. It is against this background that the present invention has been devised. According to the invention there is provided a load handling device for lifting and moving containers stacked in a storage system comprising a plurality of rails or tracks arranged in a grid pattern above the stacks of containers, the grid pattern comprising a plurality of grid spaces and each stack being located within a footprint of only a single grid space, the load handling device being configured to move laterally on the rails or tracks above the stacks, the load handling device comprising a container receiving space located above the rails or tracks in use and a plurality of vehicle modules, the modules comprising container lifting means arranged to lift a corresponding number of containers as vehicle modules in to the container receiving space. According to the invention there is further provided a storage system comprising: a first set of parallel rails or tracks and a second set of parallel rails or tracks extending substantially perpendicularly to the first set of rails or tracks to form a grid comprising a plurality of grid spaces; a plurality of stacks of containers located beneath the rails or tracks and arranged such that each stack occupies a footprint of a single grid space; a load handling device as arranged to move laterally above the stacks on the rails, the load handling device comprising a container receiving recess located above the rails and a plurality of vehicle modules, the vehicle modules comprising lifting means the lifting means arranged to lift a plurality of containers from a plurality of stacks into the container receiving space. According to the invention there is further provided a method of transferring a plurality of containers located within a plurality of adjacent stacks in a storage system from the storage system to a shipping trolley, the method comprising the steps of: retrieving a plurality of containers from a correspondingly numbered plurality of stacks; transporting the containers in a load handling device, the load handling device comprising a plurality of vehicle modules; delivering the containers to a port location; lowering the containers on to a container receiving platform; adjusting the spacing of the containers using adjustment means; and loading the containers on to the shipping trolley. A load handling device according to an embodiment of the invention includes a container-receiving space into which a plurality of containers can be lifted. The container-receiving space is arranged beneath a corresponding number of vehicle modules as containers to be lifted, and components such as power components, control components, drive components and lifting components are housed. By arranging the bulky components of the load handling device above the container-receiving space, the footprint of the load handling device is reduced compared to the cantilever designs shown inFIGS. 3(a) to 3(c)and described in NO317366, in which the bulky components are housed in a vehicle module disposed to one side of the container-receiving space. Advantageously, the load handling device of the present invention occupies the space above a corresponding number of stacks in the frame as vehicle modules and containers to be lifted. This means that, by virtue of the invention, the efficiency of operation of the storage system can be improved, because the footprint of the load handling device allows more containers to be lifted in a single operation than a load handling device capable of lifting only one container. The load handling device preferably includes a set of wheels for supporting the load handling device above the stacks. For example, lateral movement of the load handling device may be guided by rails disposed above the frame. The rails may be arranged in a grid pattern, allowing two-dimensional movement of the load handling device in the horizontal plane. The wheels may engage with the rails. Two sets of wheels may be provided, with one set being arranged to engage with a first set of rails to guide movement of the second handling device in a first direction, and another set being arranged to engage with a second set of rails to guide movement of the second handling device in a second direction. In an embodiment of the invention, the wheels are arranged at the periphery of the container-receiving space. The wheels may be driven by one or more motors housed in the vehicle module. Drive may be transferred from the motors in the vehicle module to the wheels by drive transfer means disposed around the container-receiving space. For example, the drive transfer means may comprise a suitable arrangement of pulleys and drive belts. One or both set of wheels may be configured to be raised and lowered with respect to the other set of wheels. One or more wheel lift motors or other wheel lift devices may be housed in the vehicle module for this purpose. The vehicle module may house a plurality of winches or crane devices for lifting a corresponding number of containers as vehicle modules into the container-receiving space. The crane devices may include one or more motors for lifting the containers, and the or each motor of the or each crane device may be housed in the or each vehicle module. Each crane device may include a gripper device configured to grip a container from above. The gripper device may be suspended from cables that can be extended and retracted from the vehicle to move the gripper device vertically. In another embodiment, the load handling device is equipped with a lifting device arranged to lift a plurality of containers from the stack into the container-receiving space. The lifting devices may comprise a pair of lifting arms, in which case the or each lifting device may comprise a gripper device mounted between the ends of the arms and arranged to grip a container from above. In another embodiment, the or each lifting device comprises rods or cables arranged to engage with vertical channels formed in the side walls of the containers. The channels may be accessed by apertures in a top face of each container. In such an arrangement, vertically-extending spaces in the storage system are not necessary. The rods or cables may carry an anchor mechanism arranged to engage releasably with a container. For example, the anchor mechanism may comprise one or more laterally-extendable arms for engaging a surface of the container. The anchor mechanism may be operated remotely, for example by a wire that extends through a tubular bore of the rod or cable. A load handling device according to another embodiment of the invention comprises an upper part, a lower part including a container-receiving space, and a plurality of winch means for lifting containers into the container-receiving space. The winch means comprise winch motors which are housed in the upper part, above the container-receiving space. The lower part includes a wheel assembly to facilitate lateral movement of the load handling device with respect to the frame, and the upper part also includes at least one motor for driving one or more wheels of the wheel assembly. The lower part may comprise a frame structure for supporting the wheels of the wheel assembly. The frame structure may be arranged around the container-receiving space. For example, the container-receiving space may be bounded on four sides by the frame structure. One or more elements of the frame structure may be moveable to raise and lower a first set of the wheels with respect to a second set of the wheels, thereby to facilitate engagement of either the first set of wheels or the second set of wheels with a first or a second set of rails or tracks, respectively. The moveable elements of the frame structure may be driven by a motor housed in the upper part of the load handling device. The load-handling device of the invention is preferably a self-propelled robot vehicle. From another aspect, the invention resides in a storage system comprising a frame containing a plurality of stacks of containers, and one or more load handling devices as described above. Each load handling device occupies a plurality of grid spaces, corresponding to the area occupied by a plurality of stacks of containers. In another aspect, the invention comprises a storage system comprising a frame containing a plurality of stacks of containers, a first handling device capable of lifting a plurality of containers from a plurality of stacks in a single operation, and a second handling device capable of lifting a single container and moving the container laterally. The first and second handling devices are disposed above the frame and are independently moveable to access different stacks. The second handling device is of the type described above, but occupies a space corresponding to only one stack of containers. In this aspect, the provision of a first handling device capable of lifting a plurality of containers from a plurality of stacks in a single operation along with a second handling device capable of lifting a single container and moving the container laterally provides an optimum solution when seeking to retrieve and move a large number of containers. In such a case, only a single lifting operations need be carried out to retrieve the plurality of target containers, which greatly increases the speed and efficiency of the retrieval process compared to prior art arrangements in which only one container can be lifted at a time. The storage system may further comprise one or more port locations at which containers can be removed from and/or added to the storage system. The load handling device of the invention may be capable of transporting a target containers from a plurality of stacks to a port location. The containers may comprise open-topped bins. The containers may be arranged to interlock or engage with one another in the vertical direction when formed in a stack. In a typical application, multiple handling devices may be employed so that a large number of containers can be lifted and moved simultaneously in and around the system. The handling devices may be of different types, and may be selected to balance the cost and energy consumption of the system with the speed and flexibility of operation. One benefit of the present invention is that, because the load handling devices occupy the space above a plurality of stacks, the efficiency of a multiple-device system can be improved compared to prior art load handling device designs which occupy two or more stack spaces to lift a single container. The gain in efficiency may arise from being able to accommodate more load handling devices in a given system, from optimising the routing of the device, or from a combination of these factors. Preferably the load handling device of the invention occupies a 2×2 grid space and is capable of retrieving four containers in a single operation. Preferably the load handling device comprises four vehicle modules arranged in a 2×2 arrangement above the container-retrieving space of the load handling device. Preferably each vehicle module comprises a winch or crane lifting device for engaging with a container at the top of a stack above which the load handling device is positioned. Preferably the load handling device carrying the plurality of containers in the container receiving space, may be transported to a position above a port location under the control of a communications and control system. Once above the port location, the winch or crane lifting means may lower the plurality of containers on to a container receiving platform, the platform comprising means for moving the lowered containers on to a container shipping trolley comprising a series of shelves in substantially a single movement. The process repeats such that a container shipping trolley may be filled a shelf at a time in order to be ready to be loaded on to a vehicle for onward shipment.

11236166

FIELD The present invention relates, in part, to binding agents (e.g., antibodies, such as, without limitation, VHHs) which bind CD8 and their use as therapeutic and diagnostic agents. DESCRIPTION OF THE TEXT FILE SUBMITTED ELECTRONICALLY The contents of the text file submitted electronically herewith are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety: A computer readable format copy of the Sequence Listing (filename: ORN-011PC_Sequence_listing date recorded: Feb. 1, 2017; file size: 265 KB). BACKGROUND Despite major advances in medicine, cancer remains one of the leading causes of death globally, with an estimated 12.7 million cases each year. One of the major stumbling blocks in designing effective anticancer therapy is cancer immune evasion, in which cancer cells evade immune surveillance and destruction thereby resulting in clinically overt cancer. Mechanisms of immune evasion include the selection of tumor variants resistant to immune effectors and the progressive formation of an immune suppressive environment within the tumor. CD8+T lymphocytes (also known as cytotoxic T cells or CTLs) play an important role in host defense against a wide gamut of viral, protozoan and intracellular bacterial pathogens and are important effectors in anti-tumor immunity. Generally, CD8+ CTLs curb cancer development by mechanisms including production of interferon (IFN)-γ and cytotoxins, exocytosis of lytic proteins (e.g., perforin, granzymes), and receptor-ligand binding of FAS molecules. However, tumors can evade immune surveillance by crippling CTL functionality via, for instance, production of immune suppressive cytokines and engagement of immune checkpoint inhibition, either by the cancer cells themselves or by non-cancerous cells present in the tumor microenvironment. Further still, cancer cells have been shown to delete CTLs through apoptosis. Current treatments for cancer include chemotherapy, radiation therapy, immunotherapy, targeted therapy, and surgery which all have limitations and detrimental side effects. Furthermore, there are a number of non-oncology indications that are effected by the immune system, such as autoimmune diseases, have limited treatment options that do not provide desirable therapeutic effects. Accordingly, there remains a need for improved immunotherapeutic agents, including, for example, those that can effectively derail tumor evasion and enhance anti-tumor immunity as mediated, for example, by CTLs. SUMMARY In various aspects, the present invention relates to CD8 binding agents having at least one targeting moiety that specifically binds to CD8. In various embodiments, these CD8 binding agents bind to, but do not functionally modulate (including, without limitation, partially or fully neutralizing) CD8. Therefore, in various embodiments, the present CD8 binding agents have use in, for instance, recruiting a CD8-expressing cell to a site of interest while still allowing the CD8-expressing cell to signal via CD8 (i.e. the binding of the CD8 binding agent does not reduce or eliminate CD8 signaling at the site of interest). In an embodiment, the targeting moiety is a single domain antibody (NANOBODY or VHH). In various embodiments, the CD8 binding agent further comprises a signaling agent, e.g., without limitation, an interferon, an interleukin, and a tumor necrosis factor, that may be modified to attenuate activity. In various embodiments, the CD8 binding agent comprises additional targeting moieties that bind to other antigens of interest. In an embodiment, the other antigens of interest are present on tumor cells. In another embodiment, the other antigens of interest are present on immune cells. In these embodiments, the present CD8 binding agent may directly or indirectly recruit an immune cell, e.g. an immune cell that can kill and/or suppress a tumor cell (e.g., cytotoxic T cells), to a site of action (such as, by way of non-limiting example, the tumor microenvironment). In various embodiments, the present CD8 binding agents find use in the treatment of various diseases or disorders such as cancer, infections, immune disorders, autoimmune diseases, and other diseases and disorders, and the present invention encompasses various methods of treatment.

11237327

FIELD OF THE INVENTION Various embodiments described herein relate to optically decoupling a waveguide from material contained in a substrate supporting it. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION There is a current trend to integrate photonic devices and electronic devices on the same substrate. A silicon-on-insulator (SOI) substrate can be used as the supporting substrate for such integration. When optical waveguides are formed a cladding is provided around the core of the waveguide for confining a light wave propagated along the waveguide. The core material has an index of refraction which is larger than that of the cladding. If silicon is used as the core material of a waveguide, having an index of refraction of about 3.47, the waveguide cladding can be formed of silicon dioxide which has an index of refraction of about 1.54. When a silicon-on-insulator substrate is used as the supporting substrate, the cladding material below the waveguide core can be the buried oxide (BOX) insulator of the SOI substrate, which is again typically silicon dioxide. The BOX cladding can also function to prevent optical signal leakage by evanescent coupling from the silicon waveguide core to a supporting silicon of the SOI structure. However, to prevent such evanescent coupling, the BOX cladding material beneath the waveguide core must be relatively thick, for example, greater than 1.0 μm and often 2.0 μm-3.0 μm thick. When the Box cladding material is thick it inhibits heat flow to the underlying silicon, which can act as a heat dissipator. In addition, when certain electronic devices, such as high speed logic circuits, are integrated on the same SOI substrate as photonic devices, the BOX of the SOI substrate must be relatively thin, typically having a thickness in the range of 100-200 nm. Such a thin BOX insulator, while providing a good substrate for the electronic devices, is insufficient to prevent optical coupling of the silicon waveguide core to the underlying supporting silicon of the SOI substrate, which causes undesirable optical signal loss. One way to prevent evanescent coupling of a silicon waveguide core to supporting silicon of a substrate is discussed in U.S. Pat. No. 7,920,770. There, an etched cavity is formed in the silicon support material at an area below a buried insulator. The cavity serves to increase the distance between the waveguide core and the supporting silicon. The cavity may remain empty or be filled by a gas or other material having refractive properties which prevent the silicon waveguide core from easily optically coupling to the cavity material or silicon in which the cavity is formed. The cavity may be formed after a waveguide is formed by beginning an etch of the supporting silicon at an area outside the area of the waveguide core. The etch process produces a cavity in the supporting silicon which expands downwardly and outwardly of the etch location. This produces a large cavity which may encompass areas of the silicon substrate which are not below the waveguide and not needed for optical isolation. In addition, the cavity may be formed below photonic devices which are coupled to the waveguide such as an optical modulator connected to the waveguide. If the optical modulator or other photonic device coupled to the waveguide is operated in a manner which generates or requires the addition of heat during operation, the cavity and/or material within the cavity disrupts heat flow to the supporting silicon substrate material to lessen its effectiveness as a heat sink. Accordingly, another method and structure for forming a silicon-on-insulator structure which has a relatively thin BOX insulator and which is capable of optically decoupling the waveguide core from the substrate material is desirable.

11389945

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a tool holding frame, and more particularly to a tool holding frame that has at least one protective pad to prevent the tool holding frame from scratching a surface of a table when put on the table. 2. Description of the Prior Art A conventional tool holding frame comprises a track base made of a metallic material and multiple holding bases mounted on the track base for holding tools, e.g. sockets. However, because the track base is made of a metallic material, e.g. by aluminum extrusion, when the conventional tool holding frame is placed on a table, a surface of the table will be easily scratched by the track base of the conventional tool holding frame. To overcome the shortcomings, the present invention provides a tool holding frame to mitigate or obviate the aforementioned problems. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The main objective of the present invention is to provide a tool holding frame that has at least one protective pad to prevent the tool holding frame from scratching a surface of a table when put on the table. The tool holding frame comprises a track base and at least one protective pad. The track base is elongated, is made of metal, and has a base being elongated and a lower portion formed on a bottom of the base and extending along a lengthwise direction of the base. The lower portion has two engaging tabs formed on a bottom of the lower portion, extending along the lengthwise direction of the base, extending toward each other, spaced from the base to form two lower channels respectively between the base and the two engaging tabs, and spaced from each other to form a bottom opening between the two engaging tabs. The at least one protective pad is made of plastic, is slidably mounted on the bottom of the lower portion, and is engaged with the two engaging tabs of the lower portion of the track base. Each of the at least one protective pad has a body and two engaging portions respectively formed on two opposite sides of the body and respectively engaged with the two engaging tabs of the lower portion. Each of the two engaging portions has a bottom segment and at least one hook. The bottom segment extends away from the other one of the two engaging portions and abuts against a bottom of a corresponding one of the two engaging tabs of the lower portion. The at least one hook is formed on a top of the bottom segment, and is engaged with the corresponding one of the two engaging tabs of the lower portion. Each of the at least one hook has a connection segment formed on the top of the bottom segment and a hooking protrusion formed on a top of the connection segment, extending from the connection segment and away from the other one of the two engaging portions, spaced from the bottom segment of the engaging portion to form an engaging groove between the bottom segment and the hooking protrusion of each of the at least one hook of each of the two engaging portions, and abutting against a top of the corresponding one of the two engaging tabs of the lower portion to engage with the corresponding one of the two engaging tabs of the lower portion. Other objectives, advantages and novel features of the invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

11387885

CROSS REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS This is a national stage application filed under 37 U.S.C. 371 based on International Patent Application No. PCT/CN2019/112529, filed Oct. 22, 2019, which claims priority to Chinese Patent Application No. 201811288956.0 filed with the CNIPA Oct. 31, 2018, the disclosure of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entireties. TECHNICAL FIELD Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to, but are not limited to, the field of wireless communications. BACKGROUND In the wireless communication technology, the precoding technology of the multi-antenna technology is to perform precoding on transmit antennas to improve the communication performance. Generally, a transmitting side transmits one reference signal (RS) on one resource, and a receiving side measures channel state information (CSI) by using the reference signal and then feeds back the measured CSI in the form of precoding. The precoding is generally fed back in the form of precoding matrix indication (PMI) information. In order to feed back the channel state in the form of precoding with high precision, the precoding is constituted by a linear combination of multiple vectors. The precoding information is fed back in such a manner that the vectors constituting the precoding and the coefficients of these vectors are fed back. The coefficients of the vectors constituting the precoding each include a magnitude and a phase. The coefficients of the vectors constituting the precoding each are quantized in a fixed quantization mode, and the quantized coefficients are fed back. Since the fixed quantization mode cannot be matched with the channel scenario in various cases, the reporting mode in the related art occupies a large number of reporting resources, reduces the resource utilization rate, and also reduces the reporting precision of the channel state, causing large energy consumption of the reporting terminal. SUMMARY The embodiments of the present disclosure provide a method and device for reporting an antenna port weighting vector, a method and device for acquiring an antenna port weighting vector, a processing apparatus, and a storage medium. An embodiment of the present disclosure provides a method for reporting an antenna port weighting vector. The method includes: receiving quantization mode information of weighting coefficients of second vectors configured by a second node, or reporting to a second node quantization mode information of weighting coefficients of the second vectors; and reporting to the second node the second vectors and weighting coefficients of the second vectors quantized according to the quantization mode information; where the quantization mode information includes information indicating a quantization state set; a first vector is an antenna port weighting vector and consists of the second vectors; and the second vectors include at least one of the following vectors: vectors of which elements have a one-to-one correspondence with antenna ports or vectors of which elements have a one-to-one correspondence with reported frequency domain sub-bands. An embodiment of the present disclosure provides a method for acquiring an antenna port weighting vector. The method includes: configuring for a first node quantization mode information of weighting coefficients of second vectors, or receiving quantization mode information, reported by a second node, of weighting coefficients of the second vectors, where the quantization mode information includes information indicating a quantization state set; receiving the second vectors, reported by the first node, and the weighting coefficients, reported by the first node, of the second vectors quantized according to the quantization mode information, where a first vector is an antenna port weighting vector and consists of the second vectors, and the second vectors include at least one of the following vectors: vectors of which elements have a one-to-one correspondence with antenna ports or vectors of which elements have a one-to-one correspondence with reported frequency domain sub-bands; and determining the weighting coefficients of the second vectors according to the quantization mode information and the weighting coefficients of the second vectors quantized according to the quantization mode information, and determining the first vector according to the second vectors and the quantized weighting coefficients of the second vectors. An embodiment of the present disclosure provides a device for reporting an antenna port weighting vector. The device includes: a first configuration module, which is configured to receive quantization mode information of weighting coefficients of second vectors configured by a second node, or report to a second node quantization mode information of weighting coefficients of the second vectors; and a reporting module, which is configured to report to the second node the second vectors and weighting coefficients of the second vectors quantized according to the quantization mode information; where the quantization mode information includes information indicating a quantization state set; a first vector is an antenna port weighting vector and consists of the second vectors; and the second vectors include at least one of the following vectors: vectors of which elements have a one-to-one correspondence with antenna ports or vectors of which elements have a one-to-one correspondence with reported frequency domain sub-bands. An embodiment of the present disclosure provides a device for acquiring an antenna port weighting vector. The device includes: a second configuration module, which is configured to configure for a first node quantization mode information of weighting coefficients of second vectors, or receive quantization mode information, reported by a second node, of weighting coefficients of the second vectors, where the quantization mode information includes information indicating a quantization state set; a second receiving module, which is configured to receive the second vectors, reported by the first node, and the weighting coefficients, reported by the first node, of the second vectors quantized according to the quantization mode information, where a first vector is an antenna port weighting vector and consists of the second vectors; and the second vectors include at least one of the following vectors: vectors of which elements have a one-to-one correspondence with antenna ports or vectors of which elements have a one-to-one correspondence with reported frequency domain sub-bands; and a second determination module, which is configured to determine the weighting coefficients of the second vectors according to the quantization mode information and the weighting coefficients of the second vectors quantized according to the quantization mode information, and determine the first vector according to the second vectors and the weighting coefficients of the second vectors. An embodiment of the present disclosure provides an apparatus for processing an antenna port weighting vector. The apparatus includes a processor and a computer-readable storage medium, where the computer-readable storage medium is configured to store instructions which, when executed by the processor, implement any one of the methods for reporting an antenna port weighting vector or methods for acquiring an antenna port weighting vector described above. An embodiment of the present disclosure provides a computer-readable storage medium storing a computer program which, when executed by a processor, implements steps of any one of the methods for reporting an antenna port weighting vector or methods for acquiring an antenna port weighting vector described above. Other features and advantages of the embodiments of the present disclosure will be elaborated hereinafter in the Description, and moreover, partially become apparent from the Description, or will be understood through the implementation of the embodiments of the present disclosure. The object and other advantages of the embodiments of the present disclosure may be achieved and obtained through structures set forth in the Description, Claims and Drawings.

11494869

TECHNICAL FIELD The present application relates to an image processor; in particular, to an image processor for storing an image frame in a memory and a method of the same. BACKGROUND Recently, due to the development of networks and effective displays, the amount of multimedia data is rapidly increasing. In case of video (i.e., moving pictures, moving images, etc.), conventionally, video with SD grade resolution (480p) was the mainstream, but currently, Full-HD video with a resolution of (1080p) and video beyond the HD grade (720p) is being generalized. Therefore, how to improve the efficiency of memory usage during image data processing has become a pressing issue in the related art. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Some embodiments of the present disclosure provide a method for storing an image frame in a memory. The method includes: receiving the image frame; dividing the image frame into M rows of data block rows along a first direction; dividing each of the M rows of data block rows into N data blocks along a second direction perpendicular to the first direction; performing a compression operation upon each of the M*N data blocks individually to generate M*N compressed data blocks; and storing N compressed data blocks corresponding to the 1st data block row of the M data block rows and N compressed data blocks corresponding to the (P+1)thdata block row of the M data block rows in a continuous storage space in the memory, wherein M, N, and P are integers, and M>1, N>0 and P<M. Some embodiments of the present disclosure provide an image processor for storing an image frame in a memory. The image processor includes: a compression engine, for receiving the image frame, dividing the image frame into M rows of data block rows along a first direction, dividing each of the M rows of data block rows into N data blocks along a second direction perpendicular to the first direction, and performing a compression operation upon each of the M*N data blocks individually to generate M*N compressed data blocks; and a control unit, for storing N compressed data blocks corresponding to the 1stdata block row of the M data block rows and N compressed data blocks corresponding to the (P+1)thdata block row of the M data block rows in a continuous storage space in the memory, wherein M, N, and P are integers, and M>1, N>0 and P<M. The above methods and image processor not only improves the efficiency of usage of the memory, but further saves the transmission bandwidth and reduces the overall power consumption.

11286469

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The field of the invention is related to combination therapy compositions for the treatment of cancer and methods of use. Specifically, the invention relates to protein kinase inhibitors in combination with pancreatic-type ribonucleases (ptRNases). The phosphorylation of proteins by kinases regulates critical intracellular processes (Cohen, 2000; Johnson, 2009). Within human cells, a key signaling cascade is manifested by phosphorylation in the Ras-Raf-MEK-ERK pathway (Shaul and Seger, 2007; Samatar and Poulikakos, 2014). The binding of growth factors to extracellular receptors activates Ras, which in turn activates the protein kinase activity of Raf kinase (Ostrem and Shokat, 2016). Raf kinase catalyzes the phosphorylation of MEK, and MEK catalyzes the phosphorylation of ERK (Roskoski, 2012). ERK has more than 400 substrates, including p90 ribosomal S6 kinase-1 (RSK) (Anjum and Blenis, 2008), and its kinase activity regulates gene expression related to cell growth and proliferation. Ribonuclease inhibitor (RI) is a 50-kDa cytosolic protein found in all mammalian cells (Dickson et al., 2005), and is not known to undergo phosphorylation (Vlastaridis et al., 2017). Human RI is composed of 15 leucine-rich repeats that endow the protein with the shape of a horseshoe (Kobe and Deisenhofer, 1993; Kajava, 1998), which is conserved in homologs (Lomax et al., 2014). RI has an atypical abundance of cysteine residues, which are necessarily in a reduced state in the folded protein (Blázquez et al., 1996; Kim et al., 1999). Twenty-seven of the 32 cysteine residues of human RI are conserved in mice, pigs, and rats, suggesting a role in function (Lomax et al., 2014). The cytosolic concentration of RI is ˜4 nM (Haigis et al., 2003). This relatively high concentration, coupled with the ubiquitous expression of its mRNA in mammalian tissues, is consistent with an important role. RI is known to act as a “sentry” that protects mammalian cells from pancreatic-type ribonucleases (ptRNases) (Haigis et al., 2003; Thomas et al., 2016). These ribonucleases are secretory but can enter cells via endocytosis. A fraction of the protein escapes from endosomes into the cytosol but is then inhibited by RI (Chao et al., 2010; Chao and Raines, 2011). A ptRNase that is resistant to RI can degrade cellular RNAs, resulting in apoptosis (Rutkoski and Raines, 2008; Lomax et al., 2012). Such RI-evasive homologs and variants have shown promise as cancer chemotherapeutic agents (Ardelt et al., 2009; Fang and Ng, 2011). Surprisingly, RI has not been found to interact with any intracellular protein, consistent with a functional rote in regulating invading ptRNases. Typical RI⋅ptRNase complexes have Kdvalues in the femtomolar range (Dickson et al., 2005; Lomax et al., 2012), making the RI-ptRNase interaction the tightest known between biomolecules. The RI⋅ptRNase complex is stabilized by favorable Coulombic interactions, as RI is highly anionic and ptRNases are highly cationic (Kobe and Deisenhofer, 1995; Papageorgiou et al., 1997; Johnson et al., 2007; Lomax et al., 2014). To date, however, all detailed analyses of RI have been performed on protein produced by heterologous expression inEscherichia coli. Understanding the characterization and cellular processes of RI may improve understanding for treatment uses of such compositions, including the use for cancer treatment. There is a need for new therapeutic combinations that can specifically treat cancers. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention provides a combination therapy for treatment of cancer comprising at least one cytotoxic ribonuclease and at least one ERK-pathway (or, equivalently, MAPK-pathway) inhibitor. In one aspect, the disclosure provides a synergistic composition for the treatment of cancer, the composition comprising at least one MAPK-pathway inhibitor and at least one cytotoxic ribonuclease. In some aspects, the at least one MAPK-pathway inhibitor is selected from a MEK inhibitor, an ERK inhibitor, a RAF inhibitor, and a RAS inhibitor. In some aspects, the cancer comprises a cancer or tumor having cells that exhibit ERK pathway activation or cells that exhibit up-regulation of the RAF-MEK-ERK pathway. In further aspects, the ERK pathway activation in the cancer can result from a mutation in KRAS; a mutation in NRAS; a mutation in HRAS; a mutation in ARAF; a mutation in BRAF; a mutation in CRAF; a mutation in MAP2K1 (MEK1); loss of NF1 function due to mutation, deletion, and/or promoter methylation; activation of RAS by cell-surface receptors; or activation of RAF by other kinases such as PKC alpha (Kolch et al., 1993). In another aspect, the disclosure provides a method of treating cancer in a subject comprising administering to the subject a therapeutically effective amount of the composition comprising at least one MAPK-pathway inhibitor and at least one cytotoxic ribonuclease. In some aspects, the administration of the composition results in synergistic inhibition or reduction of cancer growth. In yet another aspect, the disclosure provides a method of reducing or inhibiting cancer cell growth in a subject having cancer, the method comprising administering an effective amount of the synergistic composition comprising at least one MAPK-pathway inhibitor and at least one cytotoxic ribonuclease, wherein cancer cell growth is reduced or inhibited in the subject. The foregoing and other aspects and advantages of the invention will appear from the following description. In the description, reference is made to the accompanying drawings which form a part hereof, and in which there are shown, by way of illustration, preferred embodiments of the invention. Such embodiments do not necessarily represent the full scope of the invention, however, and reference is made therefore to the claims and herein for interpreting the scope of the invention.

11367998

TECHNICAL FIELD This disclosure belongs to the field of semiconductor silicon optoelectronic technology, and relates to a new method for processing silicon-based semiconductors, in particular to a method for preparing an Er- or Er/O-doped silicon-based luminescent material. BACKGROUND The realization of silicon-based photonic integration technology and silicon-based optoelectronic integration technology can break the bottleneck of current microelectronic technology development. Using silicon-based materials to produce high-quality, high-efficiency room-temperature communication-band luminescent devices is of great significance to optoelectronics and even the entire information technology field. Due to the limitation of the indirect band gap energy band structure, intrinsic silicon materials exhibit very low light-emitting characteristics, and in principle, silicon-based light sources cannot be realized. Currently, research on silicon-based modified materials such as porous silicon, silicon nanocrystals, and erbium (Er) or erbium oxygen (Er/O)-doped silicon has provided some possible ways to achieve silicon emission and even silicon lasers. Among them, Er-doped or Er/O-doped silicon-based luminescent materials have received widespread attention for a long time due to their many advantages, such as their emission wavelengths in the communication band and full compatibility with CMOS processes. However, Er-doped or Er/O-doped silicon materials still have defects such as non-radiative transition quenching at room temperature and extremely low luminescent efficiency, which has become the only technical bottleneck for their industrial applications. Therefore, it is of great significance to develop a new technology that can greatly improve the luminescent efficiency of Er- or Er/O-doped silicon luminescent materials at room temperature. SUMMARY In overcoming the enumerated drawbacks and other limitations of the related art, the present disclosure provides a method for preparing an erbium (Er)- or erbium oxygen (Er/O)-doped silicon-based luminescent material emitting a communication band at room temperature. The present invention adopts an ultra-rapid-cooling annealing technology to prepare an erbium (Er)- or erbium oxygen (Er/O)-doped silicon-based luminescent material to realize a 1.53-μm-wavelength emission with high efficiency at room temperature. According to one aspect of the present disclosure, the method for preparing an erbium (Er)- or erbium oxygen (Er/O)-doped silicon-based luminescent material emitting a communication band at room temperature, comprising the following steps: (a) doping a single crystalline silicon wafer with erbium ion implantation or co-doping a single crystalline silicon wafer with erbium ion and oxygen ion implantation simultaneously to obtain an Er- or Er/O-doped silicon wafer, wherein the single crystalline silicon wafer is a silicon wafer with a germanium epitaxial layer, or an SOI silicon wafers with silicon on an insulating layer or other silicon-based wafers; and (b) subjecting the Er- or Er/O-doped silicon wafer to a deep-cooling annealing treatment, the deep-cooling annealing treatment includes a temperature increasing process and a rapid cooling process. Preferably, in step (a), the energy of the erbium ion implantation ranges from 20 keV to 1 MeV, and the dosage range is from 4×1014to 4×1016cm−2. When oxygen ions are also implanted at the same time, the implantation energy range of oxygen ions is from 3 keV to 300 keV, and the dosage range is from 1015to 1017cm−2, respectively. Preferably, step (b) further comprises: (b1) performing a high temperature treatment on the Er- or Er/O-doped silicon wafer, and (b2) performing an ultra-rapid cooling treatment immediately after the high temperature treatment. Preferably, the Er- or Er/O-doped silicon wafer is electromagnetically heated by an energized copper ring in (b1); and the cooling treatment is exerted by flushing with a low-temperature high purity He gas in (b2). Preferably, a laser pulse ON phase is adopted for increasing the temperature in step (b1); and wherein a laser pulse OFF phase is adopted for the rapid cooling treatment in step (b2). Preferably, further comprising a step of depositing a dielectric protection layer on the Er- or Er/O-doped silicon wafer prior to the step (b), and a step of removing the dielectric protection layer after the step (b). Preferably, a maximum temperature in (b1) reaches 1300° C., and a cooling rate in (b2) is no less than −200° C.·s−1, that is, a temperature decrease of more than 200° C. per second. According to another aspect of the present disclosure, an erbium (Er)— or erbium oxygen (Er/O)-doped silicon-based luminescent material emitting a communication band at room temperature prepared by the aforementioned method is provided. According to another aspect of the present disclosure, an Er— or Er/O—Si laser is provided, comprising a PIN diode, a micro-disk resonator, and a silicon-based optical waveguide, wherein an I region of the PIN diode is made of the above mentioned erbium (Er)- or erbium oxygen (Er/O)-doped silicon-based luminescent material emitting a communication band at room temperature. Preferably, the PIN diode is forward-biased to form an electroluminescent device, the micro-disk resonator selects and enhances light waves in the communication band, a luminescence of the electroluminescent device is selected and enhanced by the resonator, and finally a laser is formed and derived from the silicon-based optical waveguide. The beneficial effect of the present invention is that the high-efficiency room-temperature photoluminescence (PL) of Er- or Er/O-doped silicon materials near 1.53 μm is successfully achieved through the deep-cooling annealing technology, which provides a feasible method for the successful preparation of silicon emitter and laser sources. The entire process is compatible with the existing CMOS process, which has important industrial application value.

11457894

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an ultrasound diagnosis apparatus, an ultrasound probe, an operating method of the ultrasound diagnosis apparatus, and an operating method of the ultrasound probe, and more particularly, to a wireless ultrasound probe that operates by using wirelessly supplied power, an operating method of the wireless ultrasound probe, an ultrasound diagnosis apparatus that communicates with the ultrasound probe, and an operating method of the ultrasound diagnosis apparatus. 2. Description of the Related Art An ultrasound system delivers an ultrasound signal, which is generated at a transducer of an ultrasound probe, to a predetermined internal part of a target object, and obtains an image of the internal part of the target object by receiving information of an echo signal reflected from the internal part of the target object. In particular, the ultrasound system is used for medical purposes including observation, detection of foreign materials, damage measurement, or the like that are related to the internal part of the target object. Compared to a diagnosis apparatus using X-rays, the ultrasound system is stable, displays an image in real-time, and is safe without a risk of radioactivity, and thus the ultrasound system is widely used with an image diagnosis apparatus. Here, when a user obtains the image of the target object by using the ultrasound probe, the user is inconvenienced due to a communication cable that connects the ultrasound probe and an ultrasound diagnosis apparatus. In order to improve an operability of the ultrasound probe by resolving the inconvenience, it is required to arrange a wireless ultrasound probe that connects to the ultrasound diagnosis apparatus via wireless communication. However, in the case of a wireless ultrasound probe having a battery that is charged while the wireless ultrasound probe is connected to or contacts a predetermined power supply unit (not shown), a user cannot use the wireless ultrasound probe while the battery is being charged. Thus, in order to solve the problem, wireless power may be supplied to the wireless ultrasound probe via a wireless power supply channel. Here, in the case of an ultrasound system capable of providing an ultrasound image in real-time to a user, it is required to stably drive the wireless ultrasound probe that transmits data of the ultrasound image. Thus, in order to stably drive the wireless ultrasound probe, it is required to select a power transmission channel and/or a wireless power transmission mode that are most appropriate in an environment in which power transmission channels exist. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION One or more embodiments of the present invention include a wireless ultrasound probe capable of selecting at least one power transmission channel from among power transmission channels that wirelessly supply a power, and an operating method of the wireless ultrasound probe. One or more embodiments of the present invention include a wireless ultrasound probe capable of efficiently delivering user-required information by displaying information about each of power transmission channels that wirelessly supply a power, and an operating method of the wireless ultrasound probe. One or more embodiments of the present invention include a wireless ultrasound probe capable of selecting the most appropriate power transmission channel and/or wireless power transmission mode in an environment where power transmission channels exist, by receiving a wireless power from a wireless power transmission channel that is selected by an ultrasound diagnosis apparatus and then by being charged with the wireless power. One or more embodiments of the present invention include a wireless ultrasound probe capable of stably receiving a power by receiving a wireless power from a wireless power transmission channel and then by being charged with the wireless power, according to a control signal transmitted from an ultrasound diagnosis apparatus. Additional aspects will be set forth in part in the description which follows and, in part, will be apparent from the description, or may be learned by practice of the presented embodiments. According to one or more embodiments of the present invention, an operating method of an ultrasound probe includes operations of obtaining a plurality of pieces of information about power transmission channels, respectively; displaying a power transmission channel list, based on the plurality of pieces of information about the power transmission channels; selecting a power transmission channel from the power transmission channel list; and receiving wireless power that is transmitted via the selected power transmission channel. The power transmission channel list may list at least some of the plurality of pieces of information about the power transmission channels, based on a priority order of the power transmission channels. The operation of selecting the power transmission channel may be performed based on a user input that involves selecting the power transmission channel from the power transmission channel list. The power transmission channel list may include information about a wireless power transmission mode by which the power transmission channels transmit wireless power to the ultrasound probe. The wireless power transmission mode may include at least one of an electromagnetic induction method, an electromagnetic radiation method, an electromagnetic resonance method, and a wireless power transmission mode using an ultrasound. The operation of obtaining the plurality of pieces of information may include operations of sensing a characteristic value of wireless power that is transmitted by each of the power transmission channels; and obtaining the characteristic value as each of the plurality of pieces of information about the power transmission channels, and wherein the characteristic value includes a value of at least one of a voltage, a current, and a frequency of the wireless power that is transmitted by each of the power transmission channels. The operation of obtaining the plurality of pieces of information may include operations of receiving data signals that are transmitted by the power transmission channels, respectively; and obtaining the plurality of pieces of information about the power transmission channels, wherein the plurality of pieces of information about the power transmission channels are included in the data signals, respectively, and wherein each of the plurality of pieces of information about the power transmission channels includes a value of at least one of a voltage, a current, and a frequency of the wireless power that is transmitted by each of the power transmission channels. The operating method may further include an operation of converting the wireless power, based on a rated voltage and a rated current of the ultrasound probe. When the operation of receiving the wireless power that is transmitted via the selected power transmission channel is discontinued, the operating method may further include an operation of providing information indicating that the operation of receiving the wireless power is discontinued. When the operation of receiving the wireless power that is transmitted via the selected power transmission channel is discontinued, the operating method may further include an operation of receiving wireless power that is transmitted via another power transmission channel. At least one of the power transmission channels may correspond to one or more ultrasound diagnosis apparatuses. The operating method may further include operations of charging a battery by using the wireless power; and generating ultrasound image data from an echo signal of an ultrasound signal that is transmitted to a target object, by using only a predetermined percentage of power that is charged in the battery, wherein the predetermined percentage of the power is determined based on a user input. According to one or more embodiments of the present invention, an ultrasound probe may include an information obtaining unit for obtaining a plurality of pieces of information about power transmission channels; a display unit for displaying a power transmission channel list, based on the plurality of pieces of information about the power transmission channels; a control unit for selecting a power transmission channel from the power transmission channel list; and a power unit for receiving wireless power that is transmitted via the selected power transmission channel. The power transmission channel list may list at least some of the plurality of pieces of information about the power transmission channels, based on a priority order of the power transmission channels. The ultrasound probe may further include a user input unit for receiving an input that involves selecting the power transmission channel from the power transmission channel list, and the control unit may select the power transmission channel based on the input. The power transmission channel list may include information about a wireless power transmission mode by which the power transmission channels transmit wireless power to the ultrasound probe. The wireless power transmission mode may include at least one of an electromagnetic induction method, an electromagnetic radiation method, an electromagnetic resonance method, and a wireless power transmission mode using an ultrasound. The information obtaining unit may sense a characteristic value of wireless power that is transmitted by each of the power transmission channels, and may obtain the characteristic value as each of the plurality of pieces of information about the power transmission channels, and the characteristic value may include a value of at least one of a voltage, a current, and a frequency of the wireless power that is transmitted by each of the power transmission channels. The information obtaining unit may receive data signals that are transmitted by the power transmission channels, respectively, and may obtain the plurality of pieces of information about the power transmission channels, wherein the plurality of pieces of information about the power transmission channels are included in the data signals, respectively, and wherein each of the plurality of pieces of information about the power transmission channels includes a value of at least one of a voltage, a current, and a frequency of the wireless power that is transmitted by each of the power transmission channels. The ultrasound probe may further include a power converting unit for converting the wireless power, based on a rated voltage and a rated current of the ultrasound probe. When the operation of receiving the wireless power that is transmitted via the selected power transmission channel is discontinued, the control unit may control the display unit to provide information indicating that the receiving of the wireless power is discontinued. When the operation of receiving the wireless power that is transmitted via the selected power transmission channel is discontinued, the control unit may control the power unit to receive wireless power that is transmitted via another power transmission channel. At least one of the power transmission channels may correspond to one or more ultrasound diagnosis apparatuses. The ultrasound probe may further include an image generating unit for generating ultrasound image data from an echo signal of an ultrasound signal that is transmitted to a target object, and the power unit may include a battery that is charged due to the wireless power, the control unit may control the power unit to supply only a predetermined percentage of power that is charged in the battery, to the image generating unit, and the predetermined percentage of the power may be determined based on a user input. According to one or more embodiments of the present invention, a non-transitory computer-readable recording medium includes a recorded program for executing the operating method, by using a computer. According to one or more embodiments of the present invention, an operating method of an ultrasound diagnosis apparatus includes operations of establishing a session with an ultrasound probe; obtaining a plurality of pieces of information about wireless power transmission channels, respectively; selecting a wireless power transmission channel from among the wireless power transmission channels, based on the plurality of pieces of information about the wireless power transmission channels; and transmitting information about the selected wireless power transmission channel to the ultrasound probe via the session. The information about the selected wireless power transmission channel may include information to be used by the ultrasound probe so as to receive a wireless power from the selected wireless power transmission channel. The information about the selected wireless power transmission channel may include at least one of an identifier of the selected wireless power transmission channel, a characteristic value of a wireless power transmitted by the selected wireless power transmission channel, and a wireless power transmission mode used by the selected wireless power transmission channel so as to transmit the wireless power. The information about the selected wireless power transmission channel may be transmitted to the ultrasound probe when the ultrasound diagnosis apparatus is booted up or starts receiving a wireless power from the selected wireless power transmission channel. The operation of transmitting the information may include an operation of obtaining information about a remaining power of a battery of the ultrasound probe; and when a value of the remaining power is equal to or less than a predetermined value, an operation of transmitting a control signal to the ultrasound probe so as to control the ultrasound probe to receive a wireless power from the selected wireless power transmission channel. The operation of selecting the wireless power transmission channel may include operations of obtaining information about a wireless power that is receivable by the ultrasound probe; and selecting the wireless power transmission channel from among the wireless power transmission channels, based on the plurality of pieces of information about the wireless power transmission channels, and the information about the wireless power that is receivable by the ultrasound probe. The information about the wireless power that is receivable by the ultrasound probe may include at least one of information about a characteristic value of the wireless power that is receivable by the ultrasound probe, and information about a wireless power transmission mode by which the ultrasound probe receives the wireless power, and the characteristic value of the wireless power may indicate at least one of a voltage, a current, a power, and a frequency of the wireless power. The operation of selecting the wireless power transmission channel may include an operation of selecting the wireless power transmission channel from among the wireless power transmission channels, based on priority orders of the wireless power transmission channels. The operation of selecting the wireless power transmission channel may include operations of displaying a wireless power transmission channel list showing at least some of the plurality of pieces of information about the power transmission channels, based on the plurality of pieces of information about the power transmission channels; and selecting the wireless power transmission channel, based on a user input of selecting the wireless power transmission channel from the wireless power transmission channel list. The wireless power transmission channel list may include at least one of a plurality of pieces of information about characteristic values of wireless powers that are transmittable from the wireless power transmission channels to the ultrasound probe, and a plurality of pieces of information about wireless power transmission modes by which the wireless power transmission channels transmit the wireless powers to the ultrasound probe, and each of the characteristic values of the wireless powers may indicate at least one of a voltage, a current, a power, and a frequency of each of the wireless powers. According to one or more embodiments of the present invention, an operating method of an ultrasound probe includes operations of establishing a session with an ultrasound diagnosis apparatus; receiving information about a wireless power transmission channel from the ultrasound diagnosis apparatus via the session; and receiving a wireless power from the wireless power transmission channel, by using the information about the wireless power transmission channel received from the ultrasound diagnosis apparatus. According to one or more embodiments of the present invention, an ultrasound diagnosis apparatus includes a communication unit for establishing a session with an ultrasound probe; an information obtaining unit for obtaining a plurality of pieces of information about wireless power transmission channels, respectively; and a control unit for selecting a wireless power transmission channel from among the wireless power transmission channels, based on the plurality of pieces of information about the wireless power transmission channels, wherein the communication unit transmits information about the selected wireless power transmission channel to the ultrasound probe via the session. The information about the selected wireless power transmission channel may include information to be used by the ultrasound probe so as to receive a wireless power from the selected wireless power transmission channel. The information about the selected wireless power transmission channel may include at least one of an identifier of the selected wireless power transmission channel, a characteristic value of a wireless power transmitted by the selected wireless power transmission channel, and a wireless power transmission mode used by the selected wireless power transmission channel so as to transmit the wireless power. The information about the selected wireless power transmission channel may be transmitted to the ultrasound probe when the ultrasound diagnosis apparatus is booted up or starts receiving a wireless power from the selected wireless power transmission channel. The information obtaining unit may further obtain information about a remaining power of a battery of the ultrasound probe, and when a value of the remaining power is equal to or less than a predetermined value, the control unit may transmit a control signal to the ultrasound probe so as to control the ultrasound probe to receive a wireless power from the selected wireless power transmission channel. The information obtaining unit may further obtain information about a wireless power that is receivable by the ultrasound probe, and the control unit may select the wireless power transmission channel from among the wireless power transmission channels, based on the plurality of pieces of information about the wireless power transmission channels, and the information about the wireless power that is receivable by the ultrasound probe. The information about the wireless power that is receivable by the ultrasound probe may include at least one of information about a characteristic value of the wireless power that is receivable by the ultrasound probe, and information about a wireless power transmission mode by which the ultrasound probe receives the wireless power, and the characteristic value of the wireless power may indicate at least one of a voltage, current, a power, and a frequency of the wireless power. The control unit may select the wireless power transmission channel from among the wireless power transmission channels, based on priority orders of the wireless power transmission channels. The ultrasound diagnosis apparatus may further include a display unit for displaying a wireless power transmission channel list showing at least some of the plurality of pieces of information about the power transmission channels, based on the plurality of pieces of information about the power transmission channels; and a user input unit for receiving a user input of selecting the wireless power transmission channel from the wireless power transmission channel list, wherein the control unit selects the wireless power transmission channel, based on the user input. The wireless power transmission channel list may include at least one of a plurality of pieces of information about characteristic values of wireless powers that are transmittable from the wireless power transmission channels to the ultrasound probe, and a plurality of pieces of information about wireless power transmission modes by which the wireless power transmission channels transmit the wireless powers to the ultrasound probe, and each of the characteristic values of the wireless powers may indicate at least one of a voltage, a current, a power, and a frequency of each of the wireless powers. According to one or more embodiments of the present invention, an ultrasound probe includes a communication unit for establishing a session with an ultrasound diagnosis apparatus; a power unit for receiving a wireless power from a wireless power transmission channel via the session, by using information about the wireless power transmission channel received from the ultrasound diagnosis apparatus.

11464520

FIELD The present disclosure relates generally to the field of medical devices. In particular, the present disclosure relates to traction systems, and methods of use thereof, for endoscopic procedures such as tissue dissection. BACKGROUND Performing an endoscopic tissue resection/dissection procedure may include maintaining traction as the boundaries of the target tissue are dissected for accuracy and efficiency of the procedure. Physicians may use a tethered system in which an endoscopic clip is attached to a length of filament extending external to the patient to retract/immobilize a target tissue for dissection along the tissue margins and/or to retrieve the dissected target tissue for biopsy. It is with the above considerations in mind that the improvements of the present disclosure may be useful. SUMMARY In one aspect, the present disclosure relates to a system for use with an endoscope comprising a cap attachable to (or a portion of) a distal end of an endoscope having a working channel extending therethrough. The cap may include a lumen coextensive with the working channel. A first guide may be attached to/mounted on an outer surface of the cap. A first filament may be extendable through the first guide and along an outer surface of the endoscope and the cap. A first endoscopic instrument may be disposable within the working channel. A distal end of the first filament may be attached to a distal end of the first endoscopic instrument. In the described and other embodiments, the first endoscopic instrument may include a sheath and a first medical device may be releasably attached to a distal end of the sheath. The first medical device may include a tissue clamp. The distal end of the first filament may be attached to an arm of the tissue clamp. A handle may be operatively attached to a proximal end of the first endoscopic instrument. The handle may be configured to move the first medical device between a first and second position. The handle may be configured to release the first medical device from the distal end of the sheath. A flexible elongate shaft may be extendable along the outer surface of the endoscope and the cap and through the first guide. The first filament may extend through the flexible elongate shaft. A handle assembly may be attachable to a proximal end of the flexible elongate shaft. The handle assembly may include first, second, and third gripping elements. The first gripping element may be configured to advance and retract the flexible elongate shaft through the first guide. The second and third gripping elements may be attached to each other by a connector. A proximal end of the first filament may be attached to the connector. In another aspect, the present disclosure relates to a system for use with an endoscope comprising a cap attachable to (or a portion of) a distal end of an endoscope having a working channel extending therethrough. The cap may include a lumen coextensive with the working channel. A first guide and a second guide may be attached to/mounted on an outer surface of the cap. A first filament may be extendable through the first guide and along an outer surface of the endoscope and the cap. A first endoscopic instrument may be disposable within the working channel. A distal end of the first filament may be attached to a distal end of the first endoscopic instrument. In the described and other embodiments, the first endoscopic instrument may include a sheath and a first medical device may be releasably attached to a distal end of the sheath. The first medical device may include a tissue clamp. The distal end of the first filament may be attached to an arm of the tissue clamp. A second filament may extend through the second guide and along an outer surface of the endoscope and the cap. A distal end of the second filament may be attached to an arm of a second medical device. A flexible elongate shaft may extend along the outer surface of the endoscope and the cap and through the first guide. The first filament may extend through the flexible elongate shaft. A flexible elongate shaft may be extendable along the outer surface of the endoscope and the cap and through the second guide. The second filament may extend through the flexible elongate shaft. In another aspect, the present disclosure relates to a system for performing an endoscopic procedure. The system may comprise a first guide extendable along an outer surface of the endoscope. The guide may be configured for mounting on an endoscope or a portion of an endoscope (part of the endoscope or separately formed and attached to/mounted on the endoscope). A first filament may be extendable through the first guide and along an outer surface of the endoscope; and a first endoscopic instrument may be disposable within the working channel. wherein a distal end of the first filament may be attached to a distal end of the first endoscopic instrument. In yet another aspect, the present disclosure relates to a method comprising advancing a first instrument through a working channel of an elongate tubular member and through a lumen of a cap attached to/mounted on a distal end of the elongate tubular member such that a distal end of the first instrument may extend distally beyond a distal end of the cap. In the described and other embodiments, a medical device attached to the distal end of the first instrument may move from a closed position to an open position. A distal end of a filament extending along an outer surface of the elongate tubular member and, optionally, cap may be attached to an arm of the medical device. The filament may extend through a guide attached to/mounted on an outer surface of the elongate tubular member or cap. The medical device may be moved from the open position to the closed position. The first instrument may be retracted such that the medical device may be disposed within the working channel of the elongate tubular member. The elongate tubular member may be advanced through a body lumen to position the distal end of the elongate tubular member or cap adjacent to a target tissue. The medical device may be advanced distally beyond a distal end of the elongate tubular member or cap. The medical device may be moved from the closed position to the open position. The medical device may be from the open position to the closed position to engage the target tissue. The medical device may be disengaged from the distal end of the first instrument. A proximal end of the filament may be proximally retracted to apply tension to the target tissue. The first instrument may be replaced with a second instrument within the working channel of the elongate tubular member. The target tissue may be manipulated with a medical device attached to a distal end of the second instrument.

11378720

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS This application is a national phase application under 35 U.S.C. § 371 of International Application No. PCT/IB2016/055593 filed 19 Sep. 2016, the entire contents of which is specifically incorporated by reference herein without disclaimer. FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present disclosure relates to the field of ophthalmic lenses, including polarized ophthalmic lenses for spectacles and sunglasses. BACKGROUND Light can be envisioned as a collection of independent waves, each of which oscillates in a different given direction and plane. Most light is made up of waves whose oscillations are randomly-oriented and are not aligned in a particular plane. Plane polarized light, or polarized light, is made of light waves whose oscillations are aligned in a particular plane. Sunlight is not polarized, as the light wave oscillations are randomly distributed and not aligned. Reflected light, or glare, that is reflected from surfaces such as a body of water or the hood of a car becomes substantially polarized. Polarized lenses include a polarizing filter that allows sunglasses and other optical articles to selectively prevent most light from passing through. Polarizing filters allow only light waves oscillating in a particular plane to pass through, while blocking light waves that oscillate in all other planes. One of the problems associated with polarized lenses is delamination of the polarizing structure from the lens casting material. This can occur during the manufacturing process or during the finishing process. During the manufacturing process, it is highly desirable to develop some level of connectivity to the casting monomer. A strong adhesive bond will help to maximize production yields and reduce product costs. During the finishing process, it is highly desirable to have some level of connectivity to the cast resin. Lens finishing processing steps include lens blocking, cribbing, back curve generation, back curve fining and polishing, lens edging, and deblocking. These processing steps can impart a high level of stress on a lens and can cause delamination of a polar element. It is essential that no delamination occurs during lens processing. Current cast CR39 polarizing lenses are manufactured using fragile polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) polarizing films with a thickness of approximately 30 μm. These thin polarizing films are susceptible to damage during handling. During the production of polarized lenses, many manual-handling steps are required, which increases the potential for damage. PVA films may be laminated within more durable films, such as triacetyl cellulose (TAC). A more robust TAC/PVA/TAC polarizing element provides improved handling durability over a single-layer of PVA film. A primer is applied onto the polarizing laminate for good adhesion in cast CR39 lenses, however, current industrial primers damage the optical quality of the TAC polarizing laminate and do not provide adequate adhesion. Despite advancements in the field of polarizing film adhesive primers, there is a need for primers that offer improved adhesion. Such a primer will enable the production of robust polarizing elements that withstand aggressive surfacing and edging adhesion tests, thereby leading to improved production yields and productivity. SUMMARY Disclosed herein is a primer that provides robust adhesion of a functional laminate to a substrate. The primer is particularly useful for providing adhesion between a TAC-based polarizing laminate in a cast CR39 optical element. The primer is designed to provide a level of penetration into the surface of a TAC layer, or other laminate layer, with the assistance of a suitable solvent or solvent blend. Penetration of the primer into the TAC layer surface contributes to the primer's exceptional adhesive properties. In some aspects, the primer comprises a reactive monomer which compatibilizes the primer composition with a casting monomer. In some aspects, the casting monomer is allyl diglycol carbonate. The primer reactive monomer may react with the casting monomer to provide a strong bond between the cast polymer and the polarizing laminate. In some aspects, the primer is applied onto one or both sides of a polarizing laminate, dried, UV cured, then cast in a casting monomer formulation. According to a first aspect, a cast-polymerized lens comprising a functional laminate is provided. In some embodiments, the functional laminate comprises a thermoplastic film layer attached to one or both sides of a functional layer. In some aspects, the functional layer is a polarizing layer. In some aspects, a primer coating is deposited onto one or both external surfaces of the functional laminate. In some aspects, the primer coating comprises at least one acrylic polymer, at least one urethane acrylate oligomer, at least one initiator, at least one reactive monomer capable of reacting with a lens casting monomer, and a solvent. In other aspects, the primer coating comprises at least one acrylic polymer, at least one initiator, at least one reactive monomer capable of reacting with a lens casting monomer, and a solvent. In further embodiments, the primer coating comprises at least one urethane acrylate oligomer, at least one initiator, at least one reactive monomer capable of reacting with a lens casting monomer, and a solvent. In some embodiments, the at least one acrylic polymer is present in an amount ranging from about 1 to about 30%. In some aspects, the at least one urethane acrylate oligomer is present in an amount ranging from about 1 to about 30%. In some embodiments, the at least one reactive monomer capable of reacting with a lens casting monomer is present in an amount ranging from about 0.5 to about 15%. In some aspects, the at least one initiator is present in an amount ranging from about 0.1 to about 5.0%. In some aspects, the at least one solvent is present in an amount ranging from about 50 to about 95%. In some embodiments, the at least one acrylic polymer may be a mixture of acrylic polymers. In some embodiments, the at least one acrylic polymer is an acrylic copolymer. In some embodiments, the primer coating acrylic polymer has a molecular weight ranging from about 10,000 to about 100,000 g/mol. In some embodiments, the primer coating urethane acrylate oligomer has a molecular weight ranging from about 10,000 to about 30,000 g/mol. In some aspects, the primer coating urethane acrylate monomer has a degree of unsaturation of 1 or more, and preferably 2. In some embodiments, the primer coating initiator is a thermal or UV initiator. In some aspects, the reactive monomer is the same as a monomer of the cast-polymerized lens polymer. In other aspects, the reactive monomer is different than a monomer of the cast-polymerized lens polymer. In some embodiments, the reactive monomer comprises a reactive group selected from the group consisting of allyl, vinyl, acrylic, thiol, isocyanate, epoxy, and amine. In some aspects, the reactive group functionality on the reactive monomer is 1 or more, and preferably at least 2. In some aspects, the primer coating solvent may be a ketone solvent or an acetate solvent. In some aspects, the ketone solvent is selected from the group consisting of acetone, methyl ethyl ketone cyclopentanone, cyclohexanone, and combinations thereof. In some aspects, the acetate solvent is ethyl acetate. Combinations of ketone solvents, acetate solvents, or ketone and acetate solvents may be employed in the primer coating. In some embodiments, the ophthalmic lens functional laminate is a polarizing laminate. The polarizing laminate may comprise a PVA polarizing layer, or other polarizing layers known to those of skill in the art. The functional laminate may comprise one or more thermoplastic layers. The thermoplastic layers may be the same material, or they may be made of different materials. In some embodiments, the functional laminate thermoplastic film layer comprises TAC. In some aspects, the functional laminate is a TAC-PVA-TAC laminate. Any embodiment of any of the disclosed compositions and/or methods can consist of or consist essentially of—rather than comprise/include/contain/have—any of the described elements and/or features and/or steps. Thus, in any of the claims, the term “consisting of” or “consisting essentially of” can be substituted for any of the open-ended linking verbs recited above, in order to change the scope of a given claim from what it would otherwise be using the open-ended linking verb. The term “substantially” and its variations are defined as being largely but not necessarily wholly what is specified as understood by one of ordinary skill in the art, and in one non-limiting embodiment substantially refers to ranges within 10%, within 5%, within 1%, or within 0.5%. “Analogue” and “analog,” when referring to a compound, refers to a modified compound wherein one or more atoms have been substituted by other atoms, or wherein one or more atoms have been deleted from the compound, or wherein one or more atoms have been added to the compound, or any combination of such modifications. Such addition, deletion or substitution of atoms can take place at any point, or multiple points, along the primary structure comprising the compound. “Derivative,” in relation to a parent compound, refers to a chemically modified parent compound or an analogue thereof, wherein at least one substituent is not present in the parent compound or an analogue thereof. One such non-limiting example is a parent compound which has been covalently modified. Typical modifications are amides, carbohydrates, alkyl groups, acyl groups, esters, pegylations and the like. The term “about” or “approximately” or “substantially unchanged” are defined as being close to as understood by one of ordinary skill in the art, and in one non-limiting embodiment the terms are defined to be within 10%, preferably within 5%, more preferably within 1%, and most preferably within 0.5%. The use of the word “a” or “an” when used in conjunction with the term “comprising” in the claims and/or the specification may mean “one,” but it is also consistent with the meaning of “one or more,” “at least one,” and “one or more than one.” As used in this specification and claim(s), the words “comprising” (and any form of comprising, such as “comprise” and “comprises”), “having” (and any form of having, such as “have” and “has”), “including” (and any form of including, such as “includes” and “include”) or “containing” (and any form of containing, such as “contains” and “contain”) are inclusive or open-ended and do not exclude additional, unrecited elements or method steps. The compositions and methods for their use can “comprise,” “consist essentially of,” or “consist of” any of the ingredients or steps disclosed throughout the specification. With respect to the transitional phase “consisting essentially of,” in one non-limiting aspect, a basic and novel characteristic of the compositions and methods disclosed in this specification includes the compositions' abilities to reduce or prevent delamination of a film laminate to a cast-polymerized lens. Other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description. It should be understood, however, that the detailed description and the examples, while indicating specific embodiments of the invention, are given by way of illustration only. Additionally, it is contemplated that changes and modifications within the spirit and scope of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from this detailed description.

11399374

BACKGROUND Wireless communications may experience problems resulting from non-optimal transmission power levels. For example, a wireless device may experience call connection failures when attempting to connect to a network device, such as a base station, if the transmission power level of the wireless device is not sufficiently above a noise and interference power level in a cell. However, the wireless device may not exceed a maximum transmission power level, and as a result, in some instances it may not be able to increase its transmission power level above the noise and interference power level. While static power level adjustments may be made within a cell, such adjustments may not be optimized for real-time or near real-time conditions in the cell and in its neighboring cells. As a result, static power level adjustments may result in transmission power levels that are either too low (and may cause, e.g., lower throughput) or that are too high (and may cause, e.g., increased interference and faster battery drain). SUMMARY The following summary is not intended to limit or constrain the detailed description. The following summary merely presents several described features in a simplified form as a prelude to the more detailed description provided below. Dynamic management of interference and coverage in wireless communications is described. For example, power values used to determine power levels for physical uplink shared channel (PUSCH) and physical uplink control channel (PUCCH) transmissions, respectively, may be optimized dynamically. These power values may be determined for each cell in a radio cluster based on real-time or near real-time conditions in the source cell and in neighboring cells. One or more computing devices in a wireless network, such as a cellular network or a Self-Optimized Network (“SON”), may receive data associated with uplink transmissions from one or more other devices, such as a base station, and determine one or more power values upon which uplink transmission power may be based for subsequent uplink transmissions. The data associated with uplink transmissions and the power values may also be communicated from base station to base station, from base station to another device, or from any other device to one or more base stations. New power values may be determined based on an average power value for previous uplink transmissions across a radio cluster. New power values for a source cell also may be determined based on a comparison of the average power value with an existing power value for the source cell. The new power values may be determined further based on a variety of other network conditions, including, e.g., uplink physical resource block utilization rate, call connection success rate, signal to interference and noise ratio, and success rate for uplink scheduling requests. Current power values may also be adjusted to new power values by a predetermined amount (e.g., 1 dBm, 2 dBm, or 3 dBm), and the power values may be further adjusted by that amount based on subsequent uplink performances in a source cell and in neighboring cells. By providing optimized power values, improved performance in wireless communications, such as reduced uplink interference and/or increased uplink cell throughput, may be achieved.

11408105

BACKGROUND A variety of articles are formed from textiles. As examples, articles of apparel (e.g., shirts, pants, socks, footwear, jackets and other outerwear, briefs and other undergarments, hats and other headwear), containers (e.g., backpacks, bags), and upholstery for furniture (e.g., chairs, couches, car seats) are often at least partially formed from textiles. These textiles are often formed by weaving or interlooping (e.g., knitting) a yarn or a plurality of yarns, usually through a mechanical process involving looms or knitting machines. One particular object that may be formed from a textile is an upper for an article of footwear. Knitting is an example of a process that may form a textile. Knitting may generally be classified as either weft knitting or warp knitting. In both weft knitting and warp knitting, one or more yarns are manipulated to form a plurality of intermeshed loops that define a variety of courses and wales. In weft knitting, which is more common, the courses and wales are perpendicular to each other and may be formed from a single yarn or many yarns. In warp knitting, the wales and courses run roughly parallel. Although knitting may be performed by hand, the commercial manufacture of knitted components is generally performed by knitting machines. An example of a knitting machine for producing a weft knitted component is a V-bed flat knitting machine, which includes two needle beds that are angled with respect to each other. Rails extend above and parallel to the needle beds and provide attachment points for feeders, which move along the needle beds and supply yarns to needles within the needle beds. Standard feeders have the ability to supply a yarn that is utilized to knit, tuck, and float. In situations where an inlay yarn is incorporated into a knitted component, an inlay feeder is typically utilized. BRIEF SUMMARY One general aspect of the present disclosure includes a feeder for a knitting machine, the feeder including: a carrier configured to secure the feeder to a knitting machine such that the feeder is movable along an axis with respect to a rail of the knitting machine; a feeder arm extending from the carrier, the feeder arm including a dispensing area configured for supplying a yarn to a needle bed of the knitting machine; and a cutting device coupled to the feeder arm, where the cutting device includes a cutting edge for cutting the yarn to disengage an upper portion of the yarn from the needle bed of the knitting machine. In some embodiments, the feeder further includes a gripping device coupled to the feeder arm for gripping a distal end of the yarn when the yarn is cut by the cutting device. The gripping device may be configured to be disengaged with the yarn when the yarn is being dispensed to the needle bed by the dispensing area of the feeder arm. The feeder may further include a starting device configured to engage a distal end the yarn with the needle bed. The starting device may include an outlet for dispensing a pressurized gas to guide the distal end of the yarn to a needle of the needle bed during a starting procedure. The feeder arm may have a second dispensing area configured for supplying a second yarn to the needle bed of the knitting machine. A second cutting device may be coupled to the feeder arm, where the second cutting device includes a second cutting edge for cutting the second yarn to disengage an upper portion of the second yarn from the needle bed of the knitting machine. A second gripping device may be adjacent to the second cutting device for engaging the second yarn when the second yarn is cut. Another general aspect includes a feeder for a knitting machine, the feeder including: a carrier configured to secure the feeder to a knitting machine such that the feeder is movable along an axis with respect to a rail of the knitting machine; and a feeder arm extending from the carrier, the feeder arm including a first dispensing area configured for supplying a first yarn to a needle bed of the knitting machine and a second dispensing area configured for supplying a second yarn to a needle bed of the knitting machine. In some embodiments, the feeder includes a first cutting device coupled to the feeder arm, where the first cutting device is configured to cut the first yarn to disengage the first yarn from the needle bed of the knitting machine. A first gripping device may be coupled to the feeder arm for gripping a distal end of the first yarn when the first yarn is cut by the first cutting device. A second gripping device may be coupled to the feeder arm for gripping a distal end of the second yarn when the second yarn is cut by a second cutting device. The first gripping device may be configured to be disengaged with the first yarn when the first yarn is being dispensed to the needle bed at a dispensing area of the feeder arm. A starting device may be included and configured to engage a distal end of at least one of the first yarn and the second yarn with the needle bed, where the starting device includes an outlet for dispensing a pressurized gas to guide the distal end of at least one of the first yarn and the second yarn to a needle of the needle bed during a starting procedure. Another general aspect includes a method, the method including: knitting with a first yarn with a feeder; cutting the first yarn with a first cutting device, the first cutting device being coupled to an arm of the feeder; gripping the first yarn with a first gripping device, the first gripping device being coupled to the arm of the feeder; and knitting with a second yarn with the feeder. In some embodiments, the method further includes cutting the second yarn with a second cutting device coupled to the arm of the feeder; gripping the second yarn with a second gripping device coupled to the arm of the feeder; and again knitting with the first yarn with the feeder. The method may include the step of engaging the second yarn with a needle bed using a starting device prior to knitting with the second yarn. Engaging the second yarn with the needle bed may include releasing pressurized gas to guide the second yarn to the needle bed.

11233091

BACKGROUND The present invention generally relates to semiconductor devices, and more particularly to resistive memory cells and methods of forming the same. A memory cell is a component of a computer memory device that includes an electronic circuit that stores one bit of binary information. One type of memory cell is a random-access memory (RAM) cell. Examples of RAM memory devices include, e.g., volatile memory devices and non-volatile memory devices. One example of a non-volatile memory is resistive random-access memory (ReRAM). ReRAM technology can be used for electronic synapse devices, memristors for neuromorphic or analog computing, and high-density/high-speed non-volatile memory applications. For example, in neuromorphic computing applications, ReRAM can be used as a connection or synapse between a pre-neuron and a post-neuron, representing the connection weight in the form of device resistance, and multiple pre-neurons and post-neurons can be connected through a crossbar array of ReRAM devices to express a fully-connected neural network. SUMMARY In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, a method for fabricating a semiconductor device including a resistive memory cell having a single fin is provided. The method includes concurrently forming a vertical transistor and a resistive element on a base substrate. Concurrently forming the vertical transistor and the resistive element on the base substrate includes forming a first gate structure corresponding to a gate of the vertical transistor and a second gate structure corresponding to an electrode of the resistive element, forming a top source/drain layer on a fin formed on a bottom source/drain layer disposed on the base substrate, and forming a plurality of contacts. Forming the plurality of contacts includes forming a first contact corresponding to the first gate structure, a second contact corresponding to the top source/drain region and a third contact corresponding to the second gate structure. In accordance with another embodiment of the present invention, a method for fabricating a semiconductor device including a resistive memory cell having a single fin is provided. The method includes concurrently forming a vertical transistor and a resistive element on a base substrate. Concurrent forming the vertical transistor and the resistive element on the base substrate includes forming a sidewall spacer on at least one fin formed on a bottom source/drain layer disposed on the base substrate, forming first and second shallow trench isolation (STI) regions on the base substrate adjacent to the bottom source/drain layer, forming a first gate structure corresponding to a gate of the vertical transistor on the first STI region and a second gate structure corresponding to an electrode of the resistive element on the second STI region, forming a top source/drain layer on the at least one fin, and forming a plurality of contacts. Forming the plurality of contacts includes forming a wordline contact corresponding to the first gate structure, a bitline contact corresponding to the top source/drain region and a source line contact corresponding to the second gate structure. In accordance with yet another embodiment of the present invention, a semiconductor device including a resistive memory cell having a single fin is provided. The device includes a base substrate, a bottom source/drain layer disposed on the base substrate, a fin disposed on the bottom source/drain layer, a top source/drain layer disposed on the fin, a first gate structure corresponding to a gate of a vertical transistor and a second gate structure corresponding to an electrode of a resistive element, and a plurality of contacts. The plurality of contacts include a wordline contact corresponding to the first gate structure, a bitline contact corresponding to the top source/drain region and a source line contact corresponding to the second gate structure. These and other features and advantages will become apparent from the following detailed description of illustrative embodiments thereof, which is to be read in connection with the accompanying drawings.

11449762

BACKGROUND A computer network or data network is a telecommunications network which allows computers to exchange data. In computer networks, networked computing devices exchange data with each other along network links (data connections). The connections between nodes are established using either cable media or wireless media. The best-known computer network is the Internet. Network computer devices that originate, route, and terminate the data are called network nodes. Nodes can include hosts such as personal computers, phones, servers, as well as networking hardware. Two such devices can be said to be networked together when one device is able to exchange information with the other device, whether or not they have a direct connection to each other. Computer networks differ in the transmission media used to carry their signals, the communications protocols to organize network traffic, the network's size, topology and organizational intent. In most cases, communications protocols are layered on (i.e. work using) other more specific or more general communications protocols, except for the physical layer that directly deals with the transmission media. BRIEF SUMMARY One aspect of the present disclosure relates to a system for customizing an evaluation model to an evaluation style. The system includes a memory including: a content library database containing a plurality of prompts and evaluation data associated with each of the plurality of prompts; and a model database including a plurality of evaluation models for automated evaluation of received user responses. In some embodiments, the evaluation data of each of the plurality of prompts includes a pointer linking to the associated evaluation model. The system includes at least one processor that can: receive a plurality of responses received from a plurality of users in response to providing of a prompt; identify an evaluation model relevant to the provided prompt, the evaluation model including a machine learning model trained to output a score relevant to at least portions of a response; generate a training indicator, the training indicator providing a graphical depiction of the degree to which the identified evaluation model is trained; determine a training status of the identified model; when the model is identified as insufficiently trained, receive at least one evaluation input; update training of the evaluation model based on the at least one received evaluation input; and control the training indicator to reflect the degree to which the evaluation model is trained subsequent to the updating of the training of the evaluation model. In some embodiments, the evaluation model includes a plurality of evaluation models. In some embodiments, each of the plurality of evaluation models is associated with an evaluation portion of the provided prompt. In some embodiments, the at least one processor can determine a first response ordering. In some embodiments, the first response ordering identifies an order of providing responses to the user for evaluation. In some embodiments, the response ordering is determined based on the estimated contribution of each response towards completion of training of the evaluation model. In some embodiments, the at least one processor can determine a second training status of the identified model subsequent to the updating of the training of the evaluation model based on the at least one received evaluation input. In some embodiments, the at least one processor can: auto-evaluate the response when the second training status of the identified model is identified as sufficiently trained; determine an acceptability of the auto-evaluating of the response; and determine a second response ordering when the auto-evaluating of the response is determined as unacceptable. In some embodiments, identifying an evaluation model relevant to the provided prompt includes: identifying prompt evaluation portions; and retrieving a sub-model associated with each of the identified prompt evaluation portions. In some embodiments, the at least one server can determine a training level of the identified model. In some embodiments, determining a training level of the identified model includes: retrieving sub-model data for each of the retrieved sub-models; determining a sub-model confidence level for each of the retrieved sub-models; and determining an aggregate confidence level based on a combination of the determined sub-model confidence levels. One aspect of the present disclosure relates to a method of customizing an evaluation model to an evaluation style. The method includes: receiving a plurality of responses received from a plurality of users in response to providing of a prompt; identifying an evaluation model relevant to the provided prompt, which evaluation model includes a machine learning model trained to output a score relevant to at least portions of a response; generating a training indicator, which training indicator provides a graphical depiction of the degree to which the identified evaluation model is trained; determining a training status of the identified model; when the model is identified as insufficiently trained, receiving at least one evaluation input; updating training of the evaluation model based on the at least one received evaluation input; and controlling the training indicator to reflect the degree to which the evaluation model is trained subsequent to the updating of the training of the evaluation model. In some embodiments, the evaluation model includes a plurality of evaluation models. In some embodiments, each of the plurality of evaluation models is associated with an evaluation portion of the provided prompt. In some embodiments, the method includes determining a first response ordering, wherein the first response ordering identifies an order of providing responses for evaluation by the user. In some embodiments, the response ordering is determined based on the estimated contribution of each response towards completion of training of the evaluation model. In some embodiments, the method includes: determining a second training status of the identified model subsequent to the updating of the training of the evaluation model based on the at least one received evaluation input. In some embodiments, the method includes: auto-evaluating the response when the second training status of the identified model is identified as sufficiently trained; determining an acceptability of the auto-evaluating of the response; and determining a second response ordering when the auto-evaluating of the response is determined as unacceptable. In some embodiments, identifying an evaluation model relevant to the provided prompt includes: identifying prompt evaluation portions; and retrieving a sub-model associated with each of the identified prompt evaluation portions. In some embodiments, the method includes determining a training level of the identified model. In some embodiments, determining a training level of the identified model includes: retrieving sub-model data for each of the retrieved sub-models; determining a sub-model confidence level for each of the retrieved sub-models; and determining an aggregate confidence level based on a combination of the determined sub-model confidence levels. One aspect of the present disclosure relates to a system for controlling training quality of a machine learning model. The system includes a memory including: a content library database containing a plurality of prompts and evaluation data associated with each of the plurality of prompts; and a model database including a plurality of evaluation models for automated evaluation of received user responses. The system includes at least one processor. The at least one processor can: receive a plurality of responses received from a plurality of users in response to providing of at least one prompt; identify an evaluation model relevant to the provided prompt, which evaluation model includes a machine learning model trained to output a score relevant to at least portions of a response; generate a training indicator, which training indicator provides a graphical depiction of the degree to which the identified evaluation model is trained; determine a training status of the identified model; control the training indicator to identify the training status of the identified model; automatically evaluate the plurality of responses with the evaluation model when the model is identified as sufficiently trained; generate a graphical indicator of evaluation model performance, which indicator of evaluation model performance characterizes an attribute of the evaluation; and control a user interface to display the graphical indicator of evaluation model performance. In some embodiments, the graphical indicator indicates at least one of: a distribution of scores generated by the evaluation model; a confidence level of the evaluation model; and an accuracy level of the evaluation model. In some embodiments, the graphical indicator identifies outlier scores based on historical user data. In some embodiments, identifying outliner scores based on historical user data includes: retrieving historical data; comparing the historical data to results of evaluating the plurality of responses; and indicating an outlier score when a discrepancy between the historical data and results of evaluating the plurality of responses exceeds a threshold level. In some embodiments, the historical data includes a historical evaluation result distribution. In some embodiments, the results of evaluating the plurality of responses includes an evaluation result distribution. In some embodiments, the historical data includes user historical data. In some embodiments, the user historical data relates to at least one users previously received evaluation results. In some embodiments, the at least one processor can determine acceptability of the evaluation. In some embodiments, the acceptability of the evaluation is determined based on the identified outlier scores. In some embodiments, the at least one processor can further train the evaluation model when the evaluation is unacceptable. In some embodiments, the at least one processor can: receive a selection of at least one response for reevaluation; receive an evaluation input for the at least one response; and update training of the evaluation model based on the received evaluation input for the at least one response. One aspect of the present disclosure relates to a method of controlling training quality of a machine learning model. The method includes: receiving a plurality of responses received from a plurality of users in response to providing of at least one prompt; identifying an evaluation model relevant to the provided prompt, which evaluation model includes a machine learning model trained to output a score relevant to at least portions of a response; generating a training indicator, which training indicator provides a graphical depiction of the degree to which the identified evaluation model is trained; determining a training status of the identified model; controlling the training indicator to identify the training status of the identified model; automatically evaluating the plurality of responses with the evaluation model when the model is identified as sufficiently trained; generating a graphical indicator of evaluation model performance, which indicator of evaluation model performance characterizes an attribute of the evaluation; and controlling a user interface to display the graphical indicator of evaluation model performance. In some embodiments, the graphical indicator indicates at least one of: a distribution of scores generated by the evaluation model; a confidence level of the evaluation model; and an accuracy level of the evaluation model. In some embodiments, the graphical indicator identifies outlier scores based on historical user data. In some embodiments, identifying outliner scores based on historical user data includes: retrieving historical data; comparing the historical data to results of evaluating the plurality of responses; and indicating an outlier score when a discrepancy between the historical data and results of evaluating the plurality of responses exceeds a threshold level. In some embodiments, the historical data includes a historical evaluation result distribution. In some embodiments, the results of evaluating the plurality of responses includes an evaluation result distribution. In some embodiments, the historical data includes user historical data. In some embodiments, the user historical data relates to at least one users previously received evaluation results. In some embodiments, the method includes determining an acceptability of the evaluation. In some embodiments, the acceptability of the evaluation is determined based on the identified outlier scores. In some embodiments, the method includes training the evaluation model when the evaluation is unacceptable. In some embodiments, the method includes: receiving a selection of at least one response for reevaluation; receiving an evaluation input for the at least one response; and updating training of the evaluation model based on the received evaluation input for the at least one response. One aspect of the present disclosure relates to a system for training a model for a custom authored prompt. The system includes a memory including: a content library database including a plurality of prompts; and a model database including a at least one model trained to evaluate prompts. The system includes at least one processor that can: receive a prompt; parse the prompt to identifying a plurality of prompt evaluation portions associated with the received prompt; identify pre-existing data relevant to one of the evaluation portions of the received prompt; train a model for evaluating responses to the prompt at least in part based on the pre-existing data. In some embodiments, parsing the prompt includes identifying a complexity of each of the plurality of prompt evaluation portions associated with the received prompt. In some embodiments, the pre-existing data includes at least one of: a pre-existing model trained to evaluate responses to another prompt; and pre-existing response data generated from responses to other prompts. In some embodiments, the at least one processor can identify a creator of the received prompt. In some embodiments, the at least one of: the pre-existing model; and the pre-existing response data are identified based on the creator of the received prompt. In some embodiments, identifying pre-existing response data includes identifying response data corresponding to at least one of the plurality of prompt evaluation portions via a similarity score. In some embodiments, the at least one processor can iteratively: evaluate sufficiency of the training of the model; and generate new training data when the training of the model is insufficient. In some embodiments, the processor can provide the prompt to a user; and receive a response to the provided prompt. In some embodiments, generating new training data includes: generating an evaluation of the received response; and updating the training based on the received response and on the evaluation of the received response. In some embodiments, updating the training based on the received response and on the evaluation of the received response includes: receiving a plurality of responses and a plurality of evaluations to the received responses; determining an ordering to the received responses; and training based on the ordering of the received responses. In some embodiments, the at least one processor can generate a graphical training indicator. In some embodiments, the graphical training indicator provides a graphical depiction of the degree to which the identified evaluation model is trained. In some embodiments, the at least one processor can control the training indicator to reflect the degree to which the evaluation model is trained subsequent to the updating of the training of the evaluation model. One aspect of the present disclosure relates to a method of training a model for a custom authored prompt. The method includes: receiving a prompt; parsing the prompt to identifying a plurality of prompt evaluation portions associated with the received prompt; identifying pre-existing data relevant to one of the evaluation portions of the received prompt; and automatically training a model for evaluating responses to the prompt at least in part based on the pre-existing data. In some embodiments, parsing the prompt includes identifying a complexity of each of the plurality of prompt evaluation portions associated with the received prompt. In some embodiments, the pre-existing data includes at least one of: a pre-existing model trained to evaluate responses to another prompt; and pre-existing response data generated from responses to other prompts. In some embodiments, the method includes identifying a creator of the received prompt. In some embodiments, the at least one of: the pre-existing model; and the pre-existing response data are identified based on the creator of the received prompt. In some embodiments, identifying pre-existing response data includes identifying response data corresponding to at least one of the plurality of prompt evaluation portions via a similarity score. In some embodiments, the method includes iteratively: evaluating sufficiency of the training of the model; and generating new training data when the training of the model is insufficient. In some embodiments, the method includes: providing the prompt to a user; and receiving a response to the provided prompt. In some embodiments, generating new training data includes: generating an evaluation of the received response; and updating the training based on the received response and on the evaluation of the received response. In some embodiments, updating the training based on the received response and on the evaluation of the received response includes: receiving a plurality of responses and a plurality of evaluations to the received responses; determining an ordering to the received responses; and training based on the ordering of the received responses. In some embodiments, the method includes generating a graphical training indicator. In some embodiments, the graphical training indicator provides a graphical depiction of the degree to which the identified evaluation model is trained. In some embodiments, the method includes controlling the training indicator to reflect the degree to which the evaluation model is trained subsequent to the updating of the training of the evaluation model. One aspect of the present disclosure relates to a system for training a model for a custom authored prompt evaluation. The system includes a memory including: a content library database including a plurality of prompts; and a model database including a at least one model trained to evaluate prompts. The system includes at least one processor that can: iteratively receive a prompt from a user via a prompt creation window within a user interface; provide iterative feedback to a user via the prompt creation window; parse the prompt to identifying a plurality of prompt evaluation portions associated with the received prompt; identify pre-existing data relevant to one of the evaluation portions of the received prompt; train a model for evaluating responses to the prompt at least in part based on the pre-existing data; and provide training information to the user via a training level indicator in the user interface. In some embodiments, the at least one processor can iteratively: gather new training data; update training of the model with the new training data; and evaluate the training of the model. In some embodiments, the at least one processor can determine that the model is sufficiently trained. In some embodiments, the at least one processor can control an evaluation interface to generate a launch window upon determining that the model is sufficiently trained. In some embodiments, the launch window provides at least one of: an indicator of sufficiency of training of the model; and a feature manipulable to initiate auto evaluation with the model of responses received to the prompt. In some embodiments, the at least one processor can: provide the prompt to a plurality of users; receive a response from each of the plurality of users; determine that the model is sufficiently trained; and auto-evaluate the responses with the model. In some embodiments, the at least one processor can control the evaluation interface to display at least one of the auto-evaluated responses. In some embodiments, the at least one processor can receive a modification to the displayed at least one of the auto-evaluated responses via an input feature of the evaluation interface. In some embodiments, the at least one processor can control the evaluation interface to modify an appearance of the input feature in response to the received modification. In some embodiments, the at least one processor can control generation of an output data interface. In some embodiments, the output data interface includes a scoring summary window identifying scoring status of received responses. In some embodiments, the output data interface includes a distribution window including a graphical display of a distribution of the auto-evaluations of the responses. One aspect of the present disclosure relates to a method for training a model for custom authored prompt evaluation. The method includes: iteratively receiving a prompt from a user via a prompt creation window within a user interface; providing iterative feedback to a user via the prompt creation window; parsing the prompt to identifying a plurality of prompt evaluation portions associated with the received prompt; identifying pre-existing data relevant to one of the evaluation portions of the received prompt; training a model for evaluating responses to the prompt at least in part based on the pre-existing data; and providing training information to the user via a training level indicator in the user interface. In some embodiments, the method includes iteratively: gathering new training data; updating training of the model with the new training data; and evaluating the training of the model. In some embodiments, the method includes determining that the model is sufficiently trained. In some embodiments, the method includes controlling an evaluation interface to generate a launch window upon determining that the model is sufficiently trained. In some embodiments, the launch window provides at least one of: an indicator of sufficiency of training of the model; and a feature manipulable to initiate auto evaluation with the model of responses received to the prompt. In some embodiments, the method includes: providing the prompt to a plurality of users; receiving a response from each of the plurality of users; determining that the model is sufficiently trained; and auto-evaluating the responses with the model. In some embodiments, the method includes controlling the evaluation interface to display at least one of the auto-evaluated responses. In some embodiments, the method includes receiving a modification to the displayed at least one of the auto-evaluated responses via an input feature of the evaluation interface. In some embodiments, the method includes controlling the evaluation interface to modify an appearance of the input feature in response to the received modification. In some embodiments, the method includes controlling generation of an output data interface. In some embodiments, the output data interface includes a scoring summary window identifying scoring status of received responses. In some embodiments, the output data interface includes a graphical display of the auto-evaluations of the responses. One aspect of the present disclosure relates to a system for interface-based evaluation output customization. The system includes a memory including: a content library database containing a plurality of prompts and evaluation data associated with each of the plurality of prompts; and a model database including a plurality of evaluation models for automated evaluation of received user responses. In some embodiments, the evaluation data of each of the plurality of prompts includes a pointer linking to the associated evaluation model. The system can include at least one processor that can: receive a plurality of responses from a plurality of users to a provided prompt; evaluate the received plurality of responses with an evaluation model, the evaluation model including a machine learning model trained to output a score relevant to at least portions of a response; generate evaluation data characterizing at least one attribute of the evaluated plurality of responses; and generate an output panel including at least one performance modification interface, which performance modification identifies an attribute of the evaluated plurality of responses, and which performance modification interface includes an input feature. In some embodiments, the input feature is user manipulable to change the attribute of the evaluated plurality of responses. The at least one processor can receive a input via the input feature; modify the attribute of the evaluated plurality of responses; and generate updated evaluation data based at least in part on the modified attribute of the evaluated plurality of responses. In some embodiments, the attribute of the evaluated plurality of responses includes a score distribution generated by the evaluation model. In some embodiments, the input received via the input feature changes at least one of: a shape of the score distribution; a width of the score distribution; and a center of the score distribution. In some embodiments, evaluating the received responses includes generating a first score for each of the received responses. In some embodiments, generating updated evaluation data includes generating a second score for each of the received responses. In some embodiments, the second score is generated at least in part based on the input received via the input feature. In some embodiments, the output panel further includes a model panel characterizing at least one attribute of the evaluation model. In some embodiments, the at least one attribute of the evaluation model includes at least one of: a generic evaluation parameter; and a model identifier. In some embodiments, the generic evaluation parameter identifies: a selected generic evaluation parameter; and an application stringency. In some embodiments, the generic evaluation parameter includes at least one of: a formatting style; a proficiency level; and a language. In some embodiments, the output panel includes selection feature whereby a user can select one of a plurality of generic evaluation parameters. In some embodiments, the evaluation model training is based at least in part of each of the plurality of generic evaluation parameters. One aspect of the present disclosure relates to a method for interface-based evaluation output customization. The method includes: receiving a plurality of responses from a plurality of users to a provided prompt; evaluating the received plurality of responses with an evaluation model, the evaluation model including a machine learning model trained to output a score relevant to at least portions of a response; generating evaluation data characterizing at least one attribute of the evaluated plurality of responses; and generating an output panel including at least one performance modification interface. In some embodiments, the performance modification identifies an attribute of the evaluated plurality of responses. In some embodiments, the performance modification interface includes an input feature. In some embodiments, the input feature is user manipulable to change the attribute of the evaluated plurality of responses. The method can include: receiving a input via the input feature; modifying the attribute of the evaluated plurality of responses; and generating updated evaluation data based at least in part on the modified attribute of the evaluated plurality of responses. In some embodiments, the attribute of the evaluated plurality of responses includes a score distribution generated by the evaluation model. In some embodiments, the input received via the input feature changes at least one of: a shape of the score distribution; a width of the score distribution; and a center of the score distribution. In some embodiments, evaluating the received responses includes generating a first score for each of the received response; and wherein generating updated evaluation data includes generating a second score for each of the received responses. In some embodiments, the second score is generated at least in part based on the input received via the input feature. In some embodiments, the output panel further includes a model panel characterizing at least one attribute of the evaluation model. In some embodiments, the at least one attribute of the evaluation model includes at least one of: a generic evaluation parameter; and a model identifier. In some embodiments, the generic evaluation parameter identifies: a selected generic evaluation parameter; and an application stringency. In some embodiments, the generic evaluation parameter includes at least one of: a formatting style; a proficiency level; and a language. In some embodiments, the output panel includes selection feature whereby a user can select one of a plurality of generic evaluation parameters. In some embodiments, the evaluation model training is based at least in part of each of the plurality of generic evaluation parameters. Further areas of applicability of the present disclosure will become apparent from the detailed description provided hereinafter. It should be understood that the detailed description and specific examples, while indicating various embodiments, are intended for purposes of illustration only and are not intended to necessarily limit the scope of the disclosure.

11464708

FIELD OF THE INVENTION The subject matter described herein relates to a medication dose preparation and transfer apparatus used for identifying medication within a medication container, measuring an amount of medication withdrawn from the medication container and transferred to a secondary container (e.g. syringe), tracking the amount of medication actually administered to a patient and tracking the amount of any residual medication disposed of as waste. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION There are a number of patient clinical settings including in-hospital, outpatient and emergency medical services (EMS) that require transfer of medications from original pharmaceutical manufacturer's primary containers to secondary containers to facilitate caregiver administration to patients. When medications are transferred to secondary containers it is standard clinical best practice to label them to reduce the potential for medication errors. However, due to dose measurement mistakes, incorrect transfer of labeling information and other factors, errors continue to occur when caregivers transfer medications from primary containers (vials to syringes) or prepare partial doses (empty syringe withdraws of a partial amount from a primary vial). SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In one aspect, an apparatus for transferring medication from a primary medication container to a manually injectable secondary medication container is provided. The apparatus includes a fluid channel, a primary medication container coupling, a secondary medication coupling, at least one identification sensor and a communications module. The fluid channel terminates at a primary medication container port on a first end and a secondary medication container port on a second end. The primary medication container coupling is configured to fluidically couple the primary medication container to the primary medication container port. The secondary medication container coupling is configured to fluidically couple the secondary medication container to the secondary medication container port. The at least one identification sensor senses (i) an information transfer element on the primary medication container and (ii) an information transfer element on the secondary medication container with the information transfer element on the primary container being used to characterize the medication. The communications module transmits data obtained by and/or derived from the at least one identification sensor to a remote computing system to associate the medication in the primary medication container as having been transferred to the secondary medication container. The primary medication container coupling can include a spike to penetrate a barrier of the primary medication container. The secondary medication container coupling can include a female luer fitting to mate with a male luer fitting of the secondary medication container. The primary medication container can be vial with a vial adapter having the information transfer element disposed thereon. The secondary medication container can be a syringe with the information transfer element disposed upon an encoded hub attached to a fluid outlet of the syringe (which in turn is configured to fluidically couple with the secondary medication container port). The communications module can wirelessly transmit data to and/or receive data from the remote computing system. A first identification sensor can sense the information transfer element of a primary medication container and a second identification sensor can sense the information transfer element of the secondary medication container. The information transfer element on at least one of the primary medication container and the secondary medication container can include or be a unique identifier such as a serial number. The at least one flow sensor can characterize an amount of medication passing through the fluid channel such that the communications module transmits data indicating same. In some implementations, the at least one flow sensor can be a bi-directional flow sensor measuring fluid flow in two opposing directions and the data transmitted can separately characterize fluid flow in both opposing directions. Memory can be included that stores data such as data obtained from the at least one identification sensor and/or the at least one flow sensor. At least one data processor (e.g., a CPU/microprocessor, etc.) can process data stored in the memory. A user indicator (e.g., an interface, display, etc.) can be provided that provides visual and/or audio feedback to a user. The indicator can be interactive allowing the user to change one or more operating parameters (e.g., alarm override, enter patient information and the like). The user indicator can display a wide range of information, including but not limited to: medication name, medication category, recommended dosage, secondary medication container fill volume, medication waste volume, secondary medication container identifier, and partial dosage volume. In some implementations, the entire apparatus can be disposable. In other implementations, only a portion of the apparatus is disposable (with the remaining portion being reusable). With this latter arrangement, the fluid channel can be selectively removable to avoid medication cross-contamination and/or sterility issues. With a removable fluid channel, there can be memory within or otherwise coupled to the removable fluid channel. Such memory can have and/or store a unique identifier (e.g., serial number, etc.). The remote computing system can be, for example, one or more of medication management devices and systems, electronic medical records systems, pharmacy management and fulfillment systems, medication storage systems, medication dispensing stations, and medication waste disposal systems. The fluid channel can undertake a variety of geometries. It can be linear, at least partially curved, and angled. With the latter, the fluid channel can have at least one 90 degree angle, and in one implementation, it can have at least two 90 degree angles. The fluid channel can terminate at a patient outlet which can, for example, lead to an IV line for a patient. The fluid channel can include a first sub-channel connecting the primary medication container port with the patient outlet and a second sub-channel extending at an angle from the first sub-channel terminating on one end at the first sub-channel and on a second end at the secondary medication container port. A bi-directional flow sensor can measure the flow of medication in both directions within the second sub-channel as it is transferred to the secondary medication container and as it is expelled from the secondary medication container. With such an arrangement, the communications module can transmit data characterizing the medication flow detected by the bi-direction sensor. At least one check valve can be incorporated to prevent the medication expelled from the secondary medication container from flowing towards the primary medication container port and/or to prevent medication extracted from the primary medication container from flowing back towards the primary medication container port. Removable channel caps can be employed that are secured to the primary medication container port and the secondary medication container port. A housing can be provided through which the fluid channel traverses. Such housing can have a size and shape to allow a user to hold the housing and a primary medication container in a first hand and to operate the manually injectable secondary medication container using a second hand. The fluid channel can include a primary fluid channel terminating at two sub-channels. The two sub-channels can be at an angle in relation to the primary fluid channel and being parallel in relation to each other, the sub-channels respectively terminating in the primary medication container port and the secondary medication container port. A display can be displayed on a housing (i.e., an outer surface of a housing) that envelopes the fluid channel. The communications module can receive data from at least one computing system characterizing the medication, at least a portion of the received data being displayed on the display. It will be appreciated that the communications module can transmit data to a first computing system while receiving data from a second computing system. At least a portion of the information being displayed can include one or more of: information about the fluid transfer process, user guidance, information about the dose to be administered, information about the dose administered to a patient, and patient specific medication administration guidelines or restrictions. The received data can include one or more of: medication delivery order data, patient-specific identifiers, general or medication-specific dosing limits, data for contraindication checking, Broselow color/classification, patient drug allergies, patient weight, medication data, patient specific data, procedural cautionary data, error prevention data, dose time data, physician instructions, drug manufacturer instructions, precautions associated with the medication, and contraindications associated with the medication. The at least one identification sensor can detect the information transfer element using one or more technologies such as optical, magnetic, mechanical, conductive, capacitive, inductive, proximity sensors, infrared, and switchable RFID. In an interrelated aspect, an apparatus for transferring medication from a primary medication container to a manually injectable secondary medication container includes a fluid channel, a primary medication container, a secondary medication container, at least one fluid flow sensor, and a communications module. The fluid channel terminates at a primary medication container port on a first end and a secondary medication container port on a second end. The primary medication container coupling is configured to fluidically couple the primary medication container to the primary medication container port. The secondary medication container coupling is configured to fluidically couple the secondary medication container to the secondary medication container port. The at least one flow sensor to sense medications flowing through the fluid channel. The communications module transmits data obtained by and/or derived from the at least one flow sensor to a remote computing system and, in some implementations, receives data from one or more remote computing systems associated with the medication and/or the patient. Systems can be provided that additionally include a dose preparation and transfer apparatus and one or more of a primary medication container and manually injectable secondary medication container. Kits can be provided that include dose preparation and transfer apparatus as well as one or more of a primary medication container and a manually injectable container. In a further interrelated aspect, a dose preparation and transfer apparatus detects a medication identification code (information transfer element) on a primary medication container, detects an identifier (information transfer element) of a secondary medication container, and transmits data to a remote computing system that characterizes the detected medication identification code and the detected identifier. In some implementations, the dose preparation and transfer apparatus further detects an amount of medication transferred from the primary container to the secondary container and data characterizing same is transmitted to the remote computing system. Apparatus, systems, methods and articles are described to prepare and track medication containers as they are prepared, administered to patients and, in some cases, disposed of. Information such as medication type, concentration, and volume are associated with medication containers during preparation and this information can later be consumed/utilized when administering the medication from a container to a patient. Disposing of any remaining medication can also be tracked (which can be advantageous in connection with controlled substances). In some examples, medication is transferred from a container such as a vial into a syringe and data characterizing the medication is associated with the syringe (e.g., a bar code, a record in a look-up table, etc.). The medication in this syringe can then be injected into a patient via, for example, a medication injection site which can automatically identify the medication container and/or its contents. Any remaining contents of this syringe can be injected into a waste disposal system which can also automatically identify the medication container and/or its contents (and log the container and amount of disposed medication disposed).

11455656

TECHNICAL FIELD The disclosure relates generally to digital advertisements and, more specifically, to electronically determining and providing item advertisement recommendations. BACKGROUND At least some websites, such as retailer websites, display item advertisements. For example, a website may display item advertisements, and may further allow a customer to purchase advertised items. The displayed advertisements may be determined by advertisement recommendation systems, which may attempt to provide advertisements for items which the customer may be interested in. In some examples, however, the advertisement recommendation systems may provide advertisements for items that the customer finds irrelevant or is not interested in. For example, although a customer may be interested in viewing advertisements for and purchasing dog food, the advertisement recommendation system may nonetheless provide baby toy advertisements. In some examples, the customer may even be embarrassed by a displayed advertisement. As a result, a retailer may lose sales of items to a customer. For example, the customer may not buy the advertised item. In addition, the customer may leave the website without having purchased an item that, if shown an advertisement for, the customer would have purchased. In some examples, if a customer perceives an advertisement as irrelevant or embarrassing, the customer may go elsewhere, such as another website, to make purchases. As such, there are opportunities to address advertisement recommendation systems. SUMMARY The embodiments described herein are directed to automatically determining and providing digital item advertisements that may be displayed, for example, on a website. The embodiments may allow a person, such as a customer, to be presented with advertisements that may be more likely to interest the person. For example, the embodiments may allow the person to view advertisements that the person may be more willing to purchase. In some examples, the embodiments may provide machine learning based processes that determine the items to advertise based on in-store and online transactions. In some examples, the item advertisements are displayed to persons viewing a website. In some examples, the item advertisements are personalized to each person. As a result, the embodiments may allow a retailer to present more relevant item advertisements to each person, thereby increasing the chances that the person will purchase the advertised items. In addition, because a person may now spend less time reviewing irrelevant advertisements, the person may have additional time to consider additional items for purchase. In addition to or instead of these example advantages, persons of ordinary skill in the art having the benefit of these disclosures would recognize and appreciate other advantages as well. In accordance with various embodiments, exemplary systems may be implemented in any suitable hardware or hardware and software, such as in any suitable computing device. For example, in some embodiments, a computing device is configured to obtain transaction data associated with at least one customer, and generate first data identifying purchases in a plurality of categories for the at least one customer based on the transaction data. In some examples, generating the first data comprises generating a category matrix for the at least one customer, where each entry of the category matrix identifies a distribution of purchases in a category of the plurality of categories. The computing device may also be configured to generate a plurality of relevancy scores for pairs of the plurality of categories based on the first data. The computing device may further be configured to generate second data identifying at least one of the plurality of categories based on the generated plurality of relevancy scores. In some examples, the computing device is configured to receive a plurality of item advertisement recommendations, and select at least one of the plurality of item advertisement recommendations based on the second data. In some examples, the computing device is configured to transmit the second data to another computing device. In some embodiments, a method is provided that includes obtaining transaction data associated with at least one customer, and generating first data identifying purchases in a plurality of categories for the at least one customer based on the transaction data. In some examples, generating the first data comprises generating a category matrix for the at least one customer, where each entry of the category matrix identifies a distribution of purchases in a category of the plurality of categories. The method may also include generating a plurality of relevancy scores for pairs of the plurality of categories based on the first data. The method may further include generating second data identifying at least one of the plurality of categories based on the generated plurality of relevancy scores. In some examples, the method includes receiving a plurality of item advertisement recommendations, and selecting at least one of the plurality of item advertisement recommendations based on the second data. In some examples, the method includes transmitting the second data to another computing device. In yet other embodiments, a non-transitory computer readable medium has instructions stored thereon, where the instructions, when executed by at least one processor, cause a computing device to perform operations that include obtaining transaction data associated with at least one customer, and generating first data identifying purchases in a plurality of categories for the at least one customer based on the transaction data. In some examples, generating the first data comprises generating a category matrix for the at least one customer, where each entry of the category matrix identifies a distribution of purchases in a category of the plurality of categories. The operations may also include generating a plurality of relevancy scores for pairs of the plurality of categories based on the first data. The operations may further include generating second data identifying at least one of the plurality of categories based on the generated plurality of relevancy scores. In some examples, the operations include receiving a plurality of item advertisement recommendations, and selecting at least one of the plurality of item advertisement recommendations based on the second data. In some examples, the operations include transmitting the second data to another computing device.

11289862

TECHNICAL FIELD This disclosure relates to a wall-mounted network extender and adapter. BACKGROUND Typically, the design of a network extender (e.g., Wi-Fi extender) may be such that the network extender can operate while being supported by a horizontal base (i.e., a desk, table, shelf, etc.) or while being supported by a means for mounting or attaching the network extender to a vertical surface (e.g., the network extender may be plugged into a wall power outlet). However, thermal constraints may require that the network extender operate while positioned in a vertical orientation. Therefore, certain interfaces (e.g., Ethernet port) of the network extender may be obscured or blocked depending upon whether the network extender is supported by a horizontal surface/base or secured to a vertical surface. For example, different regions/countries may provide different AC power connectors, and the AC power connector of a network extender may not match the AC power connectors provided in each region/country. It is desirable to provide an improved network extender that may support operability at various orientations.

11286906

BACKGROUND Technical Field The invention concerns the field of wind turbines and wind farms, wherein the invention is concerned in particular with communication between a wind turbine or a wind farm and a remote computer. Description of the Related Art It is known from the state of the art that remote access to wind farms for status query or configuration of one or more wind turbines or a wind farm controller is possible. Hitherto, however, remote access is possible only to a limited extent in order to satisfy security requirements. Thus, for example, a data transfer rate with which it is possible to gain access to a wind farm is severely restricted and generally a manufacturer-specific data protocol is to be used for that purpose. Accordingly a wind farm has for example an access computer which is connected to the internet and which can be accessed from a remote computer by way of the internet. The access computer itself however is connected to components of the wind farm or the wind turbine which is to be accessed by way of a very slow manufacturer-specific data protocol in order in a remote access situation not to afford any possible option of implementing an extensive query or re-programming of the wind turbine or the wind farm in a short time. In addition possible functions using a remote access can be restricted so that only individual control commands or queries are possible by way of such a slow data communication. Complete re-configuration or query in respect of status information, for example complete extensive loggings of the operating history can accordingly hitherto only be carried out by personnel who are directly connected to the component on site at the wind turbine or the wind farm. Increasingly however there is a greater wish to be able to access a wind turbine or a wind farm and in particular a component of the wind turbine or the wind farm remotely to the greatest possible extent. Accordingly it is desirable for example to exchange large amounts of data with the component of a wind turbine or a wind farm from a remote computer in as real-time relationship as possible. Ideally accordingly an Ethernet connection which would be partially taken by way of the internet between the component and the remote computer would be desirable in order upon remote access to have the same options for acting on the control system, as a service operative who is on site has. For security reason, however, such connections were refrained from being used as they are vulnerable to attacks and manipulation, thereby giving rise to the danger that an attacker could possibly gain access to one or more wind farms within a very short time. As wind energy nowadays provides a large proportion in the provision of power in the supply grid there is the danger that upon failure of a proportion of the wind energy in a region the complete supply grid collapses. It would therefore be possible for an attacker to manipulate a plurality of wind farms within a short time in such a way that a complete supply grid could collapse as a result. In spite of extensive encryption algorithms in the data connection, an internet connection to a wind turbine or a wind farm is exposed to attacks from outside and therefore affords only limited security in relation to attackers. On the German patent application from which priority is claimed the German Patent and Trade Mark Office searched the following documents: DE 10 2009 060 417 A1 and DE 20 2014 106 258 U1. BRIEF SUMMARY Provided is a fast data connection to a control component of a wind turbine or a wind park in order to exchange data at a comparatively higher data transfer rate with the wind turbine or the wind farm by a remote access. The data connection is secure from attackers. Provided is a security apparatus for data exchange of a component of a wind turbine or a wind farm with a remote computer. The term “remote computer” describes a computer or data processor which is itself not a constituent part of the wind turbine or the wind farm, in which respect the term “remote” is not used to mean that a minimum spacing between the wind turbine or the wind farm and the computer has to be observed. Thus the remote computer can even be arranged directly beside the wind turbine or the wind farm or can also be several kilometers or several hundred or several thousand kilometers away. The term “remote computer” accordingly means at any event that the computer itself is not a constituent part of the wind turbine or the wind farm and therefore does not have direct access to components of the wind turbine or the wind farm. The term “component” in contrast concerns a component which is a constituent part of a wind turbine or a wind farm, in particular a wind farm controller, and for example a control component. Accordingly the term “component” includes a data processing apparatus of the wind turbine or the wind farm controller, which is adapted for example to control the wind turbine or a plurality of wind turbines on the one hand but also for example only for the storage of operational data of the wind turbine or wind turbines. The security apparatus has a first data interface adapted to connect the security apparatus to the component by way of a first data connection. In addition the security apparatus includes a second data interface adapted to connect the remote computer to the security apparatus by way of a second data connection. Further the security apparatus includes a third data interface with which a switching signal can be received by way of a third data connection. In addition provided within the security apparatus is a separable internal data connection between the first data interface and the second data interface. The separable internal data connection is thus adapted to connect the first data connection and the second data connection or to interrupt said connection. In addition the security apparatus includes a switch adapted in dependence on the switching signal to separate or make a physical connection of the or within the first data connection. Accordingly therefore a data connection is possible between the component of the wind turbine or the wind farm with a remote computer at least portion-wise by way of the first data connection and the second data connection and the separable internal data connection of the security apparatus. The separable internal data connection however has a physical connection which is separable. Examples in regard to separation of a physical connection is an electrical separation of the connection. Accordingly electric signals which serve for data transmission are not forwarded after separation. Separation of the physical connection is accordingly not limited to the situation where there is a mechanical interruption in the internal data connection, with that case also being included. Rather, separation of a physical connection signifies that the data signals are no longer exchanged between the first and second data interfaces. When physical separation of the data connection takes place then it is not possible by way of that data connection to restore the data connection as the remote computer does not have any possible way of accessing the components of the wind turbines. Accordingly the components of the wind turbine or the wind farm are protected from attacks from a remote computer which for example does not have any authorization by a physical separation of the data connection to the remote computer. If an access to a component of a wind turbine or a wind farm is to be effected remotely by a remote computer, it is firstly necessary to generate a switching signal for the security apparatus in order to make the physical connection of the internal data connection. It is only after the physical connection has been made that access to the component by the remote computer is then possible. According to a first embodiment the security apparatus has a coupling unit, in particular a switch, a repeater, a router or a modem. The coupling unit includes the first data interface and the second data interface and requires a voltage supply for providing the internal data connection, that is to say for making the physical connection of the internal data connection. The voltage supply in that case can be switched on and/or off with the switch. Accordingly the physical connection of the internal data connection can be easily separated or made. According to a further embodiment the security apparatus is adapted to automatically separate the physical connection in the situation that it is made, after a predetermined period of time, for example after a duration in the range of 30 seconds to 12 hours, or preferably in the range of one minute to one hour, for example after 30 minutes. In addition the security apparatus is additionally or alternatively adapted to automatically separate the physical connection in the situation where it is made, after inactivity of a data transmission over a predefined period of time. If therefore it is missed out or if no switching signal is produced, which separates the physical connection of the internal data connection after the access, by virtue of a transmission error, then separation of the physical connection occurs automatically in order in that way to enhance the security requirements. In addition, provided is a system which includes a security apparatus according to one of the above-specified embodiments. In addition the system includes an access computer having a fourth data interface in order to exchange data with the remote computer by way of a fourth data connection. The access computer is further adapted in dependence on the exchanged data between the remote computer and the access computer, that is to say in particular by way of data which are obtained by way of the fourth data interface, to produce the switching signal, in particular directly or indirectly. The access computer is, for example, an SCADA computer of a wind turbine or a wind farm, which can be accessed by way of an internet connection. That computer therefore represents a first security instance which firstly has to be overcome in order to make the data connection between the component and the remote computer by way of the internal data connection of the security apparatus when an attacker would seek to carry out an attack and thus implement access to the component of the wind turbine. According to a further embodiment the access computer is adapted to produce the switching signal directly and transmit it to the third data interface by way of the third data connection. Alternatively the access computer can be connected to the component of the wind turbine or the wind farm by way of a fifth data connection and adapted to produce the switching signal indirectly. For that purpose the access computer is adapted to cause the component by way of the fifth data connection to produce the switching signal and by way of a third data connection which is then implemented between the component and the security apparatus to transmit it to the third data interface of the security apparatus. If previously defined particular requirements in respect of the access computer are met by the access computer, it is possible for the switching signal to be produced directly by the access computer. If however the access computer also represents a security apparatus which can be overcome for an attacker, in accordance with previously defined security requirements, it is alternatively provided that a data connection is made between the access computer and the component itself in order then to generate the switching signal by the computer itself. In that case the component and/or the fifth data connection represents a further security instance for an attacker. Preferably the separable internal data connection has a data transfer rate which corresponds to more than a multiple of the data transfer rate of the third and/or fifth data connection. In comparison with the data connection between the component and the remote computer accordingly the data connection for producing the switching signal is very slow so that this slow transfer rate makes it difficult for an attacker to produce the switching signal by way of the access computer. According to a further embodiment the third and/or fifth data connection is a serial data connection and/or a bus connection, in particular a field bus connection. Particularly preferably transfer is effected by way of the third and/or fifth data connection with a proprietary protocol. Even if therefore an attacker gains access to the access computer then, by virtue of the slow transfer rate of the third and/or fifth data connection and for example a protocol defined by the manufacturer, without knowledge about the protocol, it is only possible in a highly complicated and laborious fashion to produce the switching signal. According to a further embodiment the first, second and/or fourth data connection is an Ethernet connection. If therefore a physical connection of the internal data connection is accordingly made then data can be very rapidly exchanged between the component of the wind turbine or the wind farm and the remote computer. According to a further embodiment the system has an access point which is in particular a router or a VPN router. The access point serves to guide the connection to the remote computer in part by way of the second and/or fourth data connection and at least portion-wise by way of an internet connection or a network connection. According to a further embodiment one, a plurality of or all data connections are adapted to transmit encrypted data. According to a further embodiment the component is a component or a constituent part of a wind farm controller or a component or a constituent part of a wind turbine. In addition the system according to a further embodiment includes a plurality of wind turbines and/or a wind farm controller. According to a further embodiment the component is a constituent part of the system and is adapted to recognize predetermined accesses by a remote computer when the physical connection of the security apparatus is made and to interrupt the physical connection in dependence on the recognized accesses. Accordingly predetermined accesses which include for example unusual accesses or also dangerous accesses like for example abrupt switching-off or separation of all installations of a wind farm from the grid can be recognized, whereby an attack can be registered. In dependence on an access which is recognized in that way the physical connection is then interrupted and in particular the access is not carried out. In addition provided is a method of data exchange, that is to say for communication with a component of a wind turbine and/or a wind farm. The communication is effected with a security apparatus according to one of the above-mentioned embodiments and/or a system according to one of the above-mentioned embodiments. In an embodiment of the method a switching signal is produced in order with the security apparatus to make and/or interrupt a physical connection of a separable internal data connection between a first data interface, with which the component is connected by way of a first data connection, and a second data interface, with which a remote computer is connected by way of a second data connection. According to a further embodiment of the method after a predetermined period of time, for example after a duration in the range of 30 seconds to 12 hours, particularly preferably in the range of one minute to one hour, for example 30 minutes, or after inactivity for a predefined period of time in respect of data transmission, the physical connection is automatically interrupted.

11269574

The present application is based on, and claims priority from JP Application Serial Number 2020-028975, filed on Feb. 25, 2020, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference herein in its entirety. BACKGROUND 1. Technical Field The present disclosure relates to a technique for an image forming apparatus. 2. Related Art In the related art, a printer that can use a normal cartridge, which is attached to the printer or commercially available at a retail store and a dedicated cartridge for flat-rate print processing is known (JP-A-2017-47590). In the related art, when consumption information regarding a usage amount of consumed recording paper or a consumed recording material cannot be continuously transmitted with the dedicated cartridge installed, image formation processing using the dedicated cartridge is restricted. Therefore, the image formation processing is restricted when the consumption information cannot be transmitted externally, such as to a server. In addition, there is a demand for a technique enabling a printer to perform functions of the printer according to the contents of a contract without having to communicate externally. SUMMARY According to an aspect of the present disclosure, an image forming apparatus is provided. The image forming apparatus includes an operation control portion for executing a plurality of functions for forming an image, a memory that stores availability information of the plurality of functions according to a specified contract that defines usage conditions of the image forming apparatus, and a determination portion that determines, when a usage request for at least one of the plurality of functions is received, with reference to the availability information, whether or not the at least one of the plurality of functions corresponding to the usage request that is received is configured to be used, in which the operation control portion controls operation of the image forming apparatus according to a determination result of the determination portion.

11457562

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Field of the Invention The present invention relates generally to a handheld control device for interacting with a mobile farm implement and, more particularly, to a handheld control device that is configured to communicate commands or sensor information with the mobile farm implement. Description of the Related Art To control and monitor mobile farm implements such as grain carts and tractors, various sensors and controllers have been placed in the mobile farm implements to collect data or carry out commands. On some mobile farm implements, the sensors and controllers have been wired to connect to display terminals mounted in the mobile farm implements. The display terminal on a particular mobile farm implement may display data collected from the sensors on that implement or commands that may be issued to the controllers on that implement. To facilitate communication between display terminals and electronic hardware on mobile farm implements, some manufacturers of mobile farm implements and some manufacturers of display terminals have adopted the same communication protocol in their devices. These mobile farm implements may use the communication protocol to share information about its functionality with terminals that use the same protocol. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION A handheld control device, method, and non-transitory computer-readable medium for interacting with mobile farm implements is presented. According to one aspect of the application, the system, method, and computer-readable medium automates unloading of mobile farm implements. In an embodiment, the handheld control device receives, from a user interface of the handheld control device, a first command to assist unloading of agricultural material from a mobile farm implement. It determines whether a speed of the mobile farm implement is at or below a first threshold. In response to a determination that the speed of the mobile farm implement is at or below the first threshold, a second command to the mobile farm implement to unfold an auger arm of the mobile farm implement may be transmitted. In an embodiment, a determination may be made as to whether weight measurements from the mobile farm implement have reached a steady value and whether a power takeoff speed is at or above a second threshold. In response to a determination that both such conditions are satisfied, a third command to the mobile farm implement to open a container door may be transmitted to the mobile farm implement. In an embodiment, a determination may be made as to whether a subsequent weight measurement from the mobile farm implement is at or below a third threshold. In response to a determination that the condition is satisfied, a fourth command may be transmitted to the mobile farm implement to close the container door and a fifth command to the mobile farm implement to fold the auger arm. In an embodiment, the handheld control device, method, and computer-readable medium may interface with multiple mobile farm implements using multiple communication protocols. In an embodiment, the handheld control device may detect presence of a first mobile farm implement. A determination may be made that the first mobile farm implement uses a first communication protocol. The handheld control device may further determine whether a description of the first communication protocol is stored on the handheld control device. It may communicate, using the first communication protocol, a first command or sensor information with the first mobile farm implement in response to a determination that the description of the first communication protocol is stored on the handheld control device. In an embodiment, presence of a second mobile farm implement may be detected by the handheld control device. A determination may be made that second mobile farm implement is using a second communication protocol, where the first communication protocol is different than the second communication protocol. The handheld control device may determine whether a description of the second communication protocol is stored on the handheld control device. It may communicate, using the second communication protocol, a second command or sensor information with the second mobile farm implement in response to a determination that the description of the second communication protocol is stored on the handheld control device. In an embodiment, the handheld control device, method, and computer-readable medium may wirelessly collect sensor data from mobile farm implements.

11350353

TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to a field of radio communication, and more specifically relates to user equipment. BACKGROUND ART In a Long Term Evolution (LTE) radio communication system and a Long Term Evolution Advanced (LTE-A) radio communication system, user equipment (UE) performs cell search to find a cell to be connected for establishing a physical channel. During cell search, the user equipment obtains a physical cell identity (PCI) of the cell and performs synchronization with respect to radio frame timing. In the LTE system, a primary synchronization signal (PSS) and a secondary synchronization signal (SSS) are defined as synchronization signals (SSs) for the purpose of efficient cell search. The PSS is mainly used for synchronization with respect to symbol timing and detection of a local ID, and the SSS is used for synchronization with respect to a radio frame and detection of a cell group ID. The PCI of the cell can be obtained by detecting the combination of the sequences of these two signals. Further, a physical broadcast channel (PBCH) includes basic system information to be read by the user equipment immediately after cell search. The basic system information is referred to as a master information block (MIB). A system information block (SIB) that is system information other than the MIB is transmitted on a physical downlink shared channel (PDSCH). In order to obtain the SIB, the user equipment needs to obtain control information transmitted on a physical downlink control channel (PDCCH). PRIOR-ART DOCUMENTS Non-Patent Document [Non-Patent Document 1] 3GPP TS38.211 V2.0.0 (2017-12) [Non-Patent Document 2] 3GPP TS38.213 V2.0.0 (2017-12) DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION Problem(s) to be Solved by the Invention In the 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP), a next generation communication standard (5G or NR) of LTE and LTE-A is under discussion. In NR, it is expected that user equipment will detect a synchronization signal and obtain a MIB that is part of system information upon initial access, as with LTE and LTE-A. In LTE, a synchronization signal and a PBCH are placed at the center of the system band and a PDCCH is placed at a predetermined position in the system band. On the other hand, in NR, a synchronization signal and a PBCH is defined as a unit of a frequency block referred to as an SS/PBCH block. One or more SS/PBCH blocks can be placed in a carrier frequency band (see Non-Patent Document 1). User equipment receives a synchronization signal in an SS/PBCH block, obtains a MIB, and then obtains remaining system information referred to as remaining minimum system information (RMSI) transmitted on a PDSCH. In order to obtain the RMSI, the user equipment needs to properly determine a search space (hereinafter referred to as a PDCCH search space) to find a PDCCH (see Non-Patent Document 2). It is an object of the present invention to provide a solution for user equipment to properly determine a PDCCH search space. Means for Solving the Problem(s) In one aspect of the present invention, there is provision for user equipment, including: a reception unit configured to receive first system information transmitted from a base station in a frequency block where a synchronization signal is placed; and a control unit configured to determine, based on a parameter value determined from the first system information, whether a control channel search space for receiving second system information exists, and when the control channel search space does not exist and when the parameter value is not within a predetermined range, assume that a synchronization signal to be detected does not exist in a frequency range that is at least part of a carrier frequency band until a predetermined condition is satisfied. Advantageous Effect of the Invention According to the present invention, user equipment can properly determine a PDCCH search space.

11534660

FIELD This disclosure relates to exercise equipment. In particular, the disclosure relates to a flexible exercise bar, exercise method, method of manufacturing and fitness software application. BACKGROUND Many exercise devices provide only one mode of use targeting a limited area of the body, such as a chin-up bar. These devices may need to be supplemented by many other exercise devices or routines for a comprehensive workout. Most mechanical exercise device solutions fail to completely solve industry problems because they force the user to follow the pattern and range of motion and location of a device around that the device mechanically travels, with only some adjustment for effort and size of the user. Existing exercise devices often are not mobile so can only be used when resident in a particular location, requiring a break in exercise routine when vacationing, for example, and the inability to choose between exercising indoors or outdoors. What is needed is an exercise device that offers a significant quantity of practical use modalities that appear as simple and graceful forms, blending naturally and gracefully with human anatomy, is portable and safe to use. SUMMARY An exercise device is disclosed comprised of a flexibly bendable pole with spring-like properties that may be used for many exercise methods; isotonic, isometric, calisthenics, aerobic forms of exercise, as well as an aid for stretching, self-massage, guided meditation, wireless personal fitness tracking with mobile app integration and supports remote individual coaching and group engagement. The exercise device provides support and controlled resistance for a range of upper extremity, shoulder, back, torso, core, and whole-body exercises, while helping a person maintain good posture and balance. It may have ergonomic hand grips at both ends and an adjustable cushion positioned in its middle. The spring rate is provided by a bundle of small diameter resilient rods which can be configured for a person's size, weight, and fitness level for specific type of use. It is also an IOT (Internet of Things) device that integrates with a fitness app to support user engagement and development of a positive fitness habit. The exercise device may also be incorporated into various artistic and therapeutic forms of movement; including but not limited to, modern dance, group dances, accessorized for unusual or competitive sport, child's play, parade and multimedia artistic displays, and physical therapy. The exercise device may be used in a vast number of places, including indoors or outdoors, at health clubs, at home, offices, parks, beaches, schools and doctor's offices, for example. It may be used for physiotherapy, occupational therapy, specific pre-sport or après-sport routines to help maintain flexibility, focus and tonus. The exercise device can be accessorized with custom decorations, branding images, supportive electronics such as speakers, IOT communication, location, and force sensors, haptic feedback, responsive and programmable lighting for entertainment and cuing of the user or a group, general creative movement, and remote app and tele-video participation. SUMMARY An illustrative exercise device comprises of a resilient, bendable pole with spring-like properties that can be used for both isotonic and isometric forms of exercise as well as an aid for stretching and self-massage. Its use provides both support and controlled resistance for a range of upper extremity, shoulder, back, torso and core exercises. It may have ergonomic hand grips at both ends and at an adjustable position in its middle. The bending force or spring rate can be provided by a variety force generating assemblies, including for example, bundle of flexible, resilient rods or springs that can be configured for a user's size, weight, fitness level of specific type of use. A key element of the exercise device is the assemblies that provide the characteristic spring force. Illustrative spring force or bending force assemblies include, flexible rods, spring mechanisms and other resilient mechanisms. The selection of rod section shape or shape of the core determines whether the flexion is more or less constrained to a single plane (square or rectangular/prismatic sections) or is omni directional (round sections). End grips at either end of the pole primarily provide an ergonomically appropriate means for the user to grasp and operate the device and serve to protectively cap the rod bundle ends by connecting to the IMU (inertial measurement unit) and/or outer jacket. The end grips can also serve as housings for batteries, electronics and sensors, and provide additional weight & inertia. An outer sleeve or spacer comprises the outer surface that the user holds, provides a means of keeping the spring force assembly intact and may also serve as a protective layer in the event that a rod or other component should break. Areas of the exercise device, such as end grips, middle grips or center channel, may contain an additional rod or other devices or accessory elements such as sensors, lighting, wiring, batteries, other electronic components, or weights, for example. Within the device there are opportunities for embedded systems that provide additional functionality, user feedback and interactivity. The exercise device may be integrated with a fitness software application.

11497156

BACKGROUND The present invention relates to the agricultural arts, and more specifically, to the cultivation of farmland. Tractors provide a range of cultivation/farming services such as ploughing, deep ripping, harrowing, fertilizer spreading, seeding and so on. For each of these service types, associated equipment or tools may be attached to the tractors. Modern tractors also come with very sophisticated on-tractor-built equipment/tools each with sophisticated internet-of-things (IoT) capabilities to sense, learn and administer farm level activities while helping operators of the tractors in real-time. Cultivation quality is linked to crop growth and hence yield productivity. For example, crop roots grow deeper and more quickly into soil that has been “deep ripped” by tractor-towed tines. Root growth is important for plants to obtain moisture and nutrients from the soil for enhanced crop growth. Therefore, when tractors are used on farms, their operations should be done with great care. Quality of cultivation operations depends on or is affected by a number of factors such as soil type, structure and condition, topography, weather/climate, user input (crop types, planting dates), etc. Relevant factors and their impact are explained in various documents such as scientific articles, websites, machinery/product owner manuals, etc. Operators of tractors also play a pertinent role on the overall quality of the cultivation and hence on the overall productivity of farms. For example, deep ripping mechanically breaks up compacted soil layers by using strong tines working down to approximate 35-50 cm depth to loosen hard layers of soil. Tine spacing, working depth, use of shallow leading tines or discs, soil moisture content, timing and soil type all should to be considered. Some of these parameters are controllable by a tractor operator who is well-trained with some level of agronomic knowledge. Accordingly, farmers would like to know (and be able to choose) the experience level and/or effectiveness of operators for a given tractor service type. SUMMARY Principles of the invention provide techniques for improving farm cultivation quality. In one aspect, an exemplary method includes accessing a source of information regarding farm cultivation techniques; constructing a cultivation knowledge graph by parsing the source of information regarding farm cultivation techniques, using natural language processing; identifying cultivation quality assessment factors by applying machine learning to the cultivation knowledge graph; estimating quality of a farm cultivation task by comparing a stream of real-time data to the cultivation quality assessment factors, wherein the stream of real-time data is related to performance of the farm cultivation task; identifying from the stream of real-time data, using the cultivation knowledge graph, a controllable variable that affects the quality of the farm cultivation task; and improving the quality of the farm cultivation task by facilitating a change in the controllable variable that affects the quality of the farm cultivation task. One or more embodiments of the invention or elements thereof can be implemented in the form of a computer program product including a computer readable storage medium with computer usable program code for facilitating the method steps indicated. Furthermore, one or more embodiments of the invention or elements thereof can be implemented in the form of a system (or apparatus) including a memory that embodies computer executable instructions, and at least one processor that is coupled to the memory and operative by the instructions to facilitate exemplary method steps. Yet further, in another aspect, one or more embodiments of the invention or elements thereof can be implemented in the form of means for carrying out one or more of the method steps described herein; the means can include (i) hardware module(s), (ii) software module(s) stored in a tangible computer readable storage medium (or multiple such media) and implemented on a hardware processor, or (iii) a combination of (i) and (ii); any of (i)-(iii) implement the specific techniques set forth herein. As used herein, “facilitating” an action includes performing the action, making the action easier, helping to carry the action out, or causing the action to be performed. Thus, by way of example and not limitation, instructions executing on one processor might facilitate an action carried out by instructions executing on a remote processor, by sending appropriate data or commands to cause or aid the action to be performed. For the avoidance of doubt, where an actor facilitates an action by other than performing the action, the action is nevertheless performed by some entity or combination of entities. In view of the foregoing, techniques of the present invention can provide substantial beneficial technical effects. For example, one or more embodiments provide one or more of: Efficient utilization of farm cultivation equipment. Enhanced effectiveness of farm cultivation techniques. Selection of optimal farm cultivation strategies. Constructing a knowledge graph for farm cultivation quality assessment. Estimating farm cultivation quality to maximize farm productivity. These and other features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description of illustrative embodiments thereof, which is to be read in connection with the accompanying drawings.

11257583

RELATED APPLICATION This application is a non-provisional of U.S. provisional application Nos.: 62/955,214 filed Dec. 30, 2019; and 62/955,219 filed Dec. 30, 2019, and is related to International Patent Application No. PCT/US2020/067530, filed Dec. 30, 2020, the entirety of each of which are incorporated by reference. FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present disclosure relates to methods and systems of enhancing an electronic interaction between a behavioral-modification program and a user in the program by providing customized content specific to the user. The systems and methods allow for coach-counselor assistance to the individual-user or for automated content delivery. BACKGROUND Behavioral modification programs include those programs that attempt to assist an individual enrolled in or following the program (e.g., an individual-user) to lessen or cease undesirable behaviors in an attempt to improve physical and/or mental health. Many behavior modification programs attempt to change behavior or reduce undesired behaviors by means of techniques that include negative and positive reinforcement, imposing limitations, goal setting, and conditioning of the individual-user. Because the success rate of behavioral modification programs is ultimately dependent on the actions of the individual-user in the program, providing support for those individual-users as they participate in the program is extremely important. Therefore, effective coaching can often improve success rates of such behavioral-modification programs. In many cases, unhealthy behaviors are learned over significant time periods. Therefore, an individual who is attempting to unlearn such behaviors or who is attempting to alter future behaviors can face different levels of difficulty that vary depending on many factors specific to that individual-user. Therefore, any coach who attempts to assist that individual-user will be more effective if the coach can employ coaching techniques that incorporate information specific to that individual-user, whether that information is the individual's background or the individual-user's activity/behavior in the program. For example, an individual-user who is in an early stage of a behavioral-modification program can require a different type of coaching support than an individual-user who has completed a behavioral-modification program but remains engaged for continued compliance with the modified behavior. Moreover, coaching support for an individual-user that is strictly following the program will vary from the coaching support needed by another user that fails to remain in compliance with the program. There remains a need to provide improved and effective coaching support for individual users of any behavioral modification programs. While the present disclosure discusses a smoking cessation program, the present disclosure can benefit any number of behavior modification programs, including but not limited to those programs that assist individuals with vaping cessation, nicotine addiction, weight loss, medication compliance, addiction, handling depression, increasing physical and/or mental activity, etc. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The system and methods described herein allow for assisting an individual in a behavioral-modification program through personalized coaching and personalized program feedback both of which are unique to either the individual user or the activity of the individual user in the program. In one example, the behavioral-modification program is a smoking cessation program. However, additional variations of the methods and systems described herein can be applied to any number of behavioral modification programs. Yet additional variations of the methods and systems disclosed herein include behavioral-modification programs that use biological feedback/measurements from the individual user. The present disclosure includes methods of enhancing an electronic interaction between a coach-counselor assisting an individual-user participating in a behavioral-modification program. For example, such a method can include providing electronic access to a database of information during the electronic interaction between the coach-counselor and the individual-user, where the database of information includes a plurality of user-specific input data specific to the individual-user, where at least a portion of the plurality of user-specific input data is previously collected; electronically displaying a background data to the coach-counselor during the electronic interaction, where the background data includes a historical information regarding an activity of the individual-user in the behavioral-modification program, to permit the coach-counselor a review the historical information regarding the individual-user during the electronic interaction; electronically supplying the coach-counselor with at least one prompt of a communication topic from a database of generic information applicable to the behavioral-modification program, where the at least one prompt improves efficiency and accuracy of an interaction between the coach-counselor and the individual-user to provides a coaching topic for the coach-counselor to assist the individual-user in the behavioral-modification program; and electronically transmitting the at least one prompt to the individual-user as a coach-message. Variations of the methods can include user-specific data that includes at least one of a subset of individual-user psychographic information, a subset of individual-user personal information, a subset of individual-user biological input data, and/or a combination thereof. In additional variations, the user-specific data includes a subset of individual-user biological input data with at least one of a subset of individual-user psychographic information and a subset of individual-user personal information, any additional information and/or a combination thereof. Variations of the methods and systems described herein can include methods where electronically transmitting the at least one prompt occurs automatically without input from the coach-counselor. Alternatively, or in combination, electronically transmitting the at least one prompt requires an input from the coach-counselor. Variations of the methods and systems can further require establishing an electronic reporting interface for the coach-counselor, where the electronic reporting interface allows the coach-counselor to electronically access a database of batch data that includes information from a plurality of users who participated in the behavioral-modification program. The database of information can further include a behavior summary of the individual-user, where the behavior summary comprises an association of the biological input data from the individual-user with at least one of a plurality of behavioral data supplied by the individual-user where the behavioral data is non-biologic. The database of information can be updated automatically by monitoring the user's activities and/or a coach-counselor can update the database of information about the individual-user. In an additional variation, the subset of individual-user personal information in the database of information includes information from the group consisting of background, traits, demographics, and previous notes about the individual-user. Variations of the method can include a subset of individual-user psychographic information that includes milestones and targets of the user. In variations of the method and systems displaying the data includes displaying a conversation history between the individual-user and the coach-counselor. The prompts can be reusable prompts that are applicable to multiple alternate users. Additionally, or alternatively, the at least one prompt can comprise a partially written statement, wherein the coach-counselor must complete the partially written statement prior to sending the statement to the individual-user. Variations of the methods include the coach-counselor to select at least one prompt, and wherein the at least one prompt comprises encoded variables that are pre-filled when the at least one prompt is selected by the coach-counselor. The methods and systems described herein can include checks, such as where the prompt includes placeholders and the method further comprising preventing electronically transmitting the at least one prompt until coach-counselor replaces the placeholders with text. Another variation of the method includes tagging the coach-message to assign a relevant category. The relevant category can include a trigger or a behavior. In some variations, coach-message is added to the database of information about the user and can be made either private or public. Additional variations of the method include enabling the coach-counselor to select data from the database of information comprises enabling the coach-counselor to search by content of the at least one prompt. The prompts discussed herein can be altered to maintain stylistic similarity to the coach-counselor. In additional variations, the method can further include selecting an automated message based on an inquiry from the individual-user and automatically transmitting the automated message to the individual-user. The behavior modification programs disclosed herein can include preventing a behavior selected from the group consisting of smoking cigarettes, vaping, consuming alcohol, use of tobacco, use of narcotics. The present disclosure also includes methods of providing customized content to an individual-user participating in a behavioral-modification program. An example of such a method includes providing a database of information comprised of a plurality of user-specific data specific to the individual-user, where at least a portion of the plurality of user-specific input data is previously collected; electronically monitoring an activity of the individual-user; using the activity to customize program-related content comprising an electronic media content from a database of generic information applicable to the behavioral-modification program; electronically transmitting the program-related content to the individual-user as an electronic message; and monitoring the individual-user's electronic interaction with the program-related content. Again, variations of the methods can include user-specific data that includes at least one of a subset of individual-user psychographic information, a subset of individual-user personal information, a subset of individual-user biological input data, and/or a combination thereof. In additional variations, the user-specific data includes a subset of individual-user biological input data with at least one of a subset of individual-user psychographic information and a subset of individual-user personal information, any additional information and/or a combination thereof. Variations of the method include an electronic message that further includes at least one data item from one of the subsets of individual-user psychographic information, the subset of individual-user personal information, or a subset of individual-user biological input data. Electronically transmitting the program-related content to the individual user can occur automatically or can require an input from the individual user. In additional variations, the database of information further includes a behavior summary of the individual, where the behavior summary comprises an association of the biological input data from the individual with at least one of a plurality of behavioral data supplied by the individual where the behavioral data is non-biologic. The subset of individual-user personal information in the database of information can include information from the group consisting of background, traits, demographics, and previous notes about the individual-user. The subset of individual-user psychographic information in the database of information can include milestones and targets. The methods can further include adding the program-related content to the database of information about the user. In additional variations, enabling the coach-counselor to select data from the database of information comprises enabling the coach-counselor to search by content of the at least one prompt. This application is related to the following commonly assigned patents and applications. Such patents include U.S. Pat. Nos.: U.S. Ser. No. 10/306,922 issued on Jun. 4, 201; U.S. Pat. No. 9,861,126 issued on Jan. 9, 2018; U.S. Ser. No. 10/674,761 issued on Jun. 9, 2020; U.S. Ser. No. 10/206,572 issued on Feb. 19, 2019; U.S. Ser. No. 10/335,032 issued on Jul. 2, 2019; U.S. Ser. No. 10/674,913 issued on Jun. 9, 2020, and U.S. Patent No. U.S. Ser. No. 10/306,922 issued on Jun. 4, 2019. Such applications include: Ser. No. 16/889,617 published as US20200288785 on Sep. 17, 2020; Ser. No. 15/782,718 published as US20190113501 on Apr. 18, 2019; and Ser. No. 16/890,253 published as US20200288979 on Sep. 17, 2020. The entirety of each of the above patents and applications is incorporated by reference.

11257996

BACKGROUND Technical Field The present invention relates to a light emitting apparatus that includes a light transparent member that allows light from a light emitting device to pass through the light transparent member, and a method for producing the light emitting apparatus. Background Art Semiconductor light emitting devices are small and highly effective in power consumption, and emit vivid color light. In light emitting devices composed of a semiconductor element, there are no concerns about bulb burnout and the like. In addition, semiconductor light emitting devices have features such as excellent initial drive characteristics, and resistance to vibration or light ON/OFF repeats. Also, light emitting apparatuses have been developed that include a light emitting device and a wavelength conversion member and can emit light of various colors. In such light emitting apparatuses, the light emitting device emits source light, while the wavelength conversion member can be excited by the source light to emit light of color different from the source light. Combination of the source light and the light of converted color provides light emission of various colors based on additive color mixture principle. Since semiconductor light emitting devices have these excellent features, light emitting devices such as light emitting diodes (LEDs) and laser diodes (LDs) have been used as various types of light sources. Particularly, in recent years, attentions are given to semiconductor light emitting devices as replacement lighting sources for fluorescent light, and next-generation lighting with lower power consumption and longer life than fluorescent light. Accordingly, semiconductor light emitting devices are required to further improve light emission output and light emission efficiency. In addition, it is desired to provide a semiconductor light emitting device that serves as a high-luminance light source such as a car headlight and a floodlight. One example of such semiconductor light emitting devices can be given by Patent Document 1 that discloses a light emitting apparatus100.FIG. 10shows a cross-sectional view of the light emitting apparatus100. The light emitting apparatus100includes an LED device102, and a case103that is provided with the LED device102. The case103has an opening on a light outgoing side. The LED device102is mounted in this opening. Also, the opening of the case103is filled with a coating material111containing light reflective particles111A. The coating material111covers the external area of the LED device102except a light outgoing surface105A. In addition, a sheet-shaped phosphor layer110is arranged on the external surface of the filling coating material111, and on the light outgoing surface105A. The phosphor layer110is composed of resin containing a phosphor such as YAG (Yttrium Aluminum Garnet), which can absorb light emitted from the LED device2(blue light) and be excited by the absorbed light to emit wavelength conversion light (yellow light). The phosphor layer110is arranged to cover the entire light outgoing surface105A of the LED device102, and has a light emission surface110A exposed on the light outgoing side. The primary light from the LED device102(blue light) is mixed with the secondary light (yellow light) that is converted in wavelength from a part of the primary light. As a result, white light is obtained from the light emission surface110A. Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Laid-Open Publication No, 2007-19096 Patent Document 2: Japanese Patent Laid-Open Publication No. 2002-305328 PROBLEMS TO BE SOLVED BY THE INVENTION However, in the case of the light emitting apparatus100shown inFIG. 10, light enters the phosphor layer110, and then outgoes from not only the light emission surface110A (see an arrow L1inFIG. 10) but also from a side surface104(see an arrow L2inFIG. 10) that extends in the thickness direction. As a result, outgoing light L1from the light emission surface110A side exhibits white, while the outgoing light L2from the side surface104side contains an insufficient blue component of primary light and thus exhibits yellowish white light. In other words, the mixture color rate of the primary light and the secondary light varies depending on parts of the phosphor layer110. For this reason, there is a problem of color unevenness. Also, in the case where a plurality of light emitting apparatuses100are combined for equipment such as lighting so that each light emitting apparatus100serves as a unit light source, light components from the unit light emitting apparatus may be focused or diffused by a light control system such as a lens that serves as a means for correcting the direction of the entire outgoing light to a desired outgoing direction. In this case, it is difficult to control the outgoing direction of a transverse light component of each unit light source, and in addition there is a color difference between the transverse light component and a frontward light component. Accordingly, the transverse light component is interrupted since the transverse light component is likely to deteriorate the entire light emission property of the light emitting apparatuses. This causes loss of luminous flux corresponding to the transverse light component, and luminance reduction. In other words, in the case of the light emitting apparatus100, since there is color unevenness depending on parts of the phosphor layer110as light emission areas, if the light emitting apparatus100is used as a subordinate apparatus, it is necessary to interrupt inadequate light component. Consequently, its luminous flux and luminance may relatively decrease. Also, even if one light emitting apparatus is used, there is a problem similar to the above problem. As stated above, as for light that passes through the phosphor layer110and outgoes from the light emitting apparatus, this light is composed of mixed color light of the primary light from the LED device102, and the secondary light that is converted in wavelength in the phosphor layer110. Desired color light is obtained in accordance with the mixture ratio of the primary light and the secondary light. In other words, the wavelength of emitted light depends on the amount of the wavelength conversion members, or the filling density of the wavelength conversion member in the phosphor layer110. Practically, if the phosphor layer110contains an enough amount of wavelength conversion member to convert the wavelength of the outgoing light from the light source, the thickness of the phosphor layer110cannot be negligible. Although the thickness of the phosphor layer depends on the particle size of the wavelength conversion member itself, and the filling density of the wavelength conversion member, the thickness of the phosphor layer will be four or more times that of a semiconductor structure except its growth substrate by conservative estimates and will be twenty or more times in a normal sense. That is, light emission from the side surface in the light emitting apparatus is visually sufficiently perceivable. Accordingly, proportional to the thickness of the phosphor layer, the color unevenness problem becomes more noticeable. In addition to this, thermal stress of the wavelength conversion member may increase in accordance with increase of power applied to the LED when the LED is driven at a large amount of current. Heat generated by the wavelength conversion member and heat stress caused by the generated heat are likely to reduce light emission properties. In particular, in the case where, in order to realize a high-luminance light source, the wavelength conversion member and the light emitting device are arranged close to or joined to each other, the amount of heat generated by the wavelength conversion member will increase. In this case, a reliability problem caused by said heat may be noticeable. Also, if a plurality of light emitting devices are integrated to provide high luminance, this integration will further complicate the problems that arise in the aforementioned single light emitting device. For example, luminance unevenness and color unevenness caused by the arrangement of the light emitting devices arise in the light emission surface. In addition, since the light emission surface is increased, the luminance unevenness and color unevenness are likely to be affected by the density and the uneven distribution of the aforementioned wavelength conversion member, and as a result the color unevenness will be likely to arise. In addition, since the number of the light emitting devices increases, heat generation will increase, and cooling paths will be complicated so that heat distribution deteriorates. SUMMARY The present invention is devised to solve the above conventional problems. It is an object of the present invention to provide a light emitting apparatus that is excellently resistant to high temperature and can emit light with less color unevenness at high-luminance or can emit light at high power, and a method for producing the light emitting apparatus. Means for Solving Problem To achieve the aforementioned object, a light emitting apparatus according to a first aspect of the present invention includes a light emitting device, a light transparent member that receives incident light emitted from the light emitting device, and a covering member. The light transparent member is formed of an inorganic material light conversion member that has an externally exposed light emission surface and a side surface contiguous to the light emission surface. The covering member contains a light reflective material, and covers at least the side surface of the light transparent member. Also, in a light emitting apparatus according to a second aspect of the present invention, the covering member surrounds the light emitting device. Also, in a light emitting apparatus according to a third aspect of the present invention, the light transparent member is plate-shaped, and has a light receiving surface opposed to the light emission surface. The light emitting device is joined to the light receiving surface. Also, in a light emitting apparatus according to a fourth aspect of the present invention, the light emitting device is mounted on a mount substrate in a flip-chip mounting manner. Also, in a light emitting apparatus according to a fifth aspect of the present invention, the covering member covers the light emitting device. Also, in a light emitting apparatus according to a sixth aspect of the present invention, the light emitting device is enclosed by the light transparent member in plan view from the light emission surface side. Also, in a light emitting apparatus according to a seventh aspect of the present invention, a plurality of light emitting devices are optically connected to one light transparent member. Also, a light emitting apparatus according to an eighth aspect of the present invention includes a plurality of light emitting device, a covering member that surrounds the light emitting device, and a light transparent member. The light transparent member is a plate-shaped light conversion member that is made of an inorganic material, and has an externally exposed light emission surface, a side surface contiguous to the light emission surface and a light receiving surface opposed to the light emission surface. The plurality of light emitting devices are joined to the light receiving surface of the light transparent member, and light from each of the light emitting devices is incident upon the light receiving surface. In addition, the covering member contains a light reflective material, and covers at least the side surface of the light transparent member. Also, in a light emitting apparatus according to a ninth aspect of the present invention, each of the light emitting devices is mounted on a mount substrate in a flip-chip mounting manner. Also, in a light emitting apparatus according to a tenth aspect of the present invention, the covering member covers each of the light emitting devices. Also, in a light emitting apparatus according to an eleventh aspect of the present invention, each of the light emitting devices is separated away from the covering member by a hollow part. Also, in a light emitting apparatus according to a twelfth aspect of the present invention, the covering member includes, on the light emission surface side of the light emitting apparatus, an externally exposed surface substantially coplanar with the light emission surface. Also, in a light emitting apparatus according to a thirteenth aspect of the present invention, the light emitting device is enclosed by the light transparent member in plan view from the light emission surface side. Also, in a light emitting apparatus according to a fourteenth aspect of the present invention, junction areas and a covering area are arranged on the light receiving surface side of the light transparent member. The light emitting devices are joined to the junction areas, and the covering area is covered by the covering member. Also, in a light emitting apparatus according to a fifteenth aspect of the present invention, the light emitting devices are separated away from each other, and a separation area is arranged on the light receiving surface side of the light transparent member between the junction areas. The covering area is arranged in the separation area. Also, in a light emitting apparatus according to a sixteenth aspect of the present invention, the light transparent member includes a protrusion area that protrudes outward relative to the light emitting devices. The covering area is located in the protrusion area of the light receiving surface. Also, in a light emitting apparatus according to a seventeenth aspect of the present invention, the covering member contains, in a transparent resin, at least one oxide containing an element selected from the group consisting of Ti, Zr, Nb and Al as the light reflective material. Also, in a light emitting apparatus according to an eighteenth aspect of the present invention, the covering member is a porous material composed of at least one material selected from the group consisting of Al2O3, AlN, MgF, TiO2, ZrO2, Nb2O5, SiO2as the light reflective materials. Also, in a light emitting apparatus according to a nineteenth aspect of the present invention, the light conversion member contains a phosphor, and can convert the wavelength of at least a part of light emitted from the light emitting device. Also, in a light emitting apparatus according to a twentieth aspect of the present invention, the light conversion member is a sintered material of an inorganic substance and the phosphor. Also, in a light emitting apparatus according to a twenty-first aspect of the present invention, the inorganic substance is alumina (Al2O3), and the phosphor is YAG (Y3Al5O12). Also, a light emitting device production method according to a twenty-second aspect of the present invention is a method for producing a light emitting apparatus including a light emitting device, a light transparent member that receives incident light emitted from the light emitting device, and a covering member. The method includes first to third steps. In the first step, the light emitting device is mounted on a wiring substrate so that the light emitting device and the wiring substrate are electrically connected to each other. In the second step, at least a part of a light outgoing side opposed to the mount side of the light emitting device is optically connected to the light transparent member. In the third step, a side surface of the light transparent member extending in the thickness direction is covered by the covering member. The covering member is formed so that the external surface of the covering member extends along the external surface the external surface of said light transparent member. Effects of the Invention In the configuration of a light emitting apparatus according to the present invention, as for a light transparent member, a light emission surface from which light outgoes is exposed from a covering member, and a side surface contiguous to the light emission surface is covered by the covering member. That is, substantially only the light emission surface serves as the light emission area of the light emitting apparatus. Since the side surface is covered by the covering member, light that travels from the light emitting device to the side surface side is reflected by the covering member adjacent to the side surface so that this reflected component of light can outgoes from the light emission surface side. As a result, it is possible to avoid that light with different color from the central part of the light transparent member passes the side surface and outgoes. Consequently, it is possible to suppress that color unevenness appears. In addition, since light traveling toward the side surface can be directed to outgo from the light emission surface side, it is possible to suppress the loss of the entire luminous flux amount and to improve the luminance on the light emission surface. Accordingly, it is possible to provide emitted light having excellent directivity and luminance. As a result, emitted light can be easily optically controlled. Therefore, in the case where each light emitting apparatus is used as a unit light source, the light emitting apparatus has high secondary usability. In addition, since heat can be conducted to the covering member, it is possible to improve heat dissipation from the light transparent member. Therefore, it is possible to improve the reliability of the light emitting apparatus. Furthermore, in the case of a light emitting apparatus that includes a plurality of integrated light emitting devices, it is possible to provide uniform luminance distribution in the plane of the light emitting apparatus. Therefore, it is possible to provide a high luminance light source with reduced color unevenness. Also, according to a light emitting apparatus production method of the present invention, since after a light transparent member is positioned, a side surface of the light transparent member is covered by a covering member, it is possible to provide desired adjustment for a light emission surface of the light transparent member. In addition, it is possible to easily airtightly seal a light emitting device surrounded by the light transparent member and the covering member.

11237998

BACKGROUND This disclosure relates to an interface bridge for efficient communication between a first integrated circuit die that includes programmable logic and a second integrated circuit die that supports the first integrated circuit die. This section is intended to introduce the reader to various aspects of art that may be related to various 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. Integrated circuit devices are used in numerous electronic systems. Computers, handheld devices, portable phones, televisions, industrial control systems, robotics, and telecommunication networking—to name just a few—all use integrated circuit devices. Integrated circuit devices may be formed using lithography techniques that pattern circuitry onto a substrate wafer that is diced to form a number of (generally identical) individual integrated circuit die. Each integrated circuit die may include many different components, such as programmable logic fabric, digital or analog signal transmission circuitry, digital signal processing circuitry, application-specific data processing circuitry, memory, and so forth. In general, different components may be based on different underlying technologies. Thus, different components of an integrated circuit device may be better suited to different development cycles or fabrication techniques. For example, programmable logic fabric such as field programmable gate array (FPGA) fabric may scale well to smaller sizes and thus may benefit from greatly by newer lithography techniques. On the other hand, other technologies, such as certain analog signal transmission circuitry, may not scale as well and may be better suited for older fabrication techniques. To enable different components of an integrated circuit device to be developed more independently, some of the components may be moved off-chip. Instead of a single monolithic design, a first integrated circuit die with some of the components may be fabricated separately from a second integrated circuit die with other components. As such, the various separate integrated circuit die may be fabricated using different lithography techniques or generations, and may be developed according to different schedules. Yet separating the components onto separate die may come at a cost. Namely, it may be difficult or impossible to use the same number of wires between the separate first integrated circuit die and the second integrated circuit die. SUMMARY A summary of certain embodiments disclosed herein is set forth below. It should be understood that these aspects are presented merely to provide the reader with a brief summary of these certain embodiments and that these aspects are not intended to limit the scope of this disclosure. Indeed, this disclosure may encompass a variety of aspects that may not be set forth below. An interface bridge to enable communication between a first integrated circuit die and a second integrated circuit die is provided. The two integrated circuit die may be connected via chip-to-chip interconnects of a silicon bridge. The first integrated circuit die may include programmable logic fabric. The second integrated circuit die may support the first integrated circuit die. The first integrated circuit die and the secondary integrated circuit die may communicate with one another via the chip-to-chip interconnects using an interface bridge. The first and second component integrated circuits may include circuitry to implement the interface bridge, which may provide source-synchronous communication using a data receive clock from the second integrated circuit die to the first integrated circuit die. In another example, a method includes receiving, from a network connection of a transceiver, configuration signals for programmable logic fabric of a first integrated circuit die. The transceiver may be disposed in a second integrated circuit die separate from the first integrated circuit die. The configuration signals may be communicated via a source-synchronous connection from the second integrated circuit die to the first integrated circuit die. In another example, an integrated circuit device includes a programmable logic fabric and an interface to a second integrated circuit device comprising a plurality of interconnect points that correspond to respective interconnect points of the second integrated circuit device. The interconnect points may be arranged in pairs that can be selectively configured by the interface to be one of: two single-ended inputs, two single-ended outputs, a differential input, and a differential output. At least some of the pairs may be able to be selectively configured by the interface to be: data pins, combinatorial pins, and clock pins. The interface may permit configuration signals to be received from the second integrated circuit device to configure the programmable logic fabric of the first integrated circuit device. Various refinements of the features noted above may be made in relation to various aspects of the present disclosure. Further features may also be incorporated in these various aspects as well. These refinements and additional features may be made individually or in any combination. For instance, various features discussed below in relation to one or more of the illustrated embodiments may be incorporated into any of the above-described aspects of the present invention alone or in any combination. The brief summary presented above is intended only to familiarize the reader with certain aspects and contexts of embodiments of the present disclosure without limitation to the claimed subject matter.

11285097

FIELD OF THE INVENTION The invention is in the field of decorative cosmetics and relates to fruit flavorings with a yellow taste impression, which can be produced by combining two flavors with a completely different taste impression, various preparations, especially lipsticks, that contain these flavors, and use thereof. PRIOR ART Lipstick is among a woman's most important cosmetic articles. However, the history of this indispensable beauty aid did not begin in recent times, but goes back many centuries. The oldest finding that indicates coloring of the lips originates from 3500 B.C. At excavations in the Sumerian city of Ur, researchers discovered a kind of lip salve. It is also often documented that queens such as Nefertiti (about 1350 B.C.) not only painted their lips red, but also accentuated their eyes. Also for men, mainly warriors, colored lips were quite usual. While it is unclear whether and how women in the Middle Ages used makeup, cosmetics were very popular in the Baroque period. Queen Elizabeth I emphasized her red lips even more by the contrast of her white-powdered face. She is also said to be the first woman to use lip color in stick form. In 1883, a perfume manufacturer from Paris presented a stick made of colored castor oil, deer tallow and beeswax wrapped in tissue paper at the World Fair in Amsterdam. At first, however, it had a tough time, as it was not only regarded as sinful, but in addition it was also very expensive. The French actress Sarah Bernhardt, a diva of the late 19th century, made lipstick popular, standing on the stage with cherry-red lips. Guerlain was the first to put lipstick in a metal sleeve, in 1910. The triumphant progress of lipstick began conclusively in the Golden Twenties. Starting from 1948, designers encased it in a practical metal sleeve with a sliding mechanism, so that the ladies only colored their lips and not also their fingers or purses. The Revlon brothers Charles and Joseph produced not only the first nail polish, but were also the first to match the color for the nails to that for the lips. The American chemist Hazel Bishop developed the lanolin-based lipstick that does not allow the color to smudge, which is still in use today. Subsequently, lipstick was able to shake off its “grime” image, and progressed to become the symbol of independence and emancipation. The suffragettes painted their lips bright-red as they marched through New York in 1912. Just for a short time, the mouths of those in Parisian artists' circles were sometimes even a garish green—but after several women died, the toxic verdigris powder was quickly banned again. In the Second World War, the beautician even gained a patriotic function: the lips of the allied ladies radiated “Victory Red” and “Patriot Red”, makeup was regarded as a patriotic duty, which promoted perseverance on the home front. After the English had stopped the production of decorative cosmetics in 1939 in favor of products that were essential to the war effort, the motivation of the female workers fell sharply. They quickly thought better of it and allowed lipsticks to roll off the production line again. After the lipstick twist-tube was invented in the USA in 1949, the global triumphant progress of the little coloring tube could no longer be halted. Now lipstick has progressed to a high-tech product, which promises more than great durability and flexible application. Cosmetics companies advertise with “networks of hydrating capsules and polymers”, “reflecting pigments” or small beads that automatically release a new color by pressing the lips together. The color range has also been expanded. Whereas in the fifties lipsticks could still be bought in red, pink and brown, there are now enticing colors such as “Dance Floor Rouge”, “Rum Kiss”, “Walk the Catwalk Brown”, “Pink in the Limo”, “Strawbaby”, “Deep Love”, “Film Noir”. The selection offered by perfumeries, drugstores, supermarkets and naturally also online of lipsticks of all price ranges seems to meet every desire. Nevertheless, the manufacturers, always looking for something new, need to find an alternative, to satisfy an unmet need, and to set themselves apart from the competition. The products that are aimed in particular at the interesting target group of girls and women include lipsticks that have a fruit flavor on application, because this is associated with freshness and youthfulness. Also many balms in stick form have fruit flavorings, for example strawberry or apple. There is particular interest in marketing stick products that have two different flavors. This can be achieved by having one half of the stick containing the matrix with one flavor and the other half containing the same matrix but with the other flavor. A different taste is produced, depending on which side of the stick is used. A challenge that up to now has not yet been overcome is to manufacture sticks that have not two, but three different taste notes, wherein the simplest path—namely simply dividing the stick into three different flavor zones—should not be followed. The present invention is therefore based on the concrete problem of providing preparations, especially cosmetic preparations and primarily stick products, which during use are able to produce three entirely individual flavor notes of the type red, green and yellow, wherein pure mixed notes should be excluded.

11330397

TECHNICAL FIELD The present disclosure generally relates to electronic transceiver tags, and more particularly, to tracking the proximity of electronic tags either operating independently to broadcast wirelessly its own presence, and/or detect the presence of other tags by receiving their wireless transmissions. The electronic tags may also operate within an infrastructure such as a mesh network with which the tags communicate wirelessly and that their location may be tracked in real time. The electronic tags may be dedicated hardware devices for these purposes, or they may take the form of software applications running on mobile devices. Dedicated tags may interoperate with software applications running in the foreground or background, or they may send beacon signals that trigger actions using mechanisms that are native to the mobile device's operating systems, such as iOS and Android. In this case the software application may be invoked to operate upon receipt of such beacon signals, and the applications do not need to be running in the foreground or background at all. The tracking system also consist of mobile devices, such as mobile phones, which may be used for multiple purposes including the initial registration of the tag to the system, to relay data stored in the tags to remote computers, and to run dedicated software applications to function as tags themselves. The mobile devices may relay data in real time, or may be used when a tag's stored data is to be uploaded to the remote computer in a non-real time manner. Whether implemented as dedicated electronic tags or using mobile devices, there is significant power consumption due to the need to continuously receive from the tags in order to provide continuous monitoring. The present disclosure pertains also to methods that may be employed to achieve such functional objectives with significantly reduced power consumption. BACKGROUND Electronic tags are often used in tracking of goods, personnel, vehicles and many other objects which for convenience will be referred to as “assets” in the subsequent description. Conventional technologies allow for the location of such assets to be approximated, within a predetermined area, by having specific access points triangulate the received signal strength indicator (RSSI) of electronic signals emitted from the electronic tags attached to said assets. While this technique works well for detecting the presence of an asset within a predetermined area it is not well suited for determining the location and relative proximity between two assets and thus two electronic tags, which may be in locations where such access points are not deployed. In other words, there is no tracking solution to efficiently address the proximity of two tags relative to each other without deploying an infrastructure, which increases the costs of deployment and severely restricting the use of such tags in areas where such infrastructure exists. For example, in hospitals settings, detection of any errors in mother-infant pairing may be achieved by tags worn by the mother and infant, by virtue of their proximity. For another example, in a self-quarantine setting, a subject under self-quarantine may be monitored by a wristband that acts as a tag, and a mobile device that acts as the other tag. The mobile device reports its proximity with the wristband as well as its own GPS location to a remote monitoring station, which may then determine that the subject under self-quarantine is present at the desired quarantine location as reported by the mobile device. The location of the mobile device may further be determined by barometric sensor reading, as well as Wi-Fi network scanning, both of which are functions available in most mobile devices. For a third example, in a contact-tracing setting, a tag worn by a user may transmit signals and also receive signals from other tags within the proximity determined by the RSSI as close contacts, and all signals received are recorded for the time and duration of contact. The recorded data may then be uploaded to a central computer where data analyses from other tags are combined to provide tracing of disease transmission routes. These results may then be used to help identify all individuals with high likelihood of infection, or to discover the original source of infection in a disease outbreak. For a fourth example, conference attendees, conference exhibitors and staff may carry tags that both transmit and receive, so that all contact may thus be automatically logged for later use. Similarly there may be stationary tags in fixed locations, such as exhibition booths, where all attendees' presence and its duration may be logged, in both the attendees' tags as well as location tags. These logs may then be uploaded later from the tags for analysis of attendance to various locations and interactions between exhibitors and attendees. BRIEF SUMMARY In one aspect, a method includes transmitting from a transceiver tag a beacon signal, the beacon signal includes data packets including at least a device ID for the transceiver tag. The method also includes receiving at the transceiver tag, at least one received beacon signal from at least one of another transceiver tag, a transmitting tag, a gateway, a mobile device, and a static beacon. The method also includes maintaining a local real-time clock. A received signal strength indicator (RSSI) value is determined for the at least one received beacon signal. The transceiver tag is configured with tag operating parameters, the tag operating parameters configurable and including at least one of an advertising interval, a contact window, a scan period, a scan duty cycle, an RSSI filter threshold, and an RSSI contact threshold. The method also includes, on condition the RSSI value of the received beacon signal is below the RSSI filter threshold, ignoring the received beacon signal. The method further includes, on condition the RSSI value of the received beacon signal is at least the RSSI filter threshold, applying a smoothing filter to the RSSI value to create a smoothed RSSI value. The method additionally includes, on condition the smoothed RSSI value of the received beacon signal is at least the RSSI contact threshold creating an open contact record, the open contact record includes a received device ID from the data packets of the received beacon signal, the smoothed RSSI value of the received beacon signal, and a first time stamp based on the local real-time clock, and storing the open contact record in a local memory. The method also includes, on condition the smoothed RSSI value of the received beacon signal transitions from at least the RSSI contact threshold to below the RSSI contact threshold, adding a second time stamp, based on the local real-time clock, to the open contact record, and closing the open contact record to create a contact record. The method further includes uploading contact records from the transceiver tag to a cloud server. The method additionally includes storing the contact records on the cloud server. The method also includes analyzing the contact records on the cloud server. In one aspect, a system includes a transceiver tag, a cloud server, and at least one of a gateway and a mobile device. The transceiver tag includes a transceiver, a battery, a processor, and a memory storing instructions that, when executed by the processor, configure the transceiver tag to execute the method indicated above.

11401223

CROSS REFERENCE TO THE RELATED APPLICATIONS This application is the national phase entry of International Application No. PCT/CN2021/074743, filed on Feb. 2, 2020, which is based upon and claims priority to Chinese Patent Application No. 202010425978.8, filed on May 19, 2020, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. TECHNICAL FIELD The present disclosure relates to the technical field of perchloroethylene (PCE) stabilization, and in particular to a solid composite stabilizer for PCE and a preparation method thereof. BACKGROUND PCE is a colorless liquid with a slight ether odor, and is widely used in the dry cleaning of fabrics and the metal degreasing due to its unique characteristics. However, there are very serious issues in the production, use, and storage of PCE because PCE is extremely unstable. Unstabilized PCE will decompose under the influence of air, light, heat, moisture, and metal, resulting in increased acidity and deteriorated PCE quality. Furthermore, deteriorated PCE will damage and contaminate fiber structures of fabrics, corrode related devices, and lose the original mild ether odor and produce a pungent odor. After PCE is stagnant for a long time, there will be yellow-green dewdrops on the walls of a bottle with the PCE (even vapors can be seen when a bottle stopper is pulled out), and the PCE is strongly acidic. The instability of PCE is related to a molecular structure of PCE. Carbon-carbon double bonds in PCE molecules can be broken due to oxygen, light, heat, moisture, and other external factors, which promotes the decomposition of PCE. There are currently two decomposition mechanisms. The first decomposition mechanism is oxidative decomposition, which is shown in the following reaction equation: In the presence of air (oxygen), light, heat, and moisture (especially oxygen), a double bond of PCE is broken, and then is combined with oxygen to form an intermediate peroxide (I) and a compound (II), wherein the intermediate peroxide (I) undergoes molecular rearrangement to generate trichloroacetyl chloride and oxygen, and the compound (II) is further decomposed into phosgene (carbonyl chloride) with high molecular activity. The decomposition of the intermediate compound is accelerated by light and heat, especially by ultraviolet (UV) rays. In a wet solvent, trichloroacetyl chloride and phosgene are hydrolyzed into trichloroacetic acid (TCA), hydrogen chloride, and carbon dioxide. Apparently, if metals are present in the system, metal chlorides will inevitably be generated, and these decomposition products and light are catalysts for the decomposition reaction, which promotes the decomposition reaction to proceed continuously. The second decomposition mechanism is polycondensation decomposition, wherein when PCE is in contact with a metal chloride at a high temperature, the metal chloride serves as a catalyst to accelerate the polycondensation decomposition of PCE, so as to produce a tar-like polymer and hydrogen chloride. PCE for rinsing or dry cleaning will inevitably contact with metals at a high temperature. PCE is typically decomposed by the first decomposition mechanism, but the second decomposition mechanism is still feasible. With PCE is decomposing, an acidity of a solvent increases significantly, and a hydrogen chloride gas overflows. The decomposition products of PCE were very complex, including organic acids, inorganic acids, phosgene, carbon oxides, polymers, and so on. Therefore, a stabilizer for effectively preventing the decomposition of PCE according to the above two mechanisms should have the function of inhibiting both the oxidative decomposition and the polycondensation decomposition. Generally, an antioxidant is used to prevent the oxidative decomposition, and an acid acceptor or a deactivator capable of deactivating metals and metal chlorides can be used to prevent the polycondensation decomposition. Chinese patent 201610389109.8 discloses a stabilizer for PCE, including the following components: triethanolamine (TEA), n-pentane, chlorobutanol, butylene oxide, and thymol; and the stabilizer is used in PCE at an amount of 0.02 wt % to 0.041 wt %. However, the composition stabilizer is in liquid form and thus is not easy to separate from PCE after being mixed with PCE. No matter how much the stabilizer is added to PCE, an infrared radiation (IR) spectrum of the PCE will be affected somewhat, and IR impurities are introduced, which will eventually lead to unqualified PCE products. SUMMARY In order to solve the technical problem that after being mixed with PCE, the existing stabilizer is not easy to separate from PCE, results in IR impurities, and leads to an unqualified product, the present disclosure provides a solid composite stabilizer for PCE and a preparation method thereof. The solid composite stabilizer for PCE of the present disclosure is immiscible with PCE, does not affect a purity of PCE, does not result in IR impurities, and shows a prominent stabilizing effect for PCE (a stabilizing effect for PCE can last for more than 18 months). To achieve the above objective, the present disclosure is implemented by the following technical solutions. A solid composite stabilizer for PCE is provided, including the following components in parts by weight: 10 to 30 parts of a phenol-substituted ion-exchange resin, 50 to 80 parts of a basic anion-exchange resin, and 50 to 100 parts of a desiccating agent. Further, the phenol-substituted ion-exchange resin may be a first substitution product from a reaction of a phenolic compound with chloromethylated macroporous polystyrene-divinylbenzene (PS-DVB); and the chloromethylated macroporous PS-DVB may have a benzyl chloride content of 12 wt % to 15 wt %. Furthermore, the first substitution product may be obtained by washing with water, methanol, and absolute methanol and drying, and the first substitution product may have a moisture content of ≤50 ppm and an undetectable methanol residue. Preferably, the phenolic compound may be a hydroquinone monosodium salt. The phenolic compound can also be other phenolic compounds, such as phenol, resorcinol, or catechol or a salt thereof. A first substitution product obtained by using the hydroquinone monosodium salt as a substituent to substitute a chloride ion of the ion-exchange resin exhibits better antioxidation and stabilization performance for PCE than a first substitution product obtained from other phenolic compounds. Further, the basic anion-exchange resin may be a second substitution product from a reaction of an amine compound with chloromethylated macroporous PS-DVB; and the chloromethylated macroporous PS-DVB may have a benzyl chloride content of 12 wt % to 15 wt %. Furthermore, the second substitution product may be obtained by washing with water, methanol, and absolute methanol and drying, and the second substitution product may have a moisture content of ≤50 ppm and an undetectable methanol residue. Preferably, the amine compound may be ethylenediamine (EDA). Another organic amine compound can also be used as a substituent to substitute a chloride ion of the ion-exchange resin. Considering the cost and effect, a second substitution product prepared with EDA as a substituent exhibits better deacidification performance for PCE than a second substitution product prepared from other organic amine compounds. Further, the desiccating agent may be a 4 A molecular sieve. The 4 A molecular sieve is easy to obtain and has a low cost. Chloromethylated macroporous PS-DVB is a solid ion-exchange resin, which has a low cost and is easy to obtain. Chloromethylated macroporous PS-DVB can easily undergo a substitution reaction to obtain a first substitution product (obtained from a reaction of a phenolic compound with the chloromethylated macroporous PS-DVB) and a second substitution product (obtained from a reaction of an amine compound with the chloromethylated macroporous PS-DVB), and these substitution products have a low cost and an excellent effect. In addition, the substitution products of the ion-exchange resin are insoluble in PCE and will not affect the intrinsic physical and chemical properties of PCE. A composition of the substitution products of the ion-exchange resin and the molecular sieve has a smaller specific gravity than PCE, thus floats in a PCE liquid, and is easy to fully contact with the PCE liquid to play a role. In another aspect, the present disclosure provides a preparation method of the solid composite stabilizer for PCE, including the following step: thoroughly mixing the phenol-substituted ion-exchange resin, the basic anion-exchange resin, and the desiccating agent in a specified ratio to obtain the solid composite stabilizer for PCE, where the solid composite stabilizer for PCE is packaged in a glass fiber bag and placed in PCE for storage and use. Further, the solid composite stabilizer for PCE may be used at an amount of 0.5 wt % to 1.0 wt % per 500 mL of PCE. BENEFICIAL TECHNICAL EFFECTS In a preparation process of PCE, PCE will inevitably be contaminated by a trace amount of moisture in the environment, and during storage, the trace amount of moisture may undergo a free radical reaction with oxygen to produce an acyl chloride compound, and the acyl chloride compound further reacts with moisture to produce an acid, causing deterioration of PCE. The hydroxyl of the acid will cause IR absorption, and thus the PCE cannot reach the IR absorption index of environmentally-friendly reagents due to IR impurities. The substituted phenol on the phenol-substituted ion-exchange resin in the solid composite stabilizer of the present disclosure can capture free radicals generated in the above process and inhibit the reaction of the trace amount of moisture with oxygen to generate free radicals; the molecular sieve can absorb and remove the trace amount of moisture to suppress the formation of acid in the above process; and if an acid is inevitably produced in the above process, the amine compound substituent on the basic anion-exchange resin can react with the acid to form a salt, and the salt is adsorbed on the macroporous PS-DVB ion-exchange resin and does not affect the optical properties of PCE, thereby ensuring the quality of PCE. According to quality standards, a shelf life of environmentally-friendly PCE is 6 months, and the stabilization of the solid composite stabilizer of the present disclosure for PCE can make a shelf life of environmentally-friendly PCE be more than 18 months. The solid composite stabilizer of the present disclosure can eliminate the free radicals of PCE during storage, scavenge produced deterioration substances such as acid anhydride or acid, and maintain the dryness of a PCE product. The solid composite stabilizer of the present disclosure is insoluble in PCE, and thus does not affect the critical optical (IR) quality and density of a PC product. The solid composite stabilizer of the present disclosure is packaged in a glass fiber bag, which is convenient for use and separation. In addition, the solid composite stabilizer of the present disclosure is easy to prepare, and the phenol-substituted ion-exchange resin and basic anion-exchange resin can be obtained by subjecting a conventional ion-exchange resins to a substitution reaction, which can be produced on a large scale.

11361693

The application is a U.S. National Phase Entry of International Application No. PCT/CN2019/095480 filed on Jul. 10, 2019, designating the United States of America and claiming priority to Chinese Patent Application No. 201810898493.3, filed on Aug. 8, 2018. The present application claims priority to and the benefit of the above-identified applications and the above-identified applications are incorporated by reference herein in their entirety. TECHNICAL FIELD The embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a shift register unit, a gate driving circuit, a display device, and a driving method. BACKGROUND In a field of display technology, for example, a pixel array of a liquid crystal display panel or an organic light emitting diode (OLED) display panel generally comprises a plurality of rows of gate lines and a plurality of columns of data lines interleaved with the plurality of rows of gate lines. The gate lines can be driven by a gate driving circuit. The gate driving circuit is usually integrated in a gate driving chip (Gate IC). SUMMARY At least one embodiment of the present disclosure provides a shift register unit, and the shift register unit comprises a first input circuit, an output control circuit, and an output circuit. The first input circuit is configured to output a first input signal to a first node in response to a first control signal; the output control circuit is configured to output an output control signal to a second node under control of a level of the first node; and the output circuit comprises an output terminal, and the output circuit is configured to output an output signal to the output terminal under control of a level of the second node. For example, in the shift register unit provided by an embodiment of the present disclosure, the first input circuit is connected to the first node, the output control circuit is connected to the first node and the second node, and the output circuit is connected to the second node. For example, in the shift register unit provided by an embodiment of the present disclosure, the output terminal comprises a shift output terminal and at least one scan signal output terminal. For example, the shift register unit provided by an embodiment of the present disclosure further comprises a third node control circuit. The third node control circuit is connected to the first node and a third node, and is configured to control a level of the third node under control of the level of the first node. For example, the shift register unit provided by an embodiment of the present disclosure further comprises a first noise reduction circuit. The first noise reduction circuit is connected to the first node, the second node, and the third node, and is configured to perform noise reduction on the first node and the second node under control of the level of the third node. For example, the shift register unit provided by an embodiment of the present disclosure further comprises a fourth node control circuit. The fourth node control circuit is connected to the second node and a fourth node, and is configured to control a level of the fourth node under control of the level of the second node. For example, the shift register unit provided by an embodiment of the present disclosure further comprises a second noise reduction circuit. The second noise reduction circuit is connected to the second node, the fourth node, and the output terminal, and is configured to perform noise reduction on the second node and the output terminal under control of the level of the fourth node. For example, in the shift register unit provided by an embodiment of the present disclosure, the first input circuit comprises a first transistor, a gate electrode of the first transistor is connected to a display control terminal to receive the first control signal, a first electrode of the first transistor is connected to a first voltage terminal to receive a first voltage as the first input signal, and a second electrode of the first transistor is connected to the first node. For example, in the shift register unit provided by an embodiment of the present disclosure, the third node control circuit comprises a second transistor, a third transistor, and a fourth transistor; a gate electrode and a first electrode of the second transistor are connected to each other, and are connected to a first clock signal terminal to receive a first clock signal, and a second electrode of the second transistor is connected to the third node; a gate electrode and a first electrode of the third transistor are connected to each other, and are connected to a second clock signal terminal to receive a second clock signal, and a second electrode of the third transistor is connected to the third node; and a gate electrode of the fourth transistor is connected to the first node, a first electrode of the fourth transistor is connected to the third node, and a second electrode of the fourth transistor is connected to a second voltage terminal to receive a second voltage. For example, in the shift register unit provided by an embodiment of the present disclosure, the first noise reduction circuit comprises a fifth transistor and a sixth transistor. A gate electrode of the fifth transistor is connected to the third node, a first electrode of the fifth transistor is connected to the first node, and a second electrode of the fifth transistor is connected to a second voltage terminal to receive a second voltage; and a gate electrode of the sixth transistor is connected to the third node, a first electrode of the sixth transistor is connected to the second node, and a second electrode of the sixth transistor is connected to the second voltage terminal to receive the second voltage. For example, in the shift register unit provided by an embodiment of the present disclosure, the output control circuit comprises a seventh transistor and a first capacitor; a gate electrode of the seventh transistor is connected to the first node, a first electrode of the seventh transistor is connected to a third clock signal terminal to receive a third clock signal as the output control signal, and a second electrode of the seventh transistor is connected to the second node; and a first terminal of the first capacitor is connected to the first node, and a second terminal of the first capacitor is connected to the second node. For example, in the shift register unit provided by an embodiment of the present disclosure, the fourth node control circuit comprises an eighth transistor, a ninth transistor, and a tenth transistor; a gate electrode and a first electrode of the eighth transistor are connected to each other, and are connected to a first clock signal terminal to receive a first clock signal, and a second electrode of the eighth transistor is connected to the fourth node; a gate electrode and a first electrode of the ninth transistor are connected to each other, and are connected to a second clock signal terminal to receive a second clock signal, and a second electrode of the ninth transistor is connected to the fourth node; and a gate electrode of the tenth transistor is connected to the second node, a first electrode of the tenth transistor is connected to the fourth node, and a second electrode of the tenth transistor is connected to a second voltage terminal to receive a second voltage. For example, in the shift register unit provided by an embodiment of the present disclosure, the at least one scan signal output terminal comprises a first scan signal output terminal and a second scan signal output terminal, and the second noise reduction circuit comprises an eleventh transistor, a twelfth transistor, a thirteenth transistor, and a fourteenth transistor. A gate electrode of the eleventh transistor is connected to the fourth node, a first electrode of the eleventh transistor is connected to the second node, and a second electrode of the eleventh transistor is connected to a second voltage terminal to receive a second voltage; a gate electrode of the twelfth transistor is connected to the fourth node, a first electrode of the twelfth transistor is connected to the shift output terminal, and a second electrode of the twelfth transistor is connected to the second voltage terminal to receive the second voltage; a gate electrode of the thirteenth transistor is connected to the fourth node, a first electrode of the thirteenth transistor is connected to the first scan signal output terminal, and a second electrode of the thirteenth transistor is connected to a third voltage terminal to receive a third voltage; and a gate electrode of the fourteenth transistor is connected to the fourth node, a first electrode of the fourteenth transistor is connected to the second scan signal output terminal, and a second electrode of the fourteenth transistor is connected to the third voltage terminal to receive the third voltage. For example, in the shift register unit provided by an embodiment of the present disclosure, the output circuit comprises a fifteenth transistor, a sixteenth transistor, a seventeenth transistor, and a second capacitor. A gate electrode of the fifteenth transistor is connected to the second node, a first electrode of the fifteenth transistor is connected to a fourth clock signal terminal to receive a fourth clock signal as the output signal, and a second electrode of the fifteenth transistor is connected to the shift output terminal; a gate electrode of the sixteenth transistor is connected to the second node, and a first electrode of the sixteenth transistor is connected to the fourth clock signal terminal to receive the fourth clock signal as the output signal, and a second electrode of the sixteenth transistor is connected to the first scan signal output terminal; a gate electrode of the seventeenth transistor is connected to the second node, and a first electrode of the seventeenth transistor is connected to a fifth clock signal terminal to receive a fifth clock signal as the output signal, and a second electrode of the seventeenth transistor is connected to the second scan signal output terminal; and a first terminal of the second capacitor is connected to the second node, and a second terminal of the second capacitor is connected to the shift output terminal. For example, the shift register unit provided by an embodiment of the present disclosure further comprises a second input circuit. The second input circuit is connected to the first node and is configured to input a second input signal to the first node according to a second control signal. For example, in the shift register unit provided by an embodiment of the present disclosure, the second input circuit comprises a charging sub-circuit, a storage sub-circuit, and an isolation sub-circuit; the charging sub-circuit is connected to a blanking node, and is configured to input the second control signal to the blanking node in response to a sixth clock signal; the storage sub-circuit is connected to the blanking node, and is configured to store a level of the second control signal input by the charging sub-circuit; and the isolation sub-circuit is connected to the blanking node and the first node, and is configured to input the second input signal to the first node under control of a level of the blanking node and a seventh clock signal. For example, in the shift register unit provided by an embodiment of the present disclosure, the charging sub-circuit comprises an eighteenth transistor, a gate electrode of the eighteenth transistor is connected to a sixth clock signal terminal to receive the sixth clock signal, a first electrode of the eighteenth transistor is connected to a blanking control terminal to receive the second control signal, and a second electrode of the eighteenth transistor is connected to the blanking node; the storage sub-circuit comprises a third capacitor, a first terminal of the third capacitor is connected to the blanking node, and a second terminal of the third capacitor is connected to a second voltage terminal to receive a second voltage; and the isolation sub-circuit comprises a nineteenth transistor and a twentieth transistor, a gate electrode of the nineteenth transistor is connected to the blanking node, a first electrode of the nineteenth transistor is connected to an eighth clock signal terminal to receive an eighth clock signal as the second input signal, and a second electrode of the nineteenth transistor is connected to a first electrode of the twentieth transistor, a gate electrode of the twentieth transistor is connected to a seventh clock signal terminal to receive the seventh clock signal, and a second electrode of the twentieth transistor is connected to the first node. For example, the shift register unit provided by an embodiment of the present disclosure further comprises a display reset circuit. The display reset circuit is connected to the first node and is configured to reset the first node in response to a display reset signal. For example, in the shift register unit provided by an embodiment of the present disclosure, the display reset circuit comprises a twenty-first transistor. A gate electrode of the twenty-first transistor is connected to a display reset terminal to receive the display reset signal, a first electrode of the twenty-first transistor is connected to the first node, and a second electrode of the twenty-first transistor is connected to a second voltage terminal to receive a second voltage. For example, the shift register unit provided by an embodiment of the present disclosure further comprises a blanking reset circuit. The blanking reset circuit is connected to the first node and is configured to reset the first node in response to a blanking reset signal. For example, in the shift register unit provided by an embodiment of the present disclosure, the blanking reset circuit comprises a twenty-second transistor. A gate electrode of the twenty-second transistor is connected to a sixth clock signal terminal to receive the sixth clock signal as the blanking reset signal, and a first electrode of the twenty-second transistor is connected to the first node, and a second electrode of the twenty-second transistor is connected to the second voltage terminal to receive the second voltage. For example, the shift register unit provided by an embodiment of the present disclosure further comprises a third node control circuit, a first noise reduction circuit, a fourth node control circuit, a second noise reduction circuit, a second input circuit, a display reset circuit, and a blanking reset circuit. The first input circuit comprises a first transistor, a gate electrode of the first transistor is connected to a display control terminal to receive the first control signal, a first electrode of the first transistor is connected to a first voltage terminal to receive a first voltage as the first input signal, and a second electrode of the first transistor is connected to the first node; the third node control circuit comprises a second transistor, a third transistor, and a fourth transistor, a gate electrode and a first electrode of the second transistor are connected to each other and are connected to a first clock signal terminal to receive a first clock signal, a second electrode of the second transistor is connected to the third node, a gate electrode and a first electrode of the third transistor are connected to each other and are connected to a second clock signal terminal to receive a second clock signal, a second electrode of the third transistor is connected to the third node, a gate electrode of the fourth transistor is connected to the first node, a first electrode of the fourth transistor is connected to the third node, and a second electrode of the fourth transistor is connected to a second voltage terminal to receive a second voltage; the first noise reduction circuit comprises a fifth transistor and a sixth transistor, a gate electrode of the fifth transistor is connected to the third node, a first electrode of the fifth transistor is connected to the first node, and a second electrode of the fifth transistor is connected to the second voltage terminal to receive the second voltage, a gate electrode of the sixth transistor is connected to the third node, and a first electrode of the sixth transistor is connected to the second node, and a second electrode of the sixth transistor is connected to the second voltage terminal to receive the second voltage; the output control circuit comprises a seventh transistor and a first capacitor, a gate electrode of the seventh transistor is connected to the first node, a first electrode of the seventh transistor is connected to a third clock signal terminal to receive a third clock signal as the output control signal, a second electrode of the seventh transistor is connected to the second node, a first terminal of the first capacitor is connected to the first node, and a second terminal of the first capacitor is connected to the second node; the fourth node control circuit comprises an eighth transistor, a ninth transistor, and a tenth transistor, a gate electrode and a first electrode of the eighth transistor are connected to each other and are connected to the first clock signal terminal to receive the first clock signal, a second electrode of the eighth transistor is connected to the fourth node, a gate electrode and a first electrode of the ninth transistor are connected to each other and are connected to the second clock signal terminal to receive the second clock signal, a second electrode of the ninth transistor is connected to the fourth node, and a gate electrode of the tenth transistor is connected to the second node, a first electrode of the tenth transistor is connected to the fourth node, and a second electrode of the tenth transistor is connected to the second voltage terminal to receive the second voltage; the second noise reduction circuit comprises an eleventh transistor, a twelfth transistor, a thirteenth transistor, and a fourteenth transistor, a gate electrode of the eleventh transistor is connected to the fourth node, a first electrode of the eleventh transistor is connected to the second node, a second electrode of the eleventh transistor is connected to the second voltage terminal to receive the second voltage, a gate electrode of the twelfth transistor is connected to the fourth node, a first electrode of the twelfth transistor is connected to the shift output terminal, a second electrode of the twelfth transistor is connected to the second voltage terminal to receive the second voltage, a gate electrode of the thirteenth transistor is connected to the fourth node, a first electrode of the thirteenth transistor is connected to a first scan signal output terminal, and a second electrode of the thirteenth transistor is connected to a third voltage terminal to receive a third voltage, a gate electrode of the fourteenth transistor is connected to the fourth node, and a first electrode of the fourteenth transistor is connected to a second scan signal output terminal, and a second electrode of the fourteenth transistor is connected to the third voltage terminal to receive the third voltage; the output circuit comprises a fifteenth transistor, a sixteenth transistor, a seventeenth transistor, and a second capacitor, a gate electrode of the fifteenth transistor is connected to the second node, a first electrode of the fifteenth transistor is connected to a fourth clock signal terminal to receive a fourth clock signal, a second electrode of the fifteenth transistor is connected to the shift output terminal, a gate electrode of the sixteenth transistor is connected to the second node, a first electrode of the sixteenth transistor is connected to the fourth clock signal terminal to receive the fourth clock signal, a second electrode of the sixteenth transistor is connected to the first scan signal output terminal, a gate electrode of the seventeenth transistor is connected to the second node, a first electrode of the seventeenth transistor is connected to a fifth clock signal terminal to receive a fifth clock signal, and a second electrode of the fifteenth transistor is connected to the second scan signal output terminal; the charging sub-circuit comprises an eighteenth transistor, a gate electrode of the eighteenth transistor is connected to a sixth clock signal terminal to receive a sixth clock signal, a first electrode of the eighteenth transistor is connected to a blanking control terminal to receive the second control signal, and a second electrode of the eighteenth transistor is connected to a blanking node; the storage sub-circuit comprises a third capacitor, a first terminal of the third capacitor is connected to the blanking node, and a second terminal of the third capacitor is connected to the second voltage terminal to receive the second voltage; the isolation sub-circuit comprises a nineteenth transistor and a twentieth transistor, a gate electrode of the nineteenth transistor is connected to the blanking node, a first electrode of the nineteenth transistor is connected to an eighth clock signal terminal to receive an eighth clock signal as a second input signal, a second electrode of the nineteenth transistor is connected to a first electrode of the twentieth transistor, a gate electrode of the twentieth transistor is connected to a seventh clock signal terminal to receive a seventh clock signal, and a second electrode of the twentieth transistor is connected to the first node; the display reset circuit comprises a twenty-first transistor, a gate electrode of the twenty-first transistor is connected to a display reset terminal to receive a display reset signal, a first electrode of the twenty-first transistor is connected to the first node, and a second electrode of the twenty-first transistor is connected to the second voltage terminal to receive the second voltage; the blanking reset circuit comprises a twenty-second transistor, a gate electrode of the twenty-second transistor is connected to the sixth clock signal terminal to receive the sixth clock signal as a blanking reset signal, a first electrode of the twenty-second transistor is connected to the first node, and a second electrode of the twenty-second transistor is connected to the second voltage terminal to receive the second voltage. At least one embodiment of the present disclosure also provides a gate driving circuit, and the gate driving circuit comprises a plurality of cascaded shift register units according to any one of the embodiments of the present disclosure. For example, in the gate driving circuit provided by an embodiment of the present disclosure, a display control terminal of an (n+2)-th stage of shift register unit is connected to a shift output terminal of an n-th stage of shift register unit; and a blanking control terminal of an (n+1)-th stage of shift register unit is connected to the shift output terminal of the n-th stage of shift register unit, n is an integer greater than zero. At least one embodiment of the present disclosure also provides a display device, comprising the gate driving circuit according to any one of the embodiments of the present disclosure. At least one embodiment of the present disclosure also provides a driving method of a shift register unit, comprising: in a first phase, in response to the first control signal, inputting the first input signal to the first node through the first input circuit; in a second phase, outputting the output control signal to the second node under control of the level of the first node; and in a third phase, outputting the output signal to the output terminal under control of the level of the second node.

11527268

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 files or records, but otherwise reserves all copyright rights whatsoever. The following notice applies to the software and data as described below and in the drawings that form a part of this document: Copyright eBay, Inc. 2012, All Rights Reserved. TECHNICAL FIELD The present application relates generally to the field of electronic data and, in one specific example, to systems and methods for marking electronic content. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Various recording systems permit a user to record content such as television shows or movies displayed on a television device. Such systems typically record a television show or movie by receiving video content data corresponding to the television show or movie, and storing this video content data on a hard drive connected to the television device. The television device may later access the video content data stored on the hard drive, to thereby playback the recorded television show or movie.

11278178

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION The present application claims priority to Korean Patent Application No. 10-2018-0001095, filed on Jan. 4, 2018, the entire contents of which is incorporated herein for all purposes by this reference. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a dishwasher. Description of the Related Art In general, a dishwasher is a machine that washes dishes stained with food or dirt by spraying washing wafers to the dishes. A tub having a washing space may be disposed in dishwashers and a rack assembly for holding dishes may be disposed in the tub. The rack assembly may be provided to be able to be drawn out of the tub. Dishwashers may further include a sump that stores washing water, nozzles that spray the water stored in the sump to dishes, and a water guide that has pipes extending from the sump to the nozzles to guide the washing water. The pipes include an upper pipe extending from the sump to a substantially vertical center portion of the tub and a top pipe extending to the upper space of the tub. In relation to dishwashers in the related art, the applicant(s) has applied for a patent as follows. 1. Publication No. (Publication Date): 10-2007-0056281 (Apr. 8, 2013) 2. Title of Invention: Dishwasher and Water Guide of Dishwasher According to this dishwasher of the related art, the following problems may occur. First, pipes of the water guide are made of plastic, so when high-temperature washing water or steam flows through the pipes, aging occurs in the pipes due to heat, whereby the pipes are corroded or broken. Second, an upper pipe and a top pipe of the pipes are integrally formed, so the amount (pressure) of water flowing through the pipes is relatively high, and accordingly, there is some possibility that the pipes are damaged. Third, stress concentration occurs when bending portions are formed on the plastic pipes, so the bending portions are corroded or broken. Fourth, high pumping pressure is applied to a connector for fixing a pipe to a sump, so water leaks at the connector or the connector is separated. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in an effort to solve the problems and an object of the present invention is to provide a water guide of a dishwasher in which pipes of the water guide are made of a stainless material to prevent corrosion. In particular, the object is to provide a dishwasher in which ductility and hardness of the pipes can be improved because the pipes are made of ductile stainless steel pipes. Another object of the present invention is to provide a dishwasher that can reduce pressure of washing water that is applied to an upper pipe or a top pipe by separately providing the upper pipe and the top pipe such that washing water discharged from a sump separately flows to an upper nozzle and a top nozzle. Another object of the present invention is to provide a dishwasher in which the upper pipe and the top pipe are configured as polygonal pipes, thereby being able to prevent interference with the upper pipe and the top pipe by surrounding components and allow the pipes to be easily supported by an upper connector. Another object of the present invention is to provide a dishwasher that can easily achieve a bent shape of a water guide and can prevent corrosion due to stress concentration at a bending portion by forming the bending portion through processing of an upper pipe and a top pipe made of a stainless material. Another object of the present invention is to provide a dishwasher that can prevent separation of a pipe from a connector and can prevent leakage of washing water at the connector, through a lower connector connecting the pipes and a sump and a clamp coupled to the lower connector. In particular, an object of the present invention is to provide a dishwasher that can prevent the front portion of the lower connector from being separated from the sump by making the hardness of a front portion connected to the sump of the lower connector relatively great. Another object of the present invention is to provide a dishwasher that can prevent leakage of water at a rear portion by bringing the rear portion of a lower connector in close contact with a pipe by making the rear portion connected to the pipe of the lower connector relatively small. Another object of the present invention is to provide a dishwasher that can prevent leakage of water at a rear portion of the lower connector by providing that can tighten the rear portion. The dishwasher according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a water guide extending upward from a sump and supplying washing water to an upper nozzle and a top nozzle, and the upper pipe and the top pipe are separately provided to the water guide, so pressure of the washing water applied to the upper pipe and the top pipe can be reduced. The upper pipe may communicate with a first outlet of the sump and the top pipe may communicate with a second outlet of the sump. An upper connector supporting the upper pipe and the top pipe may be further included. The upper connector includes a connector channel through which washing water supplied through the upper pipe flows. The upper connector may further include: a pipe coupling portion to which the upper pipe is coupled; and a pipe inserting portion in which the top pipe is seated, thereby being able to stably supporting the upper pipe and the top pipe. The upper pipe may be forcibly fitted in the pipe coupling portion, thereby being able to prevent leakage of washing water. The upper pipe includes: an upper inlet into which the washing water stored in the sump is introduced; and an upper outlet that is disposed in the pipe coupling portion and through which washing water is discharged to the connector channel. A hook formed on a lateral side of the upper connector and a hook insert formed at the bracket and in which the hook is fitted are further included. The bracket is bent to surround at least a portion of the rear portion of the upper connector and at least a portion of both lateral sides of the upper connector, so it can be stably supported on the upper connector. A connector outlet that is disposed at the upper connector to discharge the washing water in the connector channel is further included, and the connector outlet extends to be round from the connector channel. At least one of the upper pipe and the top pipe is made of a stainless material. At least one of the upper pipe and the top pipe is a stainless steel pipe including a stainless material and impurities consisting of carbon, manganese, chromium, nickel, and copper, so corrosion resistance against stress of washing water can be improved. An upper bending portion that is provided at the upper pipe and changes the flow direction of the washing water; and first and second top bending portions that are provided at the top pipe and changes the flow direction of the washing water are further included, so flow of washing water can be easily guided. The upper pipe and the top pipe are made of a stainless material, so processibility of the pipes is excellent and stress corrosion can be prevented. At least one of the upper pipe and the top pipe is a polygonal pipe, so usability of the space for installing the upper pipe and the top pipe can be improved. A method of controlling a dishwasher according to another aspect includes: processing a circular pipe using a raw material plate including a stainless material and at least copper; manufacturing a rectangular pipe by drawing the processed circular pipe; and manufacturing the upper pipe and the top pipe having a bent shape by bending the rectangular pipe. The bending may be performed using a mandrel. According to the present invention described above, the pipes of the water guide, that is, the upper pipe and the top pipe are made of a stainless steel, so strength and hardness can be reinforced and corrosion due to thermal deterioration can be prevented. In particular, a ductile stainless steel pipe, for example, an austenite type stainless steel pipe is applied to the pipes, so it is possible to secure high level of ductility in comparison to normal stainless steel pipes, and accordingly, bending processing is easy. The pipes can secure ductility and can have high strength and hardness, so a pressure resistance ability is excellent. The upper pipe and the top pipe are separately provided and washing water discharged from the sump separately flows to an upper nozzle and a top nozzle, so pressure of washing water applied to the upper pipe or the top pipe can be reduced. Accordingly, stress corrosion of the pipes due to water pressure can be prevented. The upper pipe and the top pipe are polygonal pipes, so interference with the upper pipe and the top pipe by surrounding components can be prevented. The polygonal outer surfaces of the upper pipe and the top pipe can be easily supported on an upper connector. It is possible to easily achieve a bent shape of a water guide and can prevent corrosion due to stress concentration at a bending portion by forming the bending portion through processing of an upper pipe and a top pipe made of a stainless material. It is possible to prevent separation of a pipe from a connector and can prevent leakage of washing water at the connector, through a lower connector connecting the pipes and a sump and a clamp coupled to the lower connector. In particular, it is possible to prevent the front portion of the lower connector from being separated from the sump by making the hardness of a front portion connected to the sump of the lower connector relatively great. It is possible to prevent leakage of water at a rear portion by bringing the rear portion of a lower connector in close contact with a pipe by making the rear portion connected to the pipe of the lower connector relatively small. The clamp is provided in a type of clip that can tighten a rear portion of the lower connector, so leakage of water at the rear portion can be prevented. A polygonal pipe is manufactured through drawing after a circular pipe is formed using a stainless material and a bending portion of a water guide can be achieved through a bending process of the manufactured polygonal pipe, so elongation and processibility of the pipe can be improved. Pipe caving at the bending portion, that is, the phenomenon that the pipe is excessively recessed at the bending portion can be prevented, so stress corrosion can be reduced.

11324570

FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention is generally in the field of orthodontic treatment. More particularly, the present invention is directed to methods of orthodontic treatment monitoring and planning. DESCRIPTION OF THE RELATED ART Orthodontics is the area and specialty of dentistry associated with the supervision, guidance, and correction of teeth positions in the mouth. This is achieved by the application and/or re-direction of forces to teeth to bring them into proper positions relative to each other as well as facial bones such as the jawbone. In one common type of treatment, tiny slotted appliances called brackets are affixed to a patient's teeth and a resilient archwire is placed in the slot of each bracket. The ends of the archwire are provided in appliances called buccal tubes, which are affixed to the patient's molar teeth. The archwire is deflected when placed in the mouth, but subsequently imparts continuous forces to urge the teeth to proper locations as it returns to its original shape. The brackets, buccal tubes, and archwire are often referred to collectively as “braces”. Active orthodontic therapy typically lasts between one to three years, from the time appliances are first bonded to the teeth to the time they are debonded at the conclusion of treatment. While the movement of teeth may occur throughout the course of treatment, movement does not usually occur in a smooth continuous fashion. Sometimes there are “bottlenecks” that impede, or even stall, tooth movement. For example, certain teeth may need to be moved out of the way to create space for other teeth. Delays may also develop because of anchorage loss or undesirable tooth movement that must be remedied before proceeding further. Moreover, certain teeth may simply move slower than others, based on the unique biology of each patient's dental structure. The treating professional, typically an orthodontist, can anticipate some of these challenges when formulating a treatment plan for the patient. As a starting point, the treating professional provides a three dimensional image of the malpositioned teeth, often with the assistance of X-rays and/or plaster study models. The treating professional then contemplates a mental image corresponding to the desired finished positions of the teeth, and foresees a treatment path to arrive at that state. The treatment plan hence acts as a “roadmap” that identifies the sequence of intermediate and final goals that lead the patient from the maloccluded state to the finished state. The treatment plan may also include the expected timelines for accomplishing each of the intermediate and final goals, based on the experience and expertise of the treating professional. Despite the diligence and best intentions of the treating professional, however, it is rare that the actual treatment progresses exactly according to the treatment plan. Unplanned adjustments are often required; for example, the treating professional may place additional bends in the archwire or re-position appliances on one or more teeth to achieve a proper treatment result. These adjustments are the result of continual evaluations as to the progress of treatment, and these evaluations are, in turn, based on what is seen by the treating professional during routine inspections of the patient's teeth. This process is both subjective and inherently imprecise. The oral environment makes it difficult if not impossible for a human being, unassisted, to develop a visual three dimensional image of the patient's dental structure because of limitations in human sight and the physical structure of the patient's mouth. Furthermore, the roots of the teeth are not readily visible, making it difficult to incorporate hidden aspects of the dentition, such as teeth roots, into mid-course treatment planning. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Due to the limitations in conventional orthodontic treatment monitoring methods described above, the process of providing precise relative positions of teeth during treatment is often time consuming and inefficient. The present invention provides methods to conveniently and efficiently monitor and evaluate the positions of a patient's teeth during the course of orthodontic treatment using digital information. In an exemplary embodiment, an initial set of digital data representing a patient's dental structure is provided by an X-ray radiograph and/or intraoral scan. Then during the course of treatment, a reduced image representing part of the dental structure may be conveniently provided using a bite plate impression or an ultra-fast low resolution intraoral scanner. A three-dimensional (3D) image of the full dental structure is subsequently derived or “reconstructed” by aligning or registering elements of the initial image with corresponding elements of the reduced image. By digitally reconstructing the dental structure using elements from both images, the treating professional can provide a precise, current and manipulable 3D image of the patient's complete dental structure for diagnostic and treatment planning purposes. This invention provides a method for deriving full 3D images of teeth positions and orientations during treatment, evaluating treatment progress, and calculating adjustments to an orthodontic appliance with particular advantages to both the treating professional and patient. First, by leveraging a full set of dental data already acquired at the outset of treatment, only small portions of the dental data are needed to reconstruct the current position of the entire dental structure. While taking a full dental impression or a high-resolution intraoral scan is time-consuming and uncomfortable to the patient, a bite register can be taken in seconds and scanned offline, with minimal patient discomfort. As a further advantage, normally hidden features of the dental structure such as the roots can be integrated into the current 3D image without the need to perform additional radiographs. This can be especially useful when temporary anchorage devices (TADs) are involved, since these imaging techniques can help a treating professional visualize the positions of TADs relative to the teeth roots. Finally, by providing full detailed images of the teeth including their roots, this method can be useful in diagnosing treatment issues and suggesting mid-course corrections to an orthodontic appliance such as an archwire or other appliance(s). In further detail, an aspect of the invention is directed to a method of deriving an image of a dental arrangement of a patient including the steps of providing a first digital image representing a first dental arrangement, providing a second digital image representing a second dental arrangement, wherein the second digital image is a reduced image when compared to the first digital image and wherein at least one tooth in the second dental arrangement is in a different position than the corresponding tooth in the first dental arrangement, deriving a third digital image representing the second dental arrangement by registering at least one element of the first digital image with at least one corresponding element of the second digital image, wherein the third digital image is a supplemented image when compared to the second digital image. Another aspect is directed to a method of comparing dental arrangements of a patient including the steps of providing a first digital image representing an first dental arrangement, deriving a target digital image representing a target dental arrangement, providing a second digital image representing a second dental arrangement, wherein the second digital image is a reduced image compared to the first digital image and wherein at least one tooth in the second dental arrangement is in a different position than the corresponding tooth in the first dental arrangement, and deriving a third digital image representing the second dental arrangement by registering at least one element of the first digital image with at least one corresponding element of the second digital image, wherein the third digital image is a supplemented image when compared to the second digital image. Another aspect is directed to a method of specifying an orthodontic appliance including the steps of providing a proposed specification of an orthodontic appliance, providing a first digital image representing a first dental arrangement associated with the orthodontic appliance, deriving a target digital image representing a target dental arrangement by virtually moving teeth in the first dental arrangement to desired positions, providing a second digital image representing a second dental arrangement, wherein the second digital image is a reduced image when compared to the first digital image and wherein at least one tooth in the second dental arrangement is in a different position than the corresponding tooth in the first dental arrangement, registering at least one element of the target digital image to at least one corresponding element of the second digital image to derive a transformation matrix, and revising the proposed specification of the orthodontic appliance based in part on the transformation matrix. Still another aspect is directed to a software program that carries out a method to derive an image of a dental arrangement of a patient including the steps of providing a first digital image representing a first dental arrangement, providing a second digital image representing a second dental arrangement, wherein the second digital image is a reduced image when compared to the first digital image and wherein at least one tooth in the second dental arrangement is in a different position than the corresponding tooth in the first dental arrangement, and deriving a third digital image representing the second dental arrangement by registering at least one element of the first digital image with at least one corresponding element of the second digital image, wherein the third digital image is a supplemented image when compared to the second digital image. Yet still another aspect is directed to a system comprising a computing device and a software program executing on the computing device, wherein the software program includes a rendering engine that generates a first digital image representing a first dental arrangement and generates a second digital image representing a second dental arrangement, wherein the second digital image is a reduced image when compared to the first digital image and wherein at least one tooth in the second dental arrangement is in a different position than the corresponding tooth in the first dental arrangement, and a registration module that registers at least one element of the first digital image with at least one corresponding element of the second digital image to derive a third digital image representing the second dental arrangement, wherein the third digital image is a supplemented image when compared to the second digital image. Further embodiments disclosed herein include providing the first digital image using a procedure such as light-based scanning, contact probing, active wavefront sampling, X-ray radiography, magnetic resonance imaging, ultrasound imaging and computerized tomography and providing the second digital image by scanning a bite impression, performing a low resolution scan, or performing a partial intraoral scan. Other embodiments include the steps of registering elements that include teeth, appliances bonded to the teeth, and non-bonded appliances such as temporary anchorage devices.

11448873

FIELD The present disclosure generally relates to agricultural machines and, more particularly, to systems and methods for cleaning sensors, such as vision-based sensors, on an agricultural machine. BACKGROUND Agricultural implements, such as cultivators, disc harrows, seeders, and/or the like, perform one or more agricultural operations while being towed across a field by a suitable work vehicle, such as in agricultural tractor. In this regard, agricultural implements often include one or more sensors mounted thereon to monitor various parameters associated with the performance of such agricultural operations. For example, some agricultural implements include one or more cameras or other vision-based sensors that capture images of the soil and/or plants within the field. Thereafter, such images may be processed or analyzed to determine one or more parameters associated with the condition of soil and/or plants, such as parameters related to soil roughness, plant health, weed growth, residue parameters, clod size and/or the like. During the performance of many agricultural operations, the implement typically generates large amounts of dust and other airborne particulate matter. In this regard, dust may adhere to the lens(es) of the cameras) mounted on the implement in such a manner that one or more pixels of the cameras(s) are obscured or otherwise blocked from receiving light. Furthermore, large amounts of dust present within the field(s) of view of the cameras) may also obscure various pixels of the camera(s). Image data captured by cameras having obscured pixels may have low quality, thereby resulting in poor camera performance. Accordingly, an improved system and method for cleaning vision-based sensors of an agricultural machine would be welcomed in the technology. BRIEF DESCRIPTION Aspects and advantages of the technology will be set forth in part in the following description, or may be obvious from the description, or may be learned through practice of the technology. In one aspect, the present subject matter is directed to a system for removing debris from a vision-based sensor of an agricultural machine. The system includes an agricultural machine and a vision-based sensor supported on the agricultural machine. The vision-based sensor is configured to generate vision data. The system further includes a vibration source configured as a separate component from the vision-based sensor. The vibration source is supported on the agricultural machine. Moreover, the vibration source is configured to oscillate the vision-based sensor to remove debris from the vision-based sensor. In another aspect, the present subject matter is directed to a method for removing debris from a vision-based sensor of an agricultural machine. The method includes receiving, with a computing device, vision data from a vision-based sensor supported on an agricultural machine as the agricultural machine is being moved across a field. Additionally, the method includes initiating, with the computing device, a cleaning procedure by activating a vibration source configured as a separate component from the vision-based sensor. The vibration source is activated when it is determined the vision-based sensor may be at least one of obscured or inoperative or at predetermined intervals of time. Moreover, the vibration source is configured to oscillate the vision-based sensor to remove debris from the vision-based sensor. These and other features, aspects and advantages of the present technology 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 technology and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the technology.

11217711

TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to photovoltaic devices, solar cell strings of photovoltaic devices, and solar cell modules including either a photovoltaic device or a solar cell string. BACKGROUND ART PCT International Application Publication No. WO2016/132902 discloses a back-contact solar cell as a photovoltaic device. The photovoltaic device includes a photovoltaic element, a wiring sheet, a first semiconductor film disposed on a first face of a semiconductor substrate, a second semiconductor film disposed on the first face of the semiconductor substrate, a first electrode disposed on the first semiconductor film, and a second electrode disposed on the second semiconductor film. The first electrode surrounds the second electrode with a distance between the first electrode and the second electrode. The wiring sheet has a first wire connected electrically to the first electrode and a second wire connected electrically to the second electrode. SUMMARY OF INVENTION In PCT International Application Publication No. WO2016/132902, since the first electrode surrounds the second electrode, the first electrode is connected on the periphery of the substrate. A typical solar cell substrate is prepared by slicing a wafer and is not subjected to, for example, polishing for cost reducing reasons. The substrate therefore has an irregular peripheral edge. Providing an electrode near the edge will increase the possibility of short circuits and other electrical defects. If the electrode is to be formed up to just short of reaching the edge to prevent this from happening, it becomes difficult to continuously dispose an electrode surrounding the second electrode and pattern it continuously. Meanwhile, if the electrode is to be formed further inside, sufficiently away from the edge, to prevent it from happening, it becomes difficult to achieve desirable properties. In view of this situation, the present invention, in an embodiment thereof, provides a photovoltaic device capable of providing improved properties. The present invention, in another embodiment thereof, provides a solar cell string of photovoltaic devices capable of providing improved properties. The present invention, in a further embodiment thereof, provides a solar cell module including either a photovoltaic device capable of providing improved properties or a solar cell string of such photovoltaic devices. Structure 1 The present invention, in an embodiment thereof, is directed to a photovoltaic device including a semiconductor substrate, a first semiconductor layer, a second semiconductor layer, a plurality of first electrodes, a plurality of second electrodes, first non-connecting regions, second non-connecting regions, first wires, second wires, and a plurality of third electrodes. The semiconductor substrate is of a first conductivity type. The first semiconductor layer is of the first conductivity type, disposed on one of two faces of the semiconductor substrate, and includes regions spaced apart from each other in a first direction. The second semiconductor layer is of a second conductivity type opposite to the first conductivity type, disposed on the face of the semiconductor substrate, and includes regions arranged alternately with the first semiconductor layer when viewed along the first direction. The first electrodes are disposed on the first semiconductor layer and have a length in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction. The second electrodes are disposed on the second semiconductor layer and have a length in the second direction. The first wires are connected electrically to the first electrodes in the first direction. The second wires are connected electrically to the second electrodes in the first direction. The first non-connecting regions are disposed between those second electrodes which are adjacent in the first direction, the first non-connecting regions inhibiting electrical connection between the first electrodes and the second wires. The second non-connecting regions are disposed between those first electrodes which are adjacent in the first direction, the second non-connecting regions inhibiting electrical connection between the second electrodes and the first wires. The third electrodes are disposed between at least one of two ends of the first semiconductor layer with respect to the second direction and an edge of the semiconductor substrate facing the at least one end, the third electrodes being connected electrically to the second wires. According to structure 1, the third electrodes are disposed closer to the edge of the semiconductor substrate than the first semiconductor layer (first electrodes) is to the edge and connected electrically to the second wires. The second electrodes do not constitute a continuous body surrounding the first electrodes and include a plurality of electrodes spaced apart from each other in the first direction. The structure is therefore unlikely to suffer from adverse effects of broken wires and other defects that may occur in patterning. The provision of the third electrodes enables collection of more of the carriers generated in this region. If electrodes and wires are provided parallel to each other, it is relatively difficult to connect the third electrodes to the second wires without touching the first electrodes. However, the third electrodes can be connected to the second wires by providing the second wires extending lengthwise in the first direction. In this structure, the third electrodes can be well connected to the second wires, especially near the edges of the semiconductor substrate. The structure therefore provides a photovoltaic device capable of providing improved properties. Structure 2 In structure 1, at least one of two ends of each of the second electrodes is, with respect to the second direction, located closer to the edge of the semiconductor substrate than an end of the associated one of the first electrodes is to the edge. According to structure 2, the second electrodes extend toward the edges of the semiconductor substrate, thereby enabling collection of more of the carriers generated in this region. This structure is unlikely to suffer from adverse effects of shape variations near the edges of the semiconductor substrate than a structure where the second electrodes constitute a continuous body surrounding the first electrodes near the edges of the semiconductor substrate. The structure therefore facilitates the designing of the patterning mask and aligning in the patterning process, which reduces patterning defects. The structure therefore further improves the properties of the photovoltaic device. Structure 3 In structure 1, the third electrodes are positioned in line with the first electrodes with respect to the second direction. According to structure 3, the third electrodes are positioned in line with the first electrodes with respect to the second direction. Therefore, the third electrodes can be formed by patterning simultaneously with the first and second electrodes. The structure thus enables simple and convenient fabrication and reduces manufacturing cost. Structure 4 In structure 2, the third electrodes and the first electrodes have substantially equal widths. According to structure 3, the third electrodes and the first electrodes have substantially equal widths. Therefore, the third electrodes can be formed by patterning simultaneously with the first and second electrodes. The structure, for example, alleviates restraints on the design of the mechanical strength of a metal mask used in the formation of electrodes. The structure thus leads to optimal design of the width, shape, and other properties of the electrodes. Structure 5 In structure 1, the third electrodes are positioned between the second electrodes spaced apart from each other in the first direction near the edge of the semiconductor substrate with respect to the second direction. According to structure 5, carriers are collected between the second electrodes spaced apart from each other in the first direction as well as in regions where the second electrodes are provided. The structure therefore further improves the properties of the photovoltaic device. Structure 6 In any one of structures 1 to 5, at least one of the first and second semiconductor layers is an amorphous semiconductor layer. An amorphous semiconductor layer is, although very thin, required to reliably generate diffusion potential and exhibit passivation properties. Therefore, the structure is likely to suffer from adverse effects of out-of-pattern electrodes, broken wires, and other defects that may occur in patterning. A solar cell substrate is not subjected to, for example, edge polishing for cost reducing reasons and consequently has unstable edge shapes. The solar cell substrate is hence likely to suffer from the adverse effects, especially when the semiconductor film is amorphous. Structure 4 is therefore preferable. Structure 7 The present invention, in another embodiment thereof, is directed to a solar cell string including a plurality of photovoltaic elements, and a wiring board connected electrically to the photovoltaic elements. The photovoltaic elements each include a semiconductor substrate, a first semiconductor layer, a second semiconductor layer, a plurality of first electrodes, a plurality of second electrodes, first non-connecting regions, second non-connecting regions, and a plurality of third electrodes. The semiconductor substrate is of a first conductivity type. The first semiconductor layer is of the first conductivity type, disposed on one of two faces of the semiconductor substrate, and includes regions spaced apart from each other in a first direction. The second semiconductor layer is of a second conductivity type opposite to the first conductivity type, disposed on the face of the semiconductor substrate, and includes regions arranged alternately with the first semiconductor layer when viewed along the first direction. The first electrodes are disposed on the first semiconductor layer, are spaced apart from each other in the first direction, and have a length in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction. The second electrodes are disposed on the second semiconductor layer, are spaced apart from each other in the first direction, and have a length in the second direction. The first non-connecting regions are disposed between those second electrodes which are adjacent in the first direction. The second non-connecting regions are disposed between those first electrodes which are adjacent in the first direction. The third electrodes are disposed between at least one of two ends of the first semiconductor layer with respect to the second direction and an edge of the semiconductor substrate facing the at least one end. The wiring board includes: first wires connected electrically to the first electrodes in the first direction; and second wires connected electrically to the second electrodes and the third electrodes in the first direction. The first non-connecting regions inhibit electrical connection between the first electrodes and the second wires. The second non-connecting regions inhibit electrical connection between the second electrodes and the first wires. Structure 7 achieves the same advantages as structure 1 above. Structure 8 The present invention, in a further embodiment thereof, is directed to a solar cell module including either the photovoltaic device of any one of structures 1 to 6 sealed with resin or the solar cell string of structure 7 sealed with resin. Structure 8 imparts good properties to the solar cell module in a stable manner. In addition, the structure alleviates deterioration of the properties of the solar cell module that may occur in long-term use, thereby improving its reliability. Advantageous Effects of Invention The present invention, in an embodiment thereof, provides a photovoltaic device capable of providing improved properties.

11404620

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION This application claims the priority of Japanese Patent Application No. 2017-100107, filed on May 19, 2017 and Japanese Patent Application No. 2017-100108, filed on May 19, 2017 and Japanese Patent Application No. 2017-199057, filed on Oct. 13, 2017 in the JPO (Japanese Patent Office). Further, this application is the National Phase Application of International Application No. PCT/JP2018/019161, filed on May 17, 2018, which designates the United States and was published in Japan. Both of the priority documents are hereby incorporated by reference in their entireties. TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to a method of producing a semiconductor sintered body, an electrical/electronic member, and a semiconductor sintered body. BACKGROUND ART Some semiconductors are known to generate a high electromotive force per temperature difference (i.e., have a high Seebeck coefficient), and thus to be useful thermoelectric materials for thermoelectric power generation. Among such semiconductors, silicon-based alloy materials have recently attracted attention due to their lower toxicity, availability at lower cost, and ease of controlling electrical properties. To provide a higher thermoelectric performance, the thermoelectric material is required to have a higher electrical conductivity and a lower thermal conductivity. However, a silicon-based alloy has a high thermal conductivity, and therefore the silicon-based alloy material may not necessarily show sufficient thermoelectric performance. In light of the above, nanostructuring by sintering nano-sized silicon particles, etc., which is a technique to reduce thermal conductivity, has been known (Patent Literature 1 and Non-Patent Literature 1). Further, also with regard to magnesium silicide, which is a silicon-based alloy, attempts have been made to obtain nanoparticles of the magnesium silicide and then sinter. CITATION LIST Patent Literature Patent Literature 1: U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2014/0360546 Non Patent Literature Non Patent Literature 1: Bux et al., Adv. Funct. Mater., 2009, 19, pp. 2445-2452 Non Patent Literature 2: Arai et al., MRS Proceedings, 2013, 1490, pp. 63-68 SUMMARY OF INVENTION Technical Problem The nanostructuring as described in Patent Literature 1 and Non Patent Literatures 1, 2 can reduce the thermal conductivity of the material, but may also reduce the electrical conductivity. Therefore, the thermoelectric performance of the silicon-based material may still be insufficient. In view of the above, it is an object of one embodiment of the present invention to provide a semiconductor material having an increased electrical conductivity and maintaining a reduced thermal conductivity, to achieve an improvement in the thermoelectric performance. Solution to Problem An embodiment of the present invention provides a semiconductor sintered body comprising a polycrystalline body, wherein the polycrystalline body includes magnesium silicide or an alloy containing magnesium silicide, an average particle size of crystal grains forming the polycrystalline body is 1 μm or less, and the semiconductor sintered body has an electrical conductivity of 10,000 S/m or more. Advantageous Effects of Invention According to an embodiment of the present invention, a semiconductor material having an increased electrical conductivity and maintaining a reduced thermal conductivity is provided to achieve an improvement in thermoelectric performance.

11515806

CROSS REFERENCE This application is based upon and claims priority to Chinese Patent Application No. 202010456292.5, filed on May 26, 2020, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. TECHNICAL FIELD The present disclosure relates to the technical field of power electronics, in particular, to a conversion device. BACKGROUND In recent years, compared with traditional Alternating Current (AC) power distribution systems, power transmission methods represented by Direct Current (DC) have received more and more attention from an industry. With development of new energy technologies and an increase of direct current loads, advantages of DC power transmission in combination with new energy power generation have become more prominent. The DC power transmission omits a stage for conversion between DC and AC and reduces system cost. On a user side, with development of internet technologies, scale of a data center has reached several megawatts, or even tens of megawatts. An electric vehicle industry develops fast, and the number of electric vehicles in China is increasing rapidly. A prospect of growth of the electric vehicles is bright, and with development of the electric vehicles, the demand for high-power charging piles is gradually expanding. It should be noted that the information disclosed in the Background above is only for enhancing the understanding of the background of the present disclosure, and thus may include information that does not constitute prior art known to those of ordinary skill in the art. SUMMARY According to the embodiments of the present disclosure, there is provided a conversion device connected between an Alternating Current (AC) power grid and a load. The conversion device includes: an inductor, electrically connected to the AC power grid; a first-stage converter having a first terminal electrically connected to the inductor and a second terminal electrically connected to a bus, and the first-stage converter being configured to output a bus voltage based on an input voltage from the AC power grid; a second-stage converter having a first terminal electrically connected to the bus and a second terminal electrically connected to the load, and the second-stage converter being configured to convert the bus voltage into an output voltage to provide energy to the load; and a filtering network having a first terminal, a second terminal and a third terminal, wherein a first resistance-capacitance circuit is disposed between the first terminal and the third terminal of the filtering network, and a second resistance-capacitance circuit is disposed between the second terminal and the third terminal of the filtering network, the first terminal of the filtering network is electrically connected to the AC power grid, the second terminal of the filtering network is electrically connected to the bus or the second terminal of the second-stage converter, and the third terminal of the filtering network is grounded through a first capacitor. In some embodiments, a second capacitor and a third capacitor are connected between the buses and are connected in series across the bus, and the second terminal of the filtering network is electrically connected between the second capacitor and the third capacitor. In some embodiments, a fourth capacitor is connected across the bus. In some embodiments, the inductor includes a common-mode and differential-mode integrated inductor and is disposed between the AC power grid and the first-stage converter. In some embodiments, the inductor includes a differential-mode inductor and a common-mode inductor, the differential-mode inductor is connected between the AC power grid and the first-stage converter, and the common-mode inductor is disposed between the AC power grid and the second terminal of the second-stage converter. In some embodiments, the inductor includes a differential-mode inductor and a common-mode inductor, the differential-mode inductor is connected between the AC power grid and the first-stage converter, and the common-mode inductor is disposed between the first terminal and the second terminal of the filtering network. In some embodiments, the first resistance-capacitance circuit includes a first resistor and a fifth capacitor connected in series, and the second resistance-capacitance circuit includes a second resistor and a sixth capacitor connected in series. In some embodiments, the first-stage converter includes an N-level AC-DC converter which includes a plurality of switching bridge arms, wherein both an upper arm and a lower arm of each of the switching bridge arms of the AC-DC converter include a plurality of semiconductor devices connected in series, and a rated withstand voltage Vsemi of each of the semiconductor devices is greater than or equal to (Vbus*δ)/((N−1)*Nseries*λ), where Vbus represents the bus voltage, δ represents bus fluctuation, N represents a number of levels of the first-stage converter, λ represents a voltage derating factor of the semiconductor device and λ≤1, Nseries represents a number of semiconductor devices connected in series and Nseries≥2. In some embodiments, the load includes a DC load or an AC load, and the second-stage converter correspondingly includes a DC-DC converter or a DC-AC converter which is electrically connected to the load. In some embodiments, the conversion device further includes a controller and a DC circuit breaker, the DC circuit breaker is disposed between the first-stage converter and the second-stage converter and is electrically connected to the controller, and an operation of the DC circuit breaker is controlled based on a control signal sent by the controller. In some embodiments, the first-stage converter includes at least two AC-DC converters connected in parallel. In some embodiments, the second-stage converter includes at least two DC-DC converters or DC-AC converters which are connected in series or in parallel. In some embodiments, the conversion device further includes a controller which detects power of the load and controls operating states of the at least two AC-DC converters connected in parallel based on the power of the load. In some embodiments, when the load is fully loaded, all the AC-DC converters operate. In some embodiments, when the load is lightly loaded or half loaded, the controller controls part of the at least two AC-DC converters connected in parallel to operate, and controls remaining of the at least two AC-DC converters connected in parallel not to operate. In some embodiments, the first-stage converter includes any one of the following AC-DC converters; a two-level rectifier, a three-level Vienna rectifier, and a three-level neutral point clamped converter. In some embodiments, the third terminal of the filtering network is grounded through the first capacitor and a seventh capacitor, respectively. In some embodiments, the second terminal of the second-stage converter comprises two second terminals, an eighth capacitor is connected between the two second terminals, and the second terminal of the filtering network is electrically connected to one of the two second terminals of the second-stage converter It should be understood that the above general description and the following detailed description are merely exemplary and explanatory and should not be construed as limiting the present disclosure.

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FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE The present disclosure relates generally to an electric hair grooming appliance, and more particularly to a foldable electric hair grooming appliance having movements similar to a straightedge razor. BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE Many different types of electric hair grooming appliances are available for use in grooming hair, including foil shavers, rotary shavers, trimmers, clippers, and epilators. Generally, the electric hair grooming appliances are bulky and difficult to store. For example, the hair grooming appliances may require a separate case or cover to protect components of the hair grooming device from damage when not in use. Moreover, some electric hair grooming appliances require an external power source to run the device. As such, most conventional electric hair grooming appliances are not designed specifically for travel and few electric hair grooming appliances are designed specifically to be used outside of the home. Users therefore have limited access to convenient, easily stored hair grooming appliances with on the go capabilities. Thus, there is a need for an electric hair grooming appliance that is compact and easily portable. SUMMARY In one aspect, a hair grooming appliance includes a hair grooming device, a drive assembly, and a handle. The drive assembly is coupled to the hair grooming device and configured to drive the hair grooming device. The hair grooming device and the handle are pivotably connected at a hinge and rotate relative to each other about a pivot axis extending through the hinge. In another aspect, a hair grooming appliance includes a trimmer including a blade assembly, a drive assembly, and a handle. The drive assembly is coupled to the blade assembly. The drive assembly includes an electric drive motor and a linkage. The motor is coupled to the linkage. The linkage is coupled to the blade assembly and configured to reciprocate at least one blade of the blade assembly. The trimmer and handle are pivotably connected at an end of the hair grooming appliance. The trimmer and the handle are configured to pivot between an opened position and a closed position. In yet another aspect, a hair grooming appliance includes a hair grooming device including at least on of hair cutting assembly and a hair removing assembly. The hair grooming appliance also includes a drive assembly coupled to the hair grooming device and configured to drive the hair grooming device. The hair grooming appliance further includes a handle and a hinge pivotably connecting the handle and the hair grooming device. The hair grooming device and the handle are configured to pivot between an opened position and a closed position about the hinge. The drive assembly is in an ON state when the hair grooming device and the handle are in the opened position. The drive assembly is in an OFF state when the hair grooming device and the handle are in the closed position.