Patent Publication Number: US-2023157867-A1

Title: System and methods for monitoring and/or controlling temperature in a therapy device

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims priority and benefit from U.S. Provisional Application No. 63/090,987, titled “Flexible Heat Spreader System and Method” and filed on Oct. 13, 2020, which is hereby incorporated by reference herein in its entirety. 
    
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present disclosure relates generally to the physical therapy and/or temperature therapy field, and more specifically to systems and methods for monitoring and/or controlling the temperature of a therapy device. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Temperature therapy or “thermal therapy” (e.g., the application of heat and/or cold to the body) has been shown to be effective in injury recovery, helping to expedite the healing process while reducing pain, inflammation, and joint stiffness. Localized cooling can induce vasoconstriction with reflexive vasodilation and/or reduce bleeding, inflammation, metabolism, muscle spasm, pain, enzymatic activity, oxygen demand, and/or swelling in areas of the body affected by soft tissue trauma or injury. Localized heating can increase blood flow, decrease sensation of pain, increase local tissue metabolic rate, increase the rate of healing, and/or facilitate the stretching of tissue. 
     Conventional temperature therapy devices generally have limited functionality for accurately monitoring device operating temperature(s) and resulting temperature(s) at a body region of a user. In general, failure to properly monitor and control the temperature of a therapy device can impede the delivery of the above-described therapeutic effects of temperature therapy and ultimately interfere with injury recovery. In extreme cases, failure to properly monitor and control the temperature of a therapy device can cause new injuries such as burns or frostbite. 
     The foregoing examples of the related art and limitations therewith are intended to be illustrative and not exclusive, and are not admitted to be “prior art.” Other limitations of the related art will become apparent to those of skill in the art upon a reading of the specification and a study of the drawings. 
     SUMMARY 
     A system for monitoring and/or controlling temperature for a temperature therapy device is disclosed. According to one embodiment, a wearable personal temperature therapy system for placement at a body region of a user may have a retention mechanism and a plurality of temperature modulation systems attached to the retention mechanism, wherein each of the plurality of temperature modulation systems comprises a thermoelectric cooler having a first side and a second side opposing the first side. The wearable personal temperature therapy system may have a plurality of temperature sensors and a plurality of conductive flags, wherein each of the plurality of conductive flags comprises a thermally conductive material, has a first side and a second side opposing the first side, and has a first end and a second end, wherein the first side comprises an adhesive material, and wherein for each of the plurality of conductive flags, the first side of the first end is adhered to the first side of a respective thermoelectric cooler of the plurality of thermoelectric coolers, and wherein the first side of the second end is adhered to a respective temperature sensor of the plurality of temperature sensors. The wearable personal temperature therapy system may have a control module electrically coupled to each of the plurality of temperature modulation systems and each of the plurality of temperature sensors, wherein each of the temperature modulation systems is operable between a cooling mode and a heating mode based on a control voltage applied to the thermoelectric cooler of the respective temperature modulation system. 
     The above and other preferred features, including various novel details of implementation and combination of events, will now be more particularly described with reference to the accompanying figures and pointed out in the claims. It will be understood that the particular systems and methods described herein are shown by way of illustration only and not as limitations. As will be understood by those skilled in the art, the principles and features described herein may be employed in various and numerous embodiments without departing from the scope of any of the present inventions. As can be appreciated from foregoing and following description, each and every feature described herein, and each and every combination of two or more such features, is included within the scope of the present disclosure provided that the features included in such a combination are not mutually inconsistent. In addition, any feature or combination of features may be specifically excluded from any embodiment of any of the present inventions. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The accompanying figures, which are included as part of the present specification, illustrate the presently preferred embodiments and together with the general description given above and the detailed description of the preferred embodiments given below serve to explain and teach the principles described herein. 
         FIG.  1 A  illustrates a block diagram of a temperature therapy device, according to some embodiments. 
         FIG.  1 B  illustrates an exploded view of an exemplary temperature therapy device, according to some embodiments. 
         FIG.  1 C  illustrates a plan view of a partially assembled component mounting system for the temperature therapy device of  FIGS.  1 A and  1 B , according to some embodiments. 
         FIG.  1 D  illustrates a plan view for the component mounting system of  FIGS.  1 A- 1 C , according to some embodiments. 
         FIG.  1 E  illustrates an exploded view for the component mounting system of  FIGS.  1 A- 1 D , according to some embodiments. 
         FIG.  2    illustrates a thermoelectric cooler (TEC), according to some embodiments. 
         FIG.  3    illustrates a plan view of a heatsink, according to some embodiments. 
         FIG.  4    illustrates a plan view of a fan, according to some embodiments. 
         FIG.  5 A  illustrates a top view of a conductive flag, according to some embodiments. 
         FIG.  5 B  illustrates a side view of the conductive flag from  FIG.  5 A , according to some embodiments. 
         FIG.  5 C  illustrates a cross-sectional view of the conductive flag from  FIG.  5 A  and  FIG.  5 B , according to some embodiments. 
         FIG.  6    illustrates a bottom view of a conductive flag adhered to a thermoelectric cooler (TEC), according to some embodiments. 
         FIG.  7    illustrates a flowchart for a temperature control method of an exemplary temperature therapy device, according to some embodiments. 
         FIG.  8    is a block diagram of an example computer system, according to some embodiments. 
     
    
    
     While the present disclosure is subject to various modifications and alternative forms, specific embodiments thereof have been shown by way of example in the drawings and will herein be described in detail. The present disclosure should be understood to not be limited to the particular forms disclosed, but on the contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the present disclosure. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     A system for determining and controlling temperature for a temperature therapy device is disclosed. 
     Motivations for and/or Benefits of Some Embodiments 
     Conventional temperature therapy devices generally have limited functionality for accurately monitoring device operating temperature(s) and resulting temperature(s) at a body region of a user. This deficiency is often due to a measurement disconnect between device operating temperature(s) and temperature(s) at a body region. Such a measurement disconnect can occur from inefficient component placement within a therapy device, such that temperature sensing components are unable to accurately track temperature(s) at a body region. Thus far, attempts to place temperature sensing components closer to the body have resulted in user discomfort or drift from desired operating temperature(s). Further, a measurement disconnect can result from faulty control methods for mapping device operating temperature(s) to temperature(s) at a body region, where control methods fail to account for thermal buffering effects from a body region during therapeutic operation of the therapy device. An inability to accurately monitor temperature(s) at a body region can lead to ineffective therapeutic techniques, as well as possible injury to a user from exposure to extreme operating temperatures. Therefore, typical temperature therapy devices may disrupt the required rest/recovery of a user, and can contribute to hindering or even extending recovery times. Thus, there is a need for improved temperature therapy devices featuring improved placement of temperature measurement components to better track operating temperature(s), as well as improved methods for monitoring and/or controlling the temperature(s) applied to a body region of a user. 
     Overview of a Temperature Therapy Device 
     Referring to  FIG.  1 A , a block diagram for a temperature therapy device  100  is presented, according to some embodiments. In some embodiments, the temperature therapy device  100  can include a multi-layer retention mechanism  102 , a temperature modulation system  104  retained by the multi-layer retention mechanism  102 , and a control module  106  communicatively coupled to the temperature modulation system  104  and retained by the multi-layer retention mechanism  102 . In some embodiments, the multi-layer retention mechanism  102  can include a flexible substrate. The multi-layer retention mechanism may include one or more of straps, buckles, and fabric layers. In an example, the multi-layer retention mechanism  102  can include a plate, a heat spreader and a flexible fabric. In an embodiment, the temperature modulation system  104  can include a fan, a heatsink and a thermoelectric cooler (TEC). In some embodiments, the temperature therapy device  100  can include a component mounting system  120 . In some embodiments, the component mounting system  120  can include the multi-layer retention mechanism  102  and the temperature modulation system  104 . In some embodiments, a temperature therapy device  100  can include one or more component mounting systems  120 . The temperature therapy device  100  can also include a power supply module  108  retained by the multi-layer retention mechanism  102  and electrically coupled to the temperature modulation system  104  and the control module  106 , a client application executing at a mobile device  110  in communication with the control module  106 , and any other suitable components. In some embodiments, the control module  106  and the power supply module  108  can be combined into a combined control and power supply module  119 . In some embodiments, the temperature therapy device  100  can include and/or can also be referred to as a wearable cooling and heating system. 
     Referring to  FIG.  1 B , an exploded view of an exemplary temperature therapy device is presented. As shown, the temperature therapy device  100  can include the component mounting system  120 , the combined control and power module  119  and a multi-layer retention mechanism  102  described in  FIG.  1 A . In some embodiments, a temperature sensor  107  can be coupled to the control module  106 . The temperature sensor  107  can measure the temperature at the temperature modulation system  104 . In some embodiments, the temperature therapy device  100  can include one or more temperature sensors  107 . 
     Functions of a Temperature Therapy Device 
     Referring again to  FIG.  1 A , the temperature therapy device  100  can function to provide temperature regulated cold and/or hot therapy to a body region of a user  112 , and in specific examples can provide both cold and hot therapy to a body region of the user, using the same device, with rapid transitions between heat and cold therapy provision modes (e.g., heating mode, cooling mode, etc.) of operation. In an example, the temperature therapy device can use the multi-layer retention mechanism  102  and the temperature modulation system  104 , each housed within the component mounting system  120 , to provide the temperature therapy to a body region of a user  112 . The temperature therapy device  100  can also function to regulate the temperature of the hot or cold therapy based on received control instructions (e.g., from a mobile application-based controller, a mobile computing platform, a client application execution thereon, etc.). The temperature therapy device  100  can also function to monitor and/or track parameters of therapy provision, such as the temperature of the hot or cold therapy being provided, the power and/or energy usage of the system during therapy provision, and any other suitable parameters. The temperature therapy device  100  can also function to track user data such as frequency of use (e.g., daily, hourly, monthly, etc.), duration of use (e.g., total duration in minutes, duration on a per-operating-mode basis, duration on a per-contiguous-use basis, etc.) and therapy selection (e.g., heat therapy, cold therapy), and provide tracked user data to an entity (e.g., the user, a physical therapist associated with the user, etc.), in order to guide automated modes of therapy provision to the user. 
     Referring again to  FIGS.  1 A and  1 B , the temperature therapy device  100  can be positioned at a musculoskeletal region of the user (e.g., a knee region, a lower back region, an elbow region, etc.). However, the temperature therapy device  100  can additionally or alternatively include multiple instances of the temperature therapy device but in the same or different configurations, that can be positioned at disparate regions of the user (e.g., a first knee region, a second knee region, a lower back region, any other suitable musculoskeletal region, any other suitable body region, etc.). The system can preferably be placed around a knee region of a user, arranging one or more temperature modulation systems proximal a knee cap region of a user in a pattern defined by the multi-layer retention mechanism  102 . Additionally or alternatively, the temperature therapy device  100  can be placed around a torso region of a user, positioning the temperature modulation system(s) proximal another musculoskeletal region (e.g., a lower back region). The direction  101  at which the temperature therapy device  100  is positioned on a user is shown in  FIG.  1 B . 
     Component Mounting System for a Temperature Therapy Device 
     To effectively position and the temperature therapy components of a temperature therapy device to a user, and provide temperature regulated therapy to a body region of a user  112 , it can be beneficial to package together inelastic and elastic components of the temperature therapy device in a compact arrangement. 
     Referring to  FIGS.  1 C- 1 E , multiple views of a component mounting system of a temperature therapy device are presented. In  FIG.  1 C , a plan view of a partially assembled component mounting system  120  is shown to depict the configuration and coupling of the underlying components housed within the component mounting system  120 .  FIG.  1 D  is shown to present a view of an assembled component mounting system.  FIG.  1 E  shows an exploded view of the component mounting system. 
     Referring to  FIG.  1 C , a plan view of a partially assembled component mounting system for a temperature therapy device  100  is presented. In some embodiments, the component mounting system  120  can include a plate (not shown) and a heat spreader  126  which can be components of the multi-layer retention mechanism  102  of  FIG.  1 A . The component mounting system  120  can also include a spacer  130 , a heatsink  132 , and a fan  134  which can be components of the temperature modulation system  104  of  FIG.  1 A . In some embodiments, the spacer  130  can also be referred to as a mounting component, among other terms. Also shown in  FIG.  1 C  is how the fan  134  is mounted to the spacer  130 . In an example, the fan  134  can be held down by screws  136  inserted into columnal structures  131  of the spacer  132 . In some embodiments, as shown, the heatsink  132  can be secured between the fan  134  and the spacer  130 . 
     Referring to  FIG.  1 D , a plan view of an assembled component mounting system  120  is shown. In some embodiments, the component mounting system  120  can include a cap  140  and cover  138 . Represented in dotted lines, to show the components underneath, and which will be discussed in more detail below, is a flexible fabric  137 . Also shown in  FIG.  1 D  is the direction of the air flow used by the temperature therapy device  100  of  FIGS.  1 A and  1 B  to regulate the temperature of the components housed within the component mounting system  120 . In some embodiments, for air intake  142  into the component mounting system  120 , air is pulled in though cap  140  by the fan  134  into the heatsink, e.g., fan  134  and heatsink  132  of  FIG.  1 C . In some embodiments, for airflow outtake  144  of the component mounting system  120 , the fan  134  pushes air through the heatsink  132 , and out of the component mounting system  120  through vents  135  of the cover  138 . Furthermore, although the air flow is shown in one direction in the example of  FIG.  1 D , e.g., intake  142  through the cap  140  and exhaust through the vents  135 , the air can flow in the opposite direction. For example, air can flow into the component mounting system through the vents  135  and exit the component mounting system  120  through the cap  140 . 
     Referring to  FIG.  1 E , an exploded view of the temperature therapy device  100  is presented, according to some embodiments. Referring again to  FIG.  1 E , the temperature therapy device  100  can include a multi-layer retention mechanism  102 , and a component mounting system  120 , among other components. As shown, the multi-layer retention mechanism  102  can include a top layer  102   a  and a bottom layer  102   b . The top layer  102   a  of the multi-layer retention mechanism can include and/or be coupled to a control module  106 , similar to that described with reference to  FIG.  1 B . The bottom layer  124  of the multi-layer retention mechanism can include and/or be coupled to one or more boning mechanisms  163 , one or more structural support pieces  161 , one or more straps  166 , and/or one or more locking mechanisms  168 , e.g., similar to those described in  FIG.  1 B . Furthermore, the top layer  102   a  can include one or more openings  145 , where the edges of the openings  145  can be configured to be received and/or secured by a spacer  130  and cover  138  of the component mounting system  120 . In one example, the top layer  102   a  can include alignment features along edges of the openings  145  that are received by corresponding alignment features of the spacer  130  and the cover  138 . The alignment features of the top layer  102   a  can be used for ensuring the spacer  130 , top layer  102   a  and cover  138  are all correctly aligned and/or mounted together. In some embodiments, the top layer  102   a  and bottom layer  124  can include a flexible fabric. Therefore, the multi-layer retention mechanism  102  can include the top layer  102   a , control module  106 , bottom layer  124 , one or more boning mechanisms  163 , one or more structural support pieces  161 , one or more straps  126  and one or more locking mechanisms  168 . 
     Referring still to  FIG.  1 E , in some embodiments, the bottom layer  124  can include and/or be coupled to a silicone overmold insert  121 . In some embodiments, the silicone overmold insert  121  can be configured to receive one or more component mounting systems  120 . In some embodiments, the silicone overmold insert  121  can be configured to be placed on a user&#39;s body part (e.g., a knee region, a lower back region, an elbow region, etc.). As shown, the component mounting system  120  can be coupled to a portion of the silicone overmold insert  121  and/or a portion of the top layer  102   a . The component mounting system  120  is described in further detail below. 
     Referring again to  FIG.  1 E , in some embodiments, the component mounting system  120  can include a heat spreader  126  disposed between a plate  124  and a spacer  130 . In some embodiments, the plate  124  can be configured to attach to the silicone overmold insert  121  on one side and to attach to the heat spreader  126  on another side. In an example, the plate  124  (e.g., a lower surface of the plate  124 ) can include (e.g., be coated with) an adhesive (e.g., a silicone adhesive) which can be configured to bond with a surface/layer of the silicone overmold insert  121 . In some examples, the heat spreader  126  (e.g., an upper surface of the heat spreader) can include (e.g., be coated with) a primer layer that is configured to bond with an adhesive (e.g., another silicone adhesive) on another, opposite surface, of the plate  124  (e.g., the surface of the mounting plate facing the heat spreader  126 ). Additionally, the heat spreader  126  (e.g., a lower surface of the heat spreader) can include (e.g., be coated with) a primer layer configured to bond with an adhesive (e.g., a silicone adhesive) on a surface of the silicone overmold insert  121 . 
     Referring again to  FIG.  1 E , in some embodiments, the spacer  130  can be positioned between the heat spreader  126  and heatsink  132 . Additionally, a thermoelectric cooler (TEC)  128  can be located within a central opening of the spacer  130 . The spacer  130  can also have at least one bottom opening and at least one on top opening located at a bottom portion and a top portion of the spacer  130 , respectively. Each of the bottom and top openings can be configured to receive at least one screw  122 / 136  from the bottom and/or top of the spacer  130 , respectively. In an example, at least one bottom screw  122  can be used to mount the plate  124  and the heat spreader  126  to the bottom portion of the spacer  130 , where the plate  124  and heat spreader  126  can include corresponding mounting openings for the bottom screws  122 . The openings through the heat spreader  126  can be aligned with the openings of the plate  124 . The heatsink  132  can be placed above the spacer  130 . In some embodiments, the heatsink  132  can be disposed flush against a top portion of the spacer  130 . Furthermore a fan  134  can be disposed over the heatsink  132  and the spacer  130 . In some embodiments, the heatsink  132  is secured between the spacer  130  and the fan  134 , e.g., the heatsink  132  can be clamped down by the spacer  130  and the fan  134 . In some embodiments, at least one top screw  136  can be used to mount the fan  134  to the spacer  130  through at least one opening of the fan  134  and a corresponding top opening of the spacer  130 . In an example, the at least one opening of the fan  134  can be aligned with at least one top opening of the spacer  130 . Thus, in some embodiments, the heatsink  132  can be held together between the fan  134  and spacer  130  by a force, e.g., a clamping pressure, between the fan  134  and the spacer  130  upon mounting the fan  134  to the spacer  130 . The heatsink  132  can include an alignment feature that allows for an accurate placement of the heatsink  132  over the spacer  130 . In an example, the alignment feature of the heatsink  132  can fit into a notch, e.g., corresponding alignment feature of the spacer  130 , allowing for the heatsink  132  to lock in place along a horizontal direction. 
     Referring to  FIG.  1 E , in some embodiments, a cover  138  and cap  140  can be placed over the spacer  130 , heatsink  132 , fan  134  and a portion of the top layer  102   a . In an example the cover  138  can secure the top layer  102   a  to the spacer  130 . Furthermore, in some embodiments, the cover  138  can include one or more openings that can provide air circulation for the heatsink  132 . In an example, the one or more openings may operate as vents (e.g., exhaust vents and/or intake vents). In some embodiments, the one or more vents in the cover  138  can be located along a wall portion of the cover  138 . In some embodiments, the one or more vents of the cover  138  can be grouped into two groups of openings. In an example, one group of openings can be located at an opposite side from another group of openings along a wall portion of the cover  138 . The component mounting system  120  can also include a cap  140 . The cap  140  can be placed over the cover  138 . The cap  140  can also include a locking mechanism that fits into a corresponding locking mechanism in the cover  138 . In some embodiments, the cover  138  can extend down to and meet a bottom portion of the fan  134 . The cap  140  can include one or more openings, which can also be referred to as a holes, slits or gap on a top portion of the cap  140 . In an example, the one or more openings at the top portion of the cap  140  can be arranged in the shape of a hexagon and/or a honeycomb configuration. In some embodiments, the component mounting system  120  can be configured to draw air through the openings in the cap  140 , by the fan  134 , and air can be pushed to a central portion of the heatsink  132 , where the air exits the component mounting system  120  out through one or more vents of the cover  138  (e.g., as described in  FIG.  1 D ). 
     Components of the Temperature Modulation System 
     Each component from the temperature modulation system  104  of  FIG.  1 A  is described below. For example, the TEC  128  of  FIG.  1 E  is described in detail in  FIG.  2   . In another example, the heatsink  132  of  FIG.  1 E  is described in detail in  FIG.  3   . Therefore, it can be understood that each component of the component mounting system above is described correspondingly in detail in below. 
       FIG.  2    illustrates a thermoelectric cooler (TEC)  200 , according to some embodiments. As used herein, the TEC  200  shown can be the same TEC used in  FIG.  1 E . In an embodiment, a TEC  200  can be selected based on its thermal conductivity rating. In an example, the inventors have found that a TEC  200  having a high thermal conductivity rating, e.g., approximately greater than or equal to the thermal conductivity of a ceramic material, can be used. The TEC  200  can have a top portion  202  and a bottom portion  204 . In some embodiments, the length  206  of the TEC  200  can be approximately equal to its width  208 . In an example, the TEC  200  can include 40 mm length  206  and 40 mm width  208 . A thermal grease can be disposed between the heat spreader and the TEC  200 , e.g., referring to the configuration shown in  FIG.  1 E . In an example, a thermal grease with a high thermal conductivity, e.g., in the range of approximately 1-15 w/mk (e.g., 1 w/mk), can be used. In an embodiment, a thermal grease from Halnzive company can be used. 
       FIG.  3    illustrates a plan view of the heatsink  300 , according to some embodiments. As used herein, the heatsink  300  shown can be the same heatsink used in  FIG.  1 E . Referring to  FIG.  3   , the heatsink  300  can include a component and/or material configured to draw heat away the TEC and/or other components of the component mounting system. In some embodiments, the heatsink  300  includes a plurality of fins  302  extending from a base portion  304  of the heatsink  300 . In some embodiments, the plurality of fins  302  can be formed through a skiving technique. In some embodiments, the plurality of fins  302  can be referred to as skived fins. In some embodiments, in contrast to using extrusion which is one way conventional heatsinks are formed, the entire heatsink  300  can be formed using a skiving technique. In some embodiments, the heatsink  300  can be referred to as a skived heatsink. In an example, a metal work skiving process can be used to form heatsink  300  and/or the plurality of fins  302 . As referred to herein the plurality of fins  302  can also be referred to individually, e.g., each fin  302  or as one or more fins  302 . In some embodiments, the heatsink  300  can include a first tab  306 . In some embodiments, one or more tabs can be used. In some embodiments, the heatsink can include aluminum. In an example, the heatsink can include anodized aluminum. In some embodiments, the heatsink can include aluminum  6063 . 
       FIG.  4    illustrates a plan view of a fan  400 , according to some embodiments. As used herein, the fan  400  shown can be the same fan used in  FIG.  1 E . When active, the fan  400  can direct air away from the heatsink. In some embodiments, the fan  400  includes a plurality of openings  402 . In some embodiments, the openings  402  can be configured to receive a screw for mounting the fan to the spacer described in  FIGS.  1 E and  5 A- 5 D . In some embodiments, the width  404  of the fan  400  can be in a range of approximately 35-45 mm. In an example, the width  404  of the fan  400  can be approximately 40 mm. In some embodiments, the length  406  of the fan  400  can be in a range of approximately 35-45 mm. In an example, length  406  of the fan  400  can be approximately 40 mm. The fan  400  can include wires  408  for electrical power. 
     Referring to  FIGS.  5 A,  5 B, and  5 C  various views of a conductive flag  500  are presented, according to some embodiments. In some embodiments, the flag  500  can have a top portion  502  and a bottom portion  504 . In an example, the flag  500  may be “T” shaped. In an example, the flag may be 18 mm long by 16 mm wide. 
     Referring to  FIG.  5 A , a side view of the conductive flag  500  is presented, according to some embodiments. In some embodiments, a silicon-based adhesive can be disposed at the top portion  502  of the conductive flag  500 . In some embodiments, the silicon-based adhesive can be configured to adhere the top portion  502  to the top portion  202  or the bottom portion  204  of the TEC  200 . In some embodiments, the silicon-based adhesive can be configured to adhere the top portion  502  to a temperature sensor of the control module  106 . For example, the silicon-based adhesive can adhere the top portion  502  to a temperature sensor of the control module  106  such that the flag  500  encloses (e.g., wraps around) the temperature sensor. In some embodiments, the flag  500  can be configured to spread temperature in a horizontal and vertical direction, e.g., along a x, y and z directions. In an embodiment, the flag  500  can be configured to provide an intermediate conductive medium for the temperature sensor to measure the temperature of the top portion  202  or the bottom portion  204  of the TEC  200 . The flag  500  can conduct thermal energy from the TEC  200  to the temperature sensor such that the temperature offset between the TEC  200  and the temperature sensor is small or negligible. In an example, a small or negligible temperature offset may be 0.1-3.0° F. (e.g., 0.1-0.3° F.). In some embodiments, the heat spreader flag  500  can arrive as a roll at the beginning of a manufacturing process. In an embodiment, during manufacturing, the top portion  502  of the flag  500  can include a liner which can later be removed to expose the adhesive disposed at the top portion  502  of the flag  500 . 
     Referring to  FIG.  5 B , a top view of the conductive flag  500  is presented, according to some embodiments. In some embodiments, the flag  500  can have a narrow end  506  and a wide end  508 . The silicon-based adhesive can be configured to adhere the narrow end  506  of the top portion  502  to a temperature sensor. The silicon-based adhesive can be configured to adhere the wide end  508  of the top portion  502  to the top portion  202  or the bottom portion  204  of the TEC  200 . In some embodiments, the wide end  508  of the top portion  502  can be adhered to the top portion  202  or the bottom portion  204  of the TEC  200  such that the flag  500  is located between the heat spreader  300  and the TEC  200 . 
     Referring to  FIG.  5 C , a cross-sectional view of a diagram for the conductive flag  500  is presented, according to some embodiments. In some embodiments, the flag  500  can include 3 layers. In an example, the heat spreader can include a top layer  540 , a middle layer  542  and a bottom layer  544 . In some embodiments, the top layer  540  can include PET (polyethylene terephthalate) layer, the middle layer  542  can include a graphite/graphene layer and the bottom layer  546  can include another PET layer. In an example, the middle layer  542  can include a graphene layer which includes a synthetic graphite sheet. In some examples, the middle layer  542  can include of small particles (e.g., of graphene). In some embodiments, the graphene layer can include a metal based powder for thermal energy transfer. In an example, the flag  500  can include DSN5050-10DC10SB Synthetic Graphite Sheet from DASEN company. 
     Referring to  FIG.  6   , a bottom view of the conductive flag  500  adhered to the TEC  200  is presented, according to some embodiments. In some embodiments, the wide end  508  of the top portion  502  of the flag  500  can be coupled (e.g., adhered) to the bottom portion  204  of the TEC  200 . In some embodiments, the narrow end  508  of the top portion  502  of the flag  500  can be coupled (e.g., adhered) to a temperature sensor, such that the top portion  502  encloses the temperature sensor in the conductive material comprising the flag  500 . A temperature sensor may be adjacent or proximal to a side  206  of the TEC  200 , such that the temperature sensor is located in a plane of the TEC  200  (e.g., between the top portion  202  and the bottom portion  204 ). 
     Temperature Control of a Temperature Therapy Device 
     Referring to  FIG.  1 A , the temperature modulation system  104  can function to provide an interfacial surface (e.g., between the temperature therapy device  100  and a body region of a user  112 ) having a controllable temperature. The temperature modulation system  104  can also function to provide a surface that can be placed against a body region (e.g., skin region) of a user  112  in an area where the user desires hot and/or cold therapy. The temperature modulation system  104  (e.g., in variations including a plurality of temperature modulation systems) can be connected to the power supply module  108  (e.g., by a direct electrical connection configured to supply electrical power), to the control module  106  (e.g., by a data connection configured to send and receive data, a wired connection, a wireless connection, etc.), and physically coupled to and/or retained by the multi-layer retention mechanism  102  (e.g., at the retention region of the multi-layer retention mechanism  102 ). In some embodiments, the power and/or data connections can be removable (e.g., via an electromechanical coupler). Connections can also be routed through the multi-layer retention mechanism  102  (e.g., between fabric layers of the retention mechanism, integrated into conductive thread of the retention mechanism, etc.). In some embodiments, connections can additionally or alternatively be sealed within the multi-layer retention mechanism  102  (e.g., between layers of the retention mechanism) using materials that provide a waterproof boundary that fully encloses the electrical connections (e.g., to avoid electrical shorting when the retention mechanism is in contact with water, sweat, and/or other liquids). 
     In some embodiments, the temperature therapy device  100  can include a plurality of temperature modulation systems  104 . The plurality of temperature modulation systems  104  can be arranged in a predetermined pattern (e.g., defined by a pattern of retention regions at the retention mechanisms). As an example, the temperature therapy device  100  can include five temperature modulation systems  104  arranged in a substantially pentagonal array proximal the edges of an ovoid broad surface of the multi-layer retention mechanism  102 . In some embodiments, the temperature therapy device  100  can include any suitable number of temperature modulation systems  104 , arranged in any suitable manner (e.g., including modular, reconfigurable temperature modulation systems  104 ). As such, in some variations, multiple temperature modulation systems  104  can be repositioned relative to the multi-layer retention mechanism  102  by the user or another entity, in order to provide a customizable configuration of the temperature therapy device (e.g., for use on various body regions of the user in different customized configurations). 
     In some embodiments, the TEC  128  of the temperature modulation system  104  can provide a thermomechanical interface through which heat is exchanged with a body region of a user  112 . The TEC  128  can optionally include an interface layer (e.g., a thermal pad, a gel layer, a thermal grease layer, etc.). The TEC  128  can include a contact surface (e.g., proximal surface to a body region of a user  112 ) that functions as the actively heated and/or cooled surface of the temperature modulation system  104 . The contact surface can be driven to and/or maintained at a configured temperature (e.g., set by the control module  106 , set by the user at a client application in communication with the control module  106 , etc.). The contact surface of the TEC  128  can have any suitable shape including: triangular, circular, square, rectangular, etc. The TEC  128  can include a non-contact surface (e.g., distal surface from a body region of a user  112 ) that functions as the surface at which waste heat is rejected and/or from which heat is extracted (e.g., in cases wherein the contact surface is being heated and/or the temperature modulation system is operated in the heating mode). In some embodiments, the TEC  128  can be placed in direct or indirect contact with a temperature sensor  107 . For example, the temperature sensor  107  may be coupled to the TEC  128  via an intermediate conductive flag as described herein. The temperature sensor  107  can enable automatic closed-loop control of the temperature at the contact surface of the TEC  128  via the control module  106  and/or another controller in communication with the control module  106  (e.g., a client application executing on a mobile device  110 ). 
     In some embodiments, the TEC  128  can be a thermoelectric cooling and/or heating device (e.g., a Peltier cooler and/or heater, any other suitable type of thermoelectric cooler/heater or panel, etc.), wherein an applied voltage generates a temperature differential between the contact surface and non-contact surface. The temperature differential between the contact surface and non-contact surface may be based on the applied voltage. As an example, the TEC  128  can include a Peltier thermoelectric module defining a rectilinear cross section (e.g., 40 mm×40 mm or any other suitable footprint) and having a defined thickness (e.g., 4.2 mm or any other suitable thickness), and adapted to receive a range of currents (e.g., between 0.5-2 A) at a specified voltage (e.g., approximately 15 V) that can be reversed in polarity in order to generate either a high temperature (e.g., 100-120° F.) or a low temperature (e.g., 40-60° F.) at the contact surface. 
     In some embodiments, the TEC  128  can include an internal void (e.g., a hollow interior of the layer, a set of tubes, etc.) through which a circulating fluid can be pumped by a pumping mechanism of the temperature modulation system  104 . The circulating fluid can be heated and/or cooled to a controlled temperature (e.g., a high temperature, a low temperature, etc.). 
     Referring to  FIG.  1 A , the control module  106  can determine control instructions (e.g., received at an input device of the control module  106  or via a mobile device  110 ) and control the temperature modulation system(s)  104  according to the determined control instructions. In some embodiments, the control module  106  can receive control instructions and/or generate control instructions (e.g., at a mobile device platform or application, an integrated user interface, etc.). For example, the control module  106  may receive control instructions from a client application operating at a mobile device  110 . The control module  106  can apply a control voltage to the temperature modulation system  104  such that a desired temperature (e.g., a high temperature, a low temperature, etc.) is generated at the contact surface of the TEC  128  and thereby at a body region of a user  112 . In some embodiments, the control module  106  can include Proportional-Integral-Derivative control (PID) control methods. The control module  106  may duty-cycle the control voltage applied to the temperature modulation system  104  based on a difference between a temperature measured at the temperature modulation system  104  and a target temperature (e.g., temperature setpoint) of the temperature modulation system  104 . The control module  106  can include a processor and/or a communications module. The control module  106  can be communicatively coupled to each temperature modulation system  104  (e.g., via physical data connection or a wireless data connection such as Bluetooth, etc.) of the temperature therapy device  100 . In some embodiments, the control module  106  can be communicatively coupled to a mobile device  110  (e.g., via a Wi-Fi radio, Bluetooth, Bluetooth low-energy/BLE, or any other suitable wireless communication protocol, a wired connection, etc.). The mobile device  110  may be any one of a mobile computing device, a tablet computing device, a laptop computing device, or a desktop computing device. The mobile device  110  may be operated by a user of the temperature therapy device  100  or another individual (e.g., a therapy professional, doctor, etc.) As such, the control module  106  can be at least partially executable through a mobile application platform of a mobile device  110  of the user. In some embodiments, the temperature therapy device  100  can include a single control module  106  (or integrated control and power supply module  119 ) coupled to each temperature modulation system  104  of the temperature therapy device  100 . For example, a single control module  106  can independently control five temperature modulation systems  104  of the temperature therapy device  100 , such that the control module  106  can modulate each temperature modulation system  104  based on measured temperatures as described herein. In some embodiments, each temperature modulation system  104  can be coupled to a corresponding control module  106  (or integrated control and power supply module  119 ). In some embodiments, the temperature therapy device  100  can have any suitable correspondence between any number of control modules  106  and temperature modulation systems  104 . The control module  106  is can be retained by the multi-layer retention mechanism  102  (e.g., sewn into the retention mechanism, coupled via a male/female interface, removably coupled and retained by a sleeve, etc.) and/or can be remote, removed, and/or separate from the multi-layer retention mechanism  102  (e.g., couplable via a removable connector, a wireless communication link, etc.). 
     Referring again to  FIG.  1 A , the control module  106  can include a temperature sensor  107  that that functions to monitor the temperature of the contact surface of the TEC  128 . The output of the temperature sensor  107  (e.g., an analog or digital signal indicative of the temperature of the contact surface) can be provided to the control module  106  via a direct data connection (e.g., a serial bus, a double-ended signal transmission wire pair, etc.), but can be otherwise suitably coupled to the control module  106 . The control module  106  can include a temperature sensor  107  corresponding to each temperature modulation system  104 , but can additionally or alternatively include any suitable number of temperature sensors relative to the number of temperature modulation systems (e.g., multiple temperature sensors per temperature modulation system, a single temperature sensor arranged amid multiple temperature modulation systems, etc.). The temperature sensor  107  can include any suitable type of temperature sensor, such as contact sensors (e.g., thermocouples, thermistors, digital thermometers, analog thermometers, etc.) and non-contact sensors (e.g., infrared thermometers, radiative temperature sensors, scattered emission thermometers, etc.). The temperature sensor  107  can be arranged adjacent to (e.g., touching) the contact surface, proximal to the contact surface (e.g., retained by the retention mechanism within 1 mm, 2 mm, or any other suitable distance relative to the contact surface), adjacent to (e.g., touching) the non-contact surface, proximal the non-contact surface, and at any other suitable position relative to the surface(s) of the TEC  128 . In some embodiments, the temperature sensor  107  can be adhered to the contact surface of the TEC  128  by a conductive flag as described herein. 
     In some embodiments, the temperature therapy device  100  can include a power supply module  108 , which can provide electrical power to the temperature modulation system(s)  104  and the control module  106 . The power supply module  108  can store energy to provide portable functionality (e.g., portability) to the system. The power supply module  108  can include a battery, power regulation circuitry, a charging interface, and/or any other suitable components for power supply and storage. The power supply module  108  can be coupled to the control module  106  (e.g., via direct electrical connection, an electrical cable, conductive stitching integrated into the retention mechanism, etc.) in a manner that promotes efficient routing relative to the multi-layer retention mechanism  102  and the temperature modulation system(s)  104  (e.g., to provide power via a direct electrical connection). In some embodiments, the power supply module  108  can be coupled (e.g., via the charging interface) to a source of grid power (e.g., alternating current, regulated direct-current, wall power, etc.). In an example, the power supply module  108  may supply a 7.4 V output. Any suitable voltage output may be supplied by the power supply module  108 . The power supply module  108  can be otherwise suitably coupled to other system components in any suitable manner. 
     Referring to  FIGS.  1 A- 1 E , to effectively apply heating or cooling therapy, the temperature therapy device  100  requires a control method to map the temperature output by the TEC  128  of the temperature modulation system  104  to the temperature at a body region (e.g., skin) of a user  112 . A temperature sensor  107  of the control module  106  can be configured to read the temperature at the area the temperature sensor  107  is located within the temperature therapy device  100 . In some embodiments, as described herein, the temperature sensor  107  can be coupled adjacent to the contact surface of the TEC  128 . In some embodiments, the temperature sensor  107  can be coupled proximal to the contact surface of the TEC  128 , without direct contact to the contact surface of the TEC  128 . In both embodiments, the temperature measured by the temperature sensor  107  may not be representative of the temperature at a body region of a user  112 , as multiple components of the component mounting system  120  (e.g., a heat spreader, a plate, a silicone member, etc.) may insulate the contact surface of the TEC  128  from a body region of a user  112 . Further, the body of the user (e.g., the circulatory system) can work to counter the thermal energy applied by the TEC  128 , resulting in the measured temperature of the TEC  128  overstating the temperature of a body region during heating therapy and understating the temperature of a body region during cooling therapy. Accordingly, if control parameters of the temperature modulation system  104  and/or the control module  106  fail to account for this phenomenon, a body region of a user  112  may experience temperatures outside the desired therapeutic temperature ranges for heating and/or cooling. For example, while the temperature sensor  107  may read a temperature of 55° F. during cooling therapy applied by the temperature therapy device  100 , the actual temperature at a body region of a user  112  may only be 64° F. 
     In some embodiments, the control module  106  can include instructions for one or more control methods to control and maintain the temperature(s) applied by the temperature therapy device  100 . The control methods can be based on the temperature(s) measured by each temperature sensor  107  of the temperature therapy device  100 . In some embodiments, the control module  106  (or a plurality of control modules  106 ) can control the temperature of each temperature modulation system  104  such that each TEC  128  can be driven to independently varying temperature setpoints based on the temperature reading(s) measured by the temperature sensor(s)  107 . In some embodiments, the control module  106  (or a plurality of control modules  106 ) can control the temperature of each temperature modulation system  104  (e.g., by applying a control voltage) such that each TEC  128  can be driven to a common temperature setpoint based on temperature readings reported by the temperature sensor(s)  107 . 
     In some embodiments, the control module  106  can process control instructions. The control instructions can be received at an input device of the control module  106  or received via a mobile device  110  communicatively coupled to the control module  106 . The control instructions may include selection of a desired therapy (e.g., heating therapy or cooling therapy) a desired duration for the therapy, and/or an intensity level (e.g., a temperature setpoint) for the therapy. A range of intensity levels may be limited to configured therapeutic ranges for cooling therapy and/or heating therapy. In some embodiments, the therapeutic range for cooling therapy may be 50° F.-60° F. In some embodiments, the therapeutic range for heating therapy may be 104° F.-113° F. The intensity levels may be further limited within a therapeutic range. For example, the therapeutic range for heating therapy may be configured to be 104° F.-109° F., as users may indicate discomfort with the temperature therapy device  100  when the temperature at the body region of a user  112  exceeds 109° F. In some embodiments, the intensity level can be a discrete, preconfigured temperature level (e.g., temperature setpoint) selected from a plurality of discrete temperature levels. For cooling therapy, the intensity levels for selection by a user may include: 50° F., 53° F., 55° F., 57° F., and 60° F. For heating therapy, the intensity levels for selection by a user may include: 105° F., 106° F., 107° F., 108° F., and 109° F. Other intensity levels and/or other quantities of intensity levels may be configured. The control module  106  can receive control instructions indicating a selection from the plurality of intensity levels. 
     In some embodiments, the control instructions may include a manually configured temperature (e.g., temperature setpoint) for therapy. For example, the control module  106  may receive control instructions indicating a 54° F. target temperature setpoint for cooling therapy. The manually configured temperature may be selected (e.g., by a user) from a range of temperatures, where the range of temperatures are segmented into discrete increments (e.g., 0.1° F., 0.5° F., 1° F., etc.). In some embodiments, where the control module  106  is configured to receive a manually configured temperature for therapy, the control module  106  can limit the range of temperature setpoints for the temperature modulation system(s)  104 . The control module  106  may limit the range of temperature setpoints to the range of therapeutic temperatures. For example, the control module  106  may be configured to process received temperature inputs within the range of 50° F.-109° F. and discard received temperature inputs that are below 50° F. or above 109° F. 
     In some embodiments, based on receiving control instructions, the control module  106  can determine a control method. The control module  106  can include one or more distinct control methods for heating therapy and/or cooling therapy. For heating therapy and cooling therapy, the control methods can function to conserve power (e.g., battery life of the temperature therapy device  100 ) and maintain safe operating conditions for a user. A control method can be a heating control method or a cooling control method. For example, cooling therapy may include 3 distinct control methods during operation of the temperature therapy device. In some embodiments, a control method can define an offset between the temperature measured at the temperature sensor  107  and the resulting temperature at a body region of a user  112 . A control method can include a time-varying model or a static model to map the temperature measured at the temperature sensor  107  to the resulting temperature at a body region of a user  112  during operation of temperature modulation system(s)  104 . 
     In some embodiments, control methods can include a combination of cooling therapy and heating therapy. For example, a control method of the control module  106  may cause the temperature modulation system(s)  104  to heat a body region of a user  112  for a first duration time and cool the body region of the user  112  for a second duration of time. Alternately, the control module  106  may cool a body region of a user  112  for a first duration at a first temperature and cool the body region of the user for a second duration at a second temperature. Any suitable combination of heating therapy and cooling therapy at varying temperature setpoints for varying durations of time may be combined in a single therapy routine. A control method for a therapy routine may include control instructions defining cooling and/or heating therapy, including temperature setpoints for the TEC(s)  128  of the temperature therapy device  100  and durations of time associated with each temperature setpoint. The durations of time can include the time duration to achieve a temperature setpoint at a TEC  128  (e.g., measured by the temperature sensor  107 ) or include only the duration the TEC  128  is measured by the temperature sensor  107  to be at (or approximately equal to) the temperature setpoint. In an example, the duration can include the total time for therapy, including the time required for the temperature therapy device  100  to heat or cool to a temperature setpoint. A therapy routine can be associated with a recovery routine for a specific physical activity (e.g., tennis, baseball, basketball, mixed martial arts, etc.). In some embodiments, a temperature therapy device  100  can include a plurality of therapy routines stored in the control module  106 , wherein at least a subset of the plurality of therapy routines are associated with a physical activity. For example, a control module  106  may include a therapy routine associated with a body region (e.g., an elbow) of a user that plays baseball. Additionally, a control module  106  may include a therapy routine associated with a body region (e.g., a knee) of a user that plays basketball). 
     Cooling Therapy Control of a Temperature Therapy Device 
     To provide cooling therapy, the control module  106  can include at least one cooling control method. A cooling control method of the control module  106  can enable the temperature therapy device  100  to apply cooling therapy to a body region of a user  112 . Cooling therapy can include reaching therapeutic cooling temperatures at a body region of a user  112 . The range of therapeutic cooling temperatures may include 50° F.-60° F. as described herein. In some embodiments, other temperature ranges for cooling therapy may be used. 
     In some embodiments, the cooling control method of the control module  106  can be based on a target temperature. The target temperature may be the desired temperature measured at the temperature sensor  107 . The temperature measured at the temperature sensor  107  can be representative of the measured temperature at the contact surface (e.g., proximal to a body region of a user  112 ) of the TEC  128 . According to the cooling control method, the control module  106  can function to drive the TEC  128  to the target temperature. The control module  106  may drive the TEC  128  to the target temperature (e.g., temperature setpoint) based on PID control methods. In some embodiments, constants for proportional gain, integral gain, and derivative gain of a PID algorithm can be selected based on combination of power conservation and time to cool a body region of a user. Based on the measured temperature of temperature sensor  107  and the target temperature for temperature sensor  107 , the control module  106  can apply PID control methods to duty-cycle the control voltage (and corresponding power) applied to the TEC  128 . The control module  106  may duty-cycle the control voltage applied to the TEC  128  to produce an average control voltage output in a range of 0%-100% of the maximum control voltage that can be output by the control module  106 . For example, where the maximum control voltage output by the control module  106  is 7.4 V, duty-cycling the control voltage output to 60% would yield an average control voltage output of 4.4 V over a defined time period. In some embodiments, the target temperature can be a function of a selected temperature setpoint for a body region of a user  112 , an offset (e.g., a time-varying offset), and a calibration value. The target temperature for cooling therapy by the temperature device  100  can be defined in Table 1 and Equation 1 as follows: 
     
       
         
           
               
             
               
                 TABLE 1 
               
               
                   
               
               
                 Cooling Therapy Control Equation (Equation 1) Parameters 
               
               
                   
               
             
            
               
                   
               
            
           
           
               
               
            
               
                 Target Temperature 
                 Target temperature measured by a temperature sensor 
               
               
                 Body Temperature 
                 Selected temperature setpoint for a body region 
               
               
                 Offset(t) 
                 Time-varying function of expected temperature difference between 
               
               
                   
                 temperature measured by temperature sensor and temperature of a 
               
               
                   
                 body region 
               
               
                 Calibration 
                 Calibration constant determined during manufacturing 
               
               
                   
               
            
           
         
       
     
       Target Temperature=Body Temperature−Offset(t)+Calibration  Equation 1:
 
     Equation 1 as described above may be defined in ° F. In some embodiments, alternate units of temperature (e.g., ° C.) can be used for Equation 1. As described herein, the “Target Temperature” described in Table 1 and Equation 1 can be the target temperature measured by temperature sensor  107 . For example, according to Equation 1, the control module  106  can apply a control voltage to the TEC  128 , cooling the contact surface of the TEC  128  such that the measured temperature at temperature sensor  107  is the “Target Temperature”. 
     In some embodiments, the “Body Temperature” constant described in Table 1 and Equation 1 can be a temperature setpoint for the temperature therapy device  100  included in received control instructions. For example, based on receiving control instructions at the control module  106  (e.g., from a user) indicating a temperature setpoint of 55° F., the “Body Temperature” constant can be configured to 55 in Equation 1. 
     In some embodiments, the “Offset(t)” function described in Table 1 and Equation 1 can be a time-varying function. The time-varying function may be a piecewise linear function of time. The time-varying function can represent the expected temperature difference between the measured temperature of temperature sensor  107  (e.g., the temperature of the TEC  128 ) and the expected temperature at a body region of a user  112  during operation of the temperature therapy device. The “Offset(t)” function can account for a body region&#39;s resistance (e.g., through blood circulation) to temperature change over time, as well as the difference in temperature at a body region and at the TEC  128  due to thermal buffering effects from components of the component mounting system  120  (e.g., a heat spreader, a plate, a silicone member, etc.). In some embodiments, the “Offset(t)” function may be defined by Equation 2 as follows: 
     
       
         
           
             
               
                 
                   
                     Offset 
                     ( 
                     t 
                     ) 
                   
                   = 
                   
                     { 
                     
                       
                         
                           
                             
                               
                                 
                                   2 
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                                     9 
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                   Equation 
                   ⁢ 
                      
                   2 
                 
               
             
           
         
       
     
     For Equation 2 as described above, t can be defined in seconds and Offset(t) can be defined in ° F. For the Offset(t) function, t=0 can be the time at which a user activates the temperature therapy device  100  for cooling therapy. In some embodiments, t=0 can be the time at which the control module  106  begins to apply a control voltage to the TEC  128  to initiate cooling therapy. In some embodiments, t may reset to t=0 when the temperature therapy device  100  is deactivated, powered off, and/or otherwise removed from a body region of a user  112 . In some embodiments, alternate units of time (e.g., minutes) can be used for t and/or alternate units of temperature (e.g., ° C.) can be used for Equation 2. In some embodiments, alternate functions (e.g., a non-linear function, non-piecewise function, constant function, etc.) can be used for Offset(t). As an example, for t=120, Offset(t) can equal 19° F. As another example, for t=360, Offset(t) can equal 15.2° F. As another example, for t=750, Offset(t) can equal 11.5° F. The Offset(t) function can function to prevent temperature drift between the measured temperature at the temperature sensor  107  and the actual temperature at a body region of a user  112 , as the relationship between the measured temperature and the actual temperature at a body region may not be static over a duration of cooling therapy. As an example, the difference between measured temperature at the temperature sensor  107  and the actual temperature at a body region may be 20° F. at t=150, whereas the difference may be 10° F. t=800. 
     In some embodiments, the “Calibration” constant described in Table 1 and Equation 1 can be a temperature measurement constant defined for the temperature therapy device  100  and control module  106 . The “Calibration” constant may be configured individually for each temperature sensor  107 , each temperature modulation system  104  (and TEC  128 ), or each control module  106  of the temperature therapy device  100 . In some embodiments, the “Calibration” constant may be configured based on quality control method during manufacturing of the temperature therapy device  100 . The quality control method for determining the “Calibration” constant for each temperature modulation system  104  and control module  106  is described herein in the sub-section title “Determining a Calibration Factor for a Temperature Therapy Device”. The “Calibration” constant may function to account for manufacturing defects in the component mounting system  120  (e.g., thermal grease application variation, plate thickness variation, etc.) such that difference between the temperature measured at the temperature sensor  107  and the temperature of a body region of a user  112  vary beyond an expected temperature range (e.g., 5° F., 7° F., 10° F., etc.). As an example, if the expected temperature difference between the temperature measured at the temperature sensor  107  and the temperature of a body region of a user  112  during cooling is 8° F. and the measured temperature difference is 6° F., the “Calibration” constant may be configured to 2° F. As another example, if the expected temperature difference is 8° F. and the measured temperature difference is 11° F., the “Calibration” constant may be configured to −3° F. By including the “Calibration” constant, the control module  106  can cool the TEC  128  to the (approximate) temperature setpoint included in the received control instructions based on measurements of the temperature sensor  107 . 
     In some embodiments, the control module  106  can initiate cooling therapy based on receiving control instructions. The control instructions can include a temperature setpoint for the temperature therapy device  100 , where the temperature setpoint can be selected from one or more discrete, preconfigured temperature levels or manually configured as described herein. Based on receiving control instructions including a temperature setpoint, the control module  106  can apply a control voltage to the TEC  128  according to the “Target Temperature” of Equation 1. As an example, for a “Body Temperature” of 52° F., t=360, and “Calibration” constant of 2° F., the control module  106  can target a measured temperature of 38.8° F. at the temperature sensor  107 . The control module  106  can duty-cycle the control voltage applied to the TEC  128  based on difference between the measured temperature at the temperature sensor  107  and the “Target Temperature” for the temperature sensor  107 . The control module  106  can duty-cycle the control voltage based on PID control techniques to minimize the difference between the measured temperature at the temperature sensor  107  and the “Target Temperature” for the temperature sensor  107  as described herein. For example, as the measured temperature approaches the “Target Temperature”, the control module  106  can duty-cycle the control voltage to 70% of the maximum control voltage, enabling the temperature therapy device  100  to conserve power (e.g., battery life for the power supply module  108 ) and approach the “Target Temperature” without significantly surpassing the “Target Temperature”. As the measured temperature of the temperature sensor  107  approaches and/or reaches the “Target Temperature”, the control module  106  can duty-cycle the control voltage such that the measured temperature at the temperature sensor  107  stabilizes about the “Target Temperature”. Based on stabilizing the measured temperature, the control module  106  can enable cooling therapy at approximately the selected temperature setpoint. 
     Heating Therapy Control of a Temperature Therapy Device 
     To provide heating therapy, the control module  106  can include at least one heating control method. A heating control method of the control module  106  can enable the temperature therapy device  100  to apply heating therapy to a body region of a user  112 . Heating therapy can include reaching therapeutic heating temperatures at a body region of a user  112 . The range of therapeutic cooling temperatures may include 104° F.-113° F. as described herein. In some embodiments, other temperature ranges for heating therapy may be used (e.g., 104° F.-109° F.). 
     In some embodiments, the heating control method of the control module  106  can be based on a target temperature. The target temperature may be the desired temperature measured at the temperature sensor  107 . The temperature measured at the temperature sensor  107  can be representative of the measured temperature at the contact surface (e.g., proximal to a body region of a user  112 ) of the TEC  128 . According to the heating control method, the control module  106  can function to drive the TEC  128  to the target temperature. The control module  106  may drive the TEC  128  to the target temperature (e.g., temperature setpoint) based on PID control methods. In some embodiments, constants for proportional gain, integral gain, and derivative gain of a PID algorithm can be selected based on combination of power conservation and time to heat a body region of a user  112 . Based on the measured temperature of temperature sensor  107  and the target temperature for temperature sensor  107 , the control module  106  can apply PID control methods to duty-cycle the control voltage (and corresponding power) applied to the TEC  128 . The control module  106  may duty-cycle the control voltage applied to the TEC  128  on a range of 0%-100% of the maximum control voltage that can be output by the control module  106 . For example, where the maximum control voltage output by the control module  106  is 5 V, duty-cycling the control voltage output to 80% would yield an average control voltage output of 4 V over a defined time period. In some embodiments, the target temperature can be a function of a selected temperature setpoint for a body region of a user  112 , an offset (e.g., a constant offset), and a calibration value. The target temperature for heating therapy by the temperature device  100  can be defined in Table 2 and Equation 3 as follows: 
     
       
         
           
               
             
               
                 TABLE 2 
               
               
                   
               
               
                 Heating Therapy Control Equation (Equation 3) Parameters 
               
               
                   
               
             
            
               
                   
               
            
           
           
               
               
            
               
                 Target Temperature 
                 Target temperature measured by a temperature sensor 
               
               
                 Body Temperature 
                 Selected temperature setpoint for a body region 
               
               
                 Offset 
                 Constant function of expected temperature difference between 
               
               
                   
                 temperature measured by temperature sensor and temperature of a 
               
               
                   
                 body region 
               
               
                 Calibration 
                 Calibration constant determined during manufacturing 
               
               
                   
               
            
           
         
       
     
       Target Temperature=Body Temperature+Offset+Calibration  Equation 3:
 
     Equation 3 as described above may be defined in ° F. In some embodiments, alternate units of temperature (e.g., ° C.) can be used for Equation 3. As described herein, the “Target Temperature” described in Table 2 and Equation 3 can be the target temperature measured by temperature sensor  107 . For example, according to Equation 3, the control module  106  can apply a control voltage to the TEC  128 , heating the contact surface of the TEC  128  such that the measured temperature at temperature sensor  107  is the “Target Temperature”. 
     In some embodiments, the “Body Temperature” constant described in Table 2 and Equation 3 can be a temperature setpoint for the temperature therapy device  100  included in received control instructions. For example, based on receiving control instructions at the control module  106  (e.g., from a user) indicating a temperature setpoint of 105° F., the “Body Temperature” constant can be configured to 105 in Equation 1. 
     In some embodiments, the “Offset” constant described in Table 1 and Equation 1 can be a constant function that represents the expected temperature difference between the measured temperature of temperature sensor  107  (e.g., the temperature of the TEC  128 ) and the expected temperature at a body region of a user  112  during operation of the temperature therapy device. In some embodiments, the “Offset” constant may be the measured temperature of temperature sensor  107  (e.g., the temperature of the TEC  128 ) minus the expected temperature at a body region of a user  112 . In other embodiments, the “Offset” constant may be the expected temperature at a body region of a user  112  minus the measured temperature of temperature sensor  107  (e.g., the temperature of the TEC  128 ). Accordingly, the sign (+/−) of the “Offset” constant may be selected as described herein. The “Offset” constant can account for a body region&#39;s resistance (e.g., through blood circulation) to temperature change over time, as well as the difference in temperature at a body region and at the TEC  128  due to thermal buffering effects from components of the component mounting system  120  (e.g., a heat spreader, a plate, a silicone member, etc.). In some embodiments, the “Offset” constant may be equal to 8° F. Alternate “Offset” constant values (e.g., 5° F., 10° F., etc.) may be defined to represent the relationship between the measured temperature at the temperature sensor  107  and the actual temperature of a body region of a user  112 . 
     In some embodiments, the “Calibration” constant described in Table 2 and Equation 3 can be a temperature measurement constant defined for the temperature therapy device  100  and control module  106 , as described above. For example, the “Calibration” constant may be configured individually for each temperature sensor  107 , each temperature modulation system  104  (and TEC  128 ), or each control module  106  of the temperature therapy device  100 . In some embodiments, the “Calibration” constant may be configured based on quality control test during manufacturing of the temperature therapy device  100 . The “Calibration” constant may function to account for manufacturing defects in the component mounting system  120  (e.g., thermal grease application variation, plate thickness variation, etc.) such that difference between the temperature measured at the temperature sensor  107  and the temperature of a body region of a user  112  vary beyond an expected temperature range (e.g., 5° F., 7° F., 10° F., etc.). As an example, if the expected temperature difference between the temperature measured at the temperature sensor  107  and the temperature of a body region of a user  112  during cooling is 8° F. and the measured temperature difference is 6° F., the “Calibration” constant may be configured to 2° F. As another example, if the expected temperature difference is 8° F. and the measured temperature difference is 11° F., the “Calibration” constant may be configured to −3° F. By including the “Calibration” constant, the control module  106  can cool the TEC  128  to the (approximate) temperature setpoint included in the received control instructions based on measurements of the temperature sensor  107 . 
     In some embodiments, the control module  106  can initiate heating therapy based on receiving control instructions. The control instructions can include a temperature setpoint for the temperature therapy device  100 , where the temperature setpoint can be selected from one or more discrete, preconfigured temperature levels or manually configured as described herein. Based on receiving control instructions including a temperature setpoint, the control module  106  can apply a control voltage to the TEC  128  according to the “Target Temperature” of Equation 1. As an example, for a “Body Temperature” of 105° F., an “Offset” of 8° F., and “Calibration” constant of −3° F., the control module  106  would target a measured temperature of 110° F. at the temperature sensor  107 . The control module  106  can duty-cycle the control voltage applied to the TEC  128  based on difference between the measured temperature at the temperature sensor  107  and the “Target Temperature” for the temperature sensor  107 . The control module  106  can duty-cycle the control voltage based on PID control techniques to minimize the difference between the measured temperature at the temperature sensor  107  and the “Target Temperature” for the temperature sensor  107  as described herein. For example, as the measured temperature approaches the “Target Temperature”, the control module  106  can duty-cycle the control voltage such that the average control voltage is 70% of the maximum control voltage, enabling the temperature therapy device  100  to conserve power (e.g., battery life for the power supply module  108 ) and approach the “Target Temperature” without significantly surpassing the “Target Temperature”. Example PID control techniques may include those described by Borase, R. P., et al. A review of PID control, tuning methods and applications.  Int. J. Dynam. Control  9, 818-827 (2021). As the measured temperature of the temperature sensor  107  approaches and/or reaches the “Target Temperature”, the control module  106  can duty-cycle the control voltage such that the measured temperature at the temperature sensor  107  stabilizes about the “Target Temperature”. Based on stabilizing the measured temperature, the control module  106  can enable heating therapy at approximately the selected temperature setpoint. 
     Temperature Control Method for a Temperature Therapy Device 
     To apply the cooling control methods or heating control methods as described herein, the temperature therapy device  100  can apply a temperature control method.  FIG.  7    illustrates a flowchart for a temperature control method  700  of an exemplary temperature therapy device  100 , according to some embodiments. A control module  106  (or a plurality of control modules  106 ) can apply the temperature control method  700  as described herein to one or more temperature modulation systems  104  to enable cooling or heating therapy. 
     At step  702 , the control module  106  can receive control instructions. The control instructions can include a temperature setpoint for therapy at a body region of the user  112 . In some embodiments, the control instructions can include a duration for therapy at the body region of the user  112 . The control instructions can be received at an input device of the control module  106  or received via a mobile device  110  communicatively coupled to the control module  106  as described here. The control module  106  can receive control instructions (or other signals) indicating selection of a preconfigured temperature setpoint using any suitable input interface or device (e.g., discrete button inputs, switches, touch screen, etc.). 
     At step  704 , the control module  106  can determine the temperature control method for the temperature therapy device  100 . The control module  106  can determine a cooling control method or a heating control method based on the temperature setpoint included in the received control instructions. In some embodiments, the control module  106  may determine a cooling control method or a heating control method based on comparing the temperature setpoint to one or more temperature thresholds or ranges. For example, if the temperature setpoint is equal to or below 60° F., the control module  106  can configure the cooling control method as described herein as the temperature control method for the temperature therapy device. Additionally, for example, if the temperature setpoint is within (or equal to) the temperature range of 104° F.-109° F., the control module  106  can configure the heating control method as described herein as the temperature control method for the temperature therapy device  100 . In some embodiments, the received control instructions can indicate a cooling control method or a heating control method. For example, if the temperature setpoint is selected from one or more preconfigured temperature setpoint, the selection of a preconfigured temperature setpoint of 50° F. can indicate a cooling control method for cooling therapy. 
     At step  706 , the control module  106  can apply a control voltage to a temperature modulation system  104  according to the determined temperature control method (e.g., the cooling control method or the heating control method). The control module  106  can apply a control voltage to the TEC  128  of the temperature modulation system  104  based on the “Target Temperature” determined as a function of described in Equation 1 and Equation 3 for the determined temperature control method. In some embodiments, the control module  106  can duty-cycle the control voltage applied to the TEC  128  based on PID control techniques to minimize the difference between the temperature measured at the temperature sensor  107  and the target temperature for the temperature sensor  107 . 
     At step  708 , the control module  106  can determine whether to deactivate thermal modulation for a temperature modulation system  104 . The control module  106  can determine to deactivate thermal modulation (e.g., cooling or heating of the TEC  128 ) based on an expiry of a duration for therapy (e.g., as received in step  702 ). For example, if a user configures a duration of 20 minutes for therapy, the control module  106  can deactivate thermal modulation of the temperature modulation system  104  based on an expiry of the 20 minute duration. In some embodiments, the duration for therapy configured by a user can correspond to a duration the temperature modulation system is active (e.g., caused to heat or cool by the control module  106 ) or a duration the temperature measured at the temperature sensor  107  is approximately the “Target Temperature”. In some embodiments, the control module  106  can determine to deactivate thermal modulation based on one or more received inputs. Inputs may be received at the temperature therapy device  100  (e.g., via an input device coupled to the control module  106 ) or via a computing device (e.g., the mobile computing device  110 ) communicatively coupled to the temperature therapy device  100 . 
     Determining a Calibration Factor for a Temperature Therapy Device 
     A temperature therapy device  100  (and the included control module  106 ) can require calibration during a manufacturing process to validate temperature measurement capabilities. Such calibration can be necessary to ensure proper operation of the temperature therapy device  100 , including accurate temperature measurement and controlled temperature modulation to provide cooling or heating therapy. Manufacturing defects (e.g., thermal grease application variation, plate thickness variation, temperature sensor sensitivity variation, etc.) can lead to variation in the expected temperature difference between temperature(s) measured by the temperature sensor(s)  107  and the temperature at a body region of a user  112 . As such, the control module  106  can be configured with calibration factors (e.g., the “Calibration” constants as described herein for Equation 1 and Equation 3) for each temperature sensor  107  to account for potential manufacturing defects in the temperature therapy device  100 . To calibrate a temperature therapy device  100 , the temperature therapy device  100  may be placed on a calibration fixture. The calibration fixture may include one or more temperature sensors (e.g., infrared temperature sensors), wherein each temperature sensor can measure the temperature at a silicone overmold insert  121  of each component mounting system  120  of the temperature therapy device  100 . For example, for a temperature therapy device  100  including five component mounting systems  120  (and five corresponding temperature modulation systems  104 ), the calibration fixture can include five infrared temperature sensors to measure the temperature at each of the silicone overmold inserts  121 . In some embodiments, the calibration fixture may couple to each temperature sensor  107  of the temperature therapy device to monitor the temperature measured by each temperature sensor  107 . 
     In some embodiments, based on being coupled to the calibration fixture, the temperature therapy device  100  can be activated for a heating therapy cycle and a cooling therapy cycle. For a heating therapy cycle, the control module  106  of the temperature therapy device  100  can be configured to a temperature (e.g., 105° F.) within the therapeutic heating range (e.g., 104° F.-109° F.). For a cooling therapy cycle, the control module  106  of the temperature therapy device  100  can be configured to a temperature (e.g., 105° F.) within the therapeutic heating range (e.g., 104° F.-109° F.). Based on activating the therapy device for a heating therapy cycle or a cooling therapy cycle, the calibration fixture can monitor the temperatures measured at each temperature sensor  107  and each temperature sensor of the calibration fixture. The calibration fixture can compare the measured temperatures during heating and cooling of the temperature therapy device. The calibration fixture may be configured with an expected temperature difference between the temperature(s) measured at each temperature sensor  107  (e.g., the TEC temperature) and each temperature sensor of the calibration fixture (e.g., silicone member temperature). For example, the calibration fixture can be configured to expect a 2° F. temperature difference (e.g., the difference of TEC temperature and silicone member temperature) for the heating therapy cycle and a 6° F. temperature difference (e.g., the difference silicone member temperature and TEC temperature) for the cooling therapy cycle. Based on measured variation from the expected temperature difference for the heating therapy cycle and the cooling therapy cycle, the control module  106  may be configured with a calibration factor (e.g., “Calibration” constant as described herein) for the heating control method and the cooling control method as described herein. The control module may be configured with a calibration factor for the heating control method and the cooling control method such that the expected temperature difference is satisfied. For example, for a heating therapy cycle with an expected temperature difference of 2° F. and a measured temperature difference of 7° F., the calibration factor can be configured as −5° F. In some embodiments, a calibration factor can be configured independently for each component mounting system  120  (and corresponding temperature modulation system  104 ). In some embodiments, a calibration factor can be configured independently for each temperature sensor  107  of the temperature therapy device  100 . 
     Some embodiments of a temperature therapy device including a TEC have been described. A TEC is one example of a temperature control (e.g., heating and/or cooling) component that may be used in the temperature therapy device (e.g., temperature therapy device  100 ). In some embodiments, one or more heating and/or cooling components other than a TEC may be used. For example, a Peltier device, a Peltier heater, a Peltier heat pump, and/or any other suitable heating and/or cooling component may be used. 
     Some non-limiting examples of a temperature therapy device  100  have been described. Additional embodiments of temperature therapy devices are described in U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63/090,987 which is incorporated by reference herein. Furthermore, some non-limiting examples of components of a temperature therapy device have been described. Additional embodiments of such components, including flexible thermal spreaders (e.g., heat spreader  126 ), heating and/or cooling elements (e.g., TEC  128 ), flexible substrates (e.g., flexible layers of a multi-layer retention mechanism  102 ), and coupling materials (e.g., adhesives, tapes, etc.) are also described in U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63/090,987. 
     Computer Systems 
       FIG.  8    is a block diagram of an example computer system  800  that may be used in implementing the technology described in this document. General-purpose computers, network appliances, mobile devices, or other electronic systems may also include at least portions of the system  800 . The system  800  includes a processor  810 , a memory  820 , a storage device  830 , and an input/output device  840 . Each of the components  810 ,  820 ,  830 , and  840  may be interconnected, for example, using a system bus  850 . The processor  810  is capable of processing instructions for execution within the system  800 . In some implementations, the processor  810  is a single-threaded processor. In some implementations, the processor  810  is a multi-threaded processor. The processor  810  is capable of processing instructions stored in the memory  820  or on the storage device  830 . 
     The memory  820  stores information within the system  800 . In some implementations, the memory  820  is a non-transitory computer-readable medium. In some implementations, the memory  820  is a volatile memory unit. In some implementations, the memory  820  is a non-volatile memory unit. 
     The storage device  830  is capable of providing mass storage for the system  800 . In some implementations, the storage device  830  is a non-transitory computer-readable medium. In various different implementations, the storage device  830  may include, for example, a hard disk device, an optical disk device, a solid-date drive, a flash drive, or some other large capacity storage device. For example, the storage device may store long-term data (e.g., database data, file system data, etc.). The input/output device  840  provides input/output operations for the system  800 . In some implementations, the input/output device  840  may include one or more of a network interface devices, e.g., an Ethernet card, a serial communication device, e.g., an RS-232 port, and/or a wireless interface device, e.g., an 802.11 card, a 3G wireless modem, or a 4G wireless modem. In some implementations, the input/output device may include driver devices configured to receive input data and send output data to other input/output devices, e.g., keyboard, printer and display devices  860 . In some examples, mobile computing devices, mobile communication devices, and other devices may be used. 
     In some implementations, at least a portion of the approaches described above may be realized by instructions that upon execution cause one or more processing devices to carry out the processes and functions described above. Such instructions may include, for example, interpreted instructions such as script instructions, or executable code, or other instructions stored in a non-transitory computer readable medium. The storage device  830  may be implemented in a distributed way over a network, for example as a server farm or a set of widely distributed servers, or may be implemented in a single computing device. 
     Although an example processing system has been described in  FIG.  8   , embodiments of the subject matter, functional operations and processes described in this specification can be implemented in other types of digital electronic circuitry, in tangibly-embodied computer software or firmware, in computer hardware, including the structures disclosed in this specification and their structural equivalents, or in combinations of one or more of them. Embodiments of the subject matter described in this specification can be implemented as one or more computer programs, i.e., one or more modules of computer program instructions encoded on a tangible nonvolatile program carrier for execution by, or to control the operation of, data processing apparatus. Alternatively or in addition, the program instructions can be encoded on an artificially generated propagated signal, e.g., a machine-generated electrical, optical, or electromagnetic signal that is generated to encode information for transmission to suitable receiver apparatus for execution by a data processing apparatus. The computer storage medium can be a machine-readable storage device, a machine-readable storage substrate, a random or serial access memory device, or a combination of one or more of them. 
     The term “system” may encompass all kinds of apparatus, devices, and machines for processing data, including by way of example a programmable processor, a computer, or multiple processors or computers. A processing system may include special purpose logic circuitry, e.g., an FPGA (field programmable gate array) or an ASIC (application specific integrated circuit). A processing system may include, in addition to hardware, code that creates an execution environment for the computer program in question, e.g., code that constitutes processor firmware, a protocol stack, a database management system, an operating system, or a combination of one or more of them. 
     A computer program (which may also be referred to or described as a program, software, a software application, a module, a software module, a script, or code) can be written in any form of programming language, including compiled or interpreted languages, or declarative or procedural languages, and it can be deployed in any form, including as a standalone program or as a module, component, subroutine, or other unit suitable for use in a computing environment. A computer program may, but need not, correspond to a file in a file system. A program can be stored in a portion of a file that holds other programs or data (e.g., one or more scripts stored in a markup language document), in a single file dedicated to the program in question, or in multiple coordinated files (e.g., files that store one or more modules, sub programs, or portions of code). A computer program can be deployed to be executed on one computer or on multiple computers that are located at one site or distributed across multiple sites and interconnected by a communication network. 
     The processes and logic flows described in this specification can be performed by one or more programmable computers executing one or more computer programs to perform functions by operating on input data and generating output. The processes and logic flows can also be performed by, and apparatus can also be implemented as, special purpose logic circuitry, e.g., an FPGA (field programmable gate array) or an ASIC (application specific integrated circuit). 
     Computers suitable for the execution of a computer program can include, by way of example, general or special purpose microprocessors or both, or any other kind of central processing unit. Generally, a central processing unit will receive instructions and data from a read-only memory or a random access memory or both. A computer generally includes a central processing unit for performing or executing instructions and one or more memory devices for storing instructions and data. Generally, a computer will also include, or be operatively coupled to receive data from or transfer data to, or both, one or more mass storage devices for storing data, e.g., magnetic, magneto optical disks, or optical disks. However, a computer need not have such devices. Moreover, a computer can be embedded in another device, e.g., a mobile telephone, a personal digital assistant (PDA), a mobile audio or video player, a game console, a Global Positioning System (GPS) receiver, or a portable storage device (e.g., a universal serial bus (USB) flash drive), to name just a few. 
     Computer readable media suitable for storing computer program instructions and data include all forms of nonvolatile memory, media and memory devices, including by way of example semiconductor memory devices, e.g., EPROM, EEPROM, and flash memory devices; magnetic disks, e.g., internal hard disks or removable disks; magneto optical disks; and CD-ROM and DVD-ROM disks. The processor and the memory can be supplemented by, or incorporated in, special purpose logic circuitry. 
     To provide for interaction with a user, embodiments of the subject matter described in this specification can be implemented on a computer having a display device, e.g., a CRT (cathode ray tube) or LCD (liquid crystal display) monitor, for displaying information to the user and a keyboard and a pointing device, e.g., a mouse or a trackball, by which the user can provide input to the computer. Other kinds of devices can be used to provide for interaction with a user as well; for example, feedback provided to the user can be any form of sensory feedback, e.g., visual feedback, auditory feedback, or tactile feedback; and input from the user can be received in any form, including acoustic, speech, or tactile input. In addition, a computer can interact with a user by sending documents to and receiving documents from a device that is used by the user; for example, by sending web pages to a web browser on a user&#39;s user device in response to requests received from the web browser. 
     Embodiments of the subject matter described in this specification can be implemented in a computing system that includes a back end component, e.g., as a data server, or that includes a middleware component, e.g., an application server, or that includes a front end component, e.g., a client computer having a graphical user interface or a Web browser through which a user can interact with an implementation of the subject matter described in this specification, or any combination of one or more such back end, middleware, or front end components. The components of the system can be interconnected by any form or medium of digital data communication, e.g., a communication network. Examples of communication networks include a local area network (“LAN”) and a wide area network (“WAN”), e.g., the Internet. 
     The computing system can include clients and servers. A client and server are generally remote from each other and typically interact through a communication network. The relationship of client and server arises by virtue of computer programs running on the respective computers and having a client-server relationship to each other. 
     While this specification contains many specific implementation details, these should not be construed as limitations on the scope of what may be claimed, but rather as descriptions of features that may be specific to particular embodiments. Certain features that are described in this specification in the context of separate embodiments can also be implemented in combination in a single embodiment. Conversely, various features that are described in the context of a single embodiment can also be implemented in multiple embodiments separately or in any suitable subcombination. Moreover, although features may be described above as acting in certain combinations and even initially claimed as such, one or more features from a claimed combination can in some cases be excised from the combination, and the claimed combination may be directed to a subcombination or variation of a subcombination. 
     Similarly, while operations are depicted in the drawings in a particular order, this should not be understood as requiring that such operations be performed in the particular order shown or in sequential order, or that all illustrated operations be performed, to achieve desirable results. In certain circumstances, multitasking and parallel processing may be advantageous. Moreover, the separation of various system components in the embodiments described above should not be understood as requiring such separation in all embodiments, and it should be understood that the described program components and systems can generally be integrated together in a single software product or packaged into multiple software products. 
     Particular embodiments of the subject matter have been described. Other embodiments are within the scope of the following claims. For example, the actions recited in the claims can be performed in a different order and still achieve desirable results. As one example, the processes depicted in the accompanying figures do not necessarily require the particular order shown, or sequential order, to achieve desirable results. In certain implementations, multitasking and parallel processing may be advantageous. Other steps or stages may be provided, or steps or stages may be eliminated, from the described processes. Accordingly, other implementations are within the scope of the following claims. 
     Terminology 
     The phraseology and terminology used herein is for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting. 
     Measurements, sizes, amounts, and the like may be presented herein in a range format. The description in range format is provided merely for convenience and brevity and should not be construed as an inflexible limitation on the scope of the invention. Accordingly, the description of a range should be considered to have specifically disclosed all the possible subranges as well as individual numerical values within that range. For example, description of a range such as 1-20 meters should be considered to have specifically disclosed subranges such as 1 meter, 2 meters, 1-2 meters, less than 2 meters, 10-11 meters, 10-12 meters, 10-13 meters, 10-14 meters, 11-12 meters, 11-13 meters, etc. 
     Furthermore, connections between components or systems within the figures are not intended to be limited to direct connections. Rather, data or signals between these components may be modified, re-formatted, or otherwise changed by intermediary components. Also, additional or fewer connections may be used. The terms “coupled,” “connected,” or “communicatively coupled” shall be understood to include direct connections, indirect connections through one or more intermediary devices, wireless connections, and so forth. 
     The term “approximately”, the phrase “approximately equal to”, and other similar phrases, as used in the specification and the claims (e.g., “X has a value of approximately Y” or “X is approximately equal to Y”), should be understood to mean that one value (X) is within a predetermined range of another value (Y). The predetermined range may be plus or minus 20%, 10%, 5%, 3%, 1%, 0.1%, or less than 0.1%, unless otherwise indicated. 
     The indefinite articles “a” and “an,” as used in the specification and in the claims, unless clearly indicated to the contrary, should be understood to mean “at least one.” The phrase “and/or,” as used in the specification and in the claims, should be understood to mean “either or both” of the elements so conjoined, i.e., elements that are conjunctively present in some cases and disjunctively present in other cases. Multiple elements listed with “and/or” should be construed in the same fashion, i.e., “one or more” of the elements so conjoined. Other elements may optionally be present other than the elements specifically identified by the “and/or” clause, whether related or unrelated to those elements specifically identified. Thus, as a non-limiting example, a reference to “A and/or B”, when used in conjunction with open-ended language such as “comprising” can refer, in one embodiment, to A only (optionally including elements other than B); in another embodiment, to B only (optionally including elements other than A); in yet another embodiment, to both A and B (optionally including other elements); etc. 
     As used in the specification and in the claims, “or” should be understood to have the same meaning as “and/or” as defined above. For example, when separating items in a list, “or” or “and/or” shall be interpreted as being inclusive, i.e., the inclusion of at least one, but also including more than one, of a number or list of elements, and, optionally, additional unlisted items. Only terms clearly indicated to the contrary, such as “only one of” or “exactly one of,” or, when used in the claims, “consisting of,” will refer to the inclusion of exactly one element of a number or list of elements. In general, the term “or” as used shall only be interpreted as indicating exclusive alternatives (i.e. “one or the other but not both”) when preceded by terms of exclusivity, such as “either,” “one of” “only one of” or “exactly one of.” “Consisting essentially of,” when used in the claims, shall have its ordinary meaning as used in the field of patent law. 
     As used in the specification and in the claims, the phrase “at least one,” in reference to a list of one or more elements, should be understood to mean at least one element selected from any one or more of the elements in the list of elements, but not necessarily including at least one of each and every element specifically listed within the list of elements and not excluding any combinations of elements in the list of elements. This definition also allows that elements may optionally be present other than the elements specifically identified within the list of elements to which the phrase “at least one” refers, whether related or unrelated to those elements specifically identified. Thus, as a non-limiting example, “at least one of A and B” (or, equivalently, “at least one of A or B,” or, equivalently “at least one of A and/or B”) can refer, in one embodiment, to at least one, optionally including more than one, A, with no B present (and optionally including elements other than B); in another embodiment, to at least one, optionally including more than one, B, with no A present (and optionally including elements other than A); in yet another embodiment, to at least one, optionally including more than one, A, and at least one, optionally including more than one, B (and optionally including other elements); etc. 
     The use of “including,” “comprising,” “having,” “containing,” “involving,” and variations thereof, is meant to encompass the items listed thereafter and additional items. 
     Use of ordinal terms such as “first,” “second,” “third,” etc., in the claims to modify a claim element does not by itself connote any priority, precedence, or order of one claim element over another or the temporal order in which acts of a method are performed. Ordinal terms are used merely as labels to distinguish one claim element having a certain name from another element having a same name (but for use of the ordinal term), to distinguish the claim elements. 
     Having thus described several aspects of at least one embodiment of this invention, it is to be appreciated that various alterations, modifications, and improvements will readily occur to those skilled in the art. Such alterations, modifications, and improvements are intended to be part of this disclosure, and are intended to be within the spirit and scope of the invention. Accordingly, the foregoing description and drawings are by way of example only.